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

[favourable]

waking up

[well, there's a kid on the ground, dressed in a cape and a headband of sorts with ends that reach almost to his knees—though that particular detail might be difficult to tell, given the way he's kneeling.

... which might have something to do with how he has one hand pressed against his chest, blood dripping through the cracks between his fingers. hm. it's probably fine. he does look a little distressed, though.]

penny arcade

[presumably virid's injuries have been looked at by now. i sure hope so, anyway.

he peeks into the arcade, before he looks a bit taken aback by all the noises and flashing lights.]

What is this place...?

waking up

[lecarre]

[Holy shit???]

U-um, sir, are you all right? Is that--that's... that's blood, isn't it...?!

[Calm down, Ange, this is useless!!]

[favourable]

[there are like. a lot of things virid could be freaking out over right now, but in this instant, he'll settle for—]

What... Where—where is Virid...?

[anyway that sure is blood]

[lecarre]

[THAT SURE IS BLOOD.

Ange digs into her pARTY GIFT BAG.

There is nothing useful here.]

Please, stay still for a moment...! You're hurt badly, you need medical attention!

waking up

[dawnblushed]

[yona immediately wants to try to help, but like. as she grips her cloak like she's going to try and use it to help staunch the bleeding, she realizes that one, it's singed and she probably shouldn't put it on his wounds, and two, it smells like smoke.]

Hey.

[her voice comes out kind of raspy. don't worry about it.]

...how badly are you hurt?

[they gotta find bandages. surely there has to be something somewhere??]

[favourable]

I...

[he. he doesn't know how to answer that question, namely because there's a lot of things swimming through his mind right now.]

I don't know.

[dawnblushed]

[where's a medic when you need one...

yona holds her arm out to him.]

Can you stand? We should try and find something we can use as bandages.

arcade bc he has two healers already nods

[reconnective]

[i too hope virid's injuries are taken care of by now, but while he's peeking into the arcade sora's standing behind him also taking a look.]

It looks like an arcade. There's a ton of games and stuff. [and because he thinks nothing of approaching a stranger and chatting it up, he grins and points at whatever game is closest.] Wanna see?

[favourable]

[...]

What's an arcade? These don't look anything like games to me...

[reconnective]

Arcades are places that have all kinds of games to play with friends, and you can win prizes sometimes! [he's kind of squinting to peer further into the arcade.] I don't recognize some of these, but they're probably fun to try.

penny arcade

[misstrust]

A bit like a fun fair packed into a building, I'd have to assume.

[ What are arcades-- ]

[favourable]

Fun...? [he squints.] It's rather noisy.

[misstrust]

Fun things usually are. You don't hear too many people having a marvelous time in absolute silence, hm?

[ Unless they're boring-- ]

arcade

[bisouled]

I have absolutely no clue.

[ she is similarly staring around, looking more than a little bewildered. ]

It looks like some kind of machine room, but... It's not. Definitely not.

Re: arcade

[favourable]

Machine room...? [he glances at her. also, what is she? but he at least has enough manners to not, like, blurt that out.] What do you mean?

[bisouled]

Oh, you know... like a room for controlling all the machinery in a building. That's what all the lights and buttons remind me of. I'm not really good with mechanical things...

[ she says, being a mechanical thing. ]

This all seems too colorful and fun for that, though.

penny arcade!

[siblingless]

[Please do not bleed all over the arcade, Virid. She glances over at him from where she's currently inspecting (throws dart) DDE.]

This place? It's an arcade. [...] Although, there's something really strange about it...

[favourable]

[he is doing his best not to!!]

I've never heard of an "arcade" before...

[siblingless]

You haven't? [Not even a Great Value brand arcade?? She seems momentarily surprised.] It's like an entertainment room, with games you can play by yourself or with friends, but for the public. Does... that make sense?

waking up

[suddenlybees]

[ Wowee, that sure is blood. Kano crouches down in front of him and sort of just tries to see how bad the bleeding is. ]

Is it just you?

[ Man, what a waste. ]

[favourable]

[what does that even MEAN

virid just looks up at him, pained.]

What do you want...?

healing

[cuedoves]

[ zuko's eyes widen as he catches sight of the blood -- and he makes a beeline towards him, kneeling down to try to inspect the damage. ]

What happened?

[ did the kidnappers get him??? ]

[favourable]

It's...

[he. well, he's not really in the mood for explaining. it's complicated.]

—I'm fine.

[he's kind of not, but.]

arcade

[discernments]

[ Jeanne also hopes Virid's injuries have been looked at by now. She's walking up behind him and looks around him. ]

They almost look like games. Shall we investigate?

[favourable]

[...]

Okay. They're nothing like games I've seen, though.