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

[chanteuser]

[ she understood maybe 50% of that, lup. ]

...

There might be some? I just grabbed the first coffee related thing I found and stopped looking when I had it. I can look again, if you like.

[ beans for the coffee-karen. ]

[evocationary]

[ this is a trend which means I'm playing lup correctly ]

Nah, I got it. I was going to check out the pantry anyway. Keep your ass on that counter because the second you jump down it I'm gonna have to do everything within my admittedly terrible power to keep you off it.

You hungry?

[chanteuser]

[ applauds wildly you're doing amazing flurry ]

It's comfortable up here. I know where the cleaning supplies are too? [ don't? @ her seating choices?? ]

I... [ hm. ] I hadn't really thought about it. I could eat?

[evocationary]

[ wheezes ]

Hell yeah you can eat. What sounds good? Curried roasted eggplant with smoked cardamom and coconut milk? Mushroom asiago? Maybe ricotta gnocchi, I'm in a pasta mood...

[ she mumbles this to herself as she goes through the pantry. ]

[chanteuser]

[ a mood. ]

—- [ ooh! ooh! ] Ricotta gnocchi! I’ve never actually had it with ricotta... as far as I can remember. [ haha. ha. ha.......... ]

[evocationary]

It's kickass, I'll tell you that much. There was this planet I was on once that had a real baller recipe for it, but I've never been able to get it right because the seasoning doesn't exist on half the worlds I've been to.

[ she's grabbing ingredients. ] It'll still be the most out of this world experience you've ever had, though.

[chanteuser]

[ -- record scratch. ]

... You've been to different planets?

[ i mean ricotta gnocchi is great but have you ever heard a friendly lady in the kitchen of the inn you're apparently now living in casually talk about world hopping? ]

[evocationary]

[ oh yeah loads it happens all the time ]

Yeah? Uhhh, about a hundred of 'em.

[chanteuser]

...

[ h u h ]

I only know about one world, honestly.

[evocationary]

Actually it might be more like a hundred and one. I never know if we count home or not.

[ she's super not going to explain herself. ] Let me guess. Earth?

[chanteuser]

[ flurry help is ergastulum on earth

throws dart

i'm gonna say yes ]

Yes...?

[evocationary]

[ why are you asking me i haven't read gangsta in 84 years ]

Seems to be the most popular place so far.

[chanteuser]

[ help.

it's like au earth it's fine. ]

The same place? Sounds like they just picked somewhere and grabbed their majority there.

[evocationary]

[ she's now banging around in cabinets to try and find a coffee bean grinder. ]

I guess it doesn't really matter. It doesn't tell us why we're here.

[chanteuser]

[ lup?? are you sure you don't need a hand...?? ]

True. That's the biggest mystery right now.

[evocationary]

[ come help her at the risk of never being able to sit on a counter again, alex..... ]

The look on your face is telling me you think it's not a good reason.

[chanteuser]

[ nooooo her counteeerrr. ]

...

Despite what they're trying to claim in that welcome message ... it's still kidnapping.

[evocationary]

Guess so. [ shrug. ] Well, whatever. Eventually we'll get someone telling us their ransom demands, in that case. I better be worth a shitton of gold.

[ she slams the cabinet door. ] And I give up! There's no coffee to be found anywhere!

[chanteuser]

... [ this seems to be a theme as well. ] You think ransom's involved?

If it's the good stuff, they probably don't want people getting their hands on it so easily. It could be like a prize on tv -- you have to put in the work to get it.

[evocationary]

I can't think of any other reason I'd be here. [ and she makes a raspberry noise. ] Wrong answer. Time to find someone else who will scour this off brand amusement park for coffee for me.

[chanteuser]

I'd be a poor choice to demand money for. It wouldn't make sense.

[ wow. ]

I'm just saying it's probably well hidden!