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

[pikaffeine]

Chaaaa... [ he sighs it out with all the dejection this poor fluffy body can hold. where are they. where is tim. and why are their kidnappers so bad at kidnapping. ] Pipikachu.

[ he points to the goodie bag he had to leave on the ground while he climbed up to make coffees. do they expect him to carry this up the stairs. he is so small. they are bullies. ]

[robopriest]

Aw. Well, at least misery has company.

[That is a bag on the counter. Huh. So this creature is...also considered someone important enough to get stuff like the humans did? Weird.]

[At the very least, the little animal seems intelligent enough to point and understand language. Wait, maybe its a robot being controlled by someone far away, like a mastermind-like schoolgirl who wants to act like a cute mascot character? Oh, wait. Wrong game.]

Oh, you couldn't get it up here? Is it hard for you to carry?

[pikaffeine]

[ pikachu gestures at himself. and then at the bag. and then gestures again like. have you SEEN him, sir. he is TINY. he is the size of a BABY. this bag is BULLYING. ]

Pika.

[robopriest]

Haha, I understand, I understand.

[He just bends down to pluck it up in a hand.]

Not so hard for a guy like me. [A beat.] Do you want me to put this somewhere?

[pikaffeine]

Piiiika... [ oh. he had not thought that far. he was just kind of. going places? he looks around. he has no idea where anything is he found the coffee and stayed here. ] Chuuuu?

[robopriest]

...I'll just put it next to you. There you go.

[Just. Plops it on the counter next to the little rodent. It's fine.]

So. Do you belong to someone? Or are you your own master?

[pikaffeine]

Pika! [ oh he can sort of answer that one. pikachu takes off his hat and offers it. it proclaims PROPERTY OF HARRY GOODMAN.

he can't get into how harry is definitely not dead but also definitely not anywhere near here and how he is technically the guy's partner and not his property, but look, he is trying his best here. ] Pikapi. [ he makes a tiny little x with his arms. to say. harry isn't here. perfect. nailed it. ]

[robopriest]

Harry Goodman....huh.

[Just. Looks at the X the little creature is making.]

So he's just....dead?

[HANSA NO]

[pikaffeine]

Chuuu! [ NO they FAKED HIS DEATH it was GREATLY EXAGGERATED the case is STILL OPEN

of course this just looks like pikachu is very mad suddenly because no one can understand his indignant speech ]

[robopriest]

...He's not dead?

[WHY IS THIS WEIRD ANIMAL MAD AT HIM]

Is he lost somewhere, then?

[pikaffeine]

Piiiiii....ka?

[ maybe? haha. he has no idea. this is a very difficult conversation to have. pikachu points to the two of them and then gestures wildly around himself. to be fair, right now, THEY are lost somewhere? ]

[robopriest]

So you don't know...

[Well they can cross that bridge when they get to it! Except they can't cross that bridge. It has a barrier.]

Well, I guess we'll just have to look for now. Maybe he'll turn up!

[pikaffeine]

Pi-pikachu! [ sure! probably not here unless pikachu was kidnapped to the same place harry was, but it's not like this poor guy knows that. honestly, this is still more human understanding than pikachu gets out of people that aren't tim so he will allow it and gives hansa a very small thumbs up. ]

[robopriest]

[That's cute? Wow. Hansa just pauses, before giving the animal a thumbs up in return.]

Hm. I wonder if you have a name.

[pikaffeine]

[ oh finally. the like, one question he can answer. he points at himself ]

Pi-ka-chu!

[robopriest]

...

[wait]

You just say your name over and over?

[pikaffeine]

Pi.

[ nods, beaming. hey, he didn't make up the language. ]