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]

Nope.

[ hope you enjoy your new roommate, claude. she spins the display to the Cs, and squints. ] Claude, Claude...

Bingo. [ she grabs a keychain and holds it out to him. it is appropriately gaudy. ] You wouldn't happen to be the Claude staying in Sextans, would you?

[riegan]

(That gets a small laugh. Alright, he sees how it is!! Anyway, he'll reach out to take the keychain! Gaudy? Maybe. Does he love it? Believe it.)

The one and only, as far as I can tell. (No point hiding it when the names are on the doors and he didn't see a single other Claude worth noting.) I take it you're the same Lup then?

[evocationary]

[ hey, at least this dude has good taste. she gives him a little grin. ]

Yeeeeup. [ she's going to try on different sunglasses now. ] Guess we're roomies, along with that Laine person? Don't stab me in my sleep, bloodstains are a bitch to get out of these robes.

[ she's wearing red, but okay. ]

[riegan]

(Wow? Wow! Looking offended as heck,)

We just met and you already think I'm some crazy knife murderer. Is that really the sort of impression I give?

(Really? He would never!)

I've always thought I seemed like a friendly and approachable kind of guy.

[evocationary]

Oh, no offense to you, Mr. Friendly and Approachable Guy, I automatically assume everybody is going to stab me in my sleep.

[ this is half a joke. ] Anyway, I guess I have to worry more about you poisoning yourself than anything else, according to this thing.

[ she pats the handheld device that's in her pocket. ]

[riegan]

Fair enough. Danger can't surprise you if you always expect it.

(He respects it! Maybe not the best way to live but definitely one of the better ways to stay alive.)

Well, (Ahem. It's a little embarrassing to have everyone know this!!) I can't say it wasn't worth it. It was... educational.

[evocationary]

[ she grins. ]

Happens to the best of us. I mean, who among us hasn't accidentally poisoned themselves?

[riegan]

Is that so?

(He's amused! Has he found someone who actually gets him here???)

You wouldn't be saying that just to make me feel better, would you? I appreciate the thought but you don't have to worry about me.

[evocationary]

Bold of you to assume I'm worried about you. I like it.

[ she also looks amused. ] I haven't actually poisoned myself, but I'll tell you a secret because we're roomies - I have definitely set my brother on fire a few times. Accidentally.

Allegedly.

[riegan]

You wound me.

(He's hurt? His feelings are hurt. He might go cry... nah, not really. How can he cry when he's hearing about Lup setting her brother on fire??????

She has to be exaggerating right,)

And... is your brother alright?

[evocationary]

Oh, yeah. He's fine.

[ she waves her hand. ] It was a tiny fire. Nothing to worry about. We've both died to worse.

[riegan]

(He's? Waiting for the punchline? Because that has to be a joke, right?





Right???)

... Wait. (Back up.) You're serious?

[evocationary]

[ she gives him a ??? look in return. ]

Uh, yeah? Why would I joke about the very serious implication that I've died more than once? God. Rude much?

[riegan]

Sorry... I was always under the impression you only have one life.

(Obviously?)

[evocationary]

Oh - absolutely, YOLO and all that, rock on. [ that - explains nothing. ]

[riegan]

(Is this how people usually feel when they deal with him????)

... Right. Well, I'm glad you're alright now.

(A beat and then concerned voice,)

Are you?

[evocationary]

[ she pauses in her perusing and looks down at her hands, and then her arms, and then the rest of her. ]

Uhhh. Seems to be in order. I'm not all spooky, which was a surprise.

[riegan]

I confess, I'm curious. (It sounds like she might have a story? Like a hundred stories, to be honest.) But if we're going to be sharing a room together, we'll have plenty of time to talk.

(Speaking of rooms,)

There's a third person. Laine, was it?

[evocationary]

Yeah, we can stay up all night and braid each other's hair and swap traumatic backstories.

[ as for the mention of the third person, she pulls out her little handheld device and looks at it. ] Laine, yeah. Haven't run into them yet.

[riegan]

(What traumatic backstories. Wow, he looks really concerned for you?)

Right... just some regular friendship therapy. You can tell me all about how you feel.

(Anyway! Glances at the keychain wall,)

You wouldn't happen to see their name on any of these rings, would you?