(no subject)

[trainmasters]

Who: newbies + you
When: Day 22, evening
Where: around

[This evening, out of nowhere, Hazel's carriage disappears. There's a shower of sparkles, a bright light, and after that... it's gone. Anyone who was in its hallway is now in the Garden entrance. The Garden car itself is now hooked to Clover's carriage, as if it had aways been and Hazel was never real. Clover itself is currently bare as well -- the lock screen is dull, completely turned off, and there are no lights inside. No one is there, now, but at least the space remains.

In some carriages, that loss of vibrancy is countered by the appearance of some new heroes. In general, the gloomy mood throughout the train is only heightened by the onset of a heavy storm. Outside there's a crack of thunder that rattles the train, and it begins to pour so hard the edge of the clearing is barely visible through the windows.

The rain, the thunder, and the strobe-light effect of constant lightning will continue til dawn.]

Comments

[awakenerd]

[Firm handshake!]

Shoot.

[bad_crowmance]

"Dost thou desire the power?"

[ He raises an eyebrow. ]

[awakenerd]

Ah-haha...

[Letting go of Crow's hand to run his through his hair.]

Everyone heard that, huh?

[bad_crowmance]

Everyone heard that.

[ He confirms it with a grin. ]

[awakenerd]

Sorry about that...

[bad_crowmance]

It's not a problem-- though I am curious what you meant.

[awakenerd]

Well, I said I was a Divine Knight, right?

[bad_crowmance]

[ He nods slightly. ]

It's related to that?

[awakenerd]

Yeah. Basically... Well usually if I wake up it's because someone is ready to undergo a trial. If they prove themselves worthy, I become their knight. Once they have a contract with me, I can offer... All my power, if they're strong enough.

[bad_crowmance]

Sounds like a hell of a deal. What kind of trial is it?

[awakenerd]

Combat. Only those with enough strength and will can use me in the first place, but it takes a few other prerequisites to even get to my trial.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He nods. Combat makes the most sense, of course it is. ]

What kind of prerequisites?

[awakenerd]

Well, they don't matter much here... It's only every so often that I'm even needed in the first place.

[bad_crowmance]

I won't lie, I was pretty interested in the whole "power" thing when I first heard you... before I realized it was you.

[ What he doesn't say is this: He's still interested. ]

Anyway, I was just curious.

[awakenerd]

What, does it being me make it uninteresting?

[Hey??]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He laughs at that. ]

--Far from it! I'm definitely interested still, it just feels different knowing the guy behind it.

[awakenerd]

Different how?

[bad_crowmance]

Like I wouldn't wanna use you just for power. More like... a partnership.

[awakenerd]

O..oh.

[Well thaat's enough to get him to go a little pink.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ That's a really cute face. Crow's going for the hair ruffles again. ]

That's a cute face. Weren't expecting that?

[awakenerd]

[Help??]

No... Not really. I admit it's nice to hear. I don't remember but... I do know picking my master isn't really an option, under normal circumstances.

[bad_crowmance]

Sounds like a pretty raw deal. At least you don't have to worry about that here, though.

[ He doesn't know about the low-mana, still-needs-a-contractor thing. ]

[awakenerd]

Well, I don't remember not liking any of my contractors at least. I've been dead a long, long time, so my part in history is just to support the living... But circumstances here are a bit different, so I'm not sure how I should approach it.

[He leans back and looks down at his hands, thoughtful.]

I keep wondering if, because so many people are here from when I was alive, I should also treat it like that--that I can and should exert my own will instead of only lending my aid to another. I haven't decided.

But, well, either way I'll need to find a contractor eventually.

1/3

[bad_crowmance]

[ He's quiet for a moment, considering that. ]

I definitely like the idea of you exerting your own will-- even if you've been dead a long time, you're alive here and now. You have thoughts and feelings, and they're just as important as anyone else's. You said it yourself- circumstances are different this time. Lend your aid to others if you want.... but only if it's what you want. Don't neglect yourself and your wants and needs in that pursuit.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly. ]

But.... that's your decision.