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

[chanteuser]

R-right. This is much harder than it looks.

[ thank goodness she can just restart destroying the world. ]

Do you play these kinds of games a lot?

[infreefall]

Nope! I've never really gone to arcades before this place - too expensive. But I know about them from movies and friends.

It's hard at first, but still pretty fun once you get the hang of it!

[chanteuser]

[ oh, yikes. she looks at the screen and how damn quickly she just lost, and then back at ochako ]

They're expensive? But if you have to pay for every time you play, and you lose really quickly...

[ what a money drain ]

[infreefall]

Well, I guess if you just play one round, it's not so bad. But yeah, it adds up fast.

[ that means no arcades when you grow up poor. ]

It's a good thing they aren't charging us to play here.

[chanteuser]

So, those crane games with the toys, they’re pay per turn too?







Wow, arcade owners must be raking in a lot of money.

[infreefall]

Oh, definitely! Aren't those things rigged or something? I don't know if I've ever seen someone win one, so people lose a ton of money that way.

[chanteuser]

It IS rigged! I thought it was... that crane absolutely had that toy and it just dropped it!

[ THAT. DAMN CHEATING MACHINE.

she didn’t even want the toy that much. it’s the principle. ]

That’s so clever and so evil as well. It must be mostly kids playing these things.

[infreefall]

Mm, mostly! Though I think they're still kind of popular with some adults and college kids. Maybe they just want bragging rights?

[ she peers curiously at alex. ]

Did it have something you wanted? Maybe I can try!

[chanteuser]

I think by the time I was done it was just the principle rather than the item. Unless you like, uh... toy ponies or yellow blobs wearing dungarees?