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

[twitter]

a. text it

[ hajime is sitting on the ground, wearing all four of the goodie bag headbands at once, whilereading the message on the phs. once she's done, she hums softly as she pockets the device and then just

looks up at whoever is closest to her. you! ]

They seem like good friends.

[ do they. ]

b. penny arcade

[ or you can find her in the arcade, playing dde, which is most definitely not a ripoff of ddr in any way.

hajime is very good at it, actually. ]

[recrowns]

[ i. how may i help you? ]

[ sometimes you have bad timing and an all too healthy sense of curiosity! sometimes this leads you behind the front desk of the plaza inn since there's no one there, and no matter who you call in the first few moments, no one arrives.

so it's time to start looking around! he's still mussing around behind the desk, poking at a computer that he doesn't understand - which is presumably when you walk in. he looks up and smiles ]

Oh - good afternoon. How may I help you?

[ he doesn't work here he's just too polite ]

[ ii. what is a railroad ]

[ - is the opening line to a very tragic story, including this one. perhaps if you catch him a few moments before danger, you'll notice soo-won being confused by the turnstiles. he gives them an experimental push, moving them one notch, before seeming to think better of it, planting one hand firmly atop it, and vaulting over them

after that everything gets examined and the ticket machines are given experimental taps and pokes as he muses aloud to himself:] Hmm, what is this...

[ eventually he takes a seat on a bench and should you approach, he'll turn to face you with a smile ]

Excuse me, perhaps you know. What is this location for? Are we meant to be waiting for something?

[ iii. souvenirs time ]

[ for some reason you are inside the emporium, and soo-won is here too. he's got a pair of magnificent shades in his hands, as if not sure what to do with them, and tilts his head as he observes you with whatever accessory you have in hand no matter how lovely or gaudy

and with a very straight face: ]

I think it would look very good on you. [ a beat ] It is an ornament to be worn, no?

[ wildcard! ]

[AS ALWAYS THROW ANYTHING AT ME AND I'LL RUN WITH IT, also feel free to disco dm me or hit me up for plotting a decals

[exercisms]

i. arrival

[Standing on the road is a boy in a school uniform, holding a frog plushie under his arm. He still looks kind of groggy? Or maybe that's just his expression. But he's reading the message on the tablet with a serious, focused look, taking his time to get through it.

And then he looks up with a small smile.]

Oh, so we haven't been kidnapped. That's a relief.

ii. emporium

[The same kid can be found a little bit later in the emporium, holding a couple items - a pin, a couple keychains, a hat - but is now standing near the cash register, looking awkward. It seems like he's been standing here for a while now? He looks like he's about to have a panic attack.]

[uhhhmagic]

i. why

[Just digging through his goodie bag, humming and pulling out each little gift with a more and more judgmental look.

After eyeballing the pill he just takes it, dry, and stands there for a second.]

. . . Huh. Don’t really feel anything yet.

[Holding up the rock to look at it next . . .]

ii. The Emporium

[Trying on a bunch of different hats in the store, though mostly he seems distracted by his own reflection in the mirror - there’s a rather ostentatious wide-brimmed wizard (or witch, it isn’t really gendered) hat just laying around nearby, though, that doesn’t really look like the rest of these. He doesn’t seem to be paying any attention to you until he just randomly decides to start a conversation, whether or not you’re paying him any mind.]

So, is it just me, or is saying something isn’t ominous the way to make it seem like the most ominous message possible?

[Holding up some cheap stick on earrings.]

I don’t think these match my coloring. Hm.

[pulsecannon]

I. Wake me up before you go go

[ Here's a school girl, sitting up and rubbing her head. It looks like she went through a zombie apocalypse or something from all the dirt and dried blood covering her. ]

Hey...did anyone else have that- [ She pauses as her eyes focuses on those around her. ]

Hey! Very funny, guys. Where are you and who the heck are all these people?

II. Inn and Out

[ Eventually, she'll make her way to the Inn. Looking at each of the names on the doors to see if she can recognize any. ]

Huh. I don't see any of their names... maybe there's another building around here?

[ She mumbles to herself as she walks over back to the door that had her name on it. ]

Who the heck is Hansa anyways? I hope they aren't a weirdo or anything like that.

[ Why is she rooming with a stranger anyways? ]


III. Free style

[ ((Bring your own starter or hit me up on discord or plurk if you want to plot something! )) ]

[lecarre]

a. ye olde english girl

[Well. This is a lot to process. Ange is in a cute white peacoat dress and tidy black boots, though she looks awfully scuffed up.

It's fine.

Either way, point is, she's walking up to you with the can of Mountain D*w in hand and points, and in a soft English accent:]

Pardon me. How do you pronounce this? [WITH THE ASTERISK AND ALL...]

b. get over that wall

[Listen, it's very charming out here by the north end of town. The river is very pretty, the surroundings are peaceful... if not for the kidnapping, this would all be great.

Ange rests a hand on the bridge, starts to cross it, pauses for a moment as if wavering or trying to decide if she should go back or not, and then for your eyes only, she decides to keep going and runs right into that wall.

She yelps, because um, ow.]

[dawnblushed]

casually obstructing traffic;

[huh! this is not what yona's expecting to see when she opens her eyes.

what was she expecting to see? that's a secret. but she looks intensely confused as she sits up and takes in her surroundings. her expression contorts into a frown, her nose wrinkling at the unfamiliar road and then the unfamiliar-looking bag sitting nearby.

don't mind her as she just sits in the middle of the street and starts to pull out all the stuff from the goodie bag, looking progressively more and more confused as she goes. at least move out of the way, yona... some people might try to be walking here...

nope, now she's got the handheld device out and she's just reading the message, taking up space in the road like a fool.

also her clothing seems... kind of singed? she's also got some burns. and she smells faintly of smoke. it's probably fine, though, don't worry about it.]

breaking and ... not entering;

[here's yona! here's yona right in front of the planetarium. here's yona trying and failing to force the door open.]

Nnh!

[someone please tell her that continuing to slam her shoulder into the door isn't going to do anything.]

wildcard;

[want to do something else? come at me, i'll roll with anything! you can also hit me up on discord or at bloodthirstiest if you want to hash something out first!]

[evocationary]

one.

[ in the emporium, a woman with long blonde hair is staring down at a keychain in her hand. she waves this keychain in your face excitedly. it says LUP in big bold letters. ]

Fuckin' rad! They never have my name on these things!

two.

[ alternatively, the same woman can be found in the kitchen. she's got on a long red robe with a big comfy hood and huge sleeves, and she's already pulling things out of the two fridges, balancing them in one arm against her chest as she reaches in. she's got a piece of toast in her mouth like she's some sort of anime protag that's late for school, and when she notices someone in the kitchen with her, she gives them a cool nod. now that she's turned, she's obviously wearing these glasses, and the pink heart headband. she is rocking them both. ]

Yo. You want something to eat?

[reconnective]

a.) [as sora sits up on the paved road, he doesn't exactly jump to his feet all that quickly. rather, he remains seated right where he is as he looks at the bag nearby, blinking in surprise.]

Huh? [this is probably not the more appropriate place to do this, but curiosity gets the better of him as he begins digging through his new bag of supplies. it's why at some point on your way through the town, you'll find a teenage boy plopped down on the pavement wearing the heart-shaped headband, a large plush cat in his lap and he's leaning over pawing through the rest of the bag. as he comes across the rock though he pauses and gives it a thoughtful look before speaking up to anyone who happens to be walking by.]

What do you think it does?

b.) [over at the railroad station you'll find sora immediately hopping the turnstiles and running past the benches straight toward the ticket machines. he crouches down a bit to get a good look, trying to get a read on locations or anything, but...huh.]

A ghost train? [...give him a moment where he knocks on the machine like that'll do anything.] No tracks either. So where're we supposed to go?

[so...he wanders closer to the office, lifting a hand and immediately pounding on the door.]

Hey! Helllooo! Anybody in there?

[please tell him to stop.]

c.) [at the emporium, sora's still holding his bag of goodies and he's busy browsing the selection of wares. nothing seems to be catching his eye immediately, but that doesn't stop him from turning his head this way and that as he glances around. as such, it means he's not watching where he's going and he's likely to crash right into someone. is that someone you? oops, sorry!]

d.) [as nice as the plaza inn is, sora finds himself roaming the lobby briefly before drifting his way to the kitchen. anyone who comes in will find him with both fridges open, arms filled with ingredients and staggering toward the counter to set everything down. what is he preparing? that's a mystery. but as soon as he hears footsteps from someone else, he'll look up and offer a bright smile.]

Hey. Are you hungry?

e.) [wildcard me, he's around the above places and also the arcade, etc.]

[chanteuser]

i.

[ alex can be found on the ground, contents of her goodie bag scattered around her as she reads over the message on the PHS; the weirdly large character pillow cuddled against her chest (it is, in fact, a cat). somewhere close to the end, she winces and raises a hand to brush her fingers lightly against a white bandage stuck to the right side of her forehead, just above the temple.

it's fine. she's fine. ]

I... [ there's a pause and she exhales sharply. ] I have no idea what they're talking about.

[ help. ]

ii.

[ i got nothing here. walk into the kitchen at some point after arriving and you'll probably find alex, sat up on the counter, with a kettle boiling away next to her and a jar of instant coffee in her hands.

coffee? ]

iii.

[ or she'll be over at the north of the town, where she's absolutely going to walk into the invisible forcefield and stumble backwards rather dangerously on her heels.

after a moment, she reaches forwards and raps her knuckles against the invisible wall, frowning. ]

... So we've not been kidnapped, but we can't just up and leave? That's reassuring. [ she sounds very much unimpressed, and a Little Bit Sarcastic. ]

wildcard

[ normal wildcard disclaimer goes here. hit me up for other ideas or pcs or whatever! i'm rrrrready ]

[antaressnipe]

A. Around Town

[And yet, this isn't any stranger than living in Ancient Greece.

Which means the centaur wakes up, groggy and needing a few moments to get his legs under him (literally, all four of them, at which point he then gives himself a shake from head to tail until the cobwebs relinquish their hold on his mind), but wearing an expression of mild annoyance that shifts into vague bemusement the longer he takes in his surroundings.

After inspecting what's in the bag (and he's not about to grace that condom with his attention, frankly), he begins to walk at a slow, even speed throughout the town, hoofs echoing off the ground while he takes note of whatever he sees.

-- Don't think he doesn't see you, stranger. Anyone is free to approach, though he'll also just nod courteously to those who wish to keep their distance.]

B. Emporium

[-- Well this is new.

Is he staring at the little statue with open curiosity, his tail twitching behind him? Yes. He has to figure out what this hellish abomination is. He wasn't even aware horses (???) came in this color]

C. Plaza Inn

[Yes, well, entering the inn isn't much of a problem.

Those stairs though...

Because even if he's curious, there is absolutely no way this centaur feels inclined to test his luck or his anatomy. The curious notification on his device (is it his?) had requested no collateral damage as well, so for now, he sees no reason to test that.

... Won't stop him from giving the stairs a dry look all the same]

[siblingless]

option a:

[Well. This sure is happening. The first thing "Kasumi" does upon waking up is pat her head in confusion, her long red hair falling over her shoulder and free of its usual ribbon — if only because said ribbon is hecking missing. The confusion on her face only increases as she picks herself up from the pavement, dressed in a black and yellow tracksuit. It certainly doesn't go away when she finds a nice spot to plop down and start digging through her goodie bag, pulling each item out one by one until suddenly—]

... E-Eh?

[—she's holding a singular condom in her hand. She stares at it. Stares at it some more. And then

she sucks in a breath

and yeets it in a random direction! A random direction that may or may not end up being your face, should you be unlucky enough to be wandering by at this time.]

option b:

[A while after everyone regains their bearings, Yoshizawa will be found by one of the display cases in The Emporium. Specifically, the one that stores those funky keychains with names on them. She's frowning at one in particular, "KASUMI" written on it — before she averts her gaze to stare at the device in her right hand. The screen is lit, the DATA app on full display for anyone who wants to look over her shoulder.]

... "Kasumi" Yoshizawa, huh?

[She sounds awfully depressed, for whatever reason.]

option c:

[Much, much later, Yoshizawa will be found in front of the Security Office, trying to open the door the normal way first before politely knocking on it.]

Hello? [Loudly enough as to be heard through the door. When nothing happens after a couple of seconds, she frowns and mumbles to herself:] Is nobody inside...?

wildcard:

[Remix one of the above scenarios or come up with your own! You can hmu via discord or plurk if you want to hash out anything in particular.]

[moondumplings]

a.1

[ check out that odango bunny snoring in the middle of the road. seems like someone is enjoying her beauty sleep despite her new surroundings.

poke her? ]

a. 2
[ usagi, now awake and understandably quiet terrified out of her mind to be Not In Kansas Tokyo anymore, immediately tears up and calls out without even rising ]

Mamo-chan? Everyone…..? …Lunaaaaa??

[ no answer. oh no. ]

Where are you……?

[ sniffs sadly. but alas in the midst of rubbing her eyes she notices the goodie bag and oooh, presents- ]

……… Why would I need this?!

b.
[ all problems are therefore ignored while she plays sailor c arcade games

she's surprisingly decent at the first few levels ]

c.
[ idk fam hmu ]

a.

[exercisms]

[Oh. A girl is talking to him? Have they met before? Should he recognize her from somewhere? Uhhh.]

Uhh. Yes!

[Wait, what did she ask again?]

Oh. Who?

one.

[uhhhmagic]

[Huffing in irritation, because he’s squatting down to paw through all the T’s, when he comes across an empty rung on the rack.]

What the fuck! They’re always sold out.

[stillnot]

A. Generic Arrival Reaction

[ Well this sure is a lot. But with groggy memories of what she was doing, all Clementine can think to do is what she does any other time she's in a new situation. And that's to make sure it's safe. Make sure she's armed and get to exploring!

She reaches for where her gun should be, but ???? then reaches for where her knife should be and ????????? ]

Oh, goddammit.

B. First Aid Station

[ Clementine is trying to break into the first aid station. This is where the useful stuff is and seems like the most important place to get access to, in her mind. Thankfully she has been provided a rock!

Less thankfully, chucking the rock into the window just means it bounces off. Clementine manages to duck, which means LOOK OUT, there's a galaxy-rock flying at you. (And also? Bubbles coming out of that completely unshattered window? Okay. ]

C. Wildcard

[ you may throw anything at me, Clementine can be found peering cautiously around corners and tapping on any surface that will make a loud noise. Also worth noting: she and her clothes are both very dirty, like she hasn't bathed in. A long time. ]

a1

[dawnblushed]

[yona is indeed poking the bunny.

poke poke poke. hi usagi.]

breaking

[exercisms]

Ah!

[He's just going to walk up, approaching, but half hanging back while she slams against the door.]

What're you doing? Please be careful!

[evocationary]

[ ... okay, hold on, hold up. she just... stares? for a second? and then she looks around them to see if there are people watching.

and then she throws her keychain at him at like top speed. ]

[moondumplings]

[ zzzzzzz ]

Oh, ... -chan how naughty-

[ zzzz ]

Ice ... sundae........ ?

[dawnblushed]

[Bold of him to assume Yona knows the meaning of the word careful.

...but she'll at least stop when he speaks up!]

I'm trying to get inside.

[Her voice is pretty raspy and quiet-sounding! Hm, maybe she has a sore throat?]

a

[evocationary]

God, I hope it explodes.

[ she peers down at the rock in his hand. ]

Throw it at something and find out. Also, nice digs. [ they're wearing matching headbands! ]

[dianxias]

the plaza inn

[ do you know who did not even open his device? xie lian. do you know why? because xie lian has absolutely no idea what this thing is. he's been through his little goodie bag - the massive pillow is pushed between his straw hat and his back - but otherwise, you can find one weird guy dressed in white robes, staring at the door.

hm. well, it had his name on it, didn't it...? give him a few times to try and rattle the doorknob and look confused... and then...

there's a very loud THUD from upstairs! i'm sure it's fine. someone please teach him how to open the door with the device. or just how to turn it on? ]

kitchens.

[ well! that was fun.

xie lian is now looking about the same, but he's covered in confetti! he doesn't seem particularly perturbed by this, though, and most importantly, the thing he was the most worried about finding slithered out from under the door while he was attempting to shoulder ram into it. ruoye curled around his arm once more, xie lian makes his way through the inn to explore, poking around at all of the various baubles and things around the room, standing at one point in the walk in freezer and just marveling at it? what a weirdo.

he feels a bit worried about just taking food, though, whether it's good or otherwise. find him standing contemplatively in the kitchen, scritching idly at ruoye, who worries around his wrist, popping up from out of his sleeve and wiggling around xie lian's fingers. hope you don't think it's a snake.

at one point you can absolutely find him with his head basically in the biggest garbage can in the kitchen.... this looks like trash storage, but it also looks very empty. ]

ic profiles

[ once someone teaches xie lian how to use the device (see: turning it on), he scrolls through until he sees his own name, and...

.... ] ...creative problem solving? [ ?????? ]

wildcard

u already kno

[exercisms]

[Well, when she says that, he'll go over and try to fiddle with the door? And then - ]

It's locked. That's probably why.

[yamantaka]

i. arrival

[ shima has the heart headband on as he digs through the goodie bag. he's quite cheerful and upbeat for someone who's woken up to find himself someplace different. at his side is the rock and the bottle of mountain d*w, with a sip already taken from it. ]

You know, this stuff isn't that bad!

[ he reaches into the bag and then pulls out the condom. he stares at it for a moment. ]

--Those are some high expectations they have for us.

ii. inn

[ shima walks into the inn.

and rings the bell at the front desk.







then rings it again. ]

You would think there would be some better service here.

[ ring ring ring ring ]

iii. penny arcade

[ like any normal japanese boy, shima can eventually be found in the arcade. right now, he's concentrating pretty hard in a game against the cpu in road brawler, but right as he's about to land a finishing blow, he gets beaten instead ]

Oh, come on! I had him!