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

[chanteuser]

[ thanks she's a natural. apparently.

she just... holds the pillow? it's fine. it's cuddly. ]

No, not really. I don't even know the rules. [ her delivery is? maybe just a little dry. ]

Have you tried throwing anything else at it?

[robopriest]

Baseball is rather complicated. I mean, you'd think a game involving people running around a big diamond wouldn't be that difficult, but you'd be surprised.

[A shake of the head.]

Not yet. Have any suggestions?

1/2

[chanteuser]

I've never seen it played. Don't most things have rules and complications where you least expect them, though?

[ hm

she... puts down the frog pillow with probably more care than it deserves or needs, and digs around in her goodie bag for a moment... ]

2/2

[chanteuser]

[ and then she just fuckin'. yeets the galaxy rock at the forcefield with a surprising amount of force. ]

[robopriest]

[NICE YEET!]

[And of course, the rock is just going to bounce back, flying towards Hansa with some force with sparkles in its wake..........and then he, like she did before, just catches it effortlessly with one hand.]

Haha! There we go. [He tosses it back to her lightly.] And of course. Things can't always be so simple.

[chanteuser]

[ welp. ]

I should've figured that'd be the outcome. Sorry.

But that was a much more impressive catch than me catching this pillow. Maybe you should be looking into sports careers?

[robopriest]

No need to apologize. We're testing stuff out. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[He laughs at that.]

I'm pretty happy with the profession I have. Even if being a priest doesn't involve making cool sports moves on TV for a bunch of people to see.

[chanteuser]

Unless there's something with more potential than a rock in these bags, then we might be stuck for a while regardless.

[ huh. ]

A priest?

[robopriest]

Yes, a priest.

[He just. Gestures at himself.]

Do you know what a priest is? Or do you just think I don't look the type to be one?

[chanteuser]

I wouldn't remember if I'd ever met one, so... [ she shrugs, but it's less flippant and more of a little helpless thing. ]

I know what a priest is though.

[robopriest]

...Wouldn't remember?

[That's...an odd way to put it.]

How much do you remember?

[chanteuser]

That's a sort of complicated [ and personal, excuse me. ] question.

[robopriest]

[Just like, without even a pause:]

Oh, so you basically have no memories, then. Sucks for you.

[HE'S NOT BEING SERIOUS]

[chanteuser]

Pretty much.

[ she is. ]

[robopriest]

[oh,]

...Ah, well, things could be worse. Perhaps your memories should come back in time.

[Shrugs!]

What should I call you, then?

[chanteuser]

[ yeah, oh. ]

... [ hm. ] Little by little, yeah. I'd like it if they were coming back faster but... at least they're coming back at all.

[ oh right. ]

I'm Alex. You?

[robopriest]

You have nowhere to go but up, then. How nice.

[A nod.]

Hansa Cervantes. A pleasure, Alex.

[chanteuser]

Maybe. [ it feels more like a mountain club like a leisurely stroll though. ]

No titles? [ don’t priests have those? ]

[robopriest]

[A shrug.]

You can call me "Father" if you want, since that's the proper title. Though something like "Father Cervantes" just makes me think of, well, my actual father.

[chanteuser]

[ (niji voice making a daddy joke echoes in the distance) morning crystal i'm sorry this is what i'm greeting you with ]

... [ she just chuckles. ]

Alright, Hansa then. I guess if we've all been kidnapped and trapped here we're all on an equal enough level.

[robopriest]

[closes eyes]

An adequate way to put it. [Nods!] Anyways! Have you been out and about yet? There's a whole lot here, but it seems a lot of things are simply locked away.

[chanteuser]

[ hmm. ]

I've looked around. Not on the second floor of the inn, but I know that's where the rooms are. And the, uh... interesting selection they have in the shops?

[ she looks through her bag as she says this and pulls out an interesting pair of glasses. ]

[robopriest]

Oh! Those are nice glasses.

[Just gestures to them!!]

Go on, put them on.

[chanteuser]

[ she whips out another pair and puts those on instead. ]

These are a bit more my style, but don't let me stop you trying them on.

[robopriest]

Haha, well, you look more like a movie star in those, that's for sure. Unfortunately, sunglasses and me just don't work together. You know...

[He gestures to his own eyepatch.]