WEEKEND ZERO: MINGLE PT2

[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

shinobu

[agleam]

[from here]

...Yeah, I do.

[he gives a little smile.]

It definitely makes things easier than only focusing on the bad, at least.

[wisterin]

[ she is always smiling, but her smile is a little softer now. ]

You have a kind soul.

[agleam]

[after a moment of surprise, he follows suit.]

...Thanks. You too!

[wisterin]

[ she laughs before it settles back into another smile. ]

Thank you.

[ they are in the gift shop now. ]

Are all hotels like this?

[agleam]

[he shrugs.]

I wouldn't really know! This is the first one I've been in. It'd be pretty cool, if it weren't for the circumstances.

[wisterin]

The circumstances do put a damper on it. There are inns where I'm from, but they aren't quite so... blinding.

[agleam]

Yeah... I doubt any place back home would have half of the stuff here.

[he glances around the aisles as he says that.]

It's all very, um... Unique!

[wisterin]

[ she picks up a sticky hand and flaps it in his direction with a smile. ]

You don't need to soften your words around me.

[agleam]

[he laughs, a little.]

Then - weird. I was going to say weird. But I don't think any of it is bad...?

[glancing at the dinosaur grabbers.]

Although, I really don't understand what those are, so.

[wisterin]

I'm not used to any of these items either.

[ even if the camp did introduce to her to more modern things. ]

Why don't you pick it up and see what it does?

[agleam]

[he picks it up and squeezes on the handle, watching the mouth open and close. after repeating this process a couple of times:]

...Yeah, no, I'm still definitely lost. You?

[wisterin]

It looks like it can eat something up, doesn't it?

[agleam]

[he moves the mouth a couple more times.]

If it were real, yeah, I guess! But I'm not sure what animal this is supposed to be, either.

[wisterin]

Dinosaur is what they called it back at the camp.

[agleam]

[inspecting it a little more closely.]

Dinosaur, huh... Honestly, it kind of looks like a dragon.

[wisterin]

They could be related.

[agleam]

Ooh... Porridge's cousins...

[wisterin]

Porridge?

[agleam]

Oh!

[he brightens up immediately, grinning.]

Porridge is my dragon.

[wisterin]

Oh! I didn't know dragons could be pets. How big is Porridge?

[agleam]

He's pretty big! Apparently he's here somewhere, but I'm kind of wondering how... This place might be a little cramped for him.

[he has no idea that he's been shrunk yet.]

[wisterin]

You'd think we'd hear him, if he's here. Maybe we'll find out in a day or two? That's how it was where I was before.

[agleam]

I hope so.

[his expression darkens, but in a comedy relief way, so it's fine.]

I bet he's tricking them into giving him junk food somehow...

[wisterin]

[ she laughs softly. ]

He must be getting so spoiled. You'll never get him to accept healthy food again.

[agleam]

[dramatically enough that it's clear he's joking:]

Noooo. He was almost tolerating broccoli...!