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.

kaios: (pic#18159243)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-08 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
You already did. You died, didn't you?

[ And then, to hammer the point home: ] If it'd make you feel better, I could take you apart the same way you did Reiju. But I think you'd heal up and still feel like you needed to do more. Do you even know what you're trying to atone for at this point?
renjou: (pic#18136157)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-08 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
( There's a flicker in his gaze like the idea genuinely appeals to him. Not because he enjoys it - the opposite entirely - but because guilt is a gullet with no end.

His fingers curl into his hakama on both sides. )


... It just feels as if... If I hurt enough, then perhaps... I'll understand what's wrong with me.

( that "fantastic mastery of Catholic guilt despite not actually being Catholic" from his profile rearing its head with aggression )
kaios: (pic#18159230)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-08 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ Flatly: ] You won't.

If you want people to keep you, stop telling them they should throw you away any time they get the chance. You're making it more likely to happen, not less.
renjou: (pic#18136172)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-08 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
( Flinches bc it's true,

Still, he hesitates, gaze cast elsewhere. )


... And if you ask to be kept, but they still end up not needing you?

( It's not a hypothetical, but this isn't really the time or place to get into it. Still, he can't help but ask. )
kaios: (pic#18159214)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-08 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't answer that for you. You have emotions; I don't. Someone else could probably help you figure it out.

But they can only help you if you actually talk to them about it instead of begging them to throw you away first. Preempting pain doesn't make it hurt any less.
renjou: (pic#18136324)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-08 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
( ... A gentle huff - a tone of concession. All right, all right. )

... I cannot believe you have no emotion. Else, what would drive you to correct me like this?
kaios: (pic#18159230)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-09 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ Unfortunately, he's being pretty truthful when he says he doesn't have emotions, though it's true that there are times where something seems to creep in. ]

You have people here who care about you and want you to survive and be happy. If you're willing to hurt them to chase this stupid idea that hurting yourself enough will somehow fix things, then it's up to me to beat some sense into you.
renjou: (pic#18097124)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-10 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
( A huff; half a laugh. )

... Then I shall rely upon you to do so if I err. For the people I love, even if I may be stubborn in my own desires.

( He cannot promise himself perfectly transformed in his beliefs, but he can at least promise he'll try - for these people he cares for, and to respect Kaios's efforts, if nothing else. )

Thank you, Sir Kaios.
kaios: (pic#18159214)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-10 08:19 am (UTC)(link)
Stop calling me "Sir" and you've got a deal. My name's "Kaios," nothing fancy attached to it.

[ But yeah, if Yuki can accept that sort of toughness, then he won't hesitate to remind him when he needs it. ]
renjou: (pic#18136152)

[personal profile] renjou 2025-12-10 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
( NO ONE LIKES HIS SIR'S... but Kaios isn't the first. He hesitates, but finally nods. Honestly, be tough on him - he needs it. )

... Very well, Kaios. And... thank you.
kaios: (Default)

[personal profile] kaios 2025-12-10 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
Good.

[ He nods. ]

You've got people behind you. Don't forget it.