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]

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

[horologia]

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.

[retellers]

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

[horologia]

... Mmm.

[ well. ]

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

[retellers]

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

[horologia]

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?

[retellers]

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.

[horologia]

... 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?

[retellers]

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.

[horologia]

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?

[retellers]

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.

[horologia]

[ 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...

[retellers]

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

[horologia]

You're, um, not making it very easy to believe in all this... You know that, right?

[ ... ]

What happens if a world breaks? How... does that happen? What does that look like?

[ how does losing memories make a world break. ]