maladied: (Default)
grabs by the throat ([personal profile] maladied) wrote2025-11-01 12:05 am

GRAVEYARD


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.

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.

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.

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.



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.

renjou: (pic#18136268)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-11-30 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
( ... He squeezes her hand, his breathing still not perfect, but he's less of a wreck.

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. )
fefellocaelum: (✟ sixteen)

[personal profile] fefellocaelum 2025-11-30 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
[This can't be easy for Yuki at all. Amaya knows this all too well; she didn't know Hyunjung, but Yuki considered him quite precious, from what Amaya observed. This must be devastating to him, and...

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.]
renjou: (pic#18136199)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-11-30 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
( ...

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? )
fefellocaelum: (✟ sixteen)

[personal profile] fefellocaelum 2025-11-30 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not going to hurt you for taking rightful retribution.

[...]

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.]
renjou: (pic#18136323)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-11-30 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
( ... )

... None of this should have happened to begin with.

( Was anyone actually going to kill if they hadn't been baited with illness, their powers? Wouldn't they all have tried to return home - or elsewhere? )

It isn't fair to anyone.

( But knowing so doesn't soothe his heart. So what can he even do? )
fefellocaelum: (✟ sixteen)

[personal profile] fefellocaelum 2025-11-30 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
...No, it isn't. It's often the case in life, but here and now, it's...

[...]

...I'm sorry, Yuki. For all of this.
renjou: (pic#18136199)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-11-30 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
( ... )

... No, I am sorry, too.

( Before Amaya eventually slips away ... and he understands that she does, even if the catalyst is Nala.

He cares for so many people here, so he can't help but understand, and be hurt by each and every one, and love them all the same. )