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

[agleam]

[he blinks a few times, but once he's steady and realizes who it is:]

Aikawa! [...] I'm right, right? Or is there another name I need to keep track of...

[stop]

[decaptych]

[ Waving his hands rapidly as if telling Rupert to shut up. ]

Noooooononono. It's Aikawa, man! Yeah it's just me!

Hell, what are you doing here? It's not like one of those, uh, amusement park places is it?

[agleam]

Okay, okay! Aikawa.

[for now, he thinks but does not say. anyways!!]

Uh - no? Why would I be at an amusement park? Actually, before that, what even is an amusement park?

[decaptych]

Oh damn. Guess you weren't there, huh.

[ Tbh he's not known amusement parks other than Glocksuke either. ]

It's like, a park, you know, with rides and shit. It was kinda fun.

[agleam]

Yeah, I definitely feel like I would have remembered if I'd been someplace like that. It sounds nice, at least, though...?

[decaptych]

Yeah, it was pretty cool I guess.

Anyway, seriously, what are you doing here?

[agleam]

[pauses for a second]

Did you have a really weird dream before you showed up here, by any chance? Because if so, we're probably here for the same reason.

[decaptych]

[ Wilts... like a spoiled plant... a spoiled weed... ]

Yeah... so I guess you're telling me that wasn't just another nightmare.

[agleam]

...Yeah. I'm pretty sure it wasn't, judging by everyone here.

[decaptych]

Noooo.

[ NOOOOOO. He's depressed about this even though he kinda was already drawing the conclusion the moment he woke up somewhere weird. ]

I don't wanna do this bullshit...

[agleam]

Hey... It ended up alright last time, right? Eventually.

[they just had to go through two months of intense trauma to get there but he's not going to say that!!]

[decaptych]

I... well, I mean... I guess?

[ It did not go well for Aikawa whatsoever. He just kind of wrings his hands. ]

...Do you think the same shit's gonna happen?

[agleam]

[he shifts a little, uncomfortable.]

...I don't know. I think it's still too soon to say. But everyone who I've talked to so far said that people died in their last group. I don't really like that it's a common theme so far.

[decaptych]

Wait, seriously? This shit's happening all across?

[ NOPE DON'T LIKE THAT ]

[agleam]

From what I've heard so far, yeah. Trust me, I'd love it if I talked to someone who told me they all just hung out and bonded for a few months and nothing particularly noteworthy happened.

[decaptych]

I guess now's a good time to start?

[agleam]

...Yeah. We can try, at the very least. I would really like that to work out.

[even if he has negative trust in it.]

[decaptych]

Yeah!

Maybe it'll be nice stuff!

[ The self-gaslighting begins here, let's just forget about the fact that the premise had someone be taken hostage and also that their own life is forfeit if they lose. ]

[agleam]

[you know what, he'll let him have this for now.]

I don't know what this place is, but it doesn't seem horrible, at least...? Like, the design. So.

[decaptych]

I guess it's clean... kinda wish we could go outside more, though.

[ Looking at the way Rupert tried to get out in question. ]

[agleam]

Did you see the courtyard yet?

[decaptych]

I kinda glanced at it. Sorta. I think it's a 'courtyard'? I'm gonna be honest with you, I don't really know what a courtyard is.

[agleam]

Oh. Well, this one has statues and plants, so that's cool.

[the lowest bar.]

[decaptych]

As opposed to courtyards full of rats?

[ Helpfully lowering this bar. ]

[agleam]

Don't give them any ideas!