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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
... Yuki softens, his eyes shining. )
... If you continue to be too kind to me... I'll grow greedy, Sir Zvei.
( He says it gently, as if chiding, but - despite his tone - it sounds like a true ... suggestion of caution, in a sense. Not caution for Yuki though. Just for Zvei.
He has feelings in excess at nearly all times, and he can't change that about himself - or, perhaps, he's simply resigned to it. It's a handful; it's isolating; he's self-conscious of it - he's envious of Leo, who seems, somehow, to do so much better with other people. Perhaps, when one soul was split in two, Yuki got an uneven cut - and it's remarkable to him that, even after that first night, Zvei still doesn't find cause to mind it.
Were it Leo in his place right now, he would surely be much more miserly; but Yuki feels . . . )
. . . In truth, I'd like to look after you for as much time as we have together. ( The future is uncertain, especially given their present predicament, but he can commit to this with sureness. ) I . . . have not been at my best here, but I have enjoyed our time together, even if a great deal of it may simply be me pestering you. And, so long as I can move and speak, I'd like to continue to do so.
( Zvei would probably be fine if Yuki weren't here . . . at least, that's how he views it, so that means Yuki's the one pestering. But . . . that's probably okay!! Because Zvei is okay with it, and Yuki is happy doing it. Dying (or "dying") really made him reconsider if it was worth being so shy about the things he wants to do. )
no subject
[His smile is easy, relaxed, but not at all fake. He does mean it; while he can't even begin to understand where Yuki's problems lie, the simple matter is that he likes Yuki, he likes spending time with Yuki, and Yuki's more overbearing nature doesn't trouble him in the slightest. If anything, it's kind of a refreshing change of pace. Zvei's used to most of his coworkers being very hands-off, and not just physically. Most of them were humans, and many of them were at least a little afraid of him, and not just because of his research and the rumors surrounding him.
So it's nice to be someone who is wanted, whose company is enjoyed. Nothing wrong with Yuki's greed there.]
"Pestering" implies that I didn't enjoy it, you know! I've greatly enjoyed all of our conversations and time spent together. If I hadn't... if this had been an act... Well, you wouldn't know nearly as much about me.
[Besides, he's really not all that great at putting up a normal front, let alone properly acting. What you see is what you get with him, for the most part. It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that.]
no subject
And it makes him feel voracious. )
... No, I ought to apologize. I've never felt you were less than authentic.
( That may just be a testament to Yuki's bad judgment, but anyway!! He recognizes his being humble isn't doing any favors to what Zvei is trying to express, and he's truly trusted him at his word when he said he was being honest, so.
He'd like to give back this feeling a hundredfold, if he could. He just has to figure out how. )
Please continue to tell me more about you. And please listen to these small things about me. For as long as we are able, and then ... beyond that. I'd like that... very, very much.
( He drops Zvei's hand.....................
So he can throw his arms over Zvei's shoulders and give him the biggest, tightest hug EVER!!!! if he had a tail it would be wagging at hyperspeed, )
no subject
[If anything, it was that Yuki was too trusting in his supposed good nature that really made it clear how much the man means to Zvei. Once again, he's struck by the sheer absurdity of them both landing in this place at the same time, and what things would be like if it hadn't happened. He doesn't know any of the other deceased all that well, and maybe he could have pestered them into friendship - but it'd take time and effort and wouldn't be the immediate gratification of having someone familiar around. A roommate; a friend.
But thoughts like that are rather cruel, considering just how they both ended up here, and what Yuki did. So he'll keep them in his head where they belong.
And then Yuki hugs him tightly, earning a surprised, somewhat-startled laugh from him. He also squirms a bit - not quite to escape, just to get the tentacles out, just in case Yuki feels like repositioning; he doesn't like anything pressed against his back, after all. Four of them emerge quickly and he settles, adjusting to allow Yuki to continue hugging, if he wants.
Zvei is (rather obviously) pretty inexperienced with such things; he's allowed Yuki's physical displays of affection and slowly grown used to them, but he does try to hug back this time!! It's a little tense, a little too careful, but it's An Attempt and that has to count for something. Two of the tentacles even get in on it too. The other two are just sort of hanging out so they're not stifling poor Yuki in tentacles.]
Good! Then I expect to learn much more about you, Yuki. Thank you.
[For accepting me, despite everything. For being my friend, despite everything.]
no subject
He will feel terrible for not considering the situation, when they (presumably) learn they overheard Amaya's death; he'll certainly mull on his own selfishness, and how he really oughtn't be rejoicing in Zvei's kindness given the context of their situation. It feels like it should be wrong to enjoy anything in a circumstance like this. But Zvei makes him happy - is that wrong? His feelings on his past are complex, but they're framed in the present, and so it's maybe much simpler than it seems.
It all counts. It absolutely counts, because Yuki knows very well none of this comes easy to Zvei - the openness and these attempts at returned affection. Even allowing it was something Yuki is very aware he had to work up to. Even trying to reassure Yuki again and again means something. He doesn't have to. He doesn't have to! And that it's freely given warms the hollow of his chest. )
I'll accept your thanks— ( nom ) —I'll thank you once more, and again and again. ( He presses his cheek to Zvei's neck, as if parking right here permanently. ) You can rely on me for anything, Sir Zvei. Please don't forget that.