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

[discernments]

I was facing someone who must be stopped. As long as no one here is someone who must also be stopped, I won't make it worse.

[ Don't think she didn't notice him brushing past himself though. ]

[reconnective]

I haven't seen anyone like that yet. So maybe this place really is safe right now. [no heartless, no nobodies...it's just...] But it's also really quiet.

[discernments]

[ Sometimes, the troublesome people like to stay hidden, though? Sora? ]

Are you used to a lot of noise?

[ But it doesn't sound like she disagrees. ]

It doesn't seem like a lived in town even if there is music in the distance.

[reconnective]

Let's just say a lot of the time the people we have to stop aren't really the quiet types. [she has a good point though.] Do you think this town's always been this empty? Or did the people go somewhere else?

[discernments]

The town had to be built somehow, right?

[ Unless it was magically conjured? But then someone had to conjure it. ]

It doesn't look like an abandoned town, but either way it's worrying to think about, if this village was created for us or if it was left behind.

[reconnective]

Probably. [unless it was magically conjured, indeed.] But you're right. Either way we're left not knowing why the village is the way it is and why we can't leave. That's the other weird part. Have you found the barriers yet?

[discernments]

[ what are timelines but

She nods.]

I've come across one in the forest. I wonder if the barrier goes one way or both, or if it's only keyed to us.

[reconnective]

What do you mean? Like people who aren't us could break through the barrier whenever they wanted?

[discernments]

If the animals in the forest can go past the barrier, wouldn't that mean something? Or if there were people who lived here before we arrived and they left, why would a barrier be put up after?

[ The mystery... ]

[reconnective]

One of two reasons. To keep us in, or to keep something else out. But I don't know which one it is. [...mystewy...] Maybe we should check out the forest and see if we can find some animals. They might give us some ideas.

[discernments]

[ She nods, smiling bright because at least it's some sort of plan to do something. ]

Let's go. We can only find out which if we do something. Nothing comes from standing still.

[ Can't believe PETA is going to come after these two. ]

[reconnective]

Right! [oh, he likes her already. that's the kind of attitude he can get behind and he begins to turn to head south toward the forest. rip in pieces both of you.] And if nothing happens, guess that's an answer, too.

[as they begin to walk he turns his head to smile at her again.] My name's Sora.

[discernments]

It will still be an answer.

[ She agrees. It's better to know the extent of what's keeping them in. ]

I'm very glad to meet you, Sora. My name is Jeanne. The... phone? [ She thinks it's a phone. ] Will also tell you I'm called Ruler. I don't mind either name.

[reconnective]

[into the woods, it's time to die...]

They're both nice. [he will probably default to calling her jeanne since she said that first, but ruler does sound really cool.] Is Ruler a title or something?

[discernments]

It's something like that. It's more like a role. I... am hoping it doesn't have anything to do with why I'm here.

[ Because it wouldn't make sense, if it does. ]

[reconnective]

Do you think that's a possibility? [what does she mean by a role? he now has more questions.]

[discernments]

It's usually why I'm summoned someplace, to fulfill some kind of role. It'd be strange if I wasn't, but it's even stranger that it'd be in the middle of what I was doing before I arrived here.

[ If that makes any sense. ]

[reconnective]

[oh. a summon? he knows what those are, but she doesn't quite look like any summon he's ever met.]

Usually when you're summoned someplace you stay until your job is done, and you don't leave again or do something else until then. Something like that?

[discernments]

[ oh? there’s something similar where he’s from? ]

Something like that but not quite. In my case, that is more true, however, since I usually answer a call to fulfill a role.

[reconnective]

I see. [he thinks he understands.] But then what do you do when you're waiting for a call?

[discernments]

[ She doesn't necessarily want to give the truth in detail, but she also doesn't want to lie.

What is the truth but not the whole truth? ]

What is it that's said.... hang out?

[ Does she even look like the type who would hang out. ]

[reconnective]

[she truly does not, but you know what. he'll buy it.]

Fair enough. [there's a shrug.] It kind of looks like we might be hanging out here for a while though. We'll have to find something to do on our own.