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

[ Escha just. Laughs. You said it, buddy. ]

[PINCHING THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE NOW. . . taking a deep breath. focus, Kurusu. focus]

[then he looks up and just gives her a thumbs up with a super blank expression]

[ She... Returns the thumbs up... But her expression is much less blank and much more. Dejected. ]

[. . . oh no. . .]

[and once he sees that, his expression softens into something more sympathetic. empathetic, really, since he knows how she's feeling]

Hey--

[hilariously the man who introduced himself to everyone with FUCK can be kind]

Are you okay?

Honestly? I hardly know how to answer that.

[ha ha. mood]

. . . let me guess: you were on your way home too, right?

[ Escha just. Smiles. ]

[. . . he smiles too. it's a bit sad, a bit sympathetic]

I'm sorry.

I'm getting the feeling we might be in similar boats.

[ She straightens up a bit. Shifting into business-mode, like she's giving a report... ]

We weren't supposed to go anywhere. And not all of us are here, so... I really don't know what's going on.

[ ... Great report, Escha. ]

[it serves it's purpose, and Akira just. . . sighs]

Can you tell me a little bit about where you were before? Not everyone I was stuck with is here, either.

If we share information, maybe we can figure out why we were brought here in the first place.

[ She looks. So relieved to hear this. Yes, thank you! This guy gets it! ]

I was on a ship, with a number of others. Then...

[ Hrm. She falters here. She wants to share information, but also doesn't want to get too lost in the details. ]

... A lot of stuff happened. But most of them were set to go home, with only a few of us remaining on a small island.

[a ship. . . with the green-haired girl and redheaded girl, then. and. . . Ryuji]

[his gaze narrows a bit]

. . . why did you guys stay on the island?

[ Escha hesitates... ]

We died.

[a sharp inhale of breath, but. strangely enough? he doesn't look surprised. just. . . a little sad, a little angry]

The people who didn't die.

They couldn't bring you home with them?

[ she shakes her head. ]

No. We... Stayed behind.

. . . why?

[just. . . in case there is a why. he knows that the living back at the mansion fought tooth and nail to revive the dead. to bring them home. to make sure they got a happy ending, too]

[ Hrm. She doesn't want to talk about it, but she doesn't think hiding information is wise. It could be useful, somehow. ]

To protect our homes. It's... Hard to explain.

It's okay.

[he gets it, and his tone is gentle. encouraging, but not forceful]

You can explain it if you'd like, but if you'd rather not. . . that's okay, too.

[he just. . . everyone at the mansion had worked so hard to save the dead. to make sure everyone got to go home]

[so the idea of those who died on the island being stuck there forever is a little. . .]

[. . .]

[ She shakes her head. ]

If it seems like it will be useful, I'll go into more detail. But I think right now it's not going to help us to get into that part too much.

[and he nods!!]

Yeah. Let's try to focus on other things for now, then.

[ah. like-- he introduces himself belatedly, slightly sheepish as he rubs the back of his neck]

My name is Akira.

[ She brightens easily enough. Escha prefers to keep things light. ]

I'm Escha. It's nice to meet you.

Escha-san? Or just Escha?

[he defaulted to honorifics back at the mansion, but it wasn't long before he got tired of keeping up with them and just dropped them all. let's get the unnecessarily formalities out of the way first this time around]