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

[reconnective]

Yeah, okay. That's fair enough. [and just like that he's at ease once more, offering her another smile as they approach the door to the emporium.] We're here. Let's see what we can find.

[into the mystery giftshop they go...]

[stillnot]

[ she laughs lightly, and heads into the mystery gift shop...

She's been pretty serious about only caring whether things are useful, but... Seems to be enjoying looking around! There's so much shiny new stuff. ]

Think they have walkie talkies?

[ ... but ultimately she's after practicality. ]

[reconnective]

[look at this stuff, isn't it neat? etc etc. sora's also pretty happy to look through all of these items, hands behind his head as he peers at different displays to get an idea of what's available.]

That'd be really helpful if they did so we can talk to people wherever they're at in town. Wanna split up and look? You take this half of the shop, I'll take the other.

[stillnot]

[ she. looks him over.

given what she's heard from him so far, she kind of doesn't think he's going to have the same frame of reference for what's 'useful' as she does... she's worried he'll overlook something, honestly.

but she doesn't want to be mean and say as much, so. ]

What, you don't want to look together?

[reconnective]

[okay first of all, rude. but second of all yeah she's not entirely wrong, it's very likely they consider "useful" two different ways. thank you for sparing his feelings though because now he just thinks it's because she doesn't mind his company.]

Oh. I guess that's probably better. This place is pretty big and there's a lot of stuff to go through. Let's start on this end and make our way down.

[stillnot]

Good thinking.

[ she starts looking over the shelves, running her fingers (... all 9 of them) over all the toys, because even though they aren't useful and she's too old to care about toys, she still kind of wants to touch them. she wants to bring them home to AJ - he could do with more to play with.

... but mostly she's looking for things that could be used as weapons, and is predictably not finding anything. ]

[reconnective]

[hey cola where the hell is clem's other finger and when were you going to mention this??? but in all seriousness sora likely isn't going to say anything even if he might notice. while clementine's looking at the shelves, sora seems to be focused on the displays set up around the shop. there's something about the castle that he seems to focus on, but he does his best to search through things and scan for anything that might help.]

It might be a good idea to take some of the writing supplies for stuff. [perhaps a pen could be used for defense.]

[stillnot]

[ i mean realistically it's on the ground somewhere in her world. near a car door? don't worry about it. she glances over to Sora, curious about the castle fascination, but also does not comment. ]

Couldn't hurt. Could draw a map or something.

[reconnective]

[closes my eyes. anyway this continues to be a thread of them noticing things about each other that they're never going to talk about, but his eyes light up at that suggestion.]

A map's a great idea. The town isn't too big right now, but that could change. Especially if those locked buildings unlock soon.

[stillnot]

And if that barrier goes away, we might need to mark safe-zones. Depending on what's past it.

[ also yeah, you could definitely stab someone in the eye with a pen. so that's two good uses, right there! ]

[reconnective]

Right. I was thinking of checking out the forest later, too, to see how far the barrier goes. It'd be a good idea to have that distance written down somewhere.

[yaaay teamwork...?] Have you drawn a map before?

[stillnot]

Not very good ones, but... Good enough.

[ it doesn't need to be perfect, though. usually she's more concerned with conveying what landmarks to look for. ]

[reconnective]

Probably better than what I can do. Usually we just find maps on new worlds when we get there. [he is smart enough not to say "in treasure chests."] Once we find some paper we can start assembling something good enough.

[stillnot]

[ well. going from town to town is different from going to other worlds, but finding maps laying around isn't that weird. he was very smart to not mention the treasure chest part. ]

Hm. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a map laying around. There are usually maps in gift shops and gas stations and stuff. Or train stations. If we don't find one here, I'll check the station just in case.

[ or they can fall back on drawing it, but if there's an easier option, she'll take it. ]

[reconnective]

We'll take another look for a map here now that we know we're looking for one. If you find anything at the station though let me know. I've been curious about it myself.

[an easier option would be great since he's not exactly an artist either but at least the idea's out there.] There could be maps at the hotel, too. Don't they have brochures and stuff in the lobby sometimes?

[stillnot]

[ she nods - she'll tell him what she finds. as for hotels... ]

I... Think so? [ that sounds right but? ] I don't know. I haven't been to a hotel in a long time.

[reconnective]

[even more questions come up, but he asks none of them outside of another questioning glance.]

I've only been to one or two before. [he'll at least mention that like it'll help.] If you want to check the station, I can check the hotel and we can meet up again later? That way we know what we found, if anything.

[stillnot]

I try to avoid cities, usually.

[ raiding shops real quick is one thing, especially if they're on the outskirts, but there's not really anything to find in hotels. Plus her most vivid hotel memories are. Bad. ]

But - yeah. That sounds good to me.

[reconnective]

[what an odd thing to say. he looks like he's actually going to ask this time...but no. that's maybe not the point right now. instead, he grabs a pen for both himself and for clementine, handing it over to her.]

Okay. Let's meet back here later then. We'll know what to do from there.

[and we can handwave that part if you want cola since new mingle and new thread but just to wrap this nicely.]

[stillnot]

Thanks.

[ and yeah! she nods dutifully and they go and Do That™ etc ]