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

garden

[withagun]

[ Ostensibly, Hodaka is...outside. That's what he's been trying to do, find outside, except outside is...well, it's not outside. Not really.

That's what he thinks, more than anything, upon setting foot in the garden. If he looks to one side, there's the building he just came from, and maybe he can pretend. But, on the other... The world's just water. Just water. He wonders, if, in time, that's what everything will look like, because—

He hears something. Someone. So entranced by the dome, he hadn't realized, he's not the only one out here. From his position looking out into the deep, dark sea, he spins around and...ah. There's a...person? A kid, another kid. His first assumption is they're a girl, from the dress, the lovely hair. ]

Ah- sorry, excuse me, uh- are- are you... do you need...can I...do something...?

[ A hand raised frozen in some kind of gesture—what, he doesn't know, he's terrible at this sort of thing, positively terrible—he just knows it doesn't feel right to turn and leave now. ]

[visiblepattern]

[...Oh. Oh, there's a person here, and it isn't long before Forrest is likewise just kind of managing syllables at them because this is slightly embarrassing, isn't it, being seen all upset, it's-

His words are light, delicate and shaking mildly; patterned much like one would expect from that girl with the dress and the lovely hair, sounding very much like a teenage boy.]

It's - No, it's fine, you don't need to...apologize, I... I'm sorry? I don't... I'm all right, this is just...

[Words, Forrest, come on.]

Thank you. For asking.

[withagun]

[ Oh! Well, uh. Okay, that isn't the voice Hodaka expected to hear, but, well, he did spend upwards of a week wandering around Kabuki-cho. He knows sometimes people dress in ways he doesn't...exactly expect. To his credit, he recovers from his surprise quickly and goes into a more normal stammering mess. ]

Oh, I- didn't mean to, I mean, intrude, ah...

[ No, no he's not getting told off. Not getting grumped at, so he bites back his automatic response and really listens to... A thank you. The sort that he himself spoke silently, two months ago. ]

...It's okay. [ He doesn't think he's as good at it as Hina. But he smiles, anyway, or...at least tries to. ] You...looked like you needed it.

[visiblepattern]

It's very kind of you.

[That smile will be returned, the expression gentle and easy.]

My name is Forrest, of the kingdom of Nohr. Might I ask...?

[He's sure he's seen this person on the profiles, but the name is making him blank pretty hard for some reason. He's going to need to work on this...]

[withagun]

[ Likewise, Hodaka looked over the profiles but...for a very short time, and he was mostly enamored and confused by his own, so. Same page here! ]

Hodaka Morishima, of, um... Did you say...kingdom?

[ Oh god is he talking to royalty. ]

[visiblepattern]

I did, yes. Have you not heard of it...?

[He supposes that's possible? It's not like they're huge or anything.]

I'm the son of Prince Leo, under the rule of King Garon. Are you unfamiliar...?

[withagun]

[ Oh god. Oh god. Oh god, really?! ]

You're...a prince? Like...like, royalty?

[ Oh god! ]

Excuseme! [ Hodaka bows his head a little more than he probably should. ] I didn't realize- I've never spoken to a royalty before!

[visiblepattern]

[oh no

oh no it's adorable]

Well, now you have. It's quite all right, I'm here along with the rest of you and I'd like to help out in any way I can, so it's not like I need special treatment or anything.

[withagun]

[ have you ever been just so awkward, at all times? ]

Mm- are- you sure, uh, Forrest-san? [ There it is. ] If you're- [ He raises his head, an eyebrow raised. ] You're really royalty? Like, really?

[visiblepattern]

[Oh no.]

I am, yes. And I'm absolutely certain! There's no need to treat me differently than anyone else.

[withagun]

[ He gulps, but nods and tries desperately not to slip into keigo. ]

...Do, um. This isn't- because you're royalty, I promise- do...you need a hand up?

[visiblepattern]

Oh, um... I would appreciate that, actually.

[He'll reach his hand out in, again, a weirdly delicate manner; basically, he literally does not mind if anyone mistakes him for a woman because like, who blames them.]

[withagun]

[ It really is delicate. It reminds him of Hina, which gives him only a moment's pause and reflection—before he shakes it off almost physically and takes Forrest's hand. Despite Hodaka's slightly too big t-shirt and how he's pretty much the same size as Forrest, it seems he's got a pretty nice grip! ]

There we go...!

[visiblepattern]

Thank you.

[His expression is warm, and so is his hand, really; he rises easily enough, not leaning too hard on assistance, but it's good to know it's there if he stumbles or something.]

You really are being kind. If you ever need anything, you can let me know. Even if it's just to listen to anything you have to say.

[withagun]

Oh, um-

[ Once he's sure Forrest is up and standing, Hodaka withdraws his hand. ]

'Course I'm gonna...try and be kind. You were upset.

[ He says it as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Because the smallest gesture can make a difference, can't it? ]