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

[frostythehitman]

a. inn kitchen

[ Well this is hot bullshit. Apparently he had a narcoleptic fit in the middle of shaving, and now he is trapped in a town that, to his knowledge, has absolutely no razors. Or blades at all.

The kitchen of the inn is his last ditch hope. So here is a man with half a shaved hobo beard dressed in midwestern dad chic rummaging around noisily in the cabinets. He mumbles to himself: ]

If I were an innkeeper in a town people get mysteriously kidnapped to, where would I keep the knives...

b. emporium

[ Is he still half-shaved? Is he shaven but in a terrible hack job? Up to you! What's important is that he's in the Emporium now, eyeing everything with suspicious scrutiny. Right now, it's the rack of little name tags.

He's holding a keychain from the rack with the name "BUCKY" on it. ]

Why the hell would anyone make this?

c. wildcard

[ idk man, hmu for whatever!! ]

a

[stillnot]

An armory, probably. With the guns.

[frostythehitman]

Do you see an armory around here?

[ He starts pulling out all the drawers. ]

[stillnot]

[ She shrugs - this is just her guessing so she's not married to the theory. ] Some of the buildings are locked. Could be one hidden.

Or this place could have been empty for a reason, and they just don't have any weapons.

a.

[evocationary]

In your back, probably. [ a pause, as she settles in the door of the kitchen. she puts her hands on her hips. sing-songy: ] So, uh. What are we doooing?

[frostythehitman]

[ Bucky stands straight and looks over his shoulder at the kitchen entrance. ]

Looking for a knife. Obviously.

Seen any around?

[evocationary]

Nope, but I did find this sweet bottle of booze, which you look like you could use.

[ not that she's going to give him any. he's got his own. she takes a drink from her own mini-bottle. ]

What do you need a knife for? Murder? Because I'll tell you right now, if you want to pick off one of my roommates I'd be totally fine with that. [ lup. ]

That - that was a joke, also. You look like the kind of dude that needs jokes explained to him, please don't actually kill my roommates.

B.

[uhhhmagic]

Hm, the insatiable crushing maw of Consumerism demands cheap goods to sell to unwitting customers to make them believe that memories can only be commemorated via tchotchkes instead of real humanoid connection?

[Poking the rack, twirling it around.]

[frostythehitman]

[ He rolls his eyes. Okay, baby's first edgelord cynicism. ]

Yeah, no duh, I mean why the hell would anyone bother making one of this name. Not like there's a lot of Buckies around to sell these to.

[uhhhmagic]

[Grumbling under his breath.]

Yeesh, sounds like someone just wants to show off that their super special unique name is in stock. Big fuckin’ whup!

[dawnblushed]

...

[Yona has never in her life seen a keychain with a name on it, so honestly, this is kind of refreshing for her. So she just sort of blinks placidly at the keychain he's holding while she searches the racks for names she recognizes.]

Because they like the name?

[Pay no attention to the fact that her clothes are kind of burnt, she smells like smoke, and her voice sounds super raspy.]

[frostythehitman]

Never met anyone who liked the name Bucky enough to buy a keychain of it. Never met another Bucky either. So that pretty much nixes the full list of anybody who might want one.

[ It's the smell of smoke that gets him to look up at her. ]

You okay?

1/2

[dawnblushed]

I'm fine.

[Is she?

Well, even if she's not, she's just going to keep acting like she is. After a moment, she make a noise that almost sounds like an aha! and holds out a keychain with YONA written on it, beaming.]

Look, they have my name too!

2/2

[dawnblushed]

[


wait a minute.]

How did they know our names?

a

[reconnective]

[and so in walks sora completely ready to mind his own business, except there's a man ransacking the kitchen and if that isn't something to comment on, well.]

Um...did you check the storage? [he's pointing to the walk-in supply closet.]

[frostythehitman]

[ Bucky looks up from his rummaging and follows the pointed finger to the closet. ]

That's just the pantry. Nothing but food in there.

[reconnective]

Oh. Well...[he'll just wordlessly start helping him look around the cabinets and drawers.] They can't leave us here without anything. What do you need it for anyway?

B

[recrowns]

[hmmmmm

soo-won tilts his head]

People like naming things, and might forget that name if they do not carry it with them?

[he has no idea]

[frostythehitman]

...have you ever seen a name keychain before?

b!

[siblingless]

[Schrodinger's shave... She peers over from where she's currently looking at a t-shirt, curious.]

Is there something wrong with it?

[frostythehitman]

[ Bucky looks up at her. ]

No. It's just weird. It's not exactly a common name.

[ He holds up the BUCKY keychain to her more prominently. ]

b

[suddenlybees]

[ He is shaven with a terrible hack job.

Kano peers at the keychain and considers. ]

Is this, like, a typo? Is it half off?

[ What's a bucky ]

[frostythehitman]

...No, that's my name.

a

[soulus]

In the drawer.

[Perfect timing. Rufus enters the kitchen with one hand in his pocket and the other holding onto the goodie bag by its straps.]

Do you see them?

[frostythehitman]

The drawer, huh? [ Bucky rolls his eyes. ] Sure, easy enough. Not like there's 20 of them in here or anything.