WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

[gatonina]

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.

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[Akira is totally thrown asunder when the bus hits the pothole, the suddenness of the movement jolting him awake like a lightning bolt. he blinks blearily at the ceiling, gray eyes (which are not shaded by glasses) wide and confused]

[. . .]

[then he sits up]

[he looks around]

[he looks down at his shirt]

[he looks at his ugly sandals]

[he looks at the fanny pack he's been given]

[and he looks at the scrunchie on his wrist]

[. . .]

[deep breath]

FUCK.

[fishingforcompliments]

[Now, where has she heard a word like that before?]

Ryuji?

[...wait. No, that's not his voice. It's not his face, either, and Flayn looks briefly mortified.]

I am sorry! I mistook you for someone else...

[survivaltricks]

-- what?

[well, if there's anything on this bus that gets his immediate attention, it's that. his gaze snaps towards Flayn immediately, mouth falling open]

[Ryuji isn't exactly an uncommon name, but. . . it's been so long since he's seen his best friend that he can't help his brain going there immediately]

What about Ryuji?

[muragas]

Right?

[ she says, with her tshirt neck pulled as far away from her body as possible so she can peer down into the depths. hm ]

At least it's not the ocean again.

1/3

[survivaltricks]

[his gaze snaps towards her, and--]

[survivaltricks]

[why is she. looking down her shirt]

[survivaltricks]

[FOCUS, AKIRA]

. . . ah. . . an ocean?

[ruffboi]

Hey!

[Oh, hey. It's Akira! The two of them know each other, mutually, both very familiar with one another.]

What gives? Any idea?

[survivaltricks]

[Akira has never seen this man before in his life]

[unfortunately he is WAY too cranky to be polite, so he just. . . lifts a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, irritation evident on his features]

Hell if I know. . . this wasn't where I was supposed to wind up.

I thought I was going home.

[applechemist]

[ Escha just. Laughs. You said it, buddy. ]

[recrypt]

Scheiße!

[ a familiar voice agrees, far too cheerfully ]

[disreguarded]

-- Akira?

[ WHAT. hello?? she's mid throwing a sandal from the floor over like, five feet away. ]

Wait, Akira? Is that you?

[voidbreaker]

[ somewhere in the background ]

FUCK IS RIGHT.

[menially]

...

...

Yeah. Seconding that.

[barely croaked from the floor as he stares up at the ceiling like it owes him blood money despite his crappy outfit and booty shorts, the rising chatter and panic like a dull throb in the back of his head




Damn it.]

Anyone willing to spill on who organized this little joke, or should I assume it's just another bad dream?

[shortforever]

Yeah, that's about right.

[Hi Akira. ]

[unpredicktable]

[ you know what. mood ]

Now that's a sentiment I can get behind.

[givethemhell]

[LMAO MOOD BUDDY. While plucking at his scrunchie:]

Hahaha, I think you've said it the best! What's this meant to be, a bus for the misfortunate?

[successives]

Yeah, that's pretty good for a start.

[Comes the unhelpful response from the peanut gallery. She glances his way, tilting her head.]

Anything else?

[shortfornow]

[ He recognizes that voice, even if he can't actually see the other just yet.]

Ah. Sounds like I still have something nice to look at.

[covenantal]

[ For one reason or another, this causes Yu to burst out laughing. ]

I share the feeling. You alright?

[extracrispy]

[Probably from a couple of yards away, staring into the void from his spot on the floor—]

Say it again, but louder!

[coastal]

[she nods in understanding even as she's working on tying her hair up with the bunny scrunchie]

You can say that again.

Not that you should, because it doesn't add much to morale or conversation.

[machinetranslation]

[The loud and sudden FUCK startles the poor manners-bot and he throws up his hands in surprise]

Oh!!

[Looking down, he notices the grumpy teen on the ground]

Oh my, are you alright, young master? Do you require assistance?

[Not sure if a golden metal man with glowing yellow eyes is a comforting thing to see after waking up, but...here he is!]

[hydrogenetic]

Yeah, tell me about it. [This is said somewhere from Akira's left where another dark-haired protag is staring at his own fanny pack in absolute annoyance.]

[getdrekt]

[he turns towards the sudden noise

notices who it is

and turns away.

he does not see. he is looking away.]