Night Patrol

[doofyissues]

Iris wakes up on the train.

Being dead and having total amnesia is a lot of nothing to process, so she stays on the train for a while. The prospect of getting off at the first stop and just exploring at random is daunting, so she stays on the train as it makes a full revolution around Limbo. When it's clear that the train isn't stopping anywhere else, she gathers her courage, and steps out into the station.

Rather than seeking out any specific services or businesses, Iris's first instinct is to just wander the streets. She doesn't know why that feels right, nor does she know what she's looking for, but quietly going down random streets and alleyways feels more comfortable than barging in somewhere to ask big existential questions to complete strangers. There's just too much she doesn't know - why is she here? Are these other people also dead? Is there something she's supposed to be doing?

None of the answers are revealing themselves from just walking around the city at random, but there's something just a little bit comforting about it. Moving feels better than staying still, and if she needs to be doing something else, hopefully it will make itself apparent soon. Until then, Iris wanders, sometimes stopping to look at the few people who immediately stand out from the crowds - Executors, she would eventually learn - but never approaching them directly. She'll work up to that.

Eventually.

Comments

[emberserker]

Iris? You're lucky, then, at least that's a name. Not like some of us. You can call me Wolfsbane. I suppose you haven't spoken with Rei yet, either.

[doofyissues]

I don't... know who that is...

[Did everyone get pamphlets? Was there a pamphlet she was supposed to get on the train?]

[emberserker]

Of course you don't. Well, it isn't as if anybody gets more than the basics when they wake up. I'll tell you what you need to know, it wouldn't do to have anybody weigh us down.

[doofyissues]

Weigh us down... is there something I have to be doing to not be a burden...?

[She KNEW IT]

[emberserker]

I have to start that far back...? [She rubs her temples.] Very well. It isn't as if you've got to fight, of course, but those of us who were already awake agreed. Regardless, we ought to begin with the basics. Look around; what do you see?

[doofyissues]

[Iris looks around.]

A city...? [A pretty weird one at that.]

[emberserker]

Yes, not that it makes much sense. Most of the people don't care; they're simply not aware enough to. The way it was explained, if you're awake and aware, like you or I, you're an Eidolon. If you aren't, like these people, you're a Spectre. And if you're here long enough to go mad and turn into a monster, that's a Revenant. There aren't any in the city, but a few did spot one sealed off underneath the fountain. Perhaps don't try investigating in there until you know you can fight.

[doofyissues]

[Oh.]

...Do I have to fight...?

[emberserker]

Oh, probably not; Rei did show resistance to letting us join her, after all. She was the last Executor, before we all showed up and she made us Executors too. We're meant to protect Spectres from Revenants and help them all move on, and right now, that means training to be able to take on stronger ones below the city.

Something called "the Cogs of Renewal" lies far below, but they're in a state of disrepair, and no one can move on. Which, of course, means more stalled, frustrated lost souls, and more Revenants.

[doofyissues]

It sounds important... just..

[Iris clutches the bottom of her shirt uncomfortably.]

I don't know if I can do... something like that...

[emberserker]

Oh, let me guess, you were ordinary in your past life. Not that you'll know, none of us can remember much at all. Still, you look ordinary, eyeball aside, for what that's worth.

[doofyissues]

...Is something weird about my eye...?

[She hasn't looked in a mirror since she woke up.]

[emberserker]

You've got a flower in your iris! There, you can probably see it in the window.

[doofyissues]

[Iris turns to inspect her reflection more carefully. Sure enough, there it is. Five petals... what kind of flower is that?

Wait, is this what her title means?]

...I don't know where that came from...

[emberserker]

That's odd. We got ours from Rei.

[She turns to display a pink mark on her upper arm.]

Perhaps you already had it, though I wouldn't know why.

[doofyissues]

I have no idea... I didn't agree to anything, so...

[Must be something from the past. Yet another unanswered question.]

[emberserker]

[sigh] Well, you're here now, and I'm sure you don't want to languish in this mess of a city until you become a Revenant.

[doofyissues]

...Is that what happens if I stay here...?

[emberserker]

Apparently, if things were working normally, we'd already be on our way down to the Cogs to be reincarnated. To "let go of our sins" or something along those lines. Unfortunately, the Cogs of Renewal aren't working, everybody's stuck, and that means more people unable to move on and eventually turning into monsters.

[doofyissues]

If that's what happens if we stay here... isn't that basically saying that we have to fight after all? That doesn't seem fair...

[emberserker]

I don't know what I expected the afterlife to be, but death doesn't seem fair, either.

[doofyissues]

[Well, this conversation answered some questions, but it didn't really make her feel much better.]

Still... thanks for letting me know. I at least have an idea of what I'm here for now...

[emberserker]

Do what you will. This place is enough of a headache, I'm sure you'll get frustrated sooner or later, but do try not to let it wear you down. For all our sakes.