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

[shaft]

I just mean... aside from the haircut, you're almost unrecognizable.

[highestheim]

...Time can do that to a person, yes.

On the off chance that you were being serious, I'm Hope. From Wiwaldi Academy.

[shaft]

I guess I better believe it. To think, the last time I saw you, you were yea high...

[ He sounds like an auntie.

Anyway he gestures at Hope's waist, obviously remembering him as 4 feet tall. ]

[highestheim]

[ he waves his own hand, rolling his eyes a little as he lets out a short laugh. ]

I hit a growth spurt in my late teens. My father said he was a late bloomer, too, so I guess it just runs in the family.

[shaft]

Seems like you've grown in more than just that. [ You're not nervous anymore!! ] I hope you got a chance to relax in the time you've been away?

[highestheim]

[ ... another laugh, but this is more of a "haha... about that..." laugh than a "lmaoooo" kind. ]

Not exactly. After going home, I finished my education and joined my father's research institution. After he died, I took over his position and became the Director and head of research at the Academy.

[shaft]

[ wow, okay. ]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your father. [ uh, he just moves on i guess. ] It seems as though you've become quite distinguished.

[highestheim]

[ he shakes his head to acknowledge claude's condolences... luckily the followup comment gets a little chuckle out of him. ]

The result of years of leadership and professional development have its merits, I suppose. [ a beat, suddenly looking a little awkward... ] Um, what about you? Surely it hasn't been as long for you since we "graduated" as it has been for me.

[shaft]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Little over a week, I'd say. Though I don't envy you, at least I got a moment's rest in that time.

[highestheim]

I'm glad to hear it. At least all has been well... our current situation notwithstanding, of course.

... Have you run into anyone else from Wiwaldi? From the book here, it looks like Alphinaud, Bradley, Dimitri, Futaba, Mollymauk, Rupert, and Sieghart are also among the "guests," but I have yet to see any of them myself.

[shaft]

[ He nods. ]

I've met Bradley and Rupert so far. Dimitri... is not the same as the one you met. He's your opposite, I guess. Five years younger.

[highestheim]

[ before he can stop himself: ]

So that explains why he has two eyes in his pictures.

[ and then covers his mouth like he can't believe he just said that out loud ]

[shaft]

[ he

just laughs ]

[highestheim]

yeet