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

a

[stillnot]

It's a rock. It doesn't do anything.

[reconnective]

How do you know? Look at it. Ever see a rock like this before?

[stillnot]

No, but... You ever seen a rock that does something?

[reconnective]

Yeah, all the time. [casually.] There's all kinds of rocks that're used to make other stuff, or even ones that keep people's hearts safe. So. I just have to wonder.

[stillnot]

... I'm not big on superstitious stuff.

[ she assumes he means superstitions because what? the fuck? otherwise?? ]

[reconnective]

What's that supposed to mean? [the way he says it means he has absolutely no idea what she classifies as superstitious, so this will be fun to explain.]

[stillnot]

[ she just stares at him for a moment, trying to assess if he's fucking with her or not. eventually, she sighs. ]

You know. Magic. Fairy-tale stuff. It's not real.

[reconnective]

[the worst part is that he's just giving her a look that says he 100% believes in what he's talking about and seems to be wrapping his head around the concept.]

Ohh...you're from one of those places. [ah, yes, he seems to understand now. (he does not understand everything.)] Well, that's okay! I guess it sort of makes sense it's not in every world out there.

[stillnot]

[ I'm making the executive decision that this thread takes place after Soo-won has run the idea past her. For convenience. Don't judge me. ]

You're on-board with the 'multiple worlds' theory too, huh?

[reconnective]

[no judgment ever.]

Yeah. There's a lot of them out there but the highways aren't always open to reach them, and some of them are really hard to find. I'm not familiar with this one or the one you're talking about though.

[so yes. he sure is.]

[stillnot]

[ she frowns. ]

I guess if that theory is true, you don't sound quite as crazy...

[reconnective]

[he's getting the idea she still thinks he sounds a little crazy regardless, so instead he smiles again.]

If it's not that...what do you think it is? How else did we all get here from different places without ever knowing about them?

[stillnot]

... I haven't ruled out the multiple worlds theory...

[ so in other words....... she does not have an alternative guess. ]

[reconnective]

[...]

We're not really supposed to talk about it, but I can tell you about some of the worlds I've been to if you want. Maybe it'll help you decide. [if it's a real theory or not.]

[stillnot]

Wouldn't really prove anything except that you've got an over-active imagination.

... But I can think of worse ways to pass the time.

[reconnective]

[the fact that he laughs does nothing to help himself, but it's fine.]

Okay. Let's see...there was this one time we went to Wonderland. It was pretty bizarre because everything was upside-down and kind of crazy, and the Cheshire Cat wasn't that helpful when the Queen was trying to put Alice on trial, but it was kind of cool to explore the forest and talk to the flowers. And we've visited Atlantica a couple of times to help protect King Triton's kingdom and be a part of a concert with our friend Ariel. It was a whole world underwater in this big, wide ocean. We had fun though and the concert turned out pretty okay.

[she's absolutely going to think he's making things up but it's out there now, there it goes.]

[stillnot]

[ .......... yeah she's just staring at him looking amused. she assumes he is fucking with her? ]

Those sound like some pretty good bedtime stories.

[reconnective]

Alright, don't believe me. But it's all true. [he folds his hands behind his head and shrugs again.] Traverse Town and Twilight Town are nice, too. They're smaller, and Traverse Town was where a lot of people were sent when their worlds disappeared, but Twilight Town has a lot of people living there and some of the best sunsets.

[i.e. they're more realistic. he's going to keep trying here.]

[stillnot]

What do you mean "when their worlds disappeared"?

[reconnective]

Some worlds were lost to the Darkness some time ago, but some of them have been restored since then.

[stillnot]

... The darkness.

[reconnective]

The Darkness. [can you hear the capital d, clem?] It can destroy the heart of a world if it gets too strong.

[stillnot]

[ Despite sounding so skeptical, she's like... 3/4ths convinced of the multiple worlds theory, so she doesn't want to outright mock someone describing worlds being destroyed?

But also that sounds so?? Silly to her??? the Darkness. wow. ]

... Ah. That, uh... Sounds scary.

[reconnective]

[the Darkness. thank you for not mocking him but at the same time he just kind of frowns in thought.]

Yeah. When it happened to our island, at first I didn't know what was going on. A huge storm came, and then the Heartless showed up. I couldn't stop them and my friends and I got separated before our home was destroyed. That's how I got to another world the first time. [...but that aside, he grins again.] But the island's back now. It was restored a little while ago.

[stillnot]

So... Can the other worlds be restored?