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

[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.

[hotpaprika]

Perhaps we could figure the meaning of all this together. [He pauses, briefly, as Jonathan considers the obvious culprit.] Have you, perhaps, been held captive by Count Dracula? It's not impossible that this is just an extension of our captivity if that is the case.

[visiblepattern]

I'm afraid I've never heard of this Count Dracula... I've been held captive before, but I never knew their leader's name; they were bandits, however, not nobility, and I'm certain we would know by now if this were his doing.

[We'd probably be beheaded by now, um. He seemed a little enthusiastic about heads rolling.]

[hotpaprika]

I'm afraid it's not unlikely that it would be awhile for him to show himself. I've only ever seen him come out at night, and while we are underwater, the radio informed us that it was around 12 pm when I woke up, so we still have hours until we can learn if that horrid Count has his hand on this.

[There is a pause, before:]

And... I must say if it isn't the Count, I haven't the faintest idea who it could be. I have been held prisoner by the Count for a month and no one knew where I was. I don't know how anyone could have rescued me from his grasp.

[visiblepattern]

There was a note next to my bed when I woke up; it mentioned someone named Mayor Fontaine.

[...Whomever that is.]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan looks thoughtful for a moment.]

I hesitate to thank him for his rescue, particularly if he is an ally to the Count. If he is not, I must ask him how he was able to accomplish what he did.

[He suddenly looks a little sheepish as a thought occurs to him.]

Nevertheless ask him how he was able to build something underwater like this. I was unaware that such a structure could exist.

[visiblepattern]

Likewise so. I was wondering not long ago if that was some sort of illusion... It seems an impossibility, otherwise.

[At least as far as anything he knows is concerned.]

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

[Introductions kind of went...somewhere far from here, it seems.]

[hotpaprika]

Jonathan Harker, from England. I'm afraid I've never heard of Nohr before.

[Although he at least sounds interested in this unknown kingdom.]

I suppose this being a strange illusion or a dream is the most logical explanation here. I cannot fathom what other explanation there could be.

[visiblepattern]

If it's a dream, I can't say I've ever come up with anything so... [...tacky, tbh...] ...Anything quite like this, at any rate.

But I've never heard of England, either... Though I'm not familiar with faraway places, unfortunately. My life was a bit sheltered until recently.

[hotpaprika]

Well, I have had very queer and intense dreams lately, I suppose this could simply be an extension of that.

I'm surprised you've never heard of England! It's quite a well known country... although as someone who's lived there all my life, I suppose I don't know how other countries see England. But can I ask what continent Nohr is for a reference?