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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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Yuki's gaze hits the burnt body, and he stops.
He's fixed in place for several long moments, the shock giving way to cold, his empty insides twisting in a way that leaves him sick.
That's, )
... Hyunjung?
( His voice leaves him with a shuddered breath, so heavy where he stands he nearly roots there.
All at once, he breaks free of the earth, stumbling forward until his palms hit the projection with too hard an impact against the wall, each hand on the other side of Hyunjung's body. )
Hyunjung—
( His curved back seems to strain under the weight of his head and his chest, his body trembling, hyperventilating though he has no need to breathe. He's muttering, but it's not clear what - but his face is too close to see anything, to process anything, that's for certain. )
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crunching down on hard candies in a way that are certainly terrible for his teeth, but whatever he's dead!
he looks at yuki, blinking a few times. right, they were close, weren't they? he stands up, leaving his bowl of candy on the floor. ]
Yuuuuuuuuki. Yuuuuki, you still in there? [ regardless of the answer, ramuda brings him in for a very tight hug.
he needs one and yuki looks like he needs one so fuck it we ball. ]
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It's painful; it makes him so angry. What is he supposed to do with this feeling? Why does this have to happen to anyone - never mind Hyunjung? Why, )
—It isn't fair.
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ramuda does squeak a little but he doesn't mind being held so tight—he'd actually gotten used to it recently, which really just makes him feel even more conflicted. ]
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Amaya does not know how to help, not really. But her legs move faster than her brain, and she walks over to where Yuki is, shakily attempting to put a hand on his shoulder.]
...Yuki. I'm so sorry.
[What else can she even say? He's clearly devastated.]
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His shoulders hunch up, his head resting against the burnt corpse in the projection. His eyes wet. )
... He didn't deserve this.
( Neither of them did; but, selfishly, he'll be most distraught over his friend. )
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[Amaya doesn't mind listening to Yuki's selfishness; she's a pretty selfish person deep down herself, so no judgement there. But she keeps her hand on his shoulder, not daring to come any closer in case it's unwanted.]
...They will find who did this to him; of that, I am certain.
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He exhales shakily, his mind a blur of emotion, every emotion firing quick, and all at once. )
... What do you think it's fair, for a murder like this?
( It's hard to say if he asks this of her because he wants a way to centre himself, or to gauge her intention. In truth, he's too much of a mess to say for sure - he just needs something to hold onto.
... Shakily, he does seem to slowly come into himself, and... takes one hand from the wall, to try to reach for the opposite shoulder - to try and grip Amaya's with his own, squeezing tight. )
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Eye for an eye; life for a life. That is simply the way it has to be, when a crime like this is done.
[She won't deny it's brutal. But that's always been her answer.]
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His expression is ... pained, still, but - it seems to help, to have something to anchor himself to. )
... I don't know if my thoughts can change. I can't think murder is correct, even in retaliation.
( ... But Amaya is the one who'd said one could grow beyond what they were made to be, wasn't it?
... )
... Even so, it's at least fair... if it hurts.
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Amaya nods her head at that, though. (Pointedly ignoring that Seymour may be at the opposing end of this because sometimes, people do need to take responsibility for their actions.) It's understandable. Hurt others the way you've been hurt, so it may never happen again.]
I agree with you; I do think that is fair. No matter what has taken place.
[She's wanted Lynne's head for a couple weeks now because of Zvei. If Yuki wants a little violence as retribution, he can have it. Let him have it and savor it, as long as it isn't excessive.]
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Well.
He seems to come into himself bit by bit as Seymour takes the centre stage, his grief finding a better thing to hook onto. )
... I apologize if this is all true.
( The sentiment is genuine, at least. Seymour openly mourned Zvei and Amaya. He doesn't know their relationship, but he must assume it is at least mutual. And he knows it can't be easy for them - and he knows they know it can't be easy for him, either. )
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He must know, how much Seymour means to her. It isn't like Seymour's feelings weren't mutual, as terrible as they both are at them. The idea of this, the idea of Seymour killing is one she wanted to reject so badly, but as Amaya forces herself to find her center, the breath she lets out is shaky.]
...Likewise, Yuki.
[...]
...I won't be selfish by asking you to not be angry with him, or to not take your rightful dues. But...
[Please don't kill him. He's suffered enough.
Amaya lets the words die in her throat, leaving the sentence unfinished.]
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It's okay. Yuki understands.
He's quiet, watching as this perverse play unfolds. )
... I won't do worse.
( Is that Yuki being kind, or is that Yuki trying to grasp a lifeline for himself? To hold vaguely onto the general shape of what he is - what he was made to be? (Because, without it, what else is left?)
... )
... I am sorry. I am sure my anger will hurt you, when I turn it toward him. And I do not want to hurt those I care for. And... I do care for you.
( An exhale. )
... And if you would hurt me in turn, I would understand. And I will not be angry with you, either. The chain will end there.
( an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, was it. but what if it feels better that way? )
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[...]
He's...simply suffered enough, and I don't want to see him suffer further. But I will not rob you of that; if hurting him is your agency, then...
[...Amaya can't actually finish that, but the point stands regardless. Eye for an eye. Seymour isn't innocent here, and just because she's accepted that bringing the pain she wants to on Ramuda won't actually solve anything doesn't mean it can't be cathartic to someone else.
...She doesn't have to like it.]
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He watches from behind for a moment or two, mismatched eyes following the projection that he can still see despite Yuki being in the way, and only moves forward to rest a hand on Yuki's shoulder after the lull of the living leaving for investigations.]
I'm here for you. [A reminder Yuki likely doesn't need, but one he freely gives anyway.] Just like you were there for me.
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But contending with his own anger is as painful as it is to face his own grief. )
... I feel like my chest is going to split in two.
( Murmuring wet-eyed between his strained repetitions of Hyunjung's name. He failed him, is the feeling at the heart of it all. He needed to protect Hyunjung, but he couldn't, and so - in some perverse, nonsensical way, he feels responsible for Hyunjung's final moments, immolated and in pain. (Hadn't Zvei been burned up, too? There's a pattern here, but he can't tell if it matters.)
He breathes, the inhales and exhales clipping into one another until it's barely any separate action. At least Nala is safe, he tries to tell himself. But it doesn't cancel out all this. )
... Can you... hold me?
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There's no hesitation, though - Yuki asks, and Zvei listens, and he's immediately moving to embrace Yuki. Such a thing would have been unthinkable at the start of this, but it comes easily to him now. He's even decent at hugging by this point! Truly a miracle.]
Just let me know when you want me to let go. We can stay like this for as long as you'd like.
[The whole trial, even! Whatever Yuki needs in this moment.]
If there's anything more I can do for you, let me know. I... don't know how much I can truly do to help, but I will be here with you.
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He swallows, hard, a great delay after the Zvei said anything. He's probably wetting the front of your shirt, gomen... )
... Just stay... please.
( 8-9 hours of holding yuki time... but at some point during trial yuki will just blob against him which is probably easier to settle down with. )
... I just can't be alone. ( His own thoughts will rip him apart, and he really will shatter. But, even more... ) ... Don't... let anything happen to you again. Please... don't.
( There is nothing risking Zvei - or anyone else here - right now ... probably. But the way he pleads so desperately, it doesn't seem to matter. Hyunjung has been killed, as has Maomao, who was terribly kind to him - if he has one constant he can cling to in this second, he needs it to be Zvei's safety, as impossible as that might be to guarantee. )
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I will. I won't go anywhere.
[He watches the trial, mismatched eyes flicking over the living as he tries to figure out exactly what happened. He's more focused on Yuki, though, so it's not like he's going to be solving this case. The silence is fine, but when Yuki breaks his, his attention returns to the other man immediately.]
I won't. I won't, Yuki, I promise. I'll keep myself safe.
[It goes against his very nature to prioritize his own safety over the unknown, but it is something he can easily promise Yuki here and now, because there isn't any threat against them. It may be harder to keep that promise if things change, but he'll do his best. He doesn't want to worry Yuki, and if this will help, then of course he'll promise it. Without hesitation.]
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But Zvei staying here, Zvei comforting him ... helps. It helps. He exhales, relying upon it like a crutch. )
... Thank you. I apologize. But... thank you.
( His thanks and apologies are for all the same things - for being here for him; for promising; things Yuki wants and needs but knows are unreasonable, are too much to deal with. But Zvei does it anyway, for him.
Blearily, he presses a palm against his eyes, wishing he never had this capacity to cry to begin with. Why did Choushichirou design him with this...? Why did he design Yuki with so many feelings at all...?
... )
... I might do something unreasonable to the killer.
( yuki "dont wallow in that feeling its not good for you" nosuke. But he's aware of his own hypocrisy, and he states it because ... he will be transparent about his imperfection with Zvei. And... if Zvei thinks he shouldn't, then... Yuki thinks Zvei might be the only person he might listen to, now or if the killer arrives.
But if Zvei thinks he's right to, then it must be right.
Yuki knows his feelings might change if the killer is innocent. They might. He would be understanding, at least. But ... mmm ... it's easier to be understanding when discussing a general good. When it comes to his loved ones ... if he hadn't been sick when Lynne confirmed she was the killer ...
... He can't promise he wouldn't have done something. )
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It's fine, he tells himself. He needs to focus on Yuki and not the what-ifs that may not even pan out. Almost absently, he reaches up to gently pat Yuki's head. Pat pat. He's trying.]
I'd be quite the hypocrite if I were to try to talk you out of it.
[Yuki didn't try to talk him out of it either. But...]
Don't lose yourself to it entirely, alright? It doesn't feel good. I wouldn't want to lose sight of the Yuki I know, after all.
[It's still not properly gentle; Zvei can't do gentle. But it's soft, meant for Yuki's ears only - something to consider, not something to try to sway him one way or another. If Yuki decides that retaliation is something he wants to pursue, Zvei won't stop him.]
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He's quiet for a time, but, blearily, he makes a faint sound of affirmation. )
... I promised I wouldn't go anywhere. So... I won't.
( ... So... he can't lose himself. He will keep to his word. He can't break a promise...
...
And as Wazy makes his accusation...
... Yuki slowly... sits up, gaze fixing on the projection. He says nothing, but it's clear he's focused on knowing if this accusation is correct. )
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[Seymour starts laughing. Everything's about to go to hell, isn't it? Many of the others are readying for a fight. Maybe they're right to do so.]
I don't want to lose you. Not to anything.
[Especially not to anger. It was bad enough to experience it so vividly for so short a time, he can't imagine how much worse it is for Yuki right now.]
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... He's sat up but he will find Zvei's hand, and he will interlock their fingers, and he will hold his hand firm there - the steadiest he's manage to be all day. It's not, really, a gesture of comfort, but - one of binding, maybe. Had he nails, perhaps he'd drive them through their hands if he could. )
... Even if this is also me?
( It's not a test, or a real question, or anything, just - he's almost a little lost in his own flood of emotion, and maybe that's why he needs Zvei as an anchor, not a buoy; a thing he will go down with, even if it will not save him, to keep himself centred.
What is "Yuki," anyway? Is it the good boy persona he always projects? Is it this weak thing, full of emotion? How would he even know? He's always been defined by forces, inside and out, he can barely understand. )
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