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GRAVEYARD
THE MUSEUM
So, you’ve met your end and regardless of your beliefs, the expectation is that is where things end. Rebirth. Damnation. Salvation. A simple black screen… None of those things happen; how (un)fortunate for you. How jarring it must be to have your last moments not be your final moments. On the bright side, all the injuries you’ve sustained are no longer present. You’re as good as new!
Now, whether you’ve met your end violently, peacefully, or something between the two, you’ll find yourself sat in front of a sprawling behemoth of a wall tastefully covered from floor to ceiling (where is the ceiling?) with various objects on display. All of them carefully and neatly framed or kept safe within a box attached to the wall. Not only that, but there are cages hanging from the “ceiling” that contain even more objects for viewing. However, other than the walls, the hanging cages, and the bench—there is no padding on the bench; only a cold, hard surface that does not give—you find yourself sitting on, the rest of this room is completely empty.
At least, after giving a survey of the area, it will be obvious that it isn’t an enclosed space. There is an opening to a hallway—hopefully. Only one way to find out. Spoilers, there are many, many, many other rooms that make up this place.
Oh, but just what is all out on display?
Well, it varies and depends on who is looking. The hanging cages contain skeletons of creatures from home. Whose home? Your home. It’s the same story for everything that has been framed. They’re all images, items, objects—things—from home. Your home. Fortunately, not everything is familiar as unfamiliar items are included in equal parts. How did they all get here? What are they all doing here?
Have you considered the similarities between a museum and a graveyard? Both are places where the living go to marvel at the dead.
Now, whether you’ve met your end violently, peacefully, or something between the two, you’ll find yourself sat in front of a sprawling behemoth of a wall tastefully covered from floor to ceiling (where is the ceiling?) with various objects on display. All of them carefully and neatly framed or kept safe within a box attached to the wall. Not only that, but there are cages hanging from the “ceiling” that contain even more objects for viewing. However, other than the walls, the hanging cages, and the bench—there is no padding on the bench; only a cold, hard surface that does not give—you find yourself sitting on, the rest of this room is completely empty.
At least, after giving a survey of the area, it will be obvious that it isn’t an enclosed space. There is an opening to a hallway—hopefully. Only one way to find out. Spoilers, there are many, many, many other rooms that make up this place.
Oh, but just what is all out on display?
Well, it varies and depends on who is looking. The hanging cages contain skeletons of creatures from home. Whose home? Your home. It’s the same story for everything that has been framed. They’re all images, items, objects—things—from home. Your home. Fortunately, not everything is familiar as unfamiliar items are included in equal parts. How did they all get here? What are they all doing here?
Have you considered the similarities between a museum and a graveyard? Both are places where the living go to marvel at the dead.
EXHIBIT #04 - COMFORT
Likely the first room that you’ll come across after moving from the initial room. This room feels just as grand and just as empty as that room, but at least the walls aren’t covered in things from (your) home. 
Instead, there will be surfaces to claim, if you wish. Beds, sofas, couches, chaises lounge, bean bags, you name it—if someone could consider it comfortable then it will be present in all shapes, sizes, and variations. The only real catch is that each surface will be displayed individually and cannot be moved. Obviously.
Against one of the walls is a very small plaque that reads:
[ FOR DISPLAY ONLY – DO NOT TOUCH ]
Oops.
Instead, there will be surfaces to claim, if you wish. Beds, sofas, couches, chaises lounge, bean bags, you name it—if someone could consider it comfortable then it will be present in all shapes, sizes, and variations. The only real catch is that each surface will be displayed individually and cannot be moved. Obviously.
Against one of the walls is a very small plaque that reads:
[ FOR DISPLAY ONLY – DO NOT TOUCH ]
Oops.
EXHIBIT #09 - VIEWING
What’s a museum without some sort of media installation, hm?
For this room, there is only one thing and one thing only—a projector. For much of the time the projector being on (you can’t turn it off. In fact, where is the projector?), it won’t be displaying anything but a white light on the blank wall opposite of it.
However, while the wall is blank, every so often it’s possible to hear faint voices coming from above. Especially during the night before—you know.
For this room, there is only one thing and one thing only—a projector. For much of the time the projector being on (you can’t turn it off. In fact, where is the projector?), it won’t be displaying anything but a white light on the blank wall opposite of it.
However, while the wall is blank, every so often it’s possible to hear faint voices coming from above. Especially during the night before—you know.
EXHIBIT #03 - GARDEN
It’s here that you can finally see the ceiling even if it’s still more of a “sky” than a true ceiling. 
Those with keen eyes will be able to tell that it’s an artificial sky, and, for those who are less aware, then how it randomly flickers should help with that. Or not. Regardless, the presence of a “sky” isn’t the only surprising thing about this room—it might not even be the first thing that goes noticed. Despite all the expansive and seemingly never-ending hallways that lead to rooms that are void of anything living, this room is alive. Somehow.
A small plaque on the wall will describe this exhibit as an “interactive” medium with gentle suggestions to not be too rough with anything. This exhibition will be a picturesque garden full of all kinds of flowers and plants with a small pond with lily pads and lotus located towards the center of the room. The only physical structure within this room is a very small and simple gazebo containing two chairs and a small table. Perfect for having afternoon tea—if that’s your kind of thing. However, if you were hoping to listen to any bird song, look at what animals have taken residence in the pond, or generally any other kind of life then you’ll be disappointed.
Those with keen eyes will be able to tell that it’s an artificial sky, and, for those who are less aware, then how it randomly flickers should help with that. Or not. Regardless, the presence of a “sky” isn’t the only surprising thing about this room—it might not even be the first thing that goes noticed. Despite all the expansive and seemingly never-ending hallways that lead to rooms that are void of anything living, this room is alive. Somehow.
A small plaque on the wall will describe this exhibit as an “interactive” medium with gentle suggestions to not be too rough with anything. This exhibition will be a picturesque garden full of all kinds of flowers and plants with a small pond with lily pads and lotus located towards the center of the room. The only physical structure within this room is a very small and simple gazebo containing two chairs and a small table. Perfect for having afternoon tea—if that’s your kind of thing. However, if you were hoping to listen to any bird song, look at what animals have taken residence in the pond, or generally any other kind of life then you’ll be disappointed.
EXHIBIT # — ???
Nothing is on display in this room; all that is there is just empty walls, empty “ceilings”, empty floors…
The only thing that can be found is a small, simple white card free from any kind of writing. A completely blank card. If you try to take it out of the room, it will instantly disappear from wherever it was stored and return to the room.
The only thing that can be found is a small, simple white card free from any kind of writing. A completely blank card. If you try to take it out of the room, it will instantly disappear from wherever it was stored and return to the room.
no subject
I killed Amaya, are ya happy now?
Like before, his slit pupils narrow to pinpricks. The tentacles appear suddenly, hiking his labcoat up in order for all six to comfortably emerge and frame him like a ribcage. There isn't a damn thing he can do about it right now - but if those hands are successful, then Ramuda will be here and—
It wasn't personal. She was just an easy target!]
I wonder how easy a target you'll be here?
no subject
Let me know when you decide to find out so I can watch.
no subject
no subject
(That thought is a little scary.) )
Zvei, don't—
( —Don't let it consume you, he wants to echo, but how can he say that without it seeming a platitude in the face of everything Ramuda has said? There is no remorse here, no pressure nor sympathy; there's only a cool-handed selfishness, an easy willingness to spend a life as currency. Yuki can't understand it. How can he ask it of Zvei? (The honorific dropped in his distress.)
Still. He'll lay a hand on a middle tentacle - he won't care if it lashes out at him. It's fine. )
... Zvei. Please... don't lose yourself.
( A more selfish plea, not a righteous one. He doesn't want to see Zvei consumed by this hurt. )
no subject
But slowly, slowly those tentacles begin to relax; the tight, coiled, predator-like posture loosening into something a little more lax. Still armed and ready as though Ramuda could join them at any second now, but less like they'll strike at any moment.]
...I'll try not to.
[His voice is soft, for once.]
I don't like this feeling. I don't want this. But I have to do something.
[Because death, even dying to those hands, isn't enough. Because he dared hurt someone Zvei holds dear. Because he feels too damn much and doesn't have a release for it, and maybe this will help.]
no subject
...
He hesitates for a long time. This isn't something he can fix with an application of sacrifice or affection. This is... far too complex. )
... All right.
( Does he want Zvei to body anyone? Of course not. Ramuda is ... terrible, a fact that rends at Yuki's heart, but he's against the idea of torment or execution. He was in passionate favor of jail during both trials he was alive for. But...
He doesn't want to reject Zvei's emotions, either. He knows him. This is probably a lot for him to deal with. It isn't his fault that he reacts to them as they come. And if his object is to learn how to have and deal with these feelings, then - to refute him for simply having them here won't let Zvei ever learn how to do that.
Learning how to deal with emotions painful and overwhelming is the most difficult lesson. It's one Yuki's still learning, himself. )
... When, or if, he arrives here... We can figure out what to do. Something that won't force you to keep your feelings inside. All right?
( In practice, this is just deferring the problem to later, but. He can only hope, perhaps futilely, Ramuda and Amaya will have a really good case they'll be able to share with the class, and it'll help Zvei feel better... unlikely as it is. )
no subject
But for now...
Well, for now, there isn't long left. The hands seize at Ramuda again, and it looks like it was only a temporary reprieve from the inevitable. He'll be joining them soon.]
...Yes.
[The tentacles tense sharply for a moment again before he slowly lowers them, the topmost two retreat into his back and the labcoat falls a little more easily over the bottom four.]
I'm going to look for miss Amaya. I don't want her to be alone when she finds herself here.
[Will it be good for her to immediately see one of the dead? Ehhhhh that's a bridge we'll cross when we get to it. For now, it seems like the better option.]
no subject
... )
... Would you like me to accompany you?
( He would leave Zvei and Amaya be to have their reunion alone together, of course, he's just - worried about letting Zvei stalk through the halls in his current state.
... )
... I don't... want to leave you alone right now.
( But the choice remains Zvei's. )
no subject
His pupils are still pinpricks, but after a moment of silence - still, unblinking silence - they slowly widen back to the usual cat-like slits. Zvei's demeanor remains a bit too tense to be his usual, but he nods after a moment.]
Very well. I'd like to speak with miss Amaya alone when she arrives, but until then... You can stay with me.
[Whether it's for his own sake or for Yuki's doesn't matter. Yuki wants to come along with him, and Zvei isn't going to turn him down. For now... For now this is good enough.]
no subject
His gaze falls to the projection for a moment as Ramuda dissolves, a witness where Zvei is not. His expression is complex. After a few moments, he turns back to Zvei, pale but resolute to do what he can for the person before him now.
(... He doesn't want to leave Zvei alone with someone else for a single moment, even to be with Amaya, but this is what is better for Zvei, so he will.) )
... All right. Thank you.
no subject
...
Though he did turn to leave, he turns back around to offer Yuki a hand silently. It isn't out of obligation that he agreed to let Yuki come with him, it's because it's Yuki, and he quite likes Yuki. He's not in any state to properly express his thought process, but he does want Yuki to know that much, at least. That it isn't as though he's upset or bothered by anything Yuki has said or done.]
no subject
Though he has a lot on his mind, his heart beat back by waves of worries coming in all directions, it's this simple gesture that's a buoy in the tumult, and he takes it without a moment's hesitation.
It's easy for Yuki to determine he's the one pushing himself onto other people - ten years of disparaging judgment and silent contemplation has led him to this sole conclusion - and so gestures of care extended to him, in turn, cut through his thoughts better than anything, and arrest his worries.
... He squeezes Zvei's hand tight, stepping closer to take up the space beside him - setting off, if they are. It's okay if Zvei doesn't have the words for any of this right now. It's not an easy thing. But Yuki understands what he means, and ... he cares that Zvei has tries to convey it, even when it's all so difficult. )