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

[successives]

first deck

[Once it becomes obvious that the windows and doors are locked, and that any attempt at getting out more forcefully are not going to work... She's wandering down the hall of this deck, looking around for something in particular. When she can't seem to find it, she speaks up a little louder than she means to, irritated and more than a little nervous.]

Hey, can anybody see where that fucking speaker is?

[In a perfect world, she would be able to break it. Alas.]

third deck

[A little bit later on in the day, when it's obvious nobody is leaving that day, Natalie can be found on the third deck. She's near the dart board with a few in her hand, just... tossing them over and over again at the board. Or anywhere, really, because she's not really paying attention to where they go as much as the act of throwing them. There's a good chance there's a spread of them over the wall she's facing. If she sees anyone looking her way, she keeps that same frown on her face as she glances over at them.]

What?

[Friendly.]

wildcard

[Hit me up for anything else you'd like to play out!! I'm always down for different prompts or PCs.]

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?

third deck

[applechemist]

[ Hm. Escha is eyeing those darts warily. ]

Oh, um. Nothing. Just - be careful with those, okay?

[successives]

Darn. And here I was, planning to start tossing them at random passerby.

[It's said dryly as she moves towards the wall, glancing at the other girl before starting to pull the darts out of the wall. Something in her expression says she isn't too mad about the suggestion, though, coupled with her next words.]

I will.

[applechemist]

It's just - with a set up like this, I don't want to anyone getting hurt.

[ "A set up like this" could mean that they're all in close quarters... Or it could mean "a bunch of randos were suddenly transported somewhere, and Escha's seen how THAT goes." ]

[successives]

Right. Someone could sprint in here without any warning because everyone is super freaked out right now, I get it.

[After a moment, though, something in the wording makes her pause.]

That's what you meant, right?

first deck

[snyaiper]

You mean where the music is coming from?

[He frowns a moment as if he's thinking. Or focusing, probably.]

It doesn't sound like it's coming from one singular location.

[successives]

...Of course it is. That makes it a lot harder to make it stop.

[She drags her hands down her face for a second before shaking her head as if to clear it. Muttered to herself:]

Okay. I can figure this out. If the windows and the doors aren't working, then...

[Hm.]

[snyaiper]

[Mood honestly.]

I don't think whoever put us here would have made escape so easy, nor modifying their torture device.

third deck............. im here

[covenantal]

Oh, nothing. I was just observing your skill with darts.

[ His voice and expression are so mild it's impossible to tell if this is a joke or not, but something in his eyes is glittering. ]

[successives]

Come to watch the master at work, huh?

[She says, as one flies wildly off the mark into the wall.]

[covenantal]

I thought I could perhaps become your apprentice. It's not every day you run into a master, after all.

[ He's still not smiling, not exactly, but it's there, hiding in the corner of his mouth. ]

first deck

[menially]

Question of the hour, honestly. [he normally wouldn't complain about taste in music but this is REALLY PUSHING IT AND HE HAS A HEADACHE]

If it's installed somewhere nearby, I haven't seen any signs of wiring or seams.

[successives]

[She frowns deeper, glancing towards him with her arms crossed.]

If you boost me up, I can reach the ceiling and see if I can feel the vibrations or anything.

[menially]

[oh my god

maybe his headache will just kill him and he won't have to deal with this immediately]

Smart idea, but I'm not the right person to ask.

third deck

[haw]

[ from one of the tables in the room comes a very, very dry: ]

Is this some kinda personality test? Like, am I supposed to be seein' a butterfly in yer dart pattern, or are you just really that shit at this?

[successives]

You're supposed to see someone who doesn't care about impressing random strangers with her dart throwing skills.

[Another toss. This one makes it onto the board, but barely.]

Beats pacing around, anyways.

[haw]

( overflow! (finally) )

[machinetranslation]

[Threepio, who had noticed her irritation and was in the process of shuffling over to initiate Helpful Mode]

I may be able to help you locate it, miss. Although electronics aren't my specialty.

[hello it's a golden robot in a tie-dye shirt and bootie jorts here to assist]

[successives]

[Overflow!]

[getdrekt]

No.

[but there's some note of ire in her voice that intrigues him.]

Why? Do you want to break it as much as I do?

[successives]

[Overflow!]