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.

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Comments

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[stillnot]

[ Oh thank god, someone else covered in dirt and blood. Clementine was feeling out of place. ]

You're missing people too, huh?

[pulsecannon]

[ Same hat ]

Yeah, I am. I hope they didn't get it into their heads to play a joke on me.

[ ...but playing a joke would be better than not being there. ]

Where the heck are we anyways?

[stillnot]

I don't think this is any kind of prank.

[ She looks a bit antsy on the subject of missing people, but doesn't really comment further and just shakes her head. ]

Don't know. It looks way too clean.

[pulsecannon]

Huh. [ She looks around again. ] Yeah, you're right. It's way too clean to be Rubrum. What's going on?

[stillnot]

Don't know. Creeps me out, though.

[pulsecannon]

Same. I don't like it one bit. Maybe we should take a look around to see if we can find some clues or something.

[stillnot]

Better than standing around doing nothing.

[ Even though she doesn't think they'll find much... ]

[pulsecannon]

[ Maybe they will find... something to throw a rock at ]

Guess we should take these along. Maybe we'll find the owners or something.

[ Picking up the goodie bag ]

[stillnot]

I think those are for us.

[ too bad they're useless. ]

[pulsecannon]

[ Squinting at the bag like it grew a bunch of horse heads out of it or something. ]

Just what the heck are we supposed to do with all this stuff? That makes this even more weird. Who the heck gives gifts to the people they kidnapped?

[stillnot]

A weirdo that wants us to trust them.

[pulsecannon]

They've got another thing coming to them if that the case.

[ Huffing out a breath. ]</small If they really wanted trust, they would have been here already to try to earn it.

[stillnot]

Their message makes it sound like they wanted to be here, but...

Not like I'm giving them a pass either way.

[pulsecannon]

Clearly they were already here if they had the time to leave us with a bunch of useless stuff.

[ Crossing her arms as she looks at the buildings. Huh. ]

You know, there is something really strange about this town. It's like something out of one of those books.

[stillnot]

[ hm, she didn't think about that. like maybe they had something to attend to? but what's more urgent than like 40 people showing up out of nowhere???

anyway ]

... Like from picture books? [ because if so, hard agree. ]

[pulsecannon]

Exactly like from the picture books. There's even a castle way over there.

[ Which...doesn't seem to be getting closer or further away ]

[stillnot]

Think we can get to it?

[ she has not discovered the barrier yet... ]

[pulsecannon]

Let's head over there to see. Castles are usually where we find those up on top.

[stillnot]

Worth trying.

You been to many castles? [ because like, sure, the people on top were in them in history, but. boy is that old. that was old before the apocalypse. ]

[pulsecannon]

Not really. Tried busting into one before, but they had it lock tight.

[ Time to walk in the direction of the castle ]

[stillnot]

But there were actually people in it...?

[pulsecannon]

Yeah, can't exactly remember who was all in there. We were planning on taking someone out there though.

[stillnot]

... I guess if castles are around, they wouldn't be a bad place to hole up.