trusthell | Welcome.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

None that I've come across. Whats-more, none of these books are any I've ever heard of. It's strange.

[ they were certainly analogous to certain stories she knew, almost in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. it was weird and bizarre. she takes another book, this one a bit smaller, only to find that it's a collection of haikus. possibly interesting, but not helpful at the moment. ]

Whoever owns this building certainly picked the books here carefully, but I don't know why. Everything just seems like nonsense.

[ Fairy tales... Aqua takes the opportunity to look a bit more carefully through it. A lot of the stories sound awfully familiar, but then again... whoever brought them here is pretty familiar with them. ]

You're right; I don't think it's by accident that we can't figure out anything about this place. So far, I haven't found any sort of clues as to where we are or who's brought us here, aside from what's stated in the rules.

I'd— I'd rather not have to look at those rules again, if you can call them that. It seems like the only rule here is that chaos is valued above anything else, and I'm not about to let that happen.

[ even if she had an obligation to return home, she'd do everything she could to help these humans. ]

Neither am I. I'm not sure why we're here, exactly, but I won't stand for chaos--as you said.

I'm glad you agree.

[ a relieved sigh. ]

If we're going to make it out of here, we have to do it together. I hope I can rely on you to keep things together.

I'll do my best--it's best to keep a level head, after all. With two of us doing what we can to keep things together, like you said, it should be a bit easier.

Right. Of course.

[ having some solidarity makes her believe it herself. ]

I— probably should admit that I'm not at my full capacity. There's certain things that I'm not able to do that might limit me. If we happen to find a saber lying around somewhere, well, then that's a different story entirely, but.. I'm still a bit baffled by it.

Neither am I. It makes me wonder just who or what we're dealing with, if I can't access my magic or weapon. I don't think we're the only ones, either.

You're able to summon those things naturally, I imagine. It's similar for me.

[ she hasn't tried everything, like making holo-replicas, but she'd do that in private. ]

Yes, exactly. I felt it the moment I arrived here: It won't answer my call, no matter what I do.

[ it's the same for her.. when she puts her hand to her gem, it doesn't even glow. ]

It's— disconcerting, to say the least. I feel vulnerable this way. Useless.

[ Aqua reaches out, placing a light hand on Pearl's shoulder. ]

We'll figure this out. You're not useless.

[ ah. well. that certainly made her feel something. after a moment, she offers a rueful smile. ]

.. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so negative. We'll figure something out We'll— manage.

[ She shakes her head, withdrawing her hand. ]

It's alright--it's understandable. But don't forget you're not alone.

Yes.. I'll keep that in mind.

[ she ducks her head, pointing to a corridor and smiling a bit evasively. ]

If— If you'll excuse me, Aqua, I should really explore the rest of the facility.

[ Aqua's almost tempted to offer to go with her, but she knows when someone needs her space. ]

Of course, Pearl. If you need anything, please never hesitate to let me know.

Welcome.

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