the train to the afterlife meme.

[bottecellie]

The Train to the Afterlife Meme

Congratulations: You are dead.

 

Maybe you know how, maybe you don't. Perhaps the memory is fuzzy, or perhaps it's crystal clear down to the look in your comrades' eyes. Maybe it was your time; you've done all you wanted to. Or maybe you weren't at all ready to go, maybe you went out kicking and screaming - but none of it matters. You know you're dead, and the train is taking you to an afterlife. Perhaps an afterlife of your choice; you might've earned that heaven. Or perhaps you've earned something else entirely.

 

It'll be a bit of a journey, though, so you might as well take your time and talk to the other people in your coach. Death knows no place: most of them are strangers, even from faraway worlds. But death knows no time either, so who knows, some of them may be people you know, even if last you knew, they were alive - or long gone.

 

Oh look, here comes the snack cart.

 

All the usual:

 

• Post with your character's name and canon in the subject line.

• Said character is now dead for whatever reason - canon, AU, what have you. They are on a train with other dead people from many other times, places and worlds.

• Characters don't know for a fact where they're headed - just a general awareness that they're going to some kind of afterlife. Whatever they think it is is up to the player.

• This meme is built especially for cross-canon interaction, and potentially for threadjacking and group threading - if you're interested, may be a good idea to state as much in your subject line.

• Tag around and play nice!

• TRIGGER WARNING: Meme obviously deals with death and may deal with other unpleasant themes as a result. Please be cautious.

Comments

[illegitimately]

[... Well, Toale can't say he's surprised. Death is inevitable on the battlefield, after all—his prosthetic arm and leg are a constant reminder of that, as a remainder of when he first died.

It looks like this time's a bit more permanent, though. Either way, he's taking it fairly well, as he approaches Shulk with a faint smile.]

Excuse me, but is that seat taken?

[Gesturing to the next seat that Shulk's sword happens to be hogging—]

[monadont]

[The sound of someone speaking to him jerks Shulk out of his thoughts. He quickly shakes his head and moves his sword so that it's leaning against his shoulder.]

Sorry about that.

[Shulk attempts a smile, but it's a ghost of his usual one.]

I guess you're here for the same reason?

[illegitimately]

It's fine.

[He sits down next to him.]

Well, that depends on what that reason is.

[monadont]

[Shulk looks away.]

Dying.

[illegitimately]

[Toale doesn't, though he does stare at his feet a bit.]

... That would be it, yes.

[It's not said with any particular sadness—more of resignation than anything.

He looks at Shulk.]

I'm sorry.

[monadont]

[Shulk looks back at Toale when he hears the apology, and shakes his head.]

It's... fine.

[Not really. But him being dead isn't this guy's fault at all. Realising something, he straightens from his slouch and holds out his right hand in an offer for a handshake.]

I'm Shulk.

[illegitimately]

[Hope you don't mind shaking a metal hand, since, well... that's what Toale's right hand happens to be.]

My name's Toale. It's nice to meet you, Shulk, even if the circumstances could be better.

[monadont]

[Shulk only notices it when the hand is colder than he was expecting. It startles him for a brief moment, before he smiles and nods.]

Nice to meet you too, Toale.

[His gaze goes back to the metal hand, though. Um...]

Is it really alright to have that...?

[illegitimately]

[He tilts his head, blinking.]

... Huh? What do you mean?

[It's better than just having a stump for an arm—]

[monadont]

[Shulk scratches his head, embarrassed.]

It's just... Homs who've been modified like you start breaking down outside their Mechon. Are you okay?

[A sliver of worry -- or is it fear? -- works its way into his expression.]

That's not how you died, is it?

[illegitimately]

[... What is this guy talking about—]

... I'm sorry? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about at all.

[He holds his hands up in front of him, smiling sheepishly.]

But I'm perfectly fine, really.

[monadont]

[SCIENCE. Of the bad kind. Sort of.]

I guess if you don't know what I'm talking about, it should be alright.

[Shulk sighs and leans back against his seat.]

Do you have any idea where we're going?

[illegitimately]

[He smiles a tad wryly. With Ryner around, it's become almost instinctive to have a dry sense of humour, but he reminds himself that Shulk is practically a stranger.]

Sorry, but I don't know. To be honest, I don't even know what all... this is.

[He gestures around the train.]

[monadont]

Me too.

[Shulk's attention goes to their surroundings, and he puts his hand on his chin as he thinks.]

It sounds like some kind of machine. There must be something that's driving this. If we could just figure out where it is...

[Maybe then they could work out where they were going? And... maybe change its course.]

[illegitimately]

Looks like we're both in the dark, then.

[He smiles.]

Though if there's something productive to be done, that does sound like a better option than just sitting around.

[monadont]

[A pause, before Shulk nods and gets to his feet.]

You're right.

[He straps his sword onto his back, more out of habit than anything else.]

Are you coming along?