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

[classmate]

[ WITH SWALLOWING??? ]

... I don't have much of an opinion on any? But I guess zaru soba, if I had to pick. It's nice during the summer because the noodles are cold.

[ She takes another bite of her food, swallowing. ]

We should try some, next time.

[decaptych]

[ Yeah! ]

Summer food, huh? Yeah, I dig. We can try it next time or today or whenever. [ Because his stomach is endless. ] Drinks?

[classmate]

Hehe, you must have a good appetite. A friend of mine would want to baby you.

Mm, did you want anything specific? I'm not a big soda drinker and prefer water.

[decaptych]

I promise I'm self-sufficient, don't need to be babied. But I'm not gonna say no to free food.

[ Tfw he's ran some people borderline bankrupt for food. ]

I like a good beer or sake with gy -- well you know, with whatever. Guess water's safe. Someone I knew makes a pretty good headache tea.

[classmate]

It's nothing like that... They're kind and like to hand out sweets. [ Like a grandparent. They are 86. ]

... I did take a peek and noticed that your profile said something about cluster headaches?

[decaptych]

[ Grandparents are valid, Aikawa was raised by one. Sort of. ]

Oh -- is that what it says? That's kinda mean...

Yeah, I... uh, get headaches, here and there.

[classmate]

It seems whoever wrote them had every intention of being unkind.

[ NOT FUNNY... DIDN'T LAUGH :( ]

Do you medication to help with them?

[decaptych]

I don't think medication is gonna really help, but I wished away most of it as my reward from the last shitty place I got teleported to.

[ Waving it off. ]

So...

[classmate]

[ Eh? Ah? ]

You received a wish... ?

Ah, sorry -- [ ANYWAY THERE'S BEER JUST APPEARING ON THE TABLE. And water for her. ] ... How timely.

[decaptych]

Uh, yeah. We got like, a diploma? And we could ask for one thing. I know a guy that asked the moon to stop harassing him... another guy who asked for something kinda similar to me.

[ BEER. And water. Very funny combo. ]

...Uh, where'd you show up from, anyway?

[classmate]

The moon? [ BRO IS FLABBERGASTED. ] ... Well I hope that they've gotten better for you. I used to suffer from migraines as well, so I understand how it may have felt.

[ anyway ]

I was inside of a prism? Of sorts. Admittedly the last time I was there was over a month ago -- before coming here I was in Los Angeles.

[ YOU KNOW JUST LIVING IT UP ]

[decaptych]

Oh, seriously? Condolences. That's a big ol' word.

[ He may be a jokester but this is a bit more genuine. He would rather not have another headache for the rest of his life. ]

A 'prism', huh... sounds weird! What's Los Angeles?

[classmate]

It was certainly strange. Everything revolved around color... too much was a bad thing, it wanted balance. I'm not entirely sure how it all worked out, if I'm completely honest.

[ She was also (redacted) that entire time so really not her fault. ]

It's a city in California! Really busy, lots of places to go to -- lots of places to eat.

[decaptych]

Oh, weird.

I just went to school that had a bear as the principal.

[ These two things are not equivalent. ]

Nope, never heard of California -- but if it's got good eating, sounds like a place I'd wanna be at. I'm a city kinda guy.

[classmate]

… [ She blinks twice, as if she’s expecting him to say that that was all a joke. Once a long second passes she finally asks: ] Did the bear talk?

[decaptych]

Oh, yeah. But it was mega-weird. We had this girl, Lila, there with us, and she liked to threaten his ass. He was married?

[classmate]

Wait the bear was married to Lila?

[ SHE NEEDS THIS BEAR LORE… WHAT THE FUCK! ]

[decaptych]

Nah, the bear's gay.

[classmate]

[ oh shit


gay rights! ]

I see.









Was he at least a nice principal? Did you meet his husband?

[decaptych]

[ WE WERE ALL GIVEN A PICTURE OF HIS HUSBAND ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL HE OUTED HIMSELF HE LOVES HIS HUSBAND VERY MUCH ]

I guess? He was kinda useless but I think he's trying his best.

He's in a better place now... rapping.

[classmate]

…

I’m… sure… [ what ]

And what was it that you did after you got your wish? Were you able to go home, at least… ?

[decaptych]

Oh, nah.

Well, I guess I did go back eventually, but I mostly just spent the time kinda wandering around my friends' places. They're all nicer than home.

[classmate]

Some homes are just very complicated... I understand.

[decaptych]

Yeah, you get it. It's a pretty good time.