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

[lecarre]

a. ye olde english girl

[Well. This is a lot to process. Ange is in a cute white peacoat dress and tidy black boots, though she looks awfully scuffed up.

It's fine.

Either way, point is, she's walking up to you with the can of Mountain D*w in hand and points, and in a soft English accent:]

Pardon me. How do you pronounce this? [WITH THE ASTERISK AND ALL...]

b. get over that wall

[Listen, it's very charming out here by the north end of town. The river is very pretty, the surroundings are peaceful... if not for the kidnapping, this would all be great.

Ange rests a hand on the bridge, starts to cross it, pauses for a moment as if wavering or trying to decide if she should go back or not, and then for your eyes only, she decides to keep going and runs right into that wall.

She yelps, because um, ow.]

[dawnblushed]

[ANGE??

Yona has seen and done some pretty silly stuff, but she can't recall seeing anyone run directly into a wall before. So when she sees Ange just slam run into it, she hurries over, looking equal parts confused and concerned.]

Are you okay?

[Her voice comes out very raspy and quiet even though her tone kind of indicates she's trying to be louder. Don't worry about it.]

[lecarre]

[LISTEN... we all make mistakes.

Ange rubs her nose as she staggers back a few paces, wincing.]

I thought perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me...

[A beat.

She turns her attention to Yona.]

Miss, are you all right...? You sound rather... [BAD?]

[dawnblushed]

I have a sore throat.

[...she also smells faintly of smoke, her cloak is singed, and there are burns on her hands, but don't worry about it. Yona is certainly not worrying about it! She's more worried about Ange having smacked into a wall.]

You didn't scrape anything, did you?

[lecarre]

[Sure you do, Yona.]

Please, don't worry about me. I'm fine.

But miss...! If your throat sounds so terrible, and it is that sore... we should get you some water or tea to tend to it.

a

[laid]

[As an adult, Raven got alcohol in his bag, so this is a new sight for him. He leans forward, peering at the can, and honestly, he's as confused as you are, Ange.]

Well, the first word's obviously "mountain" but the second one... I guess just "D.W."? I can't guess at what the symbol in the middle's supposed ta mean.
[And they don't have canned soda where he's from so like, truly, what could this item possibly be.]

[lecarre]

[... She tilts her head contemplatively.]

... Mountain D.W...? I suppose that sounds right enough, but I cannot even begin to wonder what it means.

... Do you think it is safe to drink?

[laid]

Drink?
[So that's what this sort of canister is, huh.]

Was that in one of the bags? I figure if it's something they left for us, it wouldn't be poison. Why go through the trouble of kidnapping someone if yer just gonna poison them right away?

[lecarre]

It was in my bag, yes...

[...]

It is quite frightening to think that it might be poison, but...

[... She just carefully puts it back.]

Perhaps I will drink it if I end up desperate. I shouldn't risk it.

b

[misstrust]

[ Oh. There's a familiar face, and Dorothy blinks once-- before sighing and striding forward, using her sleeve to dab at Ange's face. ]

I see you're as graceful as ever.

[lecarre]

[Oh...!!]

Miss Dorothy...? Is it truly you?

[She will stay still for face dabbing, thank u Dorothy.]

I didn't think I would see any familiar faces here...!

[misstrust]

I suppose whoever brought us here had the sense to think that you might need additional looking after.

[ And satisfied that Ange is alive and whole, she draws her hand back. ]

Is it just you, Ange? None of the other girls?

[lecarre]

T-that is quite mean, Miss Dorothy! I can certainly look after myself!

[A faint huff!]

... But yes, I have not seen any other familiar face at all.

[axecessory]

[ The scenery's not bad and the ambiance doesn't scream 'this is a horrible kidnapping and you're all going to die!' but it's still weird enough to warrant a little exploring.

Hilda does this very innocently, minding her own, but she's in the wrong place at the wrong time and when Ange goes flying back, they end up in a fun crash collision. ] —Ow!

[lecarre]

[Oops.

She crashes right into Hilda and they both go tumbling... but Ange is pretty quick to roll off of her, hands covering her mouth.]

Oh-- oh dear, are you all right? I am so sorry, I... um, I wasn't expecting there to be an invisible wall on the bridge...?

[That sounds so stupid no matter how she thinks about it.]

You aren't hurt, are you?

[axecessory]

[ Well, to be fair to her, who'd expect an invisible wall? Hilda looks like she's about to chew her out, but bites back a sharper response in favor of a little sigh. She's cute and has a fun accent, her sentence has been reduced. ]

Not too badly, I think...

[ One exaggerated wince later, and she's wobbling to her feet. ]

What about you? That was a nasty collision with uh, nothing.

[lecarre]

[She winces, because again, that sounds really stupid no matter how she looks at it. Wow how embarrassing.

But even so she's able to get back up to her feet as well.]

I'm fine... thank you for your concern, miss. Even after I was so rude running into you, too.

Can I make it up to you in some way...?

b

[suddenlybees]

Aw, oh no, you almost got it!

[ Kano grins, barely suppressing a laugh as he sits on the handrail of the bridge, legs kicking. ]

It's magic, see? You gotta run at it real fast, no hesitation, and then you can pass through it! Why don'tcha try again?

[lecarre]

[She's still rubbing her nose from the first attempt, but she blinks at him and tilts her head and.

Terribly... seems to believe him...]

Is that...truly how it works? It seems rather dangerous...

[Sizing up that bridge again...]

[suddenlybees]

[ no... ]

Yep, yep, that's truly how it works! It is pretty dangerous, huh... Are you scared? Want me to do it with you?

[lecarre]

I... suppose I am a little frightened, yes. I have never tried to deal with any sort of magic before.

[She straightens.]

I think... I would be more comfortable if we could do this together, yes. Forgive me for the trouble, sir.

b

[canned]

[Ange wouldn't be blamed for assuming that the large figure standing on the bridge and looking over the town was a statue or some kind, but when she bounces off the barrier he's quick to reach out an arm and steady her]

Ah, be careful! It seems like no one can leave this way anymore.

[lecarre]

[Listen, a lot happens in that short period of time.

First, she runs right into a wall and bounces back, then the statue comes to life and starts moving, and then he's steadying her and--

Oh.

That's it? He just made sure she didn't fall? She's staring at him with wide eyes.]

I, um...

[...]

You're awfully large, sir. [That's rude.]

[canned]

[he seems to deflate, and he sounds embarrassed]

Oh, yeah. I guess I am...

Are you hurt? I take it you don't know how this barrier works either?

[lecarre]

[Oh no he sounds embarrassed]

T-that is, I mean to say--it isn't a bad thing...! To be large, I mean!

[Give it up, Ange.

She clears her throat awkwardly.]

Um, I'm all right. Is that what it is, a barrier...? I've never heard of such a thing in anything but fiction.