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

sebastian

[unbested]

[ original toplevel ]

mikazuki

[unbested]

[ from here!

he tenses up very slightly at the shoulder pat, because he's in a new place with people he doesn't know again and everything is stressful and the last time someone touched him on an intro log he was being bitten by a vampire, but it's just for a second. he remembers to breathe and it's fine!! ]

I never knew that much about plants, but we planted some flowers in the place where I was before this. ...Uh, not home, but before that, so... two places ago?

A-anyway, that was kind of fun. Everything grew really fast there though, so it's probably a little less exciting with normal plants.

rin

[unbested]

[ from here ]

Well, on the best lists of the best fish, salmon is second to sardines!

[aono]

You're just making shit up now! Just wait until we find a computer, I'll prove you wrong!

[unbested]

I'm not! I looked when I got home and this one article I saw literally said "The Best" and then below it "1. Sardines" just like Mr. Valvatorez said!! He doesn't lie!

[aono]

Prove it! Show me this list!

[unbested]

When we find a computer, I will!

flayn

[unbested]

[ from here

anyway now he's just like "oh god" and trying to look at that page again for something other than murder camp ]

Um... is dancing a better topic?

[ IF THESE ARE ALL BAD HE CAN JUST LEAVE AND PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED ]

[fishingforcompliments]

Oh, dancing is fine!

[she smiles]

I competed in - and won - the White Heron Cup some years back. It was quite exhilarating!

[unbested]

[ oh thank god ]

Oh, congrats! That's... a dance competition, I guess?

[ even though it sounds more like a birdwatching award ]

[fishingforcompliments]

It is! The competition is quite fierce. They even set aside time for us to practice despite how busy we were with our classes.

kazunari

[unbested]

[ from here! ]

Y-yeah! Right! I've actually got a pretty big case in court, uh... tomorrow...

[ it's still the same fucking case that was "four days from now" that he was afraid of missing in his last game ]

That I'll probably get back in time for? Somehow?

[ at least pops can't be mad at him if he misses it now, though... ]

[dms]

Tomorrow?! And we haven't even gotten our rooms yet?!

[ alarming! didn't time keep moving in the prism? can it just stop for something like this? he's worried for you, bestie!!

...but he nods. ]

Mm. Then that means we'll have to try and fix things here ASAP so you'll make it in time.

[unbested]

I mean, last time it was four days away, and they were able to send me back to the same day I came from! So it's... a thing that's possible, I think? Though they were also aliens or something...

[ he pretends to understand what was going on there but he really doesn't ]

But yeah, if we can just free everyone fast and get out of here, that would definitely be the best!!

[ not that he has any idea how to accomplish that, but... please... ]

What do you think they want us to do here anyway?

[dms]

Whoa, that's so cool! And useful! They didn't do anything like that for us in the prism! [ ... ] I think. I didn't actually make it all the way home to find out.

[ about that... ]

I'm not sure. There was something about "entertainment," and I know there's a bunch of people assuming it's... you know, killing people again? But as an actor, I kind of hope they'd prefer a good play instead. It's way easier, less messy, and so much more fun!

dimitri

[unbested]

[ from here ]

[unbested]

Uh... I-I mean, I know I'm here to help Pops, and I guess everyone here has been stuck someplace where a lot of people were dying before...

[unbested]

So... a bunch of people with one thing in common, at a hotel, with gift bags..............

[unbested]

A convention??

[overruns]

[ oh no. he is staring. it is not subtle. ]

You have no idea what is going on, do you...?

[unbested]

All I know is what it said in that thing I signed!! That I have to entertain them if I want them to let him go! But then they just threw us in a hotel, so what am I supposed to think?! Maybe they just think conventions are fun!

futaba

[unbested]

[ from here ]

You don't know that!! Maybe we're all just here for an awards ceremony or something!

[technocool]

Only if it's like 'Best Murder Attempt' and like 'Weirdest Trial Divergence'

[unbested]

Y-yeah! Something like that!

[technocool]

[ glad they're just having this convo while going in circles ]

I think mine would be 'Most Shocking Murder'.