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

[suddenlybees]

[ no... ]

Yep, yep, that's truly how it works! It is pretty dangerous, huh... Are you scared? Want me to do it with you?

[lecarre]

I... suppose I am a little frightened, yes. I have never tried to deal with any sort of magic before.

[She straightens.]

I think... I would be more comfortable if we could do this together, yes. Forgive me for the trouble, sir.

[suddenlybees]

And you throw yourself straight into it anyways! Haha, wow! What bravery~ But alright, alright~

[ He hops down from where he sits, taking the time to stretch down and touch his toes, and then straightens back up again. ]

Let's see, okay~ We'll take a running start, yeah? Right about here will be good. Yeah. Alright.

[lecarre]

[Brave or stupid, you decide.

She straightens as well, nervously folding her hands in front of herself.]

Um, all right...! I'm--I'm ready when you are!

[suddenlybees]

[ stupid ]

Alright! On the count of three, then! Ready? Three... two... one... go!!

[ Count of four? count of four. ANyways, he starts running. ]

[lecarre]

[Listen............

She also starts running.

And if he doesn't stop her, she's totally going to keep running, right into that invisible wall.

Thankfully, she has the awkward, flaily run of a schoolgirl whose only introduction to physical activity of any sort since she was a child was PE.]

[suddenlybees]

[ It would have been so much funnier if she were a sprinter who would ram into the wall at full speed, but Kano, who had no intention of running into the wall in the first place, sort of slows down so he can keep pace with her right up until he remembers seeing her slam into the wall last time, and then stops and watches her crash.

... ]

Huh. It didn't work? Wonder why?

[lecarre]

[...Yeah.

She doesn't even apparently notice that he slows down and then stops!!

She doesn't notice at all!

And then she hits the wall. Again, she's lucky that her running gait is so awkward; she hits the wall shoulder first instead of face first and... bounces back with a squeak, hitting the ground.]

Aaaah.... that hurt...

[suddenlybees]

Haha, yeah. Sure looked like it hurt! Didn't bump your noggin or anything, didya?

[ He crouches down in front of her and pats her on the head, very ineffectively for checking for bumps ]

[lecarre]

[She looks super betrayed as he pats her head, but does not shrink away.]

I... no...

B-but, what happened...? You sounded so certain that would work...!

[suddenlybees]

Yeah, I was super certain it would work!

[ pat pat pat on the head ]

I really thought you could do it! It worked before, y'know? So, I wonder what changed?

[lecarre]

... It worked before? [???]

What... could I have possibly done wrong? Was I the problem...?

[suddenlybees]

Maybe you're the problem.

[ Haha, wow, who wants to be told that? She gets one last pat on the head before Kano takes his hand back and keeps it to himself. ]

Just kidding~ It's probably something else? Maybe!

[ He goes over to the barrier and leans against it, as much of his weight as he can even with the nervous feeling of being about to fall through but he's not. ]

Oh well. Nothing to do but wait it out, right?

[lecarre]

[He's so casual about it, and he moves on so fast, and she's still on the ground and staring.

...

......]

Um... yes, I suppose so...

[Literally four six later:]

Wait--you didn't run into it with me...!

[suddenlybees]

Huh? Oh. Was I supposed to? I didn't need to run into it last time either.

[ Him not running into the barrier isn't the problem, please!!! ]

[lecarre]

That isn't--I mean... only that you said you were going to...!

[suddenlybees]

I just said I would do it with you, though?

[ The running, not the bonking his head on a wall ]

But alright, alright, I won't make a liar of myself. One more time? I'll run into it with you this time, promise~

[lecarre]

[She just pouts at him.]

No, that is quite all right! It is obvious that it did not work...!

[suddenlybees]

Nope! It's too late now! Gotta bump my noggin or I'm gonna feel bad for the rest of my life!

[ And, of course, they're doing it together so she has to too, Kano's already hand gesturing her to back up so they can do the run up again ]

[lecarre]

W-what?

[HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.]

Wait, that isn't--um, I don't really think we need to try again...!

[suddenlybees]

Are you sure? Super duper sure? What if this is the way to get through?

[ Last chance to back out and if she doesn't—- ]

Aah, alright. That's that, then. Now we'll never know.

[lecarre]

Wait--!

[She clutches at her head for a minute.]

But, if that truly is the way out... Oh nooo...

[Kano, she is Distressed.]

You truly saw that it worked before?

[suddenlybees]

[ It is a Dilemma only she can solve ]

Mmhm, yep! It super worked before, ran straight through without bumpin' into anything!

[lecarre]

[She's so weak.

And stupid.

But...]

... If that is true, then... I suppose I cannot miss this chance.

Please, sir... let's try together. One more time.

[suddenlybees]

Alright, one more time! On the count of three, same as last, alright?

[ He gets them both lined up again, counts down, and matches Ange's flaily schoogirl pace with a light jog of his own. It's not going to hurt even if he bumps into the barrier. ]