what in the longdark spitting-pit is that

[inourhead]

This was a bad idea this was a bad idea this was a bad idea.

Holly runs as fast as she can but the demon's faster. She has no idea where Lightning's gotten to; maybe he found a tree to climb. She on the other hand has been diverted into a treeless hill and she's careening down a slope, trying very hard not to trip.

And the demon's gaining on her.

She's never seen anything like it and neither has Crystal; maybe Book knows what it is but Book's asleep. It's mostly mouth - it looks like a cross between a floorlength mirror of a mouth and a snake to propel the mouth along.

And Holly's not fast enough.

The mouth catches her.





But it doesn't hurt.

Where are we?

----


with Minus (kappa)

with Mark (kappa)

with Max (Benedict)

in Terraria (kappa)

with Emma (Marri)

with Erin (Rockeye)

Comments

[characterquarry]

"I don't know about ridiculously rich. Once people realize troportation is a thing, more people will wish for it. Though most of them probably won't stay very good at it."

Erin's done eating. She won't mind if the others go back for seconds or thirds, though.

[inourhead]

"But Holly is good at it, and could make a living at it even at home, so," says Crystal.

[characterquarry]

"True enough. Let me know when you're ready to leave?" She pulls out a book.

[inourhead]

They eventually finish eating and are ready to leave.

[characterquarry]

The residency office turns out to have their apartment keys ready, as promised. After visiting a pet shop and acquiring a cage of mice, Erin guides everyone onto another bus. Where they get off is... Not run-down, exactly, but definitely less fancy than downtown.

"Here we are. Your keys open the gate, and then they have your apartment's number printed on them. You're qualified for three months of welfare until you need to re-apply or find another apartment, by the way. Unless you still need me to translate some things, for food shopping or something, I think I'll go back to the temple. I've written out a map back to the temple if you want to talk to me again."

[inourhead]

"Um, okay," says Lightning uncertainly.

"We'll show Book where it is when he wakes up," says Crystal. "It would be nice if you could write out a phrasebook for us."

[characterquarry]

"Oh, of course. I'll put down a couple hundred common things, if there's any phrase in particular you want just say it."

She pulls a little notebook and a pen from a pocket on her jacket and starts writing.

[inourhead]

"Thank you."

[characterquarry]

"I'm just glad that there's a way for you to get back. Wishes are convenient."

Writing, writing, writing.

"Okay, that should get you through a day or two. Here's the welfare paperwork, by the way, and I've included instructions on how to get next week's food allowance at the office. You'll have to pay to use the buses, though. I hope everything works out for you!"

[inourhead]

"Thank you very much!"

[characterquarry]

And she leaves. Back to work.