trustfelled | Welcome.

The last thing you remember hearing is static.

There were words in there, perhaps, quiet whispers like the rustling of leaves, like the crinkling of paper, like rust being scraped off a knife. The words aren't anything you'll remember, but they're there, and there are a lot of them washing over you, and it might be concerning if it weren't so warm where you're lying.

You wake feeling disoriented, like you've been asleep for a long time.

Of course, it's probably odd that you're waking up just now - perhaps you were in the middle of something important, perhaps you were waiting for something, or maybe you were just going about your day, but even before the whispering came you can clearly remember doing something back home. Can't you? Something else. Something that wasn't looking around the room you've found yourself in.

It's not your room, either. Not the one you're used to.

The room here is grey and white and tile; even if the bed is nice (and the bed is nice, it feels like it's been designed to cater just to you, maybe if you keep your eyes closed you can pretend it's a favor), the room itself is spartan and oppressing. The walls are cracked and the floors are in disrepair, but despite that there's not enough noise - it's silent, the quietness of it pressing in on you, and even if you can't see any cameras you get the distinct feeling that for good or ill, someone is watching over you as you get up.

That might be enough to make you move, to make you not want to stay there. But even if you stick around for a while to look around in there, the walls hold firm despite their decrepit state and the pervasive silence isn't going away - if anyone's in the rooms near you, you can't hear them. If you want answers, you're going to have to leave. Be sure you grab the key sitting on your desk on the way out.

Once you step out of the room into the hallway you'll most likely find yourself face-to-face with other confused people who feel as though they don't belong here either. Maybe you'll find something if you explore together; maybe it's safer in numbers.

Wherever you end up going - and there are several places to go - you might want to check the large room toward the center of the communal area of the building. A subdivided foyer is here; at first glance, it even seems to offer you a look at the outside. Of course, once you've gotten over that particular disappointment, you might want to check out the walls, where you'll find some very interesting information about yourselves hanging on the walls. There's some other framed information that you'll most likely want to get a look at as well, seeing as how it could be the key to escaping this place.

Although, speaking of keys... Despite your best efforts, you won't find any doors. The windows you find here and there are far more durable than they should be as well, and any attempts to break out won't work. It seems you're stuck here for the time being.

Maybe your fellow captives have some thoughts on all of this.

Welcome to Beacon General Hospital.

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Is there a reason I should be?

[Rin's tone is polite, but clipped as she examines Sakura's demeanor with sharp eyes.]

It's nothing so accusatory as that. If there were, that would make you suspicious, wouldn't it? [Sakura simply nods a little, watching Rin just as well. She holds up her key.] No, I'm simply asking. It seems that everybody in these halls has a similar story, waking up kidnapped and all.

How many of us are there?

[She hasn't gotten to a lot of the bigger areas yet, or the profiles, but she's passed by enough people looking confused or upset that Sakura's story checks out.]

I must have seen at least a dozen already...

I counted thirty residence rooms. That's either a lot for a kidnapping, or not many, depending.

[She thinks each room is full? That seems like a lot to Rin, but then she realizes too from Sakura's room that anyone capable of taking so many - anyone capable of stripping her of her ability to cast spells - could very well be capable of more.]

Is it just random? If it's not and we each have something in common, maybe we could deduce their goal.

With a group of perfect strangers, that will be harder than usual, but if there is a reason, it will make itself known. They always do if you work at it. Even if the world bears down upon you.

It's true, so many wary people are unlikely to cooperate like that. Still, I'd like to focus on something proactive.

Don't worry, you're far from the only one. No one wants to be confined.

[She sighs, and really feels like walking away so they can both make good on that, but she should polite. There's no sense in making enemies here out of rudeness. Well, another enemy outside of their captor, she thinks.]

My name is Rin Tohsaka, by the way.

It's good to meet you. My name is Kashima Sakura, from the city of Kazamatsuri. Which, oddly enough, nobody here seems to have heard of -- that or my company, Martel.

[...Oh, another Sakura. But is a common name.]

I apologize, I can't say that I've heard either of those names myself, Kashima-san. Perhaps I only heard of it in passing. What sort of business is Martel?

A scientific organization focused on environmental research, mostly, with charity work and community involvement. We're a rather big name where I was.

[Ah. Rin shakes her head in another apology.]

Even if I think back, it doesn't ring a bell. But where I live, the the only point of favor anyone's done for the environment in the last ten years was to make the site of the Fuyuki fire into a park.

That's about the same I've heard from others. As for why... Well, we'll have to see, won't we, but I'm certain there's a reason for all of this.

Sure there is. My concern is it's not going to be a good reason.

[Nothing good can come out of this. She's got a very bad feeling.]

I'd be worried if you thought it was, honestly.

Exactly. [So they both agree this can only be bad.] In light of that, we should consider how to retaliate.

First, find out what sort of person we're dealing with. Everyone will open up eventually. It only takes time and observation.

[Normally, she agrees with that.]

I'm not saying we shouldn't observe carefully, but the first time we see them might be our only chance. We should have a plan in place in case things take a turn for the worst immediately.

Of course. Winning in a single conversation is only a matter of asking the right questions.

Provided they'll comply.

[Sigh. But she's glad to see they're on the same page here.]

I'll keep searching then, and see what I turn up. There has to be a clue as to what we're dealing with here.

[Or a giant, framed list of rules vaguely dictating exactly what their captors expect. Who knew?]

As will I. There will always be something, so keep watch.

You too.

[Rin tosses a goodbye over her shoulder, and she's off.]

Welcome.

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