WEEK ZERO: MINGLE

[guestservices]

W̴͍̎E̴̝̊E̸͚͝K̸͕̿ ZERO: MINGLE

(35 ḡ̴̻u̷͌͜ê̴̯s̶̢͑t̵̻͝s̴̡̐ ̴c̴h̴e̶c̴k̷e̶d̸ ̶i̴n̴)

Needless to say, marble isn't exactly the most comfortable surface to sleep on. Do you even remember falling asleep? Maybe not, but the moment your eyes flutter open and the lingering stardust fades, you come into consciousness with the distinct feeling that your dreams were very important.

You vaguely remember a shadowed hand, the pen and the scroll in its grip as the terms and conditions glow softly before you. You can't quite remember the details, the words blurring and fading fasting the longer you try, but you come to a conclusion rather quickly:

-Someone you care about is in trouble and their life is now your responsibility.
-You have signed a contract to provide entertainment to the Host in exchange for their safe return.

Your other memories begin to settle now that you're more awake. You remember that this isn't the first time you've been swept away for a game by someone else's design. You remember what those games entailed, too, but as the pieces click together you get the sense that murdering everyone around you isn't a solution. It won't get your hostage back sooner. It will only end tragically for everyone involved.

So instead, perhaps it's time to take in your surroundings. Where the hell even are you now? The marble floor of the lobby is still cool to the touch, and the front desk is before you with several keys on hooks against the wall. Each of them includes a keychain with two small, clear star-shaped crystals embedded at the bottom. Too bad you can't seem to remove the keys just yet! Guest accommodations aren't quite ready.

Ah, right. About that. You aren't alone! After all, what's the fun in playing a game by yourself? Should one try to actually count the keys hanging on the wall, you'll find there are 35 in total. You can also learn more about them should you look at the leather-bound book bolted to the front desk. Though some of them may look a bit different, seeing how everyone gathered in the lobby is dressed to the nines. What happened to your other clothing? Worry not. You do want to be presentable at the front desk, don't you?

Speaking of the front desk, while you aren't able to retrieve your keys or even leave the ground floor right now, you will find small gift boxes scattered around the desk as a complementary gift for each guest. Inside these boxes, you will find:

-A flask. Those of legal drinking age will find it filled with a sweet wine, and those underage will find juice of some kind.
-A shaving kit
- A single aspirin
-A keychain
-A condolence card
-A sheet of temporary tattoos
-A small bag of jerky
-A compact mirror with a cute pattern on the outer casing

No other items are on your person even if you were holding onto them prior to your arrival. Perhaps the bellhop has already taken your luggage for you?

But despite the front desk hosting a small cluster of bells, ringing them doesn't seem to draw the attention of anyone. The bells cannot be removed from the desk, but the hotel staff appears to be occupied with other tasks.

It looks as though you're on your own for now until maintenance is finished. But it's just like the first time, isn't it? Get to know the other guests, start asking questions, and settle in for your stay.

You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave...

N̸A̵V̴I̶G̶A̶T̴I̴O̸N̷.̷

█ LOCATIONS █ STATUSES █ PROFILES █ AUDIENCES
█ REPORTING █ PRIVATE CONVOS █ MURDER

Comments

[unrecked]

[A snort.]

You got me. Is it that obvious?

[wisterin]

Everyone I've talked to so far has had a few terrible weeks. I'd be more surprised if it were your first time. How long was your experience?

[unrecked]

[He

makes this weird face and sort of glances off to the side, expression flattening.]

About a week.

[wisterin]

[ oh, that gets visible and real surprise from shinobu. ]

Only a week? I would say that is a little fortunate, if they did not pack as much suffering they could in that amount of time.

But I would say no experience of this kind is fortunate in the end.

[unrecked]

Pretty sure we were a condensed version of the, what? Usual eight weeks? So maybe not fortunate enough.

[haha...]

I guess that's why they had to use something more serious to get us back.

[wisterin]

I'm sorry. I hoped you would have been able to experience less. That's too much in such a short time.

[ she frowns. ]

I won't forgive them for this.

[unrecked]

[Oh. The Bat energy from this. Can't believe there are other people out there with the same vitriol......]

I've been through worse actually. [Softer haha.] Luckily for you, it doesn't seem like you're the only one. Don't know if they'll find that too entertaining, though.

[wisterin]

[ shinobu's backstory is a bat backstory, now that i think about it. help.

her expression softens. your life should not be worse than a murdergame, jason. ]

I wonder if that was on purpose. Because we are... experienced, they think it'll go in a way they want.

[unrecked]

[Shinobu, your bat backstory...... Anger and revenge......

Also, don't perceive him.]

They probably plan to use them to keep us in line. Nothing makes people do what you want quicker than threatening the people they care about.

[wisterin]

[ demon slayers are rich vigilantes.

don't say anything to be perceived if you won't want to be perceived. she nods. ]

None of us would consider being here, were it not for that, I'm sure.

[unrecked]

[you and i are both so stubborn, ara]

I mean, I agree. But here we are.

[wisterin]

[ i don't mind answering how many body parts there are

she smiles all the same. ]

If we care enough to be here, that says enough, don't you think?

[unrecked]

[STOP

Jason is Bat enough to unfortunately feel the very not-kind energy coming from this smile. Hm.]

I think says more about how willing we are to be absolutely bloodthirsty if the need arises.

[wisterin]

[ it's fine.... it's fine. we're all fine here. ]

I'm hoping it'll be kept to a minimum.

[ but she isn't denying the reality. ]