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

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[axecessory]

[ She's spinning a little keytag that says 'HILDA' on it around her index finger, not noticing Mob at all. She's close to bumping into him, but he's a pretty small presence? It's not her fault? (Yes it is.) ]

There has to be something less tacky around here...

[exercisms]

[Bumped! Bumped so gently into the rack of keychains, knocking it to the ground.]

Oh no!

[axecessory]

[ Mob! What have you done! (It's still her fault.)

She gasps a little, startled. ]

Oh, sorry! [ She sounds contrite for real, but winces as the keychains scatter to the ground, neat alphabetized order demolished. ] Eesh... what a mess...

[exercisms]

Sorry!

[It wasn't his fault, but he still apologizes and starts picking up the keychains and putting them back.

He doesn't seem to realize they were in alphabetical order, though, so he's just putting them all back in completely random places.]

[axecessory]

[ Well, she'll assume the most ladylike squat she can manage and help by supervising. It's the least she can do. ]

Oh, wait—you can't just put them wherever you want. Make sure they're in order, okay?

[exercisms]

In order?

[Looking at the names and then looking at the rack.]

Oh, you mean like the names? Sorry, sorry.

[Fixing it now!]

[axecessory]

Yeah, just like that.

[ She shoots him a smile. He's so apologetic... ]

While you're at it, why don't you find one with your name on it?

[exercisms]

With my name?

[Digging through, digging through - oh. He found one that says 'Shigeo.' And another one that says 'Mob.']

Wait, they even have this?

[axecessory]

Kind of weird that they have these all ready for us to find...

[ They must not have been brought here at random? Though this poor guy is a really unassuming target to kidnap. She'd noticed his bad haircut before she noticed the boy attached to it.

She points to the weirder of the two keytags. Mob? ]

This is your name?

[exercisms]

[He kind of blinks back at her, non-committal.]

I'm Kageyama Shigeo. But I'm also called Mob sometimes, too.

[axecessory]

[ ... ]

Um... why?

[exercisms]

[Shrugging! It's a kind of a mean nickname, but he's never really minded or questioned it at all.]

They just do. At school, my master - people like that.

[axecessory]

[ Shouldn't he have a more definite answer than that...? With a nickname as that weird, is he being bullied? She gently takes both keychains from him, dangling them from both her hands in a weighing motion. ]

Okay, which one do you want me to call you?

[exercisms]

[Hmm, what a weird question.]

Whichever one you want? I don't mind either way.

[It maybe was bullying originally, but not particularly harsh bullying. By now it's just a nickname, though.]

Um. What should I call you. . . ?

[axecessory]

[ Well, if he really doesn't have a preference— ]

Okay, let's go with Mob, it's cuter. [ and shorter ] Mobby... Moblet.

[ The possibilities are endless. She picks up one of the fallen nametags with her own name on it. ]

You can call me Hilda.

[exercisms]

[Continued here]