Second chapter. This one was already longer than the first, so these notes are only making things worse. XD Enjoy.
As the bus squeaked to a halt, the passengers began to stir. Many had fallen asleep during what had been, from the start, a two hour ride. Near the front of the bus, a tall blond man stretched, then reached over to wake his little sister. "Hey, Jordan," He muttered quietly. "Wake up. We're here." His nineteen year old sister opened her eyes lazily.
"Mrr?" She questioned wordlessly. Michael Shane smirked.
"Uh huh." He nodded, standing up to grab their bags from the overhead compartments. "Come on, I'm not going to carry your cosplay." He dropped a black duffle bag on the sleepy girl's lap. "You made it, you carry it." Jordan growled, but fought her way up from a sleeping position on the bus seat and hauled the bag over her shoulder.
"Fine, fine…." She grudgingly edged out of the seat as her brother hopped down the steps, stretching his legs as soon as he had the room. "Why could't I just wear mine like you did?" Jordan complained as she hobbled down the stairs, tugging at the shoulder strap that was a little too long. Michael smirked and tugged at the neck of the red sweatshirt with a white maple leaf design.
"Because, as I recall, you refused to wear a heavy jacket and a tie for a two hour ride." He chuckled as he pulled their shared suitcase from the mass of luggage the driver had pulled out from below. "Besides, I needed the room in my bag for Kumajirou, since you wouldn't carry him."
"He chewed holes in my socks last time!" Jordan complained, finally stopping to shorten her shoulder strap. "….and shouldn't we walk him, soon?" Michael looked around, then gestured quietly for Jordan to grab her bag and follow him. He dragged the suitcase into the shadow of a pillar that held up the driveway roof, then reached around and pulled back the zipper of his carefully handled duffle bag.
"Kumajirou?" The white Pomeranian poked his head through the opening, ears perked up as if to ask, "What?" Michael smiled and scratched his ears. "Good boy, Kuma. Good, quiet boy." He looked at Jordan. "The bus driver said no pets - we can't let him see Kumajirou until we check in." Jordan sighed.
"Fine….but he's not riding in my bag on the way home!" She argued. Michael gently pushed Kumajirou back into the bag and zipped it up, leaving a small gap.
"Your bag smells like used socks, anyways." He retorted as he picked up the suitcase and marched inside. Jordan followed.
"It does not!" She cried indignantly. Michael stopped inside and pulled some papers from his sweatshirt pocket.
"Here," He handed them to Jordan. "You go get us checked in at the front table, and I'll check us into the hotel. Then we'll meet at the room, and you can get ready for the opening panels." Inside the bag, Kumajirou started to pace, and barked. Michael pulled back the zipper again, and the Pomeranian popped out, tail wagging.
"Good thing this hotel is dog-friendly." Jordan murmured.
"Remember, it's room 204." Michael reminded her. "Meet me there after you get the passes, schedules and maps, and I'll give you the room key." Jordan nodded and handed her brother her bag.
"I've got it, I've got it, room 204. Just walk Kumajirou before you come back down, and make sure he'll still 'play dead'." She warned. "This hotel may be pet-friendly, but the convention, in general, isn't.". Jordan paused to scratch Kumajirou's ears, unable to resist the Pomeranian's utter fluffiness. "Don't get caught, Kuma!" Then she turned and headed for the check in line - which was growing rather long, despite the early hour. Michael picked up the suitcase again, and, now juggling Jordan's bag along with Kumajirou, stumbled to the front desk.
After checking in, Michael dragged everything to the elevators, and tried to fit everything into one corner. That done, he set Kumajirou and his bag on top of the suitcase, and rubbed his head. "Remind me to get you some peanut butter tonight." He chuckled. Kumajirou barked excitedly and hopped up and down in the bag, not even clearing the zipper. Michael laughed quietly and pressed the button for the second floor.
"Wait!" A voice called out suddenly. "Hold the elevator!" Michael quickly tapped the 'door open' button, then held the doors open as an America cosplayer and a fellow Canada cosplayer boarded the elevator. "Thanks, dude!" The America cosplayer grinned as the doors closed. "We didn't want to have to take the stairs."
"Alfred, we're only on the second floor." The Canada cosplayer spoke up quietly. Alfred waved a hand flippantly.
"Second floor or not, it's still too far. Besides, Mattie, you meet people in elevators!" He grinned at Michael and offered his hand. "Hi! I'm Alfred F. Jones! Who're you?"
"Michael Shane - Canada, for the weekend." Michael smirked, returning the handshake. This cosplayer seemed just a little too enthusiastic…but maybe this was their first convention? Those were always the most exciting. He looked at the other Canada cosplayer. "And you?"
"This is my brother Mattie!" Alfred proclaimed before his brother could speak. "We're twins, you know!" The Canada cosplayer smiled quietly and held out his hand to Michael, somewhat timidly.
"Matthew Williams, eh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Michael." Michael smiled as he returned the handshake.
"Pleasure's mine, Matthew." Kumajirou barked, trying to hop out of his bag again.
"Awwww!" Alfred's attention was instantly captivated. "He's so cuuuute! What's his name?"
"Kumajirou." Matthew perked up.
"Really, eh?" Michael nodded. "What a coincidence," He looked down at the white bear in his arms. "That's this little guy's name, too." Michael chuckled.
"Great minds think alike, I guess." Alfred scratched the Pomeranian's ears and rubbed his head, overcome by the cuteness.
"So why'd you bring him? I thought the convention didn't allow pets?" Michael shrugged.
"Probably the same reason you brought your Kumajirou." Matthew blinked.
"…he's usually so quiet, people just assume he's a toy." He replied. "How do you get away with it?"
"Same way." Michael lifted Kumajirou from the bag and held him in one arm. "Kumajirou…" He crooned, making sure he had the Pomeranian's attention. "Play dead." The little dog flopped over immediately. Alfred burst out laughing.
"That's awesome!" He cried. "And he'll do that all day?" Kumajirou 'came alive' and wagged his tail.
"Whenever the security guards pass." Michael nodded. The elevator arrived at the second floor, and all three stepped out. Alfred and Matthew turned left, while Michael and Kumajirou turned right.
"I like that guy." Alfred declared as Matthew opened the door to their shared room. "I hope we see him tomorrow."
First two cosplayers introduced. Initial contact successful.
