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]

[ realm? nova? wow she wishes this could sound far-fetched but honestly? given her everything? it doesn't sound that fake but at the same time— ]

This Realm has made some questionable choices in who it decided to bring.

[ she's not naming any names but she has scrolled through the profiles enough times. ]

So, does all of this mean there are memories just floating around here like something to be sensed out? Or do they have a physical form?

[retellers]

There's a physical form. Your PHS should be able to absorb nova when it comes near it. It'll also keep track of how many you've collected.

[ ... they take out their own PHS in case she is not sure what it is ]

[sacredchants]

[ hmmmm.

she'll take her's out as well and look at it in a new light. ]

Does it take a special form? Like, a shape of an animal or something obvious?

[retellers]

[ they. shrug? ]

"You'll know it when you see it". We haven't seen the physical form for ourselves yet either.

[sacredchants]

[ ah.

that sort of thing. lovely. ]

How do you know all of this, by the way? Were you made by the Realm?

[ who do you work for buddy? ]

[retellers]

No. The Realm can't make people. We're... connected to it. Information and powers in exchange for our own memories.

[ isn't that neat! ]

[sacredchants]

Are memories some sort of unspoken currency here?

[ connected to it, huh? and exchanged their memories for powers and info...?? ]

If any one of us did the same—would they get special privileges?

[retellers]

Nova has power. [ they shrug? ] If you can find a way to contact the Realm to ask for that kind of exchange, go ahead and try. But you'll lose yourself.

[sacredchants]

[ another hmmm. ]

By "lose yourself" you mean we'll lose our memories or something more ominous than that?

[retellers]

[ shrugs ]

We don't even know how much it is we've lost. Can't remember it.

[sacredchants]

Does it bother you?

[ then again, what you don't know is what you don't know... ]

[retellers]

Haven't had time to be bothered by it yet.

[sacredchants]

You've been busy with something?

[ aside from all of...whatever this is? ]

[retellers]

Yeah. Haven't been here that much longer than you guys.

[sacredchants]

And just like that, you gave away your memories?

[retellers]

[ ... shrugs? ]

Probably gave them away before we woke up, since we woke up without them.

[sacredchants]

[ ..... ]

You're not worried about any of this being false memory or information?

[retellers]

This is too stupid to be made up.

[ ... wolf, ]

[sacredchants]

[ ...

well.

since he said it first...... ]

I'd say it sounds more like a plot to a video game or an anime.

[retellers]

[ well, they apparently recognize part of that, so... ]

Either way, if it was made up, they'd have better propaganda.

[sacredchants]

[ they definitely should have something written on the walls about this cause they're supposed to be championing, that's for sure. ]

Do you have any kind of "parting" information or warnings for me?

[retellers]

Warnings...

[ there's a beat ]

Some of the people here should probably come with their own warning.

[ they are looking into the distance. ]

[sacredchants]

Well I could have figured that out after seeing the profiles.

[ because honestly? quietly presses doubt even if everyone seems mostly harmless. ]

Unless you're referring to something else?

[retellers]

We've been busy, but we still kept track of what you guys were up to while we could.

[ so.. just... general observation. ]

[sacredchants]

Sounds like you signed up for a thankless job.

[ i mean, technically not?? but at the same time... ]