Route 1

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio didn't like to complain...even when he really wanted to. He felt like he had a lot things he could have complained about--he got headaches more than the others. He got tired more than the others. He got carsick more than the others. Still, he didn't like to dwell on the unfairness. He felt lucky he had nice people and a warm place to lay his head down at night. When he thought about that, it helped keep things in perspective.

But right now...he really, really, really wanted to complain about Reigen's driving. It felt like they were constantly swerving or stopping--when it wasn't a rock, it was a ledge. He couldn't even look out the windows to orient himself...not that it would have helped. There was tall grass everywhere. 'It's not the Captain's fault. The road ran out miles ago.' But then the van lurched as it came to another hard stop and Doppio couldn't fight a groan as he swallowed down a wave of nausea. After several failed attempts to rise from his bunk, he had given up. He buried his head in the pillow and took a few deep breaths.

Comments

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Alright, I definitely saw something move." Reigen kept his foot jammed onto the break. "Can someone verify?"

[throughthelookingmax]

"Got it." Max unbuckled herself before anyone could volunteer. No way was she letting the kids go out there first.

She heard it as soon as her feet hit the ground. The rustling of grass. A chirp she couldn't quite place. She left the door ajar as she took one tentative step forward.

The grass before them shook ominously as whatever was hidden within them clearly scavenged around within. She saw the shadow of something moving. Was that an ear?

Another low growling sound. Max took a slow step back.

"Shit. I think it's an animal."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen squinted--it was hard to see, but there was a flash of purple fur between the tall edges of the grass. "Alright...back into the van. Nice and slow."

[throughthelookingmax]

Max slowly slipped back into the car, then just as slowly shut the door as quietly as she could.

[aoihitomi]

"Did you see what it was?"

[throughthelookingmax]

"No, but whatever it was, it was fast."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Alright, we'll take it nice and slow..." Reigen gently compressed the gas. "After all, we're not far...right, Hitomi-chan?"

[aoihitomi]

Hitomi shook her head. "No, we're not far at all."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

The van rocked as it cleared a rock, earning a whimper from Doppio in the back and an apologetic wince from Reigen. "...Hold on, I think I see some clear road!" It wasn't pristine, but it wasn't shrouded by creepy tall grass or even that uneven.

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio dared to peer up at the window. Reigen wasn't lying--it really was smooth sailing. Even when they hit another patch of grass, it wasn't as tall. The van chugged along at a nice and even pace. A faded white fence flanked the sides of the van and something crawling up a post watched them chug past--it was the biggest caterpillar Doppio had ever seen in his life. It's eyes were large and glassy and he couldn't help but think it was extremely cute looking.

[throughthelookingmax]

"Whoa, what is that thing?"

[aoihitomi]

"It's so cute!" Even if Doppio didn't vocalize it aloud, Hitomi certainly did.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen got only one glance, but one glance was enough--more than that and it would be his turn to hurl.

They turned a corner and the road began to curve elegantly with trees to the left and a brook to the right. Driving just a bit further, he could see a windmill peeking over a hill. He pulled off to one side and shut the van off, sensing it was a good time to finally get out and stretch his legs.

When he was out, a quick survey of the area told him there was nowhere further to go with the van. The only road up the hill was just big enough for pedestrians. "Alright, team. I think we're walking the rest of the way." He gestured at Max. "Boatswain. Any damage to the ship to report?"

[throughthelookingmax]

Max surveyed their van with a critical eye. She was no mechanic, but she had learned a decent amount about vehicles from Chloe... especially considering her car was constantly breaking down.

"No damage to report, captain," she said, giving Reigen a little salute.

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio waited for Hitomi to exit, sipping a bit of water to calm his nerves and settle his stomach. When he disembarked, he pressed their magical origami against the van to safely store it in it's proper fold. The paper, of course, went into the most secure pocket of his pack. Everything in it's place.

"Which way now, Hitomi?"

[aoihitomi]

Hitomi pulled out her necklace and closed her eyes. She focused hard on Chid and found that the pendant swung more easily than it ever had before.

She pointed. "That way!"

[throughthelookingmax]

"I've meant to ask for awhile now, but what's the plan once we find him? We just driving around to find the next person?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"The next order of business is finding my student. He was with me before everything got all funky." After that...who knew? But the kid was still his responsibility. After all, it happened during a business trip. He would worry about the rest once they were reunited.

[aoihitomi]

"We are getting closer, I can feel it." Hitomi didn't even need her pendant to direct her anymore. She felt Chid's pull so strongly that it was as if he were grabbing her himself.

It was then that the path led them into a town. A small, quaint one that instantly filled Hitomi with relief. If Chid were going to be stuck anywhere, she would rather it be in a place like this. Much more peaceful than the Freid that they had left behind.

[espresso_doppio]

“Wow. It’s so…small. Quiet.” ‘Cute.’ “Is it weird for me to say it’s kind of nostalgic?”

[aoihitomi]

"Maybe that's why it's all in one piece," Hitomi observed. It was all the bigger towns that seemed to be divided into parts.

"Do you think the place you grew up was like this?"

[espresso_doppio]

“I think so.” At least, he really hoped so.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Think this bodes well for friendly locals?” As Reigen surveyed everything, his eyes fell on a large plant. When he blinked at it, it blinked back.

[throughthelookingmax]

Max tugged a bit of loose fabric at the mid of his back to encourage him to take a step back. Weird monster plant-like things? This definitely wasn't normal.

But what was normal anymore?

"Are these locals even human? We've had no problems communicating with other humans, but what if these people aren't?"

[aoihitomi]

"I'm sure there's something the rest of us can do, too." Hitomi looked from Max to Reigen.