intro log.

[fracturamods]

welcome mingle

( AND SO IT BEGINS. )

There's nothing but the clatter of train tracks, and the odd feeling of almost floating.

When you wake, it's hard to tell exactly what it is that you're missing - only that you are. There are pieces that aren't quite right, even if you're not sure where those pieces would normally be. Pieces of what, exactly....? Well, if you had to put a word to it, it would be - yourself, probably.

The place you've found yourself in is strange, certainly. It's probably worth exploring a bit. Though it just as easily seems that the only form of welcome or explanation that you have, comes from nothing more than a slab of marble.

Well - that, and all the people who seem to have woken up alongside you, lost and also probably Doing Their Best™.

There's no need to fret that much though. It's hard to say exactly where you're going next, even though some places might feel a little bit more like a clue, but what you do know is one unshakeable thing:

There's still much more ahead of you.

Comments

[pseudonyms]

[The worst part is that she actually understands those references if the wide-eyed nod is anything to go along with.]

So like...a boarding school, and while you guys were off-campus you were pitted against each other instead. Something like that?

[THIS SOUNDS TERRIBLE.]

[counterclocked]

Lord of the Flies might have been a better analogy. I'm not sure if it's that we're pitted against each other as much as that some people just make really awful decisions, but... Well, the effect's kind of the same in this case, apparently.

[He runs a hand through his hair, sighing.]

Sorry, I'm probably freaking you out.

[pseudonyms]

So a different kind of terrible. I see. [But she still manages to make it sound like a kind statement and doesn't appear to be too alarmed. So maybe that's a little weird. They're still walking along and she seems to be keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary even as they talk.]

...it's okay. It just makes me wonder how you got here instead. But if we can avoid a similar situation that'd probably be for the best, huh? [Let's not descend straight into anarchy. It's fine. Has Rise ever read Lord of the Flies? That's debatable, but she understands enough.] And anyway I asked, didn't I? I wanted to know. [Ergo. Even if she was freaked out, she would take responsibility.]

[counterclocked]

I think everyone probably wonders why we're here instead of back home. But hopefully we can find something that can shed some light on that, right? I don't see anything yet, but...

[As they wander aimlessly through this void, he tilts his head slightly, looking her way.]

Unless you've got anything else you want to ask... Your turn, right? Honestly, your music is probably more interesting than whatever I've got going on.

[And less traumatic.]

[pseudonyms]

But that doesn't mean it's not out there. [She'll finish that sentence because if anything she's an optimist! They can't be stuck here forever...probably. Haha, anyway!]

I still have a ton of questions, but I think they can wait. It's only fair, isn't it? [She offers him a smile because no, she's very curious what the hell was going on in Hunter's world, but she recognizes the diversion for what it is.] Well...I'm an idol. Or, I was, but I took a break for a while so now I'm coming off of my hiatus. I've been performing for a few years and I was doing commercials and movies and stuff before I quit. I thought maybe I was done forever but the break helped change my mind.

[And because she isn't sure Hunter knows what an idol is, just by glancing him over, she'll clarify.] It's like a pop star.

[counterclocked]

Seriously? That's so cool! Are you still doing movies, or do you think you're just going to stick with music for now? What got you into it in the first place?

[There's honest enthusiasm in his voice as he looks her way, smiling.]

I feel like I should be asking for your autograph or something.

[pseudonyms]

Not yet. [And here she looks a little nostalgic.] I lost a few starring roles when I took my hiatus and getting back to where I was is gonna take a while. So for now? It's just music. [That's also a tricky question, but...well. Hunter doesn't have to know all of the details!] I entered a contest when I was younger and I won...after that, I started working with my manager to start recording and putting on concerts and stuff.

[She laughs though.] You're sweet, but maybe you should tell me your name first. [Since they definitely skipped that part.]

[counterclocked]

I bet you'll get back at it pretty soon. I mean, if that's what you want to do. [The smile stays, as he nods.] You think I could hear sometime?

[But then he looks appropriately sheepish at the reminder, nodding.]

Ah, right... Sorry! I'm Hunter. It's nice to meet you.

[pseudonyms]

It is! [A little too quickly, but she's very passionate about this.] I've...really missed it more than I thought I would, so I want to go back and be the best me I can be for my fans. You'd really want to listen? [That's not a no? She'll 100% put on a show.] I shouldn't fall out of practice just because I'm here, so sure. Anytime.

[But she'll commit the name to memory.] Nice to meet you, too, Hunter-san. You can call me Rise.

[She'll get into the Risette thing later.]

[counterclocked]

Of course I would. Any time you want. It's important to you, right? I mean, the music, not... whether or not I specifically listen to it.

[And it's nice to see someone so passionate about something they love, enough that he's breezing on past his own awkwardness.]

Oh, just Hunter is fine. I mean, if that's okay. Rise, though - I'll remember that.

[pseudonyms]

I think both can be pretty important. [It's nice to know that people want to listen, mostly, especially given some of her worries were about if she'd still be relevant.]

But we'll put the show on hold for now, Just Hunter. [And it's back to teasing him, but she doesn't mind dropping the honorific. She's more casual about it than most.] We still have a mission to do! [She waves an arm at the open space around them.]

[counterclocked]

I'll, uh, look forward to it, Just Rise.

[He nods, very seriously (no), before looking around.]

Are you picking up on anything? Because all I see is the place we just left, and... [...] Hang on, is that a train? Do you see that?

[He points in the direction in which there very much is a train chugging along.]

[pseudonyms]

Mm...it's weird, usually--[Oh. She interrupts herself because suddenly she's turning her head and glancing at the railroad tracks nearby. Train? Train!]

Hey! [The train seems to be moving along at an ambling pace, and with that she's grabbing Hunter's hand and immediately dragging him along.] If we hurry we can catch it!

[AWAY!!!]

[counterclocked]

Ah—

[Despite the small noise of surprise, he doesn't protest as she takes his hand and pulls him along. He might be going a little bit red, but it's fine. It might throw him for a moment, but then he's running along with her.]

Hop on, I'll jump after you!

[pseudonyms]

[She doesn't notice because this is just how Rise is as a person, gomen Hunter-san. But as they're running she's glancing back at him with a grin.]

Are you sure you can keep up? Just be careful! [And with that, she's releasing his hand and jumping up into the traincar, turning to hold out her hand.] At least it's not going that fast.

[counterclocked]

Yeah, I can—

[But then he sees that she's offering her hand again and, being a dumb teenage boy, hesitates for a moment. It's long enough that he has to hurry a few steps in the direction the train is moving afterwards to take her hand and pull himself up.]

I can, uh, I can keep up. [Nailed it.] Thanks.

[pseudonyms]

[HUNTER...Rise doesn't even know why he's hesitating, and she actually takes it wrong for a moment.]

Don't be scared. [But he catches up and hauls himself up, Rise pulling him along into the train car and shutting the door behind them.] Good thing it wasn't a bullet train, huh? [She's teasing and she doesn't exactly let go of his hand yet until she's sure he's okay and stable.]

...but I didn't think the train would be this empty.

[counterclocked]

Oh, no, I’m not scared. It’s just a train, right?

[That, at least, is sincere. He won’t let go as long as she doesn’t, because he doesn’t want to make this weirder, but he does look around as they enter in.]

If it was empty, I would have expected it to be trashed... This is kind of eerie, isn’t it? Like a ghost town, but a train instead.

[pseudonyms]

[This just makes it weirder but okay, here they are! She frowns in thought though.]

A ghost train then? [That makes a little sense, kind of.] There has to be a conductor and a driver or something though doesn't there? Otherwise that means the train's moving all by itself.

[counterclocked]

I mean... Weirder things have happened, haven't they? Not that I don't want to check. I mean, if there is a conductor, maybe they have some more answers about what's going on.

[And with that being said, he's starting to move towards the front of the train... But gets distracted by the snack bar.]

Are you hungry?

[pseudonyms]

I guess you're right. I definitely wouldn't mind having more answers. [She's following and looking around the current car that they're in, trying to gauge the area carefully and get a sense of direction.]

I could eat. You think they're safe? [But she's already approaching to take inventory.]