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

[lecarre]

Oh, a fruit tart sounds lovely! Could I help?

[A beat.]

I am... not a very good cook, but I would like to help how I can anyway, if that is all right.

[lecarre]

[They tried tbh.

They're probably going to stagger all over pathetically looking for his brother now while Ange tries and fails to find a doctor.

It's a little pitiful.]

[assistance]

Well! If I could learn how the devices receive messages, then I might be able to trace them back to the source. From there, assuming all these devices share the same network, it should just a simple reworking of the code to allow two-way communication! Maybe even communication across the network itself!

... In theory, of course. Like I said earlier, this sort of thing isn't my area of expertise.

[robopriest]

No, I'm a fake one, I just wear this for kicks.

[A beat.]

Just kidding. I am. The name's Father Hansa Cervantes. And you are?

ii

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano wanders into the kitchen, sees the kettle, the coffee, Alex... He picks up a spoon, scoops some coffee right out of the far in Alex's hands, and shoves it into his mouth. And frowns. ]

[robopriest]

...

[A raise of the eyebrow.]

What, the electric teapot? Its easy. You just plug it in and flip a switch.

[evocationary]

Hilda, Hilda. [ she mumbles, nyooming through the racks. she is a champion at finding names, because she grabs one that says hilda and immediately holds it out. ]

They're ugly as sin, but that's their charm. Shiny overpriced garbage.

[recrowns]

Ah, thank you.

[briefly - he doesn't know what these are. he won't say it out loud because they look great

if she wanted to poison him it would be so easy]

Do one circle of the perimeter and it's a preliminary search, a second and it's to be thorough, and the third is to capturing details... and all attempts after that only feel a little futile, no?

kitchen

[antaressnipe]

[A centaur and a rat walk into a kitchen--

But no really, nevermind his own shaky familiarity with most things in here -- watching the yellow rodent pour himself a beverage is enough to warrant a stare]

Ah...

[He sees, he sees... he sees something.]

[recrowns]

[well there's no helping his smile at that]

I like your outlook the best - I hope yours is right!

[siblingless]

Honestly, I wasn't really thinking...

[If she was, maybe she would have shoved it in the trash instead of yeeting it out of shock. WHY ARE THERE CONDOMS IN THE GOODIE BAGS...]

I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but why would something like this be included in our bags? They can't intend for us to use it, can they?

[discernments]

[ Her gaze lowers a little. ]

That this is true for so many is saddening, much more for those who have never deserved it, but it makes those who persevere that much more brilliant.

[recrowns]

That's very helpful of you.

[an easy-going smile over his shoulder before he procures the milk to pour some into his coffee]

What is coffee made out of? Not leaves, I take it. Is it a common drink where you're from?

a

[stillnot]

I don't think there's much to learn from this place.

[ Also, RUDE?? ]

[riegan]

(Well, there's a reaction. He can't help but frown! Why won't she let him help?)

It's not nothing. You're bleeding.

(He can't ignore that! And he holds out his hand to her again, this time offering to help instead of just poking at her.

If it helps gain any trust at all--)

My name's Claude. Claude von Riegan. (Does that name even mean anything to her?) Let me help you.

[evocationary]

[ she shrugs. ]

I mean that's how these things go, right? The BBEG grabs your ass, puts you in a room with eight other people and goes would you like to play a game and then you have to eat each other's livers in order to escape with your life.

Or whatever.

[recrowns]

[there's a bit of a smile at that - ]

Oh...? I'm happy to share them, though I feel as though I ought to warn that they are not always happy stories.

[suddenlybees]

[ Yeah, there is blood everywhere. The arm's pretty mangled and it was not a clean cut getting it off the rest of the body, so, uh, hm. Fine.

As if he's safe as long as some part of his body remains inside the door, he reaches out to pat Usagi on the head but with like... one foot still in the room just in case. ]

[sacredchants]

[ she's making sure there's a reasonable distance between the two of them. don't get cozy with her. ]

They're worthless. [ her voice drifts off momentarily sounding a bit forlorn only to be covered up with a sudden harshness. ] I honestly should have burned them but...

[ someone might have stopped her from burning clothes since that's a scene. ]

Anyway, it's none of your business why I'm discarding them.

[moondumplings]

[ it's too late for her she's a 90's shoujo.

in the meantime, her face takes on a complicated look until the helpful game noises reach her ears from beyond the door and oh-!]

The arcade..! [ she lights up. her favorite place. ] It's very, very important!

[recrowns]

[what's a smoothie, what's whipped cream]

Ah, a beverage? I do believe there's a kitchen here, so that should be possible.

[suddenlybees]

[ no... ]

Yep, yep, that's truly how it works! It is pretty dangerous, huh... Are you scared? Want me to do it with you?

[recrowns]

[oh!]

Is it? Would you mind showing me?

[it's cute that she's excited, so now he's excited too]

[stillnot]

Definitely not.

I've never seen a castle in person, before. And it's way cleaner than anywhere I've seen in years. Too quiet, too empty...

[axecessory]

Thanks! [ She takes the little keychain and quickly takes it spinning it around her finger. It's flimsy and has a bunch of starry glitter but it's hers. ] Overpriced... were you planning on paying?

[ isn't this stuff just like, out for the taking? ]