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

[arkitect]

a- local grandpa not so confused by technology

[well, a good portion of these 'gifts' are fairly useless, or have little discernable purpose thus far-- but the device is interesting. you can find a tall man with poor posture somewhere around the fringes of the main area, apparently idly people watching and tapping at the device as he does. matching data to faces, possibly. just scrolling because he's bored, maybe.

if you happen to be lingering nearby, he says without looking up:]

Well, don't just stand there. Is there not plenty of ground for you to cover? Mayhaps you could learn something of use.

[preferably somewhere over there and further out of his space, thank you.]

b- excuse me sir

[this is the 'come bother his ass' one. he's settled in the shade of one of the forest trees, close to where that barrier is, though he doesn't seem to be doing anything in particular. not quite sleeping, not exactly watching; vibing here, more or less. it's quiet, peaceful. a nice break from dealing with everything else.

the exception to this being the 'come bother his ass' prompt is: if you are about to walk directly into the invisible barrier, he waits until it's a moment too late to stop before he says-]

Do watch your step.

a

[robopriest]

Oh, I've learned a lot.

[Says this man with an eyepatch, who just seems amused - he holds up his own device.]

You're definitely already showing off your skill at "being disappointed at people". That's nice of you.

[arkitect]

When given reason to, yes.

[The dry tone implies this might be often.]

One might suspect you to be busy employing the first of yours.

[robopriest]

Oh, me? Exercising that? Why, I just say what I mean, and mean what I say.

[A gesture to the device.]

Learn anything interesting, there?

b

[recrowns]

Eh?

[he turns his head toward the voice

but still runs right into it]

[arkitect]

I did try to warn you.

[he says that with a slight shake of his head, still reclined right where he is. what's concern. the man will be fine, after all.]

[recrowns]

[there is just a slight laugh at that even as he rubs at his shoulder]

Mm, so you did... I wish I was better prepared to heed it.

[he places a hand against the barrier, as if to test it... before looking toward the other man]

Did you have an unfortunate run-in earlier too?

a

[assistance]

[ she's not exactly "just standing here" so much as she's doing about the same as him! which is why she huffs as she looks up from her device. ]

While you do what, exactly, Mr. Slouchalot?

[arkitect]

Precisely what I have always done. Observe.

[he makes a vague, sweeping gesture around the area.]

There are always others more energetic and eager. Best to let them nose about, particularly given our numbers.

[assistance]

Well, I can't say you're wrong, but that doesn't automatically mean they're going to share their discoveries with you with that sort of attitude.

a

[stillnot]

I don't think there's much to learn from this place.

[ Also, RUDE?? ]

[arkitect]

There may not be.

[but he doesn't sound too preoccupied with it, swiping once more at the device.]

What one never seeks is rarely found, however.

[stillnot]

And you're not interested in looking for yourself?

b

[antaressnipe]

Your concern is noted, but I know it's here.

[The killjoy has arrived, unfortunately, glancing to the side at where the man lies]

[arkitect]

A step ahead of some of the others, then.

[you know what. he's fine with this, because the last thing he needed was a horse-man bouncing off the damnable thing and landing on him somehow.]

[antaressnipe]

Only through experience.

[Maybe he ran into it earlier and got stuck in a tree. You'll never know. Never gonna catch Sensei slippin']

For now I'm checking the length of the barriers for any structural weaknesses, though I doubt I'll find any.

a

[suddenlybees]

Yes, sir! Right away, sir!

[ Heels snap together and a hand comes up in a salute. And then he proceeds to do the opposite of getting further out of the guy's space and wanders closer, trying to see what's on his screen. ]

[arkitect]

[He just turns it off when he wanders closer, honestly, giving him a decidedly unimpressed look.]

That was not a suggestion to begin here, you understand.

[suddenlybees]

Huh. Oh. It wasn't? Can you, like, give me five other suggestions?

[ He is but a dumb kid, you have to give him direction ]

a

[canned]

I think I've covered all of the ground I can. That barrier has this town completely surrounded. I checked the whole perimeter.

[whenever he does look up, he'll need to look up, as Alphonse has a good 14 cm on him, not counting the slouching]

You're one of the few adults I've seen in the town, but you don't know what's going on either?

[arkitect]

[well, that's not something that happens often- he looks up briefly, but with his awful posture, seems unwilling to crane his neck for long. his attention returns to the screen.]

Made use of yourself already, then? Good. But unfortunately it seems that none of us have any more of an idea than any other, when it comes to our predicament.

b.

[lecarre]

[Listen, she's probably run into this barrier before and yet she still almost did it again, until he spoke up.

Then, carefully, she reaches out with her fingers until they meet the barrier.

HEAVY, RELIEVED SIGH.]

Ah, that was close... thank you, sir, for the timely warning.

[arkitect]

[ah, he spoke too soon. that's a shame- but he accepts it and moves on.]

It seems we are to be contained, either indefinitely or simply for the time being. Do have a little more care where you wander.

a

[cuedoves]

[ wow... rude. time for a jerkbending battle ]

You first. What are you doing, other than wasting your time and mine?

[ shots fired!! ]

[arkitect]

Arguing the point will only waste more, as you are doubtless aware.

[though he says it like he is not, in fact, convinced that zuko is aware at all.]