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

[laid]

1. arrival

[Raven's parked on one of the benches, digging through the goodie bag. He doesn't seem too concerned about the situation, since he's got on one of the headbands, the one with the pink hearts, and as he pulls a mini bottle of red wine out of his bag, he immediately cracks it open, cheersing the nearest person before downing half of it.]

I gotta say, so far this is the least unpleasant kidnapping old Raven's been a part of.

ii. flower field

[Later on, you might find Raven lying on his back in one of the fields on the egdes of town, amidst the flowers, idly watching a pair of rabbits hop around on the other edge of the clearing. If he spots you, he'll pat the ground next to him.]

Sit a while, it does wonders fer any anxiety you might be feelin'.

iii. wildcard

[Hit me up if you have another idea!]

2 hi caitie i'm here to destroy you

[heartablaze]

Um...

[It's getting late in the day, and she's not having much luck at all in what she's set out to look for and find out. She wouldn't say that she's a smart girl, but Hikaru can at least pay attention enough to know that something is eerie and empty about this place.

She doesn't sit quite yet, her fingers wrung together.]

You're one of the ones who woke up here just this morning, right? Or... do you maybe live here?

[She's getting told no a lot. It doesn't stop being discouraging, though.]

OH BOY

[laid]

[Hmmm he really wishes she wouldn't make that sort of face, and unfortunately, he doesn't think his answer is going to help;]

'fraid im in the same boat as you are, little lady. Still, if ya ask me, there ain't much use worrying over things you can do nothing about.
[Thus; lying in the grass.]

[heartablaze]

I know, but... sitting back and doing nothing still isn't right, is it?

[...

She sighs, before dropping into the forested grass with a plop, very unladylike. There's gashes all over her, though by now they've been cleaned up, leaving bright red marks across her skin that sting as she continues to fiddle with her hands, clenching them into fists.]

If that's right... sir, um... were you in the middle of something when you got brought here? Talking to someone, or... or getting ready for an important day? Or did you just... wake up?

[laid]

[Raven's in no place to be saying what's right and wrong, so he just leaves that question where it lies, especially with a much easier question to answer.]

Hm? Not really. old Raven'd actually just finished takin' care of something, actually.
[And then that something accidentally brought forth the apocalypse but he sure as hell wasn't in the middle of dealing with that new problem, so technically it isn't a lie.]

You look like you were in the midst of something tough, little miss.

[heartablaze]

...Hikaru. It's Hikaru. It's nice to meet you, Raven-san.

[The attention to her wounds gets her to squirm a little, ]

It was. But it was what I knew I needed to do... what my heart knew was important. What happens to me will heal someday, no matter how much it might hurt.

To not do the right thing, the tough thing, and just be left with regrets later... that's too sad.

i

[reconnective]

[unfortunately the person that walks by is sora who also has a pink hearts headband but no booze for him. he listens to raven though and it's cause for him to stop and give him a confused sort of look.]

Do you get kidnapped a lot?

[laid]

[It's fine it's mostly an ironic gesture in this situation.]

Me? Nah. It's just something that comes up a fair amount in my line of work.
[Hm!]

[reconnective]

Ever think of changing jobs? [it's not a real question, but he also kind of wants to know what on earth raven does for a living that it comes up often enough.]

[laid]

[Well, Sora's certainly not going to get an answer to that question without asking directly. He might not even get a straight answer if he does.]

Oh, sure. But when ya get to be my age, it gets a lot harder ta make a change like that. Old dogs, new tricks, you know how it goes.

[reconnective]

[he does not look very impressed, but hmm...]

If you say so. But pretty sure anybody can learn something new if they felt like it.

ii

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano plops down onto the ground, sprawled out on his stomach with his chin propped up on his hands and feet kicking idly in the air behind him. ]

Huh. Wow! You're right! Look at that anxiety go!

[laid]

[He honestly didn't expect anyone else to concede so readily but far be it from him to complain!]

That's the spirit! Worryin' over things is the adults' job
[Raven then why are YOU here.]

[suddenlybees]

[ He was very persuasive ]

The adults' job, huh? Yeah! That's right. Too bad all they can do is worry, though~

[ And not! do anything about this!!! adults are a disappointment, news at 11 ]

[laid]

[A soft laugh.]

Hey now, worrying's the first step to solvin' a problem. A situation like this ain't gonna get solved overnight, kiddo, and we've only been here a couple hours.

1

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy, holding her own little bottle, holds it up in a toast of her own. ]

Do you happen to get kidnapped often?

[laid]

[Nice!!]

Who'd wanna kidnap an old man like me? I've just had to orchestrate a dashing rescue or two in my time.
[He is of course embellishing slightly to impress the pretty lady.]

[misstrust]

Oh? I never imagined I'd be in the company of someone so gallant.

[laid]

[Gallant!! Nice!!!]

And I'd never imagined I'd be in the company of such a ravishing beauty. I'd be honored if ya kept me company a bit, miss.

ii

[soulus]

[He doesn't sit, but he does stand around not too far once he's addressed.]

No, thank you. I'm not accustomed to resting.

[laid]

[Who is this edgy... lost child... Raven actually sits up to look at Rufus properly after that response.]

That's one of the saddest things I've ever heard.
[THATS ALL THE MORE REASON TO TRY AND TAKE A REST?]

[soulus]

Is it? I believe it's sadder to lie around and waste time.

[He looks at Raven.]

[laid]

[Hmmm too bad he doesn't have enough self respect for his feelings to be hurt.]

Yeah? Should I better use my time by standing around brooding instead?

ii (hi caitie!!)

[canned]

[The towering, armored figure Raven spots seems...rather shy? Even stranger, the voice that comes out of it is that of a gentle, polite young boy.]

Oh, is that really okay? I didn't want to disturb you if you were resting, but was worried maybe you were unconscious.

HI IKI

[laid]

[wheezes as I immediately shuffle Al over to overflow]