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

[riegan]

Woah there.

(Stop? You'll tear it if you just grab it suddenly and all of his hard work will be for nothing?)

Patience. All you have to do is ask.

(And because he really has nothing to hide, he'll show the map! I'm too lazy to edit it but basically he just has a rough sketch of the area so far and a bunch of random X's showing where the castle SHOULD MAYBE BE based on different points.)

Have a look.

[suddenlybees]

[ Asking for things is still a Concept, but Kano nods vigorously and shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets and makes Claude hold the map the entire time while Kano hems and haws over it

He nods his chin at one of the X's, which probably isn't a very clear gesture at all but his hands are gone. ]

Lookin' for buried treasure out there, or what? You gotta let me know if you find anything good!

[riegan]

(What is this energy? It feels familiar.)

It's where the castle would be if it made sense but as it is, it looks like it's always in the same place. (And he'll just... take back his map for now. He'll have to work out the details later!) Alright, I told you what I have so how about you tell me what you know about the castle.

(If he really knows anything at all!!!)

[suddenlybees]

That's it, huh? Wow, too bad. I was kinda looking forward to that treasure!

[ Would've been way more exciting than an inaccurate map. ]

Anyways. It's sorta like a heat haze, y'know? Like when the ground does the melty thing?

[riegan]

Maybe the real treasure is the friends we make along the way.

(But look, he's waiting to hear what he knows and-- hmmmmm.)

Really? And how exactly did you get there?

[suddenlybees]

Wow, you really just said that!

[ Friends. Haha. ]

I just sorta, you know, like, popped out? All screaming and crying and super slimy, you know how things are.

[riegan]

I sure did.

(NO SHAME. He was joking... but he also meant it!!)

... I can't say I'm following. (This doesn't sound like a castle!! But he's rolling with it.) You sure you're not thinking of something else?

[suddenlybees]

Mm, I think I'm thinking of the same thing? Like, how'd I get here, right? How'd you get here?

[ did the castle spit him out, what happened ]

[riegan]

Your guess is as good as mine. If I didn't know better, I'd think I got a little to into the last feast.

(Had too much to drink? Got too caught up in the atmosphere?)

But I know better than that.

[suddenlybees]

Heh... Wouldn't it be something if this place were just a dream? But nope! You're here! In person! This is real life!

[ terrible terrible terrible, if only it were a dream ]

Anyways, things are just like this for a while, so like, sit back and do whatever? Yeah.

[riegan]

You know... I can't tell if you're handling all of this well or not.

(Is this coping?)

This is one of those dreams that I'd want to have analyzed.

(Because it would be a very ??? Strange dream if it was a dream and yet, this is real life.)

Sitting back isn't really style, though.

(He's gotta do things!!)

[suddenlybees]

[ He's handling this as best he can, okay. Everything has been reasoned out and justified. ]

If you want something to do... How's your throwing arm?

[riegan]

(I saw that severed arm comment)

My throwing arm? (Uh,) Pretty decent, if I say so myself.

(Don't let anyone tell you Claude isn't confident.)

[suddenlybees]

[ Who can blame Kano for sizing up people's arms? Could always do with spares. ]

Yeah? Here, let's see it.

[ He digs into his pocket and hands over a stone, about an inch and a half in all dimensions, a nice smooth grey rock. ]

[riegan]

(It's a nice rock? Thanks? Turning it over in his hand,)

Throwing rocks, huh... Here's something I don't get to do often. What's the criteria here? Just checking to see how far I can throw?

[suddenlybees]

Not far, but high. Straight up, as high as you can.

[ And it's gotta be straight up because otherwise Kano's going to have to duck and try not to have it meteor slam into his head ]

[riegan]

(➵ FOLLOW ME)