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

[preowned]

You never know with places like this! They like to defy the impossible often enough.

[dms]

True, true! Buuuuut a classy place like this would never have trees growing indoors! Only, like, the most elegant potted plants possible. Or empty, expensive vases!

[preowned]

Is that so...

[ he will just have to believe him. ]

The last places I was at were more rural.

[dms]

Ohhh, I see, I see! But this is, like, the lap of luxury! Peak golden age city living!

...It's a lot different from what I'm used to, too, but doesn't that just make it even cooler?!

[preowned]

I see...

[ rich people... ]

Do you think the rest of this place looks the same?

[dms]

Probs! It would totally ruin the vibe if it opened up more to a super rundown area, you know?

[preowned]

Perhaps that's the twist?

[ there's always some settings twist :/ ]

[dms]

Oh, you're right! That would be a huge surprise!

I think the vibes here are pretty cool, though? It'd be nice to stay in a place like this totally free of charge.

[preowned]

[ he nods his head! yes! surprise! this guy gets it! ]

How much would it normally cost?

[dms]

Oh, I couldn't even begin to guess! I don't think we even have that many places like this back home, unless you travel abroad or something. It's probs at least tens of thousands of yen, maybe more?

[preowned]

Are we sure they aren't going to charge us.

[dms]

I don't remember anything about that in the terms and conditions?!

[ no one reads the terms and conditions ]

[preowned]

If we have not actually stepped inside a bedroom, do we still have to pay?

[dms]

I wouldn't think so! That doesn't sound legal at all! But we can't even get to them anyway, so I guess we're fine for now, at least? Though... it would be pretty exhausting to never sleep in a bed, you know?

[preowned]

The floor wasn't that comfortable.

But we'll probably have to make do. Or build a bed! I'm sure it can't be that hard with no tools.

[dms]

Do you make a habit of sleeping on the floor? No shade, but I think we could probs find some cushions, at least! Get enough cushions, and it'll be even better than making a bed!

Oh, or we could make a pillow fort!

[ with what pillows ]

[preowned]

Sometimes, you learn to sleep where you can.

[ like costco shelves ]

We should make it a tall fort.

[dms]

Sounds like there's a story there. But it's not like I don't get it.

As tall as we can! Maybe we can hang the sheets from the arches somehow?! Oh, or drape them from the staircases!

[preowned]

That would work... there was this one very tall man walking around, wasn't there?

[ yea emet will help with their pillow fort ]

[dms]

Oh, you mean Selkie! He could totes do it, but you'd have to convince him first. He's kind of the serious type, so I don't think he's really into fun things like that.

[preowned]

I'm really good at making serious types do things they don't want to!

[ emet is going to kill him ]

[dms]

Sounds like you've got experience! Maybe I should leave him to you, then...?

[preowned]

I will report to you how it goes.

[dms]

I'll wish you good luck!

...We'll have to find some pillows and sheets before we can make a fort, though. I haven't seen any around yet; have you?

[preowned]

... no, actually. I assume they're probably in the rooms, if this is an inn.

[ welp ]