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]

[ it would be both mine and lup's greatest joy if hua cheng wore sunglasses over his eyepatch. ]

What a fabulously vague answer. [ she remarks, amused. ] Which keychain did you just take, Huarr Cheng?

[ still proud of this joke ]

[supremity]

[ flappy you know I can't say no to you. ]

According to the information on that PHS device, I'm "probably" 817 years old. [ It's public, so he doesn't care. ] The 800, at least, is right. Not sure about the 17 - I lost track long before that point.

[ The joke makes him snort, but amusedly. ] I was lucky enough that someone I know is here, as well. It's for him.

[evocationary]

[ sparkles ]

Probably. Wow, you're old as balls, huh. [ tease, tease. ] Lucky or unlucky, I wonder. Which guy? Is it one of the other eyepatch dudes? Did you form a squad?

[supremity]

[ fucking christ the slang he's going to pick up to take back to ancient fantasy China. ]

Not old as dirt, at least, like some of them here. [ clicks tongue ] No, it isn't, but I did notice that. Should we be forming a squad? It does seem like there's a lot of people here with eyepatches. It's almost excessive.

[evocationary]

[ hua cheng like "old as balls" as xie lian dabs in the background ]

It just makes me wonder if whatever brought us here has an eyepatch fetish? Like not gonna yuck anybody's yum here but really, make it less obvious.

[supremity]

[ I personally hate this in every perfect way possible ]

It is suspicious. I'm not particularly interested in being someone's fetish. [ why did I type that with my own two hands ]

[evocationary]

[ she - splutterlaughs? wow, congrats hua cheng. ]

Jesus. Yeah, no, I'm with you there, bud, I'm also not interested in that. [ she pulls a pair of sunglasses off the rack. ]

Here. These'll work.

[supremity]

[ Score. Not that he was trying, Hua Cheng is the master of just saying shit and not even batting a, well, eye. ]

Ah, what I've longed for for hundreds of years - two, matching eyes. [ Still, he accepts them.

And puts them on. ] A perfect disguise.

[evocationary]

[ THESE ARE THE MOST AWFUL THINGS SHE'S EVER SEEN. it's incredible. ]

Yeah, now nobody will ever get their rocks off to your one eye. [ lup, please. ] I forgot to mention there's a rule that I found that says you, specifically, have to wear these glasses around the village or you're fired.

[supremity]

[ Can't wait until he can show gege these godawful things. ]

Ahh, I see. [ Unfazed by the fetishization of his impairment and just trucking along with shitty puns and the driest tone. ] Considering our current positions, I can't exactly object and face losing the only employment I have.

[evocationary]

[ honestly, they can just show each other the awful things they acquired from lup back and forth. ]

Attaboy. [ she says, laughing. ] Why do you think we're here, anyway? Any ideas?

[supremity]

[ "look at this absurd shit and these slang words I learned today from a weird girl" ]

That, unfortunately, I don't have much insight in. [ He reaches to take the sunglasses off, folding the arms one at a time against his chest. ] I'm almost not sure if our hosts do, either.

[evocationary]

Hah. You've got a valid point. Obviously they don't know how voice to text works, so.

Whatever or whoever they are, they're pretty powerful. If they're the ones who brought us here.