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

[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]

[stillnot]

Clementine.

And... Yeah. I'm alone. [ Hrm. Bad. ] Whoever brought us here is gonna pay for that.

[canned]

If we can find them before they do what they're trying to do, yeah.

[he stands back up] It's nice to meet you, Clementine. If you want, you can stay near me, but you kind of...carry yourself like a soldier. [he should know, having been around enough and growing up fighting, himself]

Did you come from somewhere there was fighting?

[stillnot]

Any ideas on what they're 'trying to do' though?

[ because she has. no idea. ]

And - something like that. [ It isn't like she has any formal training. She's just on edge all the time! Great! ] I definitely don't think of myself as a soldier though, no matter what some people want.

[canned]

[he nods firmly]

Yeah, I understand. I feel the same. [uh...appearances aside]

Well, there's not a lot of good reasons to trap people inside an invisible prison, right? I don't think we were brought here on accident, but I also don't know what to do except wait until something happens. [he couldn't find any way past the barrier, and everyone he's encountered has been just as in the dark as he is, so he'll just also stay on edge the whole time!]

[stillnot]

Mm. The waiting game sucks.

[ but also - his comment gets her to raise an eyebrow. what do you MEAN you're not a soldier, giant armor boy??? actually, she can't hold that back. ]

So what's with the armor?

[canned]

[he jolts a bit, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head as if suddenly self-conscious]

Oh, I guess people here aren't as used to seeing someone in armor.

Well, I'm not in the military, but I have been fighting for a long time. It's what I was doing right before I was taken.

[stillnot]

Must be pretty safe, though. With armor like that.

[ she's not trying to make light of - whatever he does. she just isn't sure what to say and is still pretty distracted by the armor? also genuinely it seems so safe?? a walker definitely couldn't bite through that. ]

[canned]

[he nods] You could say that.

Do you come from a dangerous place, Clementine?

[stillnot]

... Yeah. It's, uh... Pretty bad.

[ no use skirting around it. ]

[canned]

[He looks at her for a moment, deciding if he wants to ask more about where she's come from, but then some exciting, pleasant victory music rings out from one of the games inside the arcade]

Well, we're here now, and until we have something else we can do—or a way to get out—why don't we try some of these games?

[stillnot]

[ hmm... she has to think about it... it really is very loud and there aren't walls around the town...

but it's been safe so far. so after a long hesitation: ]

... Sure. I haven't played anything like this in a long time, though. [ so she's going to be bad at them. ]

[canned]

I've never even seen anything like them! Maybe we can find something like what you used to play and you'll remember how!

[he begins to wander into the arcade to examine the various flashing screens and colorful cabinets, making sure she's following along with a small "come on" wave]

Something we could both play would be nice, huh? [he laughs a little]

[stillnot]

[ she follows, looking around. ]

I used to have birthday parties in places like this. When I was like seven.

[ chuck e cheese........ anyway she points to a racing game. luckily one that you play standing up and not with seats, because Al would not fit in one of those machines... ]

[canned]

That sounds really fun! [he tries to think of the last time he and Ed celebrated a birthday...it might have actually been when he was 7]

Hmm, it's a car game...?

[the standing cabinet says "Out R*n"]

Do you know how to drive, Clementine?

[stillnot]

[ wow you actually found one. but - she nods. ]

Yeah. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

[ ... suspicious. ]

[canned]

Well, that's two things you know that I don't. I hope I can count on your guidance, then!

[he leans down several feet to where Clementine—and the steering wheel is—and tilts his head as if he were smiling]

Um....this one is for changing direction, right? [he's wrapped his enormous hands around the steering wheel, which has disappeared beneath them]

[stillnot]

Sure thing.

[ she thinks it would be easier to play without that armor, but also doesn't think she can really get behind telling someone to be less safe in any given scenario. even playing games. ]

Mm-hmm. And then the pedals, you use one foot to switch back and forth between them. Left is stop, right is go.