redactable | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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

a rock that resembles the galaxy

a single random one of these pillows

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

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Is it really all of us, then...

[There's something wistful in how her voice drifts, before he turns to show the little sentient whatever-it-was. Any startled expression she shows on her face is brief, replaced with an open curiosity.]

It can't be that bad if it's so close to someone like you, right? What a little sweetie.

Does it have a name?

[hikaru you're bleeding]

It's not bad, no--it's called Ruoye. [ in a sense, it's his spiritual device, after all. he tilts his wrist, and the bandage comes out a little further, past his hand, towards hikaru. xie lian's brow furrows as he's taking the paper towels off of the roll. ] ...It's acting a bit strange, but, it's just a bit shy sometimes.

[ there! he at least has the paper towels. water would help, too, but that's a start. ] You can touch it, it's alright.

[ ruoye gives a little wiggle. hello. ]

Roo-oh...shi-e....

[She mouths the sounds out on her lips once more, the combination foreign. But she'll give a determined nod, bowing just slightly to the little bandage friend like this isn't a big issue whatsoever.

She'll reach out her hand, not shy, but keeping a respectful distance, as one would to a new dog.]

I'm glad you've been given such a nice name, Ruoye. Mine's Hikaru. I'm really happy to meet you.

[ xie lian gives this sweet young lady a little smile; ruoye, bolstered, perks up and then comes over, and immediately starts rubbing against hikaru's fingers, much like a friendly dog indeed! or a friendly snake? it just feels like a bandage, but it's awfully sentient. ]

It's nice to meet you, Miss Hikaru. [ xie lian turns his head to incline it in her direction, polite. ] I'm Xie Lian.

[ and then, quietly to himself while she's playing with ruoye: ] Let's see... I could go wet this in the river... [ please show him the faucet. ]

[She'll giggle softly as she lets Ruoye say hello, keeping her fingers gentle as she listens to the man introduce himself. Her face screws up a little at the sound. Maybe he had a weird accent?]

Chi... jin?

Like a friend?

[What a nice name. She'll nod at the incline of his head.]

Just Hikaru is okay! Shidou Hikaru. I'm sorry I had to meet you in a trash can...

[...Oh, was he trying to figure out how to wash her wounds? That's so sweet, but the river is such a long walk away!]

Oh, do the faucets not work, Chijin-san? That would be a lot easier than going all the way to a river just for water.

[ chijin... ? xie lian blinks back at her, and then tilts his head. ] You can call me Daozhang, if that's easier for you... and don't worry, there's nothing to apologize for, Miss Hikaru! I am a scrap collector, so it's not so strange.

[ no worries!

.... ]

What's a faucet, exactly...?

Ah--- oh, did I get it wrong?

[There's a brief flash of embarrassment, before she draws herself back up.]

It's okay, I wanna learn to do it right! I like Chijin, and I think it fits you because you have kindness in your eyes. I think that's important in someone you choose to make a friend. But if that's not what you said, then I don't want to call you something the wrong way just because I like how it sounds!

So, please, could you teach me?

I can show you how the faucet works, too! It's really easy.

[ PURE? UNBELIEVABLY PURE?

xie lian blinks at her, a bit surprised, and then smiles - he can't help it. ] I think the name you've said is lovely; I wouldn't mind being called that at all. Does it really matter what someone's called, if they like the name given instead?

[ she can call him that forever! chijin... cute.... ] I would appreciate the help with the faucet, though!

...Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

[Her smile crinkles a bit more towards her eyes, the show of youthful dimples for her soothed ego.]

You bet! If this is anything like Cefiro, then you might know things that are gonna be different, right? [hello what's personal space, she's just gonna take him by the hand and lead him over to wherever the hell the sink is. Ta-da, here it is!]

This is a sink! This long metal part here, that's the faucet. If you twist the knobs on either side, it brings up hot or cold water.

It's a lot easier than walking, you know!

[ he mouths "cefiro" to himself, but doesn't seem too bothered by having his hand taken, as the energetic young lady leads him over to this sink.

he looks on with curiosity as she explains, and then reaches over to twist the knobs -- and sure enough, water comes out!!!!! ] Oh! It's even hot, you don't have to heat it yourself or anything...? How wonderful!

[ what an amazing invention?!?!?!?! running water! whoda thunk ]

Yeah! I don't know how it works, but I know it's not magic or anything. People where I'm from use this for washing or to help take care of food or cooking or just to fill things for drinking - and it's all in one place so you don't have to worry about leaving your house for water.

[Very useful.]

Truly amazing...

[ THE WORLD IS MAGICAL???? wow. he runs his fingers under the warm water, just to marvel at it for a moment longer.

but! ah, he had a task to take care of. he reaches for the paper towels he'd pulled out to wet them properly. ] Here. It's important to clean up any kind of scratch, else it gets infected. Do you mind...?

[ now let him help you! since they're friends! ]

Mm... No, you can go ahead if you really wanna. [She'll even roll up her sleeves for him, look at that. The slashes are all over the place, not quite to the cut of any sort of blade or claw, but still deep enough that, were she not magically bleeding how she should be in this case, she might be in trouble.

She'll wince at the touch to open wounds, letting her fists wring tight.]

Chijin-san, what kind of place do you come from? To not know about having water indoors... if you're from somewhere on my world, it's somewhere far away, I think.

I'll be careful, but it may sting a little.

[ best to clean it up anyway. xie lian does take his time to carefully blot around the wounds, applying a bit of pressure to make sure she's not actively bleeding. he's at least used to this sort of thing, so it will be quick work - and as if to comfort her, ruoye snakes out from xie lian's sleeve and rubs against her knuckles, like a nuzzle.

at her question, he pauses, thoughtfully. ] I come from a small village called Puji. I've traveled some, but I can tell you I've never even heard of such a thing. Is that odd...?

[She shakes her head, her braid whipping a bit at the motion.]

No way. Some of my friends don't know what cakes or candy are. I don't know what Ruoye is. That doesn't mean it's strange.

[Ruoye gets a gentle nudge with one of her fingers.]

Everyone has to experience new things, you know?

Yes, that's right.

[ ruoye is immediately delighted by this! it winds around her fingers, nuzzling against them further. for his part, xie lian agrees with the answer, a little smile on his face as he carefully cleans his way up the gashes. ]

You said you arrived here like this, no? Were you in a fight? If you don't mind me asking.

[...

She keeps petting Ruoye idly, even as her expression falls.]

No, it wasn't a fight. Not really.

I was trying to save someone.

...I see.

[ xie lian's brows knit together, and his voice is filled with a genuine sort of empathy. to save others... well, he's certainly been in the reverse of this situation, himself.

he moves for another paper towel, starting to work on the gashes on her other arm, and rouye wriggles between her fingers, now. bandage hug. ] I hope that your efforts were successful.

I don't know. But...

[Her jaw sets, a fire behind dark eyes.]

I want to believe that. No... I'm going to believe that. If I'm still okay, then... I know he has to be okay, too.

We were together before this. So I'm gonna keep looking for him. He deserves a chance to go home.

[ +10 respect points ]

Very well said. Do you mind if I asked what happened?

[run away from captcha]

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WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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google translate was a bitch so im sorry if this is wrong

you are so fine

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