FINAL INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

FINAL INVESTIGATION

[The day has arrived.

Everyone notices the difference when the rats begin to run around, their manner of dress slowly morphing from oil-stained to black-tie in a matter of hours. They notice it when their invitations are shoved under their doors, with a note requesting them to pack everything-and everyone, animals included-in preparation for their debarkation. And to dress formally. Their arrival is expected-and imminent.

It's not long before the Strangers notice something off about the windows. They seem to shimmer, waver, before suddenly, the light changes. They are still stained glass, and the light from outside is somewhat obscured.

But it appears, somehow, the barrier is gone. And outside, the massive complex appears. It looks like a massive gated community, fitted on space rockets. Dozens upon dozens of different buildings just the four main mansions, all Victorian, each large enough to rival any World's Fair building. Each are different colors, as well, and it is towards the white building that the train begins to dock at a large yard. Several other trains are or have offloaded their passengers as the Eventide finally stops.

And from the bridge the Conductor appears at last, dressed for the occasion.. She looks at everyone, inspecting them.]

Don't worry. Your items will be off loaded by the servants. Your rooms will be ready in a few hours.

[She looks at Charlotte.]

While you do have the dispensation, the people here do not yet know this and may attempt to not allow your leave for that once the Eventide has been refueled. I will let the Butler know of this when we get off.

So. Welcome to Perdurance.

Shall we?

[With that, the doors open to massive, Romanesque arches made of marble. Mint and magenta ribbons tied to statues of an idealized Victoria flutter from their necks; the servants who come to take your luggage and animals wear her livery of gold and black as they bow their heads respectfully to you, even as the rats scurry to try and sneak in without being caught. It is clear you are to be guests of Her Enduring Majesty-and, Charlotte aside at least, you are not intended to leave any time soon.

Welcome to your new home, Strangers.

Welcome to the eternal party.]




[There are nine strangers left to enjoy it.]

Comments

[strangerpeople]

Idiot!!

What happens when a clock malfunctions?! What happens when that clock controls the Throne of Time?! That isn’t rocket science!!! It-

He starts to heave.]

God, I wish she were here, I.. she knows, she understands, I....!

[Tears begin to form in his blinded eyes.]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[His thoughts begin to race. They're dealing with time here and not Time, but-]

...If that is the case, the clock must be either fixed or replaced.

[strangerpeople]

It can’t be fixed...not after...not after....

[His lips begin to shake.]

I wish I were with her. I want to see her again.

Why...

[He starts to cry.]

I wish I never met him. Or Rika. I rejected the light but...but I want it back...I was so ignorant...so stupid...

[He begins to wail.]

I wish I’d never been born-!!

[charmingheroine]

The first woman wasn't Millicent... Clather... thing... was she? Or were you talking about "Rika" both times?

[This is her life now, hoping the vastness of space is such a small town that this is some part of their Warden's lost family. She's supposed to care more about a lost soul, isn't she?]

[strangerpeople]

[He shakes his head no as he cries.]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[Mmmmm... He's really not equipped to deal with the feelings of others. Especially if they're crying. He definitely does not want to get any tears on him, so he'll just carefully make sure he's positioned so that Charlotte is in a more likely position to be hugged if it comes to that.]

Yes, well... Crying has very rarely solved anything, so if you wouldn't mind explaining who you mean...?

[biddentodance]

[See the reason he went central was just in case he heard screaming, and while he's wandered a bit since, he sure does hear screaming!

And there are several important things here so he'll just peel himself off the wall, out of shadow form, goddang this power is useful for getting around.

Um, hi guys.]

Is everything....ah.

[strangerpeople]

[Hi, Minato.

This weeping man may look very familiar to you.]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[Oh, good, now there are more people here that actually care about the problems of strangers. He nods at Minato, then carefully sidles his way over to take a better look at the writings on the flaming wall.]

[biddentodance]

[Well. Alright then.]

Sorry if this is kind of out of nowhere, but....do you have a brother?

[strangerpeople]

[A sob. He looks much younger. Different hair color. Blind.

But.]

Not here please tell me he’s not here again-

[charmingheroine]

Was there someone from outside? Who looked like you.

[The ghosts, or whatever they'd been... marginally calmer, that voice sounds vaguely familiar.]

[strangerpeople]

NOT MY BROTHER!!

[And he is screaming at Charlotte.]

HE ISN’T YOURS ANYMORE!! STAY AWAY FROM HIM!!!

[charmingheroine]

[The girl she was might have flinched away. What's left of her doesn't even step back, just blinks, twice. Such naked hatred... of course, what else could she expect from something born here?]

I don't even know who you are.

[And she turns to leave.]

I'm going to find where they dumped all my things. Have fun, fellas. So long.

[It'd be disturbingly flippant if her voice wasn't low and devoid of any sort of emotion. As it is, it's probably just disturbing.]

[biddentodance]

He's not here. Worried about you, though.

[He wishes he'd asked more questions when he had the chance, but he wouldn't have know...]

[strangerpeople]

[A bit too late. He is now screaming STAY AWAY before he grabs his head, kicking something off his bed.]

[biddentodance]

[Going for the something seems risky, but can he see what it is from here?]

Please listen - he's far away from here, he's free. He's alright.

[strangerpeople]

[Its a laptop.]

[biddentodance]

[In that case....he will tentatively reach for it? God hopefully this doesn't set the poor man off again...]

[strangerpeople]

Must be...must stop...!!

[Nope, he is too busy getting his implements to scratch more space alphabet on the wall. The laptop is yours.]

[biddentodance]

[Great, okay, does he need to try to log in or is it already open for him? He'd prefer not to go snooping, but well.

Crazed this man may be, but he does seem to know something important, and he's clearly in no state to explain it himself.]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[RGB has noticed what's going on, and is ready to further distract the madman if need be. He gives Minato a thumbs up.]

EVIDENCE

[strangerpeople]

[Upon opening it, the desktop pops up. However, trying to click on anything results in a pop up that says BEEP BEEP! THIS IS AN ANTI-THEFT MEASURE. SAY THE MAGIC WORD AND YOU CAN GET ON!! XD




Yeah, you aren’t accessing anything else right now.]

[biddentodance]

[Frustrating, but expected. Any flash drives or anything?]

[strangerpeople]

[Only a floppy disk on the floor.]