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

[dms]

Yeah! You know, Instablam! Aesthetics like this always rack up the likes like there's no tomorrow!

[sageguidance]

[ ... ??? ]

I... am afraid I do not follow.

[dms]

[ y'all really live under a rock huh ]

Social media, dude! You post a pic and people can comment and like it. It's supes fun for meeting people and talking to your friends!

[sageguidance]

Is this yet another... "modern" convenience?

[dms]

Got it in one! Though social media's more for fun and networking, you know? So you can still share things and chat with people even if you can't see them in person.

[sageguidance]

Ah—yes, I understand, I think.

You'll have to pardon my ignorance; the world whence I hail from is not so technologically advanced as others, as you may have noticed.

[dms]

No worries! It turns out, a lot of other worlds don't have this stuff? I kind of got used to explaining it in the prism.

I'd show you, but I haven't gotten my phone back yet.

[sageguidance]

You needn't worry; I have learned what "phones" are in my previous experiences, but I have not come upon what "social media" is quite yet. It goes to show I still have much to learn...

[dms]

Oh, sweet, that's half the work done for me! I'm guessing we won't have a wifi connection here, or I'd show you the 'Blam first thing when I get my phone back. But maybe once this hostage thing is over, I can give you a quick tutorial!

[sageguidance]

Then I shall keep you to your word—I confess I am curious. That such things can be shared so easily in that small of a device has always fascinated me.

[dms]

Isn't it so cool?! If I didn't know better, I'd say it could almost be like magic!

So the place you ended up in before - it was a more modern place? What was it like there? The prism was waaaaaay different than from some swanky hotel, so I'm curious!

[sageguidance]

Pfft—I can assure you, 'tis vastly different from the likes of magic.

[ But he gets the idea. ]

There were many around who come from a place like yours—or, at least, spoke of technologies I've yet to ever hear of afore, so that is where my knowledge comes from. I suppose when it is normal to you, it oft comes up in conversation. Which does make sense—there are, of course, things that are quite normal to me that would be strange to others.

[dms]

I don't really have a lot of magic to compare it to. Just the color magic from the prism.

Now I'm even more curious what your world is like! They must have real magic there, right? [ since he thought what kazu said was funny. ] We could do, like, a culture trade thing!

[sageguidance]

Aye, 'tis quite real. I am a mage myself, you see.

But that could be interesting. I am never opposed to learning more of other worlds, or at least what life is like for those around me.

[dms]

No way! That's so cool! What sort of magic do you do? I'm betting it's way more than the illusions I could do.

You might have a leg up on me since you already know about phones and stuff, but if you want, we could do something like twenty questions! Or you could just ask whatever you want. I'm an open book!