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]

Let me make you something to eat and you'll be less frazzled in an instant. Promise.

[ she's already putting together a sandwich. ] And - what, waking up in a weird new place with no idea what's going to happen next? Yeah. Old news. I mean, I shouldn't be here right now, but it's whatever. I'll wander back eventually.

[lecarre]

Well... when you sound so confident, I certainly do not plan on refusing. Still... is there anything I can do in return?

[She's making her a meal, after all, it's only polite...!!]

... I'm not sure what you mean, entirely, but it sounds as though you've had all sorts of experiences.

[evocationary]

You can owe me one if you really want. [ she says, with a sniff. ]

And - hah! Yeah! Experiences are a word for it. Long story, you have to be at least at level four friendship to unlock that one. [ she cuts the sandwich into triangles. ] Sorry, didn't catch your name?

[lecarre]

Um, all right. If there is ever anything I can help you with, please let me know.

But--right! My name is Ange. It's nice to meet you.

[She thinks she knows all of those words coming out of Lup's mouth, but like, even so, most of them make no sense in the order they happen.

It's. It's fine.]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry.

[evocationary]

[ this is a common sentiment and ange is not alone in not knowing what the goddamn hell lup is saying at any point in time. ]

Ange, got it. [ she turns, and hands her a sandwich on a plate. it's turkey, but like not thinly sliced, it's just actual turkey breast, with bacon and lettuce and some sort of creamy spread that's like, essentially the panera special sauce. ]

Nice to meet you, too. Eat this.

[lecarre]

Oh--thank you very much!

[This sandwich looks delicious, and obediently Ange takes it and takes a tidy bite.

And then she brightens, bringing her free, non-sandwich hand to her cheek.]

It's delicious!

[evocationary]

Damn right it is. [ she says, but it's with the sort of pride of knowing you're good at something rather than arrogance. ] And you're adorable as hell.

Where are you from? Like, does your planet have a name, or.

[1/3]

[lecarre]

Oh, um, planet...? I'm from Earth--

[lecarre]

[...

WAIT.

BACKTRACK.

PROCESS.]

[3/3]

[lecarre]

[WHAT

She flushes, hands clasped to her face which she knows is burning.]

A-a-adorable? Me? That-- I, um, miss, that is far too kind...!

[evocationary]

[ oh NO. lup grins, delightedly. ]

Ooh, you're red as a tomato! Look at you. [ she laughs. ] You're not helping your case here.

[lecarre]

[Aaaaaah!!]

Miss...!! I think you are just teasing me now.

[She still totally has her cheeks covered with her hands, head dipped.]

[evocationary]

Maybe a bit. [ she pulls her hair up into a ponytail, still grinning. ] You said Earth, right? Seems to be a pretty common place, by what I've heard.

[lecarre]

[Whew.... Slowly, she's able to calm down a bit when Lup admits to it.]

Admittedly, I cannot exactly imagine coming from a different planet... but you are asking because you are familiar with other planets, right? To me, that is the sort of thing I thought was only in storybooks.

[evocationary]

[ she settles back against the counter, folding her arms across her chest. ]

I don't blame you. What happened to us is kind of storybook-esque. I've been to around a hundred. None of them were Earth, though, as far as I remember?

[lecarre]

I suppose... that does make sense.

[Ange is eating more of her sandwich, because it is delicious.

But...! Between bites:]

As important as Earth is to me, if there are so many planets... the chances you would come across it are rather small, right?

[evocationary]

[ lup seems pleased as punch that ange likes the sandwich. cooking is much more fun when you can share it with people... ]

I guess so. I think culture spills over into other worlds all the time, though. [ shrug. ]

[lecarre]

Does it...?

[She looks a little excited by that prospect.]

I wonder if you know any of the culture from where I come from, then...!

[evocationary]

Oh, totally. I was just talking to a dude about Meth Damon earlier. [ that's - not the kind of culture ange is talking about, lup. ]

What were you thinking?

[lecarre]

[That's... that's not at all... what.]

What is a--

[no, no, she shakes her head.]

... Rather, no. Um, let me think... well, I am from London! It is an amazingly large city, the pride of the Kingdom!

I am curious if anything from there has ever made it elsewhere.

[evocationary]

[ it's better not to ask, yeah. ]

London, huh? I can't say I've heard of it. Tell me some famous things from London, though. Maybe I've heard of something. Any special foods they make there?

[lecarre]

Foods? Let me see...

[Contemplatively:]

Well... I suppose London is quite known for drinking tea. We even would have tea time on the weekends at school sometimes, alongside finger sandwiches! But if there were foods that seemed very London... I suppose there is fish and chips. Chip butties? Curry has gotten quite popular as well there as of late.

Does anything like that sound familiar?

[evocationary]

Oh hell yeah. Curry is amazing. Fish and chips, too - there's this little place in Goldcliff that makes truly excellent tartar sauce, and the owner refuses to cough up the recipe.

[ she huffs. ] I can make us some curry, if we're here tomorrow.

[lecarre]

[!!]

Truly, you are familiar with all of that? How amazing...! I did not think that was even remotely possible.

I hope we are not here tomorrow, but if we are... I will definitely be looking forward to your curry, miss!

[evocationary]

[ very cute. lup's lips twitch. ]

Yeah. I also hope we're not here tomorrow, but my luck's been rotten, so. [ sniff. ] I'm glad you liked the sandwich.