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

[fishingforcompliments]

[MY MOD HANDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!! THE PREVIOUS CRAU MODS HAD PLAYER CHARACTERS!!]

...it would be nice if it took less time, yes.

[imagine if i was like haha surprise everyone this is a 16 week murdergame]

Have you had much of a chance to explore yet?

[wisterin]

[ the previous crau mods also killed themselves and i would ask for death after 8 weeks ]

I've seen the courtyard. There's some history there.

[fishingforcompliments]

Ah, yes... the statues?

[she frowns.]

I recognized some of the faces there, but... [...] It seems more of these things have happened than we were aware of at the camp.

[wisterin]

It is an incredibly alarming amount.

[ it makes shinobu so angry. ]

It should not be so many.

[fishingforcompliments]

No, it should not.

[flayn's eyes narrow a little.]

...we must find a way to get to the bottom of all of this.

[wisterin]

We must.

[ she agrees. ]

But for now, we are stuck on this one floor.

[fishingforcompliments]

I suppose it is like how we only had access to a few parts of the camp, at first?

[wisterin]

It makes you wonder what other similarities there'll be.

[fishingforcompliments]

[wearily:]

I am sure there will be many, and I am sure we will not enjoy them.

[wisterin]

Their selection of people to experience this again is quite - singular.

[ singularly terrible. ]

[fishingforcompliments]

...

[she nods]

You should not have to be here. None of us should.

[wisterin]

[ she nods, too. ]

If the dream was real and reached past the sleeping world, I couldn't look away.

[fishingforcompliments]

Nor could I.

[this is probably the case for everyone here, or else they wouldn't have agreed.

...she wonders if there was anyone who was made an offer and turned it down.]

Since we are here... We will simply have to do the best that we can.

[wisterin]

We'll have to see what can be done to save everyone.

[ hostages included ]

[fishingforcompliments]

We need more information about this place and what sort of... "entertainment" we are meant to be providing. I am sure that will help us figure out a way out of this.

[wisterin]

If the entertainment is anything like what the snake baby wanted, at least we won't be taken unawares.

[fishingforcompliments]

...that it is so plainly being called entertainment makes me furious. These are people's lives we are speaking of, not toys to be played with.

[wisterin]

I agree. But they are the sort who would take hostages and make us sign contracts for them, so it's not so unexpected.

[fishingforcompliments]

[she nods]

It does seem a bit more targeted than "at least one person must die each week or else all of you and those who are sleeping will" did.

[wisterin]

I would rather not either of our ultimatums be a repeat. I hope whatever ultimatum is given this time isn't hinged on what got us to come here.

[fishingforcompliments]

I hope that as well...

[she looks down at her hands.]

Whatever brought us here likely seeks to control us with what they took from us. But I think they have, perhaps, underestimated just how angry we would be about it.

[wisterin]

If they didn't think it'd incite this much anger, they're even bigger fools than I could imagine.

[fishingforcompliments]

Perhaps. ...though I must admit I would rather have a foolish enemy than an intelligent one.

[wisterin]

You can be both, but I agree. I'll hope for a combination that's to our benefit.

[ since they are kind of starting off losing atm ]

[fishingforcompliments]

I will, as well.

[they sure are.]

Perhaps we will be able to see if that is the case or not soon. We met the directors only a few days after we woke up on the bus, did we not?