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

[buriedstar]

[ He huffs, settling into an amused smile. ]

I guess most kids wouldn't know. You're a minor, right?

[withagun]

[ Ah... Something about the smile makes him hesitate to answer that question. But it's not like he looks twenty. Hina can pull off the college student lie, he can't. ]

Um... Yes...?

[buriedstar]

[ Okay now he's laughing just a bit. ]

Don't tell me I look like an enforcer, you'll hurt my feelings. [ ...granted Seo Dawon does fit the whole "someone important" look considering he's in a suit and tie, with suit vest even. He fits in with this room just fine. ]

So what did you do? That's the worst acting I've seen besides Lee-kyung-ah.

[withagun]

[ Hodaka bristles. ]

D- do...?! What do you- [ The clanking of the handcuffs hanging from his left wrist cut him off. Right. That's why this man in his fancy suit and tie is asking.

Hodaka feels his face heat up. ] Nothing. Nothing...that's anyone else's business.

[buriedstar]

If it's not anyone's business then you need to get better at hiding it. You're as bright as a strawberry. [ In contrast Seo Dawon seems completely at ease, even as his eyes flicker over to the handcuffs. ]

You also might want to get rid of those.

[withagun]

Hey...! [ He grits his teeth. ] It's not. You...have nothing to do with it. No one here has anything to do with it.

[ He cradles the loose cuff with his free hand. ]

If I had the key...I wouldn't have to worry about anyone asking.

[buriedstar]

[ This conversation would be going so much smoother if Seo Dawon didn't seem continuously amused by it, but at least he's not being directly antagonistic? In his eyes, anyway. ]

Just break it.

[withagun]

[ It could be smoother. But it could be worse! We are very middle of the road here.

Hodaka's brow furrows in confusion. ]

Wha- huh...? That's not... I can't do that.

[buriedstar]

Why not?

[withagun]

Cuz I…just can’t? I don’t have tools, man!

[buriedstar]

So your plan is to go around hiding your arm behind every potted plant you can find?

[ Again it's not really antagonistic but more "where is your game plan?". Seo Dawon is just. a little demanding. ]

[withagun]

I... I dunno, okay? I'm not- this hasn't really happened to me before!

[ Flustered, Hodaka forgets that he was trying to be evasive. He shakes his arm, trying to see if he can get the handcuff loose, but to no avail. ]

[buriedstar]

That explains a lot.

[ Kids grow up so fast. ]

There's a few ways to get those off, but given how locked this area is, you're probably going to be stuck doing it the old fashioned way.

[withagun]

[ Ah- crap. Hodaka just glares, more frustrated than anything, at Seo but also at himself. He grimaces...and then he whacks his handcuffs against a nearby pillar, as if that will fix it. ]

Ow!

[ It does not, simply irritating his wrist and his arm where the free-hanging cuff smacks him. ]

[buriedstar]

[ Wow. Seo Dawon can't help but snicker. It's one way to take direction, at least? ]

If I was a treasure hunter, I might actually help you for free right now. [ Entertainment might be some form of payment to him, but this also explains why he's not a class of the thief hierarchy. ]

[withagun]

[ He cradles his poor wrist as his glare intensifies. ]

Well if you're not, then just- buzz off, okay?!

[buriedstar]

Or what?

[ He stands in front of Hodaka, unmoving. ]

And I'm a mage.

[withagun]

[ Hodaka is unbothered. He just keeps glaring. ]

Go. Away.

[buriedstar]

If you want something, then do something about it.

[ Shades of what he said before, even if the context is different. He is immune to glares of all kinds, and returns an amused smile. ]

[withagun]

[ He grits his teeth, eyes narrowed grumpily. This guy's a jerk. And Hodaka wants. to punch him. But- ]

Fine.

[ What he does is...turn to leave! ]

[buriedstar]

There you go. See you later!

[ Seo Dawon gives him a friendly wave and a smile, and watches him go. He'll check back in on his handcuff progress another time. ]

[withagun]

[ grumble grumble he'll get his REVENGE no he'll probably just sulk tbh ]