redactable | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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

a rock that resembles the galaxy

a single random one of these pillows

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's not much to see, actually. It's only another half kilometre or so before that invisible barrier stops you, even though the forest goes farther. Same as everywhere else.

But if you want to look, I can go with you! Maybe you can find something I didn't. [this boy is very small, and Al doesn't like the idea of anyone wandering off on their own]

[ It's not the hulking suit of armor that surprises Alphinaud; there are many great warriors out there who wear similarly, after all. No, it's... the small and young sounding voice coming from it.

But it's not nice to comment on peoples' voices, so that's a thought he keeps to himself. After all, there are more important questions to be asked: ]

—A barrier? Truly? ... I do admit, this is something I would like to see for myself.

Yeah, it's some kind of wall that surrounds this entire town, but I couldn't determine what it was made out of, or where it's coming from. [he cranes his neck upward towards the sky, as if hoping to see some kinda generator for their cage]

Here, follow me! It's not far, and the walk is actually pretty nice. I saw some cute rabbits on the way before.

[he begins to walk into the forest, checking to make sure Alphinaud is coming along]

[ And that he does, falling into a step behind him ]

Aye, such barriers can be tricky when the source of it is unknown. [ And speaking of a scenic route... ] Someone is determined to keep us here. The quaint appearance of this town is not to be believed, that much is certain.

I was wondering where all the people who live here went...everyone I've talked to was suddenly brought here like me.

[he stops to hold some branches out of the way]

Oh! I'm Alphonse, by the way. Alphonse Elric. Are you also an alchemist? [he kinda has that vibe, you know?]

[ that NERD vibe

But also, thank you, kind sir! Alphinaud ducks underneath them and presses forward. ]

Oh, no, not at all; I have little familiarity with the finer workings of alchemy. My talents lie elsewhere, and long have I been a practitioner of arcanima.

Arcanima? I've never heard of that! What kind of things does a practitioner of arcanima study? [is it too much to hope "invisible barriers and how to dispel them"?]

[ ... Maybe a little... ]

You haven't? —Ah, maybe I should not be surprised. [ different worlds and all.... ] To put it simply, 'tis one out of several branches of magicks; while all can come to similar outcomes, each is channeled in their own unique ways.

[Alphonse is used to people calling alchemy "magic," so he's not really put off by his description; rather, he seems to be getting more and more invested in the conversation and the questions start pouring out]

Channeling, like energy? What kind of forces does it work with? Does it require transmutation circles? Or something else entirely? What other branches are there?

[ aw, here they go.. ]

Indeed! Aetheric energies are required for any and all forms of magic, but I do admit, I don't believe I have ever seen what a transmutation circle might be. I shall assume they are... symbols, of some sort? If so, mayhap they are not so different from the geometric shapes an arcanist must use to draw out their power. Which is unlike conjury, magic that requires one to be attuned to the elements of nature, and thaumaturgy, where one needs a stone of magical properties to combine with their own aether.

[aw yiss, this is the good stuff

alphonse is listening along intently at, nodding enthusiastically at this wholly unknown branch of study, his mind racing with questions upon questions

so involved is he, that he loses count of his steps and bonks straight into the barrier, staggering back in surprise]

Oh! We're here!

[he reaches out for Alphinaud's hand, gently placing it on the surface of the barrier so he knows where it is]

Have you seen anything like this before? In arcanima or any of those other fields of study? [as a scientist who's work is often called sorcery, he's...reluctant to say magic]

[ The sudden clash of metal startles Alphinaud out of his own train of thought as well, grounding him back to the matter at hand.

Literally. With Alphonse's guidance, he feels out the barrier with a thoughtful frown. ]

That I have; barriers of magical origin have oft been constructed in our history, but we mustn't ignore that it could be one created with technology. [ He's seen both! ] We cannot easily determine which it may be with sight alone. If we could but find its source, however...

That was my theory, too. All of this energy has to be coming from somewhere if it's not a solid material.

[he rubs his steel chin thoughtfully]

You don't have any way to locate a big energy source, do you? Some of my friends from Xing could do that for living beings.

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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