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.

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Comments

[necromants]

[Heya, Giyuu. Zvei wiggles his fingers in greeting as he comes in to check out what's going on in... here...

...

His pupils are normally slit, cat-like, but right now they've thinned into near pinpricks against the red of his irises. He's tensed as well, like an ambush predator prepared to strike as he watches, still. For once, he doesn't speak - instead listening to the discussions, but his eyes are fixated on the body in the corner.

Someone killed Amaya. Someone killed Amaya and they're discussing about the possibility of not holding her killer responsible.

Perhaps even worse is the feeling of relief that follows, in knowing that Amaya will join them here. That they won't be separated any longer, that he won't have to miss her presence any further. But someone killed her - the reason why and whether they were unable to control themselves or not doesn't matter. They killed her. So they should be punished.

Needless to say, Zvei's not having a great time today.]

[slacksnark]

[Another guy who was definitely here don't worry about it. He was probably pretty scarce exploring the endless museum.]

Haha, you look pretty pissed there, Zvei!

[necromants]

[you're so valid, beryl, and saaaaame.]

Do I?

[Hmm. He's never really experienced anger before. Is he angry? He doesn't think so. His eyes return to normal now that his attention's been drawn away from the trial.]

Did you two see what happened during the last one of these?

[Or are we all just now learning we can watch trial tv...]

[slacksnark]

[Naru can slap my hands if this isnt canon but also Beryl could just lie for fun.]

Yeah! Real crazy shitshow it was! Even if they decide to go forward I'm sure this one won't be as fun since there's just one body.

[renjou]

( A flinch. )

... That wasn't "fun." None of it was.

[slacksnark]

It was fun for me! You really lost it at the end. I wish I couldn't been the one to make you break open like that. What a sight!

[Beryl may be even worse than Yuki had feared.]

[renjou]

( #GiyuuDidNothingWrong CONFIRMED!!!

Unfortunately for Yuki and fortunately for Beryl, Yuki is wildly easy to rile up - he's a ball of raw emotion. It's clear Yuki's agitation immediately shoots up moderate (Zvei's bestie is DEAD) to severe (i need to fight this guy behind a denny's). )

You— You cannot truly be this reprehensible. If you are simply spewing falsities in line with some misbegotten sense of humor, I kindly ask that you refrain!

[slacksnark]

No no, about this I'm serious. You were really beautiful all split open like that!

[Sorry Juliet.]

[necromants]

I imagine it must have been quite difficult for them to determine what happened to two people... Especially since both deaths were done by different individuals and were unrelated.

[slacksnark]

Yeah! I really didn't think they were gonna pull it off, but they managed! And then they let Lynne go anyway? Stupid. She's as guilty as Yuki was.

Kinda Giyuu's fault you're dead, now that I think about it, since I was gonna kill her.

[Giyuu was justified theory confirmed...]

[necromants]

[justice for giyuu...]

Why were you going to kill her?

[He's not even judging, he's just curious?? Why do a murder at all here... and also why Lynne...??]

[slacksnark]

She was too peppy... It was annoying.

[So because he felt like it.]

When I felt my magecraft returning to me, I felt like it was a sign.

[baori]

I see that you're not happy either.

[ is he talking about the results, the trial, or something else? who knows. ]

[necromants]

A bit difficult to be when it's miss Amaya someone killed.

[His smile is thin, but present. He's settled a little after the initial nasty shock, but the discussion is not exactly helping...]

[baori]

They had the same sort of discussion when you and Reiju were killed. They seem to be obsessed on whether it is the "right" thing to do.

[ oh yeah, the talk sure ain't helping now is it? and while giyuu could sort of comfort zvei about amaya's death. man was only around for a little bit so he wouldn't know. ]

[necromants]

[you are so valid, giyuu, and you've given him something else to focus on, so!]

I imagine they weren't discussing whether or not to even try to find the killer in the first place, though. This is an interesting new development.

[For once, the word "interesting" sounds less like praise and more like an insult...]

Was it an interesting discussion last time?

[He's so morbidly curious about what that trial was like...]

[baori]

[ we're glad to hear this..??? but. yeah. ]

It was surprising.

[ giyuu isn't sure if "interesting" is the right word to use here but it's something. ]

...they seemed to be focused on what happened to me rather than entirely on what happened. At least, when the time to decide what to do when they found Yukinosuke and Lynne to be the ones responsible.

[necromants]

I imagine that must have been rather difficult for them - they likely wanted to avoid a repeat of what happened to you, but it seems that didn't happen. Though miss Lynne still seems to be doing alright.

[No judgment or irritation about that here, and his eyes flick back to watch Lynne for a moment. Yep, she seems to have won her battle with the infection and looks to be back to normal. A good thing for the rest of them, but he's still dead because of her.]

[renjou]

( Amaya...

Yuki didn't know her well, but he understands her and Zvei to be friends, and Zvei's reaction doesn't betray this. It's... hard to see him this way, when he's normally so relaxed.

He gently lays a hand on his arm, wishing this were a thing touch could fix.

Gently and softly, as if not to speak over the audio of the trial: )

... Sir Zvei. Would you rather sit?

[necromants]

[Yuki's hand finds his arm and Zvei... doesn't seem to notice. He still remains tense, but after a moment his eyes flick to Yuki - he did hear the soft words, at least.]

...That might be for the best. There's little I can do from here, anyway.

[And even if he could do something to her killer, he's limited without his magic. Ultimately, there's no reason to be so wound-up about this right now. He knows that. Logically, it doesn't make sense to get this riled when there's nothing they can truly do from here.]

[renjou]

( ...

He lets his hand fall down along his arm so it can take Zvei's hand and tug. Let's get him sitting, somewhere, even if it's just on a white cube or something ... though he's not leaving this room if Zvei looks like he'd rather keep an eye on the trial. )

... I know she was dear to you.

( Gently. The idea that they'll possibly meet again soon has crossed his mind, but hardly seems at all relevant. A murder is a murder, and no less horrifying for it. )

... I'm truly sorry. She did not deserve this... nor did you.

[necromants]

[Good, he'd rather not leave the room entirely. He'll take Yuki's hand, though, and allow the other man to lead him away. To the white cubes!!]

She... [a brief pause, like he's not sure how to word it] ...was a friend. I never would have imagined anything would happen to her.

[That ugly part of him insists they'll be reunited soon, so it'll be fine. But it isn't fine now and there's no telling how Amaya will react to being dead. It may not be an easy thing to accept, like his own was. But then, he was killed by someone who lost control; it seems as though the same may not be the case for Amaya.]

[renjou]

( ... He squeezes his hand tight. )

... I would have never fathomed another might be so harmed. There is not a single reason to take another life whatsoever.

( Giyuu - he can understand his... mistake. And himself and Lynne... well. But if this was truly a scuffle between two individuals...? )

... But I do believe... those left behind are keen on seeking justice. ( Based on what they've seen. Though, that they can witness it at all certainly suggests there truly is a connection between this realm and the realm before. ) ... If they find the killer acted maliciously, I do believe they will be fair with them.

( And if "fair" is "harsh," so be it. )

[necromants]

Yes, I believe so as well.

[At the very least he has faith that Seymour and Kaios will not allow her killer to walk away unscathed.

Zvei exhales, shaking his head and smiling ruefully.]

Thank you for being here for me. I wasn't expecting... well, any of this, really.

[For Amaya to die. For his own reaction to her death.]

[renjou]

It is a privilege to support you, as much as I wish this did not come to pass.

( This is honest. And it is true, that it pains him to see Zvei in pain. It isn't like him - and surely isn't common for him, given what Zvei has described to him before, but,

is he just

a little bit happy he gets to be the one there for him?

Yes. Unfortunately and absolutely. (Maybe that's not even entirely true, even - it's not just "a little bit," it's very much so.)

And if - or when - Amaya comes here, he might not have this sole privilege anymore. In fact, he might not be able to procure as much of Zvei's time as he has been. Furthermore, it might be entirely possible that Zvei was closer to Amaya anyway, and that may as well pick up where they left off, should she come here.

... )

... At the very least... you aren't alone with these feelings. Not so long as this humble Yukinosuke is beside you. I just wish I could do more to soothe your heart.