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

[evocationary]

[ AREN'T THEY AWFUL ]

Aw, thanks! I know. [ she winks at him, and then drops the glasses back down. ] I keep thinking I'm gonna try my hand at baked goods but that's really not my wheelhouse. There's way too much precise measurement and ain't nobody got time for that.

Maybe a soup of some kind...

[recrowns]

[HE THINKS THEY'RE THE GREATEST THINGS HE'S EVER SEEN]

Oh? Are we short on time? [DO THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO BE, LUP but he'll just offer a smile] I'm not a chef personally, but please let me know if lending you a pair of hands might make the process easier on you.

[evocationary]

Depends on who you ask. [ in response to being short on time. is she being philosophical? probably not. ]

But sure, I guess. Please tell me you know what a potato is.

[recrowns]

Besides delicious?

[he offers up a smile! and!

... proceeds to start rolling up his super huge flowy sleeves, he's going to do his best here]

I'm at your service, madame.

[evocationary]

[ oh, he's already her favorite. ]

Hell yeah, my dude, that's the fuckin' spirit! [ she says, grinning. ] Alright, get me some potatoes, then. Peel those and I'll do the bacon and clams.

[ she also rolls up her huge flowy red robe sleeves to get to work! ]

[recrowns]

[wow, she's so crass!

it makes him laugh a little bit before he nods and goes to look... everywhere for the potatoes. he clearly has not spent a lot of time in the kitchen, but he seems pretty pleased once he finds them! nice.

then he'll go to get a small knife and begin the washing and peeling]

Bacon and clams both? I can't recall if I've had pork and seafood in the same dish before. What are we making?

[evocationary]

[ she's humming quietly to herself as she cuts the bacon into tiny pieces. ]

Creamy potato soup. My aunt used to make it all the time. It's not exactly gourmet cuisine but I think a lot of people might be in the mood for comfort food right now.

You're pretty chill, seeing as we've been kidnapped.

[recrowns]

Ah, that does sound good. [but chop chop chop he goes!

at the question he just hums softly.]

My homeland is frequently at war these days, and I even hired bodyguards to see to my protection because I anticipated some harm might befall me eventually....

But there has yet to be obvious harm here thus far - just a few open-ended questions and a kind offer of food. [he nods in her direction with a soft smile]

So I'd like to be as helpful as I can before I panic.

[evocationary]

Oooh, rich boy, aren't you? [ hiring bodyguards... wow. ] So this sort of thing is old hat for you, then. War and kidnapping and assassination attempts or whatever.

[recrowns]

[there's a wave of his hand at that - the one not holding the knife, phew]

By no means on either account...! I'm a traveling merchant who simply doesn't wish to be raided on unfriendly highways.

Though nobles often get up to that type of business, and I do serve a few of their families...

[evocationary]

[ thanks for not yeeting the knife, bro ]

Psh, like traveling merchants aren't bougie psuedo-commoners. [ gonna fry this bacon! ] It's good to keep an even head, though. You have any ideas as to what's going on here?

[recrowns]

[there's just a soft laugh as he repeats - ]

"Bougie"? Am I supposed to be offended? Sincerely asking, I'd hate to disappoint in the reaction I'm meant to give.

[though he still sounds more amused than anything]

I'll tell you my working theory if you tell me what you just called me.

[evocationary]

Low to medium amount of offense, I'd say. [ she says, glancing over her shoulder. ] It's like, I don't know, it's bougie. Like you're trying to look way richer than you actually are by flashing twenties at your Fantasy Uber driver.

[recrowns]

Oh my.

If I ever truly come off that way, I hope you'll revoke my potato peeling rights.

[his punishment is to NOT be allowed in the kitchen anymore - wait]

Mm, though I suppose that might lead me down a path of more.... bougie. Bougier...?

[evocationary]

[ she gigglesnorts at bougier. ]

If anything I'm going to make you cut onions for an hour as punishment. [ she scoots off to the fridge to grab stuff to make her roux. ] Don't worry. I've got a bougie radar and you're not setting off the red alerts yet, so.

[recrowns]

Ah, so you're after my tears. I understand now. [though it comes with a bit of a laugh] I appreciate your appraisal. I'm in your care.

[but he did say he'd trade so]

Currently, I'm operating under the basis of a hostage situation - though I don't know enough about everyone here to establish the reasoning behind it.

Though it is a bit hard to know everyone, considering that my second hypothesis is that we're all from different time periods and worlds. I like to think I'm rather well-traveled and connected to information channels, but I've learned a lot today.

About - mm... Bougie and cultivators and... arcades!

Nothing useful for our escape yet, I'm afraid, but hopefully the more information we pool together, the more easily we can negotiate against our captors whether they're friendly or otherwise.

[evocationary]

You caught me. I'm gonna sell your rich person tears on the black market. That's capitalism, baby.

[ but - she listens to his theories, nodding along. ]

I think you're right on the worlds thing. The hostages maybe not so much? I think about eight people know I exist in total and none of them are the kidnapping types. [ she says this so casually. ]

[recrowns]

I hope they fetch you a fair price so you can buy as many potatoes as you wish.

[oh to be a simple potato hoarder in the face of capitalism]

Only eight? Do I make nine? I feel very lucky to have the privilege.

[evocationary]

You don't count. I'm not counting the people here.

[ a pause. ] And there's no way I'd buy potatoes with your tears, that's absurd. I'd at least get some organic honey out of the deal.

[recrowns]

Oh, sounds tasty.

[APPROVED to use bougie tears for bougie honey]

May I ask then - why is it that only eight people know you?

[evocationary]

Tsk, tsk. That's a level six friendship backstory unlock. What a brazen question.

[ she sounds amused, though. ]

[recrowns]

Mm, I was asking for permission...?

[with the 'May I' - but it's a weak defense and he knows it, and just offers a smile back even as he finishes up peeling all the potats]

Though I'm glad to have a goal to work toward now, if I may continue to be brazen.

[evocationary]

[ he is the most useful kitchen assistant she's had so far. ]

You can do whatever you want, I'm not stopping you.

[recrowns]

[PUT HIM TO WORK, he delivers them to her]

Then - I think I'd like to exchange names.

Is that an - [how did she phrase it] - appropriate level friendship backstory unlock?

[evocationary]

[ she laughs, taking the potatoes off his hands. thanks bud. ]

Sure, sure. You go first, Bougie Boy.