suitedreams | WEEK ZERO: MINGLE

W̴͍̎E̴̝̊E̸͚͝K̸͕̿ ZERO: MINGLE

(35 ḡ̴̻u̷͌͜ê̴̯s̶̢͑t̵̻͝s̴̡̐ ̴c̴h̴e̶c̴k̷e̶d̸ ̶i̴n̴)

Needless to say, marble isn't exactly the most comfortable surface to sleep on. Do you even remember falling asleep? Maybe not, but the moment your eyes flutter open and the lingering stardust fades, you come into consciousness with the distinct feeling that your dreams were very important.

You vaguely remember a shadowed hand, the pen and the scroll in its grip as the terms and conditions glow softly before you. You can't quite remember the details, the words blurring and fading fasting the longer you try, but you come to a conclusion rather quickly:

-Someone you care about is in trouble and their life is now your responsibility.
-You have signed a contract to provide entertainment to the Host in exchange for their safe return.

Your other memories begin to settle now that you're more awake. You remember that this isn't the first time you've been swept away for a game by someone else's design. You remember what those games entailed, too, but as the pieces click together you get the sense that murdering everyone around you isn't a solution. It won't get your hostage back sooner. It will only end tragically for everyone involved.

So instead, perhaps it's time to take in your surroundings. Where the hell even are you now? The marble floor of the lobby is still cool to the touch, and the front desk is before you with several keys on hooks against the wall. Each of them includes a keychain with two small, clear star-shaped crystals embedded at the bottom. Too bad you can't seem to remove the keys just yet! Guest accommodations aren't quite ready.

Ah, right. About that. You aren't alone! After all, what's the fun in playing a game by yourself? Should one try to actually count the keys hanging on the wall, you'll find there are 35 in total. You can also learn more about them should you look at the leather-bound book bolted to the front desk. Though some of them may look a bit different, seeing how everyone gathered in the lobby is dressed to the nines. What happened to your other clothing? Worry not. You do want to be presentable at the front desk, don't you?

Speaking of the front desk, while you aren't able to retrieve your keys or even leave the ground floor right now, you will find small gift boxes scattered around the desk as a complementary gift for each guest. Inside these boxes, you will find:

-A flask. Those of legal drinking age will find it filled with a sweet wine, and those underage will find juice of some kind.
-A shaving kit
- A single aspirin
-A keychain
-A condolence card
-A sheet of temporary tattoos
-A small bag of jerky
-A compact mirror with a cute pattern on the outer casing

No other items are on your person even if you were holding onto them prior to your arrival. Perhaps the bellhop has already taken your luggage for you?

But despite the front desk hosting a small cluster of bells, ringing them doesn't seem to draw the attention of anyone. The bells cannot be removed from the desk, but the hotel staff appears to be occupied with other tasks.

It looks as though you're on your own for now until maintenance is finished. But it's just like the first time, isn't it? Get to know the other guests, start asking questions, and settle in for your stay.

You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave...

N̸A̵V̴I̶G̶A̶T̴I̴O̸N̷.̷

█ LOCATIONS █ STATUSES █ PROFILES █ AUDIENCES
█ REPORTING █ PRIVATE CONVOS █ MURDER

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aye, we are in agreement there. Let us away, then.

[onward to the courtyard!

...

wow, the statues...]

There are so many of them...

... Goodness. Someone surely put a lot of effort into these.

I suppose I can admire their talent, even if it is rather galling to see just how many of these... situations are represented here.

Does... does this truly happen so often? Why?

I do not know. It is rather despicable.

It is. Lives are not playthings, and yet... 'Tis sickening.

[she nods her agreement]

Something must be done about it, but... we will have to get out of our current situation first.

—Yes, do forgive me. I am getting ahead of myself, and growing angry would scarce help our circumstances.

I do not disagree with you at all. I am rather angry about it, myself.

...but there are people depending on us to resolve this first, is all.

There are, and that is the first thing I full intend on focusing on. Aught else can come after.

[she nods.

and then - ]

...my apologies. This is not a terribly pleasant topic, is it?

[ a beat, then: ]

... Mayhap not the distraction we hoped for. Worry not. It is difficult to ignore when it weighs so heavily on our minds.

Perhaps we ought to keep exploring. Surely every location will not be... like this.

[she makes a vague gesture at the statues.

but oh, hey! there's the fork in the path. she tilts her head to the side.]

...do you have a preference which way we try?

Only one way to find out. How about down this way?

[ gestures to the left! ]

[to the left they go!

a large, iron ornate gate and fence separate this part of the path from the courtyard. flayn approaches along with alphinaud, raising one hand as if to try to open it -

and in the next moment, they are both turned around, facing away from the gate.]

...ah. This is like the stairs.

... As to be expected. Barriers are all too common, no matter where one ends up.

Still, I thought we might be able to open the gate... or failing that, to scale it...

[do not hop the fence, flayn]

Shall we try the other way?

[ hop the fence, flayn ]

Of course. No use staring down a dead end, yes?

[ onwards! ]

[now they are at the pool!]

Oh... this is much more pleasant!

[ a ... pool... Alphinaud eyes it skeptically. ]

A spot for swimming... here?

I have heard that pools such as these are common amenities at hotels in worlds that many in my past group have described as "modern".

It seems that is the case here as well!

So you too are unfamiliar with these "modern" worlds—fascinating, yet peculiar, aren't they? Though this establishment is a place for rest, they still provide us with... this.

[ swimming is not relaxing, okay ]

...are you not a fan of water?

I... do not prefer it, no.

[ a beat ]

But I can swim, lest you wonder!

(no subject)

fishingforcompliments - 2022-06-05 22:34 (UTC) - Expand

sageguidance - 2022-06-05 22:43 (UTC) - Expand

fishingforcompliments - 2022-06-05 22:52 (UTC) - Expand

sageguidance - 2022-06-05 22:53 (UTC) - Expand

fishingforcompliments - 2022-06-06 00:30 (UTC) - Expand

sageguidance - 2022-06-06 01:36 (UTC) - Expand