Eureka Subway, Part 2 - RPLOG

Participants

• Junes
• Narwen
• Pteryx
• Theia
• Ysadora

Date

26/7/2023

Log

(Narwen) THE STORY SO FAR: Our four agents responded to a desperate request for assistance locating a missing miner, Linda McKee, with the threat of danger and the promise of no reward. While learning about the disappearance, something like a small earthquake struck the mine... and then again a few minutes later. Those born before P-Day recognised the rumbling noise as coming from a train underground. While the mine was evacuated, they made their way into the old Termite tunnels, with Junes tracking Linda's scent. Ysadora spotted a large and scary-looking Rust Monster napping in a cavern, the group woke it up, and through some clever (and sacrificial) dronework by Pteryx, were able to distract it long enough to get past. With Theia leading the way in the near-darkness, they made it through to the source of the shaking: an apparently new and in-service subway station, complete with train rolling through and its oddly behaved, human-looking passengers. Junes used Counter Nanomagic on one, and it fell in agony and dissolved into goo. The party has no made its way onto the train, found someone matching the description of Linda but very confused.

(Narwen) The woman quietens down, seemingly a little reassured, but doesn't really engage with most of what is said. Theia can tell that, while the words are calming her, she isn't really processing what's being said. There is a little flicker of recognition at the mention of the foxboy, but it's fleeting. As the train slows and comes to a stop at a station that is, at a glance, identical to the one you just left, she rolls over onto her other side, facing the back of the bench, away from the door. After a moment, she reaches back and tucks her tail between her legs, mostly out of sight.

Entirely ignoring you, and her, the commuters get up and exit the train briskly, heading onto the platform to be replaced by a fresh wave of well-dressed human passengers.

Ysadora is able to wave a hand outside the train with no difficulty and no noticeable ill effect other than some annoyed looks from people who's way she's in.

Junes, looking up at the people as the come on board, notices that one of the new arrivals is the same guy she saw turn into goo earlier! In fact, several of the faces and outfits look familiar.

(Junes) Junes looked to the woman and said aloud "im heading out of the station to show we aren't cursed, these people are something else but we'll be okay just watch okay?" taking in a breath and hoping that truly nothing would happen but unwavering as they stepped out of the train and looked back at everyone "see?"

(Pteryx) As much as Pteryx wanted to finally get off them oversized car... thing, he went 'ere to give the missing person medical assistance if required. Nope, she still ain't breathin, and it ain't cuz she has ta take somethin deep orally. Keepin his eye on 'er, the only reaction sparked outside them funny ravins was fox boy... "Junes!" He'd yell out, but they already ran out the cart 'fore he could ask fer somethin.

(Theia) Turning away from the slightly-less panicked woman, Theia half-whispers to the rest of the group, just loud enough to be heard over the bustle of the station. "I don't think she understood what I said... I'm kinda lost here. And - wait." she interrupts herself as she notices the station they'd pulled up into. "Are we... back in the last place? It looks the same... I am confused." The snow leopardess goes quiet for a few long moments as she tries to process what's going on, absentmindedly patting Linda's shoulder. "She said we're trapped, that we can't leave, what did she mean by that? Are we going in circles?"

(Ysadora) Ysadora slips out of the way of the other passengers as soon as she confirms there's nothing stopping them from leaving the car. She gives a startled glance toward the man who she'd seen melt not a few minutes ago, then turns back to Theia, speaking over the murmur of the crowd. "I don't know if we're literally going in circles. Did it feel like the train was turning? We're almost certainly going in figurative circles, though. Unless there are multiple Eureka stops down here." Ysadora gives the door a long look. "And this apparently just started today, based on what they were saying up in the mines. So...it's all probably metaphysical or something. Do you think whatever's doing this would get mad if we blocked open the doors?"

(Narwen) Junes steps out through the train doors with more than a flicker of hesitation, sets a paw down on the platform, and -- is fine. Though as they do, the recorded voice chimes in: "Caution, the doors are about to close." There's enough time to hop back on board, or for the people on board to get off, but probably only a few seconds before the doors begin closing.

Most of the team were more focused on Linda, Ysadora included, but Junes did notice on the previous trip that the tunnel the train went through did always curve the same way, to the left. It could be that they went in a circle?

Linda sighs softly. Her shoulders heave a couple of times, but otherwise she's pretty still.

(Pteryx) "Uh, what did the fox say?" With that question asked to no one in particular, Pteryx starts making the most unearthly screaches and yips he could make. "Or, er, wait foxboy not fox... dag nabbit that drone eatin critter just had ta take down the foxboy picture picture takerer..." Looking over Linda, "Hey, howsit been goin 'round this... train? Yer co-workers sounded real worried 'bout ya, ya sure ya wanna stay here all day? Maybe some alcohol will get unscramble them no leavin nerves! Purdy sure I can't use rubbin alcohol as a drink though..."

(Theia) Theia nods along to Ysa's explanation. "You might be right... should we stay here for another cycle, and keep a closer look on where we're going? Because...", she pauses, looking off into the distance. "Because if this is some metaphysical shit going on, then I'm worried. That stuff is way above my pay grade."

(Ysadora) Ysadora takes a seat across from Linda if she can find one. Leaving her to the others for the moment, she takes Junes' compass from the pocket of her robe and fixes her attention on it. She gestures absently for Junes to hop back in. "We won't be leaving without Linda, is my guess. While we try to talk her off this thing, I'm going to see if I can get some more info on what's going on." Once they start moving again, she'll watch the compass closely in an attempt to determine if they are moving in a way that makes sense.

(Junes) Junes nodded to ysadora "sounds good" looking into the tunnel though and thinking before adding "yeah, ill see what happens from here but something has to change right?" hearing some steps they look briefly and catch the man they accidentally turned to goop and couldn't help watching the group in the train before finding a seat and sitting wondering about the odd people here and an audible sigh

(Narwen) Linda stays lying huddled there. She doesn't react directly to Pteryx's antics, but there is perhaps the ghost of a smile, just for a moment. "They die when they leave," she whispers, pretty much to herself -- but with their better-than-human hearing the group on the train has no trouble hearing her over the shuffling of shoes and newspapers coming from the other passengers. "I'll die if I leave. I'm afraid to die." This tense moment is somewhat spoiled by the doors making their loud buzzing noise as they close, locking into place with a solid whump. Then, with a whine of electric motors, the train jerks into motion and starts to accelerate. From outside, Junes watches it pulling away from the platform -- once more, curving to the left. The passengers around her have all rushed up the steps, and the last ones are disappearing from view as the train pulls away.

(Junes) Junes looks at the train doors closing and nodded before seeing the behemoth enter the tunnel and once it does they sit there with their arms resting on legs and listening for anything odd but otherwise not looking at much, preoccupied with their thoughts

(Pteryx) "If ya spend all this time 'fraid of dyin you ain't gonna livin yer life! Do ya really wanna stay in this 'ere train in fear forever!?" As the starts ta move Pteryx gets on a seat, his hands leakin webbin as he glues himself on, "Hate them vehicles... At least them folk get off the train after the ride when it gets ta a stop... Ya must 'ave had sum fun 'fore sealin yerself in 'ere, yer coworkers ain't called ya a drone, Doug, Elena, those names ring any bells?"

(Theia) Giving the semi-fox a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, Theia keeps her attention focused on the the scenery outside the train - the lights, the station signs, the easily recognisable features - all trying to memorise the sights. As the station is replaced by the rapidly speeding dark wall of the tunnel she turns her attention back to the train, staring into space in the direction of carriages in front and trying to gauge whether the train was heading in a straight line or round a bend. After a minute or so of that, she suddenly turns to the other two with a gasp. "Wait, where's Junes? Did we leave them behind?!"

(Ysadora) Ysadora speaks almost to herself as she watches the compass needle. "She says they die when they leave. Does that mean they're reborn when they get on the train? That would explain how that one who died when Junes' antinanite field went off is back here now. And the mere fact that such a thing killed him means this is definitely something to do with nanomagic. UGH!" She throws her head back dramatically, hair flying about, before returning her focus to the compass. "I wish Umeko were here. She's got a better head for this sort of thing, and all sorts of diagnostic nanomagic." Ysadora's mumblings are interrupted, finally, by Theia's gasp. "Junes stayed back on the train platform. Which should be fine...assuming we wind up at the same one again."

(Narwen) The platform around Junes is eerily empty. The sound of the train rattling away and the squealing of metal on metal still echoes around, but there are no other people here right now. The sign indicates that the next train to Eureka will arrive in 3 minutes. With not much else to do, Junes gives the place a good sniffing, and notices a familiar scent -- Pteryx the skunk beast was definitely on _this_ platform a few minutes ago.

"I will, though. I will die if I leave," Linda murmurs to Pteryx. It doesn't sound like panic any more, more like resignation. "I'm not ready for that. I can't." She actually looks up when he mentions Doug and Elena, and there's a look of half-recognition.

Theia, paying attention to the tunnel, and Ysadora paying attention to the compass, both notice that the train is curving consistently in the same direction. It's gone maybe 180 degrees by now, and is still turning gently.

(Junes) Junes sniffed more and...huh that's odd" from their slightly slumped position rising a bit more thinking ( he didn't step off here right? ) a tail rubbing their head and looking up to the other tunnel to wait and see about entering the train again

(Pteryx) Pteryx notices at least something came out of what he said to Linda, "Uh, Elena, yer human... boss? Looked like she had an office thing, and Doug from... third shift?" Pteryx was trying to think up... something, to drag Linda out, With a huff, he tries to get more info on... "What's up with them train? And, yer sayin them folks die when they leave? Can ya tell me anythin, think of it as a drinkin bud kinda deal!"

(Theia) The feline steps away from Linda as Pteryx takes over the encouragement/interrogation of the mutant woman, and tries to catch Ysadora's eye. "I think we're going in literal circles too... what do you think?" Theia asks. "If we are just travelling in the same physical loop over and over. Surely that means we can just head back into the tunnel where we came? If the old rock tunnel opened up into this loop, that exit should still be there. Listen, I'm out of my depth here. It might be best to head back up to the surface and find some reinforcements. I know this grouchy gator who's a wiz with this kinda paranormal stuff..."

(Ysadora) Ysadora looks up from the compass to nod in assent to Theia. "I agree. Seems like we might actually be going in a circle after all. Huh. I'd have thought for sure it'd be some spatial nonsense going on. Reinforcements seems like a good idea too, but I don't want just leave Linda here. Uh..." She stands up and floats over to Pteryx, crouching down to whisper as close to his ear as she can get. "How do you think it's going with her? I mean, worst case, we can just pick her up and take her back, right?"