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

[arcsplainist]

[ Curiously, he watches as she does. ]

In a way, but there is much within this shop that I find– [ tacky ] –unusual. Are these some sort of toy, as well?

[chanteuser]

[ she taps her finger on the back of the box ]

It looks like you can build things with this. See?

It's definitely a toy but it seems like one of those ones that encourages creative thinking and logic.

[arcsplainist]

[ Given that it's some spaceship looking set with aliens and astronauts, he couldn't really tell you what it's supposed to resemble or what you're supposed to build. Nonetheless, he nods. ]

A fine thing to nurture within a young mind, though I do have to wonder about its approach to it.

[ Everything about it just looks weird. ]

[chanteuser]

[ will we ever escape l*go st*r w*rs? ]

You can probably clip the bricks together. That's a pretty good idea -- you could make other things and not just what the box tells you to.

[ smart. follow the rules or rebel and create your magnum opus. ]

Sometimes toys just have to look a bit too bright and colourful to attract kid's attention. And hold it long enough for you to get something done without them wanting your attention.

[arcsplainist]

[ never ]

Ah—a brilliant idea. 'Twould not do to limit how far one's thinking can go. Though I've not seen such vividly colored bricks before, or perhaps my understanding of children is lower than I initially imagined...

[chanteuser]

[ cries ]

I wonder if they have a display section, or a place to mess around with these before you buy. If you had enough of them you could make something truly amazing.

[ she does not see the pinkie pie model. it does not exist. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ what pinkie pie model? ]

About that... There's no shopkeep in sight, nor nary a sign of any other townsfolk. And I don't suppose you have any currency on your person...?

[chanteuser]

No. I only have what I'm wearing, and what's in the bag they gave us.

[ she sets the box back down. ]

But the shop's open? I wonder if we can leave a note and figure out payment when the owner's back...

[arcsplainist]

'Tis the same for I.

[ So... ]

I do wonder if a displeased shopkeep will ever return to notice their missing wares, but a note is not a bad idea. Surely, anyone would understand the circumstances we are in...

[chanteuser]

It's not like we can flee the town with our ill-gotten coloured blocks. And if they don't understand then we can just return the item and apologise.

[arcsplainist]

Quite.

[ And hey, he's confident he can work up enough fancy talk to get off fine. ]

Allow me to pen a note, in that case. As this shop is rather cramped, I do agree it would be best to take these elsewhere.

[chanteuser]

Oh, I should leave one too. I grabbed some sunglasses earlier...

[ time to leave some notes. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ ... sunglasses? ]

Oh, worry not, I will include that as well.

[ He turns to go rummage up some paper and something to write with. ]

Ere we leave a pile for a poor employee to stumble upon later.

[chanteuser]

[ she’s gonna leave one anyway, she can’t be stopped! —- but she might do it sneakily later on. ]

Better a pile than a sudden and unexplained loss of merchandise though, right?

[arcsplainist]

That might be true, but—well, the less they must sift through, the better.

[ He finds paper, and then a ballpoint pen, but... Alphinaud glances at it oddly before looking around. ]

Strange. Is there no ink to dip these in?

[chanteuser]

[ .......

bless. ]

No, you can just write with them. The ink's inside.