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

[antaressnipe]

Money has little interest to me anyway, so I'll offer my thoughts for free.

[Spoken with vague amusement]

I'm certain I've never seen this color on a horse or a centaur, is all. The creator took quite a few liberties, it seems.

[recrowns]

[wow! someone free from the chains of capitalism!]

Hmm.... Do you think you could wear it well? Or is it something better off as fiction?

[antaressnipe]

[Sensei does what he wants!!]

Perhaps as an accent color.

[Gesturing at what he currently wears, which has bright blue trimming. So he apparently doesn't mind straying from neutrality]

As for my coat, I'd prefer not to find out. I believe I already stand out enough.

[recrowns]

[he just offers a bright smile at that]

That you do! I've never met someone like you before. My name is Won - it's a pleasure.

[a brief little bobbing bow, because he is rather excited in the face of something so blatantly new

centaur man!]

[antaressnipe]

Archer. A pleasure, Won.

[A bow is returned with a bit more restraint than Won, though Archer's expression is relaxed and confident]

I would be impressed if you ever met someone like me. Even in my native lands, centaurs are not a regular sight.

[recrowns]

Archer?

[just a briefly echoed sentiment - it sounds less like a name and more like a title, so]

Oh my - so are you at least used to the attention that you draw? You must be awfully popular.

[antaressnipe]

Archer.

[A nod. He is aware of how that sounds, but doesn't offer further elaboration, either.]

Not at all. Most humans fear what they do not understand or recognize.

[Arching a brow, amused again. There is no malice or judgement in his tone, however, just a simple truth to be conveyed]

So I am accustomed to staring before being understandably avoided.

[recrowns]

[ah, wisdom... soo-won listens thoughtfully at that before humming in understanding]

... perhaps respectable fear is still a more desirable result than to become covetous of the unknown.

I'm afraid I have a great number of questions born out of my curiosity - but I'm even more fearful than you've heard them all.

[antaressnipe]

-- Why?

[he doesn't respond to the first part, only glances at Won with subdued curiosity -- which means there's no hiding how quickly his gaze narrows.

Not out of anger, but in assessment. His gaze measures the one in front of him]

What drives that fear? Pride? I do not have a problem answering your questions to the best of my ability, so there is no need to fear my disdain or wrath.

[recrowns]

[there is just a laugh at that, softly amused. pride? no, he's not familiar with the concept.]

No, I'm not particularly worried about your disdain or wrath - though I would like to avoid offending you regardless.

I only worry after your boredom. I'd hate to have a one-sided conversation only I benefitted from.

[antaressnipe]

[Aah, he sees.

That requires a beat of thought, and though his expression softens, the curiosity in his gaze does not]

I am a teacher of many. One-sided conversations do not concern me, so long as knowledge is exchanged.

[recrowns]

That's very generous of you.

[THE MUNDOK VIBES]

Then I would like to learn, if you'd be willing to answer. Even so, do let me know if there's anything I can do for you in return.

Otherwise, I'll just have to get creative.

[antaressnipe]

I tend to favor creativity anyways.

[Well, in his students, but that's fine. Everyone's his student until proven otherwise. Them's the rules]

But come, ask your questions if you have them.

[recrowns]

Mm, I do. Thank you in advance, and I take silence as an answer as well.

[in case there's just something that archer would rather not answer!

he tilts his head]

If you are not commonly amongst other people, where do you dwell? Who might you dwell with? Are you familiar with others who possess the same form as you?

[antaressnipe]

Near the base of a mountain is where I lived, with my wife and children.

-- And before you ask, no. None of them were centaurs.

[Greek myth. That's just how they rolled]

Though there were certainly other centaurs, few in number though they typically were. However, I was considered unique among them, and we seldom crossed paths.

[recrowns]

While I'm certain you have a very winning personality even amongst centaurs, might I ask what else made you unique?

[though he's smiling with a bit of humor -

so it's a question phrased less in terms of kissing up, and more to cushion the actual question of "what makes you special" that is inherently rather rude lmao]

[antaressnipe]

I would be happy to tell you the tale...

Though I'm afraid there are questions I need answered first.

[Boo. And after all that build-up, promising he'd answer questions. Archer ticks a brow up, as if humored by his own "betrayal"]

Your question has not offended me. But there are things that need not be spoken of until we have more information available to us.

[recrowns]

[UWOH

he looks surprised and there's definitely a hint of a pout]

Ah, that's too bad... Though I can't say I don't understand. Very well, then I'll wait with baited breath for more of your tales.

Though in way of information - might you have found anything helpful...? I've been searching as well, of course.

[antaressnipe]

[An apologetic bow that is not quiiiite apologetic! Terrible.

Sadly, the question for information has him sombering quickly, and the smile retreats for a muted expression]

Only that leaving doesn't seem to be an option. And I've yet to find anyone who might have being living here before our arrival.

[recrowns]

Mm, so we've managed to encounter similar blockades.

[that's too bad.... though he doesn't particularly look surprised either]

In addition to that, I've been developing a theory that we are all from different places in time and worlds, far-fetched as it may be.

[antaressnipe]

No, you are likely correct.

[Just. Offered without preamble. Archer doesn't look surprised, either]

If we assume there are multiple worlds, more oddities line up with the truth. And such theories exist on my world, as well.

[recrowns]

Do they? I'd like to hear more about those too, when we have the time.

[which isn't right now because it's more important to problem solve]

Then it brings us to the nature of our captors and this place. Is this their world? They seem fragmented, based on their message - but why? Do they not get along well enough to present a unified front?

Though they are at least marginally attempting to be welcoming.

[antaressnipe]

I could come up with many scenarios to explain away those details, but they would all lack any evidence to back them.

[Which is why he won't for now.]

At most, we know that we cannot find a way to leave -- and even if we found a way, where would we go? Can we return to our original lands? There's no way to be certain, so we're forced to wait until the status quo changes.

... I'm sure for many of us it will be frustrating, but it'd work to our benefit to take advantage of any shelter and food.

[recrowns]

Shelter, food, useful items... We can go see what's in the forest, and if there's anything that could be useful for calming teas or medicine, should anyone start to feel anxious or unwell.

[might as well be prepared]

Some seem rather optimistic that our hosts are friendly - but it's for the best if we prepare as if they are not.