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

[reconnective]

[the fact that he laughs does nothing to help himself, but it's fine.]

Okay. Let's see...there was this one time we went to Wonderland. It was pretty bizarre because everything was upside-down and kind of crazy, and the Cheshire Cat wasn't that helpful when the Queen was trying to put Alice on trial, but it was kind of cool to explore the forest and talk to the flowers. And we've visited Atlantica a couple of times to help protect King Triton's kingdom and be a part of a concert with our friend Ariel. It was a whole world underwater in this big, wide ocean. We had fun though and the concert turned out pretty okay.

[she's absolutely going to think he's making things up but it's out there now, there it goes.]

EYES SNAP OPEN AND DANCE WITH FIRE

[showyourself]

[her! name! elsa turns around immediately, expecting to see someone she knows?





whomst

she blinks once, twice, cocks her head, and tries to smile. it comes off kind of? puzzled?]

Oh. Yes.

[She Is Here.

...]

Yes, I am.

[her mental ye olden rolodex spins, trying to place this kid she's never seen in her entire life.]

[recrowns]

[soowoo and weewooxian in the same game would've been too powerful so we had to kill aki

as was written in the prophecy

anyway he's just going to be a little startled, and takes a second to adjust to make sure he's hearing her correctly uh]

Oh! A fighting game?

[girls can do that now? the modern era is amazing!]

[evocationary]

[ she gigglesnorts at bougier. ]

If anything I'm going to make you cut onions for an hour as punishment. [ she scoots off to the fridge to grab stuff to make her roux. ] Don't worry. I've got a bougie radar and you're not setting off the red alerts yet, so.

[stillnot]

We all got the same bag with the same junk, so I figure anything I find from those is a safe bet.

[ ... She hasn't been to her room to find out about their items from home, yet. ]

[soulus]

[He gives her a look. Does it look like he thinks that? After a long moment of just staring, he turns around to leave.]

[suddenlybees]

How about, like, every three steps you take, I'll reveal one word of the plan?

[sacredchants]

[ DON'T POINT OUT HER FLAWS. even if she's aware of them. the conversation can't be about what's wrong with her. ]

"Crush humanity than boost it"?

[ frankly: ]

Like in what way? It seems like there are a lot of people out to end humanity.

[showyourself]

[wow i can't believe flurry is a coward? anyway

elsa drops he arms, and sighs.]

Apparently. But that doesn't make any sense. If it was that easy, I would have just--

[--done it myself.

she purses her lips, biting back the words, and shakes her head. not relevant. not helpful. and she's long past that.]

This has never happened before.

[canned]

I. At the barrier

["I'm sorry! I'll be back! ........Just hang in there a little longer! ........I'll come back, no matter what! No matter what!! I promise!!"

"I promise..."

The previously empty eyes on a massive suit of steel armor suddenly alight as Alphonse sits up with a gasp, looking around. He stands, taking in the unfamiliar town square, frantically looking for someone.]

Big brother??

[Apparently not seeing him, but spotting the bridge at the end of the road, he bolts with surprising quickness towards the river, heavy metal footfalls clanging down the road. He makes it halfway across before, inevitably, rebounding hard off the invisible barrier.

Confused, but undaunted, Al begins to pound his fists against whatever has stopped him. When that results in nothing more than colorful little sparks, he claps his hands together and places them on it. Nothing. Again he claps, this time touching the ground after. Nothing.

Eventually, he'll probably become aware of someone watching him, but for now he's staring out past the bridge, mind racing and fists clenched.

II. Later, at the train station

[Having given up on the barrier for now, Al is taking time to collect his thoughts and go through his goodie bag as he sits waiting for a train at a station with no tracks.

Sitting on the ground, he's spread the contents of the bag out in front of him in a neat little arrangement. The rock, the tea, the condom. He picks up the headband, with its two yellow stars bobbing on top, and looks around to see if anyone's watching him.

Not seeing anyone, he puts it on and is looking at his reflection in the darkened screen of the powered off handheld.]

III. Baby's first arcade

[Drawn in by the cacophony of digital music and blaring artificial voices, Al walks into the penny arcade and immediately stops in his tracks, transfixed by the wonderland of color and flashing lights.

He's, uh...he's blocking the doorway completely.]

[recrowns]

[there's a soft smile at that, and if he notices her sadness, he won't say anything about it

nope, he's going to cut some apples. after he sets a few down, he tries to get creative and see if he can cut some up like bunnies like he'd seen before? the first one's a little mangled and the ears are too short, but the second one's better!

anyway.]

Haha, I do. It's all on horseback, though, so likely not as fast as this train or car you're familiar with. Though that's nice too - you get to see all the farmlands as you go by, and sometimes the people are in the fields and you can wave hello to them.

[sometimes there are corpses in the streets and that's less nice but we're avoiding sad talk right now]

There aren't any 'walkers' in my kingdom - though we do have our trouble with wars... a bit of a different problem. Still, the lands are beautiful and the people are kind.

[showyourself]

[the answer triggers a warmer smile, and a nod.]

Good guess. And correct—I'm looking for my rock.

[sacredchants]

[ HEY.

DON'T LEAVE HER LIKE THIS?? WTF!!! she's not gonna call out to him but what the hell, man!!! ]

[suddenlybees]

Like, specifically here to cross the river? Huh... I guess so! Yeah!

[ He is now! he supposes ]

How 'bout you? Got any river crossing on your plans for the day?

[soulus]

[Goodbye.]

[evocationary]

Nope, none of that. Cooking is following directions, you can't fuck it up.

[ she drops her ingredients on the counter. ] There's already potato soup on the stove. Some leeks are left over? And I'm gonna try making pasta, but I couldn't find a machine for it so we'll see on that front.

iii

[suddenlybees]

Aw, flatterer, you're making me blush~

[ Kano's talents are very... useful. Yeah. ]

Y'know, it took years and years to perfect these sorta skills! What d'you say, want to learn?

[reconnective]

You sure? I don't mind. We can cut the fruit slices together and you can help me mix the ingredients for the dough. It's one of the first recipes I learned and it's pretty easy once you remember what's in it.

[helping is always acceptable.]

[recrowns]

Ah, so you're after my tears. I understand now. [though it comes with a bit of a laugh] I appreciate your appraisal. I'm in your care.

[but he did say he'd trade so]

Currently, I'm operating under the basis of a hostage situation - though I don't know enough about everyone here to establish the reasoning behind it.

Though it is a bit hard to know everyone, considering that my second hypothesis is that we're all from different time periods and worlds. I like to think I'm rather well-traveled and connected to information channels, but I've learned a lot today.

About - mm... Bougie and cultivators and... arcades!

Nothing useful for our escape yet, I'm afraid, but hopefully the more information we pool together, the more easily we can negotiate against our captors whether they're friendly or otherwise.

[antaressnipe]

Given the number of stairs, you wouldn't be forced to reveal much.

[Putting a hand on his hip, the student flashbacks continue]

Is there a particular reason why you do not wish to speak of your plan right now? Besides the possibility there is no plan at all.

[evocationary]

[ yeah nobody but NERDS pay for things. ]

I won't rat you out, but fair warning? The second you tattle on me I'm reverse Uno carding you. [ she holds out a pinky. ] Pinky promise.

[soulus]

[She can't have both. Either she looks or she goes blind.

Behind his legs, the critter sits straight and wraps a fluffy tail around itself. Is it a girl? Who knows?]

. . . Information also has a cost.

[sacredchants]

[ it's a good thing she doesn't believe him for a moment that he's going to leave it alone. ]

Of course I haven't. I don't have any super healing—I'm just a normal girl.

[ a perfectly normal girl with nothing special about her, so he can stop being nosy. though...she has her own questions. ]

Why? Are you saying that you'd heal right up if someone hurt you?

[reconnective]

[...yeah she lost him. sort of. because if he thinks about it in a different way it makes a little more sense and it's in that moment he seems to be making other connections.]

Is it possible for the source to change into something else? Like, let's say it was one thing, but it combined with another and became something else. Would that source be the same, or would they be two different sources?

[recrowns]

['misplaced', huh?

it's a bit of a funny word and it makes him smile - though it's at least not unkind]

Oh, that is a predicament. We don't know if that's important yet! I'll assist, then.

[and off he goes, dunking his hands into the water and picking up whatever the hickety heck is in there]

If it does become relevant, perhaps we can just share mine until we locate yours.