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

[swordflash]

[The lurch of his body snaps Zenitsu out of his slumber, whose eyes bulge open at the sight of the unfamiliar ceiling. What's with this awful music? It's hurting his ears. Never mind that, though. Once he's regained the slightest bearing, he scrambles onto his knees and throws himself at the nearest person('s legs or waist).]

Nooooo! H-h-h-help me! I don't wanna die again!

[Later, anyone who wants to travel to another deck will have to wait for Zenitsu to finish ascending the ladder, except he's shaking so fiercely that he's unable to take another upward step. At this point, he's little more than an over-sized koala with a dirty voice as he whimpers one name after another.]

Chuntaro . . . Gramps . . . Anya . . .

[voidbreaker]

[ he liTERALLY JUST TURNS AROUND AND WALKS AWAY BUT FASTER ]

[swordflash]

[ bye, felicia. ]

[recrypt]

[ yeah she's just going to peek in from the deck above and

grab the back of zenitsu's collar to start (trying to) haul him up. ]

[swordflash]

[ what's this? he yelps when something grips him by the collar, pressing himself against the ladder. ]

No, no, no! Leave me alone! I don't taste good!

[ still refusing to look up, he chokes out a watery cry. ]

[disreguarded]

[ oh, that's a familiar voice. ]

-- Zenitsu? [ WHERE IS HIS VOICE COMING FR -- oh. well, he's attached to her leg. ] Come on, man, it's fine, stop screaming.

[swordflash]

[ that's definitely a familiar voice. he pulls his head back, sniffling. ]

Beau! What are you doing here?

[givethemhell]

[Hm, there's some shaking lump obstructing his upward climb... Only one way to deal with an errant koala?! He REACHES FORWARD AND UP and tries to pluck him off the rungs, so he can carry him up like a little demon baby.]

Whoops! Up we go.

[swordflash]

[The shock of being lifted and thrown into the arms of a stranger has Zenitsu kicking and thrashing.]

Wait! Wait, I'm not ready! What if there's a demon up there? What if it's Mammon? You have to let me down!

[shortforever]

[He's not surprised by any of this, but he is getting annoyed by the wait. He wants to see the next level!]

Oi! Shit or get off the pot!

[swordflash]

[He may have to wait a little longer, because Zenitsu clings to the ladder even harder.]

What is that even supposed to mean? If you're not going to make sense, don't say anything!

[shortfornow]

[ He's in the deck above, ready to climb down when he sees him. ]

Oh no, there's someone blocking the ladder. It would be a shame if something were to fell down on them.

[swordflash]

Why are you here!

[ His hands squeeze around the ladder, horrified that this guy of all people happens to be overhead. ]

You'd better not have any strange dolls on you. Go away!

[overruns]

[ Dimitri immediately, instinctively grabs this poor boy by the scruff of his shirt to peel him off, but quickly registers he's not a threat. Just very frightened, and barnacled to him.

Oh dear. ]

Please, don't panic— [ Too late. He tries to sound soothing, but mostly comes across as hapless. ] No one is here to hurt you.

[swordflash]

How can you be certain? If this is anything like last time, I'm doomed!

[ But those magic words do the trick. He pulls back to focus his weight on his knees, resting his hands on the outer sides of Dimitri's feet. ]

If you're so sure, you have to protect me. Got it? I'll haunt you if you let me die!

[baori]

[ wow, his first reaction is to shove off whoever has thrown themselves on him but he gets as far as planting a hand firmly onto his scalp when he recognizes the voice and the hair.

there's no way.

.....

wow giyuu feels infinitely more tired all of the sudden. ]

[swordflash]

[ what a powerful, terrifying grip. he jumps before going deathly still, daring to venture his gaze upward at tomioka's face.

why isn't this man saying anything? zenitsu squeaks. ]

Is that a yes?

[wisterin]

[ It's hard to mistake this head of hair with this hair color and this hair style. ]

Zenitsu-kun?

[ She puts a hand on his shoulder, gently. ]

What do you mean again?

[ She's smiling, but her smile is a little more stiff than usual. ]

[swordflash]

[ Zenitsu, who has no frame of reference for her smiles, is instantly enamored and therefore calmed by the one gives him. But it's not quite enough to do away with his anxiety as he lifts his head with a sniffle. ]

It means what it means . . . but who are you?

[fishingforcompliments]

[EEP. Flayn isn't expecting Zenitsu to latch onto her waist (it almost has to be her waist because she is Too Short for him to be leg-level, really), but she manages to throw a hand out onto the wall to keep from toppling over.



she hesitantly pats his head with her free hand.]

...you will not be harmed. Shh, it is okay.

[swordflash]

[Good thing the wall didn't bounce them both off. He's just thankful that this person hasn't pushed him away, doubly so when a hand innocuously rests on his head.

Wow, she's cute.]

How can you tell?

[Is it really going to be okay?]

[coastal]

[i

i'm so sorry but the second that he attaches to her, she's going to fucking kick him. i miss anya. i'm so sorry. I FEEL SO BAD]

Touch me again and lose both hands.

[swordflash]

[He drops onto his back, clutches his chest dramatically, then rolls onto his knees as he covers his head with his hands.]

I don't want that, either! No! Let me out of this room, wherever this is!

[muragas]

[ oh, cool, guess she has a human fanny pack attached to her waist now. ]

Hm? Are you alright? What's wrong?

arrival

[getdrekt]

[...

he just

hits him on the head.]

Shut up.

You're the last person I want to hear that from.