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

ALPHONSE OVERFLOW

[canned]

[original here, new replies welcome!]

I. At the barrier

["I'm sorry! I'll be back! ........Just hang in there a little longer! ........I'll come back, no matter what! No matter what!! I promise!!"

"I promise..."

The previously empty eyes on a massive suit of steel armor suddenly alight as Alphonse sits up with a gasp, looking around. He stands, taking in the unfamiliar town square, frantically looking for someone.]

Big brother??

[Apparently not seeing him, but spotting the bridge at the end of the road, he bolts with surprising quickness towards the river, heavy metal footfalls clanging down the road. He makes it halfway across before, inevitably, rebounding hard off the invisible barrier.

Confused, but undaunted, Al begins to pound his fists against whatever has stopped him. When that results in nothing more than colorful little sparks, he claps his hands together and places them on it. Nothing. Again he claps, this time touching the ground after. Nothing.

Eventually, he'll probably become aware of someone watching him, but for now he's staring out past the bridge, mind racing and fists clenched.

II. Later, at the train station

[Having given up on the barrier for now, Al is taking time to collect his thoughts and go through his goodie bag as he sits waiting for a train at a station with no tracks.

Sitting on the ground, he's spread the contents of the bag out in front of him in a neat little arrangement. The rock, the tea, the condom. He picks up the headband, with its two yellow stars bobbing on top, and looks around to see if anyone's watching him.

Not seeing anyone, he puts it on and is looking at his reflection in the darkened screen of the powered off handheld.]

III. Baby's first arcade

[Drawn in by the cacophony of digital music and blaring artificial voices, Al walks into the penny arcade and immediately stops in his tracks, transfixed by the wonderland of color and flashing lights.

He's, uh...he's blocking the doorway completely.]

Xie Lian

[canned]

[continued from here]

No, no! I wasn't really paying attention and you just surprised me.

[placing the headband down with the other spread out items, he gently stands up to his full height]

Are you waiting for the train, too? Sorry, but could you tell me the name of this town? And how far it is to Central City?

[dianxias]

[ central what now

he's still fascinated by the fact that this (?) is moving (?) and talking, but xie lian is just going to roll with it. maybe the ghost is just shy. ] ...I'm not sure what a train is, nor where Central City is... um, I'm sorry.

[ ... ] Have you just arrived here as well, good sir...?

[canned]

[hmm, some of the people taken must have been from really rural locations...]

Yeah, I woke up here after...some things happened. My name is Alphonse.

Um, does your town not have any trains? [his voice is patient] You know, a line of large metal vehicles with an engine car at the front pulling them?

Archer

[canned]

[continued from here]

[he visibly relaxes, stepping back from the doorway a bit so he's not blocking it]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. [he bows his head in apology] The only people I've seen like you were either working for Major Kimblee or Greed. And neither of them were good guys.

So you were transmuted with a horse? Did the military also do this to you?

[wow alphonse you can't just ask centaurs why they're like that]

[antaressnipe]

[it's about at this point that Archer realizes the voice he's hearing echoing inside that suit of armor... sounds remarkably like a young boy.

Which leads to more Questions, of course, except he will swallow them for now, his manner further relaxing.]

Do not worry, I don't consider you rude.

And no, I was born this way. The land I come from is much different from yours, I assume.

[canned]

I see. I've never heard about people being born like that, but I haven't really ever left my country. There's so much out there in the world to learn about! [maybe when this is all done, if they can win, maybe he'll travel to new places]

Sorry, I'm Alphonse. Alphonse Elric. It's nice to meet you, sir. [his body dips in a polite bow]

Dorothy

[canned]

[continued from here]

I see...there weren't any cars or anything either when I was going around the barrier, and I guess maybe it was silly to hope there'd be a train.

You're not from this town either, then? [he tilts his head with the question, causing the star boppers to bob about]

[misstrust]

... You're sure you don't want to take off the helmet?

[ With a skeptical tilt of her head in return. ]

But no, I'm not. Never seen it before in my young life.

[canned]

Huh? Oh! [he quickly swipes the boppers off his helmet, which stays firmly put]

I'm starting to think everyone here was brought from somewhere else...do you remember what happened before you wound up here? [he stoops back down and begins to gather the items back into the goodie bag]

Clementine

[canned]

[continued from here]

[not sensing any immediate threat, he stoops down so he can better hear her over the sounds of the arcade, speaking in a low voice]

So you were taken, too? Do you recognize this town or anyone here?

[stillnot]

[ she shakes her head at that second question. ]

I think all of us were brought here from... Somewhere else.

[canned]

I think you're right, which means we might all be in trouble if we don't figure out by who or why.

Are you alone here? What's your name? I'm Alphonse. [his tone has shifted to calming, but he hasn't stopped glancing out the door and around them]

Izumo

[canned]

[continued from here]

[he jolts, and then not at all suspiciously:]

What? No, no, it's just me in the armor! I'm human!

[sacredchants]

[ hmmmmm.

HMMMMM.


should she...? yeah. she is. ]

Prove it.

[canned]

Huh?? [slowly, he begins to shuffle out towards the street, lowering his head under the doorframe]

I-I don't know what you mean! What would I be except human??

Kano

[canned]

[continued from here]

[welp

Alphonse just, single-handedly lifts Kano up into the air by his collar, bringing him all the way up to face him]

Where are all the people in this town?? Did you do something?? If this is some part of the sacrifice just leave them out of it!

[normally, Alphonse would be better at detecting trolling, and less quick to aggressive action, but, well, he just came from a warzone with an entire country's worth of people on the line, fighting against a plot orchestrated by people who act very much like this]

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano yelps when he's lifted; even with Al's strength, he's light for somebody his size, and doesn't kick or struggle once he's up in the air. ]

Um. Hmm... I dunno! They're gone, yeah? Like I said: you're already too late.

[ He should stop. He really should. Instead, he closes his eyes, and grins. ]

Aah, that's not to say they're dead, right? No point assuming the worst! Say, you still planning on catching the first train outta here?

[canned]

[instead of responding, Al begins to closely examine Kano for the telltale tattoo of a homunculus, although he's pretty sure all the 7 deadly sins were already covered and accounted for

maybe Lust was reborn as a sassy high schooler??

not seeing any tattoo on his arms or neck, he lifts up Kano's shirt with his free hand]

Lust, is that you??

Alex

[canned]

[continued from here]

Hmmm, well we must have all been brought here for a reason. And probably not a good one. We'll need to be careful.

You said they hit you over the head with a rifle? Are you okay? [from his high vantage point, he sorta surveys her head to check for injuries]

[chanteuser]

Oh. Yeah, I'm fine.

[ she pushes back her hair to reveal a square of gauze taped over the point of impact -- on the right side of her forehead, above her temple. ]

It was already patched up when I woke up.

[canned]

[he leans in a bit closer, then nods]

It doesn't seem too serious, but make sure you don't stand up too quickly or push yourself too hard, okay?

Do you know why someone would want to attack you and take you away?

baby's first arcade

[maidforservice]

[hmmmmm this is a conundrum]

[however, Sharon is polite! and so she reaches out to gently tap Al on the. . . the upper arm? she can't quite reach his shoulder]

Pardon me, but may I pass through?

[canned]

[the tap tap startles him out of his daze and he jumps to the side, nearly knocking over a crane game full of stuffed Minion toys, which he hurriedly rights]

Oh, sorry! Sorry!

[maidforservice]

Oh no, it's quite all right. You don't have to apologize.

[she tilts her head though, hands folded in front]

Is everything all right, sir?