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

[reconnective]

[yeah, he heard. thank you raven.]

There's a hotel down the street that's set up for everybody. We have our own rooms, but you're probably staying with a stranger. Maybe two strangers. And there's a building that's locked on the main road, but the big item shop is open and you can take whatever you want from it. So far everyone I've talked to doesn't know how we got here or why we're here though, so I'm out of ideas there.

[laid]

[Hmmmm.]

Sure seems like we've got a lot of cushy accommodations fer a bunch of kidnapping victims.

[reconnective]

Yeah. It's like we're supposed to be here but we just don't know why yet. That's what makes the most sense right now.

[laid]

[Well that's certainly a conclusion to arrive at.]

You spend a lotta time getting transported to weird places with no warning, kid?

[reconnective]

Um...it's not always without warning, but I guess so. Usually we have some idea where we're going but we have ended up on other worlds on accident.

[laid]

[You know he was being like 75% sarcastic but wow.]

That's a lotta traveling. I've only ever been around my own world.

[reconnective]

But your world's probably pretty big, right? You've probably seen all kinds of stuff with your guild.

[laid]

[Well, in one way or another, he supposes Sora is right.]

I suppose so? It ain't like I've got anything to compare it to. Sure seems a lot bigger when ya have the means to travel outside the barriers. A whole lotta Terca Lumireis is uninhabited.

[reconnective]

[definitely never heard of that.]

So what's it really like? [a wide empty planet?]

[laid]

Outside the towns ya mean? Wild and full of monsters. [That's probably what the barriers are for.] But there's a lot of beauty too, I think. If ya know where ta look.

[In any case;]
How about you? When yer not visiting other worlds.

[reconnective]

My world...[how to describe it.] My island's pretty small compared to a lot of other worlds out there. The main island's bigger, but everyone knows everyone else and it's easy to get from one place to another. We have a smaller island that we spend a lot of time on to play but you can only get to it by boat.

Overall though? It's peaceful. The skies are always clear and the sun doesn't stop shining. I like seeing what else is out there, but it's a nice place to go back to.

[laid]

[Hmmm.]

Yeah, I can understand that. Living somewhere like that'd be real nice for a while but you'd get bored eventually, right?
[Especially with Sora being a teenager, he thinks.]

[reconnective]

Eventually. [he can admit that easily enough.] We had plans to leave one day to see other worlds, but they kind of happened in a totally different way than what we were planning. But I guess everything worked out the way it was supposed to.

[laid]

So it's normal ta just go off to a completely different world where yer from?

[Wild!!!]

[reconnective]

I wouldn't say thaaat...but for some of us it is! When other worlds are in trouble, that's where we go in order to help them. ...but leaving the island was always just an idea, I guess. We only left because something else happened.

[laid]

[HOLD UP.]

What is it with kids these days gallivanting off to the edges of existence tryin' to save the world? Back in my day we just messed around and tried ta pick up girls.

[reconnective]

[he settles on a light laugh.] Hey, what can I say? There was a change of plans.

[it was just far more drastic than any of them thought.]