voidtreckernet | horseshoe 22, voice

[ be less paranoid bro, it's great for one's stress levels.

But that last suggestion gets a scoff. ] How about, You've Been Kidnapped By A Rogue Void Train And Don't Know What To Do?

[ But, alright, more seriously- ] Why don't we see if we can get the train to cough up the info first? Unless you wanna see if there's any helplines you can call. [ For more actual useful avenues. ]

I just want to try this to see how much it takes to get an answer. You know, in some way. Or if we'll get ignored completely.

Not that I'll say no to an answer about why we just get sent away, wherever it comes from.

Helplines, huh...?

[ THAT might be worth looking into, for the books to order. Surely a primer existed somewhere out there, like an emergency manual if a voidtrecker vehicle went offline...Roland stores that little tidbit for later. ]

Sure. That makes sense. And since there's no way of tracking submitted feedback, I'll update you daily. Or when I do get to it. [ Says Mr. Master Auditor. ] Heh. I can imagine it now. 'Hi, Voidtrecker. I'm sorry I've been living off of you for all this time and I never asked how your day's been going. Why don't you tell me all about it?'

We're always too busy thinking about us. How about we think about you for once, and what you need? Come on, kidnapping train. You're not really making us do anything, right.

You even give us a bed and food! Life could be a lot worse.

[ Okay, the memory thing - whatever it was or meant - and if the train actually has anything to do with losing anyone... is sad! Everything about it is absolutely suspicious and not cool still, though. ]

[ Wow, guess he's beat on the dry and sarcastic front. Roland shakes his head, chuckling. ]

...Hope that doesn't backfire on us. Then again, if it does, that's another sign that the train's listening to the feedback post. It's feeling something, at least.

[ And hey, that's a legitimate strategy too. Provocation!

For reasons however, Roland won't say that out loud. ]

At this point, a reaction's a reaction. [ And wouldn't that be great? Also, what's having restraint. ] If it did start punishing us...

[ His mind wonders on what that would be, and tries at the same time to wonder how he would feel about it. Relieved? More riled up? Both? ]

What do you think? If it started taking away privileges -- like the shop, deducting points. Think things would be different?

Things would absolutely be different.

[ His voice takes a more serious edge to it, if only because he's never been fond of ruling with an iron fist. Or with taking away privileges and benefits that are hard-earned by the people. ]

It's a reaction, sure. But if they punish us for the simple act of asking for answers, then this train's gonna start running on thin ice. Why make our lives harder when we're the only ones who can do the job for it? Save worlds, save citizens?

I was thinking about other things. Like... not doing chores. Or tryin' to wreck the train. But saying things it doesn't like too, sure.

[ Anything it can deem disagreeable. ]

Things would have to be different, right? Like a different air. [ A pause. ]

You don't think the train wouldn't?

It's a risky idea, but what did you have in mind? What kind of things wouldn't it like to hear, you think?

[ Of course the train would, or at least, reprimand them somehow. Send a memo. But it's exactly as Tidus said: any reaction is a reaction, already proving the point. For the most part, Roland's completely onboard, though he'd have to volunteer himself to the task if needed. If there was to be a consequence, he didn't mind being the first to take it. ]

[ Oh-- ]

Heyhey, I'm not seriously suggesting anything. [ Time to clarify, to be clearer. ] I'm speaking hypothetically. Like, what if it did start doing that. How everyone would react, how they'd feel about the train then.

[ How the mood would shift. Maybe it had no place in their conversation to bring up, but... ]

I wouldn't want it to start doing that. But if people keep attacking the store car or doing stuff it wouldn't like - it makes you think, you know? If it would. Or wouldn't. It'd say a lot about how the train sees us.

[ Wanting them to stay in line, or allowing them their freedoms no matter what they do. Even if it's attempted assault on the train, or murder to another passenger. ]

...Yeah, hypothetical.

[ He's not disappointed, but Roland's a little more ready than him to perform risky things in search for answers. Whose idea was it to pretend to betray his king, after all? But he has a point; the consequence might extend to the rest of the community, and they can't have that now, can they?

Regardless, he hears Tidus's point. ]

Hm. But didn't the train punish Nita that time she used her magic on it? I tried to talk her out of it, but she said she was willing to accept the consequences. I think it blocked out her own power to hear it, for a time. Doesn't that say a lot, already?

Wasn't that her wizard-thingy? [ You know. Wizardy-powers. ]

She has some kinda... thing about them. I guess it's sorta like a uh- maybe a spirit, or something. Inside her, that lets her use her powers in the first place? Like that.

Or...her magic runs on rules. [ He remembers that. ] She broke her rule doing that.

Oh, you mean her peridexis?

[ That is, if he can recall it right. ]

I see. So it was the rules of her magic, not necessarily the train...But then again, if an actual murder wasn't enough to wake it up enough to talk to us, any other effort will fall short.

[ He makes a quiet confession. ]

I've actually asked the higgledies to try to reach the engine room. Bambosh just made a small sound, like he was sighing. I'm going to guess that's a no.

[ Peridexis! There we go. But, what's that about the higgledy? ]

Did you ask him to attack it?

[ Or-- something else? It doesn't quite sound like an attack, unless Roland left Bambosh to do it unsupervised. Would he? ]

No.

[ Bambosh attacking the train would spell a disaster for everyone, anyone. Fire tornado? On a train? No thanks. ]

But if you notice, they can disappear and reappear from one place to another if they wanted to. Magic works in strange ways. I just thought they might be able to get through, connect with the train the way they've done with you and Inigo. [ It won't be seen, but he shakes his head. ] Nothing.

[ Ah. He's quiet for a moment, thinking -- something he doubts Roland will agree with, unsure of if he agrees with himself. But it's there, and though he isn't sure if to say it- ]

...I could...you know. I don't fade as quickly on the train. If we wanted to see if it works. If anything happens.

[ Just as a test. ]

[ Roland is already speaking before Tidus finishes the last words of his sentence. Sounding exactly as he means. ]

No. That's not an option. You're not a higgledy, or a toy, or an experiment. We're not risking your safety for the train.

[ Knowing what he knows now, there's fire to that, adamant. If he even tries it, despite the good intention...No, not even. Not willing to see that again as much as Roland can help it. He doesn't need to be reminded of that every time as a solution. It's not. ]

We'll figure it out. [ Quick to the subject change. ] I got new books, though one is just for higgledy care. The other is a spellbook from home. I'll see what I can find. It's a thick tome.

[ He expected as much, really. And he'll acquiesce, despite the 'but' that he could give, but lacks any real heart or conviction. It's not an avenue he wants to argue--not after the last time he did it, put everyone through. ]

Okay. [ Affirmation sits in his tone. ] Hey- if this experiment works, we can always just ask it to let us in, right? We just need enough people to ask.

[ A joke, to help shift things away from that dire note, to go along with Roland. ]

[ He'll take that opening, if only to spare them both of a lingering pain that goes unspoken. Healing, but not quite there yet. ]

I'll write that on the feedback post every day. That's a good idea. 'Hi Voidtrecker. Can I enter the engine room? Can I meet you? Can I introduce myself to you?' Heh. What do you think? Convincing enough?

[ A stifled chuckle. ]

Hmmmmmmm.

[ Hmmmm. ]

I bet you won't really do it.

[ It's a call out, Rolo. ]

[ He makes an expression Tidus obviously won't be able to see through this channel. ]

Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Of course I'd do it. I keep my word!

[ Are you DARING him??? ]

Go on then! From now 'til the next platform stop. Time to get real chummy with the train.

[ And here Tidus is, sounding about as serious as he does about anything of this quality. ]

And you've got to show me some of the messages too. So I know you're doing it.

[ That is, he's expecting Roland to keep his word! ]

...

[ He can do it but... ]

How will I show you proof? Use the digital camera to take a picture of the ICP before I send it off?

[ The nerve to audit the auditor!! ]

[ Wow, Tidus just wanted to be present once or twice when he wrote it out, but- ]

Can you record on it? 'Cause anyone can write up a message and not submit it. [ ... ] Not that I'm saying you would, but...

[ But. You know. ]

A little extreme, but fine. I'll do it.

[ Not that he's trying to prove anything here, buster. But hey, posterity right? ]

Everyday till platform day. Be ready to get updates. If you want, I'll send you a quick message before I do.

[ Watch over him indeed! Go tell Roland how to woo this train to talking to them, giving them answers! A reaction! Anything. ]

You might as well do it after breakfast - I can hang around and watch you do it instead. I'll give you some feedback of my own!

[ Isn't this a lot better than offering to slowly fade oneself?? Submitting yourself to Tidus's whims? ]

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