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

[battling]

There's only so many people here. Just like last time.

[decaptych]

...Is that supposed to be comforting or is that a threat!

[battling]

That's up to you.

[decaptych]

I don't know what that means and I'm not gonna try. [ No expended braincells. ] Gimme a fried chicken.

[battling]

A piece for a gyoza.

[decaptych]

You drive a hard bargain.

[ However at the point that Bradley is actually even willing at all feels like a huge achievement.

He will hold out a gyoza with his chopsticks... like he's feeding a dog. ]

[battling]

[ The chicken is just placed on Aikawa's plate and he waits for the gyoza to land on his.

Do you think he's going to eat directly from chopsticks? No. ]

[decaptych]

[ He would actually be like what the hell if Bradley did, he was expecting him to take it from the chopsticks. It's just rude to pass things to people using chopsticks so he's lowkey disrespecting his ass.

Instead he will put it on Bradley's plate with comical daintiness. ]

[battling]

[I don't think he even knows how to use chopsticks, so this rudeness flies over his head. Know he would complain if he had context.

But he will happily eat his unstolen bit of Aikawa's meal.]

[decaptych]

[ Bradley is a eats with his fingers kind of guy, you messy bastard.

He's picking at his food though, allows them to just kind of munch for a while. But also: ]

Really hate that you're here, but I'm also kinda glad.

[battling]

[ Sometimes he has food manners but I think Nero beat them into him. ]

You're glad I'm here? Ya shook me as soon as ya realized it was me.

[decaptych]

[ I wouldn't be surprised, tbh. ]

Yeah.

Sucks less than waking up alone.

[battling]

... Yeah.

[decaptych]

Yeah.

[battling]

How long has it been for ya anyway? Since the end of school or whatever.

[decaptych]

Uh... I mean, it's kinda -- I dunno.

[ Looks down. ]

I kinda didn't go back to my place, hung around Beau's a lot. I guess I dipped back eventually, but...

[battling]

[ Waits. ]

... Don't remember?

[decaptych]

It's not that, I guess. I just haven't thought about it.

[ And also because so much happens and I'm not sure of the actual timeline in this series. ]

...Started going back to school, like, for real.

[battling]

In... [what was in called] Hole?

[decaptych]

Nooo. Never been to Hole, remember?

In the Sorcerers' World.

[battling]

Yeah, sure. Whatever.

How's class going?

[decaptych]

Heh, it's pretty alright. I just kinda dick around a lot, steal food from the kitchens. Kinda looks like I might do that to pass the time here.

[ Glancing towards the kitchens. I'm onto you. ]

Met up with a couple of old guys I knew, funnily enough.


You?

[battling]

They might chase you out with knives or something. Better be fast.

[He knows one chef.]

Yeah? Who were they?

It's been about a year.

[decaptych]

That's nothing new, I can dodge a knife swipe!

[ His specialty is knives and committing crimes! But he twiddle his thumbs a bit. ]

A couple of guys I knew from my old school, they moved after the first one closed.

And... uh, Risu.

[battling]

[But would he win against a pissed Nero?]

Your partner?