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

[higanbana]

[...mmmm. Right. Dancing requires physical contact.

Well... she gets to be the one to initiate it, right? And if it goes anywhere beyond hand-holding Ris can always pull away. So.

She'll take Eliza's hands.]

...I may need you to lead.

[telecosmetic]

Oh, I can do that, no problem! [She listens to Reepicheep's song for a bit more before starting to move, starting out with some simple slow steps. To her surprise, she feels oddly familiar with them, as if some kind of muscle memory is helping her along. The steps she has planned out are intended to take them in a circle around the center of the ballroom, beneath the chandelier for now.]

[higanbana]

[It takes a little for Ris to fall into rhythm alongside Eliza, but eventually, they're actually managing something akin to an actual dance. From Ris' side, it's still a bit fumbling and unsure, but...

Well, she might be smiling, just a tiny bit. So there is that.]

[telecosmetic]

[Pure and wholesome! Eliza won't get into any more complicated steps for now, simply leading Ris back to where they started. She does stumble a few times, but manages not to actually fall or step on her partner's feet.]

[higanbana]

[Ris isn't particularly strong, so any attempts she makes to catch and re-right Eliza when she stumbles just result in Ris stumbling alongside her. Still, it's pure, wholesome, and most importantly, fun.

By the end of it, Ris is even laughing every time they stumble, and she certainly seems to be in a much brighter mood when they've completed their loop.]

Ehehe... not our most graceful moment, was that?

Still... it was fun. I don't think a ballroom that's sat unused for this long can ask for more.

[telecosmetic]

[Protect this smile.]

Yeah...but it's good as long as you had fun!

[Mun forgot to mention this, but Aelfryth and Blaggut were totally also doing a little dance during Reepicheep's song.]

Mmm...it is good to let loose, some times. [Aelfryth stretches a little.] And it is good exercise.

[higanbana]

[Let's be honest, if Ris had tried to pay attention to the cute little rat dance, they'd both be flat on their faces right now.]

Ehehe. Very true, very true...

Well, we had best go clean ourselves up now, shouldn't we? Lest we spread more dust around the place we've just cleaned.

[telecosmetic]

Yeah. You can use the shower first, too. [Eliza holds out a hand for her rat squad to scamper onto. They also need to be washed, after all.]

[higanbana]

Ah? Are you sure?

[telecosmetic]

Yeah, I don't mind! You were cleaning for longer than I was, so you probably need it more, right?

[higanbana]

[Ris kind of wants to argue the point, but... mm. Any arguments she had kind of fall flat in the face of Eliza's cheer.]

...All right. I'll try not to take too long.

[And she's going to scurry off to do just that, unless Eliza has anything else to say!]

[telecosmetic]

[Nah. Eliza's just going to smile at her retreating back, glad that Ris finally got to enjoy herself.]