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

un: boarprince

[overruns]

[ he does not mean to respond to toko's post, nor to toko, but everyone gets a slightly blurry photo of a very good corgi, with what is definitely a bit of dimitri's thumb in the corner. ]

Claude, did you realize these devices can take 'photographs?' Observe this dog.

@ ✨ BEATRIX ✨

[sociably]

[ she ain't claude but that ain't stopping her ]

he's so cute!!!!
she?

[overruns]

[ oh, right, there's other people who use the phones now. he still has not noticed that toko is here, though. ]

Hello, Beatrix. I asked the dog and he responded that he is a he. And also to say thank you.

[shiftybladesofcray]

[???????????????????????????????????]

DON'T START A CONVERSATION WITHOUT ME

un: sapphire

[lavishes]

[ Hi Jester stopped and scrolled to the bottom and found a really cute picture of a dog? Wow! ]

Oh my gosh thats such a cute dog how do you take photographs [ She hasn't found the punctuation yet give her 3 more tags ]

[overruns]

[ please, he's using voice to text ]

It is a little complicated. [ it's not. stupid ye oldes. ] But if you press the image in the bottom right corner, and then the circle in the center, it should work...

[shiftybladesofcray]

[what

who did

who did this?!]

delete that dog at once

[overruns]

[ it's him! he did this. ]

That would not be very nice to the dog.

@batman

[plas]

WHO'S A GOOD BOY

[overruns]

Hello, Batman.

[ there is now an audio recording of a dog going bork bork and oh, are those your friends? to the phone. this is also accidental. ]

un: CHEFKNIGHT🍴

[venerating]

COOL

CAN YOU SHOW ME HOW TO DO THAT?

[overruns]

Of course.

[ he would be happy to. how nice of toko to make a psa about how to use the camera function. ]

First, you find the screen with all the different little pictures. Then, touch the one in the corner, point the device ahead of you, and touch the middle circle.

[ PLEASE ASK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO USE A PHONE ]

un: noctua

[flamebears]

How do you tell the dogs apart.

[overruns]

Well, they all have rather distinct personalities. You should speak with them andjfffffffd

[ his phone is knocked out of his hands by a corgi ]

@ handsome

[philandery]

How come Claude gets a dog and I don't.

not here

[sociably]

[ username HANDSOME...............................is he actually handsome, she must find out now. ]

[overruns]

It will take some getting used to the fact that all of you receive these messages now...

[ no, it's that he responded to a public network post.



he eventually responds with another terrible corgi picture, just a big blurry zoomy noodle dog. ]

un: middlefinger

[badtempered]

did you ask permission before taking a pic or are u being a creeper

[the corgis can talk dimitri? they're individuals?]

[overruns]

[ excuse you to heck, username middlefinger. also, he uses speech to text so she gets the entire next exchange. ]

Are you supposed to ask? I'm sorry. Sir, are you all right with your picture being taken? Bark bark! Sure! Also, throw the ball! Yes, he seems fine with it. But I will endeavor to be more cautious in the future.

@rjvida

[neriticism]

[ dog pictures do nothing for his soul but he can smell blood in the water a mile away. we’re dunking in here tonight boys. ]

Just wait til you find filters, they’d really make that corgi pop with that backdrop

@ ✨ BEATRIX ✨

[sociably]

[ wait, hang on, hold up— ]

filters??
oh tell me too!!

VOICE; un: ardbert

[soulshard]

[ The sudden appearance of an image of a dog on Ardbert's device is delightful, even if he can't understand how it's possible.

And so Dimitri ends up with a voice call in response. Sorry, Ardbert hasn't figured out the whole voice-to-text thing yet. This is all he knows how to do. ]

Well, that's a very good dog, but... is that a painting? I can scarce believe it, it looks so real!

[ He's never heard of a photograph. Clearly. ]

Oh, but I don't think your message reached its intended recipient. My name is Ardbert.

[overruns]

[ Oh, that's fine, actually. He prefers this—letters and texts are convenient, but gauging tone and intent takes voices and faces. ]

My apologies, Ardbert. I cannot claim any expertise when it comes to using these devices...

[ sometimes you are medieval ]

But I'm happy to share what I know. They are not paintings, but rather 'photographs.' Moments captured in instant time, instead of painstakingly built up with brushes and pigment.

[cuedoves]

[ i swear ill respond to the actual post but ]

how did you do that

did the message even send? how am i suppose to sen

[overruns]

It sent. You're picking up on this device faster than I did, if it's any consolation.

[ good work, zuko! dimitri means that unironically, but i, nu the player, think he's stinky ]