redactable | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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

a rock that resembles the galaxy

a single random one of these pillows

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is very odd. The town and structures exist to welcome us, but we have none but each other and some odd guidance provided by a very...

Talkative message.

[sure, that's a word]

At present there is no apparent danger, but I wouldn't blame anyone for being nervous.

En, I agree. [ it is certainly odd. xie lian taps his fingers against his chin, thoughtfully. ]

I thought when I first realized that I had entered some sort of an illusion, but I don't think that's the case any longer. [ or if it is, then it's a very, very powerful one. ] There are so many things here that I don't think could have possibly been created by one cognizant being, and far too many of us with such different and unique features to simply be false or non-existent.

Well now, it cannot be an illusion for you - else it be an illusion for us both. For the suggestion that it's an illusion just for you would imply that I possess no sentience of my own, which would be problematic for me.

[THE SIMULATION IS FAILING]

I had another theory that I proposed to someone - would you care to listen?

[ that makes xie lian laugh, actually! ]

I think that would be an issue for me as well! It would be more of a problem if one were to just accept such a thing, no? So in that sense, I'm glad it isn't. [ good, good. this won's got some spirit! he likes that, what a nice young man.

to his theorizing, he nods. ] What are you thinking?

[he lets his fingers run across the display case of pins thoughtfully, giving it a slow turn]

I am thinking - that many are acting as though these 'souvenirs' are commonplace. Where I hail from, it is more likely to pick up small ornaments, jewelry, the like, as gifts. Yet these are so intricately made. Precise lettering, perfectly recreated, not hand-crafted.

More so, people will speak as though there are great differences in their lives. Another person spoke of monsters that I had no familiarity with, despite the fact that they had apparently spawned 'everywhere'. Technology I had no familiarity with either, despite being rather well-traveled, and so I think I would be familiar with their invention if they were in fact so common. Others who speak as though they are gods, or know gods.

While still a working theory, and one that is rather difficult to truly grasp as it sounds like the ravings of a mad man, I'm under the impression that this can only mean that we are all here from different points in time, and in place. Perhaps entirely different branching timelines.

[his smile is touched with a bit of chagrin]

Though it is, of course, within a large margin of error.

[ wow who knows anything about gods! not xie lian.

anyway. he listens thoughtfully, parsing the idea, fingertips tapping against his chin. entirely different times and places... ]

...I don't see why that wouldn't be possible. [ sure, why not! you don't sound like a madman to him. ] Let's test your theory. I'm very well traveled myself. Where are some places you've been, Won?

My home is the Kingdom of Kouka - though I hail primarily from the Water Tribe. Even so, as a merchant I've been all over the country. From Chi'shin of the Earth Tribe to Saika of the Fire Tribe.

On occasion, I would cross territory lines to visit the Kai Empire to the North, or the Sei and Xing kingdoms to the South.

Might any of these sound familiar to you?

I can tell you with certainty they do not. [ a pause ] Although, I suppose "Xing" perhaps could be the closest - it at least sounds similar, though I can't think of a kingdom I've been to with such a name at any time in recent years.

[ xie lian gives him a little smile, a bit sheepish. ] So, I suppose that checks out, then.

[there is just a soft smile at that]

It may be that we are from entirely different continents.... but even so, it's a bit difficult to grasp.

Might I ask where you've been? Perhaps if we've even heard of each other in distant letters of faraway lands...

[wouldn't that be fun]

It is quite the long list of places.

[ sighs heavily about mxtx's allergy to writing locations i did this to myself. ] Let's see... I've settled in a village in a place simply known as Puji, but I've been out as far as the Taicang Mountains in the south, through the Gobi Desert, and out to the territories of Chengdu to the West, and out to the seas in the South, in a place... Hangzhou, I believe?

The names blur together...

[LMFAO POOR SISI but soo-won will just sound pretty interested at that, nodding]

Mm, you sound as if you've been through a great number of different terrains-

But it is as I thought. None of those names sound familiar to me, even in literature of faraway lands or word from other traveling merchants.

I've been traveling for some time.

[ TO SAY THE LEAST. ]

So, the locations don't match. Tell me, do you have any cultivators in your lands? Or perhaps beings that exist based on resentful energy?

[lmao]

I take it that you mean something a bit more mystical than a few unscrupulous criminals who sustain themselves off of their own spite?

In which case, we do not.

Ahaha... More along the lines of ghosts and demons.

[ wow, if only they were just criminals! well, not really. xie lian's quite fond of ghosts, actually. ] So, I suppose that doesn't match up either.

I think your theory holds water.

I suppose I don't have very much to offer in the way of that... Kouka's origin myth refers to the King Hiryuu? Four dragon warriors with blessed bodies to protect and serve him...

[would that be a myth that would carry past their borders??

still, he offers a soft smile]

I wish it didn't - if only because it makes our situation much more complicated, for all of us to end up in this place.

[ nope. there's not a single bit of recognition on xie lian's face. he shakes his head, smile a bit apologetic. the number is always four, it seems... ]

That it does. There don't seem to be many answers as to where or why for the time being, either.

There don't.

We're meant to rely on ourselves until our hosts show themselves - though there are some who are naturally displeased with this situation, while others hope to lend them a hand.

We'll have to see what they're like when we see them all together.

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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