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

[dianxias]

[ for some reason, that makes xie lian smile. ]

Are you a cultivator? Or...a daozhang, a priest?

[robopriest]

Not really familiar with those terms...but a priest, yes. I have devoted by life to the Church.

[dianxias]

Ah! I see. [ xie lian's eyes light up in recognition, and he clasps his hands together. ]

Then, we have something in common! Though I'm not familiar with a 'church', really, I am a daozhang as well.

[robopriest]

Oh? You're a type of priest, too?

[He's really not familiar with priests outside of the Catholic Church, but...hey, he'll take it.]

I guess its nice to have someone like-minded around here.

[dianxias]

Yes! I maintain a shrine back at home, and perform the duties within it, in honor and devotion of a god as well.

[ how nice! priest solidarity. ] Is there a proper title one should call you, then?

[robopriest]

How very nice. I tend to do something more like freelance work, and I don't have a shrine or church of my own...but I do what I can where the Lord needs me to be.

[Priest solidarity!!! He just shakes his head.]

Technically, we're referred to with "Father", but...you don't really need to be so formal. I won't force you.

[dianxias]

Are you sure? I don't mind. Such devotion requires quite a lot of hard work - it is only respect well deserved.

[robopriest]

Ah, well, my mentor would disagree on the fact that I deserve too much respect for treating some of my duties too lightly, but...

[He smiles.]

Whatever you insist. Is there a title you want to be referred to, too?

[dianxias]

Not at all. [ so, he guesses hansa does have a point! xie lian laughs, waving his hand. ]

My shrine is very small, and honestly sort of broken down, so really, it's nothing particularly respectable.. Really, I've only recently done such duties - mostly I just try to fix up the shrine and collect scraps.

So, just Xie Lian is quite alright with me.

[robopriest]

A shrine is a shrine, just like a church is a church. It doesn't really matter what form it comes in, at the end of the day.

[He stretches out a hand.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Xie Lian.

[dianxias]

[ a very respectable thing to say!!!

his smile's approving, and he reaches out to shake his hand. despite being a little thing, he's got a good, strong handshake! ]

And you as well, Hansa.

[robopriest]

[His handshake is good and firm on his side - maybe a little too firm? But anyways, Hansa smiles as he retracts his hand back to his side.]

So, fellow priest...have you noticed anything around here worth checking out?

[dianxias]

[ strong handshake! hm. that's probably not weird.

anyway. ] Well, most everything. [ which is a silly answer, and he recognizes it as such. ] I've never been to a place even remotely like this. Aside from this odd barrier, isn't that palace a bit strange?

[ turning, he finds the mysterious castle and points towards it, off in the distance. ] It's an unmoving horizon.

[robopriest]

Oh, indeed.

[A nod, glancing towards the castle.]

You know, it kind of reminds me of a mirage in a desert. The closer you get to it doesn't change anything. It just stays where it is.

[dianxias]

[ xie lian nods, immediately making a noise of understanding. like banyue... ]

Yes, that's precisely it. How curious... it does lead to the theory of this all being an illusion but, were that the case, it would have to be an incredibly powerful one, and one we all were experiencing all at once.

[robopriest]

Maybe we're all just having one big shared hallucination.

[He's not being serious. Probably.]

You've never seen anything like this in your line of work, right?

[dianxias]

Ha ha...

[ oh, he hopes not. that would be terribly unfortunate. hopefully he didn't accidentally somehow drag all of these people together with the power of his terrible garbage luck.

...anyway! xie lian shakes his head, looking back out to the castle. ] Nothing along this scale, no. Have you?

[robopriest]

Nothing that I can recall. I have my guesses. But I've never seen something on this grand of a scale.

[A shrug. Oh well!]

It'll just be something to find out. Maybe on the way when we get out of here once and for all.