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

first deck

[fishingforcompliments]

[Natalie already looks annoyed. Which, fair. Flayn also rather dislikes this music. Where is it even coming from, anyway? There don't seem to be any musicians on the bus.]

I apologize for having to ask, but... what is a speaker?

[successives]

[She looks at Flayn for a long moment, trying to decipher whether she's joking or not. When she responds, it's not to answer the question.]

Hey. What year is it, where you're from? Something weird is obviously happening, but I want to determine, like, exactly how weird that something is.

[fishingforcompliments]

Ah... Imperial Year 1180.

[that probably doesn't help.]

[successives]

[She looks like she was half expecting a completely unfamiliar answer, at least, even though she frowns upon hearing it.]

...Great. Let me guess, you've never heard of the United States?

[fishingforcompliments]

[she shakes her head]

...no, I have not. And I imagine you have never heard of Fódlan, either.

[successives]

[She shakes her head, crossing her arms as she digests that new information.]

...Gotta say, already really not liking how familiar this is.

[fishingforcompliments]

Nor am I.

[Flayn thinks it over for a few long moments, and then speaks up.]

...correct me if I am wrong. Before you woke up here, you found yourself in a place you were unfamiliar with, alongside people you were unfamiliar with. And in that place, blood was shed.

[successives]

...I guess we all have something in common.

[She frowns.]

Worst group bonding exercise ever.

[fishingforcompliments]

But I do not understand... we were supposed to be going home.

[...]

Unless... were we lied to?

[successives]

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t really be surprised.

[...]

Unless we’re out of his hands and into somebody else’s.

[fishingforcompliments]

"His"?

[Flayn's eyes widen - that's a little different from what she was expecting.]

Who do you mean?

[successives]

[She pauses for a moment, surprised in turn.]

We had somebody who was in charge of the whole situation. You didn’t?

[fishingforcompliments]

Not exactly. There was one of our number who had been overtaken by the island's curse, but it was not as though he personally plucked us out of our homes and forced us to be there.

[successives]

[She blinks.]

Wait, so... Who pushed you into hurting each other? Or did you mean the whole blood was shed thing in another way?

[fishingforcompliments]

The curse did. I cannot quite explain the specifics of it, since I was never overtaken by it, myself... but the island's curse drove some of us to do things they might not otherwise do.

[She looks down.]

Aside from that, we were told that a certain number of us had to be killed for the rest of us to go home. Some... acted for that reason, I believe.

[successives]

So, like... Mind control, or something? Jesus.

[Awful! She looks bothered for a few moments before she shoves it down, nodding.]

And you got out once that happened, or...?

[fishingforcompliments]

...the curse ended up being broken, supposedly. Those of us who were killed were... brought back, and we were all supposed to be going home.

[successives]

But then you ended up here.

[Awful.]

I wonder if the whole "hey, time to go home" thing is a common factor, too.

[fishingforcompliments]

Going by what those I have spoken to already have said... it seems to be.

[successives]

...You know, I feel like that's a pretty important piece of the puzzle, but I have no idea what to do with this information anyways.

[Ugh!! Anyways.]

I didn't get your name.

[fishingforcompliments]

Oh! I apologize... my name is Flayn. What should I call you, Miss?

[successives]

[She waves a hand as if to wave off the apology itself.]

Just Natalie, no Miss.

[fishingforcompliments]

Natalie, then.

[She smiles at her.]

I am sure you have heard this before, but it is nice to meet you, despite the circumstances.

[successives]

...Right.

[It's debatable how much she agrees with that given the expression on her face, but she doesn't outright deny it, at least.]

[fishingforcompliments]

[it's a start!!]

...at any rate, as I recall, you were looking for a "speaker," correct? I am unacquainted with such a thing, but I would be glad to help you look for it if you would describe it to me.