Welcome.

[trustfelling]

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?

Comments

[fortunatedetective]

[Naoto Shirogane wished her life could go back to relative normality.

It had been just one night after she had been rescued from her baiting of the culprit of the murders in Inaba, and she had hoped she'd be allowed to rest for a day or two before returning back to investigating. But noooooo, the moment she opened the eyes and saw the wooden bedroom around her, Naoto sighed, turned around and pressed her face against the pillow.

After a few moments of grumbling Naoto decided to find out more about the bedroom she was at. There wasn't really much to see. She made special note of the contents of the closet - the familiarity of her clothes was unsettling and welcome at the same time. How did those get here? - before opening a door that led to the bathroom. She entered, and didn't take long for her to see the person in the mirror.

Naoto wasn't the type to scream in panic, but she did gasp loudly and freeze, staring at her reflection. There was something very strange going on.

It took her a while to dress up. Her usual cap wasn't anywhere in the room, and although she had those clothes she usually wore - albeit adapted for her slightly taller body, it seemed - it was going to be nigh impossible to hide her femininity as she usually did. The best she could do was badly hide her hair, and try to wear enough layers to conceal better her chest. The overall result was...well, as long as no one looked at her for too long it may work.

After making sure to be composed and not show any signs of fear, she decided it was time to find out what was going on. The foyer was the first place to get her attention. There didn't seem to be a way out, neither through the doors nor through the windows, but the profiles got her attention well enough]

...this isn't correct at all.

[That was her name, alright. If it weren't because she saw her own actual body back in her bathroom she would have believed someone was pretending to be her, right there in the profile. Many things were incorrect. Her age had been cranked up for two years, and...Likes: herself? Really? Oh, if only...

And then the Rules were the next thing to get her attention. It was obvious something very strange and potentially antagonistic was going on - one isn't kidnapped with good intentions - but the rules gave no room for doubt]

There's no other way to interpret this: our lives are at risk. What kind of person would gather thirty strangers to partake in this game? And why?

[She asks that pensively, she fully meant those questions. Yes, she is muttering to herself. She isn't talking to anyone nearby, but perhaps you heard her?]

profiles

[flagitate]

You're not the only one.

[ Maybe there should be a sign saying, "You're not the only one who has information wrong, so stop commenting on it." ]

Re: profiles

[fortunatedetective]

[As if the Adjudicator would be considerate enough to do that, hah. Naoto raises her eyebrows, intrigued]

What type of errors does yours have? The most glaring flaw in mine is... [the photo, the age, the Likes part...Naoto goes with the least important one. Divulging everything that's wrong isn't something she'd like to do right now] ...the age. I'm actually fifteen years old...

...even if I don't look like it right now.

[flagitate]

My age. I'm sixteen.

And some of my likes and dislikes.

[fortunatedetective]

[Likes and Dislikes? Naoto takes a quick look at Katniss' likes and dislikes. There are certainly...a few worrying words in there!]

Nothing seems to jump out as obviously wrong. 'The weight of Panem on her shoulders'...what's that supposed to mean?

[flagitate]

[ S H R U G ]

Panem's where I live. But I don't--do anything but stay in Twelve.

[fortunatedetective]

[Twelve? Must be another location]

Where are Panem and Twelve located at?

Rules

[oasisrose]

[Jean doesn't think you're talking to her, but since she hears it, she turns to Naoto.]

Well, that's certainly the million silver question, isn't it? [She sighs.] There doesn't seem to be a good reason for any of this. It almost seems more perverse than if they just took us prisoner.

Re: Rules

[fortunatedetective]

It's extremely unlikely there's a good reason to kidnap so many people. What worries me most is that this "Adjudicator" person hasn't made an appearance yet.

[Naoto gestures at the profiles, placed on the other side of the foyer]

Unless it's one of the thirty people listed there. Let's hope that possibility isn't the correct one, for everyone's sake.

Re: Rules

[oasisrose]

That wouldn't be fair though, would it? I mean, if you compare Rule 5 to Rule 7...

[There's a beat.]

Wait, what am I saying? None of this is fair!

Re: Rules

[fortunatedetective]

Indeed, fairness won't be the Adjudicator's priority. We can't expect anything good from them.

[hmmmm...]

What we should wonder now is how to get out of this place before the situation escalates. It's possible someone could be tempted to play along the rules. Escaping is our priority.

Re: Rules

[oasisrose]

You really think they might?

[She eyes the other Competitors, but turns back to Naoto, her expression resigned.]

... well, whether they do or not, you're still right. But where do we start looking? The door's not moving, and no one's found a window yet.

[fortunatedetective]

It's a long shot, but it may be possible there's a weaker point in the structure somewhere. If any exists, it'll be a matter of destroying it enough for everyone to cross through.

rules

[fivepints]

Because sometimes people are sick fucks, that's why.

[...Hi, Naoto. You aren't the only one really displeased by the rules; he'll look over after a moment, that's one of the little detective girls, right - ]

Maybe there's a better reason. Maybe whoever did this just decided to do this for kicks. Does it matter?

Re: rules

[fortunatedetective]

Generally it does. It's difficult to plan the best way to deal with the situation without an inkling of what the kidnapper's motivation may be.

[Naoto shakes her head]

Acting without thinking could potentially be a fatal mistake in a place like this.

[fivepints]

...Last game I was in, it was punishment. Some real self-righteous prick trying to teach us life lessons by making us murder each other. I don't even fuckin' know, just...just be prepared for the motive to not make any damn sense.

[#hetried.]

[fortunatedetective]

[Yeah, she isn't really holding any hopes of there being a good reason for what's going on.

Still...curious thing you just said there, mister!]

How did you escape that game?

[fivepints]

[He shifts a bit, running his hand over the skin at his neck again before he answers.]

I don't...I don't know. I remember the game starting? But the rest, I don't...know.

[...]

If I...won, then people are. People are dead.

[fortunatedetective]

[Naoto makes a mental note: keep an eye on this guy at all times. That was way too suspicious. She narrows her eyes. It's possible he didn't win that game on purpose, but given the current game it may be good to give a warning, dissuade him, just in case.]

It'd be in everyone's best interest to not to follow the Adjudicator's game. I trust you understand that...don't you?

[There's a girl thirty centimeters shorter than you and half of your age glaring at you authoritatively with every inch of determination and strong will she has]

Profiles

[andneversaydie]

Huh... mine's totally right, though.

[She... ponders.]

I guess they might know a lot about me and not much about you, but I don't know what that means.

Re: Profiles

[fortunatedetective]

[Naoto glances at the new arrival and looks for her. Huh. Mozu]

You may be right, Mozu-san. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not sure why our kidnappers would have such deep interest in you...but it seems they do. Your profile is quite detailed.

[Really, Naoto doesn't mean to be rude, but her tone doesn't soften nor she seems apologetic about it]

[andneversaydie]

N-no, I don't get why they'd be interested in me, either.

[She doesn't take any offense because she's having the same reaction.]

I'm just a country girl who doesn't really leave her village much except to go to market... all these kings and stuff I kind of get, but why me?

[fortunatedetective]

Indeed, it's odd...

[Naoto gestures to the entirety of the glass case]

There doesn't seem to be a common link regarding our professions...perhaps there's something our kidnappers want from you, even if you don't know what it is?

[She hasn't read the rules yet!]

[andneversaydie]

Hmmm, maybe. I don't know what they would want from me, though.

I mean, unless they're real jealous of my produce and they want to learn my secrets for growing really good crops.

[fortunatedetective]

They must be desperate for healthy crops if they resort to kidnapping to achieve it.

[Something about Mozu has Naoto relaxed and friendlier than how she'd usually be with someone she just met. Look at that, she says that casually as they all weren't in big trouble!]