notagain | WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL

▽ FULL NAVIGATION
▽ LOCATIONS
▽ STATUSES
▽ IC PROFILES
▽ IC RULEBOOK
▽ MURDER PROPOSALS
▽ PCS
▽ CURFEW
▽ ???
▽ ???
▽ ???

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

[ this 45 must have her head on straight! ]

Hm? Do you want me to come with you?

Yes! It'll be safer if we go together. You shouldn't be wandering alone, either!

[ the bus is so small. no one is truly alone. ]

I see.

[ hm ]

Alright, we can take a look around together. Once we're both familiar with the layout of this place, it'll be harder to take us by surprise, right?

Right! Here, why don't you take the front? I'll follow behind you.

[ hmmmmmmmmmmmmm ]

Eyes above the waist, buddy. I'm counting on you to watch my back.

Right! You can count on me!

[ he'll take any excuse to stay behind. but the moment he gets a look at the back of her head, Zenitsu pauses. ]

Ah! It's you!

[ that makes her pause and turn around, smiling blankly out of confusion ]

Ah... Yes, it is me. I'd be worried if it was someone else.

[ ... ]

What about me?

You're his senpai!

[ not having expected this encounter, it took him a while to realize how familiar she looks. now it's a wonder how he didn't notice earlier. ]

Ken!

[ ............. ]

You know Ken-kun? How?!

He was at the house!

[ is this a small world or what? ]

One week, we shared memories and I saw one of you. That's how I recognized you.

Memories...?

[ wait, hold up ]

A house? Which house? Is he here with the rest of you?

[ can Zenitsu even answer all those rapid fire questions ]

[ hold his anxiety. ]

Before this bus, I was at a cursed house. He was there, but I haven't seen him here.

[ and now he can't stop looking at Minako, knowing what he knows through Ken. ]

[ her hands are not big enough for that... ]

... What memory did you see?

[ because there's looking, and there's Looking, and Zenitsu is teetering more towards the latter than the former ]

[ she'll be disappointed to learn that— ]

He was quarreling over you with the other guys.

[ me, shaking my fist at naru in the distance: but i didn't romance flag aki!!!! ]

... Oh yeah... That's when I decided to go exploring with the girls more often.

[ yup ]

[ ken said, "akihiko rights." ]

There were three of them, right? The girls.

[ THAT NERD HAS NO RIGHTS!!!! ]

Mmhm! Me, Yukari, Mitsuru-senpai, and Fuuka-chan. Ah, but Fuuka-chan usually didn't go with us - she stayed at the entrance and kept an eye on things from there!

[ which meant no dress up with Fuuka... :'( ]

Did you see where we were? In the memory, I mean.

[ cute names for cute girls. shame the memory didn't showcase them much. ]

It was a strange, creepy tower full of monsters.

[ he didn't enjoy seeing it. there was a name. ]

Tartarus, right?