[ DEPARTURE ]

[sheriffexe]

DEPARTURE

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.

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

Comments

[thatsthespirit]

[she lets the silence stretch on for a few moments, and when she speaks again, her tone is light and joking]

Take heart, Shinnosuke. In a few more weeks, you won't have to worry about me pestering you any longer.

You must be looking forward to that.

[insincerely]

[...]

I would be much happier if I could stop worrying about that right now.

[thatsthespirit]

. . . I suppose that means you wouldn't be amenable to exchanging letters?

[she won't force him, but Sara convinced her to try and ask for ways to keep in touch with people. Shinnosuke would, of course, be one of those people]

[insincerely]

... I don't see why you'd want to.

[Shinnosuke's not exactly the type of person most think of when they think, "Hey, I want a pen-pal."

Though his answer isn't an immediate no, so there's that.]

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . that's far more than she expected from him, honestly]

Because I'd like to know how you're doing, once you go home. I wouldn't write you that often. Just every once in a while.

And I've also heard of this type of friendship humans call "pen pals," and I'd like to try it out for myself.

[insincerely]

I'd probably be the worst pen pal you could ask for. Besides, I'm not really going to have the luxury of being able to read or write letters.

[thatsthespirit]

Somehow, I don't think you would be the "worst pen pal I could ask for." Any letter from you is bound to be interesting.

[but, of course, she can't help but inquire into the meaning of his second statement]

Will you be too busy to write, then?

[insincerely]

[He shrugs.]

Busy or dead. One of the two.

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . please don't be dead???]

Why the latter? Are you returning to a dangerous situation?

. . . does it have something to do with the Labyrinth Disease you spoke of once?

[insincerely]

[At that, he lets out a snort.]

Everything in my life has to do with that stupid disease, so yes.