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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
It's a much more thorough answer than he expected, on a scale he didn't expect. It's complex, and foreign, and yet, at its heart - familiar, and simple. )
... You would know her better than I did. But perhaps she wished things had gone differently.
( He had only been sad when he had felt in Ageha's heart he was something she was willing to sacrifice to regain Leo. The hurt had only come after - here, after stewing in it. But, in the moment ... he just wished things were different. That he had been enough to stay her grief over something she'd lost.
But he doesn't know Fiona, and Zvei isn't sure on her, either. Maybe... there isn't anyone who can be sure of what she meant. And that's ... so terribly sad. )
... Did you merge, in the end? Was it worth it?
( He has to assume some aspect of it didn't work, else Zvei would be with memories now.
He has things to say. But he can be patient. )
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[That makes a lot of sense. She'd always fought; that was what she was good at. She knew she'd have to fight him, because that's what she did. He knew he had to kill her, because she was too strong to be left alive. Maybe that is why she was sad, because things could have been different if only he'd chosen a different path.
...]
I did. The Aeli and I were as one and I was so close to figuring out how to restore those memories...
But the other members of Ruby Dawn stopped me. I fought them, but it wasn't enough.
[He killed more of them too, but they didn't matter nearly as much as Fiona had.]
If I'd had five, maybe ten more minutes, I would have those memories.
[So close, and yet so damned far now. There's no telling what will happen if he returns home. Though that may be lost to him now that he's dead. If there's another way, though...
Was it worth it?
A question he isn't sure how to answer. No, because it didn't work. Yes, because it was so close and if he could get at it again, for just a bit longer...]
...I don't know. [The honest answer, because he said he'd tell Yuki the truth.] It wasn't enough to truly be worth it, but I can't say I regret it either.
[For a moment, it almost felt like he understood everything. Not just about himself and everyone around him, but about the world, his place in it, and existence as a whole. For that brief time, things made sense.
Was it worth it?
Was it?]
no subject
A sigh. Zvei may not have spelt out those deaths, but Yuki can assume whatever happened during that fight, death or not, wasn't any more merciful, if even Fiona wasn't spared. Perhaps not intentionally cruel, but ... efficient? They were just in the way? Is that it? It's sickening to even think of lives being spent in that way. Moreso coming from someone who, until up until now, he thought was a kind and harmless person. )
... Your actions are truly reprehensible.
( He's not going to sugar coat his opinion on it. There's no "but" to this, either. Zvei This Sucks.
Still, what he asks here is not condemnation phrased as a question - it is genuine: )
Do you not consider how others have lives, goals ... hopes, dreams ... that are just as valuable as yours?
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[He won't deny it; to deny it or try to justify it further would be to turn a blind eye to what he's done. He won't do that.]
I understand that, though it's... [Hmm.] It's as though there's a sense of disconnect between what others think and feel and how much I can understand of that. I am truly dreadful at telling when someone is lying, or what they're thinking and feeling if they don't spell it out for me.
I... struggle with such basic things that most people inherently understand. I won't know why that is, or how to fix it, without my memories.
[Yuki got it exactly right; it isn't as though he was intentionally cruel, but there's certainly no denying that his actions were ultimately cruel. Circling back again to the idea of how much intention plays into something like this - where at the end of the day, harm was caused and the intention behind it matters little when it was a very selfish desire.]
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"How to fix it"... )
... Is that why you want them returned? To change who you are?
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[Like it's the most obvious thing in the world. And, well, it is, to Zvei at least.]
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More than that, though ... )
... And, should you change, what kind of person do you want to become?
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Someone who understands others better. Someone who has a place in the world that isn't carved out through desperation.
[Anyone else he thinks, but doesn't dare say.]
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... No, he can't hate him. He can condemn the things he's done and he can scold him for things he might consider doing, but ... he doesn't think the core of him is cruel. Maybe desperate and misguided is truly the best way to put it - like the mindset Yuki had decayed into when he was become a monster. He'd just wanted someone to stay with him. He didn't want to be alone. So, he'd try to hold Reiju close.
He rubs his thumb in half-circles along Zvei's hand. )
... Then let's begin now. I might not be able to give you a perfect guide on everyone, but I can at least try to teach you a few things through me.
( Yuki, despite being exceptionally emotional, truly hates that about himself - and so his instinct is to pack it up in a little box and hide it away in his heart. He wants to be loved, but he doesn't like letting people in. What he hated more than anything about the week leading up to his execution is how so many of his emotions were on open display - no wonder people wanted to be rid of him. (That's what Yuki thinks, anyway.)
But death has reoriented his perspective, a little. His feelings are still complex, especially given his circumstance of death, and present situation, but - he thinks he's okay letting Zvei in through the door. )
... And if the time does come where you think you might need to throw me away, I simply won't let you. I'll stay right here.
( Because maybe, instead of always asking, what he needs to do is simply refuse. I won't let you throw me away. And that's that. )
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But before he can even thank Yuki for it, he continues. Zvei blinks before throwing his head back and laughing. Usually his laugh is short and sharp, a quick burst that dies out immediately. This lasts for longer; still a bit too evil-sounding for a truly amused laugh, but that's what it is - because the one thing Zvei has always loved about people is that they truly can surprise you in the most unexpected of ways.]
Good! Then don't let go. ...Not that I intend to give you a reason to have to worry about that, anyway.
[He squeezes Yuri's hand again, loosening his grip from "clinging" back to something a little easier, a little more relaxed. A little more "Zvei" and a little less... well, whatever that intensity was a moment ago. He's settled quite a bit, anyway.]
Thank you for listening. I apologize for the poor timing, but I didn't want to leave you in the dark any longer. For what it's worth, I'm pleased we were given the same room. I'm glad we met.
no subject
And ... his expression softens considerably when Zvei reassures him; when Zvei thanks him in turn. )
Well, I can assure you now that the sentiment remains mutual. ( Fufu. And. u know what! He will add, for Zvei: ) ... It makes me very happy to hear you say that. I'm happy to be liked, but I'm happier when someone feels the same as I do for them.
( Maybe that's a given? Well, Zvei can tell him if it is.
He lets their hands fall relaxed between them, less urgency in his hold and his posture - that Sure Was. but it's all right, he thinks. It was something he needed to learn. )
... I'd rather have known than not, and sooner than later. Especially now, when I question my perception. ( It helps to have something he can be reassured is true. ) ... I will admit, I am not always the best at showing my emotions. I think... I often feel so many of them, I don't know what to do with myself. I put a stopper on them, and I try to keep them in. I suppose am a little overwhelmed given everything, right now, but . . .
( ... hmmm... how to put it... )
... I would prefer this to there being a greater distance between us.
no subject
[No, really, it does help tremendously to state the things that may be obvious to most people, because Zvei is not most people. Emotionally, he is about on par with your average rock. He's doing his best but his best is Bad.]
I agree. I'm used to hiding so much of myself... it's a little odd to actually be honest, for once. I'm pleased that you feel that you can be a bit more open about your feelings. Rest assured that I won't judge or think any less of you for them.
[He may find them a curiosity, but so it goes with Zvei. Better for him to be interested than not at all, right??]
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Still, as for not judging him, or thinking less of him for his feelings............ That makes him a different kind of happy. Hold on. He brings a floppy sleeve to his lips. Hold on he has to take his assertion he'd explain himself back because he's not sure how to articulate this one-- )
... That's... thank you. ( He glances off - arbitrarily toward the pond, but his hold is a little firmer. ) I... to be honest, I was worried I'd irritate you this past week. When I was ... getting sick, it grew increasingly difficult to hide how I felt, as I always do.
( Stressing out, being clingy, asking if they were friends or not... thinking about it is both embarrassing and gut-twisting, knowing they were both his true feelings, if pushed to an extreme of fear and anxiety - and that he had no control over any of it. )
... I'm endlessly grateful you took it in stride. I don't think... everyone did. But I would not expect them to. The depth of my emotion has always been a nuisance to others.
no subject
[Zvei shakes his head, smiling ruefully.]
It truly wasn't a bother, though. I can only imagine how... frustrating it must have been to feel so helpless against it. But really, I didn't mind it at all. I feel as though we did grow quite a bit closer because of it.
[His mismatched eyes drop purposefully to their hands for a moment before he grins at Yuki again.]
I can't speak for anyone else, but you have never been a nuisance to me. I don't expect you to be one here either. Try not to worry about that around me, at least!
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... Well, I'll take your word for it. ( If he had a tail he'd be wagging it. ) That makes me quite happy, too.
( hehe )
So? how do you feel now?
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I'm pleased to hear it.
[But that question gets him to incline his head a bit as he considers. Hmm. Well, it's not like he's feeling the usual emptiness so clearly he's feeling something...]
Relieved, I think. As though a weight has been lifted off of me. I'm certainly feeling a bit more at ease now that we've discussed all of that. It was... bothering me, I think.
[That Yuki considered him a good person and was unwavering in reaching out a hand to help, despite not knowing who - what - exactly he was dealing with.]
no subject
Yuki still has ... layered feelings about a number of things, but his commitment to his choice frames his feelings now. )
I'm truly happy to hear that. ( Yay... he did something helpful...! ) . . . I think that it bothered you is a good sign, I think. I don't think a bad person would worry about the things you do.
( Though he hardly knows Zvei's underlying loneliness as a motivation, he sees the results of it and he feels there is more than enough reason to believe there is more to Zvei than his mistakes. u/zvei_apologist has logged onto r/aelios, unfortunately.... )
Not wanting to lead me on, worrying about not being able to understand others . . . If you listen to that feeling, I think it should guide you even better than I could.