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

[zackthekiller]

.... Who?

[Sorry, he hasn't met the guy.]

[telecosmetic]

Ah, he's from the Meadous. It's the place I've been for those last two years-but it's a good place. I've met a lot of nice people there. ["Nice" by Eliza standards, which might be slightly worrying.]

[zackthekiller]

[This is... News for him.] The Meadous? Never heard of the place... Unless that's what the ghost people were calling wherever they got stuck in, I guess.

[... Whatever happened to the Vespertine must have really messed with his head. Not that he realizes. Yet.]

[telecosmetic]

No...I think I remember more than you. I remember...managing to leave Town A, and waking up somewhere else. [She gestures at the slight scar on her cheek and her pierced ears.] Didn't you notice I'm taller too? [It's a teasing tone there. Zack's tall enough he probably really doesn't notice.]

[zackthekiller]

[Zack stares at her... Well, he can see the scar now that she's pointed it out, but... He shakes his head, holding a hand to his forehead as he grimaces.]

Urgh... If whoever dragged us here fucked with our memories, I swear I'm gonna see if I can kill 'em. [So, no. He doesn't remember leaving Town A.]

[telecosmetic]

You said that on the other train as well... [Eliza notes quietly.] And I've already seen evidence from others that our memories have been messed with.

[zackthekiller]

[... He groans in fustration.] Goddamnit!

[Look, he knows he's not that smart. Smart people things isn't his strong suit. But now they're just going in his head and pulling shit out of it?! Not fucking helpful! And whatever happened on the other train is still a complete blur other than he tried to kill some scapegoating asshole.]

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza reaches out to give him an awkward hug.] Don't worry...we'll figure something out. As long as you don't forget me, it'll be alright.

[zackthekiller]

[Zack leans in to try making the hug less awkward.]

Don't forget... [He's deliberately searching his mind for memories now. Of those three weeks she was alive... The one week he tried to avenge her... The times he's seen her ghost possessing stuff...

Then there's a memory of being on the steel tower with Eliza and some static lady. And a trial- everyone was watching, but only four were alive... That memory's real fuzzy, but didn't Eliza call him her-]

Don't worry about it, Sis. [His tone is stern, in defiance of what he just can't recall.] I promise I won't forget ya. Not if I can help it.

[telecosmetic]

Good. And...I'll do my best to remind you, if there's other things you've forgotten.

[zackthekiller]

Thanks... [SIGH.]

[telecosmetic]

[A bit more hugging before she finally lets go.] Let's...enjoy the food we have now, alright?

[zackthekiller]

[A moment after she lets go, he pulls away.] Yeah... Sounds good.

[Back to the food, then. It's delicious, sure...]

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza does send a few more worried glances Zack's way as she eats, but things seem pretty settled for now.]