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

[recrowns]

... did something happen to them?

[a beat]

Only if you'd be willing to share, of course. If not, we can go get something good to eat to lift our spirits. Or perhaps we can do both at once.

[stillnot]

[ Okay she's ????????????? at that first question and I would personally love to answer it but-- ]

There's food here?

[recrowns]

There was a kitchen in the inn that I stumbled upon earlier. I'm no master chef, unfortunately...

But shall we go scavenge for some snacks? I'll be sure to repay our host once they show their face to us.

[stillnot]

Our host fucking kidnapped us, so I don't think you need to worry about repaying them.

[ At least, not in a positive sense. But yeah, she's pretty eager to eat, so despite confusion, she's standing up. ]

[recrowns]

[soo-won will go along with that, offering a smile - though this one is a bit more subdued than before]

Well, we aren't to be certain that the host of the inn and those who brought us here are one and the same. I'd rather not punish servants and citizens for the acts of their leadership.

Though you're rather calm [if a bit angwy] for someone who believes she's been kidnapped.

[stillnot]

I guess that could be true...

[ She can't deny the possibility. But who knows - Clementine shrugs. ]

It's just that panicking won't help, that's all.

[recrowns]

That's also true, but even that objective knowledge doesn't manage to permeate through emotion all the time.

[he sounds impressed with her! and a bit... curious]

Since we both don't know very much about here, shall we continue our discussion of our homes?

[stillnot]

I've been in worse situations.

[ Haha, speaking of home. ]

Oh, uh... Sure. Where are you from?

[recrowns]

I'm from the country of Kouka. It's a rather small country, though there have been a few wars at our borders lately...

And you?

[stillnot]

... Georgia.

[ Hm. ]

[recrowns]

I can't say I'm familiar with it.

What's it like?

[stillnot]

Full of walkers. Same as anywhere else.

[ ... ]

I've never heard of Kouka, either. [ but that doesn't mean much because she doesn't know geography. she stopped going to school when she was 8. ]

[recrowns]

[hm hm hmmmmm]

Well, young miss, I currently have a hypothesis.

I would like to offer both my theory and my name to you, if you'd be willing to listen.

[stillnot]

Sure.

[ That formal way of speaking is a little funny to her. ]

Uh, and I'm Clementine. Sorry, I should have said so earlier.

[recrowns]

If anything, I should've done the same. My name is Won - though I believe it appears slightly differently on the device.

At the risk of suspending disbelief or sounding like a lunatic, I think that you and I are from different points in time - and perhaps expanding on that, different worlds entirely. There are some on the device who are listed as being hundreds of years old, and introduce themselves as gods or otherwise.

Which is not to say that gods do or don't exist, which is another debate to be had, but unless these are very convincingly written and all other persons here are actors to mislead us, we all exist in different forms of reality.

If a vehicle such as a 'train' existed, I'm sure I would've heard of something in my country. Similarly, I do not know the 'walker' you are referring to, which is odd since you speak of them as though they are a given in one's knowledge, as inherently obvious as the sun itself. And so I apologize, if I have not been able to entirely grasp what you've been saying to me.

[which he sounds a little bothered by, because he would inherently like to be able to communicate with her better than this!

they make it back to the inn, and he opens the door for her]

I think I'll take another day to refine my thoughts - but that is currently my hypothesis. What do you think?

[stillnot]

[ she actually takes a second before she goes inside - not a hesitation this time, but giving their surroundings a quick once-over. Clementine has rules. in a new place, we listen for monsters, then check for other ways out.

she gives him a nod of thanks as she steps inside, though! ]

... Well. You do sound crazy.

But it's not like I have any other theory that explains how we could be from such different... Places.

[recrowns]

If you have one, please share it with me. I'd like to hear it.

[but time to go to the kitchen and scrounge around!]

Would you mind telling me what a 'walker' is, then? Perhaps I can share stories of my own in trade, so we can learn from each other. Is there anything you'd like to know about? Medicine? Science? Though perhaps my knowledge might be a little outdated...

[stillnot]

Honestly? Outdated stuff is some of the most reliable.

[ No electricity for technology anymore, and you can't always rely on finding antibiotics or modern medicine. ]

And walkers... [ Hrm. ] They're monsters.

[recrowns]

Monsters...? Of what nature?

[oh hm - ]

And what do you like to eat? Do you have a favorite food?

[stillnot]

[ No skirting around it, huh. Oh well. It's not really a secret. ]

Dead people. We call them walkers.

[ anyway. she looks... like she is struggling to come up with an answer. ]

I don't know. It's not like I get to be picky. There's not always a lot of food to go around where I'm from, you know?

[recrowns]

[how depressing! he pauses at that - ]

... thank you for answering my questions. I apologize if it was difficult for you, but I appreciate your honesty.

[anyway let's talk about food. he chooses not to ruin a perfectly good meal with some horror infodumps]

Now then, let's try a handful of different things until we find what you like best.

[TIME TO RAID THE CUPBOARD]

[stillnot]

[ she just shrugs. she doesn't feel like she did anything special in telling him. it's not difficult to talk about her home and she didn't tell any secrets. ]

Don't worry about it.

[ Clementine also starts browsing around, and is just. Visibly in awe of how much food there is? And it's like - fresh, clean food? Not just years old canned stuff??? Oh my God? ]

[recrowns]

[ . . . we need to give this girl the world

soo-won's expression softens for a moment before he goes to pick out a selection! some of it will be fresh fruit, others will be bags of snacks]

I have a few things I'd like to sample - see anything you like? We can share.

[stillnot]

That fruit looks really good.

[ Honestly she kind of sounds like she doesn't believe she gets to have some? ]

... Is this really meant for us? We're not stealing from anyone?

[recrowns]

Oh? Then let's take a little bit more.

[he will go get some more fruit!!]

I believe it's for us - a few people have taken to using the kitchen, after all. They're very kind and willing to share, too.

If the innkeeper comes back and desires payment, I'm sure a few of us would be willing to pitch in so we can repay them, even if it's through labor.