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

[unwittingking]

Yup. Be careful, he breathes fire.

[Despite the deadpan delivery, he doesn't seem to be joking, considering he stopped looking at the book to tell Proto that.]

[notthebreakman]

...Huh. This one's smaller than the fire breathing ones I've seen.

[He crouches down and extends a hand toward the (non talking) dog. Even if they're both robotic, Proto still has a scent that the dog may be able to pick up.]

Hey there, friend. You have a name?

[unwittingking]

[The dog does not seem aggressive, at least. He sniffs Proto's hand curiously, probably giving him the chance to see he doesn't have any sort of collar on.]

He doesn't seem to be much of a talker, really.

[notthebreakman]

[Nope, Proto is not going to think about Rush and start down that rabbit hole of guilt. It wouldn't be fair to this dog, either. But if he doesn't have an obvious name...]

How about "Friender," at least for the time being? Is that okay?

[He looks back up at King, about to comment on how people talk to pets all the time without expecting an answer, but... right, never mind.]

He's still a good boy in any case.

[unwittingking]

[The dog looks up at Proto's face and gives a little happy bark, his tail wagging a little bit. Seems like a yes from him!

King can't help but give a small smile at the sight.]

Yeah, he probably is.

Would you like him? He seems to like you.

[notthebreakman]

[That gets an actual, warm smile from Proto as he strokes the dog's head.]

"Friender" it is, then. Nice to meet you.

[He blinks in surprise at King's offer.]

Really? I don't have much to offer you as a trade, though.

[unwittingking]

[Probably a good thing that Proto is naming him that. King’s only idea was a reference to another robot dog...]

How about it’s just a gift? I already got a lot of things from the baggage claim today. I don’t think I need any more.

[notthebreakman]

[Ironically, that name is also a reference (which was, in turn, referencing something else.)]

If you're sure, then... thank you!

[unwittingking]

[Well, his was going to be something far less creative, so...]

It's no problem. Just be careful, because again, fire breath.

[HE'D PREFER THE TRAIN TO NOT GET CRISPY, THANK YOU]