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

[chanteuser]

i.

[ alex can be found on the ground, contents of her goodie bag scattered around her as she reads over the message on the PHS; the weirdly large character pillow cuddled against her chest (it is, in fact, a cat). somewhere close to the end, she winces and raises a hand to brush her fingers lightly against a white bandage stuck to the right side of her forehead, just above the temple.

it's fine. she's fine. ]

I... [ there's a pause and she exhales sharply. ] I have no idea what they're talking about.

[ help. ]

ii.

[ i got nothing here. walk into the kitchen at some point after arriving and you'll probably find alex, sat up on the counter, with a kettle boiling away next to her and a jar of instant coffee in her hands.

coffee? ]

iii.

[ or she'll be over at the north of the town, where she's absolutely going to walk into the invisible forcefield and stumble backwards rather dangerously on her heels.

after a moment, she reaches forwards and raps her knuckles against the invisible wall, frowning. ]

... So we've not been kidnapped, but we can't just up and leave? That's reassuring. [ she sounds very much unimpressed, and a Little Bit Sarcastic. ]

wildcard

[ normal wildcard disclaimer goes here. hit me up for other ideas or pcs or whatever! i'm rrrrready ]

ii

[evocationary]

[ she absolutely is checking out this kitchen, which is why when she comes in and sees alex sitting on the counter, she makes waving hands. ]

Hey! Hey, ass off the counter, that's so unsanitary! [ HER CLEAN KITCHEN ] I - oh, shit, is that coffee? Hit me up with some of that.

[ and just like that she's immediately forgotten about the sitting thing. ]

[chanteuser]

[ ... that was an incredible topic swerve. which is good, because she does not move from the counter. ]

I'd offer alcohol but that bag they gave us didn't really provide a sharing amount.

[ hang on, she's getting mugs. without moving off the counter, it's fine it works. ]

iii

[dawnblushed]

[yona makes a face at the invisible wall.]

Someone should tell whoever wrote that message to just admit we were kidnapped already.

[chanteuser]

You think they really believe we weren't? Sometimes it's just easier to tell someone a lie, until it's too late for them to do anything about it.

i, i told you i was coming

[papasha]

[There's a spooky looming shadow over her.

But then it disappears as he kneels down in front of her. He has his own goodie bag, it seems, which he sets down by his feet.]

A mystery. Are you alright?

[He offers her a hand to help her up. Please... the ground... Alex...]

i have so many regrets

[chanteuser]

As much as someone maybe or maybe not kidnapped can be, I guess. [ ignore the headwound there's nothing to see here.


i hate this but she does accept the help standing up. ]

Thanks.

ii

[yamantaka]

[ oh, this is a welcome sight ]

Oh~ Are you making coffee?

[chanteuser]

[ looks at the coffee, looks at the kettle, looks into the camera like she's in the off-- no. ]

Yup. Just waiting on the kettle.

Did you want some?

iii

[sacredchants]

[ izumo will join in the testing of the barrier and will give it a solid kick. nope.

go figure. ]

I'd still count it as being kidnapped.

[chanteuser]

[ hm. she watches the attempt before sighing. ]

Yeah, me too. Despite what they're trying to insist.

iii becks im sorry also go to sleep

[laid]

[Well that was sure a sight to see. Raven expected as much but it's good to have confirmation. More importantly;]

I'm finding it hard to be too worried about bein trapped here if there are devastating beauties trapped here too such as yourself. Could ya do old Raven the honor of knowing yer name, gorgeous?
[Now is definitely the time and place for this.]

closes my eyes for nine hours

[chanteuser]

...

[ 'hoo boy. ]

... Kidnapping's pretty bad no matter who you're stuck with. [ raven pls. she almost wants to say no and scurry away but. y'know.

politeness. ]

Alex.

iii

[riegan]

You say that but it sure feels like a kidnapping to me.

(Of course, he's going to see how far he can go which is also why he's not too far away when Alex just slams into the barrier.

At present, he's crouched down, just sort of peering out into the distance,)

... Or like we've been sent away to reform school or something. (Sent away by a pair of no good parents so their sons and daughters can grow up to be fine young men and women instead of hooligans. ) Hey, you think we're being punished for something we did?

[chanteuser]

Oh, it’s definitely a kidnapping.

[ the barrier’s a bit of a red flag. ]

... I can’t speak for everyone here. Maybe?

ii

[bisouled]

Oh -- no thank you. I'm just looking around.

[ she didn't think she'd end up in a kitchen... it's a bittersweet sight. Fiora does her best not to let it show. ]

Did you get "not kidnapped" here, too?

[chanteuser]

It's definitely looking that way.

[ siiiiiiiiiigh ]

There are a lot of us here. This must've been a big operation.

i

[lionson]

I don't really know either.

[That head wound, though. Shiro is crouching down near her to do a visual inspection of the bandaging as he keeps talking to her.]

What's your name?

[She can stay laying too, he'll help her move once he's sure she's not dizzy from a concussion. She's gotten medical treatment already, but she could be disoriented and he wants to check on that first.]

[chanteuser]

[ she's going to have to get used to people eyeballing her temple for a bit, huh? ]

I'm Alex.

[ she doesn't look dizzy, dazed or disorientated so that's a good sign, right? ]

iii

[axecessory]

[ Hilda startles a little at her running into thin air, but that's not the weirdest thing that's happened. She sighs. ]

Ugh, right? Talk about creepy.

[ Anyway, since Hilda just watched her walk into a wall... ]

You okay?

[chanteuser]

-- Yeah, I'm fine, thanks.

[ she taps the barrier one last time with her fingertip and sighs. ]

Bars might've been a less dangerous option. But that'd ruin the "don't worry, you're not kidnapped" angle.

ii

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano wanders into the kitchen, sees the kettle, the coffee, Alex... He picks up a spoon, scoops some coffee right out of the far in Alex's hands, and shoves it into his mouth. And frowns. ]

[chanteuser]

[ why ]

-- What are you doing??

i

[stillnot]

I don't think anyone does.

[ Bad. ]

iii

[soulus]

[He sounds equally unimpressed as he approaches the forcefield form a distance behind her.]

Of course not. Participants shouldn't leave before the main event.