[Now that he is dressed appropriately, Ali is better able to investigate the area. After finding his room and taking care of things there, Ali eventually wanders out to the train station.
It's a simple space: a platform by some tracks, with an overhang in case it rains. It's something Ali has seen countless times in life, albeit in a slightly different design due to the mountainous area he grew up in.
When he sees someone else around, he'll finally speak out loud:]
What do you think would happen if we were to walk along the tracks into the fog?
[he's dressed so fancy... meanwhile, mizu is clad in wandering murderer chic. the whole thing has been visibly stitched back together way too many fucking times.
it's good that he knows what the fuck a train station is, because mizu is looking at the whole ass thing with absolutely zero recognition. what is a train to a ye olde samurai...]
I expect we'll be turned around, like all the other times. [pauses, lifting an eyebrow and looking at him.] Are you thinking of testing it out yourself?
[It's not a look he's familiar with, but he can tell by how it's made that Mizu is at least from some time nebulously in the past. But how far back though, he wonders. Trains have been around in his world for nearly 250 years, but only really saw mass use about 150 years ago. So if Mizu knows about trains or not, that would help Ali place where Mizu is in the timeline.
(This, overall, isn't very important. Ali just overthinks everything.)]
I'm curious to see if we get turned around or if we appear on the other side, where the train tracks come through. I was also thinking about waiting a bit to see when the train would come around, if it does at all.
They're like...carriages, linked together in a row, but the wheels are fitted to ride specifically on the tracks here on the ground.
[He indicates to the tracks on the ground.]
Since the wheels are stabilized thanks to these tracks, the 'carriages' can go a lot faster than they normally could. And one group of carriages attached in such a way is called a train. It's a way to get from city to city much faster than before.
It's a celebration held close to the end of autumn. During the summer all of the old spirits of the world are roused from their sleep. On Halloween, everyone dresses up in costumes for a great performance for the spirits, lulling them to sleep for the winter months. While the old spirits sleep, fewer accidents and weather calamities happen.
[Is this true? Is he misunderstanding the holiday? Who's to say!]
[hello. mizu can be found at the beach, feet bare and standing close enough to the shore to be caught by the water as the tide ebbs and flows. ali will get a cursory glance when he happens to wander nearby, an acknowledgement, but nothing more.]
Not really. If I murder anyone Concord would never forgive me, and if I refuse to vote the punishment might be too high to handle. So, voting is the path of least resistance to survival. It's not just my life that I'm responsible for, so I have to work hard to both save Concord and do it in a way that he wouldn't hate me for.
[Well. Su Warner had told him to be more open. So.]
Our lives are connected through some ancient magic nonsense. Our hearts beat as one, our fates are sealed, that sort of thing. I died because he received a fatal injury. So, he should come back to life when I do as well. That kind of old magic doesn't go away in death.
I asked the angels about something related to my world and they didn't understand it. So I don't think they would know about ancient magic from my world. But it feels like it's true to me regardless.
[He goes quiet here, and just watches the tide roll over their feet and back. He stays like this for a while, before speaking a little quieter than before.]
Do you think we'll see them all again? Su Warner and the rest.
[silence is nice... and at least the beach is pretty. mizu isn't very talkative even on a good day, so i guess they can stand here and quietly appreciate the sea together.]
Saying that makes you sound like someone I knew a long time ago.
[And speaking of which, here's a memory!]
It's still not easy for Ali to blend in with people. The Eternal Freeze had ended five years ago, and nowadays this previously empty stretch of land boasted several log-and-stone buildings as well as plenty of space for caravans. This little settlement is quickly becoming a trade town, but even with years of practice Ali is still hesitant to try striking up conversation with travelers. He knows his accent isn't quite right, and he still has to remember the right word order for his sentences. He'll get it eventually, but right now his struggles make him reluctant to try.
There is one person he's not reluctant to talk to though. After a long day of going over building plans and drawing up payment contracts- a careful task, given the scarcity of the paper used to make scrolls- he finally goes looking for a dear friend of his.
Down in one of the taverns is a familiar face. Golden hair, bright blue eyes, and a kind look about his face. Ali smiles as he sees the man, though he does pause for a moment when he sees just how he looks. The babyface has finally disappeared...Ali's friend is finally looking like a man at nearly thirty years of age.
Ali slips into the seat next to the man before he's prompted to do so. "I see you're not wearing your crown, Ulrych."
The crown of thorns, a gift passed on from a unicorn that shows the rights of the bearer. Only the appointed person can wear it, otherwise it twists and contorts until the false wearer is choked to death. Wearing the crown of thorns without being harmed is a mark of divinity, of the right to rule. It is an honor that isn't passed on by birthright, but rather by a person's character. Only a unicorn can choose the ruler, and the unicorn who chose this man chose wisely.
Ulrych chuckles as he shakes his head. "Not yet, my friend. Once a proper castle is built and all of the residents are housed, then I will take one the role of king. Until then, I am a laborer the same as everyone else."
Ulrych isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He had grown up working at his father's mill, then training to become a swordsman. Now those hands worked to improve the lives of those who lived in this newly-founded kingdom. No better man could have been chosen to be the king, Ali thinks.
Before Ali can make a quip back, the barkeep walks down to their end of the long table and says to Ali, "What'll you have?"
In all honesty, Ali has never had alcohol before. Lost, he glances to Ulrych, silently asking for help. That look just makes Ulrych laugh a deep belly laugh before telling the barkeep, "Get him a glass of that red, the same as I have."
The barkeep nods and walks away, and Ali gives Ulrych a questioning look as he says, "Red?"
"Red wine," Ulrych clarifies, "Beer is always fine, and mead would be good if it weren't so expensive to import from the south. Wine, however, is manufactured in the valley just east of here, around the shorter mountain range. In fact, we might be able to make it in our little town, once it grows enough for a grape vineyard to be built."
"So...red wine is grapes," Ali asks.
"Grapes and a few other things, plus some time in a keg," Ulrych clarifies, "It's best when aged too, so the two-week transit from the vineyards to here only makes it better." After a pause, Ulrych looks a bit sheepish as he adds, "Wine has always been a favorite of mine. It would be nice to make it here."
"Well, perhaps it will be a favorite of mine too."
The barkeep returns, and Ali picks up the glass by the stem, holding it between his thumb and index finger. Ulrych quickly corrects him before he drops it, and Ali shifts his grip to the more traditional way to hold a wine glass.
Ulrych swirls his glass a little as he tells Ali, "Swirl it around a bit like this, it helps make it taste better."
Though he is a bit skeptical of the method, he tries it. He swirls the glass, then puts it to his lips and takes a sip.
"So? How is it?"
Ali pulls the glass away from his mouth and licks his lips, tasting the flavor for a second time. "Absolutely delicious."
It was. Seven centuries later, and a thriving country exists in that area. The place where this town once was is now part of the capitol city, and the castle still stands too.
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timeasmymeasure
Weekend 0, Saturday
Date: 2025-02-09 04:11 am (UTC)It's a simple space: a platform by some tracks, with an overhang in case it rains. It's something Ali has seen countless times in life, albeit in a slightly different design due to the mountainous area he grew up in.
When he sees someone else around, he'll finally speak out loud:]
What do you think would happen if we were to walk along the tracks into the fog?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-09 06:09 pm (UTC)it's good that he knows what the fuck a train station is, because mizu is looking at the whole ass thing with absolutely zero recognition. what is a train to a ye olde samurai...]
I expect we'll be turned around, like all the other times. [pauses, lifting an eyebrow and looking at him.] Are you thinking of testing it out yourself?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 01:27 am (UTC)(This, overall, isn't very important. Ali just overthinks everything.)]
I'm curious to see if we get turned around or if we appear on the other side, where the train tracks come through. I was also thinking about waiting a bit to see when the train would come around, if it does at all.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 02:42 am (UTC)[what the fuck does that mean in this context, sir...]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 03:47 am (UTC)They're like...carriages, linked together in a row, but the wheels are fitted to ride specifically on the tracks here on the ground.
[He indicates to the tracks on the ground.]
Since the wheels are stabilized thanks to these tracks, the 'carriages' can go a lot faster than they normally could. And one group of carriages attached in such a way is called a train. It's a way to get from city to city much faster than before.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 02:14 pm (UTC)[close enough, maybe. squints at the tracks.]
These are common in your world?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-10 11:25 pm (UTC)[A pause.]
...rode, I suppose.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-12 01:17 am (UTC)[since. gestures at the tracks.]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-15 04:07 am (UTC)[He pauses, considering.]
If a train arrives, do you want to give it a try?
week one, monday.
Date: 2025-02-17 11:23 pm (UTC)What's all this for...?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 02:04 am (UTC)It looks like they're getting ready for Halloween. Not surprising I suppose, since they seem to go through holidays quickly.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-20 03:04 pm (UTC)I don't know what that is.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-21 01:53 am (UTC)[Is this true? Is he misunderstanding the holiday? Who's to say!]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-21 07:53 pm (UTC)And the decorations? They look... cheap.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-25 03:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-26 04:20 pm (UTC)week two, saturday.
Date: 2025-03-02 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:05 am (UTC)He watches the water for a while, thoughts ebbing and flowing through his mind, before he finally speaks.]
Do you think, at the end, it only says 'guilty' for people who actually killed? Or does it possibly say 'guilty' just because they were voted out?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:16 am (UTC)If it does or it doesn't, would it make a difference in the end?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:19 am (UTC)...no, it doesn't. Regardless of the outcome, we decided they they were guilty anyway.
['they' being Jing Yuan, Hawke, and Neverah.]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:29 am (UTC)Do you regret them? Your votes?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:51 am (UTC)Our lives are connected through some ancient magic nonsense. Our hearts beat as one, our fates are sealed, that sort of thing. I died because he received a fatal injury. So, he should come back to life when I do as well. That kind of old magic doesn't go away in death.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:00 am (UTC)I asked the angels about something related to my world and they didn't understand it. So I don't think they would know about ancient magic from my world. But it feels like it's true to me regardless.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:23 am (UTC)[Ali might not be keeping his murderhands so still if not for Concord's influence over him.]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:47 am (UTC)It does for me. I would understand if it doesn't work for everyone though.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 05:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 05:37 am (UTC)Do you think we'll see them all again? Su Warner and the rest.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-02 04:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-03 02:54 am (UTC)[He falls quiet here, not knowing what else to say. Maybe quiet on its own is enough.]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-03 04:12 pm (UTC)week three, tuesday.
Date: 2025-03-05 12:47 am (UTC)anyway, regardless of wherever the heck they actually intended to go, they're now back in the funhouse. behold, a memory.]
Re: week three, tuesday.
Date: 2025-03-05 12:58 am (UTC)Anyway, yeah, that memory tracks with what he knows about Mizu. Not the killing part specifically, but the 'focused on the goal' part.]
This may be a simple question, but what's a samurai?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-06 12:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-08 05:48 am (UTC)So you would just be a swordsman then, instead of a samurai?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-09 07:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-11 04:32 am (UTC)[And speaking of which, here's a memory!]
It's still not easy for Ali to blend in with people. The Eternal Freeze had ended five years ago, and nowadays this previously empty stretch of land boasted several log-and-stone buildings as well as plenty of space for caravans. This little settlement is quickly becoming a trade town, but even with years of practice Ali is still hesitant to try striking up conversation with travelers. He knows his accent isn't quite right, and he still has to remember the right word order for his sentences. He'll get it eventually, but right now his struggles make him reluctant to try.
There is one person he's not reluctant to talk to though. After a long day of going over building plans and drawing up payment contracts- a careful task, given the scarcity of the paper used to make scrolls- he finally goes looking for a dear friend of his.
Down in one of the taverns is a familiar face. Golden hair, bright blue eyes, and a kind look about his face. Ali smiles as he sees the man, though he does pause for a moment when he sees just how he looks. The babyface has finally disappeared...Ali's friend is finally looking like a man at nearly thirty years of age.
Ali slips into the seat next to the man before he's prompted to do so. "I see you're not wearing your crown, Ulrych."
The crown of thorns, a gift passed on from a unicorn that shows the rights of the bearer. Only the appointed person can wear it, otherwise it twists and contorts until the false wearer is choked to death. Wearing the crown of thorns without being harmed is a mark of divinity, of the right to rule. It is an honor that isn't passed on by birthright, but rather by a person's character. Only a unicorn can choose the ruler, and the unicorn who chose this man chose wisely.
Ulrych chuckles as he shakes his head. "Not yet, my friend. Once a proper castle is built and all of the residents are housed, then I will take one the role of king. Until then, I am a laborer the same as everyone else."
Ulrych isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He had grown up working at his father's mill, then training to become a swordsman. Now those hands worked to improve the lives of those who lived in this newly-founded kingdom. No better man could have been chosen to be the king, Ali thinks.
Before Ali can make a quip back, the barkeep walks down to their end of the long table and says to Ali, "What'll you have?"
In all honesty, Ali has never had alcohol before. Lost, he glances to Ulrych, silently asking for help. That look just makes Ulrych laugh a deep belly laugh before telling the barkeep, "Get him a glass of that red, the same as I have."
The barkeep nods and walks away, and Ali gives Ulrych a questioning look as he says, "Red?"
"Red wine," Ulrych clarifies, "Beer is always fine, and mead would be good if it weren't so expensive to import from the south. Wine, however, is manufactured in the valley just east of here, around the shorter mountain range. In fact, we might be able to make it in our little town, once it grows enough for a grape vineyard to be built."
"So...red wine is grapes," Ali asks.
"Grapes and a few other things, plus some time in a keg," Ulrych clarifies, "It's best when aged too, so the two-week transit from the vineyards to here only makes it better." After a pause, Ulrych looks a bit sheepish as he adds, "Wine has always been a favorite of mine. It would be nice to make it here."
"Well, perhaps it will be a favorite of mine too."
The barkeep returns, and Ali picks up the glass by the stem, holding it between his thumb and index finger. Ulrych quickly corrects him before he drops it, and Ali shifts his grip to the more traditional way to hold a wine glass.
Ulrych swirls his glass a little as he tells Ali, "Swirl it around a bit like this, it helps make it taste better."
Though he is a bit skeptical of the method, he tries it. He swirls the glass, then puts it to his lips and takes a sip.
"So? How is it?"
Ali pulls the glass away from his mouth and licks his lips, tasting the flavor for a second time. "Absolutely delicious."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-13 05:44 pm (UTC)... Huh. Was the town and its castle completed?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-14 05:16 am (UTC)