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

[agleam]

[he cannot see it and doesn't know how the tattoos work so he has no idea what happened, this is fine.]

Do you want to, like... Explain why exactly you did that, or...

[aono]

It's just my way of saying hello.

[He's going to let this nonsense continue for now.]

We could shake hands too I guess?

[agleam]

[another pause.]

Um. If your hand is still wet, I think I'm good...

[aono]

[He wipes his hand off on his pants?]

[agleam]

...Okay, one quick question. Was that just water, or...

1/2

[aono]

Yeah, just water. That's the prank.

[aono]

-I-I mean, handshake! That's the handshake!

[agleam]

...What did you do?

[aono]

Nothing! Besides being late for my dentist appointment, gotta go!

[He will try to book it out of there.]

[agleam]

—At least come up with a better lie?!

[he's running after him hello]

[aono]

It's not a lie!

[He says as he takes off down the hall, trying to run away from his lies.]

[agleam]

Literally where are you going to find a dentist here!

[yakety sax ensues]

[aono]

Shut up! My dentist is here!

[Whoever they run into first is suddenly going to be Rin's dentist.]

[agleam]

What's your dentist's name?

[this is the stupidest chase scene ever]

[aono]

...Dr. Toothman!

[RIN NO]

[agleam]

Your dentist is named Dr. Toothman. Really?

[aono]

He knew he was born for the job, alright?!

[agleam]

You could have picked literally any other name and it would've sounded less suspicious!

[aono]

YOU'RE the suspicious- fuck!

[He had just tried to vault his way over the back of a couch, but he doesn't get nearly as much air as he had been expecting and ends up face-first on the ground in front of said couch. Whoops.]

[agleam]

[hurrying over to the other side of the couch, immediately shifting into concern]

—Oh my gosh. Are you okay?

[aono]

[His tail is fwipping from side to side all irritated-like, much in the way a cat's tail would, but otherwise he seems okay?]

Yeah, yeah, just bruised my face I think.

[He'll sit up and rub at it, there's definitely a red mark on his forehead now.]

I can't believe they took my strength away again!

[agleam]

[holding out a hand to help him up if he wants]

Looks like it stings... Sorry, I didn't think it would get that intense.

[aono]

It's fine, I was the one running. Besides, we match now.

[Rin out here giving away his crimes.]

[agleam]

We - oh, I got distracted by your clearly fake dentist and forgot. What did you do?

[he touches his forehead, but he still can't tell what it is.]

[aono]

[Fuck.]

Well, if you go find a mirror you'll see.