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

[laid]

[Raven stretches his arms behind his head.]

Hikaru, darlin', you'd be amazed how often something being the right thing to do doesn't stop people from not doin' it.

[heartablaze]

I know. People's hearts are complicated.

But even people who do the wrong thing have reasons in their hearts for it. Even if it's wrong to someone else... it's not wrong to them, or they never would have done it, you know?

I don't think that makes wrong choices any better when it hurts other people, but... I don't think it makes a person good or bad, to think that way. So I don't think that makes me any better than anybody else.

[laid]

[People who do the wrong thing do it because it's not wrong to them, huh... Raven's quiet for a long moment. That's wrong, isn't it? Sometimes people do the wrong thing, knowing it's wrong, just because they don't have it in them to care. Sometimes people are just lazy, cruel, and selfish and there isn't any explanation besides that.]

Mm. That's a nice way of looking at things.

[heartablaze]

You think?

[She reaches out to pluck at some of the grass near her feet.]

I don't ever want to assume someone is bad anymore. Even if I don't think what they're doing is right... I'd rather learn what they think their "right" is, and make that choice for myself.

Maybe I might think they're still someone that I have to stand against, in the end. But... I want to be sure.

[laid]

I do. Even though old Raven's seen too much of the world ta be able to believe something like that. Kids like you aughta be able to.

[Believing there's good intention in everyone... it's a nice thought.]

[heartablaze]

[There's a long pause, Hikaru settling her face against her arms with an odd cloud over her eyes.]

I don't think it has to do with my age, Raven-san.

Sometimes... you just really don't want to repeat something you regret.

[laid]

[Hmmm.... That's the right way to think, probably. It'd be nice to think that. Maybe not age, but experience. Or maybe she's been through plenty in her young life, like Rita and Karol. And she's just made of stronger stuff. No need to weigh her down with his worries, though. So he just sighs softly, gaze focusing on the clouds ahead for a long moment, before he glances at Hikaru.]

Here I was, saying you aughta sit a while and forget yer worries and here we've ended up havin way too serious a conversation.

[heartablaze]

[...It's so odd, the feeling of looking into an adult's eyes and feeling there might be nothing behind them but sadness despite a friendly tone. It quiets her a little bit.]

Is that so bad?

Sometimes... maybe talking about the serious means that there's more room for better stuff to take its place.

[laid]

[Can't have that! Time to go into full petulant old man mode.]

Well there better be! I got enough troublesome things ta worry about back home! This better be the most relaxing kidnapping of all time. Give old Raven a nice vacation.

[heartablaze]

Yeah!!! I'd love if there was a beach! [Rivers aren't the same! :(]

What kind of place would you go for vacation if you could go anywhere, Raven-san?

[laid]

[Ah, well that's easy.]

Oh, the beach fer sure! The hot sun... and even hotter babes in swimsuits! There ain't nothing better than that!

[heartablaze]

Wow... You must really like swimsuits, huh, Raven-san?

[What's a "babe".]

Mmmn, that sounds so nice, though... I haven't been swimming down on the beach since last summer. I like having goggles on so I can see everything that's on the bottom of the ocean!

[laid]

What guy doesn't like swimsuits?
[Without the context of what babe means this is definitely less incriminating and more confusing.]

That does sound nice though, as long as you don't run into any pirate ghosts.
[What the fuck does that mean.]