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

[riegan]

—1. Arrival

Hey.

(He's going to crouch down next to you sleeping body and try to nudge you awake,)

There's better places to take a nap than on the ground, you know.

(Not that he can really judge considering he also woke up on the hecking ground. ALSO THIS IS THE WRONG FIRE EMBLEM.)

— 2. Kitchen

(Hello. There has been an explosion in the kitchen. It's not a very big one but upon investigation, it looks like the door of the microwave is barely hanging onto the hinges and there's a big ol' eggy mess inside. Wow, who could have done this?????

Anyway after you discover it, enter one Claude von Riegan who looks around and lets out a low whistle…)

Oof. (Just… "oof.") What happened here?

— 3. Around town

(Okay but actually being serious what about this weird place, huh? Catch Claude out with a sheet of paper tucked under his arm and his hand up in the air as he tries to measure the distance between his current location and the castle up ahead. No matter how he tilts his head and adjusts… it's always the same?

He's just going to start talking over in your direction,)

Have you had any luck getting there?

— 4. Wildcard

(I am so bad at top levels anyway feel free to hit me up on plurk eski or discord @ eski#9874)

3

[arkitect]

Mm... no. That, I believe, is effort best left to someone else.

[He's come to much the same conclusion, and if anyone is to go on the fool's errand of actually trying to reach the place, it certainly isn't going to be him. Any attempts he can observe are just going to be a diversion, or if they're very lucky, something actually useful.]

[riegan]

I was worried you'd say that. (Hmm,) So much for going straight to the top to find out who's in charge here.

It's strange, though. (Which has him thinking about the geography of this place. Are there hills or something in place to make this sort of illusion? Or is it something else?) No matter where you are, the castle seems to be the same distance; always out of reach...

[arkitect]

It is most like to be some form of illusion or misdirection, to prevent any of us from doing exactly that.

[With a slight shrug and a shake of his head, he adds:]

Or the castle is part of the illusion itself, scenery meant to give a false impression of scale.

microwave explosion

[dianxias]

[ wow, claude, way to go

the noise drew xie lian's attention, and he's hurrying around the corner just in time to witness the door of the microwave hanging on by a thread... ]

Are you alright, young man...?

[riegan]

(Thank you, he does his best.)

Me? I'm fine! (Totally fine, nothing wrong.) I heard an explosion so I came to see what happened.

(He's innocent.)

Did you see anyone leave?

[dianxias]

I didn't.

[ clearly, the face of an innocent young man!

....actually, all signs point to this young man as the reason there was an explosion, but xie lian's a pretty nice guy so he's not just gonna call him out on it. ]

It was rather rude of them just to leave the mess... I'm glad you're not injured. Perhaps we can help them by cleaning it? [ where are the cleaning supplies!! ]

2!

[axecessory]

[ Hilda doesn't know what a microwave is, but she's pretty sure that this is not the proper state of things. Pretty gross! She wrinkles her nose a little, surprised as she flips around to see someone oh so familiar.

Hmmm. ]

Yeah, I wonder what could've happened to it? Or who?

[ She parks any tearful reunions in favor of a rueful tap of her chin, for now. ]

[riegan]

(To be fair, Claude didn't know what a microwave was an hour ago either. Then he found out and just had to try it for himself? Oh, well.

So don't call him out on his bullshit, Hilda.)

Hilda! (What a surprise.) It's even more lovely to see your face than usual.

(Given the circumstances and all that jazz but ahem,)

Your guess is as good as mine.

(It's also not important anymore because he's found a friend! Which is great! (Anything to distract from the current situation, tbh))

[axecessory]

[ Honestly, who could blame a few medievals for blowing up a microwave anyway? It's fine. Who needs it. ]

Well, I certainly don't know anyone who'd make such a mess.

[ But really, who else could cause such a scene so soon after arriving anywhere? She smiles innocently as the poor microwave continues to smolder in the background. ]

Nice to see being abducted hasn't changed you any, Claude.

1 Eski how dare you make me think about Chrom Fireemblem in this year of 2020

[laid]

[Well maybe some of us don't WANT to be woken up???]

Hmm, sure there are, but unless you've got the lady of a beautiful woman to offer me, I'm thinkin' the floor'll do just fine.
[Let me sleep, you dang kid.]

awakening is forever in my heart

[riegan]

Well, would you look at that... I'm all out of ladies to offer.

(What an interesting bum he's found.)

If you keep sleeping, you might miss out on something exciting.

(Like the fact Claude is currently reaching over to go through Raven's goodie bag then!!!)

[laid]

[Claude please there's nothing interesting or unique about a grubby street pervert.

Anyway, fine, fine, he can tell when he's being gently cajoled into not being asleep, so he sits up. And wait a second;]

Hey, get yer own!
[It's possible he was already awake, assessed the state of things, and then decided to go back to sleep.]

1 and closes my eyes

[sacredchants]

[ there are kinder ways to address a person when they're gently prodding you but what are those? izumo doesn't know them and instead will slap his hand away from her. feel free to notice her lovely fresh bloodied sores on the lower half of her face and hands. ]

It wasn't as though I intended to.

[ ... ]

And who are you?

[riegan]

And yet, here you are. ... Not that I'm one to judge.

(Considering he woke up in the same fashion. Anyway, he definitely notices her hands! And her face? He's concerned now so instead of answering her question,)

Hey, are you alright? We should get you cleaned up.

3

[suddenlybees]

Huh? That castle? Yeah, you haven't been there? Wow! You're sure missing out!

[ Sucks to be you, Claude!! ]

You'll never get there doing what you're doing. Like, what even are you doing?

[riegan]

I sure am!

(He's definitely missing out!)

I'm mapping the place out. (And he's just going to wave his paper a bit in the air,) I'm trying to figure out how far away the castle is from here. So far, it's been the same no matter where I am.

1 but actually 4, inn

[heartablaze]

[Well, it's another asleep person, what a surprise... except everyone's been awake for a little bit now? It seems someone gave up on getting into their bedroom and is currently curled next to the door taking a nap in a big heap on the floor next to room 2, using the plush dog as a body pillow, her braid splayed out on the floor.]

[riegan]

(What's this? Maybe he was just going to check out the names and see who was sleeping where when he just found this poor bum sleeping outside her door.)

Hey.

(Just... gently pats her back because HE'S NOT GOING TO PULL HER HAIR, HE'S A GENTLEMAN,)

Someone's going to trip on you if you stay out like this.

(And because he's a gentleman he sort of just... moves her hair? Which probably feels kind of like tugging but ITS NOT)

3

[soulus]

[In this serendipitous encounter, Rufus watches the castle in the distance as he approaches Claude's vicinity.]

No. No matter which path I take, the distance remains the same.

[riegan]

Yeah, running into the same problem here.

(Which confirms it for him,)

There's gotta be some sort of illusion or something... Is it even real?

2

[dawnblushed]

[This is NOT what Yona is expecting when she goes into the kitchen.

? ??? ??????????]

I wish I knew!

[...her voice sounds very raspy and upon closer inspection her clothing seems like it's been singed. But Yona's paying more attention to the busted microwave and the mess than to that.]

It looks like something exploded!

[riegan]

From the looks of it, it's that box on the wall and whatever was in it.

(Truly, he has no idea.)

Did you see anyone run away?

(nO BECAUSE THE GUILTY PARTY IS CLAUDE)

2

[discernments]

[ She heard the small microwave explosion and came running to investigate. Hello?

Is that what an egg in a microwave does? ]

I'm not sure. I didn't know this could happen. I've heard about it, but I've never seen it.

[ Her brows knit. ]

Although I'm not sure why someone didn't choose to use the stove instead.

[riegan]

(Ahem.)

Right? That would have been the logical thing.

(Unless you were just testing things out for science? And if Claude has learned anything, he's learned that this box probably doesn't use magic to cook things. He knew it was too god to be true.)

Whoever is responsible probably had their reasons, good or bad. Either way, it looks like we're left cleaning up.