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

[heartablaze]

[god can't save you now hansa]

...My actions were the best I could do when everyone around me had opened themselves up to share what they truly wanted. I just made the choice I knew I could always live with.

That's why I want to find whoever brought us here. Maybe you're right. Maybe it really is a kidnapper that's tricking us and taking us away, and the only way to freedom is through fighting that. But I can't accept that. If we find out who they are, and what is important to them, and why they did this... that's what I want to know before I do anything else.

[robopriest]

[This girl...]

[Has got way too much on her plate.]

[Not that he's against kids doing stuff like adults do. Even he was out fighting and everything at a young age. But its this kind of self-sacrificial pure talk that rubs him the wrong way, somehow. Life isn't this simple. Life isn't that nice.]

[...]

Hey. Word of advice. If we do find these kidnappers....let someone like me deal with it, okay?

[heartablaze]

...Huh?

[/record scratch]

...But it's something we need to do together, don't we? All of us.

[robopriest]

Oh, for sure. And your contributions will be good. Nobody's saying you can't do anything. Its just that when push comes to shove, I've got a few skills under my belt to deal with whatever happens.

[And when the time comes............................an eleven year old believing in the purity of people who might as well just rip her apart for it isn't something he wants to see happen.]

[heartablaze]

[...

Her brow tightens, straightening up with a fist pressed against her breastbone.]

Don't say it like that. You're not the only one. And no one wants to see someone else suffer in their place.

If we can't believe in the people around us, then what good are we against something we don't even know?

[robopriest]

"No one wants to see someone else suffer in their place". I wonder...have you told that to yourself?

[Just. Glancing down at the gashes.]

[heartablaze]

[She nods, not budging even though she can feel the weight of his eyes.]

I don't want anyone to feel that it's their only option.

The people who I care about will suffer if I endanger myself and die. I promised I'd do so much with them. That means we all have to be there, together.

[robopriest]

...

[After a long moment, he just nods.]

Fine, then. We'll do it together. [He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eye.] Just don't push yourself too hard. Can't have you falling behind because you're putting yourself in a situation you can't handle, right?

[heartablaze]

[She sees that look, the way his eyes don't smile with the rest of him even though his voice tries to follow suit, and it makes something deep in her chest twist.]

I won't fall behind.

...

Can... I ask what your name is, sir?

[robopriest]

Hansa Cervantes. I'm a priest.

[He holds out a hand.]

A pleasure, miss...?

[heartablaze]

A priest...

[Her brow furrows further. This isn't the kind of holy man she'd ever seen in books, but...

...

Her hand lifts to meet his, her grip surprisingly firm.]

Hikaru. Shidou Hikaru.

Nice to meet you, Hansa-san.

[robopriest]

Very nice to meet you, too. You seem like a strong girl.

[His handshake is also firm...maybe a little bit too firm? But he nods, drawing his hand back.]

Do you need someone to treat those wounds of yours?

[heartablaze]

[Nothing weird here!]

Mm? I don't know. At least, I don't think so?

Chijin-san cleaned them for me. There wasn't very much we could find for bandages, but I'll be okay.

[robopriest]

[He cocks his head to the side, curious.]

Who's Chijin? Someone here?

[heartablaze]

Yeah! He's a friend! Very tall and long black hair, but he has kind eyes and gentle hands.

[And, without skipping a beat:]

I met him in a trash can!

[robopriest]

[.................................]

Say that last part again, please?

[heartablaze]

I met him in a trash can? You know, the big ones in the kitchen? [Just gestures at the height of said trash bins.]

I thought he was stuck at first, but he's okay now! I showed him how to use the sink.

[robopriest]

...

Is Chijin a raccoon?

[heartablaze]

Of course he's not a raccoon! He's a person.

I'll introduce you sometime. He's real nice.