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]

[ you're all killing him ]

Yeah! You know, something you'd totes want to show off to all your besties!

[fishingforcompliments]

[first murder is kazunari who drops dead from shock because people don't know his lingo...]

What does "blam" have to do with that?

[dms]

Instablam, of course! It's where you post all your fave pics!

[fishingforcompliments]

Oh! Like an art gallery?

[dms]

Yeah, just like that! Except the 'Blam is totally digital, no canvases involved! Unless you, like, draw or paint something on one and take a pic to upload. I've def done that before, too.

[fishingforcompliments]

[i can't remember if she ever learned what "digital" means in crau1 but even if she didn't she would file it away and try to look it up later, so she just nods.]

I see... it sounds as though it must be convenient, to be able to keep things in one place to show your friends.

[dms]

It is, it is! That's why I love taking pics on my phone - you can share them really easily!

I'd show you, but my phone is missing right now.

[fishingforcompliments]

Ah - yes, that book did say we all have personal effects and suitcases... Last time we found our belongings in our cabins, so I imagine they will turn up after some time here, as well.

[dms]

So you think they're in our rooms? That'd be pretty nice! Like a bellhop service we never asked for!

Do you think we'll have to help with fixing things up before they open up the rooms?

[fishingforcompliments]

Fixing things up sounds like something that would fall under the duties of an employee, not a guest...

[dms]

True! But we had to do plenty of weird stuff before, so something like that wouldn't surprise me at all.

Now that I think about it, that kind of thing happens a lot back home, too...

[fishingforcompliments]

Is that so? What sorts of things do you normally end up doing?

[dms]

Usually doing some kind of performance, whether it's improv or a full play. But people in our company have been roped into helping out with the stalls at festivals, with running restaurants or cafes, catching rogue animal mascots... you name it, and someone in Mankai has probably done it!

[fishingforcompliments]

I see! Is everyone at Mankai a jack-of-all-trades, then?

[dms]

I don't know if I'd say that. We've all got our strengths and weaknesses, but you learn to be adaptable, you know? Or how to find someone else who can help you out.

[fishingforcompliments]

I see! So you are no stranger to teamwork.

[she seems pleased to hear that.]

[dms]

You know what they say - teamwork makes the dream work! Besides, it's way more fun to do things together with friends.

[fishingforcompliments]

Yes, you are quite right about that.

[dms]

Hehe! Then we'll get along just fine!

[ until she DIES, BRITT ]

You say that like you're not used to people wanting to work together, though. Did everyone fight a lot where you were before?

[fishingforcompliments]

Tensions ran rather high and things got a bit... out of hand... near the end.

[dms]

Is that so... Well, I guess being frustrated when people are still dying is understandable. But they can't help anyone if they let that get the best of them.

[fishingforcompliments]

We all learned that in the end, I think. Or, at any rate - we did get through it alright.

...if enough of us think the same way that you do, perhaps we shall have an easier time of it here.

[dms]

Glad to hear it! Except, now you're here... Haha, I really wish we could all meet under better circumstances.

[ not with hostages ): ]

I don't think we'll have much to worry about! Everyone's been super friendly so far! And it'll probs be way easier on all of us since we've been through something like this before, you know?

[fishingforcompliments]

I hope that is the case!

[it didn't really help them in crau1 but she is not going to say that]

[dms]

[ he is still blissfully unaware of crau1 ]

We'll make it work, no worries~! There are people counting on us for it, so we can't let them down!

The name's Kazunari Miyoshi, BTW. Nice to meet you~!