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

[infreefall]

Oh.

[ disappointing. ]

It's because the nova's being stolen, right? So if we fix that, then we'll get our quirks back? But how we do that if you don't know for sure who or what is taking it?

...What is nova, anyway? I know in astronomy it's a star, but it doesn't sound like that's what you mean here.

[retellers]

It's made up of memories. Everything has memories, every tree and person and planet. So when you take away that, everything just... falls apart.

[infreefall]

They're taking memories?

[ that's terrifying?? ]

But how are we supposed to stop something like that?

[retellers]

Right now, we'll try to regain as much nova as we can so that the Realm won't be in immediate danger. And hopefully, once we find out what's causing the problem, it'll be something we can um... beat up?

[ the last two words are whispered, like it's scandalous. ]

[infreefall]

That would make it a lot easier...

[ she'd love to beat up a villain. let her beat up a villain! ]

So how do we regain the nova, anyway? What do we have to do?

[retellers]

We... do not know everything yet. We were only given this task about a week ago, so that's one of the things that fall under the category of, we'll know it when we see it?

But we do know that there will definitely be an opportunity next week.

[infreefall]

So you're not in charge of this place? Who gave you that task, then?

[retellers]

The Realm? It called to us.

[infreefall]

It talks?!

[retellers]

Not in the sense that we're talking right now, but we understand it.

[infreefall]

O-Okay...

[ she doesn't get it but sure ]

Did it say anything else?

[retellers]

[ what else is important to mention... ]

You were all placed on teams and assigned a Leader. The Realm... well, it wanted to give an extra incentive, just in case. So whoever's team gathers the most nova gets a wish!

[infreefall]

We were? I haven't heard anything about that yet... How are we supposed to know what team we're on?

And... [ oh she hates this ] If the ones who get the most nova get a wish, what happens to the others?

[retellers]

You'll learn about that tomorrow.

But don't worry. The others just won't get a wish. But you'll all get to go home once we have enough nova to be able to restore everything.

[infreefall]

Tomorrow, huh... Okay.

So nothing bad will happen to the ones who lose? [ that's a relief. ] Then how do we know when one team wins? Is there a time limit or something? And who keeps track of it - you guys?

[retellers]

The "competition" will end as soon as we have all the nova back. The PHS can keep track of it, so we'll be able to tell which team is in the lead.

[infreefall]

Ahaha, that'll make it a lot easier on all of us, huh?

[ she's lightening up a bit, now that this is sounding more reassuring! ]

So what about you guys? Are you staying here with us, or what?

[retellers]

We live in the castle. But you'll see us around in the town more often after today.

[infreefall]

Ohhhh! Does that make you three royalty? I've never met royalty before!

[ she's rooming with elsa. ]

[retellers]

[ in a small voice ]

Maybe? I'm not sure.

[infreefall]

[ pfft. she snorts. ]

Shouldn't you know if you're royalty or not, Rabbit-san? Or should I say "Rabbit-sama?"

[retellers]

Um... I'll be honest, we don't really remember that much from before we came here.

[infreefall]

Rabbit-hime? Rabbit-ouji? Pfft- Rabbit-dono?

[ she's just chattering on while waiting for an answer, but when it comes it does make her pause. ]

You don't? ...Because of the nova thing, right? Is that why you're going by a code name instead of your real name?

[retellers]

No, it's...

[ they sigh. ]

There's a chance that whatever is taking the nova, it might also affect your own memories as well. One of our jobs is to slow down the process as much as possible so that it doesn't harm you. It... should be all fixed, after we get all the nova back, I think? But in order to have enough power to help you guys with that, we had to give the Realm our own memories.

[infreefall]

Oh.

[ that's so much? wow. ]

Then... that makes you guys heroes, doesn't it? [ she offers rabbit a smile, hesitant, but hopefully reassuring. ] Since I'm going to be a hero, too, I'll make sure it doesn't go to waste. I'll help out however I can!