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

[exercisms]

i. arrival

[Standing on the road is a boy in a school uniform, holding a frog plushie under his arm. He still looks kind of groggy? Or maybe that's just his expression. But he's reading the message on the tablet with a serious, focused look, taking his time to get through it.

And then he looks up with a small smile.]

Oh, so we haven't been kidnapped. That's a relief.

ii. emporium

[The same kid can be found a little bit later in the emporium, holding a couple items - a pin, a couple keychains, a hat - but is now standing near the cash register, looking awkward. It seems like he's been standing here for a while now? He looks like he's about to have a panic attack.]

ii

[evocationary]

[ oh, no worries. she's coming, she's coming! she slides behind the cash register counter and gives him a big grin. ]

Shit, sorry about that, little dude. It'll be fifty gold. [ lup you didn't even scan his items ]

[exercisms]

Gold? Is that - I don't think I have anything like that.

[Checking his pockets, though? Checking - and then checking again, a little more alarmed.]

Wait - I can't find my money, either. Or my phone. It must've fallen out somewhere.

ii

[stillnot]

There's no one here. Just take whatever you want.

[exercisms]

[So many people are just. Talking to him today. He looks somewhat alarmed to have been spoken to by a stranger. But after she does, he frowns, and shakes his head.]

I can't do that. Someone put effort into making these.

i.

[frostythehitman]

[ He snorts quietly. ]

Kid, we've definitely been kidnapped. Just because they say we haven't doesn't make it true.

[exercisms]

[Well, now he looks alarmed!]

We have?

[Just because someone else says it's not true doesn't make it true, either!]

i.

[chanteuser]

[ oh.

oh dear. ]

No, I... think we probably have. I don't remember coming here at all, do you?

[exercisms]

[Oh. She's talking to him. Shaking his head.]

Not really, but I'd just fallen asleep for a bit, so I don't think I'd remember if something happened.

ii

[heartablaze]

[In slips a girl at the height of his eyeline in a black and red uniform of her own, glancing around for only a minute before seeing just how perfectly still and patient the boy is waiting. That uniform...]

Oh, hey...! [She'll wave at him, though her gaze drifts to the empty register as she trots over, crossing her arms.]

This... really is a store, right? Did all the employees go home?

[exercisms]

[A girl is talking to him? A girl is talking to him. She looks like she's his age but goes to a different school? Does she recognize him from somewhere?

. . . He totally fails to hear her question, because he's too busy trying to place her.]

Um.

[sacredchants]

[ stands next to him is a girl who may or may not look vaguely like a fancier shrine maiden. she's not going to return the smile and instead will look him down and give a toss of her hair back before she replies. ]

You should worry about what they plan on doing to us next.

[exercisms]

[He doesn't question her look, at all. He's more startled to have someone start talking to him.]

What they're doing next . . . ?

i

[misstrust]

[ This kid is...

Well, apparently optimistic. ]

Well, not kidnapped in any manner that I'm familiar with, at any rate.

[exercisms]

It says here that it isn't kidnapping at all.

[And that's that.]

ii

[axecessory]

[ She's spinning a little keytag that says 'HILDA' on it around her index finger, not noticing Mob at all. She's close to bumping into him, but he's a pretty small presence? It's not her fault? (Yes it is.) ]

There has to be something less tacky around here...

[exercisms]

[Bumped! Bumped so gently into the rack of keychains, knocking it to the ground.]

Oh no!

ii

[bisouled]

[ oh no... what a sweet kid. Fiora approaches, giving him an apologetic look. ]

I don't think anyone's working here today. Or anywhere, really.

[exercisms]

Oh.

[Putting the keychain back on the shelf, then.]

. . . You're right, I haven't seen anybody.

ii

[lionson]

[Mob you pure-hearted kid. Shiro can take one look at him and go 'ah. this kid probably gets bullied a lot.'

Time to step up and help him.]

I think whoever runs the register is on their break. How about we leave a note about what you're buying, and you can leave the money and the note behind for them to deal with when they're back.

[exercisms]

Oh. You think it's really okay?

[Strangers talking to him will never not be a little unsettling, but this guy seems nice. At least he's not telling him to just steal like others did?]

i

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano also has a frog plush squashed under his arm, and he comes up behind Mob and bops him lightly on the back of the head with it. ]

Yeah, right? Whew! I was getting kinda worried for a moment there, but everything a-okay~

[exercisms]

[Bopped? He instantly flinches a lot even though its just a cute frog plush gently bopping his head.

But when Kano seems nice, he relaxes.]

Mm. Did you just wake up, too?

[assistance]

[ oh... he's so genuine... she actually feels a little bad when he smiles up at her and she just responds with a worried sort of frown. ]

Do you really take every little thing you read at face value?

[canned]

[Alphonse had been trying to read over his shoulder when Mob looks up; he sounds...concerned]

Was someone trying to kidnap you? Are you okay?