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

Then yeah, of course! You know, going to school -- not the whole Wiwaldi thing, but I used to go to school before all that. At my own world.

Did you? What kind of school?

For magic training.

You're a sorcerer?

That's right! From the Sorcerers' World and everything. Kinda a straightforward name, huh? Wonder why they didn't get more creative.

And you've never been.. to the Hole?

It's just 'Hole', by the way. Somehow saying the Hole makes it seem actually weird.

But nah, dunno what you're talking about.

... How do you know there's no "the" if you've never heard of it?

You don't gotta go somewhere to know about it, c'mon Claude!

It's a popular place for asshole sorcerers to go.

Aren't sorcerers hunted in the— in... Hole?

[ THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT ]

[ Goes over Claude's Hole crisis. ]

They used to be. Guys from Hole and the Sorcerers' World, don't get along. Nope. 'Cause jerkass sorcerers like to go to Hole and experiment on powerless guys. You know how it'd get to a snapping point like that, and they start hunting sorcerers right back. They used to have a whole militia and stuff.

This was a long time ago though, I heard it from a doctor guy I know.

That does make sense... I guess you lucked out then? Is it a time of peace now?

Nah.

Sorcerers still go there to practice magic on people. [ It's effectively human experimentation. ]

... This is kinda a bummer, huh? What about your place? Is it nice?