Continued from here.
Incoming on the lonely stretch of road was something that finally broke the monotony of endless forest. Usami (or maybe the bus itself) began to slow down as the new sight came into view-- A bus station.
"Oh!! Students, we're here!" Usami declared as the bus came to a full stop. Despite the rabbit's excitement, the bus doors did not open for an uncomfortable amount of time, almost as if the plan was to sit in front of the bus stop forever.
However, without any movement from Usami, the door finally did slide open, where the group would find that there sat only a lonely bench. There appeared to be no other landmarks, though a trail led away from the bus stattion. Usami would run quickly off the bus, turning around outside to raise her hands into the air.
"Come out, everybody! It's time to start our camping adventure!"
Convincing the group to leave the bus probably wouldn't be hard. Once they were out, the bus' doors would close behind them, the vehicle driving off by itself. Usami didn't seem too concerned by this.
"It'll be back once our picturesque school trip is over, I promise! Now..." Usami turned to gesture toward the lonely trail.
"Follow me!"
Following Usami probably was not ideal for most of the group. Unfortunately, trying to head into the forest or down the road would be impossible. It wasn't an invisible wall that stopped one from proceeding, just a strange force that seemed to grip at their thoughts and turn them back around. Scary for some, certainly, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
Proceeding down the trail, the group would encounter a sign indicating their location: Elderwood National Park.
Beyond was a parking lot where a lone building sat. A wooden sign dangling from the roof read
"Visitor Center."
"Everyone, you're free to explore the camp as much as your heart desires. You have designated cabins to sleep in, but please try not to go to bed too early! Yummy food will be provided this evening at the Visitor Center... Oh! And I have prepared special gifts from home for each of you! Enjoy! They can pick them up by stopping by at the Visitor Center, just like the food!"
By the Visitor Center was a notice board that stated who was sleeping where. Everyone's names were adorned on small wooden plaques that were hung from pegs. There was a note from Usami above the names that said:
"Please sleep in your designated cabins! It is important to widen your friend groups to promote inclusiveness and diversity!"
Under this was a map of the park. Aside from the cabins, there was the
Visitor Center, where everyone was now,
Lovers' Peak, which overlooked the lake, the
forest at the center of the park, and
The Great Old One, a giant tree situated at the edge of the forest.
"Now, one last thing... the rules..." Usami gave a wary glance toward Byakuya before continuing. He had a point in that Usami's ability to enforce the rules seemed dubious at best.
"Please follow them to the best of your ability! For everyone's sake! You'll find them on the back of your Bright Falls maps!"
Like Usami said, the following rules were scribbled on to the backs of the maps:
1. Extreme violence is prohibited on this trip. Please live peaceful and relaxing lives with your fellow students.
2. Be considerate of each other and work together!
3. Littering is not allowed. Let us coexist with the forest's bountiful nature in "mutual prosperity".
4. Destroying any National Park property is expressly prohibited!
5. The chaperone cannot directly interfere with the students. An exception to this rule is made if any student violates a rule!
"Now, if anyone needs me... I'll be in the Visitor Center! I'll be around to check on you guys to ensure you're forging those close bonds!" With that, Usami was off, practically skipping across the pavement of the parking lot before she disappeared into the building.
When she was gone, Byakuya loudly cleared his throat and took a place in front of the notice board.
"I have a matter to discuss with you all..." Byakuya touched at his glasses, looking slightly lost in thought as he looked toward the ground.
"It would seem our ability to leave is hindered by some kind of strange force. I doubt Usami would tell us why that is if asked, and a part of me is unsure if she even knows why herself. Whatever her role in all this is, it seems minuscule. Downright laughable, even. She can't even enforce her own rules in this environment, so there is little chance she's the cause of it."
Byakuya paused, shaking his head. His right hand balled into a fist, either in anger or frustration.
"No... The culprit is hidden to us, as is their goal. All we can accomplish is to make do with what we have... and, so, what do you think we can do?"
It was Jude who spoke up first, offering,
"we need to understand our surroundings. Search every inch of the camp."
Byakuya nodded, but he didn't seem entirely pleased with that answer.
"That's true, but how do we accomplish that?" Byakuya waited a moment for someone to respond, but soon enough went on anyway without hearing an answer.
"We need to take this on as a group, no matter our differences. Back on the bus, it was chaos. Discord running rampant. We were acting as individuals and not as a team. If we want to get through this, that has to end. Right now."
"You're one to talk!" Diana suddenly exclaimed.
"Do you even know how to work with others?"
Byakuya stared at her, looking surprised.
"I'm not sure where you're coming from," he said, sounding confused.
"What I do know is that we need to achieve solidarity. How? Well..."
"What we need right now is a disciplined leadership, provided by an unmistakable leader! Rejoice now, for I accept this position." There were outbursts of discontent, particularly from Diana, but Byakuya rolled over them, his voice booming.
"I am the Ultimate Affluent Progeny, destined to lead! Don't doubt my ability, for I will guide you all and ensure we all escape this camp. That, I promise!"
Jude raised his hands, trying to get the attention of the others.
"H-Hey, I guess... we should hear him out, you know?"
"Right." Byakuya did not seem to care to hear what anyone else had to say at all.
"You see, there are mysteries here we can't even begin to imagine... And we need to discover them. My suggestions are as follows: One, we do as the rabbit says and get to know each other. As hollow and fruitlessly optimistic it sounds, strengthening our bonds will only improve our ability to work together. Two, we fan out and search the camp as best we can. If you find anything, you should report it to me. I will be hanging out by the giant tree, so come there if you wish to talk to me. That is all. I believe we can manage at least that."
With that, Byakuya was gone. He seemed to trust the group in general to do as he asked.
Nigel would try and get the group's attention next.
"Uh, figured I should say something a bit more upbeat after that little talk from... him." He motioned toward where Byakuya had gone.
"I'm Nigel Higgins, that says nothing to the lot of you but maybe the British Punisher rings any bells? Anyway, that doesn't really matter either."
Nigel scratched the back of his head awkwardly. It was obvious he wasn't used to this kind of stuff.
"I was in something very similar not too long ago and I got to tell you so far this has been a cake walk compared to what I and the others there had to go through. We... we need to keep our cools everyone, and I think most of you get that, but right now we have no damn clue what's going on and being at each other's throats is not gonna give us any answers. So just... chill for the moment, okay? That Byakuya guy seems like a pompous ass but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. So uh yeah... that was it, I guess. Let's try to have some fun?"
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