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

[showyourself]

[she doesn't! on the contrary, it's a lil endearing. younger kids...

letting go, she steps back, seating herself on to the edge of the bridge, and smiling softly at shigeo.]

Ever since I was born, I've been able to create and manipulate ice and snow. Not quite as exciting as telekinesis, or exorcisms, but...

[exercisms]

Those aren't too exciting, either.

[Why is everyone here so interested in psychic powers?]

I haven't seen an ability like that before. [Though if it's just making something cold enough to freeze and then controlling it, would he be able to do it, too? He's seen ESPers who can create fire, and he thinks he understands how, so. . .

Anyway, since she hasn't ever met anyone else with powers, he'll explain to her how they aren't very interesting.]

Psychic powers are just another trait, like being able to run fast, or doing a cartwheel, or liking the taste of peppers. They aren't anything special, even if most people don't have them.

[showyourself]

In that case, aren't my abilities just as boring?

I can make structures out of ice, but... so can anyone, given enough time and frozen water. [she chuckles at the idea, though.] Sure, I can freeze a lake, but so can the winter. Pretty uneventful, honestly.

[exercisms]

[He nods, missing any sarcasm, because that's exactly what he meant.]

It isn't as though freezing things is very useful for most things in life.

[showyourself]

[oh he just totally took it at face value?? she can't help but smile a little at that. vibe check: your power ain't shit.]

You might be surprised. Great for storage facilities, let me tell you.

[exercisms]

Ah, I never thought of that!

[Jokes are so, so lost on this kid, sorry to say.

Anyway, he isn't trying to neg Elsa. The first time someone told him psychic powers weren't all that special or important, it was the thing he'd never known he needed to hear. After all, everyone else always treats them as the most important thing about you, don't they? If Elsa has never had anyone to tell her that before, he wanted to try.

But he doesn't exactly have Reigen's charisma in his delivery.]

[showyourself]

[oh no, cute. shy human olaf with psychic powers.]

Yup. Long-term fruit and vegetable freshness? [she snaps her fingers] A snap freeze. [hee hee hee.]

The ice sculptures and skating in the summertime are a pretty nice perk, too... and you never run out of supplies for snow cones!

[this is oddly brightening her up. people really can come a long way in three years, huh.]

[exercisms]

[Niji I hate that description and how it's basically right.]

That does sound nice. . .

[This is not the point he was trying to make, Elsa. But it does make him feel a little nostalgic. Like when he was little, and he could entertain Ritsu and Tsubomi by making things float through the air.]

[showyourself]

Right?

So, maybe our powers are nothing special, but they if they make the people we love happy once in a while... [here, she gives a happy little shrug] ...maybe it can be special for them.

[minus the, uh

terrible childhood trauma, and years of isolation and fear of hurting people she loves with them. but! literally no part of that is something to share with a child!]

[exercisms]

[Haha! No child could possibly relate to any of that, right?

Anyway, her comment makes look a little thoughtful.]

Mm. That's true. . . when we were younger, we used to play with them. And it was fun, but . . .

[showyourself]

We?

Oh, did you know others with your powers, too?

[very cute!!!]

[exercisms]

[Shaking his head, well.]

Back then, my brother didn't have any abilities. He does now.

[showyourself]

[ahhhhhh

something very nostalgic flits across her face.]

My sister never had any abilities, so I... used to play with her, with mine too.

[the happy part was happy. it was all so happy.]

[exercisms]

Your sister? It sounds fun . . .

[It's sort of hard to remember now what that time was like, though.]

[showyourself]

While it lasted, it was.

[she nearly slaps a hand over her mouth. instead, she recovers by continuing to talk, as if she didn't just say something strange.]

We would play pretend with castles and toys made of snow and ice, skate around the hallways on our socks in the middle of the night, and go sledding whenever and wherever we wanted.

I can only imagine what kind of fun you must have had with telekinesis!

[exercisms]

I used to float dogs.

[Um.]

And fly Ritsu around. I get motion sickness from flying, though.

[showyourself]

[okay well, she giggles at the dogs. cute.]

Is Ritsu your sibling?

[exercisms]

[Nodding.]

My younger brother.

[showyourself]

Just like my younger sister. We're two of a kind, you and I. [It's nice to know that this kind of thing crosses... well, countries. worlds, maybe.]

Was Ritsu always begging you to float him?

[exercisms]

. . . He liked it.

[He thinks? Ritsu doesn't really beg for things.]

But he doesn't like that kind of thing anymore.

[showyourself]

That's too bad. My sister...

[that's a pause, and it's awkward. in lieu of explaining, elsa simply shakes her head.]

...Well, she does, somehow or other.

[exercisms]

Ritsu is pretty amazing. He's the top of his class, and he's good at sports and he's popular. It makes sense he wouldn't stay interested in something like that.

[showyourself]

He sounds like a good brother. I guess they all grow up sometime.

[no they don't. anna is baby. anna is forever baby. none grown up little sister. precious perfect angel baby.]

You must be very proud.

[exercisms]

[Nodding! With a big smile.]

We're all very proud of him.

[Maybe most people would describe their brother as smart, popular, and good at sports with a little envy, but not this kid.]

[showyourself]

[elsa beams at shigeo, nodding.]

My little sister just took on a very important role—and she's been doing a wonderful job. I know just how you feel.

[stanning siblings solidarity..........]