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

[higanbana]

[Ris looks a little pained when the paw falls, but it's gone just as soon as it came. She shakes her head.]

...No, don't apologize. I'm sorry for wasting yours.

[...

She stands, sending the remaining cats scattering and gathering up her blankets.]

I should probably start getting ready for the day, then. I hope you have a good rest of yours.

[unwittingking]

[He feels terrible about it, but thinking back on somethings...he'd rather risk himself getting hurt than let her stay with a man like that. That much he's sure of.

He puts his paws behind his head, letting his fingers intertwine.]

Nah. If I don't have to apologize, then neither do you.

[It's only fair.

One of the cats lazily walks over to King's side, meowing softly. King gives her some head pats.]

Hey Lisa.

[He looks back up at Ris.]

We can still be friends, though, right?

[higanbana]

[And Ris can't stand the idea of someone who went out of their way to help her, despite having every good reason to scream and run, getting shoved under that man's knife. And she knows damn well how much the doctor would love to get his mitts on someone like King. So, they are at a standoff.

Ris is quiet, as if thinking that over, and then nods. Yes, it's only fair.]

To the extent to which I am capable, yes. Of course.

[She'd not deny him this. She owes him much more.]

[unwittingking]

[The worst kind of standoff, as far as he's concerned.

The last comment gets a small, somewhat bitter smile from him as he starts to walk backwards towards the exit, Lisa following after him.]

Good. I'll see you around, then?

[higanbana]

[King gets a similar smile in return.]

Of course. [And it's hard to tell if she means this to tease or genuinely:] Even if either of us did have somewhere better to be.

[unwittingking]

[King gives a small laugh at that, genuine and bitter at the same time.]

Of course. Have a nice day.

[And the King has left the...uh, train car.]