WEEK 1

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 1

[The train wouldn't stop. Not until very early the next morning. The few who might have been awake would be able to exit the train, entering the cool twilight of the dawn. The star is dark, and few stars can be seen in the sky as a cold breeze begins to blow from the mountain beyond. You can see some chunks of rock floating idly nearby, far away from the station that it won't hit trains, but near enough that one can see they are larger than the train they just disembarked.

Lastly, laid out in front of them, the first port of call: Menahoven. The mountain: The Throat of the World.

But which world? Who knows. Not any of yours. Maybe it doesn't matter. Not when you are so far from home. Not when you have no way to get off this rock without the aid of the trains-and they will not let you pass.

It looks like you're stuck here until the Conductor decides to leave. In the meantime, everyone will need to get comfortable.


There are fifteen strangers left in this place.]

Comments

[overworker]

[She doesn't mind that question at all. But it does take her a moment to think of how to describe it.]

Well... for starters, rather than electricity, we use a source known as orbal energy. Like electricity, it can be used to power utilities like lights and water, but we use it for a lot more than that. People also use machines powered by orbal energy in their everyday life. And in battle too, to allow people to use artes in battle. It's even being used in testing to create weapons as well, primarily in staves and guns right now.

[notthebreakman]

Orbal, huh? I wish I could see something that uses it in action, just to compare it to electricity.

[He gets a thoughtful frown when Towa describes how orbal energy is being used in weapons development.]

Power like that always does end up being used for war, no matter what world, doesn't it.

[overworker]

Unfortunately my ARCUS unit and orbal gun were taken from me before we got here. If I'm able to get them back, I'd be happy to show them to you.

Yes, unfortunately. I go to Thors Military Academy, so I know all too well how important it is to the way wars are fought now. But at least in some ways it's able to help prevent deaths, even if ultimately it's going to be responsible for others. Minimizing the amount of death is really the best we can hope for.

[notthebreakman]

I'd like to take you up on that offer if we get the chance.

[Listening to Towa describe how she tries to save as many lives as possible in a war... for a moment, Proto sees someone else, a little boy blue who also refuses to walk away when he can make a difference. He shakes his head, and the vision is gone.]

...You're right, it does sound like the best option in an unfortunate reality. It's a shame it has to come to that at all, but...

[overworker]

Certainly!

[She can't say this isn't something she's thought about a lot, considering the tension in Erebonia right now.]

...people in general are prone to fighting. It's a blessing that worlds where so many people are able to exist together is possible. But it's always bound to lead to disagreements. We all have things we want to protect and beliefs we want to stand for. When those things clash... even if you don't want to fight them... sometimes there's no other choice.

That's why I think it's important for us to examine for ourselves just what's most important to us. What we're willing to fight for, how much we're willing to lose... so that at least whatever happens, no one has to regret the way the lived... you know?

[notthebreakman]

[Proto is both impressed and concerned about how eloquently Towa can speak about this scenario at her age.

...Damn it, he is not about to start feeling protective of her. Nope. Not happening. No way.

(He's totally doomed.)]

Mm. I've also decided to live my life without regrets, so I think it's good that you're aware of what's important to you and what's worth defending. Is that something they teach at Thors, or is it something you've learned on your own?

[overworker]

That's something we're encouraged to come to on our own, however-- the curriculum is designed to help give it's students the push they might need to consider those tough questions and enough knowledge to help them make an informed decision.

"Arise, O youth, and become the foundation of the world." Those are the words of the school's founder, Emperor Dreichels, which are shared with every new group of students when they begin their studies at Thors.

[notthebreakman]

[So it sounds like this academy isn't forcibly conscripting its students or something like that. That's... good to know.

"Become the foundation of the world," huh? Hopefully, that isn't meant to imply that the foundation is built from their sacrifices.]

What else does the curriculum cover?

[overworker]

Combat studies aside, we're expected to take most of the classes you'd expect someone in school to take. History, Orbal Science, Literature, the Arts, Home Economics... it's really quite thorough.