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

[battling]

Someone stronger. If I used it on a human it'd be a huge boost to their morale.

[dms]

Oh! That's not like Metallic at all! [ laughing. ] So a morale boost, or I guess... a magic boost if you used it on a wizard? I bet that comes in handy all the time!

[battling]

What's the "metallic" thing you're talkin' about anyway?

It's amazin' ain't it? Haven't met anybody else who specializes in it.

[dms]

It's a color! We had magic based on our colors in the prism. My primary color was Heliotrope - it let me make illusions.

Ohh, so it's rare, too? That's even more awesome! You're one of a kind!

[battling]

[ metal is not a color, it's a thing. He does listen to this explanation, but this thing is weird. ]

Heheh. What a good eye!

[ It's like giving attention to a cat. ]

[dms]

[ bradley is his cat now ]

Absolutely! An artist has to have a good eye for things of value, you know!

[battling]

[Too bad he can't purr.]

You're an artist too? How good's your appraisal?

[dms]

I was an artist long before I was an actor. It's my major in uni!

I think I'm pretty good artist, but it's all in the eye of the beholder, right? You'd have to see it to judge for yourself whether you like it. But if you're into traditional art, you'll probs love it!

[battling]

I'm into expensive and classy. Western nobles and the art they keep in their castles, y'know?

[dms]

[ what exactly does "western nobles" mean, anyway ]

Sure! The type of art I usually do is meant to be really sophisticated and beautiful, so I totally get it!

Hanging art in a castle though... That's a little harder to imagine.

[battling]

[what do you think]

Ya can't? They do that all the time.

[dms]

Mm, well there are some castles in Japan, but they're mostly just used as museums and historical sites, I think? No one's really going out of their way to hang up art in those places, unless it has a connection to the history. And Western castles back home are waaaay different.

[battling]

What? People don't live in them? Your place is weird.

[dms]

I mean, they used to? But that was, like, centuries ago. They don't use them like that anymore.

[battling]

Ain't like they're old and decrepit. Why not?

[what a weird thing for a man who would prefer to live in a cave to say]

[dms]

Hm, some of them are, though. But I think they mostly just fell out of use or were abandoned years ago. I'm not sure.