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

ii.

[outsidebones]

Immature?

[she is having a cup of lukewarm lemon water somewhere nearby.]

Why do you say so?

[also im glad a girl is hydrating.]

[wisterin]

[ shinobu is, unfortunately, too health conscious to not hydrate. ]

I should be able to be calmer. Or I should keep my calm in an unknown place like this.

[outsidebones]

[oh. well. there's a little bit of sympathy there. but, brusquely - ]

Any sense of calm anyone possesses at this moment is bound to be largely playacting, don't you think so?

[wisterin]

I suppose so, but I don't want any panic or anger to cloud better judgment.

[outsidebones]

You and I can agree there. But at least you recognize the need for cooler heads to prevail while noting the danger. That leaves you better off than some.

[wisterin]

[ shinobu smiles. ]

You're very forthright, aren't you? Of course, I don't disagree with your judgment.

I've noticed that many people have been in similar situations before. Perhaps that will be to all our benefit.

[outsidebones]

I hardly see any reason why I should refrain from speaking my mind.

[though she still feels like she's being shaded, she's going to stubbornly pretend otherwise.]

Perhaps so, if we manage to pool what we know.

[wisterin]

I understand. I won't say I'm dissimilar.

[ shinobu didn't mean it as jab, only an observation. ]

Do you think people will trust enough to do that?

[outsidebones]

There are different degrees of trust. If we've all been through the same experience, we know how little trust will matter if we are pushed too far, yet presumably we also know the value in sharing information.

[wisterin]

United, we stand. Divided, we fall. Friendship is magic?

[outsidebones]

...Well. I would certainly not go that far.

[wisterin]

[ she laughs. ]

Please do not tell me you are someone who says, I am not here to make friends.

[outsidebones]

[...]

Well, I'm not. I hope no one is here to make friends.

[wisterin]

[ help



this time, she tries not to laugh. ]

There is a certain kind of bond you make when you experience certain things together, isn't there? Making friends is not the goal, but I do wish for the safety, happiness, and health of everyone.

[outsidebones]

Certainly, making friends tends to happen along the way. [she'll nod in agreement at that.] But it would be mad if that were the goal. Why are you laughing, exactly?

[wisterin]

I did not expect you to say what you did. It reminded me of someone. That's all.

[ there's a little fondness. ]

You aren't similar other than that.

[outsidebones]

[she looks a little embarrassed at that, actually. glancing away.]

Well. It's only common sense.

[wisterin]

[ shinobu's smile is kinder than her usual one. ]

You have more of that and more intelligence, too.

[outsidebones]

[sadly, harrow can't accept compliments.]

Goodness. You hardly know me. You must not hold your friend's cleverness in high regard.

[wisterin]

It will not hurt to say thank you.

[ but it is true that she does not hold this friend's cleverness in any regard. ]

[outsidebones]

[a long pause, and then she sort of coughs into her hand.]

Yes. Thank you. You are very generous.

[just critically awkward.]

[wisterin]

[ shinobu is pleasantly surprised. she thought harrow would refuse. ]

That's sweet of you.