notagain | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL

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PASSENGERS: 41

You know how the story goes by now. One minute you’re somewhere familiar, and the next you’re suddenly somewhere else. Unlike previous times before, the source of your rude awakening isn’t a mystery. A harsh jostle causes your body to lunge forward as a tire jumps over a pot hole in the road. Try as you might, it’s hard to ignore the steady thrumming of an engine and the gentle sway beneath you. The faint scent of gasoline seems to waft from the outside, but as you look around you’ll notice that the windows are locked, tinted, and impossible to see through. Likewise, the door ahead of you appears to be locked as well.

Perhaps the scent is your imagination…?

Regardless, though the lighting is a tad dim, it becomes apparent that you’re inside a large bus dotted with the occasional seat and amid a jumble of other bodies. The people you were last with may be among your fellow passengers. Perhaps they are not. But worry not; there’s plenty of time to look around and get to know one another on this long, strange trip. It may even be wise to examine the staircase at the other end of the bus. Who knows what awaits you on the other floors?

Ah, but before you move too far it may be best to assess the situation. On the bright side, any injuries you incurred have been healed! Isn't it nice to have your limbs in place again? Miracles happen. But...what happened to your clothes? You’re fairly certain you weren't wearing this t-shirt before...and what's with the denim shorts? Maybe you were fortunate enough to get the knee-length version, but for those of you waking up in bootyshorts...well, we're sure you look great! And what better way to tie the whole look together than white socks and tan sandals? At least you'll be comfortable for the ride.

Lucky for you, your new threads aren't the only gift you'll receive upon waking up. Attached to your waist is a high-quality bag filled with some fun goodies for every passenger! For those of you who unzip your bag to check its contents, you will find:

-Dry shampoo
-Wet wipes
-Deodorant
-Travel pack of toilet paper
-Travel toothbrush + toothpaste
-Poncho
-A stylish travel guide

No other items are on your person at this time, even if you were holding onto it as you began your previous departure. That's a bit troublesome, isn't it? Not really; it's still a bus. Be grateful for the extra elbow room, alright?

Oh, and one last thing...on the wrist of every passenger is a small, equally fashionable white scrunchie. Not your style? Perhaps it's a good idea to give the travel guide another read.

Searching the bus from top to bottom will net zero results in the way of an escape. All of the windows are similarly tinted and locked, and the only exit door appears to be the one on the first level that can't be opened at this time.

But hey. You're all old pros at this, right? You know what to do next! Get to know the people around you, trade stories with your fellow passengers, and...well. Buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ They should both be at their monasteries right now. It should be over—hadn't he tried to end this? More than their odd surroundings or extremely unfashionable clothes, he startles at the sight of her. ]

Flayn!

[ He pardons himself as he nearly bumps into someone to scurry over, but this is urgent. ] Are you all right?

Dimitri...

[She's not disappointed to see him - not exactly. She is a little disappointed that he's not safely home, but if she absolutely had to wind up in a place like this, she's glad to have him here with her.]

I am unhurt, but... [What is going on? Honestly, she sort of wants to scream.] How have we come to be here...?

[ He's already heard quite a bit of shouting and ruckus, and can't blame a single person for wanting to scream in the face of it all. Whether he recognizes them or not, being here in a similar situation, but different enough to be a totally new flavor of frustrating and frightening—it's times like this they need to support each other, right?

So he tries to keep the concern off his face as he glances about, not finding any answers. ]

I haven't the faintest idea. The last I recall is joining Dedue on the ship, and...

[ He pauses, trailing off, glancing back at her. She knew what he was talking about, right? She remembered all that, didn't she...? ]

[She nods. That sounds about right.]

My brother came to shore to bring me aboard, and we boarded the ship together. But then...

[Nothing. She can't remember a single thing that would have resulted in her being here. In fact, she can't remember anything past that moment when she walked onto the deck with Seteth.]

...is it happening again...?

[ In his heart, he feels that he knows the answer to that. But it is a dark thought, and he struggles to suppress it for now. He can't lose Flayn or himself that sort of despair right off the bat. ]

It's too early to say, but we should be on guard.

[ He's learned a thing or two about caution now, maybe. ]

...I'm relieved you recognize me, but not that you're here. It doesn't seem as though everyone was brought along.

[She nods. It's better to be on their guard, in this case.]

Yin Yu is also here. Perhaps the three of us ought to try to stick together.

[She would feel better about that, honestly.]

There does not seem to be much rhyme or reason as to who is here and who is not. I do not recognize most of these faces. [It's a little disconcerting, honestly.] ...I wish that you were had made it back to the monastery, but I feel a little safer knowing you are here.

[ It'd probably be wise for them all to support each other, and Yin Yu seemed the reasonable sort last time. It was sad news to know he was here, though Flayn has a point. ]

I'm grateful that I can confirm your safety with my own two eyes as well. Though I can only hope that everyone else made it home in our absence.

[ The alternative options are too grim. He tries not to look too deflated, chin still held upright. ]

We've already survived so much together, Flayn. Surely we can face whatever this is as well.

I know that we can.

[She reaches for his hand to give his fingers a light squeeze, but if he seems uncomfortable with it, she'll drop it quickly.]

...we still have a promise to keep. I plan to hold you to it.

[ He only flinches very slightly from surprise. People were never so casual with him back home—he's fairly sure holding his hand would launch some sort of scandal in the right circumstances. It's nice not to have to worry about it, for once. ]

Our promise... You still take that to heart? [ He'd never drop it, but it's a little surprising given everything that's happened. ] I very nearly broke it already.

[It might cause a scandal on his end, and on hers, Seteth would probably cut off the hand of whoever dared to let her hold theirs. But no one is here to be scandalized by Dimitri holding hands, and Seteth is probably off having an aneurysm that Flayn isn't home, so she can do what she wants.]

Of course I do. [Her expression is earnest.] You did everything you could to keep it. It is not your fault that the circumstances were not ideal.

[ If nothing else, at least they aren't bound by the limitations of their own worlds anymore. But even so, they must return there... no matter how presumptuous it is for him to promise anyone they'd be safe and survive, he wants to do so. ]

...In that case, allow me to revisit that oath, Flayn.

[ Any promise he makes, he has to take seriously. So he puts his hand overtop hers, speaking with just as much conviction as he's had at the trials, knightly as anything. An oath nearly broken needs to be reforged. ]

I will do everything within my power to protect you. No matter what awaits us, I will meet it as boldly as I can. In return... promise me that you will survive.

boop

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

good! morning!!

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