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

[sacredchants]

[ she has no idea where resembool is or any of that stuff. the fact that he's so nervous and frenetic is just so obvious that it's a lie. now the question is, what is under the armor.. ]

Then take off the helmet.

[canned]

[and with that, he just...bolts

moving with a frankly shocking amount of speed for his massive size, he disappears into the alley and is making a break for the treeline

he has forgotten, for the moment, that there's a barrier not too far into the forest]

Sorry maybe later I think I heard my brother shouting bye----!

[sacredchants]

[ wha.

brother? she didn't hear anything?? he's clearly lying to her and she's not about to let that go. cue izumo giving chase because!! hello!!!! STOP BEING SUS. ]

HEY—! Come back here!

[ cue the yakety sax music? ]

[canned]

[still running, he turns around]

Ah! Why are you chasing me?? I'm just a tall boy who wanted to play some games!

[his legs are very long, and he doesn't run out of breath, so izumo's gonna have to work pretty hard to catch him (unless she knows about the inevitable barrier, which draws ever closer as he dashes into the forest)]

[sacredchants]

[ it's fine, she's come some degree of stamina and won't tucker out from a chase like this. well, if it was a prolonged one then definitely but she's fully aware of the barrier.

....which she's purposefully not telling him about. ]

Well it's your fault for being suspicious! [ obviously!!! ] Anyway, the games will be there when you stop and just show me what's under your helmet!

[canned]

[he spots some familiar scenery from his previous check of the barrier's perimeter and slides to a stop, turning around to face his pursuer]

I'm not suspicious! You're the one making demands and asking people to take things off! I'm underage!

[sacredchants]

U, u, underage!? Wh, wha—

[ she's sputtering because what? who. hello??? ]

Don't make this weird—! I'm not asking you to do anything an under-aged person shouldn't do.

[ SHE ASKED FOR THE HELMET AND NOT LIKE...his pants. god i hate this. closes all of my eyes and goes right the fuck to bed. ]

[canned]

[he plants his hands on his hips and hmphs]

Well, I think it's pretty weird and rude to ask someone to prove they're a human just because they're big. I don't even know who you are! Why don't you prove you're a human first?

[sacredchants]

[ DON'T TURN THIS BACK ON HER. ]

I'm not the suspicious one here! You can take just one look at me and know I'm a human.

[canned]

[jarringly, his tone shifts to deadly serious]

That's not always true. Not everyone who looks human is human.

[he pauses, then]

What exactly is suspicious about me? No one's demanded I prove I'm human before... [maybe they're just too polite, but something tells Alphonse that this girl has experience with not-totally human beings, and if he is stuck here it's going to be better for him to be honest than to keep avoiding her and hoping she doesn't make a fuss about him]

[sacredchants]

[ sadly, yeah, izumo is well versed in the non-human variety as well as "shhh i'm actually not human but don't tell anyone". it's kind of her thing? ish. ]

That might be the case, but if you cut I'll bleed red. My heartbeat isn't irregular and neither is my pulse. No long ears or long tail hidden somewhere. [ she pauses for a moment to consider something. ] ...and I'm not talented enough to use illusions.

[ now. your turn, al. ]

Meanwhile, you won't even take off your helmet to give me a look.

[canned]

[He looks around the forest, and, satisfied no one else is watching, just...pops his head right off. The armor is completely empty, save some kind of sigil on the back plate. The voice continues, a bit less metallic sounding now with the helmet off.]

I can't make you, but can you keep it a secret? I don't want to scare or worry anyone. It's more important we figure out a way out of here.

[he puts it back on, straightening it]

In any case, I wasn't lying! I am human. My body is just...['I'll come back, no matter what!! I promise!'] somewhere else.

[sacredchants]

[ izumo, a good girl who does her best (kind of), will not scream or shout. no, she will do none of those things. she will also not faint or do anything of that like because she's a very good girl and people should be nice to her.

...even if she's rude.

what she does do is stare at it slack jaw as her mind wraps itself around what she's witnessing. technically this is a situation where she should consider "IT'S A DEMON" except... except??? ]

Some...where...else?

[ IZUMO HAS SO MANY QUESTIONS BUT RIGHT NOW SHE DOESN'T WANT HIM TO PANIC BC SHE'S LOW KEY PANICKING. ]

[canned]

[as far as reactions go, it's not the worst one he's had; on the better side, really, which goes further to confirm his feeling on this girl]

It'd take a long time to explain, but something really bad happened to me and my brother when we were kids. We're trying to get back to normal, but it's been...hard.

Anyway, I told you about my body but I don't even know your name. Who exactly are you?

[sacredchants]

[ when you deal with horrible demons, ghost, ghouls, and the like.... this isn't that bad. but now that the initial shock has worn off, she gives her self a mental shake. this was NOT what she expected to find. ]

I'm Izumo Kamiki. [ she'll just stand there a bit longer as she considers her next words. ] Did...you bind yourself to the piece of armor?

[ she isn't sure if it's the soul or a spirit or...? ]

[canned]

It's nice to meet you, Izumo. [he gives a polite bow of his head]

[technically FMA characters do the whole Japanese honorifics thing but they're not Japanese in the story so I'm making the executive decision to not]

How about question-for-question? It only seems fair after you harassed and chased me.

What kind of non-human experience do you have? Are you some kind of researcher? An alchemist?

[sacredchants]

[ she's japanese but i've come to omit honorifics to spare me the horror of trying to figure them out.... ]

Fine.

[ it wouldn't be the first time and at least his question isn't that bad to answer. (thus far) ]

I'm an exorcist. I'm used to seeing ghosts, demons, gods... Now answer my question. Did you bind yourself to that armor?

[canned]

No, I didn't. [he looks down for a long moment] My brother did, to save me. [it's an old memory, and he's talked about it so many times now, so why is his voice cracking now? guilt from being here and not fighting to save Ed? did he make a mistake that trapped him here?]

Since I'm being honest, I'll also say I don't have much time. This...borrowed body. It's not permanent.

[they were so close, so close to finishing things

he clenches his fists and shakes his head a bit to clear it]

So what do you plan to do now that you know about me, as an exorcist?

[sacredchants]

[ it's strange, in a way, to hear such a voice coming from something so massive and looming over her but here it is. it's also funny because in another situation, it'd just be cries on ignorant ears. izumo isn't here to trust in his words but... ]

If you're worried about me exorcising you from the armor then you can relax. I'm not going to do that.

[ plus she lacks a few things even if she was inclined. ]

How much time do you have left?

[canned]

[his body relaxes a little and his fists unclench, as if he were letting out a held breath

he doesn't answer her question for a moment, looking out at the barrier as he's been doing on and off throughout the conversation, incessantly aware of the clock ticking down, the battle being waged without him, the goal just within reach]

I don't know. There's no way to know. But I'll do all I can for as long as I can. And that starts with getting out of here.

[he turns back to her]

Izumo, can I ask you to help keep this all secret?

[sacredchants]

[ al's admission has her lowering her head and considering what it all means. rather, thinking about that resolve he has verses her own and it's.

well, no point in obsessing over that as he provides and all too helpful distraction. ]

I have no reason to tell anyone else about this. [ she'll put her hand on her hip and tilt her head to a side. ] Who would even think to ask me unless someone gave them an idea to?

[ so. you know. she isn't about to tell a soul. ]

[canned]

[he nods and sounds genuinely relieved, seeming to trust her response on its face]

You know, you sure can run fast for someone so small. It reminds me of my brother.

[sacredchants]

Wha—

[ there's something about being compared to his brother that's...??? ]

What's that supposed to mean? What's wrong with my running?

[canned]

[he laughs, a kind of light giggle with a hint of playful teasing]

Now you remind me even more of him!

But there's nothing wrong with your running, Izumo. I was just really impressed you kept up with me.

Of course, if the barrier wasn't here you wouldn't have caught me. [the giggle again]

[sacredchants]

[ wha.

the fact that he's laughing at her makes her a bit more indignant. ]

How do you know that I wouldn't have caught you? You don't know that for sure.