GRAVEYARD

[maladied]

THE MUSEUM

GRAVEYARD

LOBBY
THE LANDING. EXHIBIT #04
COMFORT. EXHIBIT #09
VIEWING. EXHIBIT #03
GARDEN EXHIBIT #--
???

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.

BACK TO TOP

Comments

WEEK 2 - THURSDAY NIGHT / FRIDAY MORNING

[maladied]

a bump in the night.

While everyone still in the [ setting ] has fallen asleep—well, hopefully everyone—the members of the Museum will find themselves unaffected by whatever forced the others to sleep and the agency to continue to explore (or not) the Exhibits as they please. However, for those who have decided to wander into EXHIBIT #09 - VIEWING, they'll find themselves able to hear the sounds of the others sleeping, mumbling to themselves, whatever else have you. Then, among the sounds of the sleeping, they'll hear something else as well.

It won't start right away, there will be an unpleasant build up to it before there's a shrill and incoherent words from a female voice. A scuffle. The hurried crunches of footsteps in the snow. The sounds of music? The clank of pots and pans... A snap of wire.

There is just so much noise, music, and screams of a female voice before it all just goes silent.

deadly silent.

And then...the a slow crunch of snow.

[renjou]

( Dolls don't need to eat or sleep, so this strange and liminal existence has been somewhat of a return to normal for him. Now that the silicone scent has faded, it almost feels as it used to be, for him. Yet, Yuki still sleeps, a few hours at a time. Though he does his best to maintain composure, it's clear that his feelings - guilt, and self-loathing; longing, and alienation - weigh down on him to an extent too heavy to bear, and he just needs to shut down for a little bit. zzz

Which is to say he should've clocked out and gone to bed again, but he's in the viewing room not long after waking up and getting himself looking presentable again. He finds it a little calming, usually, the way he can see Leo in his silhouette ... but today, uh!!!!

The screams are just as startling as the music, and they cut into his thoughts before he can even reach a conclusion about the sounds of slumber above.

He doesn't like the sudden silence, nor what it implies. )

—What was that...!?

[necromants]

[Zvei doesn't bother to sleep now that he doesn't have to. Really, it's a boon to be able to avoid wasting time doing things like "eating" and "sleeping" when he could be studying all the various different exhibits! So he's delighted to spend much of his time either studying or writing notes - the latter is usually whenever Yuki's sleeping, because he's rarely far from the other man for any length of time. It's... lonely here. And he'd rather not be entirely on his own for too long, after all.

So he wanders in a little late to find Yuki, though not late enough to miss this in its entirety. It's hard to make out exactly what's happening until that sudden, ominous silence.]

...A memory, maybe...?

[He says it more to himself than to Yuki, frowning. No, that doesn't seem right.]

What do you think that was?

[renjou]

( He looks up when Zvei makes his way in, coming to meet him midway while looking. troubled. Sure, it could just be a spooky thing with no meaning, but... he doesn't feel comfortable assuming that - or maybe he's just too anxious to let himself think that. The voice sounded truly terrified. )

... Sounds of slumber... and then...

( ... he doesn't want to jinx it, but, )

... Do you suppose what has happened before has happened again? Individuals ... awoken during the night, and...?

( He feel antsy just thinking about it. )

[necromants]

It certainly does line up with what we've experienced twice so far. Though I'm not sure how we could hear it... wherever we are.

[But then, this place has already proven that it doesn't operate by conventional logic. Why else would everyone else fall asleep and not awaken until someone's killed? The first three deaths were accidental in some form, but this... Was this also a case of some kind of accident? It didn't really sound like it to his ears, but it's hard to tell with such limited information.]

It's a bit hard to tell for sure. I sincerely hope it isn't a precursor to another trial.

[renjou]

( He nods, looking unhappier about it by the second. )

... I certainly hope not. Another trial means... unanimous intent might condemn someone to the same fate as Sir Giyuu... or myself. It's not a fate I would wish on any person.

( He tacks on "myself" with a little bit of hesitation, like he's not sure if it's worth mentioning. Through backflips of logic and guilt, he feels what happened to Giyuu was less deserved and what happened to himself was more deserved.

If he can manage it, he's stealing Zvei's hand ... this time, it's just for himself, to help himself stress a little less over a hypothetical. )

... It does call into question what this place is. If there is a chance what we have heard is something that's gone on in our previous location... then perhaps this location is not so isolated as we thought.

( At least, it's not a true purgatory. )

[necromants]

[He doesn't mind, and he squeezes Yuki's hand in a manner he hopes is somewhat reassuring.]

That's certainly something worth looking into - at the very least seeing if we can establish a means of communication from our side to theirs. I imagine they would want to know that we do still exist in some form, after all.

[If not for sentimental reasons, then for purely practical ones.]

Regardless, we should visit this room often to see if we can overhear more. That will at least let us know if our guess is correct.

[renjou]

( It does seem to help - I would say "noticeably," but this is Zvei, so who knows, but it definitely helps. He inhales deeply, despite not needing to breathe, and exhales soft. He squeezes back, retooling his thoughts. )

... I agree. If anything, it wouldn't be difficult to circle back here regularly. If we are simply somewhere else... ( whether as... spirits? or something else... ) ... then that would surely affect the angle of their research.

( What is this entire place, why is it capturing the "deceased" like a butterfly in a net... and so on. There may be things they can learn from the outside that they cannot from within here. )

And... those who might miss any of the ones lost here, I'm certain, would love to speak to all of you again.

( Very important!!!

He falls quiet for a moment, letting the feeling of something beyond the shell of his body, Zvei's hand in his, anchor his thoughts before they fall away to a river of feeling about this particular topic. Let's see... The trouble is... )

... Do you know how long it's been since we first arrived? I was not keeping track because I felt it might not matter, but...

( He can't say for sure, for example, if this potential death has happened precisely a week apart, as Beryl and Zvei & Reiju's were, or if it was sooner, later... )

[necromants]

[He does catch the oddity in Yuki's words - all of you instead of all of us - but he's still thinking through how to address it as Yuki moves on. Yes, he is guilty of killing Reiju, and he's the reason that she's here. But surely whatever happened in the trial couldn't have made them all hate Yuki, so he likely left behind some sad faces as well, right?

Well, he'll let it slide for the time being, since Yuki did ask him a question.]

To be honest, I'm not very good at keeping track of the passage of time even under normal circumstances, and now that I don't need to bother with eating or sleeping, the days truly have blurred together...

[It's probably been multiple days! But how many? Two, five, ten?? He really cannot say. This is the problem in giving him the freedom to research as he pleases, his tenuous grasp of time becomes even worse.]

I would assume a week has passed, but that may just be because of our earlier assumption about what these sounds are.

[renjou]

( Yuki certainly knows there are people who love him, and he tries so hard to focus on that, but he's overwhelmed thinking about those he most certainly fell out of favor with; those who might not have come to say goodbye; those who voted for him, without any obligation . . . It festers and spreads in his mind, sensitive to displeasure as something created to be a receptacle of love. But, hey! Being productive is more important than being fine! And so, regardless, he ponders... )

It would be reasonable to presume a pattern may be emerging, considering it has happened on the same day twice. I wonder...

( He ponders... there are ways to timekeep without the sun or a clock, but would they work, with the way exhibits seem to work?

Since Zvei's reminded him, though... He lays the back of his hand against Zvei's forehead, as if checking for temperature. Zvei seems completely fine, but What If? )

... Are you certain you feel all right? It did worry me to hear you up and about in our room . . . and we are not quite certain of our state here. You haven't felt tired; gotten any headaches; anything unusual . . . ?

[necromants]

[He feels perfectly normal indeed. Thankfully, deimori run at a temperature comparable to humans so it's an easy comparison to make.]

I feel just fine! I haven't slept or eaten this entire time and I've been doing just fine, so I think it's safe to say that neither are required for our continued existence here. Really, going without sleep has been nothing but a boon! I wish I could have discarded that far earlier...

[Imagine how much work he could've gotten done if he didn't need to sleep!!! Sigh.]

[renjou]

( Yuki now runs a little cool, being closer to room temperature, so he's probably? more sensitive to the nuances of humanoid temperature. Him checking Ageha's temperature because she overworks constantly...... )

It's not an unreasonable assumption to make... ( Yuki, who checked anyway? His hand lingers there for a few moments more, like he just wants to be extra sure. ) I have always thought it was an advantage for others to be able to sleep. Does the mind not need rest?

( Finally, he will let his hand fall... Patient Zvei is allowed to check out of the clinic......... For Now. )

... Though, I will admit, I did not particularly enjoy needing to sleep when I initially arrived. It felt... unproductive.

( He never needed sleep back home!! His current depression naps aside, he could use those beautiful extra hours to stand* watch at his master's bedside...

*ok he was doing the golden retriever thing and being curled up against them while they slept but he was Also on watch duty while doing that so he was actually being twice as productive actually )

[necromants]

[teehee, cute...]

Does it?

[Maybe Zvei is not the best person to ask about that. Does this man look like his mind is ever at rest.]

That might have been a bit different, though? I assume you were processing a lot of thoughts and feelings. Perhaps it was a bit much, and needing to sleep helped regulate all of that?

[It's phrased as a question because like hell if he knows. He barely has feelings on a good day, let alone too many of them running wild.]

[venomnom]

[Sleep is unnecessary, so Reiju simply exists in limbo, neither there nor gone. She lingers and moves on, then wanders back all throughout the Museum.

And then, one night, she occupies a quiet space in the exhibit until it isn't so quiet anymore. There are sounds, then noises—and silence, accompanied by those in this space alongside her. She stands still, her arms folded under her chest, and ponders to herself what it all means.]

[renjou]

( Yuki still has a deferential air toward Reiju when he sees her, but Reiju's attitude made clear, he's hoped to match her tempo. It's the most respectful thing he can do for her, he thinks. )

... It doesn't seem to bode well.

[venomnom]

[Here, perhaps more than anywhere else, they're all the same. Reiju accepts his company with casual ease, though her expression is as serious as his.]

No, it doesn't. What do you think it was?

[renjou]

... What comes to mind is what happened between... you and I, or Sir Zvei and Miss Lynne. But... I sincerely hope that is not the case.

( Maybe its just spooky ambience... )

[venomnom]

If it is, that means this place and the domain are somehow linked.

[If it isn't, it still means there's something strange going on here, though they already knew that from all the digging he did.]

[renjou]

( ... )

... If they are linked... does this mean we are not truly dead...?

( Reiju, Zvei, and Beryl were absolutely, one hundred percent dead. They saw the bodies. Whatever happened to himself and Giyuu was ... strange. That he and Giyuu were in the same place as the three former bodies suggests they are dead - but if all five of them are in the "same" place as those who are yet living, then...? )

[venomnom]

[She can see where this is going. Truthfully, things are already suspect with their collective presence here. But for someone like Yuki, Reiju would advise caution.]

It's too soon to say. We shouldn't jump to conclusions until we learn more.

[renjou]

( He nods, a little abashed by his haste. )

... This is true. It could simply be a window to another realm.

( If they are in the realm of the dead, and the others in the realm of the living... )

... Whatever this place may be, I can only hope we can learn information that may be of use.

( To them, the deceased? To the living, somehow? He's not sure. But... something, he hopes. )

[venomnom]

[Windows can be opened. Her feelings are mixed, but this should be considered a good thing despite the potential price just now.]

At least one of us should stay here for a while. If you have somewhere to go, I can wait in case anything happens.

[renjou]

( He shakes his head. )

It would not be right to leave this vigil to you alone. If you will stay, I can stay, also.

( He phrases it a little more softly than he usually might - I can stay rather than I will. If she presses to take the responsibility alone, he doesn't know if he has the right to argue, even if he wouldn't want to leave anyone - never mind Reiju - on any duty alone. Even if it just means them both standing silently and waiting. )

[venomnom]

[Her brow rises slightly. He's not being as insistent as she knows him to be. Putting that aside . . . ]

You're right. It'll be better if there are two people instead of just one. Should we make ourselves comfortable, then?

[renjou]

( Despite everything, he seems to perk up when she allows him to stick around. He likes being helpful (unsurprisingly). He dips his head in thanks. )

Certainly. Though, I am used to standing vigil, so I do not mind remaining as I am, if necessary.