I'd sit there and look at the deserted lakes and I'd sing

[singmod]

MARCH 2024 EVENT

PROMPT ONE — EXIT STRATEGY: With the way via the main road a no-go, Methuselah finds a potential and very dangerous way out of the Milton area: the Milton Mines. During the Aurora, the Interlopers must find a way to safely navigate the mines and find a way through.

PROMPT TWO — BRAVE NEW WORLD: Interlopers make their way into the Lakeside area, and are free to explore the more of the Northern Territories: a place of both industry and leisure.

PROMPT THREE — THE ECHO: On Aurora nights, the aftermath of the Darkwalker's attack on the Interlopers continues to ripple through the community — with a painful affliction.

EXIT STRATEGY

WHEN: Mid-month.
WHERE: Milton Mines.
CONTENT WARNINGS: claustrophobic situations; potential injury/maiming; potential electrocution/electrocution injuries; potential burn injuries; hyperthermic situations; exploration horror;


Unusually, Methuselah returns to the town around the middle of the month. He is looking pleased and will ask that the Interlopers gather in the Community Hall. Once gathered, he climbs onto the small stage at one end of the Hall and explains that following last month’s Feast, he set out to try to find a way out of Milton, and he believes he may have found a way out.

He goes on to explain that although the Milton Mine has been closed for many years, there may still be access through the mine. The mine had two entrances through either sides of the stone, one on the Milton side since many of the residents worked the mine back in the day, but there was also an additional entrance on the opposite side, which led to a railway track that allowed easier export of coal and precious materials towards the coast. Having gained access, he believes the mine seems to mostly remain intact, but not easy to get through. However, he discovered that during the Aurora, the old mine and its electronics came to life — meaning a way through is certainly possible during those times with the added electronics in play.

It is not much, and it is certainly incredibly dangerous, but it is something. There is certainly no way out towards the south; towards the north might be the Interlopers’ best chance of finding a way out of Milton.

Methuselah will ask for any volunteers to join him in trying to find a way out via the mines, taking them up north and then waiting for an Aurora to happen before they can then make their way through and explore the mine system. Anyone is free to sign up, and he suggests someone drawing up a sign up sheet so that Interlopers have an idea of who is leaving the town on the journey.

The hike towards the mines is a long one, taking a few hours on an incline to reach the northern mountains. Waiting on the Aurora may take time, so setting up camp is the next step — waiting for night and hoping the skies fill with night soon. Interlopers are free to explore the mine beforehand, but will find a lot of it locked up tight. With areas unreachable without power and the darkness suffocating, they won’t get very far.

When the Aurora does finally come, the mine will come to life: the system’s lighting will come on throughout, albeit flickering and a little unreliable. Machinery and track systems whir and groan as the mine slowly cranks itself into functioning once more. While there are maps of the system to help Interlopers navigate the system — showing a second entrance labelled as ‘Lakeside Entrance’ — the true difficulty in getting through lies in wait.

Interlopers will find that parts of the system have been partially flooded: with the frigid water in places mostly ankle deep and others reaching no higher than knee-high on an average-height man. What’s worse, is the half-destroyed electrics ravaged by both time and the Aurora mean plenty of loose wires hanging here and there. It’s possible to accidentally catch yourself on them, meaning burn injuries and mild electric shocks — but care should be taken in checking if these wires may have fallen into these flooded parts. Stepping into these live waters will be far more deadly. They will also find that the electronically-powered gates that open through into areas may not function, with the fuses having been blown.

Gaining access through the mine is not impossible, however. It will simply require a little bit of legwork. One of the larger caverns of the mines houses a fuse board. Characters can switch off sections of the mines in order to traverse them safely, find new fuses in toolboxes scattered through the mines in order to open the gates and make their way through to gain access to the elevator of the mine — which will also require new fuses, in order to power the electrics to get it to function.

It is perhaps, most frustrating, that once Interlopers get the elevator working and head downwards into the final section of the mine, that they will come across hand-cranks — allowing them to use the elevator without the need for electricity. But at least the hard part is over, and the Interlopers now have a way through from Milton that doesn’t require relying on the Aurora to power the mine’s electrics.

On the lower section of the mine, there will be a handful of more gated rooms to get through before reaching the Lakeside Entrance, and more wires and flooded areas to traverse. But you can taste it: something on the air. You’re close.

You’ve made it, Interloper.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

WHEN: Mid-month, onwards.
WHERE: Milton Mines (Lakeside Entrance); The Ravine; Lakeside area.
CONTENT WARNINGS: themes of exploration/survival; themes of peril; acrophobia; potential character/npc death from falls; potential injuries, potential cold injuries/hyperthermia risk;

Coming out of the mines, you will be greeted by a small mining camp and railway track enclosed by mountains on both sides. It’s incredibly sheltered here, with little wind chill and not as much snow on the ground compared to some of the more open areas of Milton. It may be best to rest here for the rest of the night. There are several portacabins that were used to house some of the former miners, along with additional cabins with one being some kind of foreman’s office, one that served as a kind of mess hall and one for bathing/toilet needs.

While there is little in terms of supplies left in there, some scraps may be found here and there — plus the cabins will provide decent shelter from the cold, which may be the last Interlopers will get ahead of the long walk down through the mountain track and into Lakeside. There is also plenty of coal left lying around, too — allowing for Interlopers to craft fires to keep warm. Even with it being sheltered, it’s still cold out.

In terms of where to go from here, the only way seems to be to follow the track. It’s a long walk, but rather straightforward if you keep to the tracks. A good few hours of it, but it’s quiet — and there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of wildlife or windchill here. It almost seems too easy, or as easy as it could be in regards to a long walk through thick snow.

Until you come face to face with the ravine.

The world opens up to you, with the tracks stretching over a huge valley via a… mostly sturdy-looking wooden and steel bridge. There doesn’t seem to be any way around it, no alternative route of getting over to the other side. Crossing the bridge is the only option. Care should be taken, with Interlopers now being vulnerable to the wind and the snow-laden tracks. As sturdy as the bridge looks, it seems to creak and groan under the weight of a single footstep. There even appears to be the remains of fall train-carts in the depths, from some unfortunate incident years ago. It’s probably fine.

Crossing the bridge and continuing down the tracks will eventually have the world opening up even more — you’ve finally reached Lakeside. Thick boreal forests crowd around the tracks, and in places, Interlopers will note that the tracks have buckled and become badly damaged. When they find roads, they will also find them in similar states of disrepair from beneath the snow. Following them for another hour or so will eventually lead to Lakeside’s Maintenance Yard. From here, there is a road, with directions: signs pointing towards Milton, the Coast, Lakeside Resort and the Carter Hydrodam.

For those interested in searching the Maintenance Yard, they will be greeted by a large, fenced in building. Fortunately, a great deal of the fencing has been damaged with the bad weather and it is easy enough to gain access. The place is a bit of a mess: scrap metal, wood, and dissued trucks and cars litter the yard, along with wood that can be used for kindling and firewood. Inside the Maintenance Yard, it is a little bit of a mechanic’s dream. There’s plenty of tools in this place, and even a forge which could be used for crafting if someone has the patience to fire it up and keep it hot for long enough. There’s plenty of stores of coal, at least. But in terms of a living space, there’s not much else other than a small break room with some comfy chairs to catch some quick shut-eye. Searching the Yard for any letters or such will reveal a similar theme to that of Milton: difficulty in reaching the Mainland with postage and correspondences, the lack of staffing, and the problems with wildlife. There are also complaints and concerns over growing dangers of small quakes causing damage to the roads and rail system.

Following the road towards the Lakeside Resort is a mostly quiet and pleasant enough trek, as long as one keeps close to or on the road there as much as possible. The Resort is largely secluded, even if it is around the actual lake itself, and it’s easy to see just why this place would have been a popular vacation place.

The resort is a collection of a dozen luxury cabins dotted around the edge of the lake, each of them with a decent amount of space between them for privacy. The cabins themselves are sturdy and well built, but look far more modern and almost designer in terms of style - with huge almost floor to ceiling windows and spacious porches for that perfect lakeside view, and open plan rooms and balconies. Each of the cabins contain multiple bedrooms, suitable for vacationing families and mix both modern technology and more rustic means of heating homes — making them ideal for all weathers.

A couple of the cabins are not completed, appearing to be a kind of expansion of the resort that was not finished. Build materials still remain here. Some of the cabins on the furthest side appear to have become victims of vandalism, having been broken into and completely trashed with windows smashed, furniture missing and broken, and any goods completely ransacked from the place. There are perhaps five cabins out of the twelve that remain fully intact and may contain useful items such as food, basic medical supplies and tools, and will certainly be excellent shelters for those looking for somewhere to stay.

There is also a Camp Office, situated at the east side of the lake. Used as a kind of main office of maintenance for the cabins, along with an office or tourist centre of sorts. It has a decent stock of hiking and outdoor essentials. The Camp Office does also have a small living space upstairs — presumably used by Lake staff or rangers, with a wood stove and kitchenette, along with a bathroom and several bunk-beds. It appears that the Camp Office wasn't abandoned until a short while ago — no more than a couple of months.

Following the road to the Hydrodam is a trickier one than the one to the Resort. There is a higher volume of predator wildlife here, with wolf howls closer and more frequent. With the current state of wildlife’s behaviours, it is likely to face attacks from wolves on the way there. The Carter Hydrodam has clearly seen better days. It seems to have fallen into disrepair and may have only been run by a small skeleton crew. While the Hydrodam is gated and locked up tight, it’s possible to break in through the gate and gain access.

While the lower dam is currently out of bounds, Interlopers will be able to get into the upper levels of the main building of the Hydrodam, which consists mostly of offices, maintenance rooms, a medical bay, and rooms banked with control panels, plus staff areas. The med bay is relatively well stocked, but might need a little forced entry with certain medical lockers and cabinets. Tools and other useful items can also be found here, along with bunk rooms, a small canteen and bathrooms/showers. It might be possible with some work to get access to hot water here — the showering systems run on a back-up furnace system, and while some of the pipes are broken, it might be possible to fix them to get the hot water system up and running again.

Following the road to the Coast will find a dead end. The bridge that heads over towards that direction has been damaged beyond repair, and there looks to be no way of getting around it. Perhaps, much like with getting out of Milton, there may be an alternate way of getting further south, but time will tell.

But for now, here is an entirely new region, ripe for the picking. While it appears some places have already seen minor scavenging (with the exception to the vandalism and looting of some of the resort cabins), Lakeside is largely untouched. It is full of game to hunt, an expansive lake to take up ice-fishing in, and indoor locations to search through for supplies. Some Interlopers may decide to stay here permanently now that it’s easier to travel between Lakeside and Milton.

THE ECHO

WHEN: Aurora Nights, the month of March.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: supernatural/otherworldly afflictions; themes of grief; themes of loss

There are roughly no more than ten Aurora nights during the month of March, and everything occurs as usual: the insanely bright colours swirling in the skies before you, the crackles and pops of static in the air providing percussion to the strange, ethereal chorus of almost-electrical sounds. The electrics of the world around coming alive with its usual sputtering and falters. There is much mystery to these strange, almost supernatural phenomena — but they almost feel like a kind of staple in the Northern Territories.

But on these nights something different happens.

If you listen closely, the sound of weeping can be heard on the air. Those with the Aurora Call Feat will be particularly drawn to the sound, and will hear it more clearly compared to their fellow Interlopers. It is the sound of a woman, and those paying attention might be able to recognise the voice it belongs to: it is the same woman heard over the static of radios and televisions in December and early January. The same woman that spoke to Interlopers, telling them to sleep, with the promise of help — thus granting some of them powers. It is the same voice that screamed out the night La’an Noonien-Singh died, and the night of those recently killed in the church.

She is… grief-stricken. Her weeping is a raw and anguished thing, and the more you listen, the more it seems to grip at you. You feel her pain, maybe it echoes within your own. Those you have lost, those you have failed or hurt — a reverb that grows stronger as the night continues. It is an all-consuming pain, its depths endless. It brings tears to your eyes.

You carry this pain, as she does.

You feel it in your very bones, in your flesh and sinew. It’s an exhaustive pain, and as the night progresses, you find yourself incredibly weary. In a strange state of fatigue that won’t even allow you to sleep.

You may find yourself going in search of comfort amongst friends, or loved ones. To hold a hand, to embrace them — to not be alone in this pain you feel.

But it is a pain that is too great.

On these nights, you will find yourselves alone, without the comfort you would otherwise lean on. You will not be soothed by that comfort of others. For as long as the Aurora lasts, reaching out and touching others will bring real physical pain to you. It will hurt to touch others, and physical contact will produce a sharp biting pain, even for those who may not feel pain otherwise. Too much. It’s… too much.

Some of you were told once, in a dream: “Don’t you understand it now? We are all connected. The Aurora connects us.”

Once the lights in the sky fade, that pain will finally ease and the woman’s sobs will go quiet — but it will return once more, when the next Aurora comes.

FAQs

EXIT STRATEGY

1. It is entirely possible for NPC Interlopers to die in the mines due to electrocution, and players are free to use NPCs — we ask that players give mods a heads up so that the masterlist can be updated accordingly.


BRAVE NEW WORLD

1. The lower dam is currently completely physically impossible to access. The door that leads there is jammed shut. Characters will notice half-frozen water leaking on the floor around the door.

2. It is possible to find bodies in Lakeside, however there is a... suspiciously low amount of them, and the rare ones found by characters will have been there for some time. They will have appeared to have died of exposure.

3. Wolves can be found in Lakeside, and their tracks are incredibly common. Interactions with wolves can happen in the exploration of this region, and they will behave much like they did during the September event and be incredibly hostile to players.

4. Bears are also common in Lakeside, and their tracks can also be found. They technically should be still hibernating, and much like wolves — they will be aggressive towards Interlopers. Keep your distance!

5. Lakeside unlocking comes with a Companion Event of an Interation with a new NPC!

THE ECHO

1. Essentially: physical touch with others will bring Interlopers physical pain. Sorry about that.

2. It is possible for Interlopers with Aurora Call to attempt to reach out to the woman. Those interested can inquire into what that interaction may be like! They can find out what that entails here.

PLOTTING POST

Comments

exit strategy

[bigbaddy]

[ It's a good thing that someone here is keeping an eye out, really. Sure, Bigby is being relatively cautious, but he's more looking out for the kind of trouble he's used to - either something natural or supernatural. Not something made by humans, like the exposed wiring and the effect it's having on the water. It means he doesn't notice it at all, and the man was really about to head right for the dangerous water.

But when Jim stops him - even though Bigby has zero idea why the other is doing it - he does stop moving. He turns his head to look at the other man, his facial expression more surprised than annoyed by the interruption.

(Though there is, as always, that edge of gruffness. It just never seems to fade on Bigby.) ]

.. what's going on? Did you spot something?

[itio]

[ He gets that. Random stranger tells you to stop, it's perfeclty valid to wonder why you should. But Jim is quick to explain himself, pointing to the wires discreetly dangling in the water, barely noticeable in the darkness of the cave. ]

Unless you want to fry, I'd suggest finding a way around the water. Unless you have another idea.

[ The wires are too far away to get them out of the water, at least with the limited tools they have on hand. He's open to suggestions, though. ]

[bigbaddy]

[ It'd be a hell of a lot easier to spot those wires if he still had his enhanced senses - but even without them he manages to spot it, though definitely only when the other man points them out to him. And after some squinting through this relative darkness. ]

That's electricity?

[ Bigby definitely knows what that is. Despite being centuries old, he's lived in the mundy world for long enough to know.

It's not like he usually deals with the wires up close though, so it's a little harder for him to recognize them than they'd be for normal people. ]

You're telling me we have to cross a mine that's full of electricity and also currently mostly underwater?

[ He'll surely have a more helpful addition in a moment, Jim.

Just.. let Bigby have this moment first to be exasperated at how this place somehow manages to make everything a huge pain in the ass. More so than it ought to be. ]

or I could just not write "unless" twice in the same line, jfc

[itio]

I could be wrong. But I'm not willing to get my foot in the water to check.

[ Despite their circumstances, Jim absolutely prefers being alive and unharmed. He's fairly sure that's the case for most everyone else here too, regardless of their situation being a shitty one. ]

The Aurora giveth and the Aurora taketh away, [ He comments with a tired sigh and apologetic shrug aimed at Bigby. ] We'll just have to figure a way around it. Hopefully there aren't a lot of areas with this much damage.

[ Unlikely, but one has to keep a positive attitude. If they can reach the other wires and safely isolate them, though, it's a start. This one seems a lost cause. ]

ssshh, you're fine!! <33

[bigbaddy]

[ The moment the other guy says he's not willing to get his foot in the water to check - which Bigby finds entirely valid, honestly, since he also prefers for no one to get electrocuted during their little mission here - Bigby is already staring over the water in the direction of the wire. Maybe he's trying to think, trying to do some mental calculations. He knows he's been a lot faster for a few months already now, but.. does that mean he might be able to make the jump across?

.. probably not, he realises. It's a long one, and like Jim says-- the slightest touch could already cause real trouble here.

He releases a sigh, giving in to the idea that the other is right on this one. ]

The deeper we get, the more of a chance there is to run into areas like these. [ Considering the water likely was flowing downwards.. ] Maybe we'd be better off seeing if we can find a way around a little higher up in here.

[itio]

[ Jim is all for wild, reckless ideas, but at the same time, not a huge fan of suicidal moves. Thankfully he's unaware of what goes through Bixby's mind, because that would definitely classify as a suicidal move. It's one thing if their only chance of survival was on the other side of the water— it's another thing entirely to just do something like that when there's no certainty that what lies ahead is better than Milton, or even more than the few resources they have back there.

The second option, and the one Bigby actually presents to him, is much more reasonable, and it makes sense. He nods. ]

That could work. We can try to go back and take a different path. Even if it's not higher, it might at least be drier.

[bigbaddy]

Let's go take a look then.

[ Especially since it's just them here right now - no one else to look out for, or to keep from touching the water without being aware of the consequences of that action. So Bigby just turns, starting to move back in the direction that leads back up, looking over his shoulder to make sure Jim is coming along too. ]

.. you used to this stuff? [ He gestures around him with one of his hands. ] Y'know.. Cave exploration, mine exploration, whichever.

[ It's not exactly Bigby's thing, given that he's much more used to open spaces. It's not enough to freak him out, but it's also not the sort of place that's his domain either - hence why he can't help but ask. Especially since the other man sounds relatively in control. ]

[itio]

[ The possibility that someone else might not be so aware of the danger crosses his mind. Jim isn't going to stick around just in case someone else tries to come through this way, but he'll try his best to put up some kind of warning. Once the path they're walking on is narrow enough, he grabs two long sticks and tips them against the stone walls in a slight tilt, more or less in the shape of an X. That'll have to do. ]

Not necessarily, though where I'm from, Terrans have settled on colonies that are largely built underground, both on Luna and other planets and moons. And I guess I've seen a couple different places like this, while out on missions.

[ Because he knows the question is going to come, he explains, glancing at Bigby. ] I captain a starship, where I'm from.

[bigbaddy]

[ .. hang on, give him a moment. Bigby doesn't pause walking, but his face sure does look like his brain needs a moment to process that. ]

A spaceship. [ He repeats the words like he's trying to wrap his head around them too.

Not that the other man would know, but it is kind of rare for Bigby to be thrown for a loop like this. There's not much that can surprise you when you're actually the Big Bad Wolf and come from a land full of fairytales and other supernatural beings, after all. But space?

Well, that's one of the few things he isn't quite as familiar with. ]

You've got to be the only one here who's from a place like that. [ He pauses once they come to the end of the tunnel, glancing left and right before remembering where they came from. No getting lost just because he had to be surprised about space travel for a moment. ] I haven't heard anyone else mention space before.

[itio]

[ For a moment there, Jim thinks he's headed into another conversation about La'an, or having to explain how he knew her. Not that he doesn't mind, but he also doesn't want everyone here to be reminded of her whenever they see him. Besides, everything's hard enough without having to relive the grief of learning about her death.

So when Bigby instead says he's never met anyone here who's familiar with space travel, tension bleeds from his shoulders, and he breathes out in inaudible relief. ]

I've noticed. Even the few Interlopers more familiar with advanced technology aren't as familiar with space travel as I am. [ Daisy's the one that comes closest, and even then. ] But then, I come from the 23rd century. A little farther ahead than everyone I've met here so far.

[bigbaddy]

Yeah, definitely a little farther ahead.

[ The man seems to take the information in without any sort of surprise though. It's hard to be surprised by someone coming from a few centuries ahead of you when you're practically an ageless being that's existed for as long as humans have told stories, after all. When you're Bigby's age, what's a few centuries more or less.

All it means to him is that it serves as an easy explanation for the space travel. ]

Must make this entire situation even stranger for you than for most though. Being stuck on what's only likely Earth with hardly any working modern conveniences.

[ And stuck walking through dark mine tunnels with apparent risk of electrocution. ]

[itio]

[ To be fair, Jim has met a few people from varying points in time. Anyone who's been here longer than him must have been confronted with these discrepancies before, so he doesn't expect much shock to come from telling them he comes from centuries ahead. He is pretty sure he comes from farther ahead than anyone else here, granted, but still. ]

It's a little strange. Mostly because I've never been to Earth my whole life.

[ Well, only that one time when he traveled back in time, but that doesn't necessarily count. ]

The lack of technology is tricky. I'm definitely not used to living like this, it'll take some time to adapt.

[bigbaddy]

[ Bigby shrugs. ]

Well, if you need some tips.. [ Then Bigby sure is the right guy. Especially when he's used to living with even less than you'd find in this place. One of the upsides of having grown up as a wolf out in the cold north.

And considering how openly he's offered help here before, especially during the last town meeting, the man does figure he can be a little more direct about offering help now. Less of a big and bad reputation to ruin at this point, anyway. ]

It's probably the least I can do for you, given that you practically just saved my life back there.

[itio]

I'll take you on that offer, actually.

[ He does need all the help he can get, and he's absolutely not the type to turn it down out of some misplaced sense of pride. He wants to survive here, and more than just that, he wants to be useful. He's doing no one any good by being dead weight for others to worry about. ]

But you don't owe me or anything. I mean, it's not like I like watching people fry to death. [ He comments with a small smile, looking at his companion while the stretch of walk ahead is a little more flat. ] I'm Jim, by the way.

[bigbaddy]

Bigby Wolf. [ He seems to offer up his own name relatively easily in turn, even as they reach the shaft that leads to the higher areas of the mines. Bigby has to turn and look for the ladder for a moment, not seeing as good in the relative darkness as he used to before this place took away all of his enhanced senses - but then he spots it enough to be able to start climbing up, looking down to see if the other guy is still following him. ]

And for the record, keeping me from frying to death is already putting more effort into showing me kindness than most other people I know.

[ .. it sounds kind of bleak, but.. you know.

Bigby is saying it in the half-nonchalant sort of way that indicates it's just objective truth to him. ]

Not here, I mean. Most people here are surprisingly at least halfway decent.

[itio]

[ He is still following, rest assured. Jim may be a little more used to underground installations but it doesn't mean he likes them. Any way that is up feels like progress to him. ]

Sounds like you need to meet better people, [ He offers with an amused huff. Well, Jim has his moments. He'd love to help everyone who needs it, but sometimes he's got more to think about than just helping. In this place, though, it's not like he has to worry about a whole ship, or an entire crew; he's not going to turn his back on anyone in need of a helping hand. ]

Considering our situation— [ He pauses for a moment on the way up, so he doesn't get breathless from the effort of climbing and talking both. ] Think it'll serve anyone here much better if they're decent to others.

[ Better chances of survival if they all know they can rely on each other. Jim would be much more reluctant to help anyone who he knows would betray him first chance they got. ]

[bigbaddy]

[ Considering Bigby was the one going ahead, he waits up for Jim on the upper side of the ladder - not wanting to go ahead without the other, even though Jim seems like the kind of guy who can manage going around here without getting himself into too much trouble.

It gives him a moment to contemplate the other's words, anyway. ]

Can't say you're wrong about that. [ That's the first remark he has in regards to that, but-- Bigby is still thinking about more than that. He's a sheriff for a reason, after all.

Hence why he can't help but ask: ] Have you ran into anyone in this place that seemed like they weren't being decent?

[itio]

[ Never hurts to be cautious. Anything could happen, no matter how careful Jim might be. Also trouble has a tendency to find him.

He catches up to Bigby and keeps climbing, taking a moment to think through that question. Eventually, he shakes his head, lips pursed. ]

Not really. I haven't met too many Interlopers yet, to be fair. [ That's certainly an interesting question, though. ] Is there anyone I should be careful about?

[bigbaddy]

[ There's a huff, and for a moment it seems like Bigby is more focused on moving, since he doesn't answer the other guy right away - but maybe it's just that he was thinking, judging by what Bigby says when he does speak up again. ]

.. well, I can't exactly say I've got an extremely clean past. [ He might as well put that out there himself, he figures, before someone else does it for him. Even if not everyone here knows what exactly he is or what he's done the way people did back home, it might inevitably come to light at some point, and he'd rather be the one contextualising it rather than having people do that all on their own. ] But I like to think of myself as a changed man.

[ He's trying. He really is. ]

I've heard stories of at least one other person who didn't do great things back home-- though I don't know if he's changed as much as I have. Someone here told me to keep an eye out for him because of it.

[itio]

[ That's a little surprising. When he asked if he should worry about someone, he didn't expect Bigby to name himself before anyone else. The honesty leaves a good impression on Jim, admittedly, and he smiles a little to himself, glancing up from where he's following Bigby.

There's a bit of silence before he answers any of that. ]

I try not to judge people on past actions. Well— within reason, [ he says honestly. ] Who's this other guy?

[bigbaddy]

Guy named Hickey.

[ He isn't sure whether or not Jim has already run into the guy. It's a small town, after all, and Bigby knows Hickey's been here for about as long as Bigby himself has been. Still, just in case Jim hasn't, Bigby figures he should give a description in case the other guy might have seen him in passing without an introduction. ]

Short guy, kind of got a moustache and goatee thing going on. He's one of the boat guys.

[ "Boat guys".. please, at least say "members of a navy expedition", Bigby, come on..

Despite his rather nonchalant usage of words like that, though, Bigby sounds pretty serious as he speaks about this. ]

Another one of the boat guys warned me about him. Apparently he killed people before he ended up in this place.

[itio]

[ No, Jim hasn't met him, so the description helps. It's not like he's going to start trouble, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious around someone who's potentially dangerous. He'd rather know than be in the dark, as much as he honestly believes that people should be deserving of a second chance. ]

The boat guys? [ Sorry, he has met like one of them so far, he hasn't yet realized there are more from the same world. But how Bigby says it at least makes it obvious that they all come from the same reality, and the same point in time. ]

Any particular reason why he did it? [ Not that he'll be any less cautious, but... you know. It would be good to know. ]

[bigbaddy]

[ He hums like he's thinking. ]

I'm not sure. Something about a mutiny? Probably a boat guys thing. [ You know, a boat guys thing!

.. Bigby definitely means 'a naval sort of thing', but he's not quite eloquent enough for that explanation. And of course someone who is actually just a wolf would know very, very little about how anything involving boats or the navy works..

Not that he's planning on leaving Jim completely confused and in the dark though. The other seems reasonable enough, and Bigby figures that he's the type who will go out and find information if he wants to learn more. So.. ]

If you're curious about it, you can ask Edward. Also one of the people from that world. Muttonchops, usually wearing this huge coat around town, always looks a little bit sad or worried? [ Jim is truly getting only the most beautiful and comprehensive descriptions here. ] He's the one that told me, and I like to think I know him well enough by now to trust his word. He's a good guy.

[itio]

[ Boat guys can only carry so many meanings. Jim will figure it out, eventually. Didn't Edward say something about a naval expedition? He can't even remember now, what with the topic of their first conversation. But he's going to figure that out.

But when Bigby brings up the man himself, Jim's expression shifts, looking far less confused. ]

I've met Edward, yes. Not... Muttonchops. But I'll see about fixing that. [ Can't be the guy's real name, right? Well, maybe it is, he'll have to work that one out. He's heard weirder names, he's sure. ] So, we're what, about sixty or so Interlopers? If there's just one guy we need to be worried about, that's not too bad.

[ He doubts there's only one person he needs to worry about. But let him just be optimistic for a little while. ]

[bigbaddy]

Yeah. I think that if there truly were a lot of shitty people among us, we would've seen their true nature already.

[ Sure, some people are capable of staying low. Of scheming. But it's a whole lot easier to do that sort of thing in a big city like New York back home than it is to do that in this place, where the town is so much smaller and there's so fewer people around.

If there was something shady going on, surely someone would have noticed it already by now. ]

And-- honestly, even that guy I was talking about seems to have been behaving himself so far. The most offensive thing he's done is trying to encourage everyone to eat wolf meat.