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]

[ yeah ]

Aw, did you get lost? Bump your noggin? There's so much to say about this place, where do I even start? I guess, like this--

[ He flings his arms out either side of him ]

Welcome to Genovia, where dreams come true~!

[arcsplainist]

[ ... ... ... uh... ]

I—ahem. Incredibly lost, I fear. But this town is called Genovia, you say? I don't recall ever hearing of it ere now...

[suddenlybees]

Yep, yep, is that so? Like, people don't usually go around talkin' what a place is called, right? That's kinda weird!

[ like... why would it ever come up in conversation. you live where you live, and everybody already knows. ]

Also bad luck, considering the rumors, so shhhhhhh--

[arcsplainist]

[ Is he really coming across as weird... Alphinaud gives a slight frown; maybe he'll have to more carefully think how to approach this to get what he wants. ]

... Rumors, you say?

[ They'd just be that: rumors. But sometimes there's a truth to them, and sometimes there's something worth finding from them. ]

[suddenlybees]

Yeah, like, the one of the witch who lives in the forest...

[ His voice drops to a hush, a glance left and right as if to make sure nobody is overhearing them. ]

Maybe you've seen her out there, looking for little boys and girls who wander around alone at night? You got somewhere to stay, right? Wouldn't want to be outside past dark!

[arcsplainist]

A witch?

[ He lifts an eyebrow. ]

For what reason would a witch hunt down children?

[suddenlybees]

To eat them! Gotta get them while they're soft and tender~

[ Does he not read storybooks? What else do you do with little children ]

She snacks on them right out there in the woods, leaving no trace when they're gone. I was out there by myself one day and caught a glimpse of her in the middle of a snack— she ran away and left behind an arm she hadn't gobbled up yet. Wanna see?

[arcsplainist]

[ Alphinaud jerks back, hands lifted. ]

—No! No, I most certainly do not!

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano blinks in surprise, like he never thought anybody wouldn't want to see his third arm. ]

Huh. Alright, yeah! That's fine. Thought you might've needed a little convincing to believe the story and be a good little boy and stay indoors at night.

[arcsplainist]

[ what, and i cannot stress this enough, the fuck ]

Firstly, I am no child, and second of all—for what reason are you holding onto an arm?! Are there no authorities around for you to report this to?

[suddenlybees]

[ Short and tiny, you are a child. ]

I'm, like, sorta the authority?

[ This is a lawless town and nobody tells Kano what to do but himself. ]

'sides, it's, like, an arm, right? It's not the sort of thing you just get rid of!

[arcsplainist]

[ Alphinaud frowns. ]

If you'll forgive me, I do have my doubts of your authority. Are you... truly in possession of this arm?

[suddenlybees]

Haha, that's good! Doubts are healthy, don't let go of that~ I'm truly in possession of this arm— how 'bout I show you, and clear up all those good healthy doubts of yours?

[arcsplainist]

[ This is like... a trick question...... Alphinaud is not confident that this arm actually, exists, but what if it does??

...

Eventually: ]

Very well.

[ IT'S PROBABLY FAKE ]

[suddenlybees]

[ (:!!!

Kano claps his hands together delightedly and starts leading the way towards the inn- in through the front door, through the kitchen, to the very very back of the walk in freezer, and unearths a frozen solid length of arm. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ The further he follows, the more dread that sets in...

In the dining room somewhere, Alphinaud has deposited his goodie bag findings on a table; the freezer itself is a novel concept, but before he can think about it for long—

Hello arm.

Alphinaud gapes. ]

Gods above—that is– [ that... that is real? ] No one would just pick this up! The rumors must be just that—rumors. I have half a mind to claim you've taken the life of this person yourself!

[ THIS IS SERIAL KILLER SHIT RIGHT HERE ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Sure is!!!!! Alphinaud should've seen it when it was still warm and wet with blood. It looks a little better now, wrapped up as it is in blood stained tablecloth that takes a bit to peel off to reveal the arm. ]

And what authority are you gonna report this to? Here, here, take a look— see?

[ At the very end of the arm, at the shoulder joint, where it looks like the arm had been twisted and pulled straight off the shoulder. No cutting at all, just yanked off like a tender chicken wing. ]

Do I look like I have the strength to do something like this? Nah, it's the witch, I'm telling ya.