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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.))
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He pays more attention to the second part, forced to take mental notes now since he has no pen or paper for real notes. He's a bit disappointed that he can't verify what exactly this barrier is doing to the train, but he appreciates it all the same.]
Thanks for the info, but I have to ask, where are you getting it from?
[He's trusting that the kid is telling the truth, just wondering who exactly would give him this info.]
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[Kind of stuck with him.]
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Alright, good to know.
Is there anything else important I need to hear?
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... Also the food here sucks and tastes like sand, so don't die if only for that reason.
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Yeah, don't worry. I have more reason to not die than just the fact that food tastes like sand.
[While this lighthearted feeling isn't bad, he has to acknowledge the elephant in the room here and be serious.]
In...in all seriousness, I could try to find your family, once this is all over. Would you want me to?
cw: suicide
[Mm.]
The man who raised me is the only one left. His wife died in childbirth, my real father is unknown, my real mother killed herself so my sister wouldn't hesitate, and my sister piloted before me, so she's dead.
[He just looks exhausted as he says that.]
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He gives a small nod at the end of it.]
Anything you want me to tell him? And...can I know his name?
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Just... tell him...
[Jun's voice wavers for a moment.]
'Apology accepted. Please try to find a way to be happy.'
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Will do.
And...I know it may not mean anything, but...I'm sorry that this happened to you. Or anyone from that mansion.
[This isn't a thing that should happen, period. The fact that this is apparently the third time...it's horrifying.]
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And if your world ever has a giant robot that's like... two skyscrapers tall show up? Run. Get out of there. Don't sign the contract unless you're okay with dying.
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[Usually he doesn't try to get involved in stuff like this-anything that strays from normal life-but...at this point, maybe he needs to get involved here.
He...kind of wants to question that latter statement, but...]
Don't think I'd try, but I understand.
[why does it seem like the kids go through the most trauma...]
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[He's definitely planning to kill them WHO ENLISTS CHILDREN TO FIGHT GIANT ROBOTS AND CALLS IT A GAME WHAT THE FU-]
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[That's...not the fate he'd expect for someone trying to recruit children to fight giant killer robots. He more expected him getting kill by one of the survivors, enraged at his apathy towards their suffering or something.
Buuuuut not everything can sound like it should happen in Evangelion, I guess.]
Well, then...I'll just get the message to your...to the man that raised you.
[He wants to say father or dad, since that title goes to the man that raises you, really, but...he's not sure it would help in the situation, saying that.]
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... I... was kind of a terrible son...
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[His tone is stern, now. Like what one would expect from a father. Though it does falter a little bit in this second statement.]
That's...that's just how dads are, when it comes to their kids.
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I'm-I'm sorry, I just wanted to make you feel better, letting you know that your dad would probably care about you no matter what and-
[He stops, and remembers that sometimes a dog needs to learn when to really apologize and shut his mouth.]
I'm...I'm so sorry. I hope...I hope Kana is resting in peace, and that you can as well.
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... I don't know why I... I don't know. Talking about my death is easy... it's scientific. You're just supposed to... stop. But people who are left are a lot less rational. What's happened to me isn't rational, either.
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So instead of focusing on that, he'll focus on the latter statement.]
I'm...not fully surprised. After you die, it shouldn't really effect you, I think. The only people that can be effected is everyone you've left behind. Even if it's not too soon, people can just get caught up in their grief of losing someone they care about.
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[Not many.]