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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.
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[It's still soft; not quite gentle, as Zvei's never learned how to be gentle, but when he interrupts, it's trying to be more gentle than he ever has been.]
None of this was your fault. I don't know why you awoke, I'm afraid, but you did nothing wrong. I know you weren't trying to kill him.
[...Right, he should probably explain...]
We were able to listen in on the trial, and the aftermath.
[The trial is its own separate can of worms that he is not going to get into right now, so instead he'll cut to the most important part:]
Ramuda is dead, taken by the hands as Yuki and Giyuu were. He should be joining us here at some point. More importantly, he explained himself - he said he chose to target you. He wanted to kill you for his wish, for his freedom. I don't know how those correlate and frankly, I don't care, because he went after you.
[There's something cold, callous that creeps into the words as he speaks. Not quite anger, but certainly nothing like he's ever sounded before. Zvei exhales sharply and shakes his head. Refocuses.]
None of this is your fault. He wasn't going to stop for anything, there wasn't anything you could have done to change his mind. You did nothing wrong - you tried to survive; that's the most that could be expected of anyone.
[And it's not like he can judge that, because he failed at that too.]
cw: violent thoughts (spoken aloud), minor talk of gore?? i'm genuinely sorry
[Amaya legitimately thought that she was being killed for being a curse, a blight once more. That maybe Ramuda was trying to save the group, she didn't know, all she knew was a fight or flight response that threatened to eat her alive with every twist and turn, and--
Amaya listens, and she's shaking as she hears more of this. It isn't even as if she can't understand why Ramuda did this in the first place--freedom is such a scary thing to her, something she's continually refused herself because free will frightens her. The idea of living outside of a self-imposed cage frightens her. If anything, she envies him that he had enough gumption to go for his freedom, and...and...
She had to die for it. He chose her, and for what?]
He...explicitly chose me. Did he ever say why me, of all people?
[The tears begin to abate, though she shaking doesn't. She seems to calm a bit as she realizes that this was...a betrayal, more than anything. A deep, sickening betrayal by someone she barely even knew. Amaya's emotions are mostly muted, and she tries to keep the uglier ones at bay, but...
There's absolutely no denying the anger that slowly works it's way into her expression.]
...Well, glad to know that these tears were for absolutely nothing, then; you have my apologies. Gods, he had better hope I do not find him alone, or I will make his insides his outsides for this slight.
[...]
I'm...glad they caught him. I tried to use the last bit of my strength to do something to help them, anything--if he'd gotten away with it and an innocent was killed, I would have been so worried for the others. They didn't deserve to have someone like that amongst them.
...I'm glad they're safe.
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He said it was because you were doing poorly that week; that he thought he could take you out.
[Exactly why she was doing poorly never really occurred to him, and now he's wondering what... happened, exactly. But that can wait for later.]
You don't need to apologize. You were killed; that's more than worthy of your tears. He robbed you of your time on the other side and your contact with the people there, as well as your life. Though we may still exist, there are some differences...
[Slowly he loosens his grip on her, as Zvei finally realizes he's clinging a bit too tightly. Whoops. He doesn't let go, though.]
He was the only one taken, so the others are fine for the time being. I imagine they'll be struggling quite a bit with the aftermath of this one because it wasn't... clean. They didn't narrow it down to him very easily; for whatever reason, it seems the hands chose him.
[Maybe it was because he was the killer. Maybe it was because of thoughtcrimes like they were speculating. It's impossible to tell right now.]
cw: abuse mention
Ah, I expressed an emotion too out of line once again and paid the price for it. Good to know that even trying to keep my feelings under wraps and trying to process it after all that happened was enough to paint a target on my back, truly.
[did you miss this bitterness, zvei. because boy howdy.
At any rate, Amaya does start coming back into herself some, doing her best to compose herself a bit--she barely notices him loosening his grip, but she finds herself doing so as well, if unconsciously.
...It's strangely warm, being this close, but she wants this much for now. She steadies her breathing a bit, just trying to get herself back to normal.]
...Explain them to me, once I can...get myself under control, yes. I am...glad, that nobody else was hurt. They did not deserve that. [...] I would not have wanted to leave them behind, but it seems those hands do seek justice, ever so. I'm glad he got what he deserved.
[She says those things so easily, believing them to be true. The bitterness in her heart certainly makes her come to that conclusion, at least, though dealing with the rest of this is...going to be much. But maybe this time, they'll find a way to make this all stop.
...
It's a foolish dream, and she knows it. Though, she finally looks up at Zvei, her condition mostly presentable outside of the fact that her hair is definitely a rat's nest now, but when she speaks again, it's a little softer.]
...I feel selfish, for saying this, but...I think I am glad to see you again, Zvei.
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[The first part troubles him. The idea that she was targeted for a weakness - a weakness she finally felt comfortable to show others - stings, and he can't help but wonder if she'll try to hide any such things here. It seems like it'll have a dreadful impact on her, and that...
It worries him, which is sort of startling to realize. He wants to help, but isn't sure how to even begin approaching something like that. For now he'll let it go, just because there are some other things to discuss, but that's something he isn't going to forget about.]
Well, if you feel selfish, imagine how I feel. I can't exactly say it's good to see you again, given what happened that caused you to join us on this side, but... I missed you.
[It's lighter now, like he's trying to play it off as a joke, but it isn't. It doesn't really hit the same notes of his usual joking demeanor anyway, so maybe it's obvious, but...]
...Will you let me fix your hair again?
[Will you let me stay by your side for a bit longer? Until I'm feeling more like myself and less consumed by all these horribly unfamiliar feelings?]
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[It hits Amaya, really, that Zvei is...Zvei is feeling something, when he said he couldn't feel anything at all. She doesn't know how to help, really. She could imitate the things that Aneirin has always done, but she'd worry too much that she's pitying him or that he wouldn't like it. There's so much swirling in that mind of hers, and...
She finds herself pulling him in a little gentler this time, just...wanting him close. The proximity, she can't feel anything, but maybe it'll help him too.
...But then he asks that question, and there isn't an ounce of hesitation in the answer.]
...I would like that, actually. You always have my permission, if you ever wish to.
[And maybe that's saying something. Maybe that says how much she trusts him, after so long, and maybe things can begin to go back to a semblance of normal. It'd be nice.
But Amaya pauses for a moment, unsure if she wants to express the sentiment, but...it comes out, after a moment.]
...I don't want to be alone; I...do not want to leave you alone, either, Zvei.
...Please.
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[But for now he'll settle comfortably into her arms, wrapping his own around her tightly again. Still a little too tight, in a way that would have likely been uncomfortable if they were alive. But it's progress, and that has to count for something.]
I'll be right here with you. I don't... like being alone here either. I spend quite a bit of my time with Yuki, so it hasn't been bad. But having you here is...
[He trails off, not sure how to word it.]
Again, I am... very displeased with how and why you ended up on this side. But at the same time, I'm glad to have you here.
[It's a little simplistic, but gets across the duality of his thinking well enough. It's awful that she was killed. He's happy she's here. It's complicated, and feelings are already complicated enough for him without that duality.]
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[For now, she's...comfortably empty, she thinks. It's the same feeling she gets when Aneirin coaxes her out of her own depressive spells, and it's a feeling she never thought she'd get again. At least not here.
...Of course, Amaya tenses up when Yuki's mentioned, briefly trembling again and clinging just a little bit tighter--]
...Likewise, on all counts. Losing you...really did make me worse, even if I tried to open myself up to the others a little. I don't think many of them understand, like you do, though some of them have tried.
...But...how...is Yuki, here?
[It's delicately asked, because she doesn't know how much Yuki has told him, but Amaya's gaze averts a little at that.]
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In some ways, I think it's good that they don't understand. I wouldn't wish my lack of feelings on anyone.
[Maybe not even Ramuda! Maybe. It's good to know that she values him so highly because he does get it, at least in part. But knowing that she was struggling because he died...
He's not going to think about it right now. After all, she asked him a question.]
He's fine? [He sounds so confused.] Obviously upset about what happened to him and miss Reiju, but he's been doing well enough despite those difficulties. Why do you ask?
[he does not know the extent of the hands monster,,,]
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[...Oh, how does she say this delicately. Mmm.]
...That is good to know. He...was quite upset during the trial, too. Truthfully, most of that trial is a blur to me, but he...I...
[...]
He had...transformed into some sort of multi-armed beast, when Siffrin tried to attack him. [Amaya shakes as she speaks of it, terrified, though trying to keep herself composed.] I tried to stop Siffrin. Yuki...Yuki wanted to help us all, I think. He transformed into something--something multi-armed, something with so many...faces, and wings, and...
[She still sees it in her dreams. She thought facing down some of the monsters in Madide would have been the scariest things she'd seen before. Ms. Horikawa was terrifying, the first time she'd faced her. But...
No. It seems there are more terrifying things in the world.]
...He nearly crushed us alive. It was...only due to the puppet's intervention, that those of us who made the mistake of being nearby made it out alive.
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You were frightened? [It's a guess more than an assumption.] I can see where you would be worried about his presence here, after that. But rest assured he hasn't taken on such a form here, nor has he acted in any strange way.
[He's dead, so the infection is likely gone, or at the very least no longer in control. It seems that Lynne's also isn't troubling her nearly as much on the living side, though that one's far tougher to explain.]
...Not that I mean to dismiss your feelings; my apologies. I can only imagine what it was like.
cw: suicidal ideation mention
[Amaya doesn't finish that thought, though she lets out a shuddering breath.]
Seymour got me out of there, that night. I...don't remember much of the rest of it. I am glad to hear that he seems to be back to normal, here; I can only hope that it...didn't hurt him, too badly. All of that.
[Still, Amaya looks up at Zvei with those cold, yellow eyes of hers and shakes her head a bit, gently letting go of him and signalling him to do the same; come on, at least so Beryl can get back to gardening in peace...]
...You are forgiven, but you know you needn't, around me. I understand. You're curious, despite yourself; I do not take any offense.
For now...let us stick together and find a new place. I assume there is somewhere you can fix my hair, if you'd still like to?
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Well, he'll let it go for now, uneasy as it makes him. He nods at the first part; Yuki does seem to be doing alright, though now that she's spelled out what happened, he has to wonder if maybe the other man's covering up a lot of his own insecurities and uncertainties. Maybe he's hurting more than Zvei's realized. How careless, to settle back into normalcy as though that's something most people could even do after dying.
Amaya lets him go and Zvei does the same. He kind of forgot about Beryl lmao whoops. But for now he exhales; the sound nearly a laugh.]
You know me too well. Yes, let's; there's an exhibit nearby that has several mirrors, that should prove suitable.
[It's probably some sort of fashion boutique of like, ancient outfits or something but whatever, it works for the purposes of this thread!! He reaches out without thinking, offering Amaya a hand to take to lead the way.]
I'm pleased Seymour was there for you in the aftermath of all of that. He... did not take very kindly to your death. Most of them did not.
[To say the least.]
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[Amaya doesn't even think twice about taking Zvei's hand, at this point--there's a moment after she's taken it that she realizes she probably should have thought this over, but. Eh. Who's gonna care, the gardening wolf??? It's fine.
Amaya does listen while they walk, though, her brows knitting in outright concern at that; they'd grown closer, much so over that week, but that's...]
...I had been worried about how Seymour was going to take this. He's been...dealing with so much, from all of them and from this game--I...truly did not want to leave him alone.
[...But wait a minute, HUH??? Amaya looks...genuinely surprised, at the rest of that.]
...They...didn't?
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That gets him to glance at Amaya, blinking owlishly.]
Of course they didn't? Especially once they realized it likely wasn't someone who had lost control and transformed, like what happened with Lynne and Yuki. Several of them were furious - Seymour and Kaois seemed to be the most angry about the situation, but your death riled most of them.
[Maybe part of that was just because of the circumstances, but he wants to believe it was because it was Amaya. How could they not miss her presence in their lives?]
I'm pleased they value you so.
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[The words almost come out like someone trying to sound out a foreign language. Valued, her? To anyone outside of Aneirin, who gets to be full to bursting? To anyone outside of Zvei and Seymour and Kaios, who could see her for who she truly was? She's always been something of a burden, mostly an emotional one, and that's...
Amaya goes quiet, for a bit, as she tries to process that.
(It feels even worse now. For the first time, people cared that she died. People actually gave a damn. It's...)]
...I do not know how to feel about it, all be told.
But...thank you. I truly do hope their path is free of further suffering, but I suppose it is out of our hands now.
[Let's get to that boutique, shall we?]
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Yes. There's nothing we can do from here aside from watch, occasionally.
[...It's hard not to think about what must have been Amaya's final moments. The music, her voice, the crunch of snow... But now isn't the time to bring that up. He'll warn her about that room later, and that she should be careful not to wander in there if she doesn't want to hear something that could be someone's death.
Anyway, here we are. It's a rather old-timey exhibit, but there are fancy vanities and various hair-care and makeup supplies at them, so it'll do. Zvei gestures for Amaya to take a seat, letting go of her hand.]
There are a few things you should know about this place. [He says, while gathering some brushes to help with her hair.] The first is that it seems we no longer have any need to eat or sleep. You can find food and a room to rest in if you'd like, but they don't seem mandatory, given that I haven't done either since arriving.
[Totally normal things!]
Pain also seems to be something we can no longer experience, as all injuries will heal themselves near immediately.
[............also totally normal things,,,]
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[Well. Amaya won't focus on that for too long; today's been far too full of complicated feelings, so frankly, she'll let go of him and take a seat, trying not to grimace at the mirror. It's why she was so fond of the chapel; she didn't have to look herself in the face all the time and see her own decline. Her hair's such a mess...
But Amaya will listen as Zvei talks, taking all of that in. Admittedly, the talk of a lack of eating and rest is...concerning, but wholly manageable.]
...I see. It is sort of like we are...omitted, then, from having certain needs? That much is good to know; that is more time, perhaps, to work and see what we can find here.
You'll have to let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I would...like to; I imagine it will also help with any boredom, here.
[...Wait wait though, back that up--]
...Do I dare ask how you found that much out? Did someone attempt to attack you? Something?
[She is so worried??? Hang on, she can stop giving a fuck about herself, YOU ARE DOING A WORRY ZVEI--]
cw: flippant mention of self-harm of the experimental sort i'm so sorry about him
I have been trying to chronicle all of the rooms we've found here, but there's simply so many... And admittedly, I keep being distracted by learning all sorts of new and interesting things.
[So maybe Amaya can keep him on track. Or ooh and ahh over the exhibits with him, either way.
Anyway, Zvei blinks at her reflection in the mirror in response to that, like he's caught off-guard by the question.]
No? Of course not. Considering I'd gone several days without sleep and had no ill effects including no headaches, I started to wonder if pain entirely was gone and tested my theory - I was right, of course! I certainly wouldn't ask to test it on anyone else, after all.
[it is a miracle this man has made it to 25+ tbqh.]
BOY,,, (cw: mentions of self harm. for the stupid.)
[...She can't actually write to save her life, so he's gonna need to do the notework,,,
BUT HOLD ON. HEY. NO???]
Zvei! That's...I can certainly understand where your mind would come to that conclusion, but you should not have done that to yourself. [Maybe she shouldn't be so openly damn concerned, but the idea of that, it's--] ...Please, if you get any experimentation ideas like that again, just ask me or something. You shouldn't harm yourself like that.
[...amaya, two wrongs don't make a right???]
:pensive:
[he could've led with that, he just. didn't???]
Though, if you're offering...
[He probably shouldn't tease her, given that she has had such a damn rough day, but. On the other hand. Stupidity is the best way to make someone laugh, isn't it?]
...is that the sort of thing you're into, miss Amaya?
[GASP!!!]
screams internally
[super effective hit noise]
--Zvei!!
[Amaya makes a horribly strangled noise at that, just kind of. Trying to find a proper protest to this??? Like she's not even actually sure if she has one considering--]
That is not a question you should be asking?! I just do not want to see you harmed again, that is all! And I figure it better someone else than yourself...!
it just keeps happening
And what if I don't want to hurt you either, hmm? I could argue "better me than anyone else" and we'd be stuck in an endless loop, now wouldn't we? I won't do anything rash without discussing it with you, you have my word~
[He even places a hand on his chest and gives a mock bow!!]
amaya sees the stairs and keeps diving headlong into them...
It's good, she thinks.]
...Good. I would hate to have to be cross with you.
[She seemingly doesn't respond to the rest of that, content to let there be silence in the air for a bit before she speaks up again.]
...It sounded like you needed that laugh. Even if it embarrasses me so, I am glad to have provided you with that much.
girl please,,,
I suppose I did. I haven't had the opportunity to tease anyone like that in a little while.
[Just a week. But it feels like it's been so much longer...]
Your reactions are always so cute, I just can't help myself~ But I'm glad that it's something you're fine with me doing.
[tbh he's not sure he could stop even if you wanted him to??? it's just so fun???]
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