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

[evocationary]

I.

[here she is! sitting in a pretty dress (except it's bright red, what do you take her for) on the golden staircase, going through her bag. when you approach, she just gives you a cheerful smile. it is Slightly Unhinged.]

Do you smoke? I don't! Well, uh, not - traditionally, haha. But I feel like now would be a good time to start! [you know, aesthetics and also the impending doom]

II.

[wherever you are, from the corner of your vision... comes a flying object! it smacks against your face and sticks.

a pause. yes, it's a sticky hand.]

Ooh. Still got it.

[please be a little less like this.]

III.

[or! you can catch her staring up at the statues in the courtyard. specifically the edgeworth one. sometimes the emet-selch one, if you're feeling spicy.]

You asshat. Can you believe this? I was going to go on vacation.

II

[battling]

[He immediately pockets it. His now.]

[evocationary]

Hey! What the fuck! That's mine, I stole it first!

i.

[outsidebones]

[oh! oh! oh! she will sort of wobble uncomfortably on her heels over in lup's general direction.]

You're here!

[evocationary]

-- Wait, Harrow?

[HI HELLO she scoots over to harrow and pauses for about a second before very obviously telegraphing that she is going put a hand on harrow's arm. steady.]

You okay? Actually, you can't smoke, I just decided this right now. Hi.

I.

[headmt]

Well, yes, but you're typically my dealer, so I suppose that one is on you.

[evocationary]

Oh, good! You're also here, I don't have to suffer by myself.

[grabby hands? come here.] You good? I can't uh, do the infinity sleeve thing this time, apparently.

iii.

[ashenvaliant]

Instead you're posing for artwork. Or did pose for artwork.

[ hello he hates it here. ]

I see you got dragged into whatever this mess is too, Firebird.

[evocationary]

[hello! she also hates it here! however, she's very happy to see yuri, which is why she immediately leans up to put her hands on either side of his face.]

Yuri! Hello. This is the nightmare scenario. What's up?

iii

[ktiseos]

...I suppose there were other plans.

[he says, looking uncertainly... down... at the emet-selch statue. why does this look so much like him? what.]

[evocationary]

Aaah! Holy shit!

[she brings a hand to her chest like she's a scandalized victorian]

You jumpscared me! What - you are... so tall? Wait, are you still...

[like, avatar'd.]

I

[aono]

[He is a kid and should not be smoking, but here he is.]

Oh hey, I didn't know you made it! No, I don't smoke. And you probably shouldn't start anyway, it's bad for you.

[evocationary]

Well, I am super, totally, already dead, so it's fine, probably!

... Doooo I know you from somewhere, or are you thinking of my brother?

ii

[stillnot]

[ clem peels off the sticky hand and then. just comes over to lup to return it. ]

You dropped something.

[evocationary]

Oh, hey, thanks! I'm glad it found a home on your face. [she takes the hand and launches it into space before yelling:] Hey! Whoever is watching us like creeps probably, have at you or whatever!

iii

[shaft]

[ fair enough ]

Me too. And I didn't think my luck could get any worse.

[evocationary]

Haha, same. [she peers at him.] I'm getting the picture that we all weren't expecting this.

ii

[agleam]

[he makes a noise of alarm and immediately pulls it off his face. goodbye sticky hand.]

What the heck—?!

i.

[callalilies]

[ a tall guy with an eyepatch and a peacock appliqué dress just kind of flops into a nearby arm chair. ]

The amount I drink is enough of a vice, I believe... It's good to see you again, Lup.

one

[sageguidance]

[ uhh, ]

Should you desire so, then I shan't stop you. Unfortunately, I cannot say I am fond enough of the activity to begin.

ii

[unsaid]

[this is how a sticky hand just splats on the face of a national treasure]

Oya? Have I been "got"?

[no]

ii

[wisterin]

[ she takes the sticky hand off her face with the nonsharp end of the shaving knife and launches it at the ceiling. ]

Is that what eases your mind?

wildcard fight me

[cuedoves]

[ zuko is just watching lup from a distance..... not sure what to do. cloud said she's different, but she seems pretty lup-y to him. ]

i!

[overruns]

[ he gives her a puzzled look in return, one she probably recognizes as a 'are you taako' stare now. there's a moment of tense silence before he shakes his head. ]

I do not. [ he knows the dangers of The Weed. ] Do I know you?

3

[highestheim]

[ mood... he has his arms crossed as he sidles on up to lup. hewwo. ]

I'm not sure they can hear you.