redactable | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL (OVERFLOW)

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

a rock that resembles the galaxy

a single random one of these pillows

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hm... yes? [ they wave a hand. ] We all contributed, you could say. You can thank Rabbit for the original--and, believe it or not, once coherent--message.

Oh. Was it just you three? It seemed a little ...

[ glances at wolf, glances back. wolf does not look like the type to interject so much, and fox... well, maybe all of them were fox? but some of the interruptions seemed a little more blunt than this so-far professional impression? ]

It seemed a bit as if there might have been more people, ah, contributing?

Ah, yes. There are three others, but we thought greeting you with all six would be excessive.

... You all must be very busy. Um. Getting everything prepared, I mean.

[

You came from the castle, right? there a reason we can't go there? Besides just, um, not being able to leave the range of the barrier.

[ which is another question in itself! but. one thing at a time. ]

The castle is a bit... strange. For the most part, though, it's just our lodgings. You can consider it where we'll be when we want a break from our jobs.

[ what the hell happened to the other half of my brackets i'm crying. ]

Just the six of you? That seems a little ... excessive?

What do you mean by mostly, though? How is it strange?

It just is. We don't control this world, you see.

That's... not very descriptive. Is it just that you can't quite pin down how it's strange, or is it something else...?

[ ... ]

Um, and the barrier... why is the barrier there, by the way? Even if you don't control it, you know more than the rest of us ... right?

Hm... the barrier's probably there because the rest of the world isn't connected. Simply put, there isn't really anything there past it.

It shines though? Not in the forest, but in the place where there's an empty field... Does that mean there's supposed to be something there?

Ah, that? [ they hum thoughtfully. ] All we know it's a gateway. Maybe something will be connected there later.

Just there, and nowhere else?

Is... the castle also like that, then? I mean... not the same, but also somewhere else entirely. Not here.

Well, something like that. It's nothing that should help with why you're here, though.

And why is it that we're here, then? I've heard a bit of the three of you talking with the others about it ... but, um, I want a clear explanation from you. In your own words.

You're here to gather nova to protect your worlds' memories, therefore preventing it from breaking.

... Mmm.

[ well. ]

Maybe this is supposed to be obvious, but... What is nova?

You could say it's what memories are formed from.

Could say ... means that isn't really the case, is it? Just 'close enough.'

So, um... Again. What is nova, and how... will we be gathering it? And why us, specifically?

You can argue semantics, but the answer remains the same, I'm afraid.

And that's not something I can answer, given that we weren't the ones who brought you here.

... Fine.

[ her hands work with the fabric of her skirt, a little, as she chews on her lower lip. ]

What do you mean by our worlds breaking? Doesn't... if we're gathering nova to protect them, then doesn't that mean we're stealing it from somewhere else instead? What happens to those places?

Not like that. It's more that the nova has been scattered--disrupted or taken from its current flow--and now it's necessary to gather it again and restore it to where it was supposed to be.

So... an imbalance, is what you're saying? Did something cause this?

... What advice do you have for us? Or, um, I suppose. What... do you think is most important for us to know?

We're looking into the cause.

[ they hold a hand up to their mouth, thinking. ]

Nothing specific just yet. My advice would be rather generic... "Get along with everyone", "stay strong", etc. never hurts, no matter what the road ahead ends up being.

[ none of this is reassuring, fox. ]

And what do you expect that road will look like? How long will it last? I... is this situation very pressing? How long do we have...?

What will happen to us? Even if our worlds are safe for now, I can't ... really believe that there's no risk to all of this. To us, I mean, outside of our worlds breaking...

Those are answers we don't have yet, I'm afraid.

(no subject)

horologia - 2020-09-28 04:29 (UTC) - Expand