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

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza's poked her head upstairs only to realize that there's apparently another fucking Witch barrier there. So she immediately comes charging in, knives out and ready to fight-only to find nothing but a pleasant conversation.]

...um...hi?

[15unknowns]

[Looking up, blinking.]

Oh dear, let me get another tea cup, then.

[From one of the cupboards, she does so. She's pretty well stocked.]

[awitchdidit]

Ahaha, yes, Eliza here is with me. Do come in and have a seat, if we're not bothering our host.

We were discussing Weftlanders and Strigoi. I unfortunately have a habit of bringing weighty topics to tea parties.

[15unknowns]

Never worry. It's been some time, but I am used to such things. Or was. I haven't held a state dinner in years.

No reason to.

[awitchdidit]

Spooky mansions are quite lonely, aren't they? I at least had consistent guests, but you...well, you're doing an exemplary work of charity here, as far as I can tell. And your skill in hospitality still shines brightly.

So, in your experience, all beings from other worlds are Weftlanders? And all of their souls become Strigoi?

[15unknowns]

Well, i do think it's more complicated, but so far as I am concerned, yes.

[She shakes her head.]

And-goodness, no. Only the ones who make those awful contracts!

[awitchdidit]

Aaaah, I think I understand now. Trading in their own souls, is it?

The legends of Witches in my world are similar, although the truth of the matter is somewhat more complicated. With whom do they make these contracts?

[15unknowns]

Oh, I've never personally seen them. But...they are small, furry and white, like a cat. That much I've been told. I do make sure to be on the lookout, just in case.

[telecosmetic]

Fucking Kyubey. Still stirring up trouble everywhere, isn't he? [Eliza is somehow managing to sip her tea angrily.]

[awitchdidit]

Oh, you've met this demon? I can't say it's one I've heard of.

[telecosmetic]

Do you know about magical girls? He basically makes himself look like the mascot from one of those animes and offers girls wishes in exchange for fighting Witches. Without letting them know they'll eventually become Witches themselves. You can't even kill him, he has like ten million backup bodies and he'll just come back and eat his old body for the nutrients.

[Fuck Kyubey Lives.]

[15unknowns]

Is that what they are called? Well.

[Quiet sip.]

They too came in after the Replacement, so...really a lot of things came in after that. Still come, even. It is difficult to keep up with it...I only just heard about those tele-visions from the devils outside.

[A small sigh.]

It really isn't what I imagined when I was young. None of this was. I wonder if you can imagine what I would have said if you told me, when I was a girl, that I would be out in space, that the country I would be ruling would...that my mother would...

[She swallows, slowly, before placing her cup down.]

...well. I would have laughed, either way. No matter what you told me.

[awitchdidit]

Life has a way of getting out of hand. Especially when people start making demonic contracts.

[Beatrice isn't that up on 19th century European politics, but she's pieced together the feudal relationships here, at least.]

Ma'am...your mother is actually causing a fair bit of trouble for us. We were brought here against our will, as were several others as hostages. I won't hold it against you if you don't want to share anything, but if you have any insight onto how to escape her...attentions...it would save a few Weftlander lives.

[15unknowns]

That...

[She takes a deep, calming breath at this. There is that pain again in her eyes.]

As far as I am concerned, that woman-or whatever she might be now-may call herself whatever she wants, Twice or Thrice or Ten Thousand Times Renewed-but I have settled on the understanding that my mother died when my father did the first time. At least, so far as I am concerned, no matter how many Hours or splendors she sees fit to gift on me.

[That might have been a bit too bitter coming from her.]

...I am but a dowager in any case, with my power only here in this little corner of the universe. I can't tell you much of anything that might truly help, save that stubborn runs in the family. She will do what she thinks is the absolute correct thing to do and see it through no matter what. What exactly it has to do with imprisoning Weftlanders, I couldn't say.

[awitchdidit]

[Beatrice nods, solemnly.]

When someone changes the very nature of their being like that...no, I have no doubt that the Queen you knew, and then one my world's history remembers, was an entirely different person from the one who rules this world. That's part of being what I would call a Witch.

Thank you for the tea. And your insight. If there's anything I can offer you in return, please, I would love to be able to do so.

[15unknowns]

Of course.


[She pauses, before looking at the dead girl.]

There is one thing. I hope you do not mind-I would like this young girl to have a more proper burial than the devils downstairs would do. I would do it myself, but...

[She is quiet.]

Perhaps I am also a little selfish, after everything that has happened, but the Hours I receive...I have had cancer since before the Replacement. It's finally spread, somewhat...I am not as strong as I used to be.

[awitchdidit]

I would be honored. I'm a Witch myself, and I was eventually given a proper burial. I think I came here to be able to pay that forward, at least in part.

[Beatrice stands, and gives a small bow.]

I hope you find peace as you've helped others do so, your highness.

DEEP CUT COMPLETE

[15unknowns]

...Thank you.

[Her eyes mist up at this, but she is otherwise the mask of stoicism as she holds her head high and nods. Then, she quietly turns to the windows, looking out wistfully.

After a few moments, the barrier returns, and Eliza and Beatrice are zoomed back downstairs, the girl's body on the floor, hands still folded across her lap.]

[telecosmetic]

Sorry, I thought...this was one of those...Witch barriers. Like the ones outside. [That feels a little awkward to say when there's another witch right here, but she didn't name those monsters.]

[15unknowns]

Oh, it is.

[Tea is offered]

Sometimes the girls protect me, even in those forms.

[telecosmetic]

[She looks even more awkward now.] I...think we might have run into one of them, the day before yesterday. I...didn't know about your relationship with them, so... [She just rubs the back of her head.] Mithos and I....kind of.....killed her? We...do still have her Grief Seed around, though.

[15unknowns]

[She puts a hand on her chest, nodding and closing her eyes at this.]

...No, I understand, it's all right. They are not my children, but I will grieve them. I always do. They are suffering, deeply, in that form. At least she is not in pain. Thank you.

[At this, something clicks in her expression.]

Oh, but...the little grief seed? Perhaps...do you mind if I have it? For the next girl. It may buy her time, at least. If you are willing to part with it.

[telecosmetic]

Oh, that's no problem, of course! [Eliza takes it out of her pocket to hand to the lady.] I just had it to show people, but it's not like any of us can actually use it. And if it can help the girls who come through here, it's even better!