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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[ash's intelligence isn't something noct's going to bother to question how smart he really is. he doesn't necessary doubt it, though that superiority complex there seems to detract a little from it.

but that will go unsaid, because sometimes, noct knows how to pick his battles.]

No kidding. We humans aren't thrilled with it either. All we can do is try to see if we can find a way out of this mess.

[he really, really can't afford to waste time here.]

[ unpleasant, indeed. Ash regards him for a few more moments, then crosses his arms. As much as he's loath to share space with a human, kicking him out is probably pointless. They're still his enemies, but for the moment, he has bigger problems. (It's just that this is the first time he's ever had 'bigger problems' than humans.) ]

It's a matter of time. That's all. [ he plans on leveling this entire place to the ground for the indignity they're putting him through... but he'll keep that to himself. ] Do you have a name?

[thanks for being a pal and not forcing him to sleep outside. or immediately level the place.

cool.

well, noct's none the wiser to it, so that makes it a whole lot easier to just brush off and keep the discussion simple.]

Noctis. [he cants his head to the side slightly before returning the question.] You?

[ he doesn't have the means to level the place at the moment, just give him some time... ]

Noctis... "Of the night," in one of the humans' ancient languages. How quaint. [ probably something that only the saltiest old scholars would know, in his time period, but he's had the 'luxury' of infinite time at his disposal to research humanity. ] Well then, Noctis. I've changed my mind. You and your animal can stay here for the time being. It seems this problem is more complicated than I'd realized.

[ he'll just... not hang out here if he doesn't have to, instead. ]

I'm called Ash. If you want to survive this, I suggest that you... cooperate. There's something that I need.

[well, it does prove ash knows a thing or two—though it makes him feel almost like it's for the better he didn't say his full name.]

Thanks for the generosity.

[okay, so there's still an edge to his voice—a little bit of sarcasm, considering noct really never had any intent of leaving the room anyway.

but what follows definitely catches his curiosity enough to quirk a brow.]

Cooperate with what, exactly? [it's not an outright refusal, but he wants to know what ash is up to here.]

I'd like to find a computer terminal here. Anything will do. I do hope you know what that is.

[ as he's expecting a rebuttal to this comment, he continues. ]

And yes, I know this town doesn't appear to have that sort of technology. I'm not an idiot. However, the fact that I'm here is proof enough that they have it. That's not even mentioning that "sheriff."

I know what it is. No idea if there'll be one anywhere we can get to.

[hilariously enough, there's really no rebuttal for that one—he knows ash is right about that.]

Wouldn't be surprised if they're keeping it well-hidden, but there's enough that's not right about this place. Feels more like a movie set without the lights and cameras than a real town.

[ he doesn't really like the feeling of agreeing with a human, but he does... ]

I would go as far as saying that's likely. All of this has been very obviously set up for us. There are no signs of human habitation here. [ he shifts, letting his arms fall stiffly to his sides again. ] Find me a computer, and all your questions will be answered. No, more than that. I'll put an end to this stupid charade. Maybe I'll even reward you for your help.

"Maybe," what thrilling promise.

[he can't help the way the words kind of sarcastically roll off his tongue, but it's clear that he doesn't mean much by it.

he's still not entirely sure there's any good in helping ash, but he seems willing to go along with it for now; he'll worry about the consequences later if he sees it really spelling bad news for everyone.]

I'll keep an eye out. Kind of interested in seeing what else is being hidden from us, anyway.

[he'll motion towards the empty bed.] May as well get comfortable for now.

[though he's both not sure ash needs to.... or if he'd even be capable of it. he seems so stiff about everything.]

[ don't worry, it's not like he'll use his powers to destroy the town!!!!!! he'll keep you alive out of thanks okay noct. At least he seems satisfied by Noctis's agreement. Working with humans is... not ideal, to say the least, but he doesn't have many options here, and even he isn't arrogant enough to think he can do much on his own here. This body is weak and foolish, and he has no idea where he is or what's happened. ]

Smart choice.

[ as for the bed... he raises an eyebrow. ]

Perhaps you misunderstood me. I'm a machine.

Understood you the first time.

[he's not an idiot, okay.]

That's what we humans say sometimes. You know, stay a while, all that. Doesn't matter what you are, if you're gonna be in here, may as well sit down for a bit.

[ this answer doesn't seem to persuade him... ]

I don't see why. There's nothing here for me.

[ ... or so he says, but his eyes are quick to land on the pistol sitting on his bed. ]

Do what you want, then. Just thought it'd be easier than standing around. Got the bed, may as well use it and all.

[noct should probably be a little wary that ash is looking at the pistol, but noct has one of his own, so he's just kind of...

"whatever." later's problem?

he'll flop back to lay down once again though, he's got no intention of not taking advantage of a place to sleep. especially when it's a warm bed and not a cold campground.]

[ he's awfully relaxed around Ash. It's only sensible if he doesn't know much about him, but it's not something he's used to. He narrows his eyes at Noctis briefly when he lays back down, seeming vaguely confused; then, despite his contrarian attitude before, he takes a few more steps into the room, his footfalls much heavier than a human's. It's a primitive gun, once it's in his hands. He's only read about these things in history books. But it wouldn't be hard to use even so. ]

You're calmer than I would expect. [ he checks the ammunition as he speaks. ]

Not calm. Exhausted.

[he turns his head a bit, still watching what ash is doing—his guard isn't completely down and there's not a very good chance it ever will be in a room with a stranger.

especially one that hasn't taken especially kindly to him.]

Another human thing, getting tired after a day that's too long. I feel like I've been awake for two.

[ fortunately, he's not petty enough to shoot Noctis just for being there at the moment, and he's calmed down a decent amount since his arrival. Things are still confusing and alarming and overall unpleasant, but he doesn't have the resources he used to have; he needs to pick his battles. And ration the resources he does have. After giving the gun a once-over, he turns over his shoulder, looking at his new roommate from the corner of his eye. ]

I'm aware. I've studied your kind extensively. [ why he's good at acting like one. ] Dreams are probably the only way of escaping here at the moment.

[thanks for almost kind of being a bro, ash.]

Probably. Even dreams might be too exhausting right now. [this whole situation is just exhausting bullshit. he's got more important things to deal with and being pulled away from that is too tiring.]

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[ WEEK ONE – ARRIVAL ]

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