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

[uhhhmagic]

i. why

[Just digging through his goodie bag, humming and pulling out each little gift with a more and more judgmental look.

After eyeballing the pill he just takes it, dry, and stands there for a second.]

. . . Huh. Don’t really feel anything yet.

[Holding up the rock to look at it next . . .]

ii. The Emporium

[Trying on a bunch of different hats in the store, though mostly he seems distracted by his own reflection in the mirror - there’s a rather ostentatious wide-brimmed wizard (or witch, it isn’t really gendered) hat just laying around nearby, though, that doesn’t really look like the rest of these. He doesn’t seem to be paying any attention to you until he just randomly decides to start a conversation, whether or not you’re paying him any mind.]

So, is it just me, or is saying something isn’t ominous the way to make it seem like the most ominous message possible?

[Holding up some cheap stick on earrings.]

I don’t think these match my coloring. Hm.

ii.

[exercisms]

[Oh, are you talking to him? He's still standing at the cash register, clutching his souvenirs. He looks very alarmed to be spoken to. He has no idea what to say to any of that.]

Um . . .

[uhhhmagic]

[Hm? Looking around? There isn’t anyone in his range of vision, so he’s not sure where that noise came from.]

[exercisms]

[This is even worse? He was supposed to say something, and he didn't, and now it's weird?]

. . . They're blue.

why

[dawnblushed]

[Well.

Yona is not fast enough to stop him from downing that pill, but she sees him eyeballing the rock and really can't help but be concerned.]

You probably shouldn't eat that.

[...her voice is kind of quiet and raspy. Maybe she's just scared? Or maybe she has a sore throat or something. Surely it has nothing to do with the singe marks on her clothes or the way she smells faintly of smoke.]

Re: why

[uhhhmagic]

I— like, no offense here, strangeroni, but should I really be taking caution advice from someone who — and don’t take this the wrong way - appears to have really recently been on fire?

[dawnblushed]

[Taako is valid.]

Yes, because I'm an example of what happens when you're not careful.

ii

[reconnective]

I dunno. [sora's nearby and browsing sunglasses on his own, so even if taako's not talking to him he's going to reply.] Maybe they're just not used to addressing a crowd yet. Some people aren't so good with words.

[uhhhmagic]

The Stockholm set in quick with you then, huh? Already justifying the actions of . . . mysterious kidnappers.

Listen, just strikes me as being something on the checklist before the big show goes down. Prepare weird town with gift shop. Put together welcome bags. Practice ominous speech.

[reconnective]

We won't know until we talk to them ourselves! That's all. [...but also, yes! sometimes you just accept things are like this. but alright, alright, he's putting some thought into that before there's a slow nod.]

What do you think they're preparing us for then?

i.

[chanteuser]

[ ................... ]



Do you know what that pill was? [ sIR? ]

[uhhhmagic]

Nothing good, that’s for sure, I’m not getting anything here— Oh, wait, is that . . . ?

[Pausing, looking to the sky, one finger on his chin.

. . .

Then he sighs out.]

Nah. Gas. Nothing.

[chanteuser]

[


hm ]

But you took it anyway. Should you, uh... throw it up? In case it's poisonous?

i

[assistance]

[ HM

hm

instead of offering to help in any way, or even ask why the fuck he just did that, alyssa simply takes out her phs and opens up the notes app. ]

Tell me if you start to?

[uhhhmagic]

This is starting to get a little morbid, yanno. Feels like you guys are sorta waiting for me to drop dead?

ii

[laid]

I feel like you're a bit late to be questioning whether this situation is or ain't ominous, pal, ain't you the guy who ate the pill that was in those bags we woke up with?

[He saw that, earlier, but didn't see the point in saying anything bc y'know, what's done is done. That said;]

Color aside, given we've got the pick of things here, don't ya thing you aughta choose something less cheap looking?

[uhhhmagic]

Does it look cheap? I kinda like it.

[Taako might just have a “makes everything look a little bit cheap” vibe.]

And if it’s a surprise party, obviously you take the goods.

i

[riegan]

(Taako, he sees you and he supports you.)

It might take a moment to have an effect. How's it taste?

[uhhhmagic]

[Y’all just waiting to see if he drops dead.]

Like . . . disappointment.

i

[suddenlybees]

Aw, you shoulda chomped it. Now that pill's gotta go through all the stomach action— Maybe you can, like, hack it up and try again?

[ Don't just give up on the pill, come on ]

[uhhhmagic]

Well, gimme yours, and I'll try again.

[HOLDING OUT HIS HAND SO EXPECTANTLY . . . Wow.]

i

[canned]

[Alphonse approaches a bit cautiously towards the elf-man radiating judgmental energy]

Um...excuse me?

[uhhhmagic]

[Taako just continues to eyeball his shiny rock, hmming a bit to himself before raising it like . . . no. Wow. Anyway, he barely looks up, and seems bad at reading Judgement for now.]

Hm? What's up? Manager dude is at the front desk if you want to file a complaint.

ii

[soulus]

[He's just looking around, because he isn't in the habit of grabbing whatever's on display.]

Does it concern you?

[uhhhmagic]

[Live a little!!! Try on some weird sunglasses. Steal some cheap bracelets.]

Does it not concern you? Typically I do, uh, know where I'm about to wake up. I'd file that under concerning.