WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL - OVERFLOW

[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]

I don't know! But if you're pulling a prank about demons on me, there's a chance that he might be, too. Is he gonna pop out and try to scare me? This sucks!

[givethemhell]

[HE LOOKS AROUND... and then under the bar, just in case.]

—No one else seems to be here right now! No demons and no one else. Promise!

[swordflash]

How can I trust you after you lied about it earlier?

[Hmph! He holes himself up under the bar.]

I'm staying here!

[givethemhell]

[...

After a second, he just ducks under there with Zenitsu, too.]

I'll stay down here with you too, then! The bar seats aren't very comfortable anyway. Say, what's your name?

[swordflash]

[He makes a face. Go away!]

Agatsuma Zenitsu. Who are you?

[givethemhell]

[Absolutely not Zenitsu is now stuck with him.]

Wei Wuxian, from the boat! How should I refer to you? Agatsuma? Zenitsu?

[swordflash]

Either works. What should I call you?

[givethemhell]

[There is a legitimate second here where he briefly considers bringing back the John Lennon joke in honor of Higekiri, but miraculously, he refrains.]

Wuxian's fine, or Wei Wuxian, or just Woo. [Hm.] People call me whatever they feel like.

[swordflash]

[Woo.

Zenitsu stares.]

What about Mo Xuanyu?

[givethemhell]

[HAHA thanks he hates it. You know, somehow despite knowing there are people here who know people from his world, this catches him off his guard a bit?? He blinks, and then huffs out a little laugh.]

Haven't used that one in quite some time. [IT'S NOT A LIE. There's a little quirk of a smile, then.] You said you were from the house, yes?

[swordflash]

[All people have at least one thing they'd prefer to keep a secret. Zenitsu won't begrudge anyone for it, and thus doesn't question Wei Wuxian's deft evasion.

He nods.]

I saw you in Ling's memories.

[givethemhell]

[Zenitsu... Maybe he will not bully him so often in the future, even though it was a lot of fun. A little respect, as thanks.]

Ah - so yours had something like that too, then... [MEMSHARES, ALSO A SIMILARITY.] May I ask what the memory was?

[swordflash]

[Don't bully him at all, jerk!]

There were two. You helped him win a fight, then you told him to put his dad's sword down when his uncle showed up.

[givethemhell]

[IT'S HOW HE SHOWS AFFECTION, HE'S GOTTA.

He hums a little, though, considering these memories.]

A fight with his peers, yes? [...] Can you tell me a little more about the second one?

[swordflash]

You were on a fishing boat. His uncle appeared with some larger boats and wanted to know why . . .

[He trails off. There are details he doesn't want to share out of deference to Ling, and thinking about it makes him feel a little sad, too.]

Anyway, it was a short memory. I didn't see much, but you looked confused.

[givethemhell]

[Hm, hm... Ah. Oh. Yeah, he remembers that now. Wow, that wasn't even that long ago before he'd left his world, but eight weeks in thot hell really damages an already poor memory.]

Mm, I remember that now. [A little huff of a sigh. Then:] Were the two of you friends? You and Jin Ling?

[swordflash]

[Oh, good. That saves him the trouble of having to describe around the memory.]

Yeah.

When we left, he was about to date the cutest girl in the world.

[givethemhell]

[Zenitsu escapes for now... Meanwhile, there's like, .5 seconds where his expression softens a little. Jin Ling needs! Friends!! And anyone who's a friend of Jin Ling's is automatically someone who's under his protection, those are the laws.

But unfortunately, before he can say anything worthwhile and soft and cute--]

—He was about to what—!?

[swordflash]

[It's dark under the bar counter, so he doesn't catch the shift in Wei Wuxian's expression. But he definitely hears that rise in volume.]

I was surprised, too. He even told me that none of the girls there were worth it. Can you believe that? He's unbelievable.

[givethemhell]

Jin Ling can barely make friends!! What in the world does he think he's doing, trying to date someone!?

[The audacity of this man to criticize someone else for their failures in romance, wow. Incredible.]

[swordflash]

[Well, it's true that Jin Ling stinks at befriending others.]

But, you know, I think it'll work out. Anya's the nicest girl and I made sure to tell Ling that he should always hold her hand when he can. He really cares about her!

[givethemhell]

[YOU'RE NO GOOD, JIN LING, YOU'RE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER.

He groans and slaps a hand over his face.]

Aiya... You let someone out of your sight for just a few weeks and this happens. [A BIG, THEATRICAL SIGH.] Do you think so? Do you really?

[swordflash]

[He wonders just what Wei Wuxian's relationship with Jin Ling is, to talk like that.]

Sure, I do. When I was hurt, he made food for me. That means he'll do that and more for the girl he likes, right?

[givethemhell]

[Zenitsu...

He's learned a hilariously large amount in just the last few things Zenitsu has said. A guy who'd complain about Jin Ling wandering off with a girlfriend, only to turn around and defend him when he's under fire, hm? He's quiet for a few seconds before SIGHING AGAIN...

And then smiling because Zenitsu passed the friend test.]

Hah, if he takes after his father any in that area too, he will. [GOD.] But it sounds like the two of you really did get along well, hm? Good, good - I'm glad to hear it. It took him a long time to start making any friends at all, you know?

[swordflash]

[That earns Wei Wuxian another curious look. The things he says makes him sound older than he looks. Did he know Jin Ling's father? And if he's not another friend, what is he?]

He's a reckless guy, always getting yelled at for something he did or said. He'd yell at me all the time, too. One time, we planned a formation for four of us and he ran ahead as soon as something happened. No matter how many times you talked to him, he wouldn't listen.

[For all his grousing, he smiles fondly.]

But he never stopped trying. He's a lot kinder than he lets on.