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

[biddentodance]

Ah....that makes sense.

[He takes a breath, then nods.]

On three?

[higanbana]

[A nod in return.]

One, two...

[biddentodance]

Three!

[Stepping on!]

[higanbana]

[Ris tries her best to time her step alongside his, and, for the most part, it works out! The swaying of the car does cause her to stumble just a little, but in the end she's seated more or less safely on one side.

Heck... she's even laughing a little.]

N-not my most graceful moment. ...Kind of fun, though.

[biddentodance]

[He reaches out, not actually touching, but prepared to catch her if she falls. That was kind of fun.]

Yeah... Beats standing in line.

[higanbana]

[It doesn't really settle in for Ris that Minato was reaching out to help her if need be until she's already seated, and that's... ah.

On one hand, that's rather sweet. Even if she would probably have reacted poorly to being touched without warning, there's no way Minato would have known that, and it's the intent that counts here, anyway.

On the other...]

...Take care of yourself before you take care of me, Minato. We don't need a repeat of what happened before.

[Even as she scolds him, her voice is gentle this time.

As their car begins to make its ascent, Ris looks out over the mansion and the surrounding wastes. She's sure there are better sights to see on a ride like this, but if nothing else, she does have the novelty of it all. That's a magic in and of itself.]