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

clem

[classmate]

( from here )

You think they'll be useless? [ She doesn't doubt her -- Marie doesn't seem at all disappointed in hearing this, just tired. ]

[stillnot]

The ones in charge last time had amnesia.

[classmate]

Oh.

[ Hm. ]

I wouldn't say they were "in charge", because of how the world we were in worked, but our Residents went through the same thing.

[stillnot]

I hope there's not more memory loss stuff this time. It was really annoying.

[classmate]

Memory loss seems... very popular, doesn't it?

[stillnot]

Apparently. Might be good to keep a journal or something.

[classmate]

I wonder if they have any at the giftshop...

Though I wouldn't be surprised if we were suddenly lacking in pens.

[stillnot]

[ clementine's first thought is that people would steal them like they do knives. ]

I guess a pen can be an okay weapon. If you go through the eye.

[classmate]

[ BABY WHAT?????????? ]

[classmate]

I-I didn't mean it as a weapon! I meant it as a writing tool!

[stillnot]

Oh, right.

[classmate]

[ She'll just giggle. ]

You're prepared for anything, though, aren't you?

[stillnot]

You have to be.

[classmate]

You're right, for this situation.

Though I hope we're not all sitting on edge the entire time we're here.

[stillnot]

[ sure, for this situation! ]

We've probably got like a week of relaxation.

[classmate]

...

Unfortunately, you're probably right. [ A beat. ] I just hope nothing we need will break.

[stillnot]

Did people start breaking things right away, last time?

[classmate]

... Nothing broke, but we did lose our shampoo in the first few days.

[stillnot]

Was everyone just really excited to shower and used it all up...?

[ because like. that makes sense to her. ]

[classmate]

Someone sure was...

[stillnot]

Running water is one of the best parts of these places. We don't have anything like that back home.

[classmate]

What is your home like?

[stillnot]

Like my world or more... Specific than that?

[classmate]

Yes. Your world.

[stillnot]

It was... I don't know, normal? When I was a kid, it was just like any other world.

[ it's always hard to describe what you're used to, because you don't know what parts stand out. at least now she's been to a couple other worlds so she has a better point of comparison. ]

But then the dead started coming back, and now it's just kind of... Empty. No one lives in cities anymore and the people who are left have had to fight over food and shelter.