[ BOUNTY ]

[sheriffexe]

BOUNTY (MILLA)

The message comes by carrier pigeon actually, which is a pretty weird way to deliver a message but of course, it's thematic. A very pretty looking brown pigeon swoops down out of the sky to wherever Milla just so happens to be that afternoon and holds out its leg. The message is short and simple: Got a job for you. Meet me at the farm at dusk. No show, no job. Keep it a secret, rewarded very well. - Hal P.S. Burn this. And that's it. Of course, if Milla chooses to listen to the message, she will find the Sheriff at the farm at dusk, chewing a piece of tobacco and watching the sun set. She'll be greeted with a tip of his hat and one word: "Bounty." And then he holds out a small notebook. Looks like Milla's been chosen for one of those roles that were mentioned. Good luck.

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Comments

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . nice and warm was not what she expected, but she does suppose it makes sense. despite her urge to wander and poke around, she remains a polite guest and follows the Sheriff into the kitchen]

Both, please. But not too much, as I only like my tea slightly sweet.

[sheriffexe]

[ A nod. ]

You got it. Just waiting for the water now. Is there something you want?

[thatsthespirit]

[folds her arms and leans against the wall]

Answers, as usual. I noticed you seemed quite. . . melancholy, earlier today. Why is that?

[sheriffexe]

Eh, game's ending this week. Always a bit sad when that happens.

[thatsthespirit]

-- it is?

[and this is the second time she's been taken off guard in this conversation, although she also feels a small spark of. . . relief]

How can you-- [no, of course he knows, he always knows, doesn't he? and she doubts he'd spoil the ending for her. so instead, she shakes her head and just exhales deeply]

I suppose my thoughts on that are far different than yours. I'm glad.

[sheriffexe]

[ The pot finally starts to whistle and the Sheriff begins to serve them, pouring water and milk and sugar into mugs and letting things steep. As he works, he'll talk. ]

Ain't what you think. Game is over, means I'm about to get a reboot -- which is fine, for the record. I don't have any regard for the wipes either way. I just don't like being shelved so long. It always gets boring after a while till the next one is run. I have nothing to do in the meantime other than a complete system shut down. Thus, a bit melancholy.

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . oh. that's actually kind of. . . sad. does she feel bad for him? she does, a little bit. she never thought this would happen oh my god]

You're not allowed to take a vacation? Travel the universes, see the sights?

[sheriffexe]

[ A shake of his head. ]

Where would I go? Ain't got a purpose to it. Might as well wait. I can deal with a bit of restlessness.

[thatsthespirit]

You can't make your own purpose? Or is that beyond the capabilities you were built with?

[sheriffexe]

Second one. Ain't got the ability so, eh. Oh well, just a year or so to wait.

[thatsthespirit]

[well. . .]

[if he doesn't mind it, then she supposes she shouldn't feel too bad for him. especially not after everything that's happened]

Hn. If you say so.

I also wanted to ask you about the train. It's been running ever since Ao and Tiara died. Is there a reason for that? And where is it going?

[sheriffexe]

They took it home, so I had to replace it. Now, this train will send you back home when everyone's on it.

[thatsthespirit]

[. . . ah. . .]

. . . I see.

Does that mean we all have to die? Or is there another way to enter the train?

[sheriffexe]

Nope. Just the one way.

[thatsthespirit]

. . . I feared as much.

[he's only confirming her suspicions, so she isn't quite as surprised as she might have been some six weeks ago. still, the way her brow furrows is evidence enough of her displeasure]

How does that work, precisely? If there is only one person left, and that final survivor wins the game, then how would they enter the train?

[sheriffexe]

Either I kill them or they kill themselves. At that point the game is over, the only thing they have to do is die.

[thatsthespirit]

[THAT'S SO HARSH]

Why make the winner die in order to go home? After all, presumably they would have fought very hard to stay alive. Is it all for the sake of your employer's "entertainment?"

[sheriffexe]

No. At that point, it's not about the game. Once the final decision is cast, my employers ain't got any investment. It's about a safe travel home and that can only happen once they're on the train. Ain't any other way to get on it.

[thatsthespirit]

[:I!]

You couldn't have at least come up with an exception for the winner? It seems. . . unnecessary, to make death the only means of boarding the train home.

[sheriffexe]

I once explained how the train works to you. A vessel of sorts.

I suppose it's unfortunate [ Though it's clear the Sheriff doesn't actually mean it ] but there's no other way to contain them and move them elsewhere.

It's usually a quick death, at least.

[thatsthespirit]

[she sighs lightly. closes her eyes for a moment. swallows down a bit of anger that spikes at the way he says unfortunate]

[she composes herself quickly, knowing there's no point in getting angry now, when she had already known the answers she was about to receive]

I suppose quick and relatively painless is a blessing, compared to the deaths some of the others have suffered here.

[sheriffexe]

Exactly. Ain't a big deal really.

[thatsthespirit]

It is, for the person who is dying.

[but she doesn't expect him to see that, so she just. waits for the tea to be finished instead]

[and also changes the subject to something lighter, now that she got the answers she wanted]

. . . who will take care of your cat while you're out of commission?

[sheriffexe]

[ He'll be handing her her mug now and shrugging at the question about Cream Soda. A glance over to the snoozing cat then but, alas. ]

I'll keep 'em somewhere that'll satisfy him till the next time. He won't be mistreated.