WEEK 2

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 2

[It is again early morning when the train docks next. This time, however, the dock is not as busy. There are few trains to be seen, and even fewer people. Only a man stands at the dock, teeth sharp in his smile, scelera a deep gold as he stares beneath his fedora.

"Unexpected," he said with a smile. A two-dimensional dog with the head of a scribbled black cloud hops by, ignoring him. "But not unwanted. Do make yourselves comfortable."

This new place is known as Victoria's Chasm, named after an Empress. No, not that one. Her Thrice-Renewed Majesty is quite comfortable on her Throne, and rulled for much longer than 99 days, thank you very much.

In the distance, black begins to erupt like tendrils. Lightning flashes through the clouds. This is the land of monsters; tread carefully. And do not despair, whatever you do.


There are fifteen strangers left in this place.]

Comments

[disregartist]

Imogen would be quite insulted to hear I've tainted her consommé, and then this ship would be out a saucier.

No, this is perfectly safe.

[katzenpfote]

[... He has no reason to not eat, even if it's risky.]

... Why are you doing this?

[The soup? The imprisonment? The killing? All of the above?]

[disregartist]

I would prefer you not all starve, for one. Or to make decisions on an empty stomach.

[katzenpfote]

... How much about our histories were you made aware of?

[disregartist]

Enough. Not everything, of course. The basic things.

[She sips the tea she found.]

It was enough to know you were supposed to be on this train.

[katzenpfote]

So we were chosen specifically. ... Your Empress is watching. Who else is?

[disregartist]

Well, whoever has access to the camera system, which is...myself. The crew. Her Thrice-Renewed Majesty, of course.

But otherwise? No one else.

[sip]

[katzenpfote]

... Is everyone on the crew a rat?

[disregartist]

Most of them. Humans do come and go on the crew, sometimes. But rats are quite more competent with machinery than most humans even now.

[katzenpfote]

... Are all of the prisoners together, or are they in separate cells?

[disregartist]

With the Home Office?

It will depend, of course. Some are separated, some are not. Families are kept together, generally, unless there is a reason to separate them.

[katzenpfote]

... At least there's that.

Is there a way to send a message to them, or is that - that would not be allowed, would it?

[disregartist]

[She simply shakes her head.]

Not while you are engaged in the Little Courtesy, no.