And with the sweat of your brow...

[bathymetric]

Fun Fact: Did you know that if the multiverse is real, there could be an almost infinite square mileage of completely unexplored ocean out there?

No reason.

...

You wake in one of 25 rooms with a sense of unease that doesn't quite track with how nice the accommodations are. Maybe it has something to do with the giant window leading out to the sea. The temperature is low, which might make you wish you had woken up under the luxurious covers instead of atop them. The lights, too, are low. But next to your bed is a small personal radio, and it's playing a song for you. There's also a small note printed on folded cardstock next to it.

Dear Prospective Citizen,

Welcome to the Helios Suites at New Rapture. The time should currently be 12:00 PM. Please take a moment to get your bearings and become acquainted with your new environment, then meet in the hotel lobby at 1:30 PM sharp for an orientation with Mayor Fontaine.

With only that for guidance, there's only the one thing to do: get out there and start exploring... well, it's hardly a full city, but it's something! And in the halls (or on the wall of your suite or the lobby), you very well may find up to 24 other captives.

What you do until your meeting with Mayor Fontaine, well... that's up to you. Every room certainly gives you something to talk about.

Comments

[hotpaprika]

1. Closed to Suite 1 Residents
[Jonathan wakes with a start at the radio broadcast. He had fallen into a dreamless sleep the previous night rather early, finding that sleep was his one true escape from his captivity. He had planned on waking slowly the following day, but it’s shattered when he hears music following a voice he didn’t recognize.

He sits up with a start, barely listening to what the radio was saying as he looked around. Jonathan wanted to scream when he realized he was deeply underwater, and once again once he reads the rules on the wall.]

Dear God, what does this foul beast have in mind for me?

[In his mind, this was an extension of Draculas torment. Maybe he was worried that being above ground was not a secure enough prison for him, and that he needed to be placed underwater to ensure that he would never escape.

In a blind hope, he checks the closet for anything useful, and he feels a tiny spark of happiness when he finds a suit and tie to wear. In the very least he could be somewhat presentable in his new prison.

After he puts on the suit, he stares at the bedroom door. He didn’t know if he wanted to try it, and confirm his fear that he was locked inside these four walls. But eventually he tries the door.

It was perhaps a little fascinating that such small things give him joy now when a wave of relief washes over him as he opens the door. Still, he wasn’t eager to see what horrors awaited him, and he gently peeks his head out the door…]

2. Everyone Else
[Eventually, Jonathan exits his suite to go wandering around. To everyone who witnesses him, they will immediately notice just how harrowed this guy looks, with hollow eyes and a patchy stubble, and it kind of seems like he’d been crying recently.

He’s generally quiet and a little avoidant, but he eventually makes it to the profiles. His eye catches his own profile, and he can’t help but cry out in sorrow and frustration.]

That monster is most certainly not my friend!

Profiles

[pairtner]

[It probably is no surprise Aiba knows who Dracula and Jonathan Harker are. It's a very famous work, after all. No reason to not know who that fictional vampire is, in her world.

But there's a Jonathan Harker here. Probably a real person, no matter how everything looks. Therefore, he treats him accordingly. Harker sounded upset. Maybe...]

Dracula's crimes and actions are well documented. Have some solace in that he's not going to get away with anything he does.

[Her way of saying she believes he's not Dracula's friend, certainly]

Re: Profiles

[hotpaprika]

[She looks at the mysterious woman as she speaks. A small, bitter part of him wants to ask how she could possibly know that he's going to survive the Count's torment when there was seemingly no way to escape.

But another part sticks out to him, that he has to ask about.]

His... his crimes are well documented?

[This man that he gleefully went to was a famous criminal?]

[pairtner]

Yes. Don't blame yourself for anything. Dracula routinely deceives people. I'm not aware what's your relationship with him, but I'm ninety percent certain you're not at fault.

[She's not sure how much she should say and how much to stay quiet about, but hey, given her job, it's not unfeasible she knows about a renowned criminal, she figures]

2

[allatonce]

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that.

[Joy's eating a shrimp cocktail and sitting on one of the couches, just because she can.]

The profiles aren't inaccurate, but they are one big shitpost.

[hotpaprika]

[He blinks, completely confused at what Joy just said.]

They are one big... what?

[He has never heard of that word before in his life help.]

[allatonce]

God, shit. What's the old people word for—irony. They're ironic.

[Joy, this man is literally younger than you.]

profiles

[dullshooter]

[Man, this guy sounds distressed. This sounds like a situation that should be handled with care.

Alas, Misfire.]

Yowch. That's brutal. Haven't you ever thought that might be how he sees it?

1/2

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan doesn't see the man at first, instead taken aback by the words.]

I am certainly well aware that he considers me his "dear friend", but what sort of friend keeps others prisoner for their eventual death-

2/2

[hotpaprika]

[And then he catches a glimpse of Misfire and he looks absolutely horrified. He had expected a man but this was just... a metallic person? He opens his mouth a few times to say something before he finally speaks up.]

I, uh, did you just speak?

[dullshooter]

[He looks around, mostly to prove a point.]

Who else could it have been?

profiles

[inaclearing]

[Looks at Jonathan.

Looks at the profile.

Looks back at Jonathan.]

.......Dracula?

Re: profiles

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan hugs himself and nods.]

Y... yes, he was a client whom I was helping with his move to England. But he locked me inside his castle and I know he doesn't want me to leave alive. I haven't the faintest idea why he torments me so, but I am not eager for when he shows up here.

[He seems... very firmly convinced that there's only a matter of time before the Count shows back up.]

[inaclearing]

[...this guy seems...very serious. And also low-key looks like Keanu Reeves, who Brett had a crush on in Much Ado About Nothing when he was a kid, but WE DON'T GOTTA DISCUSS ANY OF THAT

Brett's not really sure how seriously to take this, though?]

...well, hey - there's probably some garlic in that restaurant.

1.

[visiblepattern]

[Horrors indeed. You're being greeted by this pretty thing standing in the middle of the suite, looking very much like he's also trying to get his bearings.

Any bearings-gathering that he may be doing is immediately ceased, however, when he hears the door open; he turns to see who it is, and there's a vague sweep of relief that crosses his expression before his eyebrows knit a little, delicately, through concern.]

Are you all right...? You're not injured, are you?

[His voice is soft; very much belonging to a seventeen-year-old boy, but it's light in pitch and expression.]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan lays his eyes on Forrest, and hears his gentle voice, and immediately relaxes. He didn't recognize whoever this person was, but the fact that he was immediately concerned for his well being and didn't seem related to Dracula's horrid wives made him immediately feel at ease. He opens the door more and gives him a gentle look.]

Oh- I suppose I'm well as I can be, but thank you so much for your concern, ma'am. Are you doing alright as well?

[He doesn't seem to have caught onto how gender roles are fake yet.]

[visiblepattern]

[It's all right, he's good with regards to the gender roles; he's kind of used to being surrounded by people who don't know how that works. As long as he's not being hate crimed people can call him whatever they want.]

Likewise, as well as possible. I can't say I know where we are, though... I simply woke up here a short while ago.

suite 1

[buriedstar]

[ When Jonathan peeks out of his room he'll see a tall, dark haired man with his arms crossed, apparently lost in thought. At least initially, because at the sound of the hinge creaking, Seo Dawon turns to face him with bright red eyes.

He says nothing, his gazed locked on Jonathan. ]

...

[hotpaprika]

[The red eyes are the first thing Jonathan locks onto. He lets out a small yelp of shock as the closes the door slightly. He didn't recognize this man, but he knew that those with red eyes were horrible beings.

Still, he wants to remain optimistic, and if nothing else it would look suspicious if he said nothing.]

H...hello? Who are you?

[specialyellthing]

I don’t think that guy even has friends. [Said indignantly, from behind him. Zinda says it like she’s familiar with the man—- because she is. Not on a first name basis, but Oracle’s got files on the guy.

Plus, there were those creepy radio shows back in the day.]

[hotpaprika]

[He brightens up the tiniest bit at the apparent familiarity of this man. There was a relief being back in the company of someone who was aware of who that Count was and what a horrid man he was.]

You're aware of that wretched beast? I suppose they claimed I'm his friend because the Count refers to me as his "dear friend" but I assure you he is the worst friend I've ever encountered!

profiles

[hellaethics]

...Dude, you know a real Dracula?

[Yes, Jason, this is the important thing to take from this.]

[hotpaprika]

[He blinks at Jason for a few moments before he finally speaks.]

I... I was unaware that there was a false Count Dracula, but yes, I am aware of him.

1

[howveryglib]

[And Johnathan will see some tall armored guy looking around the room for... something, though he does turn around pretty quickly when Jonathan opens the door.

...

It's kind of hard for him not to look intimidating, but damn, this guy's seen some shit, so he does relax his posture a bit. Not by much, though.]

...

Tell me, are you a recent arrival, or have you been here long?

[He suspect it's the former since it's not like his circumstances before arrival were, uh, usual, but. Might as well ask!]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan lets out an undignified yelp of horror when he sees Gaius. It is clear by the look on his face that he's debating just closing the door and hiding, but he saw him and is acknowledging him. He has to say something.

His voice is quiet and timid as he speaks.]

I... I've just arrived here, yes.