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

virid

[bisouled]

[ a nod. ]

Got it. Don't worry - if anything's fishy, I'll take care of it.

[ she would have gone in first, anyway, since he looks pretty young! Gotta protect the kids. Of course, there's nothing particularly threatening in the immediate vicinity, flashing lights aside, and her attention is drawn first by the crane game filled to the brim with stuffed ponies and minions. ]

Oh! Look at this.

[favourable]

[he follows along like a lost puppy...]

What is it? Toys...? I don't understand how you're supposed to take them out, though.

[bisouled]

[ puppy... ]

Me neither.

[ she could smash the glass with her robot fist but that feels like stealing and also definitely isn't the intended way to obtain the toys. Rubbing her chin, she looks at the interface, where there's a big blinking button with "PRESS HERE TO BEGIN" written above it in fun text. ]

Maybe it's a puzzle? It says to push the button.

[favourable]

Press here to begin... begin what, though?

[he asks as he presses the button anyway because what's impulse control when you're thirteen.]

[bisouled]

[ if he didn't press it she was three seconds away from pressing it....... they're on the same wavelength. When he pushes it, the lights on the sides of the machine suddenly blink on and off in a wave motion while a cheerful tune plays, which sufficiently scares Fiora. ]

Woah! It's... working?

[ IT'S DOING SOMETHING. There's a joystick on the control panel, too, and now the ball on the end of that is blinking. ]

[favourable]

W-What's going on...!?

[WHAT DO THEY DO]

[bisouled]

I think it's activated now.

[ she hums... then eyes the joystick before experimentally reaching out and moving it slightly to the right. Lo and behold, the crane in the machine wiggles to match the movement - and then it clicks in her head. ]

Oh... I get it! You have to use this claw to try and grab one of the toys!

[ what happens after that?? who knows. ]

[favourable]

So it's a tool to... retrieve the toy?

[bisouled]

I think so. Let's try it. Hmm... Which toy should I grab?

[ who's your favorite pony, virid. ]