locomo | Downtime Log

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Downtime Log - Intro

Log 01 Downtime Intro
Maybe you were walking to class, or riding into battle, or at your father's funeral, or gazing into the abyss as you brush your teeth and think about your waning youth. Maybe you're from 1000 years ago, or the far-flung future. But it doesn't matter how different you are, because all passengers will wake up sprawled on the same floor of the same car...

The Perfectly Average Everyday Normal Train Car

As characters stir from their slumber, they'll notice their new(?) phones vibrating in their pockets. An unread message is waiting for them...

FROM: clownductor one

Welcome to the Existential Express, car #83045029342000001.

[CHARACTER NAME] is currently engaged in Tutorial Mode.

Objectives:
> Read the Existential Express (E2) brochure.
> Access the user directory and send a message.
> Ask one of the other passengers to be your friend.
> Find the exit door.

By completing car objectives, passengers may proceed through the exit and onto the next car.

Thank you for riding with the Existential Express. Please enjoy your journey into the great unknown.

>>>>SUBJECT: New Passengers
How is that? I attempted to make it sound welcoming.

The message, strangely, cuts off there. The brochure goes over all the basic 'what is a train' questions people may have, but nothing else.

However, characters may find that the exit door is locked until they complete the objectives, so it's icebreaker time! On the bright side, it seems this is a dining car, so there's a few nice plates of treats and a bar that magically serves beverages when people make orders. The exit door will be locked until the objectives are complete! (Please see OOC notes below for more details.)

In any case, when they unlock the door and move on through the exit, there is a walkway to the next car. Please watch your step, and check out the FAQ for more details on trying to leave the train!

Immediately proceeding the intro car is...

The Land of Corginia Car

As characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Lend a helping paw.

Because this historical city is occupied with... dogs! Mostly corgis. They are smart, verbal, and very good boys and girls. The dogs are happy to play with anyone, and will also help passengers get to anywhere they want to go. The car itself is basically Rome, with low doorways and ceilings.

And because corgis do have short legs and zero thumbs, they will sometimes need and ask for assistance. For example, you and a partner may need to help the corgis cross a river, give them belly rubs, or reach a ball on a high shelf. They are easily distracted, squirmy little babies and will make life very difficult, but they're just so darn cute!

The Museum Car

(tw: body horror)

As the characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Complete yourself.

As passengers enter this car, they'll find themselves feeling notably lighter. This might be because they're suddenly missing a leg, or perhaps an arm, or their eyes, or tongue. Whatever it may be, a part of them has been taken away. There's no pain, or danger to their lives from the missing part, it simply isn't there.

It's been whisked away and hidden somewhere in the musty old museum that they've found themselves in. Luckily, it's currently closed, so there's nothing stopping them from raiding everything in sight! The displays span all manner of topics, from history to biology to space. Passengers might even find displays on familiar historical events or persons from their home worlds as they search—the collection is seemingly endless! Just watch out, because sometimes objects (and body parts) will come to life and lunge through the glass at anyone who walks a little too close.

NOTE: Characters can snipe items from the display cases in the museum! However, they'll discover the items are actually toy replicas made of flimsy plastic. They're completely non-functional and will break if handled too roughly.

The Birth of the Wind Car

As the characters enter the car, their phones will notify them of a new objective…

> Collect all the korogu seeds.

The world that lies ahead of the passengers is vast and lush; a spectacle of nature that spans snow-capped mountains, dense forests, deserts, and lakes. Aside from unusually large and extremely territorial fauna (1, 2, 3), the car appears devoid of any signs of civilization, and passengers might think themselves completely alone…

… Until they hear the tinkling of a bell, and a cheery, "yahaha!" in the distance. Upon closer inspection, the car is in fact populated by small, wooden creatures known as korogus (here). They hide at the tops of trees and mountains, on lone islands in large lakes, and under rocks. Once a passenger stumbles across their hiding place—whether knowingly or otherwise—they'll appear in a puff of magic holding a golden korogu seed. Simply finding them isn't enough for them to hand over the precious item however, and they'll require passengers to offer up one truth in exchange for a seed. And don't bother lying, they'll give you a solid bonk on the head and disappear if you do!

Numbers

Numbers! Everyone starts with one that glows on their bodies — as a fun thread mechanic, we suggest they're somewhere visible, but it's up to you!

Because while this is not IC knowledge yet, numbers are determined by how troubled your character is. This may be based on their past actions and crimes, but also alienating habits, regrets, personality flaws, trauma, etc — a higher number does not necessarily mean they're a bad person, but it may signify a difficult time in their life, or substantial personal issues.

Numbers change as characters work through their issues... which we'll cover next time! However, for this log, please note that numbers will remain static. They may flicker or warp occasionally, but don't worry about them going up or down for the intro! As a bonus, numbers can glow in any color you would like.

OOC Notes

Car Order: While the cars are linear and in the order shown, characters can freely move between these four cars for the next three weeks — players may assume 1:1 IC:OOC time ratio.

Locks: Passengers may follow other characters out of cars after they've been unlocked — so in general, players can assume optional cars on downtime months are unlocked if they don't want to play in them. Likewise, if your character ICly would not participate in a car but you still want to play with those prompts, you can assume they're locked in and must complete objectives. Feel free to pick and choose what you'd like to play from any downtime log!

Update: We will also have a small update in the coming weeks — the setting won't change, but there will be a few more (optional!) aspects to play with later.

Feel free to direct questions to our Discord help channel. Welcome to Locomo, and have fun!

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FAQ & Game Info / Calendar / Taken
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[cursed energy is a difficult thing to ignore? especially in an environment in which there is so little of it—but while suguru had more, ah, pressing matters to attend to, upon finding himself in this strange new whatever-it-is, he wasn't so focused on staying a step ahead of satoru as to neglect everything else. finding the unknown source of cursed energy simply became a matter of patience...

...and then a matter of some urgency, when satoru chose to share who, exactly, the source was. not that suguru was, like, unduly concerned; the safety of monkeys matters far less than his own, but the supposed king of curses running about the train presents both risks—and opportunities.

so as everyone just so happens to be stuck in this particular car until enough seeds are found, suguru keeps his senses sharp—and when he senses that cursed energy in his general vicinity, he decides it's high time to see its source for himself. it's as easy as placing himself in the curse's path!

and then, you know. dealing with the umpteenth korogu just as he senses said curse, but that's fine; all it does is dance mid-air, asking its stupid question: does conflict seem to follow you everywhere you go? suguru pretends to ponder it for a second before turning ever so slightly to the side, casting a look back sukuna's way.]

I think it's asking you.

[this question brought to you by buzzfeed's ~what percent toxic are YOU~ quiz]

( this could also be a cute dog prompt!!! :)

it's not. sorry.

he's not planning on moving his tail, nor is he going to allow dimitri to just move it however that he likes. it does take him a little effort to stop him by pushing back, slightly annoyed that he can't just give him the stab because he's smart enough to not handle a particularly prickly part of it!!! )

No.

( he leans forward, gives dimitri a longer stare. looks like a normal man. nothing extraordinary. )

I will not.

( can he get under this man's skin? let's see if he can use things other than his weapon to do it first. )

i never said i had anything to do with the conductor

[Do not lump him in with the higher-up who's in charge and probably crusty and old and set in their ways...Satoru is on alert to make sure he never turns out that way.

And anyway who said objectives had to come from the the official crew only! Aren't these objectives about camaraderie and junk like that? Yeesh.]

Forget I said anything...

[ (He feels shamed, for some reason. Even though Vane is very probably the nicest guy in the whole wide train, and hadn't even insinuated anything by his response.)

Sylvain gets busy cleaning, as if chastised, balancing the pups on one arm and carefully wiping them down with the other. It's smelly business, but no worse than stable duty during the hotter months. (They're weird looking, but still vaguely cute... So small... He feels increasingly protective of them the longer he holds them for. Is this what maternal instinct is supposed to be like?) ]

—Stuck?

[ That doesn't sound good. Sylvain gives Vane an equally worried look. He's totally under-qualified for this job. ]

What should we do?

[ Ouch. Sylvain's been met with suspicion plenty of times, but this is the first he's been specifically accused of being a monster—or at least, of the murderous variety. ]

Really... [ He chuckles to himself, expression at ease when his gaze pulls away from the weapon(?) and back to her. ] Guess I'll have to be on my best behavior, then. No hideous transformations at the dinner table.

[ For the record, and not that she even wants to know this, but he thinks her spunk is cute. But he figures if he tries to make a joke of it (cute enough to gobble up), she really will brain him with that metal stick. ]

And what about yourself? Are you some kind of exterminator?

[ Or does she just have a really active imagination? ]

[ Dream big, Toko, maybe someday you can be the ultimate literary protag... ]

[ He's about to drop his hands, but her protests keep them raised. Would it make her feel better that his rampant use of pet names is strictly derisive, rather than familiar? Probably not... But as she settles enough to creep out of the doorway like a startled cat, Vidal finally makes a noncommittal sort of palms-out shrug on his way to dropping his hands back to his sides. ] Miss, sorry.

[ And now, to make a concerted effort to not sound suspicious again, he takes a breath. ]

I need something sharp. Like a scalpel or scissors, or a razor, or even a paring knife. I'd take a seam ripper at this point. [ Every fiber of his being cringes at the mere thought of that one but he's a desperate man. ] I know there's a bunch of yahoos running up and down this train with swords and daggers like it's baby's first Ren Faire but I gotta find something with some precision, okay?

Well, go find him and bring him here so he can start pulling them off of me.

( though as some of the doggos start to bork their ways over to her, he can finally sit up and catch his breath--- doesn't matter how soft they are, they still be heavy little doggos! especially when some of them ask for help trying to reach their favorite toys, some of which are hanging off of pillars and a few on top. )

Friends, huh? ( a snort, a scoff, a turn of his head with a humph. ) Don't have those. Don't need those.

( which has some dogs immediately jump at him. they are his friends now. he smells like them. it's too late. )

... okay! Okay, stop! Stop dammit, stop!

( no... he sinks under the weight of the dogs again... )

[ This guy's... pretty melodramatic, huh. ]

I... can't say I do. [ The last time Sylvain had seen snow and castles was Fhirdiad, so unfortunately that is a you problem, sir.

And he's about to ask for additional clarification, but the conversation (or monologue) continues with or without him like a flowing script in which he has not a single line.

The mood shifts without warning on top of it all, the man suddenly crumpling to his knees as if his body can no longer bear the weight of his burdens (whatever they are). Sylvain shifts into an awkward squat besides him, his arms perched on his bent knees. ]

Oookay, so you're having a bad day. I get it. [ Does he though... does he... ] I'm guessing you missed the memo.

[ Or didn't see it. Now that Sylvain has a moment to think, and now that he's gotten a good look at the man's face (he tries not to shudder at those empty eye sockets), he thinks he knows where the trouble lies. Or one of them. This guy's clearly got 99 problems. ]

Someone's been making off with our body parts. We're supposed to get them back to get out of this place.

[ She gives him a withering look and shoves his shoulder amicably. ]

Arse-face.

You're just a fan of theirs?

[ mugen is trying to make friends and claude is being a brat... kids are the worst. ]

Maybe not, but there's enough people here that they might have to do repeats, right?

[ She's looking at where his leg ought to be again, mostly because of the phrase: if it took that much. Does he not know how much of his leg is still here?

Maybe she'll just... reach out and poke the trouser leg. ]

[that's quite the reaction, buddy! one that suguru is not all surprised by, given this individual's everything—and one he understands? it's not like suguru wants to work with people who deserve neither his time nor his efforts, but as options are rather limited on this train...

...well. his bland little smile widens the slightest bit.]

You could try. I wouldn't mind watching.

[it would be amusing, at the very least, but since that is sure to fail:]

Or you could find a partner.

[that is definitely smoke, which geto notes—but says nothing about, merely pretending to consider the blobs of... whatever they are. he does have a curse that could eat them and suffer only, like, mild indigestion, buuuuut, lightly:]

I'm afraid not.

[it's a picky eater. anyway, calling himself irresistible... those sure are some gojo vibes, my friend, so geto is Judging?]

You ought to give yourself less. [just sayin.] But you're the one who drew their attention; you must have something they want. Food?

[you carrying a snack, sylvain? and said snack is not yourself.]

[It's true: Satoru's personality makes him a lacking candidate for friendship. He has coworkers, students, potential allies...but he doesn't really have friends. The people around him tolerate him, fear him, or treat him like something to be revered. Some of them occasionally indulge him, but Satoru tends to wear them down. It takes a rare person to not only befriend Satoru but also want to keep him around, because being friends with Satoru means poking and prodding, antics that would exhaust any reasonable person, and obnoxious behaviors that can only be stomached for so long.

There has only ever been one person who truly chose to subject himself to everything that Satoru is — who looked beyond his strength and annoying ways, and who could understand Satoru when he forwent words for attention-seeking behavior. The same person who, for that very reason, Satoru would still call his best friend, despite everything that transpired between them.

That person sits beside him now, proving his acceptance of everything that Satoru is by talking, listening, and understanding what Satoru is communicating without outright saying it — accepting this temporarily truce though he has little motivation to do so.

And so Satoru tests the patience that Suguru has always afforded him by withholding that piece of information and saying simply:]

Yeah.

[Suguru will find out the name, whether Satoru tells him or he seeks out the source of the cursed energy himself. But the story of said friend goes beyond this train, and Satoru has to be careful about how much he reveals. He doesn't know how what will happen after they escape this train, and while Satoru does not want to believe that Suguru would do anything other than swallow the King of Curses if given the chance — he remembers Suguru targeting the school. He remembers the sacrifices that Suguru made to seek his goals.

Satoru's trust exists, but it is conditional, and he draws the line at potentially endangering his students.

He draws the line at endangering the people on this train.

So having established that there is an additional problem, Satoru moves on to his real request, far larger than the simple desire to have a talk.

He says:]

I've been thinking it's about time we work together again.

[This in and of itself is not a remark about the strength of the enemy who lurks in this car trains, but an admission of a further problem — of something that may render Satoru unable to take care of the problems from his world on his own. He is admitting that for the first time since their teenage years, Satoru — the sorcerer who thrives when he has no one to hold him back — needs a partner.

He cannot work alone.

So in suggesting this — in presenting this offhanded comment as though he's feeling nostalgic — Satoru is taking another risk.

If he could, he'd rely on the allies he's slowly trying to collect, and teach them like he does his students. But without his self-reverse technique, he only has so much time before he'll need to drop his Infinity and recharge. And if something goes awry, and Satoru's out of energy, he won't be able to protect anyone.

Attempting to team up with Suguru would require deep and unbreakable assurances, but it would mean that Suguru would no longer be a concern. Instead of Satoru having to keep close tabs on two enemies, there would only be one. And that's one they could face together if need be.

His face, as usual, doesn't give much away at all. It's as cheerful and conversational as it always is, and pretends to watch Suguru as if he'll be able to see his reaction. He imagines Suguru's expression as it was when they were teens, a brief show of concern — Suguru asking if he needs to sleep, if he's okay, and Satoru punching his shoulder in response to say, I'm good man.

He knows that's not how Suguru would openly look at him now. There's too much for him to consider from this singular statement: the potential that is a somehow vulnerable Satoru, the risk and opportunity provided by the existence of another threat, and what, exactly, Satoru will request from him as proof of his willingness to play nice with the non-sorcerers on the train.

But still he asks:]

Whaddya think?

[Lazily, his words stringing together, as he reaches across his body to punch Suguru's shoulder, despite the fact that he can't see exactly where his fist will land, despite the barrier that prevents true contact — reminding him that they've done this before. They can do it again.

Suguru can do it again.]

[ The look is spoiled, vanished into a cheeky grin as he sways back under that shove. ]

But the most handsome arse you've ever seen.

[ He leans to plant a peck of a kiss on her check, then swirls off with drink in hand. He only makes it a step or two before he's stopping though, glancing back at her over a shoulder with a touch of sudden concern. ]

Are you hungry? We could play the happy affectionate couple, if you need, find some wall to be passionate on somewhere.

Edited 2021-08-17 01:06 (UTC)

Oh, uh, no, I don't have it. I chucked it at Vanadi — [ She juts a finger towards a dark-haired elf drinking a ways down the bar. ] — and he pocketed it. And uh, I'm Tessa, by the way. What's your name?

Vanadi de Vadarta. [ It rolls off his tongue with elegance and a practiced flourish, as he pulls them a gentle step onward. ] Today's attentive guide, at your service. And may I have yours?

[Sounds pretty damn boring, so he has to ask: ] Human?

[ But he's already on his way, starting down the arrival car with a curious scrutiny for anyone within range. It's a lot of muddled-looking people so far. ]

[ Wow, rude. It's called efficient. ] Yep. How bout you, do I get any more hints?

[ Maybe that would at least garner some actual features to look out for besides two drinks. Lot of reasons for a lot of people to be double-fisting them right now, from free open bar to existential crisis. ]

[ Sylvain nods along, elbows propped on the table as he laces his fingers together, pretending to look thoughtful. (Just teatime things.) ]

Great! You scratch my back, I scratch yours.

[ Look at them! Jiving already. ]

So as friends, [ no take-backsies!!!!!! ] we should start off with proper introductions, yeah? I'm Sylvain, 19, presently single.

[ He announces all that as if he casually expects his not-date to do something about it. (He doesn't really, but they're just so stiff about the whole ordeal, he can't help but poke and prod a little... as a treat.) ]

[Eunyoo's first reaction is to, as always, deny that she needs help and yell at whoever it is to go away. She looks up to do just that, and then sees Beatrix with leaves in her hair and her GIANT ASS SOULMATE SWORD IN HER HANDS, and she swears again out of shock. this is like every scene in every horror movie when the idiot heroine (eunyoo) meets the guy with the chainsaw axe (beatrix)]

Stay back! I'm armed!

[eunyoo says, while sprawled on the ground. actually she's not sure where her bat is??? maybe it's just in the grass hanging out with her phone]

[ From a distance, there's nothing Sylvain can make out about the eye that seems particularly remarkable, just a white sphere dotted with a blue iris. ]

...You sure that one's yours?

[ How can he even tell? What if he grabs a stranger's by accident... That would be awkward... ]

[Fine, maybe some actual specifics, since this guy probably isn't going to stand out much. ]

Tall, male, elven, black hair, a wink to make you swoon, and wedding clothes. Give me a shout if you see me, won't you?

[Whatever he collides with was solid, most likely a person or creature. He pulls back startled, but before he can attack the something grips his shoulder and stops him. His free hand reaches up to touch whatever it was accompanying him.]

Unhand me mage- Who are you?!

[His hands run over the side of its face, or what he assumes is a face, to the top of its head. Warm, shorter, no horns or odd ears, it was a Hyur as far as Estinien could tell. Whatever it was it didn't seem threatening.]

Why are you here?

But his questions are met with silence.

Do you see it too? The white castles of Ishgard?

[He reaches up to rub his eyes only to find his literal eyeballs were gone. An awful dread comes over him as he pieces together the reason for his predicament: this was to be his punishment. An eye for an eye.]

Fury take me...

[He mumbles as his fingers gently trace down the Hyur's eyelids which did in fact contain eyes.]

... Did you commit some atrocity to end up here?

[This had to be hell. What other explanation could it be? He was no Warrior of Light, he didn't travel between worlds.]

[ Who are you callin' a guy with a chainsaw axe????? Rude AF.

Eunyoo's sudden shout has Beatrix leaning back too, her GIANT ASS SOULMATE SWORD brandished forward out of reflex, just in case the person she's facing is some armed and dangerous ruffian. (This is going great, absolutely.) ]

Wha—Well, so am I! I won't hold back, if it's a fight you want!

[ ...........................

It's about now that her lone half a brain cell decides to sleepily wake up and take the wheel. Against the faint glow of the numbers carved into Embrasque's blade - 106 - she can see that actually it's not some crazy axe murderer but just a girl, still sprawled on the ground. She doesn't look particularly dangerous, just a little scuffed up.

Oh. Beatrix lowers her sword. ]

Oh. [ When the thoughts running through your head are the same ones you say aloud. ] Hey, are you okay?

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Page 28 of 75

Downtime Log - Intro

time for quizzes in the wild..............card

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Re: iii

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