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]

a.) [as sora sits up on the paved road, he doesn't exactly jump to his feet all that quickly. rather, he remains seated right where he is as he looks at the bag nearby, blinking in surprise.]

Huh? [this is probably not the more appropriate place to do this, but curiosity gets the better of him as he begins digging through his new bag of supplies. it's why at some point on your way through the town, you'll find a teenage boy plopped down on the pavement wearing the heart-shaped headband, a large plush cat in his lap and he's leaning over pawing through the rest of the bag. as he comes across the rock though he pauses and gives it a thoughtful look before speaking up to anyone who happens to be walking by.]

What do you think it does?

b.) [over at the railroad station you'll find sora immediately hopping the turnstiles and running past the benches straight toward the ticket machines. he crouches down a bit to get a good look, trying to get a read on locations or anything, but...huh.]

A ghost train? [...give him a moment where he knocks on the machine like that'll do anything.] No tracks either. So where're we supposed to go?

[so...he wanders closer to the office, lifting a hand and immediately pounding on the door.]

Hey! Helllooo! Anybody in there?

[please tell him to stop.]

c.) [at the emporium, sora's still holding his bag of goodies and he's busy browsing the selection of wares. nothing seems to be catching his eye immediately, but that doesn't stop him from turning his head this way and that as he glances around. as such, it means he's not watching where he's going and he's likely to crash right into someone. is that someone you? oops, sorry!]

d.) [as nice as the plaza inn is, sora finds himself roaming the lobby briefly before drifting his way to the kitchen. anyone who comes in will find him with both fridges open, arms filled with ingredients and staggering toward the counter to set everything down. what is he preparing? that's a mystery. but as soon as he hears footsteps from someone else, he'll look up and offer a bright smile.]

Hey. Are you hungry?

e.) [wildcard me, he's around the above places and also the arcade, etc.]

a

[evocationary]

God, I hope it explodes.

[ she peers down at the rock in his hand. ]

Throw it at something and find out. Also, nice digs. [ they're wearing matching headbands! ]

[reconnective]

You think? [he's holding it up to eye-level as if that's going to help, turning it this way and that.] Maaaybe not here.

[he just got here, he doesn't want to be responsible for leveling a whole town yet. but regardless there's a grin because matchies!] So everybody got these? Where do you think they came from?

[evocationary]

Aw, come on, live a little.

[ but whatever, they can blow shit up later. she reaches over to twang his headband. ] Probably whoever sent the message on the PDA thing? That whole message reeked of BBEG energy.

a.

[pulsecannon]

[ Ignore her dirt and blood covered appearance please. It's dried so it's fine. She'll look at the rock for a moment. ]

Beats me. Maybe we're supposed to throw it at something?

[ Like a window. She does have something important to ask! ]

Why would you put that thing on? You don't even know what it would do.

[ Pointing to the headband ]

[reconnective]

[hm. cater. you ok there buddy? but he rolls the rock between his hands like it'll answer all the questions of the universe before he shrugs and drops it back into the bag. they can yeet later.]

Maybe. [he rolls his eyes upward to look at the headband as best as he can.] And why not? It didn't look like it was gonna do anything bad. Why else would it be in the bag with everything else?

[it's a loot drop, maybe it'll give him a boost in strength.]

[pulsecannon]

You never know where it's been or who it even belongs to.

[ It may have adult germs or something ]

The bag is weird, okay? We shouldn't just trust it because it's there.

d.

[lecarre]

[... ... ... Uh.]

Are you... planning on cooking?

[She looks torn between bemusement and tentative acceptance at this point, but. It's still odd, okay.]

[reconnective]

Yeah! Well...I'm still learning, I guess, and I only know a few recipes I learned from Little Chef but it can't be too hard. Everybody's gotta eat, right?

[lecarre]

I suppose that is true, but... I would have thought there would be other priorities at a time like this.

[...]

You are quite calm, though, aren't you? I wish I could be more like that myself.

a

[stillnot]

It's a rock. It doesn't do anything.

[reconnective]

How do you know? Look at it. Ever see a rock like this before?

[stillnot]

No, but... You ever seen a rock that does something?

b.

[exercisms]

[He wanders over to the train as well, but seems like he's planning to just sit on a bench and wait. However, when Sora speaks up - ]

No. There aren't any ghosts in there.

[reconnective]

Well that's good to know. [wait. hold on.] You can see ghosts?

d

[moondumplings]

[ her stomach growls in response. does that answer his question? ]

Perhaps a snack.....

[reconnective]

[it does, which is why he laughs at that. but he looks appeased with the answer and gestures to the smattering of ingredients on the counter.]

How do you feel about dessert?

a.

[chanteuser]

... Look pretty on a windowsill?

[ ... ]

Before or after breaking a window. I'm not sure.

[reconnective]

Doesn't seem like there's too many windows around to break. [examining the rock again, he hums in thought.] But it's kind of cool, right?

[alex do you have a cool rock? share the deets.]

c

[dawnblushed]

[well, yona is also not looking where she's going. so they bump right into each other! oops.

aaaand when she stumbles back she smacks into a shelf, accidentally ending a bunch of stuffed animals flying as she tries to catch herself on it. double oops.]

...oof.

[reconnective]

Whoa! [he's reaching forward to grab not only yona, but also half of the stuffed animals. only half though, the rest are absolutely raining down around them.] Sorry, I--oh! It's you. The girl trying to break in earlier. Hi again.

D

[riegan]

Starving. Famished.

(Really! And at least this kid seems to be handling things well? So he's just going to roll with it.)

Who knew getting kidnapped to a strange new place would work up such an appetite?

[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?

[axecessory]

[ Aww, what a nice young man, offering unsolicited kindness. Her favorite kind. She looks a little surprised from where she's halfheartedly rummaging around for food, but smiles right back. ]

Well, now that you mention it... I could really go for a little pick-me-up.

[reconnective]

Sure. [he looks kind of pleased that she said yes.] What about an appetizer? That should do the trick, right? I only know a few recipes right now but they should taste okay.