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

[evocationary]

Okay, first, the end of all what? What, exactly, are we doing here?

Second, what kind of reward are we talking about.

[retellers]

You're here to help save the universe. [ they could sound more enthused about it? ] In the form of a friendly competition.

[ ah, that might be why they are not that enthused. ]

The six of us are leading a team. Whichever team wins gets a wish granted. No limits on what you can wish for.

[ wait, six? ]

[evocationary]

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, not exactly thrilled to do it again? Also, like, I can already do Wish, so.

I'm unsubscribing from your newsletter, my dude. Be a dear and send me and Taako home now. [ she notes the six part but just skims right over it... ]

[retellers]

Sorry. [ they do not sound sorry at all ] You're here already. Can't back out now.

[evocationary]

[ ughhHHHH ]

This is why I wanted a lawyer. [ a beat. ] You said competition. What kind of competition? Hopscotch, three-legged races, what.

[retellers]

You've all been assigned a team leader. Whoever gathers the most nova by the end wins.

[ ... vague ]

[evocationary]

[ VERY ]

Annnnd how do we collect nova? Seems like an important detail.

[retellers]

The methods will vary... We don't know all the details yet. But your PHS has a function to collect it when it's nearby. [ they take out the phone in case. lup does not know what the phs is. ] It'll keep track of your individual scores for us. Nova's attracted to people, so it shouldn't be too hard to get it.

[evocationary]

[ she pulls out her own phs, glancing down at it. ]

Creepy. [ she says, absently. also, just for the sake of the thread we're going to assume she can hear bits of conversation around her: ] What's this I'm hearing about memories?

[retellers]

Whatever's affecting the nova is affecting memories everywhere. We're in the epicenter, so there's bound to be side effects. We've managed to slow it down for now, but the longer you're here, the more memories you'll lose.

[ isn't that great. ]

[evocationary]

[ haha yeah it sure is great, and by great i mean lup just stares at them for like, a good couple of seconds. ]

... Oh, no. No, no, nope. I did not sign up for reruns! You've got to be kidding me!

[retellers]

[ uh. alright. they'll bite. ]

Reruns?

[ they genuinely do not seem to know what that's about. ]

[evocationary]

Yes! Reruns! As in the old memory loss gauntlet! America's Funniest Cruel Jokes!

[ no she will not be explaining fully ] I did this one already. Just show me the voidfish and let's get this over with.

[retellers]

No one knows what you're talking about. [ but they will give her this: ] If we knew what was causing the problem, we would've dealt with it already. We're working on it.

[evocationary]

[ usually she doesn't care if people know what she's talking about or not, but right now, she has to actually pinch the bridge of her nose. ]

Look. I don't -- [ she starts, and then takes a deep breath. ] How quick. How quick is the memory loss thing going to happen. You said you slowed it down, what's slowed down.

[retellers]

[ there's a brief grimace, because that's not an easy question. they sound a little apologetic when they answer; ]

Can't guarantee anything I say on that is a hundred percent accurate. We won't know for sure until it actually happens. But... it should be slow and gradual now. You'd have already lost all your memories by next week if we weren't interfering. But you haven't lost any yet.

[evocationary]

Fine. Great. Great! This is all fantastic!

[ she exhales heavily, shaking her hands out. ] Haven't lost any yet. Hah. I can't decide which is worse.

Is there anything else I need to know?

[retellers]

[ hmmm. ]

You'll get your assigned Leader on Monday. If you have any questions or requests, they can help. You'll be able to contact them at any time using the Planetarium. We know you guys didn't ask for this, but the sooner it gets done, the sooner everyone can go home. Memories and all.

[evocationary]

[ she shoves her hands into her pockets. ]

You know this would be easier to speedrun if I had access to my magic, right?

Whatever. Got it, tsun tsun. I guess there's fuck-all I can do right now otherwise, so if you'll excuse me.

[retellers]

I'm not the one who took your powers away.

[ TIRED!!! but they'll let her go. ]