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

1

[cherryblooded]

[The King completely just ran right into him. Oops.

Luckily for him, Cherryblod is absolutely used to animal people, although maybe not ones that look quite like this one. As such, his first concern is that he's crying.]

Slow down - take deep breaths.

[It's trite, but sometimes it works.]

[neverafters]

[ At first it seems like he's still trying to blubber something, but the calm of the stranger works and the birds nod. Steady now... ]

H-h... the... K-king thanks you.

[ Wiping his eyes with his cape, the monarch took a slightly-more-composed look around and lowers his head. ]

He has never been so away. The King was crying because he doesn't know where he is. What is this place, he asked?

[cherryblooded]

[Third person? He's heard weirder speech patterns.]

I don't know. The signs call it 'the Vault', but that doesn't really mean anything to me.

[neverafters]

Aren't vaults are where people keep precious things? But this place is not pretty. ... The King is confused.

[cherryblooded]

Hmm, you think so? Maybe we're the precious things.

[He's joking lightly. He'd like to see the King smile, except... that's probably not a thing the King can do...]

I'm sure we'll figure out how to go home soon.

[neverafters]

... The King thinks for precious things, there should have been more decoration work. A pretty place makes happy citizens.

That is what The King would do. --In fact, it is what The King does. [ Present tense! He's very proud of his Holiday Star. Except... how is his kingdom doing right now? Ahh he's internally fretting again. ]

Oh! That makes The King happy. This Vault feels too cold to be happy.

[cherryblooded]

I agree. It could be a much prettier vault.

[Well, he thinks that's a near-equivalent to a smile? He sounds pleased, anyway.]

If I find a thermostat, I'll turn it up for you.

[neverafters]

The King hates the lack of windows. The King thinks, he will miss the stars most.

[ This is a very kind person. But now that he's looking at Cherrblod over again... ]

The King asked, are you human? The King has never seen humans with your features. He is curious.

[cherryblooded]

Close. I'm a shrimp. [He wiggles his tail and his antennae.]

What kind of bird are you, Your Majesty?

[neverafters]

[ He doesn't remember shrimp being closely related to humans?? Should've paid more attention in school... ]

The King is different from what and who he used to be. The King is simply The King. His citizens too, they are not distinguished by species.

[cherryblooded]

[Everybody looks like humans except the people who don't. Basic biology.]

That must be nice. I'm sure people get along better that way.

[neverafters]

They do. Because the Holiday Star is full of kind birds! If The King could welcome other species, he would also gladly do so.

[ He shakes his head, sounding a bit sadder. ]

But, they do not pass by often.

[cherryblooded]

That's alright. It's the thought that counts. Your Majesty, you must be a very kind bird yourself.

[neverafters]

The King is honored by your generous words.

[ And with that small bow of his head, his feathers brighten up, warm and glad! He's used to fond words from his adoring citizens, but getting praise from those who aren't is something else. ]

The King hopes your home is also very nice. The Shrimp likely lives underwater, isn't that right?

[cherryblooded]

That's right. My home's called the Sea Kingdom, and it's a peaceful, beautiful place.

[Cherryblod brightens up too at the mention of it, though not in as colorful a way as the King.]

My family and I have been living there for a long time.

[neverafters]

That sounds very lovely. The King thought, it would be nice to see it.

[ It's an odd topic for him to be sure but... he is curious. ]

How big is your family?

[cherryblooded]

I have a photo album at home, if I ever get to recover it I'll show you pictures.

It's just my wife and my daughter and I.

[neverafters]

That makes the King happy, he said.

The Shrimp is very kind.

[cherryblooded]

[He looks a bit embarrassed by the praise.]

It's important to be kind to strangers. And I like showing people pictures anyway.

[Absolutely a dad who keeps a million baby/egg photos of his daughter.]

[neverafters]

Pictures are... like treasures, yes?

[ He seems to be thinking about it, for a moment. ]

The King has not considered it before now, but... The King thinks he might like to take pictures of his citizens, too. The King considers he will see what he can do, when he returns home.

[cherryblooded]

They're my personal treasures.

[He's practically sparkling when he talks about them, so this has merit.]

I would love to see pictures of your home, if you ever have the chance.

[neverafters]

The King thinks he has a way to show it!

But... he says, that other way may take a while. [ How much time can he even devote to painting it up again just to show it off? Ah, his love for his kingdom knows no bounds... ]

[cherryblooded]

That's a shame. We may be out of here before I get a chance to see.

[Since they won't be here too long, after all.]

[neverafters]

The King says he can always describe it! ... Even if with his words it won't come close--it is sad for him to admit.

[ It would just be a long list of praises anyway... smh... ]

The King almost wishes it was easier to visit his Holiday Star, but it is not the case. And in like, The King does not believe he can go underwater...

[cherryblooded]

So I can't just come to visit once we leave here?

[He gets the underwater thing, naturally.]