[ WEEK ONE – ARRIVAL ]

[sheriffexe]

ARRIVAL

It's a surprisingly quiet ride. The passenger cart is nothing more than wood and a bit of cotton to cushion the seats but for some reason, even as the train hurtles along down the track, the cart remains silent. It only starts filling with noise when the passengers begin to stir. There isn't any indication on how you got here. No grogginess, no injuries -- in fact, those who arrive with injuries might find them healed up completely (of course there are others who won't be so lucky) -- but in one blink and the next, you are here, on this train. Maybe you're even sitting next to a friend. Maybe a stranger. Won't be any time to talk either, the train suddenly slowing down with enough of a jerk to throw its passengers back into their seats. A few seconds later, it comes to a complete stop and with a whistle, the doors open and a voice calls from outside. It's male, with a slight mechanical twang behind it and anyone who looks out the window towards the station can just about spot the portly man out on the platform. "You might as well come on out, folks. You won't be getting any answers on the train." Once everyone is out on the platform, the man stands before them taking an assessing look at each person. There is something very off about him, though he looks human enough -- but his eyes are too white, his skin too dry, and his hair is doesn't shine quite right. He is dressed in a flannel shirt, suspenders, and jeans, a cowboy hat atop his head and a badge pinned to his shirt that reads "Sheriff". After a moment, he gives a gruff nod and speaks again. "Howdy. Real happy to see all of you. Explanations will come... Sunday morning, yeah. Give y'all a bit of time to meet each other. Settle in. Keys are on the table over there, hat and pistol in your room. Don't, er... Don't shoot each other right away but if you do, my office is over there. Go get some dinner, sun's about to set. Wouldn't want any coyote trouble." And that seems to be... it. The Sheriff tips his hat and turns to head to the building with the large "Sheriff" sign on the front. There is a table nearby, keys neatly laid out for everyone with nametags attached to each one. An owl hoots in the distance and a breeze passes through the group. It's quiet again. Welcome to game start! Characters will find their items in their hotel rooms and anyone who goes to visit the Sheriff after he leaves will find the station empty. On top of that, rulebooks will not be available to find until later. The Sheriff might be forcing it a little but it seems like the intent here really is to get everyone to interact with each other. If there are any questions, PM or hit up the plurk at robowest!

QUICK NAV PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS | STATUSES | PROFILES | LOCATIONS | GRAVEYARD | MAIN NAVIGATION

Comments

[combattente]

I. arrival

[The situation would most likely be disorienting to anyone. But it's even more disorienting when you have no idea what you're on or how you're moving or... you get the point. When Ezio gets off the train, he finds himself more interested in the contraption behind him, though his instincts remind him to focus on the man speaking to him. Still, he can't help sneaking glances back and the more he looks at the train, the more dumbfounded his expression becomes. Once the sheriff leaves them be, Ezio grabs the shoulder of the person next to him to get their attention. He's not exactly trying to interrogate them, but...]

Mi dispiace, but do you know what that... that...

[He looks between the person and the train, then gestures more as if that'll help him think of the word. It doesn't.]

What that is?

II. a bit later

[While most people might be looking at their rooms, getting their items, and getting acquainted with each other, a certain assassin can be seen scaling the hotel. He moves quickly and gracefully, eventually reaching the top of the building. At last, he has a proper vantage point of his surroundings so now he better understands where he is. Or so he had hoped. To tell the truth, this doesn't tell him very much at all, and instead he finds himself simply missing the cities he knew well.

At some point, he gets tired of wishing for sights of churches and the river Arno, deciding it would be best to move on and investigate from down below. Ezio sighs, then takes a leap of faith, landing in a conveniently placed haystack. He gets out as if it's the most casual thing in the world and then continues on his way. A few strands of hay might still be stuck to him, but he doesn't seem to really care.]

III. wildcard

(You know the deal and such! I'm really up for anything! After arriving, Ezio's acquired his item which are his two hidden blades, but he's probably still wearing Renaissance clothing because he is too fancy for this cowboy stuff. Yeehaw!)

I

[hitsitoff]

[It takes all of Eliot's self control not to respond violently when his shoulder's grabbed. Normally he wouldn't be so on edge, but... well, the circumstances and all that. Thankfully the most that happens is that he turns slightly quicker than normal.

Any concern that was there vanished pretty damn quick when this guy starts talking. There's a half confused, half annoyed frown on his face and it only deepens the longer this goes on.]

What? What're you even-- [Is he gesturing at... Wait.] ...You mean the train?

[Said in a very clear "are you fucking kidding me right now" tone.]

[combattente]

[He notes the man's expression and tone, but there's not much he can do about that. His reaction isn't nearly as important as the information he might be able to provide.]

Is that what it's called? Che strano...

[Leonardo would be thrilled by all this, he thinks. Admittedly, he's not really interested in the inner workings, but he still needs to know enough to get by.]

But, yes, what is it? You seem to be familiar with it, but this train- I've never seen anything like it. It's similar to a carriage, no?

[hitsitoff]

It's-- It's a train, man, what do you want from me? Kind of an old one, but I mean, I ain't a train guy, I don't--

[And then he stops because now there's the dawning realization that, no, this guy isn't messing around, he's serious. He honestly doesn't know what a train is.

How.]

...Yeah, like a carriage. Where the hell are you from?

[Because the guy sounds Italian, but he's been to Italy and he's pretty damn sure they've got trains there.]

[combattente]

[Well, he's trying to ignore his attitude, but at the same time he can't help but roll his eyes. He'll probably have to ask someone else later.]

Firenze. Why? I do not see what that has to do with the train.

[hitsitoff]

[Well, that narrows it down. He knows his geography, even if this one's kinda obvious.]

Firenze... Florence? Man, last I checked they got freaking trains in Tuscany, you sure you're not actually from under a rock?

II

[feminitis]

[Her explorations have taken her outside, and she just so happens to look up as Ezio straightens up on the rooftop, bends his knees, and -

Oh crap. She jumps to exactly the wrong conclusion.]

Wait, don't jump—

[...too late. Sei makes a run for it, watching with wide, terrified eyes as he falls through the air and... lands safely in a haystack.

Wait. What?

...was that intentional? This time, when she jogs after him, it's with stars in her eyes. She's impressed.]

Wait! Wait up!

[combattente]

[It takes him a moment to register the voice he hears is actually calling after him. And it takes him another moment to decide not to just run, and turn around and address the person properly. At least he knows it's not some minstrel.]

Hm? What is it?

[feminitis]

That jump you made just now...

[She gestures vaguely from the roof, to the haystack, and then back to Ezio, before grinning widely.]

That was so cool! How did you do it?!

[combattente]

[He finds himself slightly grinning as well.]

I... jumped? That was all. Grazie, though. You simply have to make sure there's somewhere safe to land, really.

[feminitis]

So anyone could learn to do that?

[She glances up at the roof, like she wants to go up there and give it a try. Wow, that would be a really stupid early death...]

You did it so gracefully, it was like you were flying! I know plenty of people who still would have managed to break a bone even with all that hay there.

I

[generously]

[ It's your lucky day, Ezio, you're talking to someone who knows a little too much about trains. ]

Oh, that? That's a 4-4-0, most commonly known as the American type, but it was actually quite popular in other countries, too.

[ That's not what he asked. ]

[combattente]

[Is he supposed to understand any of that? Ezio tries to look grateful, but.]

American type? What does that mean or 4-4-0 or... any of it. Explain.

[generously]

Well, the numbers refer to the four leading wheels on two axles. It's a fairly old type, so I guess you're lucky that you got to experience being in one of them! Are you interested in trains? I was once a conductor, you know.

[combattente]

I... see. I have to admit, I don't understand most of what you're saying. How is it old? What is American? What are trains?

[generously]

Wait, you don't know what any of those things are? How did you get here? Are you one of those amnesiacs?

wildcard

[sating]

[ Whenever Ezio does decide to check out his room, he'll find that it isn't empty. In multiple senses, as it turns out, because Ezio and Hannibal's room is a bit crowded with the addition of a harpsichord in the room. Hannibal is standing at its front with his fingers drifting over the keys with a fond smile, but he looks up when the door opens. His eyebrow raises, but his expression is quietly amused, even though his smile is small and light. ]

Well, that may explain the two beds.

[ He takes a half step back from the instrument, and I'm just. Sorry that Hannibal's item is a fuckin harpsichord. Hannibal, less so, but he does at least speak to it. ]

I would apologize for the harpsichord, but it was not my choice for it to be here

[combattente]

And I suppose there goes any hope of spending the night with a beautiful woman.

[He's joking for the most part, but it still would have been nice. A sigh escapes his lips as he looks over his new roommate as well as the harpsichord.

There's no need to apologize, so long as you aren't going to start singing.

[This man doesn't look like a minstrel, though, and a harpsichord is also not a lute, so he should be fine. Ezio looks over the rest of the room as he walks in, until his gaze settles on his hidden blades which are sitting neatly on top of a trunk. He puts them on and adjusts them slightly, continuing to speak as he does so,]

Ezio Auditore. We should know each other's names if our nights are to be spent together.

[sating]

No, I will not be. [ He breathes out a laugh, though it's soft. ] I enjoy the arts, but singing is not in my talents.

[ He watches Ezio idly, curious much more than anything to see him pick up the leather arm guards. It seems quite old to Hannibal's eye, and the Italian accent that rolls off Ezio's tongue is a bit of combined nostalgia that almost makes him laugh again. He misses Italy, but like many parts of Hannibal's past, it's an idle nostalgia that quickly gives way to the current moment.

As Ezio gives his name, Hannibal steps forward to offer his hand for a handshake. It's the opposite hand for whichever blade Ezio is putting on, since he wouldn't want to interrupt, half for politeness and half for interest. ]

Hannibal Lecter. It is a pleasure, Mr. Auditore. [ He'll withdraw his hand, and after a pause, he asks: ] Your accent- It's quite familiar. If I'm not prying, may I ask where in Italy you are from?

[combattente]

That doesn't stop most people in my experience. [he says with a laugh of his own.

At the other's offer, Ezio shakes his hand and then continues with the other blade. He's thankful the man didn't take the blades for his own, considering he didn't seem to have a weapon.]

Firenze. Although, it has been some time since I actually lived there. What of you?

[sating]

True. Then I'll rephrase to say that I have the common sense not to.

[ There's a smile and a wryness in his response that touches on playful, but it's gone quickly in the face of his delight at Ezio's answer. He laughs more, since there was familiarity in Ezio's accent, and he's pleased to have identified it. ]

I thought your accent was familiar. I lived in Florence—Firenze for a while myself. Though similarly, it has been a few years. It is a shame, since where I moved to could never compare to the beauty of the city.

[ Of course, he only left Italy because his crimes caught up with him... But so long as people continue to not recognize his face or name, he certainly won't remind them. He inclines his head very lightly, though his gaze does stay on the blades as Ezio puts them on, though it's clearly only curiosity. ]

Lithuania. Though I have not lived there since I was a boy. In years alone, I may as well call the United States my home now.

II

[alcobrawlic]

[ Guys climbing buildings usually get her attention pretty quickly, if just because of the business she used to be in. So Sara's already keeping an eye on the figure as she heads back to the hotel, but not dedicating a whole lot of attention to it just yet.

Until she steps back out and he comes plummeting down, and to her credit, she doesn't immediately whip out a sword or try to kick him in the face or anything inappropriate. Instead-- ]

Is this a habit of yours? Do I need to start looking up more often?

[combattente]

[As soon as he comes face to face with her and not hay, he can't help but smile. It's instinct in a way.]

If you'd like to, I suppose. I would say it's closer to a hobby, however.

[That smile's intentions become clearer as time goes on. He's never thought of freerunning as a way to flirt with women other than Rosa, but why not?]

Why do you ask, bellisima? Are you impressed?

[alcobrawlic]

[ On the one hand, he doesn't look nearly old enough to be her type.

On the other hand, he's a good-looking man, and while she has no idea what he just called her, that smile is a pretty clear indicator that it wasn't an insult. She can be flattered. ]

Oh, just curious. [ with a very idle wave of the hand, even. ] If you need a hay bale to stick your landing every time, I'd scout for those first.

[combattente]

Not always. It certainly helps to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor, though, so I tend to make sure there's at least something to break my fall.

[Considering how many doctors recommend leeches, he'd much rather play it safe. But what do leeches matter when he's talking to a beautiful woman anyways?]

May I ask your name? I imagine it can't be bellisima, as fitting as it is.