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]

A. Swipe left

[Rufus frowns at the message on the device before wordlessly pocketing it. Then he's off to familiarize himself with the Realm.

Later he stands at the northern end of town—not looking at the river in front of him, but down at the handheld device as he peruses the participant data with the goodie bag hanging from his other hand. He looks up, stares at the nearest person to approach, and says nothing like the social butterfly he must be.]

B. Meet the neighbor

[Rufus is either entering or exiting his assigned room at the inn. While he doesn't carry a friendly disposition, he does make eye contact with passersby. Greetings.

That's when a fluffy creature trots out of the room to stand beside him.]

B

[robopriest]

[He's just passing by...and then stops at the sight of the fluffy creature.]

[He points at it.]

Nice cat.

[soulus]

[Pointing is rude.

The so-called cat sits straight on the floor, wrapping a fluffy tail around itself. There's a pregnant pause before Rufus answers.]

I don't see a cat here.

[robopriest]

[An amused smile crosses Hansa's face. He just. Keeps pointing.]

Can I pet your cat?

a.

[lecarre]

[This seems like a case of Jae's Social Butterflies!!

Anyway Ange was just walking, but he lifts his gaze and stares at her...

...

...

...]

Um, yes? [She was assuming he was going to say something, okay...]

[soulus]

[Yes, very.

He's still staring.]

It appears your options as far as escape routes go are limited. Why don't you try this river?

[lecarre]

[Glances at the river.

Glances at him.

She presses a hand to her chest.]

I'm afraid I'm not a very strong swimmer, sir...

b

[assistance]

[ by the time rufus enters his room, he'll find it's already occupied! alyssa is busy snooping through the drawers when her attention is drawn to the door opening, and upon looking up...

she screams and throws a pillow at him. ]

[soulus]

[This is fine.

That's not even worth the energy. The pillow strikes true, but he catches it with his free hand before it falls to the floor, his eyes narrowing ever slightly.]

You must be the academician.

[assistance]

[ she looks SO OFFENDED because something like this is a little easier to focus on right now ]

I did not agree to coed rooming! ... Erm, not to say any of us really agreed to any of this... but, well, you know what I mean!

b

[dawnblushed]

[Yona was going to say hi to Rufus but...

...she's immediately distracted by that cute, fluffy creature and is just staring with wide eyes. She wants to pet it... can she pet it...]

[soulus]

Can I help you?

[dawnblushed]

[Oops, busted.]

...that's really cute!

[She says in a raspy voice, gesturing at the creature with hands that have burns on them. Don't worry about it, because she's certainly not. She's even smiling!]

Is it friendly?

a...

[sacredchants]

[ time to get things rolling by.

not getting things rolling at all, i guess. or, well, more like she's staring right back at him. fortunately, though, she'll say something other than just stand there and let him stare at her. ]

Staring at someone without saying is creepy.

[soulus]

[They could've done this for a hot minute, but she's broken the silence. Sure, he can be creepy.]

Have you seen your data?

A

[recrowns]

[soo-won stares back

and offers up a smile]

Hello. Have we met before?

[soulus]

No.

[He almost leaves it at that, and he doesn't bother to return the expression.]

Do I look familiar?

a

[misstrust]

[ In response, Dorothy (who was heading to the river to actually look at it, like a normal person) cants her head and cups a hand over her hip. ]

Goodness, you'll give a girl ideas with that manner of intense stare.

[soulus]

[He narrows his eyes, looking unimpressed as he answers dryly:]

I am not here to have fun.

a

[reconnective]

[sora's busy making his rounds throughout the realm, checking both ends of town and everywhere in between. by the time he makes it to the northern end, he finds rufus standing there. that's fine and all, but it's when he looks up and says nothing that sora blinks a little before offering a grin.]

Hi. See anything interesting?

[soulus]

[The grin goes unreturned, but he figures that won't do anything to dampen Sora's expression.]

I was just looking at the data.

b!

[axecessory]

[ She probably meets his eyes for a second, but Rufus who? Look at this 'cat.' She's immediately crouching to coo at it. ]

Aww, aren't you darling! [ She reaches for the good scritches. ]

[soulus]

[This cat pulls back out of Hilda's reach to hide behind Rufus and peer at her from a short distance. Not so fast, missy.]

Can I help you?

a

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano freezes, and stares right back. He tries very hard not to blink. It's a staring contest now, who will win-- ]

[soulus]

[Kano wins, because Rufus breaks the silence with a blink.]

Are you here to cross the river?