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

[suddenlybees]

Ah, well, you should always fight to win, or something.

[ No point fighting thinking you're going to lose, who does that. Too bad she didn't win, though, might've saved her getting brought here. ]

But, nah, nah. Must've happened too fast to notice! But, like, there's no bump on the back of the head? So at least I got spared being batted! How 'bout you?

[discernments]

That doesn't always need to be the case.

[ Sometimes, losing a battle can win a war. ]

No, there was no chance for anyone to do something like that to me, but why did you question that you weren't kidnapped earlier?

[ That's concerning. ]

[suddenlybees]

Um, hmm. It's, 'cause, like, I'm just some kid, right? You wanna kidnap somebody off the streets, you take somebody nobody will miss, right?

[ Sure, rich and powerful people will have that sweet ransom, but they also have power and police?? go for punks off the street instead ]

[discernments]

[ That's honestly very saddening to hear. ]

Are you alone? Do you not have anyone you consider family, by blood or bond?

[suddenlybees]

Huh? Well... sure I do! But they're just a bunch of kids too. And never mind that- I'm talkin' about society at large! I'm the sorta guy society would've wanted snuffed out a lot time ago, y'know? The sorta person who's real easy to disappear.

[ The misfits, the riffraff, the monsters, those no police or detective agency would care a damn about. Doesn't matter if he has family when they're not strong enough to do anything about it. ]

What about you? Got anybody who'd come bust you out?

[discernments]

No, they'd miss you.

[ Kids miss people, Kano? Please. ]

They're a part of society, too, aren't they? What kind of person do you consider yourself?

[suddenlybees]

Hmm, like, just a person? But only sometimes~

[ Most of the time he's a monster, not a person. But he's not having this conversation. ]

Come to think of it, you seem like the sorta person who'd come bust people out, not the sort that needs busting. The quirky superhero type, y'know?

[discernments]

A person is still missed. Any kind of person is.

[ They're going to have this conversation by endgame.

She shakes her head. ]

I will run to anyone who needs help, but I'm no superhero.

[suddenlybees]

[ Gestures at Kano, please nobody miss him when he dies ]

Isn't that, like, the definition of a superhero? Somebody who would drop everything to save somebody else, even if it... Well! Can't say how far you'd go, can I?

[discernments]

No, any normal person could do something like that.

[ Or perhaps she's making the argument that any normal person can be a superhero. Who knows?

She smiles. ]

If I said I'd risk my life as many times as it takes for the sake of your or any other person's future, would you believe me?

[suddenlybees]

[ "Could," maybe, but "would" is a whole other story, isn't it? ]

Not at all~ You only got, like, one or two. Throwing your life away like that ain't worth it.

[discernments]

[ Her smile brightens, and it's almost like she could laugh, but she doesn't.

Her smile fades, and she's all sincerity. ]

There are some things that I think are worth putting my life at risk for. What I think is worth it may not match up with what you think is, but I will think it all the same.

[suddenlybees]

If you would risk your life for mine, doesn't that just mean you think yours is worth less? 'cause, like, I'm gonna have to stop you right there.

[ Holy shit self sacrificial people, he can't stand it. ]

[discernments]

No.

[ She's firm. ]

I don't think any life is worth more or less than any other. All lives should be valued.

[ She's just been dead for 500+ years. ]

[suddenlybees]

So why risk yours? Makes no sense.

[ He's been dead 10 years? There's no life here. ]

[discernments]

I wouldn't risk my life for just anything, but if risking my life can save others, that's a better reason than not.

It's not easy for me to die.

[ Well. That's more true when she's not nerfed. ]

[suddenlybees]

Uh huh, yeah, everybody thinks that.

[ Look at him! Track record of 10 years without dying, his best record yet. ]

Anyways, if you're gonna go around risking your life to save others, I'm not one to stop you. Even if I think it's stupid. But you leave me out of it, okay? I'm gonna get, like, super mad if you do that to me, okay?

[discernments]

[ She's not going to divulge her lore just yet, but all she does is smile in reply. ]

Are you speaking from experience, or are you speaking because you don't think you're worth it?

[suddenlybees]

What's it matter?

[ MAYBE IT'S BOTH but really, who cares? Somebody he knows sacrificing themselves for him sucks. A stranger doing it is just stupid. ]

[discernments]

I'd like to get to know you.

[ Is that so terrible? ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Look at this face. Kano thinks that's a terrible idea. ]

[discernments]

[ Sorry, that face makes her laugh a little. ]

You're not that terrible.

[suddenlybees]

If I were terrible, at least that'd be interesting. Someone like me? Not worth knowing at all.

[ There's nothing to get to know!! ]

[discernments]

[ Oh, that's... She looks at him for a moment.

She's not going to disregard this, the hidden layers in that statement. On some level, she understands, but there is something she still must say. ]

I would beg to differ. You have the right to not tell anyone about yourself, but whether someone thinks you're worth knowing is up to them.

You don't have to agree, but neither do they.

[suddenlybees]

Can't be worth it when there's nothing to know.

[ He mutters this, half to himself, but ultimately shrugs and sighs in defeat. ]

You're wasting your time, but yeah, it's your time to waste! Can't say anything 'bout that.