Topic: TRAIN

[MartAnimE]

[MAP] [TSUKASA]

SUBARU smiles as you stumble and sit down in front of her. "It's so nice to finally meet you in person, TSUKASA!", she shakes your hand.
She takes a good look at you, trying not to linger or make you uncomfortable, "You look so cool! I love your shades!", she compliments you.
"Oh I thought you knew?", she answers your question, "I also accepted a job in Bee City. We'll be neighbours and colleagues. Isn't that exciting?"

As you're talking, the MENU appears on a screen in front of you. While you're browsing, a robot waiter appears to take your order. "Welcome to TRAIN Restaurant & Bar."
"You may input your order on the screen in front of you. Please let me know if you got any special requests, food allergies, or dietary restrictions. Thank you."
SUBARU browses the screen, "Oh wow, so much to choose from...", she presses a few buttons, "I'll have the burger and fries and a strawberry milkshake."
"Yes, ma'am.", the waiter nods, "And for you, sir?", the waiter misgenders you. SUBARU looks at you awkwardly, wondering if she should say anything.

[MartAnimE]

MAP | [Elenore]

As you start eating, you notice SPEEDY is completely engrossed watching Nei, barely touching his own food. He smiles warmly as Nei rushes through her ice cream first.
"Oh easy there, you're gonna get brain freeze.", he warns her, as he chuckles. "What's brain freeze?", Nei asks innocently. SPEEDY pokes her forehead gently.
"It means your brain will turn into ice cream.", he jokes. "No way!", she laughs, as SPEEDY takes a napkin and wipes some ice cream off Nei's face.
Layla eats extremely fast and already finished her whole meal. She looks the type to consume a lot of calories, given her muscular built.
Nei is full of ice cream and soda and trying to get rid of the rest of her fries by offering them to Layla. Layla is happy to oblige her.

While they're distracted, SPEEDY turns his attention back to you. "Thank you for joining us today, Elenore.", he says, sincerely.
"I don't know what you might have heard or read about me, but truthfully, I'm just a dad, doing my best to raise a family.", he pauses.
"I know how this might look... Not everyone has been accepting of Nei. Some have said I'm just playing pretend.", his expression turns grave.

[Pulsen]

MAP | [Elenore]

As you start eating, you notice SPEEDY is completely engrossed watching Nei, barely touching his own food. He smiles warmly as Nei rushes through her ice cream first.
"Oh easy there, you're gonna get brain freeze.", he warns her, as he chuckles. "What's brain freeze?", Nei asks innocently. SPEEDY pokes her forehead gently.
"It means your brain will turn into ice cream.", he jokes. "No way!", she laughs, as SPEEDY takes a napkin and wipes some ice cream off Nei's face.
Layla eats extremely fast and already finished her whole meal. She looks the type to consume a lot of calories, given her muscular built.
Nei is full of ice cream and soda and trying to get rid of the rest of her fries by offering them to Layla. Layla is happy to oblige her.

While they're distracted, SPEEDY turns his attention back to you. "Thank you for joining us today, Elenore.", he says, sincerely.
"I don't know what you might have heard or read about me, but truthfully, I'm just a dad, doing my best to raise a family.", he pauses.
"I know how this might look... Not everyone has been accepting of Nei. Some have said I'm just playing pretend.", his expression turns grave.

"You're welcome. As a cyborg, I do understand... You are a far more dutiful and loving father than my own. So don't let the words of naysayers bother you."

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

"Thank you, that means a lot to me.", SPEEDY smiles softly, humbled by your compassion and understanding.
"What was your father like?", he asks, in a reserved tone, knowing this is probably a sensitive topic for you.

[intjeragon]

[MADLAX]: "You'll die you know?" Madlax says to Vanessa while looking out the window at the rolling hills zooming by while sipping on her morning tea. It's a mild herbal tea with no sugar.

Vanessa feels unease at the young woman's words. The girl has protected her from Enfant agents ever since she traveled to Gazth-Sonika to find the truth behind the false war and reveal it to the world. Madlax didn’t have to but she took credit for stealing the data incriminating Enfant in orchestrating the war. The girl took the heat for Vanessa and was prepared to carry the burden alone while Vanessa got to walk away from the edge of the abyss and resume her normal life in Nafrece.

No one had ever done something so selfless for her. She didn’t want to let what Madlax had done for her go to waste, so she honored Madlax’s request and took a flight back to Nafrece. But as the weeks rolled by the injustice of it all weighed heavier on her heart. One night, after a drink too many, Vanessa tried to go public with the truth on the Extranet but quickly learned that Enfant was more than prepared. Her posts were taken down and all her Extranet accounts deleted. She couldn’t even access her personal email. It was as if her entire Extranet existence had been erased. Vanessa was marked for termination by Enfant and agents in Nafrece knew exactly where to look for her.

Vanessa had an encrypted point to point communication channel that Madlax had shared with her before they said their goodbyes. The first thing she did was call Madlax. She used a touchscreen phone, an outdated technology that was all but forgotten, so outdated that according to Badgis, Enfant no longer tapped it. The phone rang so many times that Vanessa was ready to give up but just before she could end the call, Madlax came through. Vanessa explained what she had just done. Madlax called her stupid. She sounded annoyed but it only lasted a moment. Madlax knew Vanessa didn’t have much time before Enfant would bust into her apartment. Vanessa’s only chance at survival was to flee Nafrece. Madlax stayed on the phone and guided Vanessa every step of the way until she was safe on a night train at Central Station that would take her to a safehouse in Strasbourg.

Vanessa stayed a few nights at the safehouse. During this time, she and Madlax hashed out a plan. Madlax would travel to Nafrece and Vanessa would take the train back to Central Station where they would board TRAIN, their ticket to a new life in Bee City, with new identities curtesy of Badgis.

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

"Thank you, that means a lot to me.", SPEEDY smiles softly, humbled by your compassion and understanding.
"What was your father like?", he asks, in a reserved tone, knowing this is probably a sensitive topic for you.

"To be honest I don't remember much other than he liked to drink. He left us when I was a child. So it was my mother and grandfather who raised me."

[noirlax]

[MAP] [Doon]

"Arrest you, huh?", Limelda takes out her handcuffs, playfully dangling them in front of you. DOG quickly scans you, focusing his menacing glowing green eyes on you.
"Perhaps later...", she puts her cuffs away and DOG ceases staring at you, realizing you pose no real threat. His AI seems too basic to pick up human innuendo.
"It's a bit early for me, but I'll take you up on that drink. I'm bored out of my mind and you seem like an interesting man, Carrossea. Lead the way."

You walk together to the bar. There's a group of four on the right, a young couple on the left, and that guy who bumped into you earlier is sitting alone at the bar.
You sit at the last table on the right. A couple of women with a cat just walked in behind you. They sit across from you. DOG seems interested in their cat.
The MENU appears on a screen in front of you. While you're browsing, a robot waiter appears to take your order. "Welcome to TRAIN Restaurant & Bar."

"You may input your order on the screen in front of you. Please let me know if you got any special requests, food allergies, or dietary restrictions. Thank you."
"I'll have a BLT and a black coffee.", she hesitates, pressing the buttons on the screen, "Pour a shot of scotch in it.", she adds, "I'm on vacation after all."
"Would your DOG like anything?", the waiter asks, noticing DOG is not equipped with digits or a speech function, therefore unable to order for himself.
"My partner DOG is old school, he doesn't need to eat or drink. He's a well-calibrated weapon, not a pet, not a toy.", she proudly informs the waiter.
"Understood, ma'am.", the waiter nods politely, as he registers that information on his database. "And what can I get you, sir?", he turns to you.

[Doon]:

*Looking at all the lovely girls in the restaurant, this is the menu he's interested in. What a buffet for his GIFT. That blonde and that Asian girl, those two cute girl couple*
 *Too much meat isn't good for you but I'm not a good man*
Doon thinks to himself.


"Yes you have to loosen up with some alcohol" Doon smiles at Limelda.
"For my own breakfast, I like some Bacon & Eggs & Toast with Extra Sausage! What's Eggs without a good sausage?" Doon jokes with Limelda.
"I'll also have Black Coffee with a bit of scotch as well and an order of fries to share" Doon asks confidently.
*Obviously the fries are to share for some unexpectedly lewd handholding* Doon confides to himself as he grins at his cunning plan. 

[noirlax]

[MAP] [Kirika] [Myshkin]

The three of you walk into the restaurant. It's filling up as the morning approaches afternoon. You take the fifth table on the left.
Across from you sits that group you saw earlier in the hallway, a man, a woman officer, and her DOG partner. The DOG is staring at Myshkin.
The MENU appears on a screen in front of you. While you're browsing, a robot waiter appears to take your order. "Welcome to TRAIN Restaurant & Bar."
"You may input your order on the screen in front of you. Please let me know if you got any special requests, food allergies, or dietary restrictions. Thank you."

"Eggs Benedict. And...", Mireille seems undecided, "You know, I was thinking coffee, but your cocktails look spectacular. I'll have a Bloody Mary instead."
Rather unusual for Mireille to drink alcohol first thing in the morning, but you sense she's feeling a little tense and looking to relax and unwind.
"Yes ma'am.", the waiter replies to Mireille, then turns to Kirika, "What can I get you, miss?", he waits for your order, then turning to Myshkin.
"And the gentleman?", he asks politely, realizing the cat has a speech collar and therefore should be addressed as a person and not a pet.

*Kirika notices Doon and thinks THIS MAN IS A PERVERT! But I don't care if he ravages and defiles me, every nook and cranny as long as he doesn't lay a finger on my beloved Mireille. Oh Kirika,  don't have those thoughts. I need to loosen up too.*

"Pancakes and Fruit please, I'm a vegetarian and hot cocoa with a dash of daiquiri" Kirika answers to the waiter.

*She scans the room secretly and senses another blonde girl. She seems deadly too, she can feel it. Kirika turns away her attention back to Myshkin*

*Petting Myshkin as she smiles towards Mireille* "What will you like my Prince?"

[Forlorn Hope]

[MAP] [TSUKASA]

SUBARU smiles as you stumble and sit down in front of her. "It's so nice to finally meet you in person, TSUKASA!", she shakes your hand.
She takes a good look at you, trying not to linger or make you uncomfortable, "You look so cool! I love your shades!", she compliments you.
"Oh I thought you knew?", she answers your question, "I also accepted a job in Bee City. We'll be neighbours and colleagues. Isn't that exciting?"

As you're talking, the MENU appears on a screen in front of you. While you're browsing, a robot waiter appears to take your order. "Welcome to TRAIN Restaurant & Bar."
"You may input your order on the screen in front of you. Please let me know if you got any special requests, food allergies, or dietary restrictions. Thank you."
SUBARU browses the screen, "Oh wow, so much to choose from...", she presses a few buttons, "I'll have the burger and fries and a strawberry milkshake."
"Yes, ma'am.", the waiter nods, "And for you, sir?", the waiter misgenders you. SUBARU looks at you awkwardly, wondering if she should say anything.

[TSUKASA] *blushes a little bit* Woah..I feel weird. Subaru is..hold my hands. It's so warm..

*notices SUBARU looking at her and pulls aways sheepishly* "Thanks. Uh, yeah, exciting!" Haha"

*her face falls a little bit at being misgendered but doesn't bother to correct thd robot* What should I choose.. *after what feels like ages she closes the menu* "I'll have what she's having"

[Kapenguin]

[Myshkin]

"The filet, please! Blue as can be, there's a good chap."

He turns to Mireille.

"Oi, don't you cheap out on me. I deserve this one, eh?"

[MartAnimE]

[MAP] [MADLAX]

The TRAIN is already hours away from Nafrece, heading full speed towards the Atlantic, where the real journey will begin.
You and Vanessa finish unpacking and, after the initial stress of being on the run winds down, you finally feel like you can relax a bit.
All passengers are hired workers and investors for Bee City. Mostly tech savvy, a few guns for hire, you'd wager. Nothing you can't handle, you assess.
The two of you could use a warm meal and a drink. You cautiously decide to leave your room and head towards the Restaurant & Bar. As you do, you run into a small group.
There's a teenage looking girl with two Dolls, a boy and a girl. You heard about Dolls before, the newest trend in AI robots, but this is the first time you've seen any in person.

A third Doll, another boy, comes running down the hallway but stops suddenly, as he sees the group. "Hey, you!", he addresses the first boy.
"Huh... me?", the first boy asks, confused. "Yes, you! I'm SORA! Wanna play Mortal Kombat with me?", he brandishes the video game case enthusiastically.
"I'm Poupée.", he replies awkwardly, "I never played that before, hmm...", he turns towards the older girl for permission, "Can I, Margaret?", he asks tentatively.
"Sure.", Margaret replies, "Laetitia and I will be at the Restaurant. Have fun with your new friend!", she smiles and waves at him, as SORA and Poupée enter the room in front of you.

Witnessing people behave in such a trusting and carefree fashion is a bit foreign to you, but you're not in Gazth-Sonika anymore, you try not to think much of it.
You're ready to continue heading towards the Restaurant, when Vanessa unexpectedly speaks up, approaching the girl named Margaret. "Margaret? I thought that was you!"
"Oh? Hmm... I'm sorry, you are?", Margaret tilts her head, confused, not recognizing Vanessa right away. Vanessa smiles warmly, seemingly unsurprised by the younger girl's reaction.
"You haven't changed a bit.", she teases, "It's me, Vanessa! Your old tutor? I didn't think I'd find you on this TRAIN. But I shouldn't be surprised, you've made quite a name for yourself lately!"

"Vanessa!", Margaret's face lights up as she finally realizes who she's speaking with, "I missed you.", she rushes to hug Vanessa affectionately.
"I missed you too.", Vanessa hugs her back, "I meant to check on you, but I got so caught up with work...", she explains, avoiding going into details.
"Oh right! This is my little sister, Laetitia.", Margaret introduces the Doll, "My little brother Poupée was here too, just now. I hope you can meet him later."
"It's nice meeting you both.", Laetitia nods politely, noticing your presence before Margaret does. Margaret finally notices and looks at you, realizing you're with Vanessa.
"I'm Margaret. Margaret Burton.", she pauses and smiles at you disarmingly, waiting to get your name, "Would you both like to join us for lunch?", she then invites rather casually.

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

SPEEDY sighs sympathetically, sensing your disappointment, "I can relate. I never knew my parents, but I was pretty close with my grandpa."
"It was his dying wish that I never let a girl carry anything heavy. I try to live by it to this day.", he laughs, trying to lighten the mood with an anecdote.
"Why can't girls carry heavy things?", Nei suddenly joins the conversation, "I think Layla could carry you, dad.", she remarks innocently. Layla blushes slightly.
"Are you calling me heavy, young lady?", SPEEDY laughs louder, never ceasing to be amused by Nei's questions, "I better take it easy on the bacon...". Nei laughs along with him.
"But you're not wrong, Nei. You see, grandpa was a chivalrous gentleman, from a different time.", he explains, "You should help those in need, organic or cybernetic, regardless of gender."
You all finish your meals as you continue talking. The waiter returns, asking if you need anything else. SPEEDY lets you answer first then orders another coffee, insisting on paying for everything.

[MartAnimE]

[Doon]

The waiter takes your orders and excuses himself, making his way back to the kitchen to fetch your food and drinks.
"So... You like a good sausage, hey Doon?", Limelda cuts to the chase, unable to ignore your double entendres.
"I'm a bit surprised but not disappointed.", she informs you, "I like a man who's not afraid to bottom."
She eyes you suggestively, eagerly awaiting your next move. DOG continues staring at the cat.
The waiter soon returns with your orders. Limelda downs her hot coffee almost instantly.
"Would you like a refill, ma'am?", the waiter offers, noticing her now empty coffee mug.
"Double scotch. Neat.", she replies. The waiter then turns to you, "Anything else, sir?"

[MartAnimE]

[Kirika] [Myshkin]

"An excellent choice, sir.", the waiter takes note of Myshkin's special request. "Eat as much as you want, your highness.", Mireille replies to Myshkin, in a playful sarcastic tone.
He takes Kirika's order but seems confused. "My apologies, ma'am. Did you mean to order one hot cocoa and one daiquiri cocktail, two separate drinks?", he confirms.
"It's unusual to mix a cocktail with another drink, as it's already a mixed drink itself. Excessive mixing might corrupt the flavours, according to my data.", he explains.
"My programming requires me to double check for any orders that might sound anomalous or unsavory. But we will gladly accommodate any requests, of course."
"Well then, can I order a single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man's hat?", Mireille jokes, wondering if the waiter would catch the reference.
"Ma'am?", the waiter turns to Mireille, more confused than ever. "Just a joke...", she sighs, slightly exasperated. The waiter turns back to Kirika.

[MartAnimE]

[TSUKASA]

You might not have said anything out loud, but SUBARU noticed the discomfort on your face.
"Your orders will be ready shortly.", the waiter hurries back to the kitchen to fetch your food and drinks.
"TSUKASA, I...", SUBARU hesitates, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to overstep, but I thought you'd correct the waiter."
She looks and smiles at you, "It doesn't change anything for me, you know, whether you're a boy or a girl.", she assures you.