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]

... You really don't know?

[ zuko squints. are there people out there in the world that have never heard of bending? ]

[ (seems like he hasn't considered that this is not in fact his world, despite how completely different it is from everything he's ever seen) ]

Where do you come from?

[ wow zuko you can't just ask someone where they're from ]

[dianxias]

Ah... just a small village called Puji. It's a bit in the middle of nowhere...this humble one may be a bit behind the times, as I've learned since I've arrived here.

[ maybe that's what the kids are calling it these days, bending? ] You will have to excuse my ignorance...

[cuedoves]

Is that in the Earth Kingdom...?

[ zuko's definitely never heard of it. it must be remote indeed! completely secluded from the war? somehow? ]

... It's just a way of controlling the elements. Fire, water, earth, air.... I'm fire.

[ obviously. ] So, normally you'd see me shooting fire out of my hands....

[ this part doesn't really need to be explained. ]

[dianxias]

[ earth kingdom... banyue.... ??? once again, this is clearly lost in translation, because xie lian looks a bit clueless, and just blinks at zuko. sure...

...anyway. at the explanation, xie lian makes a much more interested noise of recognition, because he's an idiot meathead, actually. ] Oh, how incredible! Tell me, is it powered by your spiritual energy? Like a spiritual torch?

[cuedoves]

[ it's really weird how confused this guy is..... zuko matches his perplexed face, but like, angrier. ]

Did you hit your head or something?

[ does he not know anything??? ]

Well-- not exactly. It does have to do with my energy, but it comes from the sun. Kind of. You're just kind of... born with the power, and you have to learn how to harness it through training and self-discipline. That sort of thing.

Ring a bell?

[dianxias]

[ ding ding! ]

Ah, you're a martial artist! [ xie lian's entire demeanor brightens up, and he smiles, shifting to give zuko a much more familiar bow of greeting, pressing his fist to his open hand. ] I thought your stance looked familiar! What an interesting style, indeed...

A friend of mine here has a vast reserve of spiritual energy, and he hasn't been able to access it, so I'm not sure that you would be able to access that, here, either.

[cuedoves]

Um.... well, let's go with that for now.

[ xie lian isn't wrong, he is also a martial artist!!! mainly, though, zuko just realizes it's best to accept this. ]

[ he bows in return. ]

... I think you're right. There's something stopping us, just like this barrier. Whatever it is, it must be extremely powerful.

[dianxias]

En. I thought it may have been an array of some kind, but I can't seem to find any rhyme or reason as to where the anchors for it might have been... while it isn't uncommon to find an array that might weaken or trap someone's spiritual powers, it's strange to imagine one that simply doesn't exist.

[ ... ]

So in other words, I'm not really sure what it is, either. [ very helpful, xie lian. ]

[cuedoves]

[ it's okay zuko doesn't know either. ]

Do you have spiritual powers?

[ he's supposedly not a bender, but.

Well, we have to keep trying. We can't just sit around here.