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

[unfriendliest]

[ ksldgjLSKDGDS

EXCUSE KARA LUNGING FORWARD TO CATCH HER BY THE BACK OF THE SHIRT

WHAT THE FUCK, LILI ]

[1/2]

[coastal]

[SHE MAKES A SMALL NOISE IN SURPRISE - before reacting immediately and whirling around as much as she can, fingers clenched into a fist to knock out whoever has the gall to touch her without her permission—]

[coastal]

[and then she realizes it's kara

and blinks before settling entirely, dropping her fist]

Oh.

Don't do that, I was in the middle of something.

[unfriendliest]

Wherever we are, it's moving. [ HELLO? ] Throwing yourself through the door isn't safe.

[coastal]

I think this is the floor closest to the ground - so I probably wouldn't fall that far. I'll take a little injury over capture.

[she really needs

less reckless plans. but she looks thoughtful at least, tilting her head]

And I didn't know you were here....

[that said, she also didn't like. wait long enough to look?]

[unfriendliest]

Did you even look?

[ he knows how impulsive she is :/ ]

Nothing's opening, though. So there has to be another way out.

[coastal]

If we're being transported somewhere, we don't have time to waste. Getting out is the primary imperative and once an escape route is created, everyone else with half a brain would obviously take it, too.

[also she has kidnap trauma, but what kind of sissy admits that!]

All the windows are impenetrable on this floor - probably the same for above... Do you think there's a secret exit?

[unfriendliest]

[ he knows that, lili! ]

Probably. Whoever that is, [ he waves vaguely at the driver ] they'll probably have the answer. They just won't respond.

...There might be some condition we have to fulfill, like the village.

[coastal]

[ . . . hmmm, she looks thoughtful for a moment before sighing.]

Well let's hope that no one gets any bright ideas about what those conditions might be before we know them for sure.

[last man standing on the bus.]

I think that whoever's in there is an illusion. There's no way Kaoru would ignore me like that.

[unfriendliest]

You see Kaoru? [ hm. curious. ] I thought it was MItsutada.

[ at any rate, ]

It might not be the same here. It took us a while to find out before, though...

[ he doesn't want to be stuck here for eight weeks? ]

...And my sword is missing.

[coastal]

It's what?

[GUESS WHAT HER NEW PRIORITY IS - ]

Let's go find it.

[she's even going to put her BREAKOUT plan on hold for this]

[unfriendliest]

[ hm well wherever she goes he's following ]

I've already looked around, but I haven't found it anywhere.

[coastal]

Every floor? In every cabinet? There's no point in hiding something so precious in the walls where it's of no use to anyone...

[but she's already moving, looking up and underneath every surface she passes by. she's even slowing down, just to make sure she's not missing anything]

[unfriendliest]

I've tried to be as thorough as possible, but maybe I missed something.

[ he's just casually going to start rifling through everything again. ]

[coastal]

We'll both look this time.

[because there's nothing to do but to search, right?]

We won't part ways until we find it. I promise.

[because they'll need to part ways at some point again, they both know that - but she won't leave him until he's whole again]

[unfriendliest]

[ he'd prefer if they didn't have to part at all but they're both independent swordkin who don't need no significant other

but for now they can search together. and after a bit of silence, he'll ask: ]

Your magic isn't working either, is it?

[coastal]

If it was, I would've tried to freeze the window and then ram into it.

[something something shit's more fragile when cold]

No fire to break us out of here either, I take it?

[unfriendliest]

[ yea he thought so. ]

No. And no meteors, either. [ not that he'd have meteored the bus while they're all on it. probably. ] Whoever brought us here took everything.

[coastal]

[a little meteor, as a treat]

Something tells me we're not dealing with one of your old comrades masquerading as a messenger of the universe anymore.

[MUCH WORSE]

They even took my clothes!

[unfriendliest]

They took everyone's clothes. But finding my sword and a way out is more important than that.

[coastal]

I can still be annoyed. To undress someone without their permission is disgusting and wrong. I'm going to beat up whoever did this for plenty of reasons, but that's one of them.

[A LAUNDRY LIST OF REASONS SHE'S MAD]

[unfriendliest]

[ sighs. ]

If we find them, I'll help.

[ sure would be nice to have his sword for that though ]

[coastal]

Mm, I know. [SHE EXPECTED IT] We're going to make them regret this.

[SHE'S SO MAD]

We had places to be....

[unfriendliest]

[ nodding... ]

I still need to get back to Munemura

[coastal]

[ . . . she pauses in her searching for a moment to just reach out and lay a hand on his forearm to get his attention

her voice is about 2% softer - kinder]

You will.

[her usual brand of absolute certainty is there though]