Audience: Grace Monroe

[probe]

Comments

[alteracion]

So? Simon's hobbies are quiet, and I only judge him a little.

[ because his writing his shit. ]

[probe]

[that's completely understandable.]

You did ruin one of them with copious amounts of soda.

[alteracion]

I already apologized for that. [ did she, truly. ] And I like music. I had violin lessons for a little bit as a kid.

[ and then she walked into a train and never touched it again but you know ]

[probe]

[they tap their foot as if to say "did you?"]

Piano. And the flute, on occasion. It's been some time since I've played either, but I've enjoyed it in the past.

[alteracion]

[ :) ignores that ]

Why did you stop playing? Too busy?

[probe]

Yes. Other things happened and my attention was needed elsewhere for something else I cared about.

[alteracion]

That's fair. I was a lot better at dancing than violin, and that was also a lot easier to keep up with once I got on the train, so.

[probe]

Your train rarely supplied you with all that you needed so easily, did it?

[alteracion]

Nope. [ she pops the p ] The train doesn't really supply us so much as happen to maybe have stuff that might be useful in some cars. But that makes it kind of fun.

[probe]

And then once you find it you take it for yourself in order to survive. Yes, I understand that.

[but.] What do you propose to do after you get what you came for and leave this place?

[alteracion]

[ she looks like she doesn't understand the question? ]

I'll go back to the Apex. Hazel will be safe, and things will go back to normal.

[ she does not say "simon will stop being so awful", but like, hopefully ]

[probe]

[hm.]

Nothing else comes to mind that you may want?

[alteracion]

Oh, you're right, I need to fix my number, too. And maybe then Simon will freak out less.

[probe]

[they seem to look at her arm.]

I still don't quite understand your number.

[alteracion]

[ she looks at her arm for herself. she's. still wearing gloves ]

What part? The train gives passengers a number, and the higher you are, the better. That's why the true conductor had the highest number I've ever seen.

[probe]

And have you met this "true conductor"?

[alteracion]

Hmhmm. He saved my life once. [ that's meeting, right. ]

[probe]

How so? [they are aware of her history, but would prefer to hear a direct statement from her.]

[alteracion]

I thought you knew about me? [ grace can't read the metatext, so she will still tease, but she tilts her head in reminiscence ] It was in the pumpkin car. I was being chased by a robot, and the conductor stopped it when it had me cornered. It was incredible.

[probe]

[they wave a hand as if to say yes, but continue.]

Did you speak to this conductor then? Perhaps they would enlighten you how to raise your number.

[alteracion]

No one knows where he went. That little robot usurped him and has been spreading lies since.

[ please stop making me talk about her cult views ]

[probe]

[no.]

Then wouldn't the solution be to usurp the robot?

[alteracion]

One-one's at the front of the train, it's not exactly easy to get to. ...But if he keeps targeting us, I guess we won't have a choice.

[ stupid robots ]

[probe]

...Miss Monroe. Are you aware that you can change what you came here for should you indulge enough?

[alteracion]

I can? [ huh. but, on the other hand: ] But I want to help Hazel. That's the most important thing.

[ by making her be a person, look, sometimes, pinocchio ]