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

[ashenvaliant]

awake, but at what cost

[ well, hopefully no one's waking up with a hangover. because there's a distinct "ring ring ring" sound from the counter when they do. look over at the desk and yuri can be found, looking rather dapper, leaning on the edge of the counter and pinging the bell with a look on his face that seems about three seconds from being thunderous.

it's probably fine. ]

This is bullshit.

[ this is, in fact, bullshit. ]

unwelcome gifts

[ later, he can be found over a the restaurant. it looks like he's found himself the means to getting a cup of coffee, and he's sat at one of the tables with the coffee and the contents of his welcome giftbox splayed across the surface.

he's eyeing them thoughtfully. the card appears to have been tossed over his shoulder, the jerky, tattoos and keychain don't seem to be getting too much attention. the flask is open? did he drink some? is his coffee laced with alcohol? it's a mystery. the mirror is open too, and he seems to be dismantling the shaving kit and pocketing the blade.

it's still fine. ]

pc me

[ pc me ]

[outsidebones]

[oh, hello.]

...I see that I'm not the only one to be roped into this.

[ashenvaliant]

[ hello there. looking very elegant, harrow. ]

Ah. [ he waves. the shaving blade is just, wow, gone. a mystery. ]

I'd say that's a bit of a comfort, but I'd be lying. It just sucks. And it's not really the way I was expecting any sort of reunion.

[outsidebones]

It's a bit of a relief, I must admit. Only a small one, but it is better to know a little about the others who are here.

[ashenvaliant]

If we had to go through the full "feeling out an entire group of 30 odd people" gauntlet in its entirety again, Harrowhark, I think I would lose my goddamn mind.

[ lovely. ]

Still... I've only seen a handful of us in the book on the counter.

unwelcome (that's me)

[unrecked]

[He isn't right up on Yuri necessarily, but he does lean down so his face appears in the open mirror. BOO. It's terrible how amused he seems by this shenanigans.]

You've got a terrible lack of facial hair to use that on, pretty boy.

[ashenvaliant]

[ imagine if he just punched him in the face, great start 10/10 excellent cr. ]

There's more than one way to use a shaving blade.

[ smile ]

[unrecked]

[no please punch him]

Do tell. Surely not slitting anyone's throat. Who would do that?

[Not him..............

Like an annoying gnat, he sits on the opposite side of the table........a puts his feet in the seat of an adjacent chair. At least it isn't on the table.]

[ashenvaliant]

[ well now i refuse to. ]

Perish the thought.

[ who would ever think of such a thing. ] That's hardly pleasant coffee conversation, y'know.

[ he looks surprisingly unphased by jason being an annoying gnat man. what a poker face. ]

unwelcome gifts

[aono]

[He'll take those temporary tattoos, thanks.]

[ashenvaliant]

[ a hand just reaches out and


grabs

his

wrist. ]

And what are you offering in return for those, hm?

[aono]

[He is caught!]

...food?

[ashenvaliant]

We are literally sat in a restaurant. Try again.

i

[shaft]

[ Claude leans on the counter near by, also looking tired. ]

No magic exit then, I take it?

[ashenvaliant]

...








Well. Didn't expect to see you here.

[ he dings the bell again. loudly. ] But, no. If there is one, I haven't found it yet.

[shaft]

[ ... ]

I take it you've experienced this sort of thing before?

awake

[agleam]

[frowning as he watches this, though that frown isn't directed at yuri.]

Yeah. I'm gonna guess we'll have to wait a while before anyone answers that, if anyone ever does.

Re: awake

[ashenvaliant]

[ ding ding ding ding ding it might be soon though ]

I’m a patient man. And one that’s feeling slightly vindictive.

[agleam]

[as he keeps watching this happen]

Is that cathartic, at least?

awake

[wisterin]

[ cheerfully: ]

You can repeat that as many times as you'd like.

[ it's way more than bullshit. ]

[ashenvaliant]

[ very sincerely, just for her: ]

This is bullshit.

Glad that seems to be the popular opinion, and not a controversial one that gets you kicked out of inns.

[wisterin]

Perhaps with the hotel staff, but I doubt any of us who are supposed to be guests will.

unwelcome giftos

[philandery]

[ watches him pocket the blade... that's not sus at all yuri... ]

Is the coffee that bad here?

[ a joke. but he doesn't seem to be drinking it... ]

[ashenvaliant]

[ he's never sus. ]

The coffee is platable. The situation sours it a bit though.

[philandery]

[ he slides himself into an adjacent seat and leans against the back of it. ]

All bitter, none of the sweet. ...At least the place isn't too shabby.