notagain | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL

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▽ MURDER PROPOSALS
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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

That was the case with us, as well. We were... killed by others who were trapped on the island.

[She bites her lip. It sounds like he was involved in a ritual too, then. But why the difference in where it happened?

But, worse than that...

They know what was expected of them before. What is expected of them now?]

...but it is supposed to be over now.

. . . yeah. It is.

Especially now that the being that was making us kill each other is dead.

[he knows their experiences are different, but. . . but]

[but one thing remains the same for the both of them: it is supposed to be over now]

...

[The curse is supposed to be broken -

But what if it's not? Flayn anxiously toys with the hem of her ugly t-shirt.]

...have you encountered anyone here who was with you, in that place?

[he shifts a little closer to Flayn, if only because she looks so nervous he can't help but try to be comforting. even if the situation is stressful for them all]

Mmm. I recognized a few people-- Beau, Ash, Chuuya, Dazai, 45, Phoenix. But that's all for now.

Do you recognize anyone?

I recognize some...

[She looks around and indicates familiar faces when she sees them in the crowd - Yin Yu, Dimitri, Minako, Anaido... she hasn't encountered the others yet.]

But there are more people here that I do not recognize than those that I do.

[falling silent as he scans the crowds. yeah; there are way more people here he doesn't recognize than he recognizes, too]

And how much do you want to bet that they all came from places similar to my mansion or your island?

It would not surprise me if that was the case.

[She hates it, but given what she's experienced and what Akira has... that seems to be what they have in common.]

And if that is so, then...

[Haha.

knife emoji]

[. . .]

[his expression falls, brows furrowing, a moment of pure frustration crossing his features]

[and then it's gone. no weakness, Kurusu. no weakness. your battle isn't over yet]

I'm sorry, but. . . I have one more question.

Can you tell me what happened to Ryuji. . .?

[and he's trying not to sound anxious as he asks that, too]

He was safe. No one hurt him.

[She says that quickly and easily, because... well, it's the truth. Which - oh, wait. If Akira knows Ryuji, then... he probably also knows...]

...another friend of his was there, too. Yusuke. He was also not harmed by anyone on the island. Both of them boarded the ship to go home at the end.

[thank god. Akira visibly deflates in relief, eyes slipping shut. thank god]

[and his brief moment of tension at the mention of Yusuke vanishes in an instant when Flayn guarantees that Yusuke made it home safely, too. the powers that be need to stop kidnapping his friends!!]

Thank you. Yusuke is a friend of mine, too. So I'm-- [another breath] . . . I'm so relieved they were okay.

[so relieved they aren't here]

They were both very kind people. I do not believe a single person on that island could have ever wanted to do them harm.

[They were part of survivor pool, so she's double sure of it!! So there!!]

You have wonderful friends.

[good!! he'd destroy anyone who hurt his phantom thieves!!!! don't touch his thieves!!]

I know I do.

[and he says that so quickly, so fondly, that it's clear he cares for these people extremely deeply]

They're the best thing that has ever happened to me.

[Oh... that's touching, honestly. Flayn's expression softens, and she smiles. This is friendship at its finest.]

...they are lucky to have someone like you thinking of them.

Ah-- [oh no. he turns a light shade of red and looks away, rubbing the back of his neck as he does so]

Sorry. I didn't mean to get all sappy on you.

[a. anyway. . .!]

We should be talking about the situation we're in.

It is quite alright! I enjoy hearing about people's friends.

[...ah. But he's right.]

Yes... and what we intend to do about it. I, for one, would like to avoid things taking the same sort of turn they did where I just was. I am sure you would as well.

[Is she just assuming he's anti-murder because he's friends with Ryuji and Yusuke? Yep.]

[I MEAN. SHE'S NOT WRONG. THAT LOGIC GETS HER TO THE RIGHT ANSWER]

Of course.

[he says that firmly!!]

I'm going to do whatever is within my power to prevent things from taking a tragic turn.

[. . . he doesn't know what he can do at this point in time, and the niggling guilt of not being able to prevent anything that happened back in the mansion is. . . strong]

[but]

[no matter what? he has to try]

I will help in whatever way I can.

[she was not terribly good at preventing murders before. but at least she didn't commit any last time, so... she's on the right track! it's fine.

it's possible that they might try and fail, but they're guaranteed to fail if they don't at least attempt it.]

[and that response gets a small smile from Akira. an upward curve of his lips, barely noticeable]

. . . thank you.

What's your name?

boop

WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

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