SENDER: @ nefelibata | RECIPIENT: @ All

[shiftybladesofcray]

To Whom it May Concern;

Let's assume anyone capable of receiving this message is, like myself, a captive on board this train. While nothing can be determined unequivocally, I've come to some conclusions that bear weight enough to consider.

Thus far, we are only permitted to advance upon the completion of objectives as set by an unknown puppeteer. This "clownductor" assumes an affable but absent persona, and so their true nature cannot be ascertained. The motives are paraphrased below:

1. Read the Instructions
2. Message another Passenger
3. Request Friendship with Another Passenger*
4. Assist a Dog
5. Retrieve Part of Your Person
6. Collect Seeds in Exchange for Personal Information

(*Meaningful connection is not required)

While each appears innocuous on first blush, they aspire to two functions: fostering connections and gaining intelligence. There could be strength in numbers if we come together as one, true, and sharing secrets can bolster such bonds, but let's not be fooled.

There's a strong possibility we are being set up for darker purpose. If on a future car, the motive becomes:

7. Murder a Fellow Passenger

Will it not be all the more devastating after we've bonded? Without hope, there cannot be despair. Despair can breed subjugation, a loss of self and morality, a weakness of character that's easily exploited by those in power. It can breed violence.

I've seen such games put into action myself. Anyone may turn on their fellow man if the correct pressure is applied. If there are sensible people among you, these notions may have struck you as they have me. I'm sending this now as a warning.

Do not play into their hands. They control our passage through the train. They may be watching us. We cannot assume they have our best interests at heart.

Conversely, even if you are able to stay your course? Never assume your neighbor can do the same. We are each uniquely strong and uniquely weak. A miscalculation may cost you your life.

I cannot say whether this is a dream, a simulation, or an alternate reality, though the latter requires tremendous suspension of disbelief. Regardless, we cannot assume that our actions on the train are without consequence. Act with caution, but most urgently, act with hope.

I appreciate your time in perusing this missive. I understand some find reading difficult. If you're so encumbered by your illiteracy, ask another passenger to read it for you. I will not be providing summation.

Thank you.

- Fukawa Toko


****ADDENDUM: Should anyone be approached by or glimpse a half white, half black bear, DO NOT ENGAGE. Contact me immediately and I shall deal with it.

Comments

[cuedoves]

[ look he's not gonna judge her for stuttering.... he's gonna judge her for her weird bear statements ]

Is it some kind of spirit?

[ listen he wants it to make at least a little sense ]

[shiftybladesofcray]

[okay even for someone who only recently conceded that ghosts were real what are you—]

No. He's a robot.

[How many times MUST SHE SPECIFY]

[cuedoves]

A what?

[ listen avatar is a little anachronistic but wtf is a robot ]

[shiftybladesofcray]

Oh my god.

[Good for you that she's near the door. There's a rush of wind over the speaker as Toko leaves the korogu forest for the horrific museum. She's been back and forth a few times now, looking for clues (and grabbing snacks from the dining car), and perhaps she should have done this to begin with. Spared herself a lot of trouble.]

A robot is a machine that's capable of operating w-without human interference, usually as if it were alive. Sometimes they're c-controlled from a distance by an operator, especially if they want them to d-do their dirty work in their stead. Sometimes they're just given a job to do and sent to do it.

[The wind evaporates. All the car steals this time is a pinky finger, how about that. Toko grumbles as she stomps through the museum, seeking out that one spot...]

O-other times, they're given a whole personality and can th-think for themselves. All three can be dangerous, depending on what they're being made to do. Hold on...

[Lining it up aaaaaaand....

Ping!

"zuzu" gets an image file. When he clicks it he'll see Sinny the Pooh himself, motionless and vile in his glass exhibit.]

This is a Monokuma. Don't ever go near it.

[cuedoves]

[ wtf ]

That's..... why would anyone create anything like that?

[ zuko (sometimes known as dimitri) is like picturing... sentient war machinery, since war machinery is the only thing the fire nation ever builds ]

[ there's a brief moment where he's kind of disturbed of the implications of his country getting their hands on his technology like that, but it passes ]

Wait. That man... ball.. thing. [ he means wheatley ] He's one of those "robots" you're talking about? And this Monokuma is an instrument of war?

[ it's gonna take him 5 hours to open this image but he kind of gets it, maybe ]

[shiftybladesofcray]

To do jobs humans won't.

[OMINOUS STRINGS SWELL, DRAMATIC ZOOM IN.]

Not just for killing people, m-mind you. Some are just used to manufacture goods or...things. Repetitive tasks. Doing d-difficult calculations.

Manball? [It takes her a moment to figure out what he's talking about.] Oh. That Wheatfield or whatever. I don't know about him, b-but he's already said some strange things. He says he was m-made for scientific research and it doesn't sound like a lie, so...

[She sighs.] Yeah, more or less. Anything related to Monokuma is just a tool for despair. Also he's got a f-filthy little mind. I don't think there's a real one here, but better to warn people now before they end up gutted, or blown up, or whatever.

[I hope Zuko gets the attachment open just before bedtime. Sweet dreams twerp.]

[cuedoves]

I guess that makes sense.

[ both the killing and the peasant work. also math. ]

Yeah... that thing. Without arms. He's... weird.

[ zuko is so descriptive. but it sounds like they're in agreement ]

[ also no it'll be ten years before he figures it out ]

I don't plan on being gutted or blown up. If it shows up, I'll take it down. I can handle a metal bear. Thanks for the warning.

[ he says, even though she clearly told him to stay away from it ]

[shiftybladesofcray]

Weird is a polite way of putting it.

[Sucks to suck Wheatley.]

He seems h-harmless for now. And there are good A.I., just never a Monokuma. [Bears are bad. Alter Ego was good. She senses that trying to get too much into detail with this guy is going to give them both a migraine, so she's gonna just leave it at that.

Also he's being ridiculous.]

Don't be stupid! I s-said leave it alone, all right? If you don't even know what a robot is how can you p-possibly defeat it?

[cuedoves]

Well, whatever he is, he's... probably faulty.

[ he's not that polite!!!!! ]

[ but also probably a good call, this is hard for zuko to grasp ]

[ also, too late, definitely gonna fight this thing ]

If it's metal, I can melt it with my firebending. I can handle myself.

[shiftybladesofcray]

Firebending? What the h-hell is that?

[Groan.]

Fine. Don't blame me when you get impaled or torn to bits.