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

[showyourself]

[????????????????????????????

but it's too late to even try—elsa's at her limit, and gasps for breath as she opens her mouth, shaking her head as she sucks in air.]

When were you planning on telling me to breath out?!

[suddenlybees]

Huh? Oh. Hm.

[ He brings his wrist up to glance at, which would be more useful if he actually wore a watch, and then looks up at Elsa. ]

People can hold their breaths for, like, five minutes or whatever, right? Isn't that supposed to be normal?

[showyourself]

What? No, not at all!

Most people can only hold their breath for thirty seconds, much less five minutes!

[suddenlybees]

Oh. Really? Wow. Alright. Let's try again, thirty seconds this time? But, ah, before that- did you feel it? Right here?

[ He taps a hand on his chest ]

[showyourself]

[she places a small hand on the center of her chest... and shakes her head.]

No. Nothing.

[and sighs.]

I'm not sure this will work the way you hope it will, um...?

[who. is this person, anyway?]

[suddenlybees]

Hum, yeah. I was hoping for a bit more... fwoooosh!! You know?

[ No. Kano's never introducing himself to anybody. ]

Being knocked out take a lot out of a person, though, so keep trying! Don't give up! You'll be able to fwooooosh! again!

[showyourself]

...'Fwooosh', huh? [that gets a smile, at least.] Yeah. I can normally fwoosh.

You're right. I'll work on it. In the meantime... I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Elsa.

[suddenlybees]

Yeah? Real nice to meetcha, Elsa! Yeah! Great! How long have you been fwoooosh!ing for?

[ name? name?? no ]

[showyourself]

Oh. Um. My whole life, I suppose. Fwooshing from the day I was born.

Do you have a name?

[suddenlybees]

Sure do!

[ ... ]

So, you were, like fwooosh!ing right away? Babies are real good at breathing, so if it's any time to start, right away would be it!

[showyourself]

[...

okay now she's going to ignore that, because, it's ludicrous!]

And? What is it?

[suddenlybees]

A baby? Li'l tykes that go "waah waaaaaah" and occasionally "fwooooosh!"?

[ Don't ignore the conversation? we're covering important topics here ]

[showyourself]

No. Your name.

What is your name?

[suddenlybees]

[ me, looking up another thread to copypaste bc my brain does not work, these are zombie Ori tags y'all are getting ]

Oh. Yeah! It's Baron von Sossenheimer!

[showyourself]

...You're a noble?

Or... that isn't your first name, is it?

[suddenlybees]

It's both! Baron Baron von Sossenheimer, at your service~

[ Does he know what a baron is? no. does he know what von means? also no. It sounds fancy and that's what matters. ]

[showyourself]

Baron... Baron.

[????????

the real noble is genuinely confused, and more than a little upset. who would do that to their son? very cruel. a terrible joke at the child's expense.]

And... where is your barony located, Baron Baron?

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano's given name is pretty much a joke anyways, he wouldn't have been surprised if none of this was bullshit. ]

Um, hmm. Ever heard of Genovia?

[showyourself]

Genovia? It... sounds familiar. [in a disney extended cinematic universe sort of way.]

And this... breathplay, all of this... it's from your barony in Genovia?

[suddenlybees]

[ breathplay........ ]

Yeah! It's, like, the national pasttime?

[showyourself]

...Is it. [deadpanned. that, for some reason, is elsa's tip-off to shenanigans. origin stories, she can buy, but she draws the lines at country-wide breathplay.]

You wouldn't happen to be making all of this up on the spot, would you?

[suddenlybees]

[ Can't believe country-wide breathplay is what outs Kano in the end. ]

Sure am! Didja believe any of it?

[showyourself]

[she's FROWNING... but it's taking a lot of effort. so she just sighs, and shakes her head.]

Not any more, no.

Are you just bored?

[suddenlybees]

So you did believe some of it. Haha, wow.

[ Wow... This is pretty great. ]

And, I dunno. Maybe? You looked super frustrated doing your tai chi thing, so I thought I'd come by!

[ nnnnnnot to help, but. maybe less frustrated about tai chi and redirected towards other things. Move that frustration around! It's no good dwelling on just one thing for so long. ]

[showyourself]

[rude.........]

I suppose I'll have to make sure I don't make the same mistake twice. I'm more surprised your mind came up with those on the fly.

[kano now has zero elsa trust.]