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

[LISTEN... we all make mistakes.

Ange rubs her nose as she staggers back a few paces, wincing.]

I thought perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me...

[A beat.

She turns her attention to Yona.]

Miss, are you all right...? You sound rather... [BAD?]

I have a sore throat.

[...she also smells faintly of smoke, her cloak is singed, and there are burns on her hands, but don't worry about it. Yona is certainly not worrying about it! She's more worried about Ange having smacked into a wall.]

You didn't scrape anything, did you?

[Sure you do, Yona.]

Please, don't worry about me. I'm fine.

But miss...! If your throat sounds so terrible, and it is that sore... we should get you some water or tea to tend to it.

...it doesn't hurt though.

[That's kind of a lie, but it's fine. Yona considers it for a moment.]

But if you're that worried, we can go get something to drink... and we can check to make sure you didn't get any scrapes or bruises at the same time.

I am! I believe... if you are going to be that worried for me, it is only right I do the same for you in return, so thank you, miss!

[To find a drink...! Some water, at least. They're probably headed towards the inn, then.]

... My name is Ange, by the way. I don't believe you should talk too much with your throat sounding as it does, though...

[...oh! She has a solution for this!

She holds up a keychain she took from the emporium that reads YONA.]

[Ah...!]

Miss Yona, then? That's a lovely name!

[Towards the inn... and kitchen!]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yona.

It's nice to meet you, too.

[and lo, they make it to the inn without tripping over anything, hopefully.]

...I guess you don't have any idea how we got here either, right?

I'm afraid not... last I recall, I was headed to class, so it was quite strange to suddenly wake up.

[Into the kitchen with them. Ange is familiar enough with the basic kitchen layout to be able to find a glass, and her world is steampunk-y enough for her to be able to use the water, though she marvels for a moment at how clean it is.

Then she offers said glass to Yona.]

Please, drink up. If this does not soothe your throat, I am a decent hand at brewing tea as well...!

[No hold on Yona is just staring in shock at running water.]

How...?

[UMMM.]

It... is amazingly clean water, right? I was also amazed...!

I've never seen water come out of something like... that... before.

[She gestures vaguely at the sink.]

Is it connected to a well, somehow?

[... ... ... Immediately holds Yona's hands.]

Miss... you must be from far out in the countryside to have not yet seen plumbing.

[WHAT TROUBLES YONA MUST HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL HER LIFE...]

[Yona tries not to wince because there are some light burns on her hands.]

I... grew up in the capital, actually?

[Oops.

Ange notices the burns only after the wincing, letting go of Yona's hands immediately.]

You grew up in London...? And yet you haven't seen plumbing...

[What a life Yona must've led... Anyway, she turns the water back on.]

Here, the water is cool. It should soothe the burns on your hands a little.

...

[She shoves her hands under the water, but.]

What is London? I grew up in Kuuto.

It is the capital. [Said blankly and a little matter-of-factly as she looks for a washcloth or two Yona can wrap her hands in when they're damp.]

Where is Kuuto...? Is it foreign?

Um... no. Kuuto is the capital.

[...]

Are you not from Kouka...?

Not at all... I've never heard of such a place.

I'm from the Kingdom of Albion.

...I've never heard of the Kingdom of Albion before.

Is it near Kai Empire? ...or Sei, or Xing?

[... ????]

Those are... I'm sorry, I've never heard of them before. They sound quite foreign to me.

...Albion sounds foreign to me, too.

[???]

But in that case... I already didn't recognize this town, but where are we?

I had assumed it was in the countryside somewhere, but now...

[... NOW....]

... Now it is almost daunting to try to imagine...

...

[She reaches over to pat Ange on the shoulder. There, there.]

It's okay. There are a lot of us here - we can all work together to find a way back to where we came from.

[..... Ange laughs a little, shaking her head.]

Miss Yona, you are in the same situation as me--and injured at that, and yet it seems you are always comforting me already.

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