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

[discernments]

That's good to hear.

[ Thanks for bringing up the R word, though. ]

What rules are there?

[retellers]

They'll be posted tomorrow, but the main one so far is to keep your team a secret, once you're told it.

[discernments]

[ She nods. ]

Do you know what the punishment will be, if it's broken? Or is it more that it's wiser to keep it secret.

[retellers]

As of right now, no.

But we do know that the Realm is very... set in stone, about certain things, so disrupting that while it's already not in stable condition might do more harm than good. So until we know more, it's best not to rock the boat too much.

[discernments]

Making an already unstable world even more unstable is certainly not what I consider a good idea.

Are you in direct contact with the Realm? Is it something you can communicate with?

[retellers]

[ they nod. ]

As much as we can, yes. It's not something we can really casually talk to, though.

[discernments]

I must confess, I'm a little envious.

[ She looks a little rueful. ]

I'm glad you're not completely left in the dark. Any answers, no matter how unhappy, are still answers.

[retellers]

[ they're quiet, but then they nod. ]

I hope that these answers will be able to help you all.

[discernments]

It gives a direction. Even if we don't know how long we have to do this, it's still something we must do, isn't it?

For us to return to where we must, for us to regain what belongs to us, we'll have to follow the path that's set out before us.

[retellers]

And we'll do our best to make sure we don't stray from the right path.

[discernments]

I'm happy to hear that. I'd hate to be at odds with you.

Are you allowed to be friends with us?

[retellers]

[ they blink.

... not like jeanne can tell. but it happened. ]

If you want to be... then yes!

[discernments]

[ suddenly, jeanne gains x-ray vision for one tag just to see that blink. ]

Oh! [ Her smile is warm. ] I'm glad.

I know it's not easy to be in role that's like a guide or overseer. ... Is that what the six of you would call yourselves?

[retellers]

You can call us Leaders. Like... team leader? It's a little silly.

[discernments]

It's no sillier than being called Ruler. A name is a name. There is as much power in it as there isn't.

[retellers]

[ they nod. ]

Thank you. Oh, and your official title here as a group is Participants. Hence... Participant Help System.

[discernments]

[ The term participants doesn't exactly give her peace of mind, but she won't jump to conclusions so soon. ]

Will you be contacting us more through it, and will we eventually be able to contact you through it?

[retellers]

Oh, we'll see. There are still features we don't know about.

[discernments]

[ She opens her mouth, then closes it. She doesn't have much room to talk.

Brightly(?): ]

It seems we'll be learning some things together!

[retellers]

[ they lower their head. ]

I'm sorry. We tried to learn as much as we could before your arrival.

[discernments]

No, it's all right. Please, I understand more than you think. I've... always been a little impatient in trying to find answers, I think, but you're doing your best, aren't you?

[retellers]

[ they nod. ]

We were kind of expecting to have more answers, too, but... the Realm isn't functioning at its fullest because of the nova loss.

[discernments]

... I understand that as well. We will have to take what comes as it comes. Things don't always come easy, but that's not always a bad thing.

We'll just have to put in more effort to make up for it.

[retellers]

[ they nod. ]

And we really will give you as much information as we can once it becomes available.