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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
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?
no subject
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.]
no subject
[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?
no subject
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.
no subject
[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?]
no subject
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,,,]
no subject
[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???]
no subject
Do try not to let anyone else know how easy I am to rile; I fear I'll never be taken seriously ever again, if so.
[...]
But I do not mind it. It is...our normal, of sorts, and I value that.
no subject
It is. I hope I can continue to provide you some sense of normalcy here!
[Maybe because he needs it too.]
no subject
...It does gladden me to know that you touched many, as well.
[...]
...All of this focus on me, and I have not even asked you how you have been faring. Are you...alright, Zvei?
1/2
Though her follow-up question earns a shrug.]
You did just arrive, miss Amaya, I think it's understandable that I'd want to focus on you!
[Light-hearted jab aside...]
I'm doing fine. As long as I exist, I can still work toward my goal, so being dead isn't necessarily a problem. [Flippant as always.] Besides, I don't tend to feel very much very strongly, so you don't need to worry about me.
[Though his reaction to Amaya's death was... probably pretty worrying, actually... He should make sure to apologize and thank Yuki for trying to ground him during it. He's feeling better - more like himself - now, but that was still A Lot.
...Probably better not to inflict that on Amaya, right?]
2/2
...Though I'll admit I was rather... [his mismatched eyes drift to focus on the wall as he tries to figure out how to word it] ...frustrated with your death. For as pleased as I am to see you again, I didn't want you to go through such a thing or wind up here.
[I experienced anger for the first time and it really sucked would be more accurate, but that involves him recognizing it for what it is, and that isn't happening.]