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

[laid]

For someone who's "ok" ya look and sound pretty roughed up.
[Honestly... kids these days.]

I can only assume they're welcome gifts from our captors.

[dawnblushed]

I think anyone would look a little rough after sleeping on a street.

[That's not at all the same thing but whatever.]

Right, but what do they do? I haven't seen stuff like this before.

[laid]

[Alright, he can only entertain the goody bag curiosity for so long;]

Sure, but most people wouldn't have burns all over them just from something like that. I can heal you, ya know.
[He cannot, but he doesn't know this yet.]

[dawnblushed]

...you can?

[Well. That's unexpected.]

[laid]

Sure. That was what I was offerin' in the first place.

[But as he tries to channel the aer to cast a healing spell... he comes up empty, and frowns.]

... Huh.

[dawnblushed]

[Yona just kind of sits there, watching him as he appears to... not do anything.]

...was something supposed to happen?

[laid]

[Raven puts a hand to his chest for a moment, over his heart.]

... Yeah. But fer some reason I can't seem ta use my artes.

[Hands up in a "what can you do?" sort of gesture.]
Sorry, guess old Raven's no use to ya after all.

[dawnblushed]

Don't say that.

[She does not know the difference between "artes" and "arts," so she's just kind of wondering what sort of artist 1, heals someone, and 2, just stands there and waits for art to happen.

But regardless, she starts to put the things she's been pulling out of her bag back so she can carry them more easily, then gets up to her feet.]

Your name is Raven, then? Mine is Yona. It's nice to meet you... and thank you for trying to help me.

[laid]

[Raven accidentally coming off as some sort of weirdo artist. But man, if she says that, they he's really ought to try to actually do something, huh. At least he's gotten her to stop sitting in the middle of the street.]

Well, even if I can't heal you, we might as well see if we can find some bandages lying around town somewhere for ya. So long as it doesn't hurt ya too much ta walk around.

[dawnblushed]

I've walked through worse.

[Onward!! There are at least a couple of buildings they can start with... the emporium first, then!]

[laid]

You kids are so resilient. This old man ain't got the stamina fer that.
[But yes, the emporium. The only place that's open, really. Lets check there!!!

Once inside you really immediately get smacked in the face with the spirit of gift shop tackiness, I'm sure.]

Hm. Kind of a weird store, isn't it.

[dawnblushed]

Old man? But you don't look that old.

[...huh. Yona has never seen a gift shop before in her life, but she supposes it's kind of like the stalls at the markets.]

I don't see anyone who works here...

[laid]

Age is about how ya feel, ain't it? I got some reckless teenagers like yourself draggin' me every which way across Terca Lumireis, and it just wears me and my achin' bones right out.

[Hmmmm. Yeah. Seems abandoned besides any other people who also woke up here.]

Well, given it wasn't locked up maybe our hosts expect us ta take whatever we need.

[dawnblushed]

...

["What the heck is a Terca Lumireis," her face says.]

Well, if they wanted us to pay, they should have been here to greet us.

[It's time to steal EVERYTHING.]

[laid]

Exactly, you got it.

[It's fine, don't worry about it. We're not there anymore.]

So what's a pretty girl like yerself doin' to get this banged up?
[As he starts sifting through the merchandise looking for something useable.]

[dawnblushed]

...it's kind of a long story.

[She's distracted by lanyards. She has never seen one before. Huh. What's it even supposed to do...]

[laid]

[Raven digs out one of the pairs of shutter shades, putting it on before turning to look at Yona.]

Well, I'm in no hurry if ya wanna share. 'Bout that or whatever else.

[dawnblushed]

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