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

[reconnective]

Yeah, no kidding. [sora doesn't seem bothered at all given the way he's puttering back and forth ferrying ingredients from the fridge and storage space to the counter.] Everybody's still gotta eat, right? Even if we have no idea what's going on.

[on his last trip, he stops to put down the ingredients before turning to face claude.] I'm still kind of learning but I can make a couple of things. What's your favorite?

[riegan]

Haha! Someone else gets it! (Everyone's gotta eat!!) You can't expect to solve any mysteries on an empty stomach.

It's hard to say... probably a toss up between a good stew or a nice roast. (Not that he's really expecting this kid to make a full meal for him or anything?) But really, as long as it tastes good? I can't complain, especially when I've got good company.

[reconnective]

A roast would take a while, but I think I have an idea. [SHOVING EVERYTHING ASIDE he's going to start prepping some veggies. claude has no expectations and yet sora has not been taught how to cook smaller portions yet.] And I can't really say no to company either.

[but ah. right.] I'm Sora.

[riegan]

Maybe another day, then. (Not one to just sit around and do nothing either, Claude will come over to offer a hand,) Here, let me help.

You can call me Claude. Let me guess... you also just woke up here?

[reconnective]

Oh, sure. [sliding some veggies his way and also a knife. please don't stab him. take your eggplants and tomatoes.]

Nice to meet you. And yeah, just like everyone else I've met so far. It's weird...I don't know how it could've happened without any of us noticing. Usually there's something that stands out.

[riegan]

Usually?

(Interesting choice of words there, Sora!)

Have you woken up in a strange new place before?

(You look a little young to be partying hard, Sora!!)

[reconnective]

Yeah. [this is said oh-so-easily.] And sometimes we've found other strange places while trying to go somewhere else, too.

[riegan]

(He's not following? Except he's pretty sure he is following it's just going in a weird direction,)

That's... pretty concerning. (How is he supposed to focus on chopping vegetables like this!!) Forgive me, but you don't really look like the wild party type.

(He looks kind of like a good kid? A weird kid. But a good kid. Someone who just wants to eat can't not be a good person.)

Then again, I guess you can't really judge a book by its cover...

What sort of places have you usually woken up in?

[reconnective]

Huh? [considering the fact that the statement throws him off-guard, claude is probably right in his assessment. he thinks about saying "I'm not" but then thinks that might just make things worse, so he doesn't. he focuses on the other question instead.]

The first time it was another world. But after that we usually picked where we were going unless we got thrown off-course by stuff like a whale.

[riegan]

Pardon me, but did you say a whale?

(He wanted to focus on the first part. But apparently he's not allowed.)

[reconnective]

Yeah. We were on our way somewhere else when Monstro showed up and swallowed our ship. We had to figure out a way to escape before we could keep going, but it's a good thing we ended up there. If we hadn't, we might not have found Geppetto and Pinocchio to help them escape.

[riegan]

(Just. Staring. Like he's waiting for some sort of punchline or something tHAT NEVER COMES)

... You're seriously serious.

(He refuses to be left behind to play catch up in this sort of scenario. He's just going to roll with it!)

It had to have been a pretty big whale. Really, I'm impressed.

[reconnective]

[he's still chopping veggies like this is completely sane.]

He was huge. [so yes, he's seriously serious.] I guess he was always that big, and when their world was destroyed he was left to travel wherever he wanted.

[riegan]

(➵ FOLLOW ME)