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

[arcsplainist]

ONE
—Oh! You there! Pardon me for but a moment.

[ Yes, you, buddy. A boy of small stature carrying a bag in one hand and a soft, pink pillow resembling a pig held underneath the other arm approaches. ]

Are you perchance a resident of this town?

TWO
[ Eventually, Alphinaud finds himself within the Emporium; should anyone else make their way in, it isn't difficult to catch him staring down a shelf of L*gos, a hand curled underneath his chin, and a confused pinch to his expression. Eventually, he'll look up. ]

Apologies, I did not mean to obstruct your path—I suppose I was a little lost in thought there.

THREE
[ Later in the day, Alphinaud can be seen standing at the west edge of the town, looking off into the forest beyond. Come around close enough and he won't hesitate to speak up: ]

Plan on taking a look further out as well?

( if you wanna wildcard me some stuff as well go for it, the world is your oyster )

three

[stillnot]

Mm... It's risky without a weapon.

But this place doesn't have walls, so it might be riskier not knowing what's out there.

[arcsplainist]

[ Any dangers hiding out there wasn't on his mind, truth be told, but she raises a valid point. ]

Do you believe there may be dangerous beasts lurking within the woods?

one

[misstrust]

I am not.

[ But she leans in (and down) to inspect this itsy-bitsy boy, arms underneath her chest. ]

But I'll be a friendly face, if you'd like.

[arcsplainist]

[ wow you don't have to LEAN ]

Most certainly. From whence do you hail, then, if you mind not my asking?

two

[sacredchants]

You've never seen those before?

[ .....elf ears. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ elf ears! ]

I confess I have not, but they are... more toys, I presume?

one

[reconnective]

[hello elf friend...sora's here with the heart-headband on his head and a cat pillow under his arm, the other contents of his bag probably in his oversized pockets. he shakes his head as an answer though.]

Nope, sorry. I'm trying to find someone who lives here myself but no luck yet. [and then, because it seems like alphinaud's just as lost:] Wanna look together?

[arcsplainist]

You've found no one?

[ How curious. ]

I would not be against some company myself—though I do find it peculiar that a local would be difficult to find.

two

[recrowns]

[well soo-won immediately moved so that he could follow alphinaud's line of vision to the L*gos, and now he tilts his head]

No apologies needed -

Though perhaps in trade you could tell me why you're so interested in these?

[arcsplainist]

—Hm?

[ With raised brows, he folds his arms over his chest. ]

Interest isn't quite right... More accurately, I confess I am a bit perplexed by some of the items in this shop. I assume these are more toys, much like most of what you would find here, but I have yet to ever see a kind like this.

two... grabs you in my hands like a hamburger

[bisouled]

Oh, you're not obstructing anything!

[ luckily, she is completely unfazed by the elf ears, because she's from a world where some people have wings on their heads and some people are round mascot characters. She waves her hands. ]

This place is so strange, isn't it? I've never seen so much... whatever all this is.

[ what is a l*go. ]

don't vore me bro

[arcsplainist]

[ Fiora, on the other hand, is quite the unusual appearing young lady—which is saying a lot, given the many different kinds of peoples Alphinaud comes across. But he gives her a cursory glance at best—it would be rude to stare, much as he'd like to figure out what is that... suit?—and turns his attention back to the items on the shelf. ]

Aye, I quite agree. 'Tis all as foreign to me as I wager it is for you.

[ But hey, at least he isn't the only one finding this weird. ]

And a bit excessive. I do wonder what sorts of people come here to shop.

three!

[siblingless]

[Hello, Alphinaud... She blinks in surprise once she notices his ears, but otherwise doesn't comment on them. Not the strangest thing she's seen today? Or, like, in the past year.]

Yes. There's no one this town besides us, but I thought— Perhaps there's someone out here?

[arcsplainist]

[ He nods once in agreement. ]

Indeed. I thought similarly, myself. If you mind not some company, it would be worth venturing out when not alone.

we're wildcarding

[arkitect]

[It's early, yet. There hasn't been much time to look around the area properly, but there has been a bit of time to observe the others scattered here, and note the faces among them. None of them familiar, none of them visible in the way he's used to-- but he doesn't need to see as he usually does to recognize one of their number.

And sure, he could leave him be. Continue to observe, appear when the timing is most appropriate (or inappropriate, depending on who's asked).

He does not.]

Well, this is certainly an unexpected development.

[There's a voice Alphinaud will be all too thrilled to hear, surely. Emet-Selch is standing nearby, arms folded, looking Alphinaud over with a brow slightly arched.]

If any of your company were to be found here, I should think it would be the hero to whose coattails you all remain attached... and yet who should appear instead but one of his many hangers-on. How curious.

yeah babie

[arcsplainist]

[ Sometimes you're out trying to mind your own business and figure out why you so suddenly awoke in an unfamiliar town. It's all Alphinaud wants to do, but when he's just about to slip away into one of the nearby buildings...

A familiar face crops up from behind—and one Alphinaud had not thought he would hear again so soon.

He whips around, eyes wide for a moment, but his expression just as quickly falls into a frown. ]

... And for what reason would you expect to find them here, Emet-Selch?

one

[moondumplings]

[ idk if usagi is his height or not but she's definitely short enough to be. either way she blinks at him (his ears!) but shakes her head ]

I'm from Tokyo!

[arcsplainist]

[ he's like 4'9......... definitely shorter ]

... Tokyo? [ His brow furrows. ] I've not heard of it before. Is it nearby?

[ Like a next town or region over, or... something. ]

i

[suddenlybees]

Hm? Oh, yeah! Sure am~ What's up?

[ What can he do for you, child... Kano is always here to help ]

[arcsplainist]

[ is he tho ]

Ah, excellent! [ He instantly perks up. ] Strange as this may sound, I... haven't the faintest idea where I am. Mayhap you could tell me more of this place?

two

[chanteuser]

It's alright. There's a lot to look at here.

[ hmmmm.

alex picks up one of the boxes and turns it over. ]

Were you interested in these?

ONE

[soulus]

[Now this is more familiar.]

No. Are you?

two

[discernments]

[ Jeanne shakes her head with a small smile. ]

It's easy to ponder about our circumstances, isn't it? There's much to think about here, about what's in front of us and what isn't.

three

[canned]

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]