video! because is there really another option we can use isn't txt disabled

[asheaveniswide]

In the interest of mine own ongoing entertainment, I have an offer to make to my new fellow Adventurers.

[Hey it's a new guy! And he holds up.. well it looks kind of like a smart cellphone if you squint really hard, but it definitely isn't.]

This is a hunt book, as designed and manufactured by ancient Allag. Upon being activated it tells me of any interesting creatures or beings that are about that may prove a diverting challenge to subdue, ranked by calculated difficulty and risk it poses to the local populations. While we are far from any guild which may reward any such hunts, should a mark appear I am willing to bring any interested in testing their mettle against it.

[Some people just really like hunting, ok? The device is put away.]

However there are ... restrictions. Should it offer up a mark that is exceptionally rare or vital to its ecosystem, alternates to slaying it are required; become creative with how you choose to subdue such a target without inflicting significant harm. If a slain mark is edible, it must be eaten, and as it seems this train has food storage room this should be a welcome addition to otherwise unappealing meals. I will not have waste for mere trophies and tales around a dinner table.

[Zenos makes a small gesture with one hand.]

I am to understand some of you have little battle beasts of your own. These are certainly welcome, but be mindful of your prey. Nature has little interest in rules and regulations. This is not a safe activity, and I expect those who wish to attend to be able to hold their own within reason.

Comments

[redmeguca]

Blue, actually. I enjoy a good fight as much as anyone on Red, but my priorities don't quite match up.

[asheaveniswide]

[Uhoh, he looks interested.]

What are your priorities?

[redmeguca]

You've gotta find the one thing that matters most to you and protect it till the end. For me, that's the people I care about. I've lost too many of them to give any of them up without one hell of a fight.

[asheaveniswide]

Hmm. A motive I understand well. Do you believe this priority is what shifted you from the realm of red to the realm of azure?

[redmeguca]

I don't think so. There's another me on this train and she's Purple team. I'd say the deciding factor was... my own regrets. Not going to get into it, but I did some pretty terrible stuff, got a wake-up call, and promised myself I'd do better. She only got to stage two, so the only real difference between us is time.

[asheaveniswide]

[There's another her on the train.

There's ... .. A twin sister? Zenos frowns a little, puzzling over that. Y'know what concept he hasn't really encountered yet? The idea that there can be multiple identical versions of someone.]

This ... 'other you', is a sibling, or is that literal?

[redmeguca]

Completely literal, she's a version of me from a timeline where things went differently. Not sure how different, I haven't asked, but different enough.

[asheaveniswide]

Is this a common occurrence?

[redmeguca]

Eh, not really. It's not super rare either, sometimes the train will just decide it needs more than one of a person. Or like, half a dozen in that one guy's case.

[asheaveniswide]

Hm. I see. In which case I should never presume there are twins onboard, as they may simply be .. identical ... alternate versions of themselves?

[redmeguca]

I mean, there might be twins someday. But yeah, best to assume that those two people who look completely identical are different versions of the same person.

[asheaveniswide]

.... If it isn't too forward. I would like to meet you and your ... other self in person sometime in the future. I find myself curious as to precisely how identical you are. Of course you may refuse.

[redmeguca]

Thaaat might be tough. Me and I don't exactly get along. We're too much alike, and just different enough where it matters.