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]

...

[ wow. ]

Easy enough if you're good at fighting?

[stillnot]

I'd be better at it with a gun.

[ ... you don't have to be good at fighting with a gun though. you just need to be the first to shoot. ]

[chanteuser]

Which I'm guessing you don't have here.

[ like people with magic don't have magic, people who GUN don't have GUN. ]

[stillnot]

[ she shrugs. ]

Guess whoever brought us here didn't want to get shot.

[ she's joking, but also, not? ]

[chanteuser]

Or to shoot them.

Either or.

[ it's probably number one on the list of things to do if you're ever going to plan a mass kidnapping. ]

[stillnot]

Cowards.

[ ... another joke that isn't a joke. ]

[chanteuser]

I imagine being shot is kinda painful though. I can see why they'd want to avoid it.

[ .... even if maaaaybe they don't have rights? ]

[stillnot]

It's really painful.

But they could avoid it by not doing anything to deserve it. [ They don't have rights!! ]

[chanteuser]

....

[ um. ]

Do I want to ask why you know what that feels like...?

[stillnot]

An asshole shot me.

[ ... but given what she just said, she feels the need to clarify: ]

I didn't deserve it.

[chanteuser]

[ clem you are like ten. ]

I'm not doubting that, but... why?

[stillnot]

[ haha, don't worry! it happened when she was eleven. anyway, she just makes a vague... useless gesture in the air. ]

Group was falling apart, and... I don't know. Kid probably panicked or something.

[chanteuser]

[ ................. ]

... [ there's a lot to unpack there. ] That sounds like it must've been a bad situation.

[stillnot]

[ ... ]

To be honest, I almost forgot about it. It wasn't the worst thing to happen that day.

[chanteuser]

...







I'm... sorry to hear that? [ she. wow she really is. ]

[stillnot]

It's fine. It was a long time ago.

[ ... she feels awkward now... ]

[chanteuser]

Still... [ there was a gun involved?? ] Things that happened a long time ago can still be a lot.

[stillnot]

[ Guns being involved is not that notable! ]

Well... You're not wrong about that.

[ She just doesn't consider it to be one of her traumas ]

[chanteuser]

... Well, if you're not concerned about it, I won't make you dwell on it. Hopefully we won't have any run ins with guns here.

[ haha. ha. ]

[stillnot]

But I want a gun.

[ you missed the point, alex!!! ]

[chanteuser]

[ NO GUNS!!!! ]

For the moment we're not... exactly in danger, right?

[stillnot]

Don't know yet. But I'm always in less danger when I have a gun.

[ GUNS!!!!!! ]

[chanteuser]

[ CLEM!!!!!!!! ]

And the people around you...?

[stillnot]

[ Clem is kind of used to having to tough-talk because she's from such a kill or be killed world... But... She gets the impression this lady isn't really the type she needs to do that for. As much. ]

... They're safer, too.

[ she's a protector! ]

[chanteuser]

[ .... ]

Sometimes. Maybe.