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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 strange, the more she stares at it. Idle daydreaming about walking through the streets becomes vivid, so utterly vivid that it almost feels like she's there. It doesn't quite hit her until it's just a little too late to realize what's happened, and--
Oh. They're actually here now.]
Zvei, Yuki, are you--?
[there? She doesn't dare finish that, simply electing to look around her. She doesn't like the idea of being alone in this place, but nor does she want to leave either of her friends alone? That seems ill advised.]
...Are you alright?
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So it's no wonder that he's immediately sucked in and also wandering off immediately, only stopping when Amaya's voice reaches his ears.]
Oh, I'm quite fine!
[He turns, ignoring the sense of wonder and curiosity for a moment, but only because it's Amaya asking after him.]
Aren't you excited to see and experience something so new, so different?
[Well. It's Amaya. So probably not. But surely she can hold some level of wonder at their odd surroundings, right?]
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[Though, the more Amaya looks around, the more she's...at least a little taken by the sights. The phantoms are strange, of course, but this is truly unlike what they've seen. Even the neighborhood, the houses they explored in that first place, they've got nothing on whatever the hell this is.
But as Amaya looks to Zvei, she pauses briefly as she looks to him.]
...Though I do admit, this place looks...interesting, I think. It is certainly quite the technological marvel. [...] Perhaps we ought to look around? Maybe the key to getting out of here lies deeper in the city.
[She doubts they can go back the way they came after all.]
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[Zvei says, without a care in the world. But then, you know how he is.]
Have you ever seen a building that large? [Pointing out a skyscraper!!] Why, it might even be taller than the Aeli's Branches! Such a thing seems impossible to be created without magic... let's go take a look!
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...Goodness. [That's honestly almost a dizzying height, from the looks of it. But to be that high up...] I've never even seen any tree in the forest grow that tall. I wonder how long it will take for us to reach there...
[Surely they must have figured out some method of teleportation...either way, let's absolutely go and walk into that building, at least. The phantoms go about their business as normal, and it seems like there is something that can get them up to the top of the building quite fast, at least. The elevator goes fast; Amaya startles quite a bit at said speed, but soon they've reached the top and...
Most people would be awed by the top of a building like this. Amaya's face doesn't change, but she looks around at how high up they are, and...]
...You can practically touch the clouds, out here.
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Anyway, here we are at the top! There's plenty of safety railings and windows to keep us from accidentally falling off, which is a good thing given that Zvei is leaning over the railing to get a look at the ground from here.]
You can! [He looks up when she mentions it, mismatched eyes wide as he laughs.] My, this truly is nothing like Aelios! Even the highest point of the Branches doesn't come close to this! How fascinating...
[He finally looks over, smile tempered a little. Right, Amaya can't really feel the same exhilaration he can...]
Do you like it, miss Amaya?
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...Amazing. I always assumed they'd feel almost...wool-like, perhaps. But it's like touching nothing.
[Of course, she looks to Zvei when he asks that question, her eyes cold and dead as ever as she tries to process it. Because she knows the objective answer; she doesn't like anything, because she can't. But she analyzes her feelings, at the emptiness that she feels, and...]
...I think so? [Amaya thinks for a moment.] What I am feeling right now is a sense of emptiness that seems all encompassing; if I had to guess, one might likely feel...wonder, exhilaration at seeing this. Awe, perhaps. It all feels dull to me, but I think that I would feel something rather extreme at seeing this.
But it does not inspire any fear, nor fright. This much, I know objectively.
[Amaya looks to Zvei, to his smile having seemingly dampened a touch; she saw that sort of wide-eyed fascination in his expression earlier, at least, and it's what bids her to ask in kind;]
...And you? You seem to be feeling rather extremely at this sight. I would not mind hearing what it is that you are feeling; describe it for me?
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I'd be a bit disappointed if you did want to leave so soon!
[It's light, like a joke, but it definitely isn't... Though her own question has his attention and Zvei inclines his head as his mismatched eyes drift back out over the city.]
I have always held some level of interest in the unknown - even if it can't be of use in my search for my missing memories, I find it hard to turn my attention away from learning all there is to know.
So yes, you're right - this is rather extreme for what I usually feel. This sense of wonder and excitement comes with all sorts of new discoveries. Why, I was just this enchanted when I first arrived to that museum, and I will always be this level of enthused no matter the topic, as long as it's unfamiliar. I like learning; I like expanding my horizons and making that knowledge mine, even if it ultimately serves little purpose towards my goals.
[But how does he describe it? That's something far beyond his limited capabilities, and Zvei hums as he thinks. He reaches up to touch the clouds as well, watching as they wisp away through his fingers.]
It's a bit like these clouds, I think. A brief burst of energy and excitement that will eventually fade as the numbness returns. But that isn't a bad thing - if anything, I look forward to those bursts, because they're so different from what I usually feel. They're... bright, like the sun. All-encompassing. I struggle to focus on anything else or feel any other way when it happens. [Which explains why he's so easily distracted.] It feels... exhilarating, perhaps as though I've fought a very tough monster and only barely scraped through, dragging my allies with me. The sort of thrill I rarely feel outside of learning, but one I can't help but seek out. Like a moth to flame.
[...]
I'm afraid I'm truly terrible at describing it, though... My apologies.
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You need not apologize. [Amaya's eyes flick back out toward the horizon, taking it all in again as she speaks.] It is not as if I am unfamiliar, to the concept of chasing certain feelings. I chase adrenaline because it is a bodily reaction, rather than an emotion; even sometimes, I chase fear and other emotions that one would see as purely negative and detrimental.
Because they are better than the emptiness, the void that seems to encompass most everything else for me.
[Even so...]
...I think I understand what you mean, at least. Feelings like that are ephemeral for you; transient in nature. But they are something to be cherished, when they do happen. Like brief sparks that ignite a small flame to be kindled. It is addictive and wistful, perhaps all at once.
[...]
Though I cannot feel it myself, your description of it is enough to get a general picture. Such a thing is a curiosity, and thus, it ignites your desire to know it in it's entirety; would that be accurate to say?
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I understand that feeling well enough, I think. The idea of chasing something - anything - to feel anything other than that emptiness.
[Though the idea of feeling the things he felt after Amaya's death... He'd certainly prefer not to chase those. Anger and... sadness, he supposes? Such things feel truly terrible, and he'd prefer the emptiness over them. But if your choice is emptiness or feeling them... Well, maybe it's fine to feel something so negative every once in awhile, at least to remember that you can still feel something at all.]
You're correct, that's exactly how it's been for me. When I first awoke in the forests of Ize-Vti with absolutely nothing... I embraced that curiosity and let it guide me. It was in that research I found a spark of something else - the hope that I could use it to reclaim my memories. I wouldn't be here, were it not for that.
[He would have given up a long time ago if he hadn't had any sort of emotion to fall back on. Curiosity quite literally saved his life. And caused the deaths of many others, but who's counting??]
I wish you could experience it the same way I do. I'd like to see you light up with that spark of curiosity!
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Do take care before wandering off. This place seems acceptable at a glance, but we must verify if appearances are deceiving first and foremost.
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You'll come with me to keep an eye on things then, won't you?
[ c: ]
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I wouldn't dream of being anywhere but by your side.
( :D He will reach for Zvei's hand, as he always does, but this time he will bring Zvei's hand near his face and bow, almost princely. It took however many weeks for him to do something shoujo but we're back in business (maybe) (ok but he really is alert for danger though because what is this situation, even,)
Rising, he holds fast, as he always does. )
Is there something in particular that has caught your eye? If anything, there does not seem to be a way to return from this particular location, so we would not be harmed by looking around.
( And, well, Zvei clearly wants to, so, )
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[So handsome!! Yuki is so princely... Zvei laughs and squeezes Yuki's hand as the other man rises.]
To be honest, everything has! Our largest towns don't have buildings that are nearly this tall, and I have to wonder what the purpose of them is. Are they homes?
[Yeah he is just fascinated by the apartment buildings and the like. Giant buildings just aren't a thing in Aelios!! You're lucky if you get something that's got two floors, no more than that.]
Though I do have to wonder... perhaps we could return were we to find a museum? If a picture led us here, then surely one could lead us back?
[Though he'd rather wander off and explore...]
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... Well, it would do us no harm to investigate, I would think. If we entered here through a painting, certainly a painting could lead us out - and we could find those near anywhere in a city like this.
( Case in point, returning to Zvei's question— )
Where I am from, these large buildings are both a hive of miniature homes and ... often, a series of offices. Though, perhaps, here, they also exist for additional purpose.
( He gestures to a building that appears to be something like an apartment building - and a glass-windowed skyscraper, both twisting and curved in its futuristic architecture. )
... And, as you imagine, paintings might be commonplace in any. I have been in some myself, with previous masters, though perhaps none quite so tall ... ( Japan follows earthquake and fire regulation standards, unlike Utopia, apparently. ) And so it would likely not hurt to visit.
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Fascinating...
[He cranes his neck back and adjusts his monocle as he looks up at the skyscraper... Wow cool!!!]
Well, then! We really should take a look inside - surely we can find some paintings along the way!
[The closest is apparently an apartment building, so in we go! It looks a little worn down unlike the streets of Utopia out there, but it isn't all that bad. Just not exactly the pristine and perfect image the rest of the city presents at a glance.
...Zvei's more interested in the elevator, though. There is a button with an up arrow on it, so he goes and presses it without thinking.]
What does this do?
[He asks after pressing it............]
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,
zvei, )
You must consider that could have been dangerous?
( He's actually so incredulous it's hard for him to sound fully scolding - but also, it was a totally harmless button, thankfully. )
Well, this is an elevator - it carries one up and down tall buildings like these, in lieu of stairs. You requested it to carry us up, once it arrives. It is a bit like . . . are you familiar with dumbwaiters?
( worldbuilding pop quiz-- )
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Then he realizes he's not alone - and that Amaya is worrying after them. )
I— I'm quite all right, I believe. Are you all right?
( He sweeps his gaze around quickly, before approaching Amaya as if she were an anchor for his senses, looking over her to make Sure she's not hurt. )
You... You do see this too, right? This strange... location, not at all like the museum?
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(She hopes. She damn well hopes. If they get stuck in here, who knows what will happen?)]
I am alright, Yuki; it appears that at the very least, we have not been harmed. [She looks to Yuki, walking over to him and holding out a hand if he wants to take it.] ...And yes, I do see this too. It would appear that we've been...put inside of this painting, from the looks of it.
Surely if we found a way in, there must be a way out, right?
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He exhales, at once relieved he's not taken to hallucinating entire locales, but that relief is now eclipsed by concern as to wherever this could be. Finally accepting his assessment on Amaya's physical wellnesss, looks about at the city around them, uncertain. )
Almost certainly. Perhaps ... this is another quirk of that museum - that some of its paintings open up to vignettes like this. Perhaps... we ought to find something of the reverse - a frame, portrait, window... that seems to reflect the inside of the museum, or...
( ... )
... Perhaps... we can find a surface that reflects another location we might like to enter?
( Perhaps a way back to [setting]; or, if Amaya and Zvei prefer, another land entirely? - Though Yuki would want to remain in [setting] to help those left behind. )
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...Still, she does look a little more at ease, holding onto something, so he can at least rest somewhat assured.]
An excellent hypothesis, Yuki; I think you may be onto something. It would make sense if we could re-enter the museum through the same way we came here.
...Would you like to take a look around some of these buildings, then, perhaps to see if we can find something like that? [Amaya looks at Yuki, her gaze gentle.] If you need to find somewhere to get your bearings, perhaps we can look for a place around here for that, as well. A place this...perfect, it must have something, yes?
[Either to observe, or maybe some kind of park to calm down; Amaya will follow Yuki's lead, or lead the way toward where-ever he might wish at this point.]
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( Yuki smiles, assuming a fresh look of confidence, despite his unease, not wishing to be a burden. They might just be the same when it comes to these matters ... but Yuki has only recently met Amaya, so he isn't too certain how to read her perfectly. While he cannot be certain if she's truly as put-together in this strange situation as she projects, he cannot fully doubt her, either, and so he will trust what she says.
Regardless, he gently pulls her along, leading her ... deeper into the city proper??? Sure. He's a little boggled by the visual stimulation, but ... Maybe they approach a street that seems to lead to a shopping district??? No money needed but goods given based on good vibes alone ... something something utopia )
... Perhaps there should be some sort of store with art, as well as a place to sit in this direction. Does this seem an amenable direction?
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The shopping district he leads her to sees Amaya with her head tilted a bit.]
...Yes, that should be amendable. I'm certain that we can find something rather quickly...
[Let's look around a little bit for a store--a fancier, artsier one catches Amaya's eye, and she'll gesture for Yuki to follow her, at least for a start. It's not quite the jackpot, given that the paintings here seem to be a little on the strange side, but...]
...I've never seen any sort of art like this before. Are these...meant to be some sort of obscured vision of something or other? They almost feel like something, yet...they aren't.
[The part of the store Amaya's in seems to have more abstract paintings on offer, causing her to tap her finger against her chin as she looks through them. Some of them are certainly interesting...she's definitely a little wide eyed, looking around, but her eyes remain cold and sort of dead despite it.]
Are you having any luck, Yuki?
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Nothing concrete. At the very least - nothing that seems to resemble a place we're familiar with. ( That said, if they enter an abstract painting of [setting], will the end up in [setting], or a stylized version of it? Much to think about. ) These paintings... They're done in a particular style. Have you not seen much abstract artwork, before?
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Not at all, truthfully. I have seen some things that attempt to be very... [What's the word she wants to use...] I believe nobility of Pravitas would call this...avant-garde, or something like that? It's something they would turn their noses up at, at minimum; if it is not a perfectly rendered portrait or a landscape, they usually want nothing to do with it.
These, however...they feel like vague imitations, like something you would see out of the corner of your eye. They're...interesting, I think.
[Hm.]
...What sort of artwork do you like, Yuki?
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