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

[soulus]

If something were to happen while we're both on it, I will be unable to assist you. It's better if I stay here.

[His feet are firmly planted on the ground. Kano is free to embark on this watery journey alone.]

Of course . . . if anything does happen and you accept my assistance, there will be an additional charge.

[suddenlybees]

[ If something happens, being on the raft would be the best place to assist him???? please ]

Huh... As, like, an after-charge, right? You're not going to make me dig through my pockets for suitable payment while I'm in the middle of drowning? Can I pre-pay? How's this work?

[soulus]

[He'll be too busy saving himself first to care about Kano. Maybe he can throw a rope from here.]

Given the conditions, it will be an after-charge. I cannot accept advanced payment in the event you perish during the incident.

[suddenlybees]

Oh, that's fair! If I die, there's no charge, no debt, good to know!

[ He throws the plastic bag raft into the river and hops onto it. The rope should maybe be tied somewhere but he'll figure that out later, there's no sense tying it to anything that'll anchor him here.

River flows left, taking Kano with it. ]

[soulus]

[Left, Kano goes. Rufus watches from his spot by the bridge, unmoving until Kano is halfway out of sight, at which point he starts moving parallel to the river. He did say he'd watch—and he wants to know what the limit is.]

[suddenlybees]

[ It's not a rushing river, at least, so Kano goes down the river at a leisurely pace, flopped on his stomach with his feet kicking idly in the air so he can face forward and— not have it matter, because sometimes the current shifts and the raft gets turned around and then he's floating sideways.

It's nice and peaceful. Until the raft hits the barrier at the far left side and the bags squash together and deposit Kano into the water. ]

[soulus]

[Oh, nice.

Rufus is not so far that he has to run to peer into the water for signs of Kano, where he gauges whether his assistance is necessary or not. How's Kano doing?]

[suddenlybees]

[ Drenched and soggy, clinging onto the bags that keep him near the surface but rather than climbing back onto it, Kano wraps his lanyard rope around part of the raft, takes a deep breath, and dives back underwater. ]

[soulus]

[He waits by the riverbank, crouched with an arm draped over a knee. That's one way to circumvent swimming. The raft really is holding up.]

[suddenlybees]

[ The whole reason for doing any of this has taken a backseat.......

Eventually, Kano resurfaces again, arms draped over the raft. ]

How do I get back out???

[ Swimming time is over, he wants to leave ]

[soulus]

[First, Kano needs to get out of the water. Rufus moves as closely to the water as he can without stepping into it.]

If you throw me the rope, I can pull you out.

[suddenlybees]

[ ...Kano clutches the rope to his chest. ]

What's it gonna cost me?

[ Does he value his life more than whatever it'll cost? probably not ]

[soulus]

[Smart boy.]

Didn't I say that it would be an after-charge?

It doesn't have to be now. Since you don't have money, I will accept payment in the form of information about this world or an item of similar value. Tea packets are unacceptable.

[suddenlybees]

Ehh... I don't like being in debt. But I don't have to pay if I die, right?

[ If that's how it is, then he tosses the lanyard line as far out as he can—- it just barely reaches the riverbank, please catch it or Kano will have to reel it in and try five more times to get it close enough. ]

[soulus]

Not to worry. You won't die from this.

[He pitches forward, bending his knees toward the riverbank to swipe the lanyard before it hits the water, then straightens and starts to reel the makeshift rope in.]

[suddenlybees]

[ His savior... Kano gets reeled back to shore, all the while thinking to himself that he can unload everything he ever finds and Rufus is never going to accept any item or piece of information Kano brings to him and this is why it's so hard to get out of debt, he should just die quickly and wash his hands of this nonsense. ]

[soulus]

[Die and Rufus will cross into the graveyard to demand payment. Death won't save Kano from paying up.

Once Kano's feet touch land, Rufus winds his portion of the lanyard rope up and holds it out.]

Thank you for your cooperation. That was a fruitful excursion.

[suddenlybees]

[ Oh crap, I forgot about the graveyard.

Kano takes the lanyards back and stuffs it into his pocket and proceeds to untie his baggie raft and let all the air out so he can squash that down to a more portable size too. ]

Sure was, huh? And now I know how to swim! Thanks a bunch for the lesson~

[soulus]

[Graveyard . . . ]

Learning was entirely your doing. I was here to observe the boundaries and properties of the river.