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

[discernments]

[ Who would be a knight? Who's gallant?

She's just a girl. ]

Oh, I know the one you mean. Luckily, it's unique enough that it'll stand out from all the other rocks.

I am quite good at finding things and people, usually, so this should be over soon.

[ smash cut to them spending hours in this river ]

[showyourself]

That's the one. Hopefully, it won't take any time at all, with both of us looking.

[IT'S NOT A BIG RIVER! IT'S FINE!






several minutes or hours of searching later.]

Ah... there's certainly... a lot of... other rocks?

[discernments]

[ It's been

several minutes. ]

Tenacity is a virtue. Why did you place the rock in the river?

[ "place" ]

[showyourself]

Well... [she picks up another rock, holding on to it like a charm as she considers what to say.]

It... slipped out of my hands.

[not a lie. not not the truth.]

[discernments]

It's fine if you didn't want it but decided you wanted it back.

[ Full honesty.... doesn't hurt, Elsa. ]

[showyourself]

Oh, it's not that. I just... might have...

...thrown it?

[embarrassing...]

[discernments]

I don't think you're not allowed to. Were you frustrated?

[ It's a legitimate reaction. ]

[showyourself]

[there' a beat, and she looks clearly sheepish.]

A little.

[discernments]

[ She smiles. ]

There's nothing wrong with feeling frustrated in this situation. We're all a little lost.

[showyourself]

[oh... elsa smiles back, clearly cheered by the sudden, unexpected kindness.]

...Thank you for saying so. It was still... well, I had no reason to take it out on such a lovely rock.

[she feels a little bad about that? what if the rock had a spirit. what then.]

[discernments]

[ she smiles. well, she’s not going to disagree. ]

Net time, you’ll have to be more productive with your frustrations.

[showyourself]

Yes, I... lately, maybe I've been letting myself go a little bit too much...

[sometimes maybe do conceal a thing?]

...Any suggetions? I'm not much for sports.

[discernments]

I pray. Or eat. Lately, I’ve been reading textbooks I’ve never had before!

[ she says that like reading is very novel! very exciting! ]

[showyourself]

[ooh, reading boring stuff!!]

Textbooks? [she's! perking up!] Where did you find those? Around here?

[discernments]

[ Anything is fun to read when you used to not be able to read at all. ]

Ah. [ She looks apologetic. ] I'm sorry. I was talking about what I did back... where I was. When I had the chance.

[showyourself]

Oh. I see.

[ah, well.]

I'm sure there's... some reading material around here. [beat;] Hopefully in our language...?

Once I find the rock, of course.

[discernments]

[ do you want her to find the rock or do you want it to be lost to the abyss

She carefully dries her hand off before she takes out the PHS. ]

I think whatever literature we find should be translated, if everyone is able to read the messages on this. Although... it is possible for the translation magic to only touch this device.

[showyourself]

[no, the rock is gone until it gets found later in another pc i'm doing, with stupid rock hijinks.

curiosity piqued, elsa gently wades her way over to jeanne, glancing at her PHS.]

It would be nice if it touched everything. I've always dreamed of being able to speak to people from around the world freely.

[discernments]

[ rocks are gone forever goodbye ]

That's a very admirable dream. I'll pray that it'll come true for you, but what is stopping you from working for it as you are now?

[showyourself]

[rocks have no rights]

Now? Here?

[she blinks.]

Or do you mean in my own home?

[discernments]

The latter, but both works.

[showyourself]

[she nods.]

Well, you could say I'm... or I was--currently in the middle of some... cross-cultural outreach, just before we all woke up here.

So, I don't see any problem keeping it up, here.