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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
I'm not. [ Sorry, that is. ] The treatment might've helped if I'd gotten it sooner, but I didn't know until it was too late. If those hands hadn't grabbed me when they did, I probably would've killed more people.
[ Or at the very least, the injuries would've added up. He wouldn't have stopped, not of his own accord.
But that's neither here nor there; Kaios gives a little huff of air, near to some sort of amusement but falling just short. ]
I see you're still pushing yourself, huh... If you want to spar, I'm game—waking up here's not much different than all the other times I've come back. [ He gives another small shrug. ] I'm ready to go.
no subject
Still, Amaya listens to Kaios and sighs a bit; she's not surprised, not really, but...]
...I am at least glad, that you were able to be stopped. I simply wish that it had not come to this in the first place; I wouldn't wish this place upon you.
[But then Kaios huffs and Amaya's eyes widen briefly, and--]
...I will forewarn, that we automatically heal of any injuries that we face in this place. And it seems we cannot feel pain.
[Beat.]
But I know exactly the place I can take you, in fact; follow me to the garden. I will gladly give you your spar there.
[SHE'S MISSED THIS...NOBODY ELSE LIKES TO FIGHT!!!]
no subject
[ At any rate, he'll follow her to the garden, looking at their surroundings as they go. ]
Have you been okay?
[ Obviously not; she died, but... it's really the only way he knows to ask. Talk to him. ]
no subject
[Amaya lets out a small sound that's...actually, almost a chuckle, if a bit awkward sounding. If she minds the dark joke, it isn't apparent, or at the very least she's able to compartmentalize enough to make it irrelevant despite her worries for Zvei. Her own vitality is the least of her worries.
Still...]
...I've been faring about as well as I can; this place has a way of being a calming port in a storm, whilst also bringing forth abject dread with each passing day.
But I am better. Having people to take care of and assist...it has done wonders for me. More than I could ever express.
...But for now, that's enough chatter. I'm ready if you are; come to me!
[She's missed this. She's so missed this, and it's likely the most energized she's been in a while when she comes at him. (20) She's not giving him an ounce of quarter here, just as she imagines he expects.]
no subject
Good.
I'd offer to kill Ramuda for you, but once we heard you guys were all in here I figured you had it covered. [ ... ] Not that I didn't try to help him on his way.
[ But yes—let's fight! Kaios settles into the same stance he had the first time they fought, and in spite of just having come back from the dead he's coming at her even stronger than the first time they fought those weeks ago (19), expecting that she'll come at him just the same way she did before.
There's a disbelieving noise that falls out of him the first time her fist connects with his unprotected face, not the instinctual grunt of pain but a breath, a breath with voice behind it because it doesn't hurt and it's been so fucking long since he hasn't lived with the specter of pain hanging over him like a shadow. It's... There's a freedom in this, in being able to fight and bruise and bleed, a relief in feeling the connection but not feeling the pain that's always followed after, and there's a part of him that suddenly understands why his predecessor cried on receiving his cracked token back.
It's overwhelming enough that this time, Kaios is the one who will hold up his hand to stop them, trying to piece together exactly what this lightness is in him. ]
Shit—fuck. [ Hold on, hold on, thoughts in order— ] Okay, I know the plan's to get everyone out of here, but this part's not so bad. I wouldn't mind keeping that.
no subject
[Amaya just doesn't think it's worth it because there's no satisfaction in it--
But nevertheless, Kaios fights her so damn well that it's absolutely enough to ignore the lack of pain response and simply go to town. It's fun, it's freeing, and it reminds Amaya why she seeks this out in the first place. Because it's genuinely one of the few things that has always been hers, the enjoyment of adrenaline and the thrill of a genuinely good fight.
Amaya yields when Kaios calls it, sort of letting herself hunch over to catch her breath as the wounds heal.]
Oh, believe me, you are not the only one. I have not had anyone to give me any sort of fight like this, but goodness...I can see what you mean and agree wholeheartedly. This feels wonderful.
...Thank you, for indulging me so.
no subject
He doesn't mind it one bit, though; the rush of adrenaline coursing through him is more than he generally feels at any given moment, and there's something about sparring that's simultaneously grounding. Kaios shakes out his arms, rotates his head to get his neck to crack. ]
You don't have to thank me for doing what I was designed to do. [ There's a wryness to it—he's gotten a bit more used to people actually thanking him, even if it's still weird. ] But anytime. It's not like I don't get anything out of it myself.
[ Now all they need is a drink. Kaios looks around at the garden now that he's got more of a chance. ]
Wouldn't have expected to find a place like this inside a museum. Is this the only one?
no subject
[Still, Amaya collects herself enough for a moment after all of that, letting out a sigh that actually almost sounds positive.]
Not in the slightest; truthfully, we've been able to find a great many things within the museum walls. Just about anything you could possibly think of is there. Be it medicine exhibits, fashion, skincare throughout the ages...if you think it, it is likely here.