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

[chanteuser]

[ the jeopardy theme is probably playing in the background as she's giving this explanation. ]

...

[ ! ]

You can create ice?

[showyourself]

Well, normally, yes. But right now...

[she holds out a hand, concentrates--



--and nothing happens.]

Nope.

[she pops the 'p', pursing her lips in ire.]

[chanteuser]

[ temporary power splutter or not, she doesn't seem too unnerved by the idea of them existing. ]

Unfortunately I don't have any powers myself so I can't say if this is a unique to you or in general. Do you feel any different, missing powers aside?

[showyourself]

[...huh.

she considers.]

Other than that? Not at all. [a breeze stirs her hair, and she brushes it behind her shoulder, her long cape and dress fluttering with the gust.] I feel as well as I've ever been.

[chanteuser]

[ weird. but also good? ]

It'd be bad if you were feeling off because they took something from you. Maybe they're just... trying to prevent us from escaping with any kind of ease.

[showyourself]

[she exhales a sudden laugh at the possible explanation.]

I'm not sure that makes me feel any better!

[chanteuser]

[ gurl it wasn't meant to :pensive: ]

No, it's not exactly reassuring, is it? [ she sighs. ] There's got to be some way to leave.

[showyourself]

If it truly is someone disabling my abilities...

[then she sort of doubts there's a way out. but instead, elsa just trails off, pursing her lips, and clenching her hands into fists.]

We'll just have to find out.

[chanteuser]

You could ask around. There might be other people here in a similar position -- and they might remember something, if something was done to suppress your abilities.

You've not noticed anything on you, like... an injection mark, or something?

[showyourself]

No!

[her eyes are suddenly wide at the insinuation.]

What are you saying?

[chanteuser]

[ tell the nice lady if you're high, elsa. ]

It could be how the block powers? A suppressant-- a downer, or something like that. It's just a thought.

[showyourself]

[elsa's just... shaking her head, eyes still wide? she doesn't want to hear this. it's awful.]

A drug? You think someone drugged me to suppress them?

[the implications of that are terrible. she can feel the panic growing in her chest, the only thing stopping it from bubbling up is years of practice controlling her own emotions. once she's on top of it all, though, her head shaking becomes more resolute, jaw set.]

No. No, that can't... it doesn't make sense. I would feel it. It... it must be a connection to the powers themselves.

[something in me is broken.]

[chanteuser]

...

[ there’s a pause, before alex just steps forward —- close enough that elsa has to focus on her but not close enough to crowd or touch her. ]

Hey. It’s okay —- I was throwing ideas around, but I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.

[ she rests a hand on her own chest, and takes a slow, deep breath. her hand rises as her chest expands. ]

Can you take some slow, deep breaths? In time with me?

[showyourself]

[despite the space alex allows her, she draws back minutely, folding her hands, clenching them to her chest—as if she's afraid of what might happen if alex were to touch them.]

It's fine. I'm not frightened.

[is she? isn't she? elsa's not sure of the answer herself. but she's not letting this take her out. taking a deep breath in, she exhales it through her nose—and stands up to her full height.]

Whatever has happened, I'll deal with it.

[the trickle of loss doesn't leave the back of her mind, though. and wasn't that interesting—that she could spend her entire life wishing for her powers to disappear... but once she's come to terms, accepted, and embraced them, and then they do—she mourns their loss?

she clenches a fist.]

I'm sure the people who wrote our message will... have more answers. Once they arrive, I can ask them directly myself. Until then, all I can do is focus on doing the next right thing.

[chanteuser]

[ she looked like she was about to have a panic attack, but... alex doesn't move to follow her, or close the space elsa just put between them. she... gets it. sort of.

maybe not the whole ice thing, but hey. ]

I think a lot of us have questions. Maybe we need to start writing them down so we don't forget to ask them... or get side tracked. Where, when, why, how, what for...? And those are just the basic questions.

[ there's a lot to think of. ]

[showyourself]

I think just those is a good place to start. There's no reason to get overwhelmed. None of this looks good, but...

[think positively.]

...there might be a reason for it. They may just... need our help.

[chanteuser]

They might do.

[ ... hm. ]

It would've been nice of them to ask though.

[showyourself]

Yes. But sometimes, you... can't.

[...]

For one reason or another. I just hope it's a good one.

[chanteuser]

I guess we'll find out. If they [ ---HAHAHAHAHAHAHA--- ] show themselves at some point.

... And people are willing to hear them out.

[showyourself]

For my part, at least, I will.

There's no point in making unnecessary enemies right now.

[chanteuser]

We're probably within our rights to get a bit mad at them. But alright... it is usually easier if you're nice to people.

[showyourself]

You catch more fish with a baited hook.

[that's just the way it is.]

...In the meantime, I want to believe the best.

[chanteuser]

Think positively and hope for the best? That's not a bad motto.

[showyourself]

[she huffs a little breath of amusement.]

It is. It wasn't always my motto, but... I guess I've been inspired. [by better, more optimistic influences. several that she'd very much like to get home to.]

Thank you. For talking to me. I really appreciate it. [even if it wigged her out.]

I'm Elsa, by the way. It's... nice to meet you.

[chanteuser]

I'm Alex. Nice to meet you too.

And I am sorry, I should've been more careful with how I was phrasing things. You don't need to have me making you upset when you've got enough on your plate already.