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

[evocationary]

[ yeah, the video game character knows exactly what she's talking about. ]

Could be a clever ruse. Or, honestly, it doesn't even have to be. Some of the biggest clowns I've ever known have been mafia bosses. Lemme tell you, Greg Grimaldis? Total dingus, and yet he's got a big fancy casino he made off my dollars.

[reconnective]

Mafia bosses? [does sora even know what the mafia is. we don't know.] You should've taken your money back and closed his casino.

[stealing is bad unless you're just stealing stuff that belonged to you first.]

[evocationary]

[ SORA she looks delighted by this suggestion ]

Oh, I intend to. The second the world isn't ending I'm gonna Ocean's Eleven his ass so hard he ends up thinking he's Terry Benedict himself.

[reconnective]

Sounds like you know exactly what you're doing. [he has absolutely no idea what any of that means. but ah, hm.] But what's happening to your world that it's ending?

[evocationary]

Oh, buddy, you gotta be at least a level four friendship category before I give you the deets on that nonsense.

[reconnective]

Oh yeah? [is that a challenge? it sounds like a challenge!] So how do I level up?

[evocationary]

[ she - laughs? it's kind of surprised out of her. ]

Oh, wow, that was so sincere it kind of hurt a little. Uh, I don't know, that's the fun of it. I'm a multipath RPG.

[reconnective]

[he's not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it doesn't seem to bother him to hear that. he also doesn't know what an rpg is, exactly, but he can figure out multipath pretty easily.]

Okay. Then I'm going to do it. [just watch.] My name's Sora.

[the first step on the path he's choosing is introductions.]

[evocationary]

[ oh. she gives him such a bemused look. ]

Uh. Lup. [ is sora the first person she's just given her name to without some stupid joke or prank? signs point to maybe. ] Hey, Sora.

[reconnective]

Nice to meet you, Lup. [her bemusement is met with nothing but cheeriness so that's gross.] So what are you going to do next?

[evocationary]

[ the urge to noogie this kid is so strong. ]

No idea. Wait it out, I guess. I've gotten patient in my old age.

[reconnective]

[stop no noogies.]

Waiting's an option. But I was going to go explore a little and see what the town has to offer. Do you want to come with me?

[evocationary]

[ she SIGHS, like it's such a task. ]

I guess? If only to make sure you don't trip on all that boundless optimism. [ she makes a gagging face. ] Let's check it out.

[reconnective]

[too bad for her he laughs at that face. also rip in pieces about his profile, but haha.]

Okay! There's a shop up ahead, and there are a few more buildings toward the other end of town we can look through and see if there are any clues about what's happening.

[evocationary]

Clues, what are we, the Scooby gang? [ she asks, still making a face. ]

Fine, fine. Lead the way, little dude.

[reconnective]

[given the way he only smiles in response in that "no thoughts head empty" sort of way he doesn't get the reference even though I'm sure he'd love scoob.]

Hey, it's all I've got right now. [and so he begins to lead, folding his hands behind his head while he walks at a leisurely pace.] It's usually the first thing we do when we end up in a new world anyway, but they've never been this empty before.

[evocationary]

[ her eyebrows raise. ]

Wait, we? Are you part of another pack of interdimensional world travelers?

[reconnective]

It's just me, Donald and Goofy. We met a while ago and we've been together ever since. And our other friends come with us sometimes, too.

[evocationary]

And they're not here, I assume.

[reconnective]

Mm-mm. None of them are. [which is...not great, but it's fine.] But that's okay. We just have to figure out how to help this world and then we can leave.

[it's simple. but the emporium's ahead and he points at it.] There it is. Let's check it out.

[and inside they go to explore!!]