WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL (OVERFLOW)

[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

OVERFLOW - HIKARU

[heartablaze]

[i hate us all]

Claude

[heartablaze]

[from here --]

[what in the world is he doing, that's not a key

With no other reason to question it, though, she simply watches, brow furrowing.]

...That has to mean that they were telling the truth, right? On the message everyone got.

I don't know a lot about kidnappers, but I always thought they were scary and didn't care what happened to who they took, you know? So...

Why would they have all this for us?

[riegan]

(He's trying to B&E, Hikaru.)

With nothing else to go off of, we can only assume.

(Every now and then, he stops talking to listen to the lock! Hmmm, he isn't hearing anything click in place. Is it the lock? Or is it him? He thought he was better than this!!)

Bu really, it depends on the kidnapper. We haven't seen their faces and we have no idea who's behind all of this so really, there's no reason to kill us. If anything, it's actually in their benefit to keep us alive, provided they want to collect something from us being here.

...

(Augh,)

Alright, I give up.

(Taking back his pin.)

Looks like I've been bested.

[heartablaze]

In their benefit...

[She falls quiet at that, turning the idea over in her head until he gives up in frustration.]

What were you trying to do to the door, anyway? Is your pin a skeleton key or something?

[riegan]

Nah, it's just a regular ol' pin. (And putting it back in place,) I thought I had an idea... but it didn't work.

Looks like we'll have to figure some other way inside.

[heartablaze]

It's so weird that there isn't a key... [Her lips purse in thought, plopping her chin in one hand as the other points to the card reader above the doorknob.]

That funny box on top looks like it would scan a card key, like for a hotel... but nobody got any cards, did they?

Xie Lian

[heartablaze]

[from here--]

[...]

It's sort of complicated, but...

We were both pulled away from what we knew to... um, take a test. A really important one. But we both had people we cared for, waiting for us to win and come back. And he...

[Her jaw snaps shut, fist tightening. No, that wasn't her place to say.]

...I just know he deserves a chance to keep going, with his friends and loved ones. Just like me.

[dianxias]

[ a trial of some sort. it sounds familiar, unfortunately... hikaru is so young, too, to be caught up in such things.

as he finishes cleaning up the last of her gashes, xie lian glances down at her, worried, but empathetic, too. it seems like she has a good head on her shoulders; for a moment, he's reminded of a young girl he met in the village at the base of mt yu jun. ]

...It seems you've been through quite a lot, young lady. I think that is an admirable attitude to have.

[heartablaze]

You think so?

[She manages a smile, genuine if not slightly wistful and sad.]

I only got as far as I did because I had Umi and Fuu with me. They're like my big sisters. That they aren't here with me... it makes my heart hurt a lot.

But it's just because I know we can do anything if we do it together. And they'll worry if I don't find my way back. So I know whatever this place is, we'll find a way out, because I know they believe in me as much as I do to them. I want to think a lot of people would be happier if they could believe in their special ones like that, you know?

Do... you have people you care a lot about, Chijin-san?

[dianxias]

[ hm. xie lian's mouth lifts into a small smile as she speaks about her precious shoujo sisters and special people. ]

Don't we all? [ though... well, that's not really important. ] It is a lonely life to live without them.

[heartablaze]

...I used to think everyone did, but... sometimes people feel they need to be alone. That it's their only option. [Her jaw tightens a bit, but she shakes it off.]

No one deserves that. No one. And no one deserves to be trapped somewhere far away, either.

So we'll find a way out of here. No matter what.

Right, Chijin-san?

Soo-won

[heartablaze]

[from here--]

Then I'll call you Haku, if that's okay. It'll be like a secret. That way I can remember your real name for when it's really important.

[Hmmmmmmm... There's not a lot of places to get handholds, but maybe she can find a way to jump up to the stone trim that circles the second floor. is there stone trim on this floor, yes I have decided this for myself.

She backs up a little, gauging distance. There's a building close by, maybe she can use that...]

Why would people gossip about you, though? You seem nice.

Raven

[heartablaze]

[from here--]

--Oh, no, I'm okay! [She sits up a little straighter, trying to get rid of how her demeanor had darkened. She must look so depressed!]

I'm just trying to find the person I was with before. I haven't seen him, and I'm really worried about him.

I like sitting and talking with you, Raven-san, but... I know that, once we're done, I really have to try and find Eagle.

[laid]

[Hm. Well, Raven hasn't seen anyone in this town that he couldn't find a profile for on the device they were all given, and he doesn't remember seeing anyone named Eagle. But he doesn't especially feel like saying that right now.]

Well, I can only say that I'm honored to be considered good company by an upstanding young lady such as yerself, Hikaru.

[heartablaze]

...Huh.

You think I'm upstanding?

[is that good]

[laid]

[Hikaru not knowing the word bc she's like 14 is killing me.]

Be hard not to with you worryin' after someone else even when you're all beat up.

Mob

[heartablaze]

[from here--]

[I deeply respect your honesty siz, what a mood]

Ohhhhh... okay, yeah, that is kinda far!

Well, this place definitely isn't there, and it definitely isn't Tokyo... maybe the rules are different?

Come on, let's go take a peek behind the desk! [She will tug at his uniform sleeve to get him to follow.]

[exercisms]

[Listen there just isn't any canon on it okay it's a fictional non-Tokyo city in Japan.

Anyway, he will follow. He will peak with her.]

[heartablaze]

[no judgement here, god knows I have no idea where her school or home is other than "vaguely waves around tokyo"

She's cautious, as though she expects someone to be hiding behind the service desk to jump out and go "boo." Of course, this doesn't happen - it's a lot of empty paperwork and odds and ends, but not much else. The cash register is all closed up, too.]

Hm. It's so empty....

Is this what it's supposed to look like??

[exercisms]

Um. . .

[He doesn't know? He has zero idea?]

Lup

[heartablaze]

[from here--]

[Oh. She's never heard some of those words before.

She drops with an ungraceful plop to the kitchen floor, stuffing the toast into her mouth for a moment.

...]

Do I really look pathetic?

[evocationary]

Yes. Your eyes are so big and teary that ignoring you would be like dunking a kitten into the river.

[ wow rude ] Hope you like potatoes.

1/2

[heartablaze]

[just

this face, but with jam and toast stuffed in her mouth]

/2

[heartablaze]

[okay, pout over]

Mn, I like a lot of stuff. As long as it isn't spicy, though. I don't like that. It makes my mouth hurt too much.

Have you been in here cooking all day?

[evocationary]

That pouty face will get you far in life, hold onto it.

[ she says, waving a spatula. ] I've been in here on and off. Mostly because I come in to get myself a snack and four waifish teenagers line up behind me like please sir, can I have some more?