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]

Basically.

Set you loose in the jungle at night, and you spend about eight hours or so praying you don't hear dogs howling after you. Next morning at breakfast, whoever is missing is probably dead.

[shaft]

[ just

stares ]

Holy shit.

[unrecked]

Yeah, we had a great time. Ever been hunted by your "friends"? Don't recommend it.

[i look at claude]

[shaft]

All right. Perhaps you win for the most traumatizing experience.

[ stop looking at him ]

[unrecked]

[no. claude, ever been hunted by your friends? huh?]

I'm so honored by this award. Thank you.

[Dry.]

[shaft]

[ ask ic ]

... At least it can only probably go up from there?

[unrecked]

[HE DID SPOON]

Can it? Maybe it'll just plateau right along the bottom.

[shaft]

[ HE DIDN'T FOLLOW UP ]

I can't say I don't understand your pessimism... [ pats his shoulder ] I'm sorry.

[unrecked]

[you fool answer the question the first time then i hate you

He grabs Claude by the wrist before he can be patted. He doesn't squeeze it or anything, just holds it so there can be no patting.]

Don't want your apologies.

[shaft]

[ Just looks at him, gauging the Dimitri vibes. ]

Okay, they'll just be awkwardly out there.

[unrecked]

[:)]

I'm sure someone who deserves them will pick them up.

[He lets go of Claude's wrist.]

[shaft]

Is that what you think? That you don't deserve them?

[ pulls out a therapist couch for jason ]

[unrecked]

[Well, he IS white even though no one in chat thought of him at all when calling out white people.]

I just don't want them is all.

[shaft]

And you don't want to me dissect why that is?

[unrecked]

Uh, no thanks. I'll just keep compartmentalizing. It's worked so far.

[shaft]

[ that gets a laugh out of him, unexpected. ]

I can't argue that. I'll let you stay the course then.

[unrecked]

[DON'T LAUGH.]

Thanks, you're a pal. I promise I can carry my own baggage.

[shaft]

[ HOW CAN HE NOT ]

Thanks, given that we just met ten minutes ago, I appreciate it for now.

[unrecked]

[He'll kill you?]

I can't speak for everyone, so get ready to hold someone else's baggage instead. It'll probably be heavy. I'd say you wouldn't have to worry about it because it'll only be a week, but great news! Based on what everyone else is telling me, we'll be in this hellscape for about eight weeks.

So you'll have plenty of time to meet us.

[shaft]

In my experience, most people are rather cagey with their emotions... Has you experience been different?

[ o: ]

Maybe you look more comforting than I do.