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]

Okaaay...so let's say it's possible. What would you have to do to make it work that way?

[assistance]

Well! If I could learn how the devices receive messages, then I might be able to trace them back to the source. From there, assuming all these devices share the same network, it should just a simple reworking of the code to allow two-way communication! Maybe even communication across the network itself!

... In theory, of course. Like I said earlier, this sort of thing isn't my area of expertise.

[reconnective]

[...yeah she lost him. sort of. because if he thinks about it in a different way it makes a little more sense and it's in that moment he seems to be making other connections.]

Is it possible for the source to change into something else? Like, let's say it was one thing, but it combined with another and became something else. Would that source be the same, or would they be two different sources?

[assistance]

[ ... she just. squints. ]

Um... I think it would depend on the difference between the two systems' infrastructures? Because what could be engineered from one might not translate as smoothly to the other, if the original entity is no longer recognizable...

[ i hate this and i hate you for making me type this stuff ]

[reconnective]

[no one hates this as much as me.]

...I'm not really good with tech stuff, so I'll just have to take your word for it. [haha.] But if there's a messaging app maybe we just haven't been granted access to two-way messaging yet. If the people who sent us the first message are still getting ready for us, we could see it soon.

[assistance]

[ you literally didn't need to have him ask, and yet, ]

Speaking of which... didn't that message sound pretty fishy to you?

[reconnective]

It was pretty weird, but I think maybe they really were trying to help us and tell us to wait until they come back. They must've been here to set everything up for us, right? So it probably won't be long before we see them again just like they said.

[and if that doesn't work, they can go find them somehow. simple.]

[assistance]

Oh, I wasn't even talking about what they were saying. I was more getting at the way it was written. Clearly more than one person was typing... but there are parts where it sounds more like they were talking out loud? Like a text-to-speech program, but it also mentions they could see a keyboard right in front of them.

[reconnective]

I didn't even think of that. [what the fuck is text-to-speech.] What if they weren't all together when they were writing it? Some of them were doing the text-to-speech thing and some were using a keyboard? Could both be used at the same time?

[assistance]

I guess it's not unheard of, even if that would be a little awkward for, well, reasons like this.

[ she sighs as she gives up on the device she's holding now, placing it on the table next to her as she rolls her neck. ]

To say this is frustrating would be a huge understatement.

[reconnective]

We have to get some answers from somebody soon. But that doesn't make this any better.

[frustrating is a great word for the entire situation.] What else can we do in the meantime though?

[assistance]

Hmmmm...

Take a nap, maybe?

[reconnective]

There are rooms for us upstairs. Have you seen those yet?

[assistance]

overflow....................