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

[cuedoves]

[ he takes a moment to take in her amazing attire (without appreciating it) then narrows!!! his eyes!!! ]

Don't patronize me. I'm firebending.

[ the frog on his head croaks, patronizingly. he tries to glare at the frog, too. it looks just as stupid as everything else he's doing. now he snaps at the frog!! ]

No one asked you.

[evocationary]

Looks more like a bunch of nothingbending.

[ she glances at the frog. you tell him, sir. ] How do you know the frog didn't just tell you how to firebend? Don't dismiss his opinion.

[cuedoves]

It's not supposed to look like that! Obviously!

[ the frog croaks in agreement with lup. it appreciates her style. ]

Who even are you?

[evocationary]

[ that frog is a BRO. ]

Taako. You know, from TV? [ she reaches up to twang her own headband. the pink hearts go wild. ] What's it supposed to look like, frog boy?

[cuedoves]

No, I don't know. [ what the fuck is a tv????? ]

It's supposed to look like fire! Shooting out of my hands! Haven't you ever heard of firebending before?

[ the frog croaks. it doesn't want to be associated with zuko. ]

And I'm not a frog boy! If anything, call me fire man!

[ it comes out before he realizes how stupid it sounds. ]

[evocationary]

[ she bursts into giggles. ]

Oh, bud, you're not nearly hunky enough to be a fireman. Try again. [ a beat. ] And - no, not firebending specifically. But I know something about shooting fire out of my hands. Pretty sure we got nerfed.

[cuedoves]

[ the avatar fanbase would disagree. the frog croaks in agreement, while zuko looks just as sour but.... less irritated. ]

That sounds like firebending to me. And what's a "nerf"?

[evocationary]

[ calling zuko a hunky fireman is like calling lio fotia a hunky fireman. ]

I can also fly, though, so I'm not just a firebender. Nerfing is your shit gets rocked by some dude in a fedora and then your powers don't work.

[cuedoves]

[ twinky fireman ]

[ flying isn't that weird, since firebenders jetpack. the rest of it, though. ]

.... What does rocks have to do with--- I don't know what you're talking about.

[ fedora?? ]

[evocationary]

[ zuko joins the ranks of people UTTERLY confused by lup's entire lexicon ]

You losers are all so uncultured. [ she huffs. ] Our powers don't work, frog man. Trust me, I tried.

[cuedoves]

There's nothing cultured about your weird phrasing. Just talk like a normal person.

[ but, yeah, he gets it. ]

My name's Zuko. Stop calling me frog related things or I'm going to call you....

[ give him a minute while he stuggles to insult her. ]

Weird... clothing lady.

[ nailed it ]

[evocationary]

[ she gives him this truly pitying look. ]

Oh, honey.

[cuedoves]

[ the frog just jumps off his head and leaves. that's how bad that was. ]

... I'm not on my game today. But the point is, I'll insult you.

[evocationary]

[ ganba, frog, may you find better insults out in the wild...

she leans down just a little and puts both her hands on his either of his cheeks. her hands are freezing. like being touched by the living dead, maybe. ]

I don't believe you. [ she tells him, very solemnly. ]

[cuedoves]

[ zuko squawks in protest when lup grabs his cheeks, swatting at them ]

Ugh, what's with your hands?! They're so cold! Let go!

[ he's dumb ]

[evocationary]

[ she's suppressing a grin when she pulls them away. ]

I'm a ghooost. [ she waggles her fingers at him. ]

[cuedoves]

[ continues swatting at her hands!!!! ]

Why are you so weird?

[evocationary]

I majored in it at wizard school. [ she answers dryly. ] Why aren't you weird?

[cuedoves]

Because I didn't go to your made up school.

[ crosses his arms!!! ]

Maybe you're onto something with the ghost. I do feel haunted.

[evocationary]

[ this kid just SCREAMS I need to be noogied. she ruffles his hair instead. ]

Cheer up, emo kid. Tell me about firebending, is it magic?

[cuedoves]

[ his hair sticks up comically as he jerks away from her ice cold hand and scowls ]

I'm not a kid. Or... the other thing. [ he doesn't know what it is, but he assumes it's an insult. ]

It's not magic... it's bending. How do you do it?

[evocationary]

Sorry, you're right. You're a baby. [ is that better ]

And - uh, wow, I've never really thought about it. I guess I just do. I cast a spell and it goes.

[cuedoves]

I'm a grown man! [ he's 16. ]

That's how bending is for me. Except without casting anything. Are you sure we're not talking about the same thing?