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

[pairtner]

[His hand touches absolutely nothing! The image doesn't even warp, and indeed, all there is, is air. At least she doesn't seem to take offense to that]

My physical being is in this room right now, hiding. Talking to anybody directly could turn out very dangerous for me, which is why I'm projecting this form into your eyes.

[kninja]

[Of course, when told she's here in the room (the call is coming from inside the house), Obi looks around to see if he can spot her. As honed as his skills are, though, he doesn't know to be looking for something less than three inches tall. He gives up and meets her avatar's holographic gaze again for something to focus on while they talk.]

Fair 'nuff. So you want me to look for something like that... weird tablet you showed me, right? You'll use it to talk to someone who can help us?

[See, he's following the narrative!]

[pairtner]

Correct. I work with people who would make finding me and helping us all a priority. If I can get in touch with them, our odds of survival increase.

[Or that's how it would be if they were in her world, haha. Alas, she'll figure out later she's worlds away from them all, all by her lonesome]

[kninja]

[He nods. That makes perfect sense to him, after all; he knows about people with priorities.]

No prob. I'll keep an eye out, then. Anything else I can help with, O Hidden One?

[pairtner]

O Hidden One...? [Aiba blinks] I like it.

[If others figure out she's hiding in the room she's so asking them to call her O Hidden One]

Nothing else for now. Thank you for your cooperation. If at any point you wish to ask for my help... [Well, it's not like he can approach and find her if she doesn't want to be found, she supposes] ...please leave a message in my room. Suite 2, Room 5.

[kninja]

Oh! That's the suite I woke up in, but the other end of the row. Room 1. Heh, that'll be convenient if we're here long enough to keep needing each other's help.

[He hopes they aren't, but, y'know.]

I'm Obi, by the way. Guess you oughta know that if we're hallmates.

[pairtner]

It's a pleasure to meet you.

[She likes this one. Cooperative people are a welcome change of pace]

I'll leave now and continue my search. Stay safe, Obi.

[And just as it had appeared before, she's just...gone. Vanished into thin air. Leaving the area unnoticed is...very difficult, but by taking advantage of her diminutive size she manages to flee.

Be seeing you during the next two months, Obi! Or less, if either of them die, who knows]

[kninja]

[Admiringly:]

How does she do that?

[Yeah, girl, you go on being your tiny, mystifying self.]