 It's time to go.
Most people are on the train by now. Settled into their cabins and among friends and loved ones. There are only three new arrivals left to board and once they do, Hal pulls a conductor's hat out from underneath the bar, tugs it on, and steps around it to the middle of the train. He opens his mouth to talk, voice filling the train.
"It's time to go. Stops happen once a day until everyone's departed and I already have your stopped listed. If you'd like to be prioritized, let me know, otherwise we'll go in order of death. Settle in and enjoy the ride. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask, folks."
This, of course, means that those who died earliest (Manfred, Higekiri) will depart first while those who died latest (Barnham, Damian, Percy) will depart last. There's a stop for everyone, though those who want to get off together are more than welcome to. Hal pulls a notepad and pen out of his pocket later and people will notice that he goes around the train confirming stops with everyone. Whatever feeling Hal may have had to a character back in town isn't noticeable here -- he is simply a robot assigned with a job.
After that, it's all a matter of settling in and enjoying the ride. If that's possible for you, at least.
|
no subject
[yeup]
My death in this town wasn't the first time I've experienced it.
no subject
...I'm sorry.
no subject
It's all right. Dying was my choice. I sacrificed my life to save my comrades.
When I was reincarnated after a brief stay in the spirit world, the form I assumed was similar in appearance to my human body. But it wasn't human-- the catalyst I occupied was lost. And because of that, my time in the human realm was limited.
[and in the end she had to return to the spirit realm because of it and. yeah]
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
[because twenty years is """"short""""]
no subject
no subject
Technically only twenty years, but I have the memories of over two thousand.
It's-- ah. Complex.
no subject
Well, we've got a month. Might as well learn about each other while we can.
no subject
A good point. Then, do you want me to start from the beginning?
no subject
Yeah. From the beginning sounds good.
no subject
. . . I suppose I should start off by saying I wasn't born like normal spirits usually are. I was created by my predecessor, Maxwell, the Lord of spirits, and given his memories so that I might grow up believing I was the true Maxwell.
no subject
[hopefully that lasts]
no subject
I was "raised," I suppose you could say, but the Four Great Spirits of my world. They protected me when my body was too young for me to protect myself, and stayed by my side as I aged. After twenty years, I left the village I had lived in to travel the world with a group of comrades. That adventure led to my discovering that I wasn't the true Maxwell, but it also led to the destruction of the Schism and my predecessor's death.
When he faded away, I became the new Maxwell.
And that's how I am only twenty years old, but with the memories of over two thousand years.
no subject
Sorry about your predecessor spirit guy, though.
no subject
It's all right; he gave up his life willingly. And admittedly, I hold no particular fondness for him.
[not that she disrespects the guy, because she does respect him, as the former Maxwell. it's just. also. kind of a dick??? kind of a dick]
no subject
[Huh.]
What'd he do, can I ask?
no subject
He was surprised when I developed thoughts, feelings and desires of my own.
no subject
[fuck that guy]
no subject
[his uncertainty had angered her far more than his views on what kind of person she needed to be]
And I do respect him, as my predecessor. Although I intend to be a far better Maxwell than he ever was.