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

[retellers]

It's how memories are made. [ tilting their head, they make a vague gesture with one hand. ] You could consider it vital to each of your worlds, as without it, each will shatter.

[robopriest]

Let me get this clear - nova is some kind of process where memories are made that allows our worlds to keep existing as they are?

[????????????]

Uh. Sure. Okay. Lets say I believe something like that is a thing. Is there something going wrong with it? What can we do?

[retellers]

It does sound rather fantastical, doesn't it?

[ they shrug. they don't make the lore! ]

Something is disrupting its flow and causing it to scatter. So, we need to gather it again.

[robopriest]

[Hansa is already tired HE ALREADY HAS MAGIC LORE BS TO GET BACK TO]

And you need us for that? [whyyyy] How do you gather this nova? And can we hurry it up? I have a...cup auction I need to go back to. Kind of important. No rush, though.

[retellers]

[ a beat. ]

Cup auction? Well, I won't judge your interests...

[ their tone sounds more amused than anything, though. ]

Unfortunately for all of us, we don't know how long it'll take, and none of us are going anywhere until it's done. Or we all die somehow, I suppose.

[robopriest]

I'm not the one bidding on the cup.

[SIGHS]

Well, that's great. What's the process?

[retellers]

That's arguably worse. 𝅘𝅥𝅮

[ why are you at a cup auction for no reason, hansa ]

Well, nova can take on a physical form, so I wouldn't be surprised if you'll have to literally find it. But it's also drawn to people and strong emotions, so it could get more metaphysical as well...

[robopriest]

[MAYBE HE'S A CUP AUCTION ENTHUSIAST]

Look, I just have a job to do, okay?

[Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

How will we know when we've gathered enough of this nova thing?

[retellers]

Yes, and I'm very sorry about that.

[ with dubious sincerity. ]

There'll be a sign, I imagine. For one, everything should stabilize enough that everyone will get back their powers, since I hear that's a concern among you all.

[robopriest]

I see.

[Hm.]

Anyways, do you guys have worlds that you come from, or are you just here to be supervisors of our great nova scavenger hunt?

[retellers]

[ a pause.

they tilt their head. ]

I certainly hope so?

[ what does that mean ]

[robopriest]

...

Where do you guys come from? Do you remember?

[retellers]

[ almost idly, their index finger taps against their leg. ]

Not at all. ☆

[robopriest]

[WELL THAT AIN'T GOOD]

Hey, you know that doesn't give us much confidence in the whole nova collecting thing if you have memory issues, right?

[retellers]

Our memories were the price to pay for delaying the loss of yours, unfortunately.

[robopriest]

[excuse me]

And why would you do something like that? If the object of this whole thing is to gather memories, why not do it yourselves? Why did you need to sacrifice some for us?

[retellers]

The Realm wasn't originally meant to accommodate people. Consider this an emergency situation... but because of that, not everything is stable, even within this world.

[ tap tap ]

Like I said, the flow of nova is disrupted. Gathering it won't necessarily be tidy, linear progress.

[robopriest]

[This all just nuts. And he knows nuts.]

And how do we gather it again? The physical form.

[retellers]

That's the question of the century, isn't it?

[ haha. ]

[robopriest]

[CLOSES EYES]

What, are we just going to stand around and twiddle our thumbs and wait for the nova to come to us?

[retellers]

When the time comes, you'll know.

Until then, sure. You can stand around and twiddle your thumbs.

[robopriest]

How helpful of you.

[so dry]

And what should I call you, oh gracious masked supervisor?

[retellers]

For consistency's sake, you can go with Fox. Should be simple enough, no?

[robopriest]

Got it. Where can we reach you guys if we have further questions later?

[retellers]

[ they point to the planetarium. ]

That'll be set up by tomorrow. You'll find a means of reaching any one of us in there. Rabbit, Wolf, and I will grace everyone with our presences in town for the rest of the week, as well.