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week 6
WEEK 6
!home, home on the range
Last week’s events have understandably driven the group off the intended course — so this week will be about righting your little forest-beach-detour.
However, it seems the rain that began at the tail end of last week hasn’t quite let up yet. Mercifully(?), the worst of the storm looks to be over, which means the party will only have to be mildly soggy instead of fighting for their lives against daunting sheets of rain.
Perhaps due to a combination of poor weather, overexertion, and lingering germs in any of the places everyone’s been traveling through, Leontuzzo Bellone and Mark Grayson come down with the flu.
Covering a wide area of land between the lighthouse and the next marked place on the map are a series of abandoned farms and vineyards. Fruit trees and grapevines have all been left to grow (and overgrow) naturally, and with the party passing through at the height of summer, there are plenty of fresh peaches and grapes to be plucked from the foliage on the way. The rain has made the ground muddy and sticky, which may lead to some unfortunate falls…but maybe it’s worth it for a tasty treat.
Also in the abandoned farms are, of course, farmhouses and barns. There are stray farm animals here and there who have happened to survive through sheer luck, though there are no human inhabitants. No living ones, anyway: there are only skeletons, telling the tale that people died here long ago, perhaps of natural causes. One can only hope they did not succumb to the virus as so many others have. There are medicine cabinets inside the houses that have standard things like painkillers, cough syrup, and things of that nature, so it might be a good time to stock up.
As characters linger in the farms, they’ll also notice another side effect of their bracelets: throughout the entire week, they’ll be empathically linked to the other survivors, being able to feel their emotions as strongly as they would feel their own.
However, it seems the rain that began at the tail end of last week hasn’t quite let up yet. Mercifully(?), the worst of the storm looks to be over, which means the party will only have to be mildly soggy instead of fighting for their lives against daunting sheets of rain.
Perhaps due to a combination of poor weather, overexertion, and lingering germs in any of the places everyone’s been traveling through, Leontuzzo Bellone and Mark Grayson come down with the flu.
Covering a wide area of land between the lighthouse and the next marked place on the map are a series of abandoned farms and vineyards. Fruit trees and grapevines have all been left to grow (and overgrow) naturally, and with the party passing through at the height of summer, there are plenty of fresh peaches and grapes to be plucked from the foliage on the way. The rain has made the ground muddy and sticky, which may lead to some unfortunate falls…but maybe it’s worth it for a tasty treat.
Also in the abandoned farms are, of course, farmhouses and barns. There are stray farm animals here and there who have happened to survive through sheer luck, though there are no human inhabitants. No living ones, anyway: there are only skeletons, telling the tale that people died here long ago, perhaps of natural causes. One can only hope they did not succumb to the virus as so many others have. There are medicine cabinets inside the houses that have standard things like painkillers, cough syrup, and things of that nature, so it might be a good time to stock up.
As characters linger in the farms, they’ll also notice another side effect of their bracelets: throughout the entire week, they’ll be empathically linked to the other survivors, being able to feel their emotions as strongly as they would feel their own.
city escape
Once the group passes through farm country, you’ve finally made it to the outskirts of your destination, San Francisco. The map seems to suggest that you should travel along the east outskirts of the town along the bay, rather than directly through it — similar to how the party had stayed to the edges of Los Angeles.
Hordes here are similar to the ones in LA, though with the added difficulty that San Francisco is very hilly. Groups of zombies will chase the survivors uphill and downhill: they seem to have limitless stamina, so running up the hills and hoping for the best isn’t the best strategy. Conversely, they run full speed down the steep declines of San Francisco roads, which can lead to them completely wiping and possibly knocking you down with them.
Several zombies are also special: of the zombies that attack downhill, a handful have retained enough intelligence to simply stand or sit on abandoned skateboards and bikes, which increases their speed greatly. Of the zombies that prefer to attack uphill, they’ve learned that throwing anything they can find at their prey may slow them down — pieces of glass, bricks, and even shoes might be thrown at the survivors.
Henry Townshend attracts the attention of zombies in these hilly zones, forcing the need for a City Escape™.
Hordes here are similar to the ones in LA, though with the added difficulty that San Francisco is very hilly. Groups of zombies will chase the survivors uphill and downhill: they seem to have limitless stamina, so running up the hills and hoping for the best isn’t the best strategy. Conversely, they run full speed down the steep declines of San Francisco roads, which can lead to them completely wiping and possibly knocking you down with them.
Several zombies are also special: of the zombies that attack downhill, a handful have retained enough intelligence to simply stand or sit on abandoned skateboards and bikes, which increases their speed greatly. Of the zombies that prefer to attack uphill, they’ve learned that throwing anything they can find at their prey may slow them down — pieces of glass, bricks, and even shoes might be thrown at the survivors.
Henry Townshend attracts the attention of zombies in these hilly zones, forcing the need for a City Escape™.
fisherman's wharf + pier 39
Towards the end of the week, as characters continue taking the long way around San Francisco, they’ll eventually end up at the northeastern section of the city. More specifically, Pier 39, and the harbors it borders.
Here, after all the rain and gloom, the weather is a bit clearer, allowing characters to look out into the bay and see some marine wildlife that has kept away from the virus; there are hundreds of sea lions and seagulls here, though because they stay down on the rocks below the pier, the sounds of waves crashing drown out their incessant barking.
There are a number of abandoned shops here, and similar to the mall the group traversed weeks ago, many of the stores seem to be looted, but there are still goodies to be found here and there. With the wide variety of goods, from music boxes to candy to jewelry, there’s sure to be something that tugs on the heartstrings you’re all sharing this week.
Take a look around, find a souvenir, and maybe pick what store you’re going to be camping out in for the night?
This week, Ninety-Nine is infected.
Here, after all the rain and gloom, the weather is a bit clearer, allowing characters to look out into the bay and see some marine wildlife that has kept away from the virus; there are hundreds of sea lions and seagulls here, though because they stay down on the rocks below the pier, the sounds of waves crashing drown out their incessant barking.
There are a number of abandoned shops here, and similar to the mall the group traversed weeks ago, many of the stores seem to be looted, but there are still goodies to be found here and there. With the wide variety of goods, from music boxes to candy to jewelry, there’s sure to be something that tugs on the heartstrings you’re all sharing this week.
Take a look around, find a souvenir, and maybe pick what store you’re going to be camping out in for the night?
This week, Ninety-Nine is infected.
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But this is nice, and Haru is content to let her head lean back against Mark's chest, all but snuggled against him like this. When she thinks about it, there hadn't really been much time for affectionate contact with anyone. It had all been more or less out of necessity, or someone attempting to calm her down, or vice-versa.
What would it have been like, she wonders, if she'd been able to meet them all under different circumstances? If this was just a fun little thing Mark wanted to do without the underlying thought that this could be the first and last time for her?
... Maybe she's just overthinking it. He's not feeling well, that's all. She can feel the fever radiating off of him. But he can at least get over one part of the sickness and they've got to be much closer now. If nothing else... she can do whatever she can to get him to stay with them.
For now, Haru stays quiet, though the part of her that's enjoying the ride is still very much prevalent. ]
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Giving her this kind of feels like the least of what he can do, even though it hurts. He should have done this sooner... maybe they can do it one or two more times before he decides to make the right call, makes sure that he doesn't make the wrong one by prolonging, risking—
But he'd rather focus on Haru's enjoyment than his own worries, so that's what he tries to do. There's an uncertainty churning in the background, there's regret — and then there's her, nestled up against him and enjoying a wonder he is drawing out as long as possible. He keeps the wind to a minimum, lets the sun shine down on them both — and then slowly begins their descent, touching down on the ground a couple of feet before the barn.
Shifts to let her down, stand on her own two feet again on distinctively less muddy ground. Damp, but nowhere near as hazardous as it had been around the peach trees.
Isn't sure why he's nervous when he asks her, ] So... how was that?
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It's even less than that and then she offers a smile brimming with enthusiasm, palms pressed together. ]
That was wonderful! It felt refreshing to feel the wind in my air like that and the sun was lovely, as well! It's been a while since I've felt so exhilarated!
[ Wow, she's definitely delighted. ]
Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mark-san!
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That might be the best review I've ever gotten. [ Beaming!! ] I should fly us back to the farmhouse when we're done here, huh?
[ Maybe in the future Haru can recognize it as an apology... but that's not the here and now. The here and now is sunny and warm and has peaches, and so Mark goes to open the barn doors, where inside there are, indeed, bales of hay to sit on.
Looks back at Haru, beaming. ]
Coming?
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Only if you don't mind, of course. [ Belatedly, but! She has to say it! ] You've already done so much for me; just having your company for a bit would have been enough.
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Mark opens his mouth to respond — of course he doesn't mind! — but quickly shuts it as Haru continues. He's left looking at her, gaze softening at her words. He folds his hands in his lap, takes a moment... can't suppress the bit of sadness that wells up within him. ]
You've done way for me. [ His voice is quiet before picking back up. If there was anything you wanted to do or say to anyone... ] You're kind, and smart, and resourceful... You've looked out for me, reassured me, pulled me back up when I needed it. I wish we could've met somewhere better, but I'm really glad we got to meet.
[ A little, playful nudge with his shoulder. ]
I'll stay with you as long as I can.
[ Technically not a lie. ]
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But having all of this listed out to her like this... feels like she's being perceived far more than she'd expected. It's far too many compliments, said so matter-of-factly but softly. And she can't even hide her face in her palms when she's holding a peach! So she does the next best thing, ducking her head a little. ]
P-please give me a minute for a proper response...
[ She'd like to say something, certainly, because she thinks he needs to hear it, but she has to regain her composure first!! ]
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But also... whoops. ]
Yeah. Yeah, of course. [ Inhales. Risks a glance back at her. ] I'm not going anywhere... I'm right here, whenever you're ready.
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Haru takes a breath, willing the dignity back into her posture. She is not going to squeak. She is fine. This is nearly as overwhelming as Kotoha calling her cute, but she's fine. ]
First of all, thank you. For... um, all of that. [ Haaaa. She rolls her shoulders back. ]
Mark-s... no, Mark. I've been wanting to thank you for a while now. Despite everything you've gone through, you've always done your best to keep up a positive outlook and to look after everyone else. To keep protecting everyone. Even though I'm certain it must be painful, to endure this and to be reminded of your mortality every day and to not have much opportunities for normalcy, you've done so much to hold us together. I would not be half as... well, this, were it not for you.
... Truthfully, I was beginning to wonder if I was forgetting what happiness felt like, but being able to fly like that meant a lot to me. And these moments, that we get to spend together, all of us... are precious to me, too.
So, similarly, while I wish we hadn't met in a situation such as this, I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to meet you as well. You are every bit the superhero as those I admired when I was younger and that has not changed in the slightest. If anything, that feeling has only increased.
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He sits up a little straighter as Haru starts, looking back at her again. Mark isn't sure how this is going to go, so he starts off attentive, if neutral — hearing Haru out, really listening to her.
And it kills him. He keeps his mouth shut, lets her say her piece. But there's a swirl of feelings welling up inside of him at all of this, fondness and gratitude and a little bit of embarrassment and sorrow and regret and, above all else, a sheer helplessness. It's not like he's blind to the impact he has on people— tries not to be. Sometimes he still is— but hearing all of this, so plainly spoken. That he's done good in his time here, even as he's fighting to ensure he never does bad. That he gave her a moment of happiness, real happiness again.
That he's still a hero, and Mark reaches over to Haru's far side to pull her into a half hug, mindful of her wounds, the peach she still has...
Deep breath, he is not going to cry. ]
Well, you said all of that way better than I could. [ A small, self-deprecating laugh. His voice cracks a little. ] Now I'm not sure what to say...
[ He looks out the barn doors, up at the sliver of blue sky they can see from here. ]
... Do me a favour and don't forget that happiness, okay? I think y— we'll need that. Even when everything goes to shit... As long as we've got that then we're still okay, right?
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But Haru takes a second to gently set her peach to her side, if just because one-sided hugs aren't really her thing. She's still somewhat unused to hugs in general, but it's not at all hard to turn into him a little more and wrap her arms carefully around him. That voice crack hurts, somewhat. He's fraying at the edges, they both know that. ]
I think as long as we have each other--ah, I mean, generally. I think we'll be okay.
[ whomp whomp. ]
But I'll keep that memory close, as well. Just as I have all of the other ones. The painful ones are equally important to me, at this point. They were still proof that we've been through things together.
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As Haru turns to hug him in full he brings his other arm around her. Gently, like he's afraid of hurting her. Mark leans down to better reciprocate the hug, looking out past her. He can't— He really can't look at her right now.
There's a hitch in his breathing. ]
The painful memories? Really? [ Another attempt at a laugh, but it comes out more like a kind of gasping noise. ] I'm, uh... I didn't want this to turn into that. I'm.
[ Swallows. Still looking at the wall behind her. ]
Haru... you'll still be okay with everyone else, right?
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[ Haru echoes him, a little blankly. And maybe it's not that she doesn't entirely understand what he's implying, because she's not an idiot. She's learned how to navigate what people do and don't say, because that was how one learned to figure out who truly wished to get to know you and who wanted to know your value.
The distress, in his tone and also the general sentiment, is also hard to miss. ]
I don't... really want to lose anyone else. [ A selfish wish, she knows, given there are some things they can't really control here. ]
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I don't want that either. But I can't...
[ Blinks his eyes open again. He's still staring at the wall, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. ]
I'm not leaving here. This is as far as I can go.
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You're not... leaving here?
[ ... ]
But you're--I mean, right now, you've been--
[ He's been himself! He's held up so well! They've got to be close! ]
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He's managed to halt the tears at least, to what meagre credit he has. ]
Yeah, right now. But it's getting worse. The... I was picking the peaches for everyone else. There's only one thing I want to eat these days and I... can't. I just can't.
[ And he can't tell her about Hella's bloodletting experiment; sharing that feels like a violation of trust. Not that he and Hella ever talked about keeping it quiet or anything, it just doesn't feel right. ]
I have to time this right. If I wait too long— I mean, Haru, I can fly. I'm fast, I'm strong... We can't have me losing control. Not with the things I can do. So it's... I think it's time.
[ His gaze shifts to the spot between them, downcast. ]
I'm so sorry.
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Because she wants to protest this. Truly, she does. He's been with them all this time, pushing through every week, every day, when they'd lost their grip on some of the others. Kotoha, tears streaming down her face. Soujuurou, caught by that bear cub. The way Suzuha and Gojo had just quietly endured their losses only to struggle coping with it once they thought they were alone.
But she remembers Mark's confession about his tastes changing. How clammy his hand had felt. To feel yourself change must be terrifying and she knows if this had been her, if she felt it was more likely she would harm the people she cared about before she could be turned back to normal, she'd make a similar choice. Certain members of their group could probably hold their own against him, but at the same time, that's a difficult thing to have to endure, for them and for him.
But it still locks her throat up tight and Mark may have his tear ducts under control, but Haru's own eyes are burning as the tears well up. She can't prevent it, the way her tone fractures. How her shoulders start to tremble. ]
I don't... want to give up. [ The words are choked out, slowly. ]
I don't want to leave you behind or give up on you, Mark! You--you really don't think there's any other way??
[ There's a desperate sense of resignation, though. Like she's aware she can't convince him. That he's not saying this lightly. But the Phantom Thieves had always triumphed against the impossible before, so why... why can't that bond, that determination, persevere through this too?? Why does it feel like he's already gone? ]
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He's tried to keep himself level, even. When Haru was out of commission he'd mostly isolated himself anyway, struggling to come to terms with the way he'd freely murdered raiders when only weeks ago he'd tried so hard to protect them; with the way his appetite had crossed the event horizon. When he'd had to admit to himself that he was teetering — and the peace that had come over him when he'd finally accepted what would have to be done with him.
And Haru's emotions shatter that peace. He sucks in a breath, shutting his eyes as he shifts further back, like slightly more physical separation would somehow stop everything she's feeling from hitting him. His resignation had been numbing, almost like a pleasant balm; Haru's is burning. It was surprisingly easy to come to terms with dying once he'd reached that point; it's a lot more difficult to experience that through someone else's eyes. And it's enough to give Mark pause — is he really taking the easy way out...? ]
I...
[ He stops. Has to try to look at Haru again, because maybe seeing the person feeling all of these things will ground him again. ]
What's the alternative? If we lock me away somewhere I'll free myself eventually. It's not like with Dr. Bei. And if we keep me alive then we risk me snapping, and going for it...
[ He hesitates. Should he really drive the point home, as distressing as it is? He'd just wanted to give Haru some fresh fruit, maybe sit and chat a little. Have a nice moment to themselves. Leave her on a high note, have her last memory of him be something nice, normal, friendly, caring.
But if she values even the painful memories, then maybe it's better to leave no doubt. ]
I've already been thinking about eating people here. [ A part of him hopes she'll move further away from him now. Get herself away from him, like she should. ] I think I'm okay right now because I know I'm not going to give myself the chance, but the longer I hold out... I can't risk it.
[ Deep, shaky breath. And then, a real question for her: ]
Is it really giving up if it's to save everyone else...?
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[ Haru says it sharply, for all that her tears are making her voice thick. She does release him, but it's only to tug one oversized hoodie sleeve over a hand so she can reach out to gently pap it against his eyes. Because that's all she can do for him right now, isn't it? He'd seemed so at peace with it, but if he's crying, it means he's also held a lot back. She knows the feeling, carefully tucking away all of that so as not to be a burden or to worry anyone else.
But he deserves to feel everything he's going through too, properly. ]
I--I do understand, why you want to do this, that you don't want to hurt us... [ That he was already at the point of thinking about eating them isn't too surprising, if she were to be entirely honest. But Haru doesn't move away from him. ]
But I don't... want you to have to act like it's something we should all calmly accept either. It's a frightening thing! It's painful! And it's incredibly unfair and it's fine to acknowledge that!
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The more she goes on and the longer he's quiet, though, the more the hurt starts to seep back in, albeit more akin to a background throbbing than something threatening to be all-consuming. Something he thinks he can live with, even as Haru is the one to rail against it for him.
He casts his eyes downwards. Fiddles with the hem of a sleeve. ]
It's like you said before. Any of us could die at any time, right? The only difference now is I know when I'm going. [ The hem of his sleeve is so interesting. ] I don't know what it does, how it helps, if I don't calmly accept it. I've been thinking about it all week.
[ ... He'll risk meeting her gaze again now. The crying has stopped, not that the evidence of it isn't still there. ]
I'd still rather it be me than any of you. I guess I don't know how I'd react if our positions were reversed... I don't know. [ A bit of frustration makes its way into the mix, though it doesn't make his words any less sincere. ] I'm sorry.
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Had our positions been reversed, I'm certain you would have told me you would be powerful and mighty enough to stop me and I would have told you not to underestimate a phantom thief.
[ It's a stupid thing to laugh about, but she has to, or she's going to start crying even harder and she's already made him feel terrible about this. Enough to apologize.
Her heart hurts. ]
But... the one apologizing should be me. I understand you wouldn't make this choice if you didn't think it was necessary.
[ Her heart hurts. ]
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Hey. [ His voice is soft, trying to inject some levity back into this. ] I think I could take you.
[ It's a joke, and a stupid one at that (even if he thinks there's a kernel of truth in there — because the whole point is that he's dangerous).
A beat. ]
But you don't have anything to apologize about. I just... I didn't want to make it a big deal, you know? Maybe that wasn't fair of me... but I didn't want to chance anyone stopping me. [ Hella. ] When all it takes is one bite...
[ He trails off. Huffs a humourless laugh. The cards were stacked against them all along, weren't they, and there's just something so overwhelmingly sad about all of this. ]
You're right. It isn't fair.
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I'm... glad you told me. I think if you had merely decided to proceed with your choice without a word to any of us, I would have had to crush your chances of fatherhood in our next lives.
[ Wow, she sure said that sincerely and softly. ]
It's... going to feel lonely, however.
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I'll, uh, note that. For next time.
[ Next time...
He gives her hands a little squeeze. ]
And, well... If I could make it to the end, then I'd want to make sure everyone else did too. I'd look out for everyone else. So maybe you can do that for me? And then maybe it won't be so lonely.
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But Haru takes a deep breath, fingers peeking out from her sleeves to give his hands a squeeze in return. ]
I would aim to do that regardless. So I'm afraid if you'd like me to do something for you, you'll have to come up with something else.
[ Before he... departs. ]
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