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

[dianxias]

Device...?

[ . . .

oh! xie lian reaches into his sleeve, where he'd dumped the contents of his goody bag. there's a bit of fiddling around, before he pulls out the device! ] Is that what this is?

[robopriest]

That's the one.

[A pause.]

Do you know how to use it?

MY HTML!!!

[dianxias]

[ the utter "no thoughts, head empty" look on xie lian's face right now. ]

...There's a way to use it.... ?

[robopriest]

...

[Hansa just. Closes his one eye for a moment.]

Do you want me to show you how?

[dianxias]

[ he's practically sparkling. ]

Would you mind? I would be very grateful!

[robopriest]

...

[He smirks.]

I will...but you have to do something for me in return. You know, I'm a busy guy. It needs to be worth my time.

[dianxias]

That's fine. What do you need?

[ that smirk should probably spell trouble? doesn't seem to stop xie lian. ]

[robopriest]

[how mean can me be]

...

Tell me an embarrassing secret of yours.

[dianxias]

[ he doesn't even fucking blink ]

I once was nearly trampled to death in a battle by my own horse because the laces of my boots got caught and I tripped.

[robopriest]

[oh my god??????]

[He just. Stares at the other man for a moment. A long moment.]

[..........And then he just holds up the device and points to whatever button is the power button.]

Anyways, this is how you turn it on.

[dianxias]

[ xie lian guesses that sufficed! as if he didn't just say something completely and utterly bizarre, xie lian just leans in to watch, and just like that, it powers on! he makes a little surprised noise, pleased as he takes the thing back. ]

I see! What a strange little thing. [ how is this even running... is it spiritual energy or something??? when the screen pops up, he looks at the message, and then pauses to read it, eyes flicking over the page.

....ah... he sees what he means by "being kidnapped." ] ...and such a strange little message.

[robopriest]

Well, its from our captors, apparently.

[Just reaching over to tap at the screen.]

If you press this button, you can see everyone who is here. I think I saw your picture here too.

[dianxias]

Oh!

[ how convenient. xie lian watches, scrolling through the pictures, and sure enough, there's his face. his eyes briefly scan the profile text... why is that of all things floating above his head... hm.

well, deciding to also just ignore that, he skims back through the profiles, even past his san lang (!) (good, he was wondering), and finds a face matching the one in front of him. ]

This is you, yes? Hansa Cervantes... what an interesting name. This is quite convenient, if a bit of a strange way to meet another person. [ ... ] "Kicking ass in the name of the Lord..."?

[robopriest]

Haha, thanks.

[For the "interesting name" comment. At the reference to the skills...Hansa just looks incredibly amused, somehow. Well, it's a way to say what he's good at, he supposes.]

I think that's supposed to be a joke. I wouldn't certainly put it that way, you know...

[dianxias]

Oh?

[ is this one of jun wu's followers...? ] How would you put it, then?

[robopriest]

Hm.

[HMMMMM.]

More like... "I do the will of the Lord whatever He asks of me"? Something like that.

[dianxias]

[ for some reason, that makes xie lian smile. ]

Are you a cultivator? Or...a daozhang, a priest?

[robopriest]

Not really familiar with those terms...but a priest, yes. I have devoted by life to the Church.

[dianxias]

Ah! I see. [ xie lian's eyes light up in recognition, and he clasps his hands together. ]

Then, we have something in common! Though I'm not familiar with a 'church', really, I am a daozhang as well.

[robopriest]

Oh? You're a type of priest, too?

[He's really not familiar with priests outside of the Catholic Church, but...hey, he'll take it.]

I guess its nice to have someone like-minded around here.

[dianxias]

Yes! I maintain a shrine back at home, and perform the duties within it, in honor and devotion of a god as well.

[ how nice! priest solidarity. ] Is there a proper title one should call you, then?

[robopriest]

How very nice. I tend to do something more like freelance work, and I don't have a shrine or church of my own...but I do what I can where the Lord needs me to be.

[Priest solidarity!!! He just shakes his head.]

Technically, we're referred to with "Father", but...you don't really need to be so formal. I won't force you.

[dianxias]

Are you sure? I don't mind. Such devotion requires quite a lot of hard work - it is only respect well deserved.

[robopriest]

Ah, well, my mentor would disagree on the fact that I deserve too much respect for treating some of my duties too lightly, but...

[He smiles.]

Whatever you insist. Is there a title you want to be referred to, too?

[dianxias]

Not at all. [ so, he guesses hansa does have a point! xie lian laughs, waving his hand. ]

My shrine is very small, and honestly sort of broken down, so really, it's nothing particularly respectable.. Really, I've only recently done such duties - mostly I just try to fix up the shrine and collect scraps.

So, just Xie Lian is quite alright with me.