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

[shaft]

[ she's valid. ]

Yeah, certainly not as classy as the rest of this place. [ He rubs his chin. ] I wonder if they're just a taunt or some bizarre clue that'll become apparent later on.

[wisterin]

A kitchen in a hotel like this usually isn't meant for guests, but our stay here isn't normal.

[ she smiles to keep her faded memory of the dream away. ]

It could be both. It has been both in my experience.

[shaft]

[ gives her a sympathetic look ]

That doesn't seem like a particularly pleasant experience. Not that I have anything different to offer.

[wisterin]

[ everybody has suffered with or without a murdergame under their belt. ]

If we're both like-minded in what to expect, that doesn't bode well, but there is a little comfort in company.

[shaft]

Well, there are worse groups to end up with than seasoned veterans. We've all managed to find our way out of situations like this before.

[ allies...!

...? ]

[wisterin]

Was yours a successful escape? I'm glad to hear that.

[ are they allies? ]

Let's make it another.

[shaft]

Not as successful as I'd like, if I was plucked right back into another game.

[ hmm ]

Was yours as opulent as this?

[wisterin]

[ she smiles. ]

Our sentiments are similar.

[ girl, she wants to rest. ]

No, it was at a... summer camp? [ she is still a little too ye olde for this. ] It was a bit more rugged.

[shaft]

A camp? You had to spend the entire duration outside?

[ sounds like it sucks ]

[wisterin]

There were cabins.

[ it did suck, but it wasn't because of the cabins. ]

[shaft]

That's... cozy. [ hm ] Did you have hosts as well? Who you had to save?

[wisterin]

[ cozy is one word for it. no one banged?

she tilts her head. ]

I think you could say we all needed to be saved. Were your hosts the ones most in danger?

[shaft]

I'm not sure about that... We were all at risk of dying, but they continually had their memories and identities tampered with. They were more ingrained in the world than we were, and freeing them gave us keys that we could use for our escape.

Maybe there would've been a way to get out without tearing them from the fabric of the world, but I can't say.

[wisterin]

You're the second I've heard that memories have been tampered with. I hope that doesn't become more common.

[ looks away from chroma ]

If they weren't originally part of that world, I don't think returning them to who they are is a mistake.

[shaft]

Yeah, I think saving them was worthwhile.

[ and not just because he's gay ]

How did you manage to escape your trial?

[wisterin]

An unlimited Olive Garden pasta pass.

[shaft]

[ he suddenly looks so tired ]

Pasta... I see.

[wisterin]

[ haha she knows ]

The internet, too.

[shaft]

The internet, I'd believe. [ the rest of it has him lost ] Was your incursion several weeks too?

[wisterin]

The first was around two weeks. The second was around seven.

[shaft]

[ grimaces! ]

Twice already then... And to think, I thought we were free after the first one.

[wisterin]

I thought I'd be free after each time, too. I don't wish it on anyone. I hope this to be your last.

[ sincerely, with all her heart. ]

[shaft]

[ He looks a little surprised. ]

I hope the same for you. And I'm sorry if we'll be relying on your... wealth of experience during our time here.

[wisterin]

I will offer as much help as I can, but I must admit, my experience may not be as wealthy as a few others.

[ this is her euphemism for not making it to endgame. ]

[shaft]

Give yourself some credit. You've already given me the impression of someone plenty reliable.