robowest | [ WEEK ONE

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game: start

[ WEEK ONE – ARRIVAL ]

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!

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Is it-

[a good book? He was going to ask, but when he realizes what she's saying, he stops himself.]

Oh.

[As he continues, he's not exactly blabbering, but he's definitely not as smooth as he was when he first approached her. Mostly, he's surprised, to tell the truth.]

Mi dispiace, madonna, I... I did not think- Ah, that doesn't really matter. Would you like to head out then?

Better than simply standing about, isn't it? And your company is preferable to my roommate's - I think the poor man's from some repressed religious order, he can barely even say my name.

[Not to mention his discomfort at sharing a bedroom with a woman is plain as day. Whoever had placed them together had a specific sense of humor, that was for certain.]

And what is your name, if I may ask?

[He gestures towards the exit, and they begin to walk towards the saloon. "Repressed religious order" gets a small laugh out of him, as he can certainly think of a similar order. It's unlikely her roommate's a Templar, but... he can't rule that out with anyone right now.]

Still, I would have to agree with you. There's nothing necessarily wrong with my roommate as far as I can tell, but I'd much prefer the company of someone such as yourself.

[She meets his eyes and tips her head before brushing past to exit the so-called hotel.]

Lust.

[And she's yet to meet anyone who hasn't had some sort of reaction to it. It's amusing, at least for now. It was never questioned back home.]

[But this will be a fine enough distraction. It's rather pleasant, to speak with and tease a man for no deeper reason, no sinister machinations. Why can't she? Her master isn't watching her now.]

I suppose we're meant to be thankful we have any company at all. I think this would all be something more upsetting, were I alone.

[He tries to suppress a reaction, but his eyes go wide all the same, even if only slightly. It's... fitting? Really, he wants to laugh, but he maintains a charming, if amused, smile.]

Ezio. Ezio Auditore da Firenze. It's a pleasure, Lust. Regardless of what we're all here for, I feel honored to be in your company.

[Upon reaching the saloon, he opens the door for her.]

After you.

That's certainly quite the mouthful, isn't it?

[Lust's own eyebrow raises. It sounds like a name of a count out of a historic novel. But it has a certain lyrical quality to it, especially considering his manner of speaking.]

[She nods her thanks as she heads out into the evening, casting a glance up at unfamiliar stars.]

May I ask where you hail from, Ezio Auditore da Firenze? I've never heard anyone who speaks the way that you do. And please take that as a compliment, it's intended as one.

I think it's rather normal.

[There were even people in Firenze who thought his family's names were strange, but considering the founder of the Auditore was using a fake name...]

Firenze. Ezio Auditore da Firenze. [He repeats, making the meaning Ezio Auditore of Florence a bit clearer. Not that it matters much for worlds without Florence.] Grazie. I would say I've never heard of anyone named Lust, but I'm certain you don't need anyone else telling you that.

Perhaps where you're from. Which is a place I've never heard of. And I suppose you've never heard of Amestris.

[Not that she can talk about the normalcy of names, she's named for a biblical offense. But that's fitting, she is a biblical offense.]

No, I'm the only one. Though I did like how you called me 'madonna', I've never been called that before. It feels more suiting than 'miss', which is what everyone else insists on.

[She wonders if it's a defense mechanism, politeness in troubled times. A familiar bit of structure to cling to, even if it's only a social structure.]

And what title of address would one use for you?

Sí, it is the city in which I was born. But you're correct again in that I haven't heard of Amestris. I assume that's where you're from?

[After everything concerning America, he'd much rather talk about her than go over geography.]

I can call you whatever you'd like, madonna. I'd say "bella" suits you even more, though.

[Beautiful sounds prettier than Lust, he thinks, and it fits just as well.]

Signor, Ser, messere... but Ezio is fine. The only people who address me otherwise are those who work for me.

It's where I'm from. But I'm glad enough to leave it behind.

[Lust is more than happy to leave the discussion of geography at that. There's nothing in that country for her now. Maybe there never was. Not to say there's anything here, either, but it's arguably safer. And lacks unpleasant and unsettling memories.]

[And current company is...more pleasant than she'd expected. She's never had much time for simply socializing with humans for the sake of socializing. If she has to endure this madness, she can at least try and make the most of it.]

'Bella'. Mmm, I like that one, too. And you're a man of business, then? Impressive.

Ah, you could say that. My family has a villa in Monteriggioni, and we also handle the matters of the rest of the comune. So there are architects, artists, blacksmiths, tailors, doctors, as well as servants, of course.

[He waves a hand to say enough about that. While he was proud of the progress he had made, it wasn't very interesting conversation.]

What of you, bella? No husband waiting for you back in Amestris?

Ah, a man of means, rather than business.

[He really was like some count out of a historical novella. One of those geared towards women. And here they are, in this strange impostor town that seems equally fictional, going together for a drink. What in the name of all that's holy has her life suddenly become?]

[And then Lust has to laugh.]

No, no husband. Or anything close to such. I've yet to meet a man who could hold my interest for more than a few nights.

[All contextual, of course, but...truth, in a way.]

[Hearing her laugh causes him to smile, that and her answer. He had to ask, though.]

I would think a woman as beautiful as yourself would have every man in the world to choose from, but then again most men hardly know how to speak to a woman.

[Ezio looks to her with a playful smirk.]

I hope I'm able to capture your interest then. It sounds like a challenge.

Just because I have the choice doesn't mean I want any of the options I have to choose from. I've certainly had offers.

[One was even earnest, the poor, sweet man. If there's some sort of afterlife, she hopes he has a rewarding one. But she's not that kind of woman. Or wasn't? Marriage had never been an option, beyond a vague promise to use as a tool.]

I suppose we'll have to see, won't we? You haven't bored me yet.

I can imagine you'll have plenty more from the men here.

[Which is why he's here with her. They're approaching the saloon now and as he opens the door for her once more, he asks,]

May I ask what exactly has captured your interest? I'm curious.

I suppose I will. Excluding my roommate, of course.

[It's said with a teasing note, more a joke than anything. As though all that passes between men and women has ever been more than a job for her, a means to an end.]

[But she has always had her pick of them, theoretically. Simply no leave to act on it.]

You're polite, but not overly so. You aren't falling to pieces under the circumstances or focusing on them to the exclusion of all else. It gives the impression that you're that sort who tries to do the most with what they've been given.

And I like the way you talk, it sounds like spoken music.

[He's also easy on the eyes, but that's never been much of a concern for Lust. He simply seems like someone who won't irritate her after more than an hour, and was overt in his interest.]

He may surprise you! Perhaps, this is him playing hard to get? [He teases back, doubting that would ever be true even from what little he knows of her roommate.

At her explanation, he takes a playful bow. Honestly, he wasn't expecting that much, maybe something about his roguish good looks, but her words were quite flattering.]

Grazie, madonna. You're too kind. If I'm to be truthful of my own interest... you are quite beautiful. But you are also easy to talk to, and you have a sense of capability that's difficult to describe. Maybe an air of mystery? You've yet to bore me, of course.

I'm a woman of infinite mysteries.

[Lust's eyes gleam as she sweeps into the saloon, heading immediately to the bar itself in search of a passable wine. Something red and rich would suit her mood.]

And possessed of a vast number of capabilities. [She leans on the bar, lips curved in a playful smile.]

What's your pleasure?

[Ezio smirks, looking around the saloon and its selection before focusing on Lust once more.]

Hm, I'm sure this place has something that I like.

[He joins her at the bar, not yet parkouring over to grab a bottle.]

Wine is always good, though. There's a number of vineyards where I'm from, actually.

Oh? If you're very lucky, you might even have a taste.

[She knows this game well. She was taught extensively how to play it, and he makes it so easy. It's actually a bit fun, flirting with no pressures or ulterior motives.]

[And it's a welcome distraction from puzzling over the day's events and what may come. Why not take what advantage of her new found freedom that she can?]

[Her master would seethe, to see her right now.]

An excellent choice. I'm partial to wine myself. I know whiskey and rye abounds, but I'm sure we can find something for our more refined palettes.

Only a taste?

[It's a bit like a dance, he thinks. Although in this case, he's not sure who's leading. It feels... equal, in a way.]

Would you like me to pick something out then? It seems the service here isn't very good, but we do have the place to ourselves.

The night is long. Who knows?

[She moves to perch on the bar, ankles crossed. It's so strange, the empty town. Was it emptied, or made wholecloth for them? Question upon question without answer...]

I'll leave the selection to you. All I know about wine is that I like the reds.

Is that another challenge?

[He hops on over the bar, taking some time to look through the large selection of alcohol. Eventually he decides on something red and definitely rich in both senses of the word. Ezio pours a glass for both of them, leaning close to her on the other side of the bar.]

I wonder if it's possible for this place to run out... It would take some time to test, though. Unless we started smashing bottles, that is.

It might be. Or perhaps it's an invitation...

[Oh, this is a pleasant distraction. She takes the offered glass, lifting it in thanks.]

I'm sure if we all put our minds to it, we could bleed this place dry. But then we'd be deprived of spirits, and god alone knows how long we're going to be stuck here.

Another "we'll have to wait and see," then.

[He takes a sip of his wine, but he's a bit distracted as he continues.]

That would make sense, but... again, how long will we be here? With everything that's happening, would it be so surprising if it replaced itself? It all sounds like some sort of sorcery, but I thought the same of the train at first.

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a_sin_for_him - 2017-01-19 18:44 (UTC) - Expand

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