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]

Ohh, Maririn! You're here, too!

[ bad, actually! but we're focusing on the cool stuff! ]

Isn't it better to make good memories while we can, though? And - look at this place! It's totally dope!

[classmate]

[ BAD??? ]

Yes... dope!

[ Haha, anyway. ]

Though I hope that we make better memories than we did last time.

[dms]

[ he doesn't want her to be worried about a hostage?! ]

...Mm. I hope so, too. Once we get some paper and pencils, I want to draw for you again, too. Something more fun this time.

[classmate]

[ Haha, about that. ]

...

I'd prefer if you didn't, actually.

[dms]

[ oof. that stings. ]

Ahaha... Okay. Then I won't.

[classmate]

Please don't overthink it.

[ Yeah! ]

I am happy to see you. I just wouldn't want you to waste your talents on something like that...

[dms]

Huh? Why would it be a waste? If it's something I want to draw, or something that someone else would like to see, or if it just makes you feel something, there's no way it would be a waste. That's what art is about.

[classmate]

[ She just

smiles. ]

I'll give you a proper explanation later.

[dms]

[ he still looks uncertain. ]

Okay. I don't know how long we'll be here, but you can talk to me anytime, Maririn.

[classmate]

Of course. I know that I can trust you, Miyoshi-san...

Though I hope that you can trust me, too.

[dms]

Of course I trust you.

[ no hesitation at all!

and then he shifts tones completely. ] Ahhh, but I wish we didn't have to wait for something to happen! I've never been good at being patient!

[classmate]

[ Thank you. ]

Me either. And really it is just... waiting.

But why don't we stick together? It can be like old times.

[dms]

As long as you're okay with that, Maririn! I heard there was a tea service in the courtyard that sounded good - want to go see for ourselves?

[classmate]

[ She is okay with it.

But will he be. :) ]

Sure!

[dms]

[ what makes you think he won't be ]

To the courtyard~! Have you been out there, yet? There are all these statues, I guess from all the places we've been before? Even the residents are there.

[classmate]

[ I MEAN........ ]

Eh? Really?

... Why?

[dms]

[ gestures at kazu's everything. ]

Huh... You know, I haven't really thought about why. Unless they're someone's hostages, it's a little weird that they're just out there without us bringing them up first.

[classmate]

Could it be that it's all linked together... with all of us?

If they are hostages, though, I wonder why they've been turned into statues.

[dms]

It's possible. Maybe whatever's going on here has something to do with where we were before, and those statues are just the visual representation of that? Or maybe the hotel is drawing on our memories, like the prism did.

I def didn't see Kumopi out there, though...

[classmate]

Was Kumon-kun the person they... [ YOU KNOW

HOSTAGED... ]

[dms]

Yeah. Hopefully they're taking good care of everyone, even if they're hostages. Kumopi had a hard enough time in the prism.

[classmate]

[ STOP THEIR KUMOPI..........

But also this makes her sad bc meow meow hostage so she's just quiet for a moment. ]

[dms]

[ yeah! it sucks!

but he doesn't want to make marie sad, so he gives her a gentle smile. ]

Don't worry, Maririn. It might take some time, but we'll find a way to get them back safe and sound.

[classmate]

[ Her lips are pressed together into a line, brows curved before she nods her head. ]

Mm... I hope that it will be much sooner, though.

[dms]

I hope so, too.

But we've got to say positive, you know? That's the best thing we can do, at least until we know more about this place.