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

[reconnective]

Oh. This thing? [he pulls the phs out of his pocket and looks at it.] I saw the message that was left for us, but I didn't know there was more than that.

[soulus]

You should look again.

[There's way more than that.]

[reconnective]

[first of all he looks at the message app again because he thinks maybe rufus is implying another message came through. after realizing that isn't the case though he fumbles his way through the apps and eventually pulls up the profiles.]

What...? [flipping through them, he's taking note of what he's reading before he comes across Rufus'.] Is there one for each of us? Why?

[soulus]

[Rufus waits until Sora finds what he was meant to find, and by then he's more than ready to answer.]

That appears to be the case. Unfortunately, we won't know the reason why until our hosts greet us again.

[reconnective]

Hopefully that's soon. It seems like they want to talk to us, but I don't even know what I want to ask them first. [he's reading rufus's profile through.] Does all of this seem right to you?

[soulus]

[Best to let them talk first and then ask second.]

Putting aside the tendency to exaggerate, the data are correct.

[reconnective]

Is it stuff other people would know about you back home?

[soulus]

Can you say that about yours?

[reconnective]

Maybe not everything. [but most things, sure.] Some of it is stuff people know because it's stuff they're good at, too.

[soulus]

Then the same should apply to the rest of us.

[reconnective]

Should, but it doesn't mean that it does. If there's something off with someone's data or whatever, maybe that's a clue to what's happening.

[soulus]

That's certainly a possibility. But I wonder if that someone will readily admit to being an outlier.

[reconnective]

You think someone would lie about something like that?

[soulus]

Yes. People lie about all sorts of things.

[reconnective]

So then how do you know what to believe from people? [it's a somewhat rhetorical question, but at the same time rufus might have an interesting answer.]

[soulus]

It doesn't matter what I believe. As a bounty hunter, I abide by the contract.

[reconnective]

[he shouldn't ask, but....hm.]

What contract are you talking about?

[soulus]

I'm not currently under one.

However, should my services be requested here, the nature of the requester would be of no concern to me.

[reconnective]

But what about if it was something you didn't want to do or didn't think was right? Would you still do it?

[soulus]

There is no want nor right in bounty hunting—only the contract.

[reconnective]

[there's a high chance he doesn't entirely understand the concept of a bounty hunter so he'll just keep asking question.]

So what do you do when you're not under contract? Do you just wait for another one?

[soulus]

[He'll start charging.]

I'm not one for resting.

If you have work for me, I will do it . . . for a fee, of course.

[reconnective]

[hm. not that he's planning on having jobs for anybody anytime soon, that's not bad to know.]

What sort of fee...?

[soulus]

Normally, I would require money . . . Here, I will take information and items that are to my satisfaction.

[reconnective]

I'll remember that. [it's good to know, he guesses. but right, uh...a glance at his profile.] Rufus, right? I'm Sora.