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

ii

[reconnective]

[and here's sora with a heart headband watching her go, clapping when she finishes!]

Sure! [...wait.] How do you play?

[infreefall]

[ she presses her fingertips together, smiling excitedly. ]

It’s a dancing game! Once you pick a song, you just follow the directions on the screen and try to keep up!

[reconnective]

Sounds fun. I'm in! [and he'll leap over the bar to join her on the platform to be a second player.] What song should we pick? A fast one?

[infreefall]

The fast ones are more fun! Though you have to be careful what difficulty you pick.

[ she sounds a little embarrassed...? ]

I'm not that good at it yet, so I've been doing the easy ones first.

[reconnective]

That's okay! We can do one of the easy ones together. I'm not sure how good I'll be at something like this either. [he squints at the selection screen though.] But I don't recognize any of these.

[infreefall]

Don't they usually make new songs just for these things? Either way - you should be able to preview it before picking one, so you can skip it if you don't like it!

[reconnective]

Do they? I've never seen one of these before. [but okay, scrolling, scrolling....] What about this one? [is it because it has the word "hero" in the title? maybe.]

[infreefall]

Ohhhh, I like it!

[ heroes, huh... deku would probably like that, too. funny! ]

Let's try it!

[reconnective]

Okay! [he goes through the motions of picking the song with some trial and error before it's set up for two players.] Ready? Here we go!

[and then...arrows begin to fly and sora realizes this is absolutely not what he was expecting, so time to keep up!]

[infreefall]

Whoa! This one's faster than I thought...!

[ she's struggling to keep up a little more than the easier levels, but it's fine! she still hits enough to stay in the game! ]

Think you can keep up?

[reconnective]

[mistakes were made but he's doing his best to keep up. regardless, even if he misses a few steps he seems to be enjoying himself and turns to give her a wide grin.]

Yeah! We'll make it all the way to the end. [except he promptly misses a note and the game makes a sound.] Hey! [focus, sora!]

[infreefall]

[ pfffft-- ]

Don't lose your focus or I'll take the win!

[reconnective]

No way! [a little friendly competition? now she's speaking his language, and he puts his gameface on as he watches the screen and continues to keep up. he's steadily building his score, but it's still new.] You'll have to catch up first!

[this is said right before he manages to string several steps in a row. you're doing great kids.]

[infreefall]

Wow, you're really a fast learner, huh?

[ alright! she'll have to try a little harder to make mina proud, then! she misses a step at first, but moves right into a combo she'll finish off with a quick, spin. ]

Haha!

[reconnective]

I guess so! [it's said with a laugh because yeah, he is. nevertheless though ochako's score is still steadily climbing higher than his and by the time the song comes to an end, the game proudly declares her as the winner.

but he doesn't seem to mind?]

Good game. You're really good at this.

[infreefall]

Hehe, thanks! My friend taught me and our other classmates how to dance for the school festival, so I guess something stuck!

You're not so bad yourself, um... [ right, she doesn't know his name yet. anyway! ] You might even beat me next time!

[reconnective]

A friend taught me to dance, too, but it wasn't quite like this. It was fun though. I'll do my best next time. [right, names!] I'm Sora.

[infreefall]

What, did you learn to waltz first, like the other lady?

[ she's really gotta work on that one to keep up with everyone else! ]

Ochako Uraraka. Nice to meet you, Sora!

[reconnective]

Nice to meet you, too. It's not really a waltz, but it's more like...[he jumps off of the dance pad to give himself space, and he begins to show her? it looks like he should be dancing with a partner, but he's doing his best here to remember what rapunzel taught him.] It's pretty different than this.