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

[showyourself]

Now and then. [she shrugs it off. nobody needs to know about the. impromptu performances. nobody.]

What about yourself? What do you like to do?

[canned]

Well, my brother and I travel a lot for [a beat] his work. He's a State Alchemist. So we don't have much free time [especially lately], but I like to read and study!

On long train rides it's nice, or when everyone else is sleeping.

[showyourself]

Your brother? That's nice. [she's imagining a much older brother, shepherding this... young(?) man around.] You two must be very close.

[she's trying not to think too hard about this whole... armor thing, but it's getting a little difficult, the more she gets to know this... kid(?)]

What kind of things does your brother do? I guess it's hard for me not to think about... turning lead into gold. That sort of thing? Or is it closer to engineering?

[she genuinely has no idea. different worlds!]

[canned]

[he laughs, but not unkindly, at the question—just enjoying a conversation with someone treating him nicely and normally]

We'd get in a lot of trouble if we turned anything into gold. It's one of the rules alchemists have to follow in my country.

[he thinks for a moment about how to explain alchemy, seeing as he can't just demonstrate it and it's rare for him to meet someone with zero knowledge of it]

Alchemy is more like a science. It's taking something and turning it into something else, changing where energy and matter goes to make new things. My brother works for the military, so a lot of the time he uses alchemy for combat and defense, but also for helping people!

Like, one time, he fixed a bunch of people's houses that got smashed up! ([ed was kinda responsible for smashing them up but it wasn't his fault!])

[showyourself]

[hm!]

So it's... sort of like an ability to make something out of something else? Changing the... structure?

[because if so that's more or less what she does with water, so it's easily understood.......]

just because it's a good metaphor:

[canned]

Yeah, that's right! Like how water can be changed into ice, steam, and snow. It's composition is the same, but the form is different depending on the energy. If that makes sense!

In the same way, alchemy doesn't make anything new. Water that freezes is still made of the same thing it was before, just arranged different.

[you could say...it has....memory....]

We call it the Law of Equivalent Exchange. [he recites, now clearly trying to show off like the Honor's Student he is:] "In order to obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost or destroyed."

[please clap praise]

[showyourself]

[she actually does clap.]

Well explained, professor.