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

Lobby

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan has been spending much of his time staring out at the underwater scene himself. He nods gently at Obi's comment.]

I'm afraid it isn't. I dread to find out what our captor has in store for us if this is our prison. I cannot fathom how we're supposed to escape to the surface like this.

[kninja]

I can't really imagine it, either, but they had a way to get us in. We should be able to go the same way to get out.

[Obi leaps down from whatever ridiculous circus acrobat position he's been holding and sits on a table instead.]

I've never seen anything like this. I'm kinda worried the whole thing'll pop like a bubble.

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan blinks in surprise at the stunt. A part of him wants to applaud him, but it seems inappropriate considering the situation.]

I beg you to not even suggest that. I cannot imagine a worse fate than drowning in a prison such as this.

[kninja]

[Don't applaud! What if he takes it as encouragement to keep sitting on instead of at tables like a civilized person! He's even swinging his feet a little.]

Well... yeah, never mind. Not like there's anything we can do if it did, and we've got other things to worry about. Like getting out of here before a disaster like that can happen.

So, hey, what's a "solicitor"? What do you do? [Is it useful for getting out from underwater prisons?]

[hotpaprika]

[Okay that is really adorable though.]

Yes, of course. It is fortunate that there appears to be so many of us; it should help us find a way out of this prison.

Oh, I'm someone who works in law, and advises clients on such matters. I'm still rather new to the job, myself.

[... Which isn't entirely useless in this situation, I suppose.]

[kninja]

Ooooh. No wonder you sound all high-brow and learned. Thought you might be a nobleman or something, but a legal career makes sense, too. Gotta keep your nose in the books for that.

[In the back of his mind, part of Obi notes that his former career might have run up hard against Jonathan's, but that isn't really relevant to the here and now.]

[hotpaprika]

[There is a noticeable blush on his face at the nobleman comment as he grins wider.]

You flatter me, sir! I have worked hard for my position but I would have never considered myself nobleman material. I have always been a pretty common person myself, although I have also always enjoyed a good book.

[kninja]

[Oh no. He's charming. Obi is charmed.]

Nothing wrong with that! One of my favorite people is a common-born bookworm, and I'm no noble myself. Hahaha, though that's probably pretty obvious.

[hotpaprika]

Well I must say you seem like a lovely person, nobleman or not. It's probably for the best anyway. I know not all are like the one I've encountered, but my only meeting with a genuine nobleman was less than pleasant, to put it lightly.

[His smile falters slightly as he eyes his own profile again.]

[kninja]

[Oh snap, he's adorable.]

Hahaha.

[He can't help but laugh at being called "a lovely person," but though his natural follow-up to that would be to grin as big and encouragingly as he can, Jonathan's, ah, recounting of his latest experience dampens the instinct. He gentles his voice a bit.]

...Yeah, they're not all cut from the same cloth, noble folks. ...You all right there?

[hotpaprika]

O-oh, yes I'm fine, I just... [His glance lingers on his profile before turning to Obi. Jonathan's expression turns grim.] I was being held prisoner in a Count's castle. He had locked me in my room and taken my clothes and every paper that would be useful to me if I were to escape. I... I knew the man wanted me dead, and I despised how he referred to me as his friend despite that fact.

[kninja]

Whoa. [That wipes all the humor off his sketchy face.] Yeah, that's not okay. And you went from that to this weird place?

[hotpaprika]

[He nods.]

It appears so. I suppose it's a relief that I have people to speak to who aren't my captor. Although it's a shame that so many have been held captive as well.

[kninja]

Hmm. Won't be for long, if I have anything to say about it.

[Not that the Mayor will be taking constructive criticism, but a guy's gotta try.]