trustfelled | Welcome.

You don't remember how you got here.

It may be one of the first things to occur to you when you wake up, that you don't know when you got here, what you were doing involved nothing like this; granted, it's also possible that it doesn't matter – that whatever circumstances you last remember have nothing on the fact that this bed is really comfortable and the room around you is gently-lit.

It's warm, but it's nowhere near where you're supposed to be.

Whatever you think of it, the fact is that you can't stay there forever; there's a silver key resting on that trunk near your bed, and you might want to take it on the way out. It's no big deal if you don't, exactly – it won't lock automatically after you close the door, that has to be done manually – but it'll probably become clear that privacy is a commodity in a place like this.

After all, you aren't alone; the hallway is likely quick to become populated with other people that are just as confused as you are. Go ahead and talk to them if you'd like; none of you will know exactly how you got to the building with the wooden walls and the odd windows that no one can see through, but that doesn't mean you can't get to know each other on the way to...wherever it is that you're going.

Wander long enough and you may hear the chiming of a clock nearby.

It's hard to tell whether it's telling you it's very early or very late at night, but checking out the room it's in eventually might be a good idea regardless; it's large and open, designed to accommodate social gatherings from the look of it, with the clock in question mounted against the western wall. It isn't the only thing here, though – there's a large frame set into the wall nearby, and it contains some information that might be relevant to your interests...

Or perhaps your attention is drawn instead to the other framed information nearby; don't worry if you miss it in here, though. It's posted in every other room in the building.

There's also the matter of the large double-doors at the end of the room; they aren't going to open, regardless of what you do.

Looks like you're trapped here for the time being. Might as well see who's here with you, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A giant, really? More things walking in straight out of folklore. She had thought for sure that the myth of giants must have been based off one of the monsters found up in the mountains, but evidently that's not the case.]

[She stands back, fingers crossed, as she watches him try the doors... and her heart sinks with disappointment when the doors refuse to budge.]

That's strange... [And then, trying to help.] Maybe if we all tried pushing them?

[AZ is very much the giant that some might label him as. He's also Human, and not nearly as monster-like as many myths may suggest. Whether he should really be called as such is up to her.]

....A worthy idea. [Might even get him to laugh, if he could. But he does look down at her.] Do you believe it would work?

We don't know unless we try, right? Besides, I think I'd rather break this down before resorting to...

[She clears her throat. The rules. She means the rules.]

So I'm willing to lend a hand.

Mmh. [Yes, the rules. He knows. He knows damn well what those might mean for this little group he's become stuck with.]

.... You would really like to try, then?

[He's not gonna stop ya, child. Short of hurting yourself, that is.]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[This probably seems bizarre, but even after seeing this giant man give it a try, she decides to brace herself against the door, and...]

HRRRRRRRRGH...

[Yeah, of course there's no response. But she's also not hurting herself, either. The way she's braced herself, it looks like she's pushing more with her legs than her arms.]

[After a moment, she steps back.]

Nothing. It doesn't even feel like you weakened it.

[He'd help you with that door, Jean, but, uh. He's already done all he can to it. Short of taking an axe and a couple Scyther to the thing.

So AZ merely lets Jean do what she can, and as she finally gives up.

He breaths a slow sigh.] That seems to be the case. I did not expect that I would have to break down a door today regardless. Still... it is worrying, is it not.

[She sighs along with him.]

Yeah, it is. And I think it's safe to say we wouldn't be able to pry them open, either. I wonder if they're bolted in place?

It is possible. In any case, they are strong, and no one here will be able to break through it.

[...]

Nevertheless, there is something intriguing about them.

Intriguing? How so?

[He gestures simply to the doors.]

There are doors in this place.

Well... wouldn't there be? We had to get in somehow, didn't we?

Yes. [Oh, here he goes. Or, well, AZ is at least maneuvering himself onto his knees. Enough of this sitting business.]

The doors could have been removed. Or hidden away. These were not. If they were left out such like this.... [He scratches his chin thoughtfully] Perhaps we are destined to open it. Or our captor thinks so.

... oh. You have a point. It's as if they were inviting us to try pushing them open, right?

[She takes a few steps towards him, but her eyes are on the door, as if looking at it from a different angle will help. Or, more likely, perhaps it's just restless pacing.]

Should we be looking for a key or a switch, then?

[If they didn't find a way out of here soon, AZ assumed that they would all be quite restless before long.

And finally he's at full height again. Aaaaand he has to look down at everyone to speak to them, again.]

It may be worth the attempt.

[People always drop important things in the pokemon world]

[It really is amazing, seeing him at full height. More like a mountain than a mere man, if we're being honest.]

[But more importantly, he's on board with the plan!] So, I guess you'll be checking the high places, and I'll be checking the floor? [First room to search is this one here, the foyer!]

[slow nodding.]

That is... a good way to start, yes.

[Too bad they wont find anything]

[At least they can say they tried! Jean starts looking around, looking under the chairs. However, it's because she's turning around and looking around the room that she notices.]

Huh. There's some other doors in here, too, but...

[She tries the handle of one. ~~The courtroom, as she'd learn later.~~]

It looks like everything in here is locked. Someone must really enjoy their privacy.

[~~And what fun will those doors be.~~]

Privacy is an important aspect...

[He sets his gaze on the double doors. The courtroom doors aren't cool enough yet, so they can wait.]

Or it may seem that there is a lot to be hidden away from the prying eyes of others.

I doubt it's merely privacy. I mean, they have us regular door locks for our rooms. And there's some who'd say that a lock only exists to keep honest people out...

[In other words -- locks won't keep people out if they're truly determined to get in. Like, say, these two who want to break it down.]

I would even hesitate to call it a lock. It's more like a seal.

Welcome.

Double doors!

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