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

[stillnot]

I don't understand the rest of the stuff they gave us, either.

All I know is that they don't seem concerned with our survival if this is all they left us.

[lecarre]

You mean... they left us here, but they do not care if we live or die...?

[This is a horrifying prospect.]

Who would do something so terrible?

[stillnot]

I don't know. People are fucked up.

Maybe they think they're doing something good.

[lecarre]

... I suppose we have no way of knowing right now...

But we are still alive now, right? So... we can still get out of here.

[stillnot]

Yeah - nothing to do but wait.

Which sucks, but once we know more we can figure out how to get out of this. I'm just hoping all the stuff they gave us was meaningless.

[ Because otherwise being given condoms... bad. ]

[lecarre]

[... Yeah, that. That....]

I'm...certain it was. It was such a nonsensical array of items, there is no way there was meaning to some of it and not others.

Surely...

[stillnot]

Judging by our welcome message, they aren't the most organized of people.

... Which makes me wonder how they managed to get us all here in the first place.

[lecarre]

... I'm not anything particularly special, so it would not be difficult to kidnap me, but...

There is such a strange range of people here.

Even if everyone were easy to kidnap, getting this many people at once must surely be difficult.

[stillnot]

[ Nothing particularly special? ]

So you usually have other people to look out for you?

[ Because those are the only two options that Clementine is aware of. ]

[lecarre]

I... suppose so, in a sense...?

[She tilts her head, contemplative.]

There's Miss Dorothy--she is the dorm mother at school. And there are my classmates... I suppose they do look out for me from time to time.

Why do you ask?

[stillnot]

Because people don't usually make it alone if they're nothing special.

[ she's not trying to be rude, and yet...

anyway Clementine looks contemplative about that. a dorm mother and classmates... wild. what a concept. ]

[lecarre]

[OUCH.

But.

Like.

That's fair. Ange does wince a little, but she just rubs the back of her head and laughs weakly.]

I... cannot argue that. The world is unkind sometimes... and it certainly does not slow down for those who can't help themselves.

[stillnot]

[ Hrm, she feels kind of bad! ]

... For the record, there's nothing wrong with being taken care of. I wouldn't have made it this far if people hadn't looked out for me when I was little.

[lecarre]

[um you're still little.]

That is very kind of you to say... but you do have a point.

I have to do what I can here as well... it won't do to just be in a tizzy this whole time because I'm frightened.

[stillnot]

[ i'm crying, ange is literally older than her.

she shrugs ]

Sure. Just - we're all in the same boat, anyway. We'll look out for each other. [ ... Clementine sounds very confident in this despite barely believing it! amazing. ]

[lecarre]

[this is the power of clementine...]

That does sound nicer than anything else.

But here I am, gabbing away rudely without even sharing introductions first. It's nice to meet you, miss. My name is Ange.

Talking to you has been settling. I do appreciate that.

[stillnot]

Yeah, I have that effect on people.

[ that's sarcasm - she's joking. ]

I'm Clementine.

[lecarre]

[Huuuh...]

You sound like you don't actually believe that that is the case.

But Miss Clementine, I did find our conversation grounding and helpful.

[stillnot]

First impressions can be... Rough, sometimes.

[ Clementine meets most people with a gun in someone's hand. ]

But - good. Freaking out never helps a situation.

[lecarre]

I can't argue either of those statements either, sensible as they are.

[She's right, after all.]

But for now, I suppose I feel steady enough to handle this situation as best I can. I'm sure you have a great deal left to try to figure out as well, so... I won't take up too much more of your time, Miss Clementine.

[stillnot]

[ Clementine nods. The polite thing to do would be to say 'let me know if you need anything' but... Nah...

Instead: ]

Just Clementine is fine. Feels weird being called Miss.

[lecarre]

[No judgment here, honestly.]

Mm, very well then! Clementine it is.

Again, it was a pleasure meeting you. Please take care. [With that, she lifts a hand in a wave, before she finally goes back to trying to find a way out instead of just shooting the breeze.]