redactable | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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

a rock that resembles the galaxy

a single random one of these pillows

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... Yes, I am...

[She threads her fingers together in front of herself awkwardly.]

Is that embarrassing to admit...? The other people I've seen here seem to have taken this well in stride, but I am quite astonished still...

No, not at all. [a pause.] The first time I left home, I was pretty scared, too. I didn't know where I was or where any of my friends were or how to get home, but I met other people and they were able to help me start finding my way back. Maybe...maybe it's like that.

[it's why he offers her a more friendly smile after that.] I'm Sora. What's your name? [if it is like that...making friends should be high on the priority list.]

[A slow breath in.]

That...does sound nice.

[She clears her throat.]

I'm--my name is Ange. It... is nice to meet you, Sora.

It's nice to meet you, too. [he looks back at the ingredients on the counter before looking at her once more.] I was thinking of making something to share with people, but would you like something?

Oh... please do not change what you were going to make on my behalf. I am not particularly picky as it is.

It's not a big deal. It should be something you can enjoy, too. [he's wracking through his memory for recipes...] Do you like fruit?

Oh yes, I do! Were you intending on making something for dessert?

Yeah! Those are meant to be shared, and who doesn't like desserts? There's this thing that's like a...tart of whatever but it's a lot of fruit and it's pretty good. I was thinking something like that. [plus it's a lot of slicing fruit and keeping himself busy.]

Oh, a fruit tart sounds lovely! Could I help?

[A beat.]

I am... not a very good cook, but I would like to help how I can anyway, if that is all right.

You sure? I don't mind. We can cut the fruit slices together and you can help me mix the ingredients for the dough. It's one of the first recipes I learned and it's pretty easy once you remember what's in it.

[helping is always acceptable.]

After all, you are putting so much work into it... it wouldn't feel right to only watch.

So I am at your service, Mister Sora!

Alright! [enthusiasm! that's what he likes to hear, and so he takes a moment to turn toward his ingredient pile and start pulling out things like apples and strawberries to hand her, along with a small knife. please don't stab him.] But you can just call me Sora.

Mm, understood! Just Sora it is.

[She takes the knife cheerfully, and starts very, very carefully chopping fruit. It is... pretty clear she doesn't know her way around a knife very well, and the fruit ends up pretty jaggedly cut, but boy howdy is she doing her best, with her tongue stuck out a little as she focuses.]

[it doesn't have to be pretty as far as he's concerned, so she really is doing her best here while he's working with his own fruit.]

Soo...what were you doing before you woke up here? Do you remember?

[What a good boy Sora is.]

I do! ... Though I'm afraid it is nothing too exciting.

I was on my way to class in the morning. It was very confusing when I woke up again...

It doesn't have to be exciting. [there's a slight smile because wow. school. haven't been there for years.] That would be pretty confusing for anybody. But it just makes me wonder why the people here were the ones chosen.

[can we please maybe leave innocent people alone???]

Do you think we were explicitly chosen...? It wasn't simply random, or, um... an accident of some sort?

[She moves on from the janky apple slices to the strawberries.]

I don't think so. When I looked around upstairs earlier, there were rooms for all of us with our names on them. That doesn't seem like much of an accident to me.

[he sets a plate down for them to put the fruit on while he begins working on the dough.]

... Truly?

[?????]

That... um, that does sound a little--

[She was distracted by his words, and she is Bad With Knife, on a good day, so.

She totally nicks herself with the blade.

And yelps.]

[NOOOOOO ANGE. sora immediately whips his head around to look at her and drop the bowl he was holding.]

Are you okay!? Let me see. [knives are sharp, news at 11.]

[LISTEN... sometimes you're just incompetent with sharp objects.

Regardless, Ange willingly holds out her hand, where there's a small cut in her finger. It's barely anything to write home about really, it's small and not dangerous.

So she waves her other hand vaguely.]

Please, don't worry, Sora...! It was just a small accident, it isn't anything to be too concerned about.

[he's grabbing her hand (sorry ange) to take a look and really make sure it's as small as she says.]

If you say so. But be careful, okay? I don't know if we even have anything to use if any of us actually get hurt. All of my supplies were gone when I woke up.

Yes, of course! I'll be as careful as I can.

[She smiles a little, dipping her head; she looks a biiiit flustered, but that could be just because his concern plus him looking over her hand so carefully while he holds on is a suckerpunch combo.]

Please don't worry. I'll be all right--it was just a small mistake.

Well...okay. [telling someone not to worry means they're bound to be worried but it's fine. after deciding her hand's okay he does let go and pulls back with another slight smile.]

I guess that was kind of my fault too. You were probably surprised, weren't you? Sorry. [the timing does not escape him here.]

[SORA IT'S FINE DON'T WORRY.]

Ah... a little, but it is quite all right. It is my own fault for fumbling the knife.

[She washes it off now, so she can go back to more carefully cutting the strawberries.]

But if our names are there, that means we are assigned rooms here, right?

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