Play@YSDC

Outside of the Gare de l'Est is a newspaper stall, a cafe, a restaurant, a jewellery store and other such fine stores. On the exterior at the top of the west façade of the Gare de l'Est is a statue by the sculptor Philippe-Joseph-Henri Lemaire, representing the city of Strasbourg, while the east end of the station is crowned by a statue personifying Verdun, by Varenne. These two cities are important destinations serviced by Gare de l'Est.

Inside, steel support struts and bars line the curved roof, holding up rotund grey lights. Arched windows fill the second floor of the west and east walls with frosted glass that glints in the fading light. A a large painting signed by Alfred Herter (1926) shows the soldiers of 1914 leaving for the front hangs proudly above the ticketing booths. Representations of agricultural products and coat of arms of the 32 most important cities of eastern France decorate the access arcade.

Within the Gare de l'Est, once you get through the first part of the immense building you can reach the section where the Orient Express travels, where there are only two tracks. The Orient Express will be on the far track though it isn't due to arrive for another fifteen minutes or so judging by the large clock placed among the support struts.

There are a few people already milling about the train station platform. A French gendarme stands awkwardly beside a ten-year-old girl with red-rimmed eyes and shadows of sleep deprivation beneath them who sits upon two leather luggage cases. A handsome man stands beside an enormous luggage case about three feet high by three feet long and one and a half feet across alongside a regular luggage case - how he is going to fit them both inside his compartment is anyone's guess. A forlorn womandabs at her eyes as she stands just off to one side, not far from where people scurry to catch other trains, dabbing away at tears that keep springing to her eyes.

Johnny had made his way out of the cafe and started making his way through the milling crowed toward his train car as he moved he explained to Elena "My horse tore open its frog and it'll take a month for it to heal. 'Till then I figured I'd take a look around Europe maybe take a look at some of them Arabian horses while I'm down that way."

As Johnny continued to talk with his two new acquaintances a man with a few large suit cases started shouting while a second guy sped off toward where Johnny was. The guy who was running away was soon being pursued by French police ordering him to stop but clearly the thief had no intention of stopping and was actually gaining distance from the police.

Dropping his knapsack to the ground Johnny and reached in producing a rope and looked at Elena and Virgil (if he's still around) and said "Yall watch my saddle bags" and stepped enough to be clear of passers by and let the noose of his rope slide open to about six feet in diameter rolled it above his head and let it loose.

Roping,http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4162952/

The rope flew on target and looped around the thief's shoulders and almost instantly snapped taught with a loud ~!pop!~ as Johnny jerked the rope back.

The thief's head and shoulders snapped back and his feet flew forward high above his head as he came crashing down against the deck of the platform. To most bystanders this was something out of an old Western Stories Magazine or film and with in a few moments Johnny had taken the other end of the rope and hog tied the thief. When he was done he straightened and turned like a Rodeo star to the applause of a few witnesses.

Looking up to Elena Johnny said "Did I mention that I was also a champeen calf roper?"

Hearing the commotion Fernand comes running out of the cafe toward the man collapsed on the ground.

French,"Is everyone alright. Is anyone hurt I'm a Doctor." Those with an ear for French can tell he speaks it with a German accent.

He then immediately goes about checking on the man.

The roped pickpocket looks up at Fernand with tears in his eyes as the gendarmes stop a few feet away, looking about as shocked as the thief. The kid starts babbling, clearly terrified and confused, though otherwise unharmed other than a few scrapes on his knee and one elbow that abraded the fabric. Fernand's unused to investigating someone trussed up like a calf so he can't be certain there's nothing else - but the context of the fall and the youth's age makes it quite unlikely that there's any lasting harm or internal damage.

French Conversation,"Oh please, oh please, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean t'do it! My ma's hungry and I gots lots of little brothers and sisters. Oh please, oh please! Don't let them gendarmes take me. T'wasn't my fault! T'wasn't my fault!"

The gentleman who still stands by the large suitcase takes about a dozen feet towards them, stopping to take a look back at his case before saying, "Hey now, let the blighter go! There's no real harm in it now you're rescued my wallet." He speaks in educated English, though those who have an ear for accents can recognise the Russian underpinnings.

He then says in clear French to the gendarmes,"Let him go! I'm not pressing charges and I'll plead him innocent. I stiffed him money for a shoe shine so I suppose it's my own fault. Now don't cause any more of a scene, please."

The gendarmes seem unconvinced and says (in English), "Very sorry, sir, but we cannot have pickpockets running loose about the station."

The youth weeps in French,"I wasn't! I wasn't! He'd stiffed me and I was silly! I'm a shoe shine. I'd never do that!"

Johnny looked to Virgil or Elena for a translation of the French while he loosened the noose from around the pickpocket. "I only speak English and bad English some one care to let me in on whats goin on?"

Looking at the gendarmes Johnny coiled up his rope and tried all-be-it unsuccessfully to talk to them "Hey c'mon deputy he got mule skinned in-front of the entire train station I think he learnt his lesson give 'im a break."

The unknown man gives Johnny an approving smile and a nod. "I can't imagine a fairer deal than that. My wallet, please?"

The pickpocket pulls out the wallet and holds it out in a trembling hand. One of the gendarmes grabs the wallet and smartly walks back to give it to the unknown man while the other gendarme hauls the pickpocket back to his feet and quickly handcuffs him. The pickpocket is looking very sorry for himself, crying and pleading and making such a scene that the gendarme is plainly uncomfortable, especially as all of the well-dressed Orient Express passengers are looking this way. More of well-heeled passengers seem to be arriving every minute.

Johnny was slowly getting out of his comfort zone but that's what you get when you leap before you look he shrugged apologetically to the kid and started to ease himself out of the lime light commenting to the unknown man "Was worth a shot, glad you got your wallet back. Feel bad 'bout the kid though."

Elena watches, impressed, as Johnny lassoes the pickpocket. "Apparently the boy shined the man's shoes, and the man stiffed him," she translates into English for him. "That's why the boy took his wallet, but the man does not want to press charges." She speaks to the gendarmes in French, smiling.

French,[color=darkred]"[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4164440/]I'm sure it will be all right if you release him[/url], as long as he promises not to do it again. Anyway, if you arrest him, think of all the paperwork you'll have to do."[/color]

French,"I am sure he has learned his lesson and I am glad no one is hurt."

Fernand straightens and dusts himself off.

French,"If you need medical help from your fall just come find me."

The gendarme looks over at her, frowning, but then seems to soften a little. "All right, but we do it quietly," he murmurs to those within earshot. "I do not want complaints from the company." He then flaps his hands irritably in the boy's direction and the two gendarmes move off into the crowd, releasing him once most of the passengers have returned their attention to the empty train tracks and the lack of a train. Considering that the train will be setting off in twenty minutes, one would have thought it would be here by now.

"Beauty of a lasso" Johnny mused to Elena. "Thank ya, for springin the kid." he said looking around for the train. He looked down both directions of the track and then looked to both Elena and Virgil "Aint the train 'sposed t'be here?"

This incident causes Fernand to remember his own luggage. Double checking the time. He heads toward his traveling case still sitting waiting to be loaded aboard the train once it arrives. He checks the case heedless of the clothing, insuring his books are in order.

The baggage still sits in its two neat little piles under the watchful eye of several porters who stand around the baggage. The porters look impatient and slightly concerned until they realise that one of the passengers are approaching and then they are suddenly all smiles and congeniality. One of the porters approaches Fernand with a gentle and understanding smile.

Porters French Conversation,"You have no need to fear, sir. Myself and the six other porters are ensuring that no one approaches who should not be allowed to approach. The train has been delayed but it will be here shortly. We still have plenty of time to load the train which will, of course, still depart on time."

"It was no problem," answers Elena. "Hopefully, he has learned his lesson. That was amazing work with that lasso."

"Yes, bravo," said the other gentleman, from his spot half a dozen feet away from his large suitcase ... obviously leery of leaving it too far behind. "I suppose I should introduce myself to you. Kliment Kruglov. Now if you'll excuse me I need to stand by my luggage ... and hope that's the last of the excitement granted prior to my boarding the train."

Johnny smiled and nodded at Kliment "Johnny Rheticus, nice t'meet ya." He then slipped his forearm into the sling of his knapsack and turned to Elena "Thank ya Ma'am. If we ever get the time and room I could show ya how to do it too." He smiled and looked around a little more.

Exactly fifteen minutes prior to the departure time, the Orient Express' sleek and magnificent carriage can be seen entering the station and, with a hiss of steam, slides to a halt beside the platform. There's one car at the very end that appears to belong to someone else. A Private Car, perhaps? It is rather attractive in a classy sort of way with its walnut brown and gold trimmed design with plentiful windows shaded by heavy blinds. There's not much time to consider it before the bustle begins as attendants step out of each Sleeping Car to check passengers off their lists and tell them which compartment they should enter. Each Sleeping Car has its number and name clearly shown so it's easy enough for everyone to find the right Sleeping Car to line up in front of once they're ready. It seems there are three Sleeping Cars in total. Each passenger has their ticket and passports at the ready or should do so, though of course a few still cluster in small groups, waiting for the line to die down in all of the bustle.

The baggage pile that Fernand stands beside is quickly reduced in size as the porters quickly and efficiently take each bag, suitcase, crate and box and get it stowed away inside the Baggage Car. Almost as a concession to his worry, they always leave one porter with a watchful eye on the baggage who prepares the next few pieces for pick up by the others. It shouldn't be too long before the Baggage Car is fully loaded.
Agatha Sleeping Car - First Class - 1 to 9
The first class car has a surprising number of coloured people in attendance. There's a family of two black men, one black woman and a little girl as well as a pair of Egyptian or Arabic looking gentleman - one older than the other. There's only two white passengers there at the moment - an attractive and perky looking Frenchwoman, and the Russian gentleman called Kliment Kruglov who calls over a porter to help him with his massive luggage case - which causes a fair bit of a struggle to get it aboard the train. It really looks like the sort of thing that should go in the Baggage Car but he is insistent.

Yennifer Sleeping Car - Second Class - A to G
A French gendarme leads a forlorn ten-year-old girl to the Second Class Sleeping Car while carrying her two leather luggage cases. A forlorn woman dabs at her eyes as she stands just off to one side, near enough to the car, but not yet preparing to board, dabbing away at tears that keep springing to her eyes. Those who are meant to board the Second Class Sleeping Car can easily hear the compartments that their fellows shall be entering. A married couple hastily arrive with two reasonably young children in tow. Johnny Reticus will be in Compartment B next door to Elena Orloff who is in Compartment C. Vergil Caine finds that he will be sharing his Double Cabin with a man called Fernand Bedell whom he hasn't met yet. They will be in Compartment G and apparently will both be departing in Istanbul.

Jeanette Sleeping Car - Second Class - 1 to 9
While there are people entering this car, there are no PCs in the line and therefore no one who can eavesdrop or notice much about them.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT,Do not enter anyone else's compartments without either PMing me and doing things on the threads to justify your character's entrance as there may be something that would stop your character. For all you know, there's a shotgun rigged to the other side of the door and opening it will blow your belly open!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT #2,Due to popular demand I will be adding another Sleeping Car shortly which will add yet another sub-forum.

Harry Simmons,while you haven't yet arrived, when you do you are in Compartment 1 of the First Class Sleeping Car.

"Elena Orloff," says Elena to Kliment with a smile, her unusual accent softening the final syllable so that it is almost a "v." "I am likewise pleased to make your acquaintance." She nods to Johnny. "I'd like that, but we are unlikely to have room aboard the train."

Vergil coughed and moved slowly across the platform looking at the train. He lagged behind the other two because a large map caught his eye. He missed the entire commotion.

Elena lugs her valise towards the entrance to the Yennifer Sleeping Car. She takes out her passport and ticket while she waits for her turn to board.

Johnny looked around a bit one last time and made his way up the stairs "Yall want any help?" he asked Elena as he made his way into the car.

Without much ado, Elena and Johnny are ticked off the checklist and allowed into the Yennifer Sleeping Car corridor before the others with their luggage.

"Thank you," says Elena, "but I think that's why the porters are here. I don't think they'd want to miss the opportunity to earn a tip." She boards the train.

Rushing as fast he can without appearing indecent, a well-dressed man of means who appears to be approaching middle-age hurries to the line for the Yennifer car. A porter carries some luggage close behind. Fortunately for the man, he and his luggage manage to arrive before the train has departed Paris. Letting out a sigh, he tips the porter a few francs and the luggage is set down to be stored, with his personal items set aside to be taken on to the sleeping car.

The man is making sure his tickets and ID are in order when he notices the forlorn woman off to the side of the line. Stepping forward, he does his best to address her French, but does not have much success. He trips over the words, only coming out with gibberish vaguely consoling. Finally, he reverts to German:

The woman stares at him with a look of horror at his German and she turns somewhat away from him, her quiet crying becoming wracking sobs as she rubs at her eyes with a handkerchief, trembling uncontrollably and hurriedly says in broken German,

German Conversation,"Please, I sorry, please, I sorry! I sorry!"

OOC,Will resize when I'm on a computer that better allows my tricks.

As people start boarding the Orient Express, a neatly dressed, middle-aged man appears on the platform carrying a leather suitcase in one hand and his boarding papers in the other.
He casually makes his way to the Jeanette car, checking his reservation every now and again as he passes the carriages.

He makes his way slowly over to the porter waiting in front of his assigned car and smiles as he approaches, ticket in hand.

The sleeping car attendant looks over his ticket. "You are in Compartment G, sir. Welcome aboard the Orient Express."

Vergil is allowed onboard the train.

Fearing that he has upset the young lady more than he's comforted her, Schiller frowns but does his best to communicate a sympathetic look. He composes himself and gives himself some pause as he tries to think about how to articulate himself in French, as it is fairly the woman is struggling with German. In French he says, slowly and clearly:

Wolfgang notices the odd conversation between the gentleman more akin to his age and the younger woman. He gives the man a knowing smile as he passes and wishes them both a good day in rather basic French, as he moves on to the Jeanette car.

French Roll (25%) to understand the conversation-FAIL,[dice]0[/dice]

Wolfgang's information is checked and he is allowed onboard the Jeanette Sleeping Car while the others arrive behind him.
The young lady speaks with eyes downcast and her mind abuzz,

Broken French,"I sorry, Herr, it nothing be. I have nausea and miss it. You very nice to check me. Thank you, Herr. Train leave so I go on."

She gives him an apologetic smile, picks up her case and hurries over to the Yennifer sleeping car with her head bowed.

Fernand tries to analyse the woman's reactions but fails to decipher why she reacted that way to him. He approches them and asks.

In English,"Do you speak english? Where is you're home?"

She turns to look at him and as she does her pupils, already dilated from tears and darkness, seem to dilate all the more until the irises almost vanish. She reaches out and grips his forearm, fingers digging in painfully until her knuckles go white, and even if he attempts to draw away he finds her grip vice-like and when she speaks to him she hisses from between closed teeth,

Latin Conversation,"There is none but how it was and will begun. They which wait and scamper between blue walls will tear to know your words and plead when blood calls forth but there is another who seeks to speak with you and will take and turn and pull you to a place where a thousand screaming Jews await the knife and squirm to live while you squirm to kill. If this be not the aim and call of that by which you travel and if your name is not to be known as alike and akin to Mengele you must flee this place lest fall to pretty eyes with darkened daggers poised to offer your soul squirming to that whose ankh squares your soul."

On that note, her eyes roll back to the top of her head and she faints, slumping toward the ground, her ticket loosing from her fingers (either of you may catch her if you please). The sleeping car attendant for the Jeanette Sleeping Car sees this and apologises to those waiting in line, asking them to wait a moment, while he comes over to help.

With wide eyes he catches her as she falls and Checks that she is alright almost refelxively, before (asuming she is alright) he takes several steps back in shock.

German,Muttering, "how could this be, who is she, what does it mean."

Wolfgang turns around in time to see the other man catch the girl. As he moves closer to help, he hears him speak German and answers in impeccable German himself.

German,Are you a doctor? Can I help at all? What does what mean?

Schiller nods politely as the upset woman speaks to him in broken French, and seems content to watch her head to the Yennifer sleeping car as he stays in line for the Jeannette car. Suddenly, the man with the closely cropped hair appears and asks the woman questions in English -- incoherent gibberish to the ears of Schiller.

When the woman sinks her nails into the man and begins hissing in some strange language, Schiller steps back startled -- not expecting such a reaction from an otherwise seemingly sweet young girl. The man catches the girl as she faints, and for some reason a man who had already entered the Jeanette sleeping car steps back out again. They both start conversing in German and, relieved to hear his mother tongue, Schiller joins in with them.
He reaches down and picks up the woman's ticket, taking a look at it before handing it to the attendant who rushes over, motioning that it belongs to the unconscious woman.
He points to the Yennifer car.

A handsome man in his early forties strides through the station headed for the line to the Jeanette cars. He is dressed in a well-made wool suit in charcoal grey with a matching vest, a black tie and a crisp white pocket square. His hair is nicely styled and his oxfords shine when they catch a slash of sunlight coming in through the station windows. A pipe juts out from the side of his mouth leaving behind a thin trail of sweet-smelling smoke as he moves towards the train. He carries a dark leather briefcase in one hand and a heavy-looking suitcase in another. Clenched between a bicep and his ribcage is today's copy of the Paris-Soir, a story title of "Parlement britannique languit en raison de Chamberlain" is half obscured by his arm.

At the line, the gentleman puts down his brief and suit case at his feet and taps out the smouldering embers of his pipe into the nearby ashtray. He puts the unlit pipe back into his mouth and proceeds to read his paper while he waits for the line to move.

OOC:,For some reason, I thought Laraqua was referring to my character when she said we could both catch the girl. To my demented mind's eye your characters had fused into one German. But well, since we're here now...:)

Wolfgang Ritter is a neatly dressed middle-aged gentleman. He wears dark green tweeds with leather elbow patches and decent shoes. There's a red, star-like badge pinned to his lapel.

KNOW-check,The red star symbolises the Popular Front, a broad coalition of leftist and center-left groups. The star was also borne in the flag of the International Brigades fighting against Franco.

Wolfgang looks from the close-cropped man to Shiller and nods his agreement.

German,[color=#0000BF]Indeed, perhaps the on-board should look at her at once. We'd best alert one of the staff. Wolfgang Ritter, by the way, from Munich.[/color]

Schiller spots the red star pin on the man's lapel, but does not connect it to anything other than a flair for the decorative. He offers a smile and a handshake to the man in tweeds. He motions to the attendant who left the line to help tend to the fallen woman.

Wolfgang seems genuinely pleased and returns your handshake.

German,[color=#0000BF]That is a pleasant surprise, indeed! So am I, or rather, so was I in a previous life. I used to teach German Literature at the University of Munchen.[/color]

A pained expression passes over his features for a moment, but he quickly shrugs it off.

German,[color=#0000BF]May I enquire as to your field of studies, Dr. Shiller?[/color]

Fernand can tell that the woman has simply fainted. She doesn't appear to be in any real distress. Her heart rate is fine, breathing fine, eyes constrict when he opens her eye lids ... everything seems just fine.

The attendant arrives and picks up the woman's ticket,

German with French accent to Dr. Fernand,"Is she all right? You appear to have some skill with diagnosis. Would you be a doctor and, if so, would you suppose that we should bring her onto the train or send for an ambulance?"

The woman's eyes flutter open and she struggles to stand,

Poor German,"I ... I sorry. I good."

The attendant helps her to her feet and repeats in English, French, and German,

English,French, German repeats,"Did you need an ambulance or would you like to go to your compartment?"

The woman states,

Poor French,"Train ... please I go on. I fine now."

The attendant helps her to stand and gestures for the attendant from the Yennifer Sleeping Car to come over to him, leaving the line over there to come and assist her to her feet.

Schiller's expression noticeably brightens when Wolfgang mentions his academic past. Indeed, judging from the mirth in his demeanor, he truly is thrilled at the prospect.

Wolfgang barely manages to refrain from flinching at the mention of the Reich, and he returns an almost warm smile.

Impeccable High German,[color=#0000BF]The Near East? Then you are doubtless headed to Istanbul as well. I look forward to discussing your plans and perhaps sharing a drink.[/color]

He looks at the rather reserved man with the close-cropped hair.

Impeccable High German,[color=#0000BF]The same invitation to you too, of course. But I see it is high time we boarded our train! I shall see you all later in the bar, I hope.[/color]

He bids adieu with a nod and boards the train.

While never taking his eyes from his paper, the well-dressed man with the pipe attempts to understand the German being spoken by the two other men near the Jeanette car.

Other Language: German - http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4174439/

Failing to hear or understand, he then continues to wait until he may show his tickets and passport to board the train.

Schiller nods as Wolfgang departs. He then resumes his place in line to board the Jeannette car.

The cabin attendant resumed his position at the door to the train car and gave them both a friendly smile as they approached. Thus far the two Germans would be vaguely aware that an American couple has boarded their Sleeping Car just prior to the attendant coming over to look over the fainted woman. Now there appears to be three people - the two Germans and the pipe smoker - who appear to be boarding this Sleeping Car.

French to the pipe smoker,"Good evening. Passport and ticket, please. Ahh, Mr. Belanger, please come aboard and I hope you enjoy your stay with us."

The cabin attendant checks the two Germans' tickets and says,"Good evening, passport and ticket, please. Ahh Herr Ritter, Herr Schiller. My name is Monsieur Stephane Thayer and I will be your cabin attendant during your trip. I hope you have a pleasant stay aboard the Orient Express."

With that the three passengers are free to board the train.

Fernand seems thankful that after checking on the poor woman the other men seem to excuse the fugue he enters. Before he realizes the two gentleman have continued there conversation on to the train.
He turns to the attendant and says.

French,"Yes I am a medical doctor and she is fine. Would you help her board."

Before absentmindedly gathering his ticket and preparing to board the Yennifer car.

The Yennifer Sleeping Car attendant agrees to help the lady and goes over to enter Yennifer with the woman, leaving the rest of the people (including Fernand queueing up outside the car entrance while he assists her to a compartment, giving a brief apology to those waiting.

The Agatha Sleeping Car line seems to have all boarded though there is always the chance of a latecomer rushing up to catch it.

There are still three people waiting outside the Jeanette Sleeping Car. A Meditteranean couple also approaches that Sleeping Car, looking quite flustered and focused.

There are only a few minutes before the train is scheduled to depart.

Schiller boards the train, doing cartwheels in his brain but not in real life as he does so.

Just as a huge wave of steam is expelled from the engine in preparation for departure, there is a commotion up the platform as a small group of people attempt to push through the crowds of well wishers and train spotters. The head platform attendant makes a space through to allow a young man and three luggage-carrying porters to walk briskly to the train just in time. The young man turns, tips the head man and then climbs nimbly into the 1st class carriage with his porters trailing after him. They reappear soon after, looking fairly pleased with themselves, and turn to watch the wonderful sight of such a beautiful train pull away.