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

[soulus]

[Smart.]

Is that a rope?

[suddenlybees]

Yep, mmhm, that's right! Basic survival kit's a rope, right? Towel, matches, tea bags. Surely you're already set?

[soulus]

[Tea bags.]

That's rather resourceful of you. You may not have to worry about drowning.

[suddenlybees]

[ Those tea bags are saving somebody's life in another thread okay ]

Haha, you give me too much credit! 'sides, even the most resourceful guy's gonna drown if he can't breathe, right?

[ How do you resource your way out of drowning???? the rope ig ]

[soulus]

[He should've let them die.]

A resourceful person will devise ways to avoid falling into a position where he's unable to breathe. Is that not what you're doing?

[suddenlybees]

Heh... Is that what I'm doing? I'm just collecting lanyards~

[ He will not be labeled resourceful, no sir, he refuses. Let nobody have expectations of him. ]

Not going to get anything for yourself while you're here?

[soulus]

[No one said those expectations were strong or high.]

Do you have a suggestion?

[suddenlybees]

[ They exist, and that's bad enough. ]

Sure, sure, yeah! You're gonna want at least two sunglasses, a couple of those two by six Lego bricks, one of those keychains with—- Oh, hey! Maybe we should get you a bag?

[soulus]

[He tossed them out two comments ago.]

I have a bag.

[The goodie bag is still with him.]

What would I want with all of those things?

[suddenlybees]

You're a resourceful guy, aren'tcha? You'll find some use for them!

[ No need for Kano to shoe him in and tell him what to use for what, there's no point to that. There's so much you can do with two sunglasses and a handful of legos; everything that Kano points out to Rufus and stuffs into his goodie bag, Kano stuffs the same thing into his hoodie pockets too. ]

[soulus]

I'll keep them in mind.

[He will, even though he doesn't reach for any of those items. As for Kano:]

Will that be all?

[suddenlybees]

[ It's okay, Kano fills his goodie bag for him. ]

Last thing we need are the pool noodles, then we can get going!

[soulus]

[Thanks.]

I do not see them here.

[Does he know what pool noodles are? It's a mystery.]

[suddenlybees]

[ ALL THIS TIME HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT A POOL NOODLE IS...

It's okay. Kano does not see one either, so he's going to have to make his own. It's time to salvage plastic bags, breathe air into them and tie them up to make little balloons to daisychain. ]

[soulus]

[Maybe he knows. Maybe he doesn't.

Rufus watches Kano in silence. This ability to jury-rig with random objects is very fascinating. Don't lose oxygen, now.]

[suddenlybees]

[ He is absolutely resourceful, especially in this place full of resources that once he gets his string of inflated bags and some extra lanyards and a roll of blank price tag stickers from the register, he's all set and good to go.

If he drowns, it's going to be because of the weight in his pockets if nothing else. But onwards back to river-- where he takes the bags and snakes them and reties them to make a sort of raft. ]

Room for two~ Sure you don't want to come?

[soulus]

If something were to happen while we're both on it, I will be unable to assist you. It's better if I stay here.

[His feet are firmly planted on the ground. Kano is free to embark on this watery journey alone.]

Of course . . . if anything does happen and you accept my assistance, there will be an additional charge.

[suddenlybees]

[ If something happens, being on the raft would be the best place to assist him???? please ]

Huh... As, like, an after-charge, right? You're not going to make me dig through my pockets for suitable payment while I'm in the middle of drowning? Can I pre-pay? How's this work?

[soulus]

[He'll be too busy saving himself first to care about Kano. Maybe he can throw a rope from here.]

Given the conditions, it will be an after-charge. I cannot accept advanced payment in the event you perish during the incident.

[suddenlybees]

Oh, that's fair! If I die, there's no charge, no debt, good to know!

[ He throws the plastic bag raft into the river and hops onto it. The rope should maybe be tied somewhere but he'll figure that out later, there's no sense tying it to anything that'll anchor him here.

River flows left, taking Kano with it. ]

[soulus]

[Left, Kano goes. Rufus watches from his spot by the bridge, unmoving until Kano is halfway out of sight, at which point he starts moving parallel to the river. He did say he'd watch—and he wants to know what the limit is.]

[suddenlybees]

[ It's not a rushing river, at least, so Kano goes down the river at a leisurely pace, flopped on his stomach with his feet kicking idly in the air so he can face forward and— not have it matter, because sometimes the current shifts and the raft gets turned around and then he's floating sideways.

It's nice and peaceful. Until the raft hits the barrier at the far left side and the bags squash together and deposit Kano into the water. ]

[soulus]

[Oh, nice.

Rufus is not so far that he has to run to peer into the water for signs of Kano, where he gauges whether his assistance is necessary or not. How's Kano doing?]

[suddenlybees]

[ Drenched and soggy, clinging onto the bags that keep him near the surface but rather than climbing back onto it, Kano wraps his lanyard rope around part of the raft, takes a deep breath, and dives back underwater. ]

[soulus]

[He waits by the riverbank, crouched with an arm draped over a knee. That's one way to circumvent swimming. The raft really is holding up.]