suitedreams | WEEKEND ZERO: MINGLE PT2

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At present, you are less a factor in my enjoyment and more an inconvenient obstacle I must walk around to get to the pool.

You're from the school, then.

Oh, you know about it? Haven't seen you before.

[ Slightly sitting up if only to look at her because it's polite to look at the people you're talking to at least half the time. ]

Wait, you mean the one with the bear principal, right?

The bear princi -

[no she cuts herself off that's too stupid.]

I wasn't at a school, I've heard of a school. From Rupert.

[ It's about to get a whole lot stupider. ]

Oh, yeah, I mean -- if it's the school with the bear principal, I would've probably remembered you. Wasn't that many people.

But yeah, it's the same one as Rupert.

...And a different Mollymauk was also there. But yes, I assure you, you'll find I'm rather memorable.

Hey, good for you! I think you're memorable too.

But. Uh. What do you mean 'different'?

The one here has no memory of being in the school. He was on the space station, where I was.

You came from space?

Damn! How was that? School life was okay I guess, minus, uh...

Murdering.

Space is not as interesting as one would think. There is nothing in it. It is only space.

We had murder too, so no reprieve there.

Oh... that sucks. I guess if I had to choose between murder in space and murder in school, I'd...

[ HM HAS A BAD THOUGHT ]

Actually no, both suck. They both suck. Not really the kind of thing you wanna go 'same!' about, is it?

No. But I think everyone here is "same" on that count.

Seriously? What about that weird sword guy who said he was on vacation?

[ Did he 100% believe Jiji. No. Does he choose to 100% believe Jiji though. Yeah. ]

I don't know about that. Perhaps they were lying...? Or perhaps there's one anomaly.

I hope not, that's so mean. But I guess I can get not wanting to talk about murderville. Guess you don't recognise this guy from your space adventure, then.

[ Twiddles thumbs. ]

I hope it's an anomaly, really don't like this being a theme.

I don't know which man you mean, but he doesn't sound familiar.

He's like, kinda talks all fancy, likes being called beautiful, says he's over a thousand years old and is also a sword?

[ Like this helps Harrow any when she already said she doesn't know him. ]

...No, I don't know him.

Oh. Well, damn.

That's at least three different weird places we've been yoinked from then, huh? I mean, school just kinda pulled people from wherever -- learned the [ pretend sparkles surround this word ] multiverse exists and all, but.

Maybe it's like when a bunch of people from the same world end up in the same place? That happened too.

[ He's just throwing out wild theories because he'd rather rationalise and call it a day. ]

I'm not sure how it works, but clearly they know who we are and have the ability to pull us in. There's no coincidence here.

Yeah? You got working theories already?

[ Sitting up for real by now. Just a big teddy bear in a suit on this ground, very Build-a-Bear. ]

The last time, for me, it didn't really feel targeted.

This one's kinda starting to feel that way, huh?

None, other than a strong sense we are indeed targeted.

Sigh.

[ He really says that. Depwession. ]

Well, you seem like a cool lady missus, so you know... hope that it's not gonna all suck and be something terrible.

It will, but fortunately, I am not that cool of a lady.

[nudging him with a boot.]

Harrowhark Nonagesimus.

You could tell me you're the Prime Minister of Gothland and I'd be like wow... that's cool. [ I assume she doesn't have her makeup right now but the goth vibes are immaculate anyways. ] ...Especially with a name like that, damn.

Aikawa.

[she does have makeup. the goth vibes are so immaculate.]

I don't accept compliments from people who are lying on the floor in a puddle, Aikawa.

(no subject)

decaptych - 2022-06-07 00:11 (UTC) - Expand