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]

Oh, dude, samesies on the city thing. [ she says, casually wiping the knife off so she can cut onions, now. ] Trends are only important when you've got someone to impress. Don't worry about it.

[ she points to the tomato! good job. ] It's just more the way you're dressed? And your vibe. You have an old timey vibe.

[dianxias]

Well, I don't have many people to impress. [ xie lian replies, with a little bit of a laugh. samesies... he's learned so many words today.

he returns and sets the tomato down for her to add to her vegetable pile! he fetched so good! quest complete. ]

I see...well, you don't seem at all 'olde' to me, so I'm certain you must have an... um, ye new vibe?

[evocationary]

[ she - cackles, at ye new vibe. ]

That's it, you nailed it. [ she says, leaning away from the terrible onions. ] I don't know. I'm from nowhere. I don't know what vibe I give off.

I'll take ye new, though. It's close.

[dianxias]

Well, whatever it is, I think it's quite nice, your highness.

[ he smiles, kind as ever as he comes over properly to watch her, hands in his sleeves. does xie lian have any idea what a vibe is yet? no. does he think this queen taako person is nice? he does indeed. ] I'm from something of nowhere too, so I think we will have that in common.

[evocationary]

Aw, bud, that's nice of you.

[ clearly she thinks garbage boy is also nice. ] Something of nowhere, huh? Like peasant status, or more like my whole planet got vored nowhere?

[dianxias]

[ what does vored mean..... ]

...Peasant, I think. The village that I currently live in is quite small. [ not to mention, he does have the entire peasant aesthetic going on. up close it's pretty obvious that his robes aren't the nicest quality in the world. ]

Did something happen to your world?

[evocationary]

[ he's about to find out ]

Yep. It got eaten. I think. I don't... know what's going to happen to it now, actually. Or if it's still even there.

[dianxias]

[ ......... ]

Your entire world was eaten? By what, exactly?

[evocationary]

[ she puts her knife down to waggle her fingers in his direction. ]

The Hungerrr. [ she says this in a spooky voice. ]

[dianxias]

[ ... ]

That's a... fitting name. I suppose I can't think of any enemy more terribly frightening... [ than hunger.....

] What sort of creature is this 'hunger', to be eating entire places?

[evocationary]

[ she goes back to chopping, with a little sigh. she's just a touch more subdued this time. ]

Long story. Our best guess is it's a plane that eats other planes, because some motivational speaker psychopath decided reality wasn't good enough for him.

[dianxias]

[ ....mm.

well. xie lian's brows knit, and a little sympathy worries up in his chest. he sounds very sincere. ] I'm sorry that such a thing happened to your world, your highness.

[ doesn't he just know what that feels like. ] ...even so, you standing here; you carry some of that world with you, no?

[evocationary]

[ augh, gross, sincerity, she's allergic.

she winks at him, grinning again, that subdued expression completely gone. ]

You're damn right. I'm the cream of the crop from that old dusty trash planet. You lucked out, getting to meet me.

[dianxias]

[ boy has lup picked the wrong person to befriend if she doesn't want sincerity

anyway! xie lian can't help but smile back as the expression fades. good, good, that's better. ] I'm not a very lucky person, so, perhaps it's extra special indeed.

[ fwiendship ]

[evocationary]

[ this is the trend with all of my characters and xie lian, it's hysterical ]

Ugh, gross. Sappy. No thanks. [ she waves a hand. ] Go get me a big pot to put all this stuff, you dingus.

[dianxias]

[ he grows on you like a fungus, but one that hugs you and helps you with your problems ]

En. [ okay, okay! being told off and being called sappy doesn't seem to bother him any, and he thinks a dingus is probably just an insult, so, it bounces right off of him as usual.

a pot, he can certainly do. give him a moment to poke around in the kitchen cabinets, and eventually, with an a-ha! xie lian finds a decent sized soup pot. with a laugh, he brings it out and sets it on the counter for lup. ] Some things are still the same no matter where you are, at least! Here you go, will this suffice?

[evocationary]

[ honestly she'll probably eventually need it so. ]

Suffices a-plenty. [ she says, glancing at him with a little smile. she peers over her shoulder. ] Did you see any bread in there? The pantry.

Honestly, I should make bread from scratch so it's really authentic but my patience only goes so far.