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?"

(Narwen) As Junes sits on an uncomfortable, hard plastic chair on the platform -- there isn't even a tail-hole on that thing -- the sign counts down and, before long, they can hear the rumble of the approaching engine. Humans begin to descend the stairways with a clatter, hurrying their way down so that they don't miss the train.

"I can almost remember them," Linda says, shifting a little so that she's not staring directly at the bench cushion any more, but still not making eye contact. That ghost of a smile again. "I don't think she -- I -- liked her very much. I don't want to forget. If I leave, if I die, I'll forget." The smile fades and she looks intently at Pteryx, actually grabbing at the tiny skunk with a hand. "They die. It's horrible. They melt and they die. They come back, but they can't be the same person, can they? They can't." Meanwhile, the train begins to slow down and lights of the station start coming into view up ahead. The other passengers begin getting ready to leave.

(Narwen) The train rolls into the station. As it approaches, Junes has a clear view of the front of the engine, before the waiting humans start crowding the edge of the platform. The driver's cabin is empty, and above it is a large LED sign, reading "LIND" on the top line, and then "EUREKA" just below. With a screech of brakes, the train comes to a stop and the doors hiss open. People start getting on and off.

(Junes) Junes was genuinely unnerved seeing the sign read LINDA but got up and started walking to the train and entering alongside the humans and greeted the group again "miss me?" they smile but those perceptive enough would tell something was bothering them, sitting on the same bench as linda lays there and started to speak to her "i know what its like being afraid to leave safety behind, its horrifying and you might die but...its not as bad as you think" briefly putting a hand on them and getting a bead on her condition while continuing "there's more to life than an endless cycle of going through day to day where it's safe without being willing to risk seeing all there is out there...i wont deny its not easy but I would say its worth the risk, however other things are amiss so just try and relax, its safe but..." looking up at the group to talk to them as well "there's no conductor and well, the destination reads as something pretty odd..." their head tilting towards linda

(Narwen) It comes as kind of a shock to Junes when her nanomagic initially doesn't give any output at all -- it's just waiting for her to actually touch someone. That can't be right? Junes tries again, and this time it reports that the person she's touching is almost a shell, lacking several essential organs and in particular having no heartbeat. Clinically she's not so much dead as fake. And yet she's crying.

(Junes) Junes looks a bit shocked but adds "but yeah, stay here for now and we'll look into things" they said calmly but already looked down but now junes seems a bit tense

(Pteryx) Reporting in to Ysadora, Pteryx keeps his eyes on Linda with a look of pity... "She's lookin fine physically, but, she don't seem ta breath... I ain't a psychologist or a therapist, but if we do get 'er out looks like she might need one." This was, way out of Pteryx's field, he usually did quick physiological stabilization, not psychological stuff... "Well we ain't always gotta like who we work with. Whatdja hate 'bout ''er, and a whattabout Doug too? That one said ya shared shifts?" For better or worst Pteryx would think bad memories are stronger than good ones, so those are what he tries to get outta her. "Whadda ya mean forget..." A squeek escapes the gremlin sized skunk beasts' mouth when Linda grabs him, all this talkin's got him feelin tense... "Ya ain't made of the same stuff you from when ye were born, but you sure are still ya! Yer hair sheds, yer skin flake off, fingernails get cut, all of ya is always getting replaced, heck yer blood gets melted by yer liver! But ya would still call yerself ya right?"

Hearing Junes head in, Pteryx makes a small wave to them, with Junes overtaking chatting up the patient, Pteryx takes a deep sigh, just listenin instead of tryin ta drag a conversation... "What's a conductor?"

(Theia) Theia lets out a sigh of relief as Junes appears on the station unharmed. "Hey, don't run off like that again, yeah? I was worried... but you were right, it seems. This train is just running in circles, like one big loop of tunnel. That might be what she's referring to - just going round and round in circles on this train. But if so, surely we could all just get off?"

(Ysadora) Ysadora takes in Pteryx's comment about not breathing and Junes' insistence Linda stay here, all with pursed lips. Her expression turns grave. "I...see... Well, we can't say for sure what will happen if we actually take her out of here, but if there's any chance..." She hesitates before saying her thoughts outright in front of Linda. "It's best to be safe and keep her here, I think. Maybe if we get some more experts down here we can figure more out." Head down, hair falling in front of her face, two of Ysadora's hands wring themselves nervously. "I just wish we knew what caused all this, and if there's a danger of it happening to more people."

(Narwen) Much of what Pteryx says seems to go over Linda's head, but she seems to appreciate it all the same. "She was... she was a hardass? Always wanting me there on time. Train's gotta run on time, and you can't have even one drink when you're driving the... mine. He was nice, though." She gets a bit misty-eyed for a moment.

With the train pulled into the station, the speaker chimes once again, and informs you that, caution, the doors are about to close.

(Junes) Junes gave a heavy sigh and looked to linda, unsure to mention to her specifically but went for it "okay so, about the train and...your condition, it seems like nobody is driving the train, the destination was...you linda and well, your vitals dont show as... anything so i will admit you may be... different, however i feel like since the train has only been going in circles maybe you need to be the conductor and set our course elsewhere to stop the cycle, that and i...i thought they were illusions and used something but he returned so i think you'll be okay if something bad happens but i would still avoid it just in case since we dont know"