WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

[retellers]

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL (43 remain) Whatever each character was doing—chatting with friends, going to bed, saving the world—ceases. In fact, it's likely nothing more than a groggy memory now, as they open their eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. Apparently, they took a nap right in the middle of a small town, plopped outside on the paved road. Ow? Oh, but it looks like they've been given a goodie bag. Everyone likes gifts, right? Inside, it contains: - a single random one of the following headbands and sparklers - packets of tea - one unlabeled pill - a rock that resembles the galaxy - if they're of age, a mini bottle of alcohol; if they're underage, a can of Mountain D*w Baja Blast instead - a singular condom - a single random one of these pillows (how did this fit?) - a handheld device Should they boot up the device, the screen helpfully informs them that it's a Participant Help System (PHS). Not much on it, but it does have a few apps, including a memo one for taking notes. There's also a messaging system, though it's only capable of receiving messages, not sending any. As a matter of fact, there's an alert for a new message already. Maybe it'll explain what's going on. Good evening, everyone. Uh, how are we sure they’re arriving in the evening? Just say “hello”! Or “greetings”! Greetings is fancy, right? Oh that’s true. Greetings, everyone. That’s better? Yes! Except maybe we take out the that’s better part in the final version. Will do! We’re sorry that we’re not here jklk oh no how do i erase what i wrote. Where is the question mark. Help press backspace. What is a backspace it’s written on the keyboard. Do you even know how to read? right now. There are a lot of things happening that’s so vague? Could we maybe TRY to not be ominous, guys??, It’s going to be ominous no matter what we say, so who cares so we need time to best prepare for you all. We will greet you properly soon, so please make yourselves at home! There are a lot of places to explore, and the kitchen has a lot of delicious food. Please don’t be shy, but also, don’t damage anything. It’s a little inconvenient. They’re going to do it just because you sound so fucking whiny. I’m sorry oh this is how you write somewhere else. Please do not fight or do. We don’t control your life choices. No please do not fight how do i make an exclamation mark maybe we should’ve gotten someone else to write the draft of the message? No offense. I’m sorry Sorry stop apologizing. No one else volunteered. Maybe we’ll luck out and none of them know how to read Thank you for your time! We’ll see you soon. Also, we promise you haven’t been kidnapped or anything! Oh dear. I don’t know if this is going to be edited, so if it isn’t, then I do apologize to the participants for our lack of organization. We’re doing our best! Probably. Er, what? Unfortunately, it seems as though that's the only info they're given for now. In the meantime, why not explore the surrounding area? A number of buildings are locked, and the Planetarium appears to be closed, but there's enough to keep the characters occupied for a day or two. They might even want to get to know their fellow "participants" better, while they're at it.

NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories

Comments

b.

[lecarre]

[They're sharing that thought, at least.

Ange is also staring at the abomination of a pony... ... ... and then her gaze shifts to Chiron's, and bizarrely, her first thought is:]

Oh, thank goodness... not all horses here are pink.

[A beat.

She flusters.]

I--I mean, um, you are, that is...! Not to say you are a horse, sir...!

[except kind of yeah]

[dawnblushed]

[ANGE??

Yona has seen and done some pretty silly stuff, but she can't recall seeing anyone run directly into a wall before. So when she sees Ange just slam run into it, she hurries over, looking equal parts confused and concerned.]

Are you okay?

[Her voice comes out very raspy and quiet even though her tone kind of indicates she's trying to be louder. Don't worry about it.]

C.

[chanteuser]

[













sir, are you aware you are half horse? ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Whoever walks by the open door to room 15 gets an arm thrown at their face. A whole arm all the way up to the shoulder, bloody sinew and mangled flesh and all. It bleeds out all over your shoes. The door slams closed.

Will I write a real toplevel later? idk. I'm at work for another 5.5 hours and have barely read anything yet but for now, a present from Kano to you. ]

[evocationary]

[ ... ]

Yeeees. I am definitely the owner of this establishment and my first decree as queen of weird Not-Fantasy-Disneyland is you keep out of the trash. [ sniff. ] And it's fine, you can just work off your debt.

[ what debt. ] Come here, you're going to help me make some Bouillabaisse.

[exercisms]

[This is. More interaction than he expected? It's one thing to helpfully inform a stranger that there are no ghosts, but he always feels awkward when someone is curious about his powers.]

Yes, I can talk to them and exorcise them if I want to. But it's nothing too special!

iii

[reconnective]

[given he's wearing the heart-headband, he still looks stupid but he nods in agreement.]

Well, the colors match so maybe. [he tilts his head.] Have you tried them on yourself? I bet they'd look good on you, too.

[soulus]

I was there earlier. Did something change?

the last two people that should be allowed to party in the kitchen

[dianxias]

[ xie lian pops out of the trash as fresh as a daisy, as if he was not in fact just shoulders deep in a trash can. ]

Oh-! No, no, I was just looking.

[ ????? ]

[robopriest]

Certainly not me. But ah, beggars can't be choosers...

[He pretends to look offended, but it doesn't hide the amused sparkle in his visible eye.]

Me? A creep? Ah, you're going to hurt my feelings... [:(((((] And a priest is...hm. How to explain...a representative and religious leader of sorts - I follow the will of the Lord, and help others where He sees fit.

[favourable]

[there are like. a lot of things virid could be freaking out over right now, but in this instant, he'll settle for—]

What... Where—where is Virid...?

[anyway that sure is blood]

two!

[dawnblushed]

[Well, Yona had come in here looking for something to drink, but - as her stomach reminds her with a little growl - she's kind of hungry. So.

She nods.]

Yes, please.

[Her voice comes out scratchy and raspy but it's fine probably.]

ic profiles

[frostythehitman]

[ Bucky may or may not know the etiquette of screenlooking. Here he is, peeking over Xie Lian's shoulder at his screen. ]

Didn't know we could look people up on this thing. Who's that?

[lecarre]

[LISTEN... we all make mistakes.

Ange rubs her nose as she staggers back a few paces, wincing.]

I thought perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me...

[A beat.

She turns her attention to Yona.]

Miss, are you all right...? You sound rather... [BAD?]

[robopriest]

No, there's just a quality to it that I discovered. One that could be rather dangerous if used correctly. But I'm sure with your generous nature and nice cat that you're someone upstanding I can tell anything to, right?

ii

[reconnective]

I dunno. [sora's nearby and browsing sunglasses on his own, so even if taako's not talking to him he's going to reply.] Maybe they're just not used to addressing a crowd yet. Some people aren't so good with words.

[pikaffeine]

Chaaaa... [ he sighs it out with all the dejection this poor fluffy body can hold. where are they. where is tim. and why are their kidnappers so bad at kidnapping. ] Pipikachu.

[ he points to the goodie bag he had to leave on the ground while he climbed up to make coffees. do they expect him to carry this up the stairs. he is so small. they are bullies. ]

[uhhhmagic]

Uh, yeah, should I not recognize you? Am I being Punk’d right now? Are the cameras around? I drank the jellyfish piss and remembered everything, but that was like, a while ago now, and I thought we covered this?

[Poking her in the temple.]

Did they hit your head in the kidnapping. Fuck.

[dianxias]

Bouilla... [ ????

xie lian understood maybe five words that she just spoke.

hm. ] ...Ah, I don't mind paying off anything, exactly, but I'm not sure if cooking is a good idea, your highness... [ he just? took her word for it? ]

[chanteuser]

[ thanks she's a natural. apparently.

she just... holds the pillow? it's fine. it's cuddly. ]

No, not really. I don't even know the rules. [ her delivery is? maybe just a little dry. ]

Have you tried throwing anything else at it?

[lecarre]

[THAT SURE IS BLOOD.

Ange digs into her pARTY GIFT BAG.

There is nothing useful here.]

Please, stay still for a moment...! You're hurt badly, you need medical attention!

[exercisms]

I wouldn't steal them! I could call someone and get money, but my phone is . . .

[He definitely is starting to suspect she's maybe, maybe trying to con him, but he's too flustered to do anything about that. But he frowns at her question.]

He's my younger brother, but - please don't involve him in this! If I've done something wrong, I'll pay for it on my own.

inn

[supremity]

[ The thud is what gets his attention, and Hua Cheng slowly looks up at the ceiling. Eyebrow cocked, he moves to go - investigate, or something. Maybe someone broke down a door and he can take advantage of it. He's so kind.

That plan sure gets scrapped (ha ha) the second he sees the white robes, the bamboo hat, the brown hair - ]

Gege?

[robopriest]

Good to see you're made of tough stuff.

[There's a pause...and he actually reaches down a hand for Xie Lian to grasp to pull him up. How nice of him.]

Oh, right across the bridge. There's an invisible wall there, you see.

[uhhhmagic]

[Great, now he’s gotta be responsible for this water bottle. Bending down. ]

Uh. What are you doin’ with all that stuff there, pumpkin?