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15strangers2019-08-04 10:27 pm
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2019-08-04 10:27 pm
WEEK 4
[After the meeting, Lilac gives everyone a small vial of something red. Those who left the meeting receive it from the rats on the crew. She gives instructions as to how to take it. Take in a drink, preferably tea. Drink it slowly. Make sure you can get to your bed once you finish. The headache will come quickly.
Nevertheless, even as everyone slips into sleep, they are visited once more by the Conductor in what must have been a dream. Or was it? It's not clear.
She is quiet as she speaks, looking out the windows, even though the view is obscured by the glass.
"I know you think me as a monster. Maybe I am after all these years. I have no illusions. But I cannot regret the things I've done.
"Nor can I regret the Bazaar...it was so wonderful. It opened my eyes to the truth of things and opened doors I never could have seen on my own. It was the first time I felt true love for another. I wasn't the only one-my daughter, too, passed through the Wicket. Saw the sea more sunless within the Bazaar's body. Learned as I learned. She sought to rival me in symbols, in marking skin."
She closes her eyes.
"She is dead now, of course. Everyone I knew in the Neath-on our Earth-is. Well. Almost everyone. London endures, naturally. But the Echo Bazaar...it's beautiful promise...it's gone. The Seventh City will never fall, and it's Message will forever remain undelivered. Of all the creatures in the universe who might remember it, I am alone in honoring it.
"Perhaps it's noble. Perhaps it's foolish. In any case, maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe it's the thought that's important. As long as I am here, there is yet a possibility that the deed may be finished, somehow.
"Still, I wonder. Maybe you have the answer.
What happens to a Message, when neither the sender and receiver exist anymore?"
As the day dawns, everyone wakes up to the sound of howling winds and darkness. Their head hurts, but they do have a new memory to accompany the ache. They are also at a new port. It is a dark place, teetering on the edge of safe space and the unknown in between void, where those who enter rarely return. Or, so you have to assume, right? Either way, that blackness on the deep horizon doesn't look particularly fun to try to drive through.
There is a legitimate fear in Lilac's expression that betrays her for the first time, as she lets everyone disembark, including the unicorn and the young man, who quickly jump onto another train to get away from this place. She also refuses to leave the train. She does leave you with a fair warning.
The Synod of Carcels is dangerous, in its own way, and everyone can feel it. Everyone can feel something hanging in the air. It's not natural. It's bending reality. It's also not something that started with you or your arrival. Yet it threatens to become that way, to become part of you. You can feel the temptation gnaw at you. You can hear the winds whisper of it. There is a hunger here-and knowledge as well.
The question, of course, is whether the price to uncover those things is worth it-and what will be found here with the price that is paid. But as the Conductor said-a reckoning cannot be postponed. Not forever.
There are eleven strangers left in this place.]
((IMPORTANT OOC NOTE: This week and it's investigations involve major Fallen London spoilers, in particular spoilers regarding Seeking Mr. Eaten's Name and one of it's endings. If you, as a player here, are playing Fallen London and do not wish to be spoiled, let us know, and we will make sure you are not given any ending spoilers to the best of our ability. We will also be marking spoiler-filled comments with tags, and we request that our players do likewise, in consideration for those who might look through this post in the future.
With that said, have fun, and remember-all shall be well.))
no subject
We all want this to end as soon as possible. Ideally before we lose anyone else here. But--
[ He'll look at the statue himself ]
Unfortunately it'd be too convenient if the Empress allowed us to contact a God from outside, wouldn't it? So whatever it is we have to do we're going to have to do so without any outside help.
[ There's a small pause before he speaks again. This time much more quietly. Too quiet for a normal person to hear, but King would be able to hear it just fine ]
It might've been better if we hadn't helped one another. But it's a little late for that, isn't it.
no subject
Yeah. We'd be able to just end things then and there. Of course she wouldn't want that.
I guess being a big cat and helping people emotionally is all I can do to help, then.
[That last statement, though...it catches him off guard, a little bit.]
Wait, what? How would it have been better if we didn't try to help each other? You and Charlotte may have been the biggest reasons I didn't do anything stupid last week.
[That just...doesn't sound right to him.]
no subject
[ There's a hint of amusement in his voice when he says that. But that amusement quickly leaves as he tilts his head to the side. ]
... You mean when I helped you in the library, right?
[ He's quiet for a moment again before a light sigh escapes him ]
I'm glad it helped. And .. don't get me wrong, I'm glad for the help I've received as well. But all of us opening our hearts to one another ... isn't it making what comes next hurt even more?
... If I hadn't already felt so numb I might've been like Minato back then.
[ Without the whole hand breaking thing, anyways ]
no subject
[Ris and Charlotte seemed to like it, so he could at least help them.
But back on the serious subject.]
I...guess you've got a point there as well. Even just knowing about why Eliza...
[He can't bring himself to finish the sentence. He still feels terrible that two kids had to die just so their families could live. He was grateful that Bailey and the pups would be fine, but that didn't that what happened was right.
He takes a breath to steel himself up again.]
Even so, I think it does help. Talking about things like that...it can make people doubt what they think is best. Get them to second guess a bad idea they have. Even if it's only a little bit helpful, I think it's better to talk about things than to stay silent.
no subject
What she did was selfish. He'll be safe, but he no longer has his older sister. Is that really the better alternative?
[ Of course he didn't say this to Eliza because that would've been cruel. But also because he ... sees the other side. ]
Yet ... I understand. I'd ... do anything to ...
[ He doesn't finish that sentence. Instead he pauses and decided to respond to what King had also said, instead. But only after a small sigh. ]
... You're right. I'll admit that ... there are some things that I've been able to get through because I opened my heart to some. But is it a risk that I should keep taking? Would it be worth it to keep opening my heart to the possibility of getting hurt again in the future?
Talking helps, but the more we open our hearts the more we subject ourselves to that possibility. No one can say whether or not someone would've been better off if they hadn't done so to the people who are no longer with us.
no subject
[That...came out a bit louder than he wanted, but he needs to clarify this.]
I just think...you need to look at it from her perspective. She was given two choices; kill someone, and risk getting killed herself, or do nothing, knowing what would happen to her family. To...her little brother.
It may have been a bad decision, but for her it was the only decision she could make.
[Now that that's out of the way, there's the other thing.]
And...you're right there. If people keep dying after we get close to them, I'm not sure how much I want talk with them either. And I don't know if talking to anyone that's died would've made a difference in what happened to them.
But...I don't think we can just not talk with other people. In a situation like this, being alone...it might be an even bigger risk. If you get a bad memory back, then you just have to deal with it yourself. If...people thought you...ended up killing someone, there wouldn't be many people to vouch for you.
I know it's a big risk, but...life is full of risks. If we couldn't handle any change, then...we wouldn't really get to live, would we?
no subject
... You're right. I guess it would've been the only option for her. I guess someone who was in the same place as her would understand more than myself.
[ He sounds ... bitter as he says that. But moving on to the other thing ... a small frown appears as he listens to King's words ]
I ... wonder what I would be doing if I hadn't spoken to anyone last week. I wouldn't really say I'm living right now, but I do know that if it weren't for those who came to me last week I wouldn't be standing here speaking with you.
[ The frown turns into a smile, albeit a sad one ]
I'd have Friender with me, but the feelings of being alone would have most certainly consumed me. The motive last week didn't ... have much for me. But who knows what they have in store for us this week, hm?
no subject
It...may be a bit different from living normally, but it's better than nothing.
And again, that is sort of my point. I'm...not even sure I would've made past the second week, had I not talked with people about how I felt about the motive.
And...on that same subject, do you think we can just...talk, after this next motive, too? No matter what it is?
[He wants to say if we have another motive, but...at this point, it almost feels assured that they will get another. And he wants to make sure no one dies from it, or at least no more kids have to.]
no subject
[ Mithos doesn't sound all to convinced with that, but agreeing with King was probably the best idea right now. ]
If that is truly the case then... you've made your point.
[ He hesitates for a moment before nodding his head. ]
Yeah ... if you wish to talk after the next motive then ... we can talk. No matter what it is.
[ With the way things have been a motive is almost expected to come. ]
no subject
Thanks. I'm just...I would prefer if we confided in each other as soon as possible. Make sure neither of us thinks of going along with it.
[There's a chance the motive may not even be that big or important for either of them, but he'd prefer to make sure.]
no subject
Better to try and see if it helps then not try at all, right? Feel free to come find me after the motive, then, if I don't find you.
no subject
Exactly. And will do.
I'm going to keep trying to contact Kitsune. [Thumb over at the statue.] Hopefully it'll turn out the reception is spotty or something.
Be careful and don't do anything stupid at this new place, okay?
[Basically, if Minato would do it, don't...and stop Minato from doing it, if you can.]
no subject
Hmm. Alright. Let me know if you do. If you manage then it's a good sign that contact to the outside isn't completely lost on us.
[ It's a long shot but hey they never know unless they try. ]
I haven't done anything like that so far, have I?
[ Is he saying that because he knows that King doesn't know about his ... little adventures? May...be... ]
no subject
[
Let his annoying demigods save them]As far as I know, no, but it's always good to make sure, don't you think?
[It's understandable because he'd probably have a heart attack if he did know about some of those adventures.]
no subject
[
please]Hmmmm, well it would really depend, wouldn't it. What exactly is it would you consider as such.
[ Mithos is really testing fate here ]
no subject
[Weird that he's relying on hope this time around, but if it's all he can do, he'll do it.
Also, that's a concerning comment!]
Um...getting involved in fights you don't need to be involved in, or...honestly, interacting with anyone that's from the places the train visits, at least when they're clearly bad people.
[Yeah, prison people did not help his perception of the people from here, so most of them are off limits.]
no subject
Well, the only thing I've done lately is spar with someone, so you don't have to worry then.
[ He's ... not lying, actually. Unless you count the Reaper Creeper "interacting with anyone" but that was ... not a thing he saw coming. ]
no subject
He sighs.]
Okay, you kind of worried me for a second there. If all you're doing is practicing self-defense or something, that's fine.
[Kids should learn to defend themselves here, probably.]
no subject
[ So King is not wrong there?? ]
no subject
[Again, kids should be able to defend themselves here!]
Can I ask who's helping you with this?
no subject
[ He could keep it a secret but really ... there's no point when there's ... not many options on this train for a sparring partner is there. ]
no subject
[He...literally has not talked with McBurn once, as far as he can remember, so he has nothing to critique, other than that he seems sleepy a lot.]