You're My Friend, They're My Friends (IC Intro)

[whimsicalism]

Whatever you were doing before, wherever you were before this moment it doesn't matter. The world seems to grow dark around you: an almost inaudible giggle floats to your year before you lose consciousness completely. Other it belonging to a child there's no defining characteristics of the voice. Maybe you just imagined it? Even if you did, one thing is clear when you wake up.

You're not where you were before. The bedroom you find yourself is plush and well decorated, almost like a fancy hotel or apartment. That might be little comfort considering that it's clear that you don't recognize it. Before you rush off to explore your surroundings there's a message pinned to the door to the hall.

From the desk of the Queen:

Hello, my friends dear.

I can only hope you enjoy your new life here. For those you stirring from sleep, this is my promise that I will keep: I will let you go if that is what you desire but the price for it will be quite dire.

For my rules are quite clear that I don't wish you to leave. Yet I will, if you can take the grief.

If you wish to know my name and the reasons to my game, meet in the audience hall for tea. Tea, yes, a grand tea party for my grand guests! Cake and sweets are what we need to meet. In an hour we both will be there, no peeking before!

Signed,

Instead of a signature, there's a small feline paw print underneath as well as some strange sort of heart crest?

There seems to be others moving outside your room. Perhaps it's time to explore, to see if anyone else knows what's going on. Don't slip on the playing card (an ace of hearts, with the heart shape replaced by the strange crest). That there's a scribbled phrase of 'dormez-vous? dormez-vous?' on the card but surely one of the others slipped it under your door.

This Castle seems like a strange place ot live in... yet for now it's quiet and peaceful, even if the Audience Hall is locked.

Comments

gallery

[scratchitti]

... this crazy chick had paintings done of us?

[Hey Allen, looks like you have company. Company who looks pretty horrified, especially as he reads the profiles]

Re: gallery

[xxxx_me]

[nevermind we thread here.

But oh... yes. Those sure are paintings of them all. Allen will, of course, go to examine his own first, staring apprehensively at the quote.]

I didn't say that...

[But he does know it. Hn.]

hilarious double tag timing

[scratchitti]

I said the one on mine... Great, another Stalker.

[xxxx_me]

[He tilts his head a little in curiosity, walking over to check out Neku's profile. Inevitably, he's going to see that quote and...

...

Oh.

Shrinking back a little bit.]

S-sorry...

[scratchitti]

... look. I was kinda an asshole when I said that. Don't take it personally.

[He does still look kinda unapproachable, but his tone suggests legitimate regret]

[xxxx_me]

[Still looking at him a little anxiously but... He nods.]

...You aren't from the facility.

[He has many questions about the current circumstances but that's one of the big ones.]

[scratchitti]

I have no idea what that means, so probably not. I'm from Shibuya, Tokyo.

[xxxx_me]

[Fr......owning a little. He supposes that sometimes the Dreams had additional characters, but they all seemed to play only a small role. This guy seems to be- well, a person, with a name and everything.

????]

I thought only people from the facility were in the Dream...

[It's said softly, mostly to himself. But then he speaks up again, actually addressing Neku:]

Have you met a person who calls himself the Cheshire Cat? ...Or a different person who hates the Cheshire Cat, who calls himself the White Rabbit?

[scratchitti]

Like Alice in Wonderland?

[NEKU PLEASE DON'T ACCIDENTALLY FOURTH WALL BREAK THE KID???]

[xxxx_me]

Yeah, except the Cheshire Cat is a lot meaner. ...He calls everyone Alice, too.

[IT'S FINE WE KNOW FAIRYTALES.]

[scratchitti]

[He shakes his head]

No, never meet anyone calling themselves that. What, do you hang out with some weird cosplayers?

[xxxx_me]

[You can practically see the question "What's a cosplayer?" on his face before he shakes his head.]

They're demons.

[scratchitti]

...

Seriously?

[xxxx_me]

That's what the Cheshire Cat said.

[And he looks So Tired at the thought.]

[scratchitti]

["I guess it's no weirder than saying Reapers."]

Alright, I'll buy it for now. Storybook characters can be creepy so I guess I can see a demon going for something like that.

[xxxx_me]

I never saw the Cheshire Cat's face, but... it sounded bad under his hood.

[...Yeah.]

When I woke up in the bed, I thought this must be another part of the Dream. But if they aren't here, maybe it isn't...? Unless the Cat is hiding.

[Something about the way he says "cat" makes it pretty clear he's not at all fond of Cheshire.]

[scratchitti]

Dream...

[He takes the card out of his pocket- now that he's been told what it says...]

"Are you dreaming..."

[xxxx_me]

...Should we look around together?

[scratchitti]

Yeah, let's explore. I feel like there's some kinda... puzzle here. Oh, I'm Neku Sakuraba, by the way. Even though I guess you know that already.

[Due to his portrait]

[xxxx_me]

[A nod. Exploring Worlds with another person has become a familiar routine, at least.]

My name is Allen. It's nice to meet you, Neku.

[scratchitti]

Same, I guess. Even if it's in a screwed up place like this.

[xxxx_me]

[With introductions out of the way, he'll nod and begin leading the way over to the door leading to the bathrooms, first. Might as well check all the doors while they're here!]