eastbound | un: ut malum pluvia

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un: ut malum pluvia | audio

[ It's been days, and Five still hasn't found that damn missing bride. The more he finds out about this train, the more he'd like to get to the bottom of this 'reality altering' living dream nonsense before it causes real problems. Whatever was going on with that train breakdown, it's obvious things are getting worse. Then there was that weird ass message from the Merchant warning them not to leave the tracks. Like anyone would.

As much as he hates turning back to the network, several of them have been picking up on threads lately. It's possible they have a lead, and after he spoke to the apothecary, he's hoping one will have something worthwhile to contribute. ]

So we know the train and others like it used to make their money ferrying dream thieves. [ It's very possible they don't know that, but Five sounds like he's talking to himself more than the rest of them. ] And the wares that were stolen from the apothecary during the weddings were magic stabilizers and sleep narcotics, powerful enough to kill someone. We also know that no one on the staff has made much of an effort to find what was taken, so there's a chance they were involved one way or another.

[ At least the conductor, who Five doesn't trust for one second. ]

What we don't know, is what their motivations are. The bride is easy enough to figure out, but why help her? [ And now he actually sounds like he's addressing the others: ] Did anyone have contact with the three women who came on board? It seemed like they were just as eager to steal whatever they could get their hands on. Where the hell did they go?

[ Then they disappeared just before the conductor announced that a dream thief was onboard. Something must have happened during the breakdown. There's a lot he's still missing, and he's half convinced it's because he's been sleeping far too many hours for them to get away with whatever they want. And while the solution isn't promising, he still throws it out there. ]

I've got some ideas, but I'll need 100 silver pieces. Feel free to donate.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

How much do you trust what happens when you're asleep?

You wish to purchase peace of mind?

Essentially. I found someone willing to offer a solution, for a fee.

And you entrust this solution?

Not entirely, no. But it's one I haven't tried.

What of sleep terrifies you?

[ When did he say that? He just prefers being awake as long as he chooses to be. ]

Every night they put you in a magic coma to harvest your dreams and you're not at all concerned?

I accept inevitability.

[ That bugs him more than the 'terrified' comment. ]

Or you give up too easily.

Wei Ying holds fortune.

Meaning what?

The coin you seek.

[ ...Oh. He meant that literally. It's really unfortunate that he already owes him a favor. Is it better to owe him or Moran, is the question. ]

I take it I don't need to get any extra for you?