Day 1 Night

[12npcs]

[ Over the murmur of conversations, explorations and violent attempts at escape, there comes a sound tick tick tick tick tick.............. CLICK.... The sky above snaps across the dome from blue to black... and everything goes dark.

A glow comes from the front door of each of the inns and one by one, you can see street lanterns begin to light up steadily past each of the gates.

The only flickering, organic light comes from above in the tower, spluttering high, high above everyone, through the slats of the closed shutters. After a moment, it's gone. ]

Comments

[allsneakandnoplay]

.........

[stomp stomp stomp stomp.

punches the wall.

a little.

okay it's a lot but it's just a punch.]

[12npcs]

[You DO at least, get that one, solitary consolation.

It just doesn't do anything, either.]

[allsneakandnoplay]

...

[not even a crater =( ]

Tcch...

[devotedtothecore]

[ rounding the corner, a glass candle in his hand-- stops abruptly at the sight of Raiden ]

...

[ well at least you're not dangling in the air again ok that is good ]

[allsneakandnoplay]

[rolls his head so he's looking at you. shit's unsettling.]

Found anything?

[devotedtothecore]

[ you're unsettling. Though also fascinating???? like seriously don't know whether to keep a distance from you or ask you if I can touch y--

--ok no focus chrysos focus on the job. Focus. ]

...I was intending to attempt dismantling one of the automata. I needed a light.

[ nods at the candle. The flame is obviously glass, though alight ] There was one of these in every bedroom, in our inn.

[allsneakandnoplay]

[...

deeep breaths. stops glowing red and the next time he talks is back to normal.]

You picked one yet?

[devotedtothecore]

[ ....indicators....? ]

Not yet. Though it seems wise to avoid the guardsmen. ...they're not as inert as they look.

[allsneakandnoplay]

They're all... giving off a little heat.

I don't like it that much, but if we're gonna learn anything about them, getting a closer look's pretty much needed. You a bio-engineer?

[devotedtothecore]

Bio-...?

[ ...shakes his head ] I work strictly with the mechanical. Foundational clockwork, circuits, power generation. Steamcraft.

[allsneakandnoplay]

Steamcraft. Huh.

Sounds like this place is perfect for you.

[devotedtothecore]

[ blinks--- and scowls ]

I've no intent to stay longer than necessary. ...I'd assume the same for you.

[allsneakandnoplay]

I only meant you had a good skill. Like I think anyone wants to be here.

[stunningdragoon]

[how long has Judith been watching you? WHO KNOWS]

You certainly are determined.

[allsneakandnoplay]

[busts out some SERIOUS BATMAN VOICE]

For all the fuck all it accomplished.

[allsneakandnoplay]

[wow no calm down

shhh Jack shh

turns less. red. back to normal.]

[stunningdragoon]

[shh shh your pride will live]

Now we know more of the limitations on our options for escape.

[allsneakandnoplay]

[when he talks again he is talking in his normal voice.]

Yeah. We can't, basically. If I can't get out... I doubt anyone here can.

[stunningdragoon]

You have made a better show of it than the rest. You've recovered from the last time?

[allsneakandnoplay]

Yeah, after a while it wore off. No permanent damage.

[stunningdragoon]

Impressive. Either that or what's holding you back doesn't want to see you harmed, only discouraged.

[allsneakandnoplay]

Thinking there's some intelligent reasoning behind what's keeping us here doesn't really make matters better.

[stunningdragoon]

I'd be insulted to be held captive like this by something unintelligent.

[allsneakandnoplay]

We're already dealing with some serious power, whatever the hell type of power it is.

[stunningdragoon]

And if we have to fight it in the end it'd be much better if it relied on more than just brute instincts.