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

[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.]