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

[inaclearing]

Sure, but I'm not a scientist.

[He's not all that equipped to deal with existing science, much less new science (that is basically magic)!]

Is that something that actually happened to you? [ARE YOU READY FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN]

[dullshooter]

Sure did.

[Does this qualify him for It's Curtains]

We had to kill one of our group in reverse to break the spell. If that doesn't make any sense to you, that's because it didn't. So far, this is significantly less weird - but I'm not writing off the Universe's infinite capacity to surprise.

[inaclearing]

...sounds like that's a philosophy I should pick up.

[It's probably going to be easier for everyone, including himself, if he can not wig out over every single thing about this that goes against the known laws of the universe.]

Before, when you were shouting - were you thinking of somebody in particular who might have done this?

[dullshooter]

Huh? Oh - no.

[He shakes his head emphatically.]

There's a whole host of baddies out there that I'm familiar with, and they're just a fraction of the pool of weirdos who could be responsible for this. So, nah, not a clue.

[He says that perhaps far too casually for the situation.]

[inaclearing]

...I don't really have any enemies myself.

[And obviously, the chances that they would somehow share an enemy is infinitesimal. Still, it might've provided something to go on.]

I don't think I even know anybody who could do anything like this.

[dullshooter]

Oh.

[Misfire claps a hand to Brett’s shoulder.]

Then - congratulations, you are now officially involved in affairs beyond your comprehension. First time?

[inaclearing]

Heh, uh...yeah, thanks?

[Brett grins, but like in an alarmed and confused way!]

[dullshooter]

[Pat pat. Keep grinning buddy.]

You'll get used to it. If - and I'm putting a pretty big emphasis on it, considering those rules up on the wall - if you survive.

[But, you know, go get 'em champ!]

[inaclearing]

...great, thanks. That's very helpful.

[Look, has Brett looked at all the people present and realized that he is maybe sort of an easy target? Sure! He's just some regular guy!]

[dullshooter]

I get that a lot.

[Robosnark!]

[inaclearing]

Yeah, I bet you do.

[ahhhh. okay. well, let's try not to freak out here.]

I don't suppose you have some kind of cool robot powers to get us out of here?

[dullshooter]

[Misfire clicks his tongue.]

I turn into a plane.

[Does that...does that help.]

[inaclearing]

...not a submarine?

[It's not that helpful!]

[dullshooter]

I'm as disappointed about it as you are.

[inaclearing]

Well, can’t win them all.

[dullshooter]

I mean, if you look at it another way, even if I did turn into a submarine, at this size you literally couldn't fit anyone else in there!

[It's a lose/lose!]

[inaclearing]

That's true, but at least you could get out and go find help.

[dullshooter]

Or I could save myself and leave the rest of you to rot. You never know.

[He gives Brett a thumbs-up.]

At least now I'm guaranteed to go down with you.

[inaclearing]

...that's a little grim, but I guess I'll take it.

[dullshooter]

Lowering your standards. That's the way to go.

[inaclearing]

Seems like they're probably about to get a lot lower.

[dullshooter]

Yeah, that's generally how it goes with these things.

[He says it with a casual shrug like, why even sweat it? Feel liberated by this, Brett.]

[inaclearing]

[Brett chuckles, a little helplessly.]

Maybe it's better to get it out of the way early. Avoid disappointment.

[dullshooter]

[Misfire opens his palms out.]

I'm here to help.