[They don't answer, turning to leave. But as they make their way out...]
“Thank you. …Thank you very much.”
[They don't stop to see which of the four it was who said it. Instead, they merely make their way down the corridor, waiting until they're a reasonable distance away.]
The country was surrounded by high walls made out of gigantic rocks put together. There was only a single enormous door made of steel. It was tightly shut.
There was an expanse of forest just outside the country. It was a forest dense with tall and slender conifers.
It was covered with snow as deep as a child is tall. The ground was completely invisible. Amidst the damp atmosphere, the low clouds created a sky of a greyish shade.
A corridor began beside the closed gate. Its tall, gabled roof continued straight into the forest. It was laid out with stone paving, and on both sides were sturdy fences to keep out the snow. The weir-like corridor was sandwiched between the piles of snow fended off by the roof.
There was a small door for people to pass through beside the massive gate. Stones were affixed on the door, making it indistinguishable. Soon this door opened inwards with a gentle creaking sound.
The person in black came out from the door holding a bag. On their right thigh was a holster that was not there before. Inside it was a high caliber revolver.
Two guards followed them from behind. The guards were holding long spears in their hands, and they were wearing military uniforms adorned with ceremonial ornaments.
The guards stood on both sides of the door. The gazes underneath their decorated helmets were sharp. As the person in black looked back, the guards tapped the stone floor by their feet with their spears, creating a solid sound.
“[Heretic, murderer of our brethren, leave this country at once!]” One of the guards spoke in a stern and loud voice.
The person in black placed the bag containing the persuader by the guard’s feet. They spoke with no visible change in their expression.
“[I understand. I will leave this country right away.]”
Then they straightened up and turned away from the guards. They took a step towards the corridor inside the forest. The thin layer of snow crunched beneath their footsteps.
The guards remained standing on attention, but their stiff expressions crumbled down. One of them called out to the person in black with a tone of familiarity.
“We will send them later, as always.”
The person did not look back, and answered.
“I understand. Please leave it at the usual place.”
“Roger, Kino. Thank you very much.”
The guard positioned his spear in front of his body.
The scene seemed to fast forward a bit before there was the sound of a film roll coming to an end. And so, your character finds themself walking into the building at the end of the corridor, a sturdy thing built of stone and lumber with a big living room and two fireplaces and wood stoves on either end.
It seems your character is no longer an audience member, but a part of the story itself. They may act as they wish.
[Wearily, they head over to the stove - opening up a nearby cabinet.]
The people of this country can't care for their sick, so they arrange for a quick, painless death, surrounded by their loved ones. Since we're travelers, it's not a big deal to kick us out and let us in again as much as needed. And even if killing is a crime in the country, because we aren't citizens, there's no reason for them to detain us for it.
In exchange...
[They pull out produce, and from an icebox, meat.]
...They provide us with the food and supplies needed to survive until it's clear enough to leave.
When you're a traveler, you have to abide by the country's rules. But... in some countries, travelers inhabit a certain grey zone, able to get away with more than the regular citizens.
It makes it easy to hire us for all kinds of work.
[Their tone is - tired, but matter-of-fact as they begin preparing to cook something to eat.]
But that's what I wanted to talk about. Someone has to go in every day to take care of things... if it bothers you this much, I can go a second day.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
What were you thinking?
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
“Thank you. …Thank you very much.”
[They don't stop to see which of the four it was who said it. Instead, they merely make their way down the corridor, waiting until they're a reasonable distance away.]
Did you forget why we're here?
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
Not killing people.
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Let's get back to our rooms. We still need to figure out what to do for tomorrow anyway.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
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Are you coming, or not?
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It ain't up to us. It's up the the person who's sick.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
The gate leading out of the country is coming up.
They shake their head a little - they can continue this later - and continue walking towards the gate for now.]
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
The scene seemed to fast forward a bit before there was the sound of a film roll coming to an end. And so, your character finds themself walking into the building at the end of the corridor, a sturdy thing built of stone and lumber with a big living room and two fireplaces and wood stoves on either end.
It seems your character is no longer an audience member, but a part of the story itself. They may act as they wish.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
[Wearily, they head over to the stove - opening up a nearby cabinet.]
The people of this country can't care for their sick, so they arrange for a quick, painless death, surrounded by their loved ones. Since we're travelers, it's not a big deal to kick us out and let us in again as much as needed. And even if killing is a crime in the country, because we aren't citizens, there's no reason for them to detain us for it.
In exchange...
[They pull out produce, and from an icebox, meat.]
...They provide us with the food and supplies needed to survive until it's clear enough to leave.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
And ain't it kinda a dick move to pin their dirty work on someone else...?
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
It makes it easy to hire us for all kinds of work.
[Their tone is - tired, but matter-of-fact as they begin preparing to cook something to eat.]
But that's what I wanted to talk about. Someone has to go in every day to take care of things... if it bothers you this much, I can go a second day.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
That's - how long have you been doing this?
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
[Grabbing a frying pan off the wall and setting it on the stove.]
But there's no way I'll be able to continue traveling until the snow melts with the coming of spring.
Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
And, like. How far away's that?
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Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─
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Re: “A Winter Tale” ─D─