[Adrenaline Drive] - [Act 1]

[badbulletshield]

[ Beneath the strange light of this world's two moons - one round and white, the other small, misshapen, and red - the steel lines of twin train tracks glisten, running parallel over the horizon. The land in all directions around is all high, rolling hills, grassy and dotted with thick, clustered shrubs but sparse of trees. The peace here is

Comments

[waterfell]

Excuse me. I'm sorry for intruding.

[She doesn't particularly seem it; the courteous words seem more like a distant habit and she seems quite comfortable with the idea of having barged in as if she belongs.

The speaker turns out to be a girl in her late teens perhaps, dark-haired and dark-eyed, Asian features, fashionably but modestly dressed. She takes a few steps closer; her heels tick against the floor of the car.]

Shall we keep each other company awhile?

[badbulletshield]

Eh--

[ That doesn't sound like his waitress. Setting aside his menu, Abel simply stares for a moment, as if he doesn't quite comprehend - strange women don't usually barge into his dreams on days when he most decidedly hasn't met any cute girls (and maybe once he wakes, he'll find this peculiar, then, too).

But it would be impolite to turn her down, since it seems there are rather few options for strangers seeking momentary companionship, in this deserted car. So he doesn't. ]

I suppose. It's really no trouble, you know. I haven't any more claim to a public dining car than the next person.

I'd hate to seem like the type who only likes to eat alone, anyway.

[waterfell]

[It's almost enough to make her smile waver; she has too many memories of trying to convince herself it was fine to eat alone at school.

No matter; the flippant demeanor is back after just a brief moment. She seats herself nearby, posture perfect.]

Thank you for your invitation.

[badbulletshield]

[ Abel smiles disarmingly, by all intents a perfectly natural look. He's kind of a mess, not possessed of the neatest of table manners, but cheerful enough to make up for it. ]

Ah, like I said-- It's not as if I own the place! We're all just passengers, together, so we should definitely try to share.

[waterfell]

Where are you going? [Everyone should know that; just don't ask her the same question.]

[badbulletshield]

[ Luckily, Abel's a bit self-centered, in that respect, and is perfectly happy just to talk about himself, for the moment. ]

Oh, to Rome, of course! It's going to be a long trip, but since the food is so good, I'm not really bothered.

[waterfell]

[Rome, huh? Europe. Zoisite's territories. Well, whatever; it doesn't mean she has to see him. In this world - she's getting used to the dream nexus - he probably isn't even there. Or perhaps he has a very different life.]

I'm hungry, too. How do we order the meals?

[badbulletshield]

Uh, well, my waitress was just here...

[ Glancing back over his shoulder, he tries to get a look through the window on the door at the back of the car, hoping to see some sign of movement.

It's totally hopeless. ]

...Though it seems like she's gone and gotten herself lost.

[ But then he perks up again. ]

At any rate, I've already ordered plenty, and I've barely gotten around to half of it-- [ As evidenced by the tables stacked several behind him (was all that food there, before?) with untouched appetizers and courses of all kinds. ] So if there's anything here that looks good to you, you can go ahead and help yourself, Miss.

[waterfell]

Should you really offer that so easily to someone you don't know?

[This rather bland question covers the confusion of why he'd immediately invite her someone to join him.

Nevertheless, Ami's already seated, and she tidily helps herself to a few neat portions of foods that look appealing.]

[badbulletshield]

Is there any reason I shouldn't?

[ It's almost a rhetorical question, the way he phrases it, enduringly cheerful. ]

It really is a lot of food, at any rate-- And I do believe I've already explained to you my philosophy of trains! It takes no effort for me to share the wealth, so I've no excuse not to.

[waterfell]

You're a good person. [She doesn't ridicule him, exactly, but there's an embedded 'I'm not' in the tone.]

Why Rome? [In her world, probably thanks to Zoisite, it's still a spiritual center; but it isn't her first thought.]

[badbulletshield]

It's where I work. I'm a priest, so I'm on my way back to the Vatican, at present.

[ On that other point, he doesn't press her. It might put him off his meal to correct her mistake, after all. ]

[waterfell]

It's rare that I'd meet a priest. [She is, after all, from Japan; Christianity is present, but not dominant.]

Does it mean we should talk about our souls?

[badbulletshield]

Ah, only if you want?

[ It isn't the first time he's been asked something similar, up front. Outside Vatican territory, priests are rather rare, and he's always been something of a novelty, himself, in any regard. With a plainly noncommittal shrug, he hoped it was obvious he wouldn't push the issue, one way or the other. ]

That's awfully heavy talk to have over a meal, though, isn't it? I usually prefer to keep things pleasant where food is involved.

[waterfell]

Are you saying you don't find that pleasant?

You're strange for a priest, aren't you?

[She smiles blandly, and reaches for a drink. She has no real fear of poisons, and besides, the priest has been eating and drinking, too.]

[badbulletshield]

Well, certain aspects of that type of conversation I don't find at all objectionable, certainly... But it's often a touchy subject, too.

[ And everything about his present demeanor says that he's really not the sort of person who wants in the least to argue, let alone to do so over religious matters. ]

I guess I am a little unique, though if you don't know many priests, it might be best not to decide I'm all that interesting, right away. You could be really disappointed, later-on!