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

[reconnective]

[that makes sense. they all woke up in a weird unfamiliar place.]

Do you remember where you woke up? We should go back for your stuff. You might need it.

[favourable]

Where I woke up? I think so...

[reconnective]

Okay. We can go together and try to find it. ["if you want" is implied but also considering the information on the phs, he figures it's important that everyone has theirs.]

[favourable]

All right.

[he'll lead sora back to where he thinks he woke up? i don't know how to combine this with the thread where kano stole half the stuff in his bag but that might have happened.]

[reconnective]

[i'm. kano what the fuck. but it's fine! he will happily follow virid and keep his eyes peeled for this bag. as long as his device is there it's fine.]

What's your name? I'm Sora. [just so they're not strangers on this quest.]

[favourable]

[kano let him have his phs, thankfully.]

... Virid. The olde—I mean... Virid Visette Viridian.

[reconnective]

[glad kano is valid in this one moment.]

Virid...okay. [he flashes another smile because they are now friends, there is no escape, but the focus is on the bag.] It must have been pretty confusing for you to wake up here alone, huh?

[never mind that they all woke up here alone, but he's kind of getting the sense that this is really drastically different for virid here.]

[favourable]

[haha!]

Yes... I thought this was the world "beyond" I'd heard about, but... it doesn't seem like that's it.

[reconnective]

[concern intensifies...from me, not sora. me.]

The world beyond...? [it's a prompting sort of question but he hopes virid feels like answering.]

[favourable]

I... heard about it. That there was a world beyond mine. I don't know much about it, though, other than that... birthdays are celebrated with something called "cake"?

[reconnective]

[...he looks promptly horrified that virid doesn't know what a cake is.]

Yeah! On your birthday, you get a birthday cake with candles on it. When you blow out the candles, you get to make a wish, and all of your friends are there with you to celebrate. [...no, this is too sad.] But you know? You can have a cake any time. There's always something worth celebrating.

[favourable]

Is there...?

[reconnective]

Sure. When we find your stuff, that'll be something to celebrate. [please let them find virid's stuff.]

[favourable]

I'm not so sure that counts...

[but eventually he locates where he woke up! and the bag nearby.]

Oh, I think that's it!

[reconnective]

[it counts considering kano ransacked it already. but the bag is there and it seems to be okay! from a distance!]

Great! Let's grab it and see where your device is. Make sure everything's still there, too. [and he'll nyoom his way over at a pace virid can keep up with.]

[favourable]

Okay.

[he grabs his bag and pulls out a pig plush, a flower headband, a can of mountain d*w, and a few packets of tea (but only half of what should be in there). oh, and his phs. kano stole everything else.]

Which is it...?

[reconnective]

[he has the pillow and headband and those are the most important. but sora points to the phs and shows him his own screen in order for virid to see.]

You just tap here and you can turn it on. There's a button for messages. That's the one to push to read what we know so far.