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

[timegazer]

[Ah, Adaman just kind of chuckles at that. It's not anything cruel, at least; if anything, it seems...understanding, at least somewhat.]

Oho, of course; it's not a bad thing to want to clear one's head, especially in the face of such new and overwhelming things. [If Forrest doesn't mind, Adaman's gonna plop a squat on the ground, though--unlike the other, he doesn't seem nearly as concerned about getting his clothing dirty.] I understand, truthfully. Many of the things that are here are rather unfamiliar to me as well, and a place like this is certainly welcome among all of the...

[...]

Bluntly put, utterly tacky nonsense that's an affront to almighty Sinnoh itself! [Adaman laughs at that, though, jovial if nothing else. Still--] Is something like this what you are more used to, then, in your own homeland?

[visiblepattern]

[Go right ahead, Adaman, he really doesn't mind the company; he came out here to clear his head, but that doesn't always mean being alone.]

It's positively hideous, isn't it? I certainly hope no one told them that any of that looks good; a lie of that scale ought to be considered treason of the highest order.

[Well, he certainly does seem a bit more animated now that we're allowed to shittalk Mayor Fontaine's decor.]

From what I understand, we don't have much like this in Nohr - not much grows there, and the weather is continually poor. I was raised outside of there, however; the area was pleasant enough, a village populated by others. It was quiet, and it was lonely sometimes, but I liked having time to work on my own small projects and helping those in town.

[timegazer]

[Almighty Sinnoh above--Adaman just laughs at that, the sound absolutely bright and just completely here for this trash talk. He's right and he should fucking say it, honestly!!]

Stranger, you truly don't mince words! I enjoy it, and I agree with you entirely.

[Still, though, Adaman listens as Forrest describes the place he came from--a place outside of this 'Nohr', apparently, but a pleasant area. It doesn't sound unlike his own home, really...]

It sounds like you grew up in quite the harsh environment; that village of yours must have had many hardy people there. [But oh--] What sort of projects were you involved in, however?

[visiblepattern]

Oh - I like to make clothing. It's something I learned to do to stave off loneliness, and I just never stopped. Besides, I like looking adorable, and finding one's own way to do that is a skill like anything else.

[He seems amused when he says it, though, that last part; it's genuine confidence, but maybe just fucking around a tiny bit in saying it as well.]

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

[timegazer]

[To stave off loneliness...something in Adaman's expression shifts a little bit at that. He'd at least assumed that he had the other villagers as company, but...]

Nothing wrong with that! You're living true to yourself, and if you find happiness in doing so, by all means live as adorably as possible! You certainly have succeeded at that much so far!

[...HE MEANS THIS IN THE LEAST FLIRTING WAY POSSIBLE, HE PROMISES--]

It's great to meet you, Forrest! I am Adaman; leader of the Diamond Clan of Hisui. Perhaps if we are lucky enough to find materials, I would like to see a craftsman like yourself at work sometime. If you don't mind, of course!

[visiblepattern]

[Oh goodness. Flattery!! He'll take it in stride, inclining his head a bit at the compliment; his expression is warm.]

Of course I wouldn't mind. If you don't mind me taking measurements, I could make something for you if you wanted.

[...]

Ah, something that doesn't involve a skirt, if you'd prefer. I understand they're not for everyone.

[He has no shred of shame about the skirts, but he gets it.]

[timegazer]

[Oh? Adaman actually pauses when Forrest says that much; it takes a couple seconds to respond but...]

...I would like that quite a bit! Tell me whenever you would like to take them; I would be quite interested in seeing what you would come up with for me!

[He seems...genuinely jazzed by the idea? It feels a little daft to be interested in something so simple, but Forrest can likely tell just by looking at him that his clothes are a little baggy and maybe a bit ill-fitting.]

I've certainly never had the opportunity for such things before.

[visiblepattern]

[Oh, honey.]

I'll let you know once I've found adequate materials, and I'll be sure to make you as handsome as I am adorable. I'll be looking forward to it!