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.

apoisoncary: <user name="tanabata"> (114)

[personal profile] apoisoncary 2025-12-02 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ This is only going to make him more concern... ]

Unlike most of the others, I don't know how to fight. It is also well known that I like poison. If someone were to target anyone, I would be an easy choice.

[ Like it's normal. your seal did this... ]

Thank you for the concern, but I'll be fine. I do want to see what I can. [ Wait ] Unusually? Did something happen?
renjou: (pic#18136324)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-02 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
( wtf........... Yuki absolutely looks Increasingly Troubled by her assessment, but in favor of not splitting the conversation any further, he's going to ruminate on this for the time being with a pointedly disapproving look. )

I'm not certain. They just began to break free from . . . exhibits? ( Or it seems like, anyway. ) —all of a sudden. But it is unclear when or why, or if something changed. I . . . do not think we have done anything in particular here that may have caused it . . . ? Beyond sending letters to the living, but . . . some time ago, strange portraits began to manifest, too . . . and I do not think we did anything to trigger these, either.
apoisoncary: <user name="tanabata"> (12)

[personal profile] apoisoncary 2025-12-02 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's fine yuki ]

Something happened last week as well? I wonder if it's related to what's been happening on the other side.

[ the experiments or whatever expansion is happening. ]
renjou: (pic#18136249)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-03 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
( IT'S NOT FINE??? )

Something has been happening...? What is it?

( MORE CONCERN!!! )
apoisoncary: <user name="tanabata"> (4)

[personal profile] apoisoncary 2025-12-03 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Last week, we all had these shared hallucinations or dreams. You said something about strange portraits manifesting, right?

[ something fictional coming to life.... life being pulled into something fictional. ]

It could just be a coincidence. If only we could know what's going on with the others or even what experiments the four are trying each week.

[ since fran won't shaaaaare ]
renjou: (pic#18136154)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-03 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
( Ah...! )

I believe we also may have had... strange, shared dreams last week? I am not certain. I had wondered if I had just imagined it...

( Spend an entire week hallucinating until you kill someone and you start to doubt yourself and your perception of reality, turns out. )

When you say "the four"... Do you mean those who were here before everyone? Are they still remaining secretive?
apoisoncary: <user name="tanabata"> (13)

[personal profile] apoisoncary 2025-12-03 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
The dreams came here as well.

[ That's interesting, but she'll keep that rotating in her mind a bit. ]

As for the four, while it appears they may be more opened with a few individuals, they won't really share everything fully. I am unsure if that is just how they normally are or if they are worried about voicing out their findings in a place for all to hear. It's rather vexing but also understandable.
renjou: (pic#18136173)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-03 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
They ought to work past their apprehension and be a little more forthcoming, as we have been with them. Their caution will serve no advantage.

( Sighs. But he's preaching to the choir. )

How long has it been since everyone's initial arrival? There is no means to timekeep in here ... and the flow of time feels inconsistent.
apoisoncary: <user name="tanabata"> (22)

[personal profile] apoisoncary 2025-12-03 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Pondering... ]

Three weeks? Maybe four if I have been out for a bit.
renjou: (pic#18136154)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-04 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
That's... both longer than I thought, and not at all. I was trapped in a portrait for months, but it feels sometimes as if it's only been a few days...

( He trails off, though, a little bit uncomfortable with talking about his unreliable perception of reality here - even if it's not just him suffering it.

He's quiet for a moment, before he finally ventures: )


... May I ask you something sensitive? It is perfectly acceptable if you do not wish to answer.