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

[machinetranslation]

I. how rude an awakening

[It doesn't take much to knock over C-3PO in the best of circumstances, but that's doubly true for when he's powered down and inside a moving vehicle. The harsh jostle of the pothole bump throws his lanky body right to the ground.

Anyone nearby would certainly hear the loud thunk of 75 kilos of metal and wire hitting the floor so unceremoniously. Coming to investigate, you'd see a golden-plated figure (underneath the shirt & booty shorts, that is), face-down and currently struggling to right himself—worriedly muttering in a tinny, clearly non-organic voice.]

[Will you help him get up? Quietly watch? He doesn't seem to be having much luck on his own with the swaying motion of the bus.]

Oh dear, it seems I must have powered down after everything...

II. speaking to the bus manager

[Whenever he does make his way to his feet, assisted or not, Threepio sets out exploring the interior. It's not long before he locates the driver's cabin, intending to ask about where they're headed and if perhaps they could pilot a bit more smoothly.

Knocking and looking through the tinted window, he spots the silhouette of a familiar domed shape.

The knocking becomes louder and more impatient.]


R2?? R2-D2 open this door at once! I should have known this rough flying was your handiwork.

[Knock knock knock

R2? Flying? This golden robot man is shouting some strange things.]

III. wildcard/bully

[Whenever he gives up on yelling at R2 in the driver's cabin, C-3PO will wander around the first deck, chatting to anyone he sees, complaining to himself, and decidedly not attempting to climb the ladder. Feel free to approach him and ask what his deal is, he'd certainly love to tell you.

Hit me up on disco at ikiguy#4890 for any bully requests or ideas!]

1 i'm already so sorry

[menially]

[oh

oh is this actually heaven is

IS THAT ANOTHER ROBOT]

Whoa, whoa, easy-- here, don't rattle yourself up any more than you have to. [practically baseball sliding next to the robot HE'S CONCERNED HE PROMISES] Can you right yourself prone, or are you gonna need some help?

nothing pleases him more than people liking him

[machinetranslation]

Oh, oh, yes that'd be most appreciated.

[once turned over, it's easy to help him sit up, and the motion is accompanied by a distinctly mechanical whir of motor-driven musculature]

[now righted, he blinks and looks around before focusing on his helpful new friend crouched next to him]

Why thank you, sir! I am C-3PO, Human-Cyborg Relations. Might I ask who you are?

im going to cry for the rest of my life

[menially]

[CYBORG?????????

SCREAMS HAPPILY BUT ON THE INSIDE ONLY

He'll nod, holding out a hand.]

Guy Cecil. It's a pleasure, C-3PO. I don't get to see much technology with higher levels of sentience.

Is there a specific directive you were built for, or have you been given more free reign in what you choose to do? [He is. Practically vibrating out of excitement but he's being good because robots deserve respect.]

1

[shortforever]

[He might help him up, but he's going to stare at first. Because this is the third robot Chuuya has met and it's also the first one that actually looks like a robot.]

...huh. No skin on you?

[It makes sense in context, I promise.]

[machinetranslation]

[The robot seems to either not hear or ignore the (rude) question about his lack of skin.]

Oh, hello? My apologies, but I seem to have fallen. Just a moment.

[He continues to slowly try and bring himself up off the ground.]

[shortforever]

[...welp.

Time to help the robot up. Or try to, he heavy.]

How'd you even fall down? I thought robots could stay standing up.

ii

[fishingforcompliments]

[



This is kind of painful to watch, actually. Flayn's expression is sympathetic as she approaches C-3PO while he shouts and knocks.]

C-3PO... I do not believe that whoever is back there is going to answer.

[machinetranslation]

[He turns, embarrassed at someone hearing his yelling at R2 (it's a small bus, so...of course??). But is then delighted and perks up at seeing Flayn.]

Oh, Miss Flayn! What a wonderful surprise to see you're on this transport as well.

[He turns back to the door]

You're probably right. R2 can be quite stubborn sometimes, and is hardly the most capable pilot.

[fishingforcompliments]

...

[Hmm.]

Perhaps we should simply let him drive, then..? He may... get us to our destination.

[She doesn't sound like she believes that, but she's not sure C-3PO should be wasting his battery power on yelling at someone who won't answer.]

bully...................?

[baori]

[ hello robo man...

giyuu is going to approach him slowly. he's not really going to be mean to him but this is awkward??? kind of??? he threatened his "life" on multiple occasions but uh. hm. well, he remembers how uselessly mobile the robot is so. ]

Will you be able to move between levels?

bully!

[machinetranslation]

[Threepio starts a bit at Giyuu's quiet approach, but when he turns to him his voice is as pleasant and delighted as ever.]

Oh, Master Giyuu! It's good to see a familiar face here. Quite cramped for a transport, but I suppose we were picked up in a rather remote area.

[He looks at the ladder]

If needed, I am capable of using ladders such as these and have done so during power outages and the like. It's not an activity I particularly enjoy, I should say. You may have noticed that I'm not exactly built for physical activity.

[baori]

[ the cheerful robot is awful at making him feel good about himself, hilariously. ]

I haven't forgotten.

[ it's why he asked honestly. and hm...sure the robo has never given any reason to do anything but like giyuu (terrible, honestly), he'll have shame for the both of them. still, this doesn't mean he doesn't have to do anything for in response to everything that has happened. ]

If you need help...

[ and that's about as far as giyuu will get with that because he can't finish the rest. it feels so wrong. ]

i

[applechemist]

[ Help him up, of course! Poor automaton! ]

Powered down...? Do you need maintenance?

help computer

[machinetranslation]

Oh, thank you very much for your assistance!

[While expressing his thanks, he allows himself to be helped up. He's a bit heavy to flip over, but once he's facing up, it's surprisingly easy to lift him to a sitting position and then on to his feet, as if the motion was assisted by motors.]

[Once standing, he goes to dust himself off, notices the clothing, and after a confused beat looks up at his kind rescuer.]

After everything I've been through, I'm certain that I could use plenty of maintenance.

[A small start as he remembers himself]

Oh, but where are my manners? I am C-3PO, Human-Cyborg Relations. [A small, polite bow of the head] At your service, Miss...?

[applechemist]

[ here! ]

II

[slobjection]

[ phoenix watches this scene unfold..... ]

[ does nothing to interfere or help. ]

... Huh. This is new.

[machinetranslation]

[The shiny golden man starts and turns around, somehow looking sheepish despite his unchanging metal expression.]

Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry. I hope I wasn't creating too much of a disturbance. I was merely trying to get the attention of the pilot, who I believe to be my counterpart, an (rude) astromech named R2-D2.

[slobjection]

[ this sounds a bit like one of phoenix's favorite sci fi sagas.... space battles. ]

[ weird. ]

Is that what the pilot looks like to you?

III. wildcard bully

[getdrekt]

[here comes Asch

he's??? covered??? in blood???

or more accurately, he has a trail of it down the front of his shirt, remnants from some nose bashing, it seems. at the sigh of 3PO, he stops

stares

and beelines over]

You!

Automaton!

Give me your shirt!

knew I could count on you for bully

[machinetranslation]

[Oh my that's a lot of blood! Since it seems to be coming from his own nose it's proooobably not murder-blood? Probably. Best to assume the best in people. As he approaches:]

Oh dear, sir! Are you alright?

[At his command, he looks down at his shirt, seeming to notice it for the first time. Then looks back up.]

My...shirt, sir?

i

[muragas]

I think you deserved a nap after everything that happened.

[ it's unfortunate this is the result of it, though ]

[machinetranslation]

Oh, Miss Minako! Is that you?

[He clumsily flips himself over and sits up]

This quite reminds me of our first meeting. How are you feeling?

iii. bully bully bully bully

[ruffboi]

[He just. He sees this beautiful golden robot banging on the driver's cabin and he can't resist.

No axe, so running at him to try to tear his arm off with his bare hands.]

[machinetranslation]

overflow~