WEEK ZERO: WELCOME INTRO

[cluedin]

WELCOME

Even from behind your eyelids, the soft glowing light can be seen as you find yourself awakening. The slow swell of strings begins, and as you struggle to open your eyes, the sound of footsteps pass you by. You soon hear three feminine voices speak in unison.

"Master Blue wishes to welcome you all. We hope you enjoy your stay!"

Light temporarily blinds you as you look around, but the source of the voices has vanished. Whomever has greeted you seems to have disappeared without warning, leaving you all alone.

The music starts up and though no orchestra is present, the song can be heard all throughout the room. Crystal chandeliers hang above your head, and the waxed wooden floor gleams brightly. Floor to ceiling windows cover the back wall and a night sky full of stars twinkle back at you. The wall next to it, however, is covered by a thick crimson curtain. Those who attempt to move it will find they have little luck in their endeavor, but there are more pressing matters at hand.

Looking down you'll come to notice that you're wearing clothes that certainly aren't what you were previously wearing. You, and the guests around you, have been dressed appropriately in formal attire properly fitted for each individual.

Oh. That's right. Didn't we mention the other guests? Seated to your left, right, and across from you at the long banquet table are other people just like you. Perhaps it's a friend you know, though don't be surprised if it's a complete stranger. Each individual holds a blue and silver invitation with their name scrawled upon it, and a message to follow.

"Please respond to Master Blue's invitation at least one week prior to the event to secure your seat and accommodations.

This dinner is guaranteed to be an event to die for."

Strange, isn't it?

But rest assured! Nothing is stopping you from leaving the ballroom and exploring the other rooms of Master Blue's home. After all, you're an honored guest! It's with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that you're welcomed here tonight. Really, what's your hurry? It's not as though the front door will open for you. Don't bother with the windows either. They've all been locked tight to ensure you're all nice and cozy for your stay.

If you look under your seat, you'll find a special gift bag with your name on it. Opening these bags will reveal the following:

-A small spiral notebook
-A crayon in a specific shade of blue
-Three different candles
-A brass key (Design May Vary.)
-This cute toy

A welcome gift from the Master, of course.

Take some time to admire the decor, if you will. The house has been decorated for this special holiday with chains of paper hearts, miniature golden cupid statues, and confetti that rains down from the ceiling on occasion. Perhaps you'll get lucky tonight with love in the air, especially since Cupid's arrow seems to aim for you no matter where you go. For those of you who don't wish to partake in the lavish feast spread out in the ballroom, you're in luck. Boxes of chocolate and bowls of candy hearts can be found for all your snacking needs.

As the unseen orchestra plays on, it seems as though you've no choice but to get to know your fellow guests and make yourselves comfortable. Perhaps if you wait long enough, someone will come to greet you.

---

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Comments

[counterclocked]

awakening

[As the redhead in a suit comes to, he's blinking and looking around. He stands almost immediately, scanning over the group like there's someone specific he's looking for. When he doesn't spot them:]

...Shit.

[He starts to turn to leave, but he notices the change of clothing at the edge of his field of vision as he does. Once he looks down and takes stock of exactly what he's wearing, he freezes for a moment, expression tightening for a moment before it smooths out. After a moment:]

Okay... Now I know I'm dreaming again. [All the same, to whoever's closest:] Hey, did you hear what... whoever that was said? Master Blue - do you know who that is?

library

[A while later, he's sitting at a table in the library. There's a stack of books next to him, but that's not what he's currently focusing on. Instead, he has the gift bag that was underneath his chair, and he's slowly pulling out the contents with a confused frown! Until he gets to, hm, that toy.

There's a brief pause as he looks down at it, and then:]

Or we could, you know, not do that. That'd be cool. [If he sees anyone:] Please tell me I'm not the only one who got this. I mean, I guess it would be nice if they weren't just distributing these to everyone, but...

wildcard

[If you want to do anything else, hit me up at incendiary or on discord!]

library

[oathic]

[brandishes his own toy]

You can give it to me, if you want. I'll start a collection.

[counterclocked]

Tossing them in the fireplace is also an option.

[Dryly! But he glances Babo Kim's way, the light frown fading away as he does.]

I can probably guess the answer, but - you wouldn't happen to know what's going on, would you?

[oathic]

Oh, I like that!

[he approves of setting things on fire.]

I have no idea.

[counterclocked]

[The enthusiasm is a little bit concerning, but it's fine, probably. Anyways!]

Yeah, I thought not. Any theories? Shared hallucination or dream is on the top of my list, but I'm not sure. It could be something completely out of left field.

awakening

[sadiskick]

[ Her smile is not what one could call kind. She's amused. ]

Blue could be so many people. [ She sounds unconcerned. ] Well, do you think this an event to die for?

[ Since he asked if she heard the annoucencment. ]

[counterclocked]

...You're not asking literally, are you?

[Sometimes you just gotta check.]

[sadiskick]

[ She looks at him like he just became a bug. ]

Your interpretation is what it is. Most events I'm summoned to end up being more literal than not.

[counterclocked]

[After a long moment, during which he looks as though he wishes the floor could swallow him:]

S-Sorry, did I say something wrong?

library

[seasiren]

Ah, you mean the knife of questionable intent? Yes, I also received mine.

[This lady doesn't look particularly bothered by it, however, and smiles at the other]

Don't go falling in love at first sight, or we all might be in trouble, hm?

Re: library

[counterclocked]

[For whatever reason, that gives him pause for a second, before he just smiles and sets the toy down on the table with the other items.]

Yeah, well... Lucky for us, I wasn't really planning on it. Still, what do they expect us to do with these candles?

[seasiren]

I haven't the faintest. Perhaps it's simply a poor-intentioned house warming gift for us.

After all, I assume we'll be here a while. At least a week.

[counterclocked]

Or at least until we meet this Blue guy, whoever he is.

[Branching off of that...]

Do you have any idea why someone would want to kidnap you?

library

[kazokun]

I received one too.

[ Ayabe comes by the table to snoop and everything else that's there, just because they're all nicely laid out like this. Everything looks about the same, except for the crayon that's a different shade. ]

If you don't want it, you might as well leave it in the kitchen. I heard all the knives are missing.

[counterclocked]

[Hm. Concerning.]

...Did that person happen to tell you where the knives went?

[kazokun]

[ He shakes his head. ]

She just mentioned there being a rumor that "somebody" stole them. I can't imagine way anybody would want to, though.

[ Who would want to arm themselves in a murdergame?? Ayabe isn't genre savvy enough for this, he's just thinking of how much of a pain it would be to carry around so many knives, or, on the other side, cook anything without knives. ]

[counterclocked]

[He looks at him for a long moment. It's so naive it's kind of sweet...]

Well, we should probably find out where they went anyways. Who told you they were gone?

library

[brokethefirst]

[Casually browsing the books, Luna starts a bit when the boy in the chair speaks up. She'll shake her head, tucking a strand of her hair behind one ear.]

No, it wasn't just you. I suppose there's too many of us to assume that all of us were given the same things, but...

I... I guess it might be some sort of gag... It seems in poor taste to me, though. Don't you think?

[counterclocked]

Oh - sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

[He nods along with what she says, though, glancing down at the toy knife again.]

Yeah. Especially along with the whole thing about a dinner to die for... It doesn't really sit right, does it?

[brokethefirst]

No, not at all.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, of course. But this all seems a little, um... elaborate. Like it might be too intentional to just be a joke.

[Like someone planned this all out for some godforsaken reason GEE THIS FEELS FAMILIAR.]

...Sorry, I guess that sounds a little pessimistic. I really do hope it's just coincidence.

[counterclocked]

I don't think it really sounds that way. I mean, this Blue person set it up this way for a reason, right? I mean, that reason might just be to mess with us, but...

[He shifts so his elbow is propped on the table, plunking his chin down into his hand.]

You're right. It's a lot of effort to go to if it really is just supposed to make us nervous.

library

[gitalong]

[ does anyone include the dog

he will sit. and look at the toy he's holding in his hand(?). and wag his tail. ]

[counterclocked]

[It does not, but that's okay, because he sees this dog and automatically perks up regardless. He's almost instantly moving away from the table and crouching down to hold a hand out to him, smiling.]

Hey, little guy. How'd you get in here, huh?

[gitalong]

The door was open and I walked through! Did you get in here another way?

[ because this is after the translation collar was unlocked, i decided ]

[counterclocked]

—Oh my god, you can talk?!

[He's immediately ten times more excited, looking down at Missile with widened eyes.]

How are you doing that?