Welcome.

[trustharder]

You last remember feeling safe.

You don't know what caused that response, now that you think about it; you can't remember what you were doing before the warm, comfortable feeling came over you, a sensation somewhere between relief and the light contentment that comes with the knowledge that you're safe enough to sleep and god, are you ready to. It feels like you may have been sleeping for a while before this, even; your limbs are heavy in the memory, and you recall how difficult it was to open your eyes.

Turning your head is likewise difficult, it feels kind of like it's full of sand. Weighted-down by sleep. It's so much easier to remain still, and so you do, and before you haze out again you can vaguely hear a voice.

It's no one you recognize, and it sounds strange and vaguely distorted as you start to drift off again.

"Everything'll be fine."

There isn't an answer that you can hear; the voice speaks once more.

"...you ready?"

You don't remember what you wanted to say to that. Always, maybe. Or Ready for what? Or perhaps What's happened to me?

But none of it matters, because consciousness slips away from you too quickly for you to respond.

---

You wake up some time later; the comfortable, safe feeling from earlier certainly isn't dampened any by the bed you wake up in. Whether you like it soft as a cloud or firm enough to support the most finicky of spines, the bed you're in is nice, and it's pretty much exactly what you've been looking for in a mattress.

Shame the rest of the room is probably going to be a bit jarring when you wake up properly.

The room you're in is completely unfamiliar, all concrete and steel and almost nothing that makes it yours - but there's a trunk near the bed and there's what looks like a smartphone sitting on the trunk, and you might want to grab that before you leave the room. Trying to text or call out won't do anything for the time being, unfortunately, but it's something. A lifeline, maybe.

If you're looking to see if anyone is here with you, maybe you can find someone as you wander through the main corridor; after all, there are a few places to explore here, even if the bulk of the place is pretty much a straight shot down the center. If you're looking to gather, the dining hall is probably the best place for it, as it's large enough to accommodate all of you.

Wherever you choose to go, however, there are a set of rules posted in every room; the far wall of the dining hall, across from the entrances, also has a bulletin board with twenty-seven pictures, along with some...interesting information, posted on it. The board is large enough for all of you to look at it, but you might not want to try to get at anything posted there; just like the rules, there's glass in front of it, and it's looking to be extremely shatterproof.

Sorry about that.

There's one more thing you'll notice on your wanderings through the corridor – there are no windows, and there are no doors that can possibly lead outside.

Looks like you're trapped. Might as well get to know those that are here with you.

Comments

[prismbloom]

A giant lobster?

[ Probably not the weirdest question she's ever been asked. Somehow, that there's someone else here makes her feel at least a little better. ]

No, I'm sorry. The only other person [ ??? ] I've seen is you.

[cherryblooded]

I see. Thank you anyway, miss.

[Of course he's a person, why is that a question.]

Did you just wake up here?

[prismbloom]

[ If the tail is any indication.... but she's not here to judge. Really. ]

I did. How I arrived here, I'm not at all sure.

[cherryblooded]

I don't know that either. The last thing I remember clearly is going to bed at home... How I'd end up on land without waking up in the meantime is a mystery to me.

[This is definitely not the ocean. He's clear on that much.]

[prismbloom]

Hmm.

[ Aqua crosses her arms, placing a hand to her chin. ]

--On land? [ She understands the implication, even if it's not completely. ] This must be especially jarring for you, then. Are you alright?

[cherryblooded]

Just fine. I can breathe air as easily as water. If I couldn't, I might be in trouble right now.

[He chuckles lightly. Is he in trouble now anyway? Probably.]

[prismbloom]

If you need anything at all, I'd be happy to lend you a hand.

[ For now, though... ]

Shall we take a look around--see what we can find?

[cherryblooded]

[He gives a nod, already glancing around the area again to take their situation in.]

Thank you. You're very kind - I'm sure there are worse people to be stuck in strange places with.

I'm Cherryblod.

[prismbloom]

You're welcome. [ Kind? Aqua's just extending the same courtesy she knows she'd appreciate in an unknown situation. ] Well, it's not very pleasant to wind up in a place with unfriendly people.

I'm Aqua.

[cherryblooded]

I wouldn't know. This is the first time this sort of thing has happened to me.

[Kidnapping, or whatever it is, is not a daily occurrence in the Sea Kingdom.]

[prismbloom]

I've had my share of travels, but I've always been conscious of my going somewhere.

[ It's pretty clear that she's deeply unsettled... but she manages to compose herself, at least. ]

[cherryblooded]

Same. And normally I'd tell my wife before making any trips.

[He seems fairly composed about the whole thing, given that he's smiling.]

[prismbloom]

[ Someone without the person they love most? That's... sad. Aqua pulls the phone out of her pocket, frowning now. ]

I wonder if these devices can help us contact others?

[cherryblooded]

The phone? I looked at it, but it didn't seem to have a way to call anyone else, so I haven't done much with it for now. Technology isn't my strong suit.

[But at least he recognizes it as a phone.]

[prismbloom]

I've never seen anything like it before.

[ That's embarrassing. Aqua presses a button, but the screen remains black... and she gives him a sheepish smile. ]

[cherryblooded]

If I figure out how to turn this one on, I'll show you how to use it.

[It's the least he can do.]

[prismbloom]

Thank you, Cherryblod. That's very kind of you.

[cherryblooded]

It's nothing, really. Things are hard enough without any handicaps on you.

[Not knowing what a phone is counts.]

[prismbloom]

I suppose I am a bit hopeless when it comes to this.

[ At least she can admit as much--Aqua knows she has a lot to learn, after all. ]

[cherryblooded]

Now, now, I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time.

[prismbloom]

I'll try, of course. I don't want to be even more lost, especially if everyone else is familiar with it.

[cherryblooded]

You might not be the only one. Depends how motley our crew is.

[Since he hasn't met too many people... or anyone else yet, besides her...]

[prismbloom]

It seems to be a... colorful crowd.

[ Emphasis on "colorful." ]

[cherryblooded]

[She doesn't have room to talk about colors...]

I look forward to getting to know them.