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

[soulus]

[He, meanwhile, has gotten the message booted up and is reading through it.]

. . . That seems to be the case.

There's a message on the device inside. Why don't you read it?

[pulsecannon]

Arg. Reading? That was always Queen's thing.

[ Alright. Fiiiiiine. She will go grab out the tablet from the bag. ]

What does it even say?

[soulus]

[Queen?]

It's incoherent.

There was more than one writer . . . We're participants, and they'll be greeting us soon.

[pulsecannon]

I'll skip reading it for now then. I hope they don't make us wait long... or they'll be sorry.

[soulus]

Is that possible in our current position? We don't even know how we were brought here.

[pulsecannon]

Not with that attitude it's not! I'm sure we can do something to make them regret messing with us.

[soulus]

I would rather that we do something to make them return us.

[pulsecannon]

Nothing wrong with trying to do both. Maybe we should look around to see if we can use something...

[ Looking at the bag's contents. ]

I doubt we'll find anything useful in here.

[soulus]

There's quite a bit inside.

[Very generous, yet useless for the most part.

Looking around isn't a bad idea, though. He's already starting down the road.]

I will do a walk-through.

[pulsecannon]

[ Maybe the balloon is useful ]

Hey, wait up! I'll go with. Not because I'm worried or anything, but just to be an extra pair of eyes.

[ She's going to jog over to catch up ]

[soulus]

[Well, he's not opposed to having a second set of eyes. Off they go!]

The message promised many places to explore, as well as food in the kitchen.

[pulsecannon]

I don't buy it. They are probably trying to get us to lower our guard. I mean, just look at this place... it looks way too nice!

[ It's all cute and almost something from a story. ]

[soulus]

Does it?

It must not look like this where you're from.

[pulsecannon]

If anything did, it certainly doesn't look like it now. Most places have been pretty messed up with the war.

[ As well as... apocalypse happening. ]

What about you? Seen anything like this place before?

[soulus]

[An apocalypse will do that.]

No. I don't recognize this place at all.

[pulsecannon]

If I don't recognize it and you don't recognize it... then maybe it's in a new region? A place far away from everything?

[ She isn't even sure how possible that is. ]

[soulus]

It must be another world.

[There's no way a place like this exists in his.]

[pulsecannon]

[ ??? ]

What the heck? How is that even possible?

[soulus]

Is that so unusual? Traveling between worlds is par for the course in my line of work. This town doesn't belong to the world I was just in.

[pulsecannon]

[ ???? ]

It's pretty unusal! The only ones from another world are summons or-

[ A blink. Then she'll lift a hand up in surprise. ]

Wait. Don't tell me you're related to moogles...

[soulus]

Moogles?

[He doesn't sound interested—he never does—but that's all he says, so maybe he does want to hear about it.]

[pulsecannon]

They're from another world and they help out around Akademeia. They are usually white, short, and have these big pom-poms on top of their heads.

[ Pointing to her head as she says that ]

[soulus]

Do I look like a moogle?

[pulsecannon]

How the heck am I supposed to know if they have a non-furry version or not?

[ He could be...a cousin or something ]

That's why I'm asking.

[soulus]

I am not a moogle. This is my first time hearing about them.