Forget all your troubles

[grimgrinningghosts]

[You wake up and instantly realize something is wrong.

There is a vague feeling of dread hanging in the air and, as comfortable as this bed is, there’s just something off about everything, even before you open your eyes. The dread only grows when you open your eyes and realize that you are in a completely unfamiliar room. One that has clearly seen better days at that.

As you explore your room, you will soon find a bedroom key resting on the dresser along with a note]

Welcome, esteemed guest, to our humble abode. We hope that you enjoy your stay in this Phantom Manor, as we expect you to stay with us for a very long time.

Feel free to make yourself at home as you enjoy what this manor has to offer, whether it’s the library, our projection room, or our famous wax museum. We’re sure you will find great joy

However, before you can get too comfortable, we ask you to please come to the portrait gallery at noon so we can discuss your stay here.

We eagerly await to meet you.

-Your Host

[The uncomfortable feeling doesn’t let up as you leave the safety of your bedroom. The manor seems old and decrepit, almost like it would fall over at the slightest breeze. Despite that, anyone who tries to escape will soon realize that the walls are unusually sturdy, and there are no doors that would seemingly lead to the outside world.

Still, at least you’re not alone in this scenario, if the other bedroom doors are any indications. Maybe there are a few more people coming out of their bedrooms too, so you have someone to talk toif you want to try to figure out what's going on. But if the 30 bios in the foyer hall are any indication, whoever has you here did not do this on accident. Whatever you’re here for, it seems like you’re here for a reason.

But hey, what’s the use of being pessimistic about this? Maybe it’s all an innocent situation… right?]

Comments

[pinkflip]

[ Kim thought these days were over. What are "these days" you may ask? Well, the days of waking up in a strange place, with a pit of dread bubbling in her stomach. That life is behind her, right? She has other things to focus on.

But it seems the universe has different plans, if this creepy bedroom and strange note have anything to say about it. Seriously, a wax museum? Major yikes.

Upon realizing her communicator (which she...possibly still keeps on her, whenever she can, you can't prove anything) isn't on her person and she's stuck in her pink practice leotard and fuzzy headband, Kim realizes this is going to be a lot more of a problem than normal.

There's no pockets, nowhere to put the key or note, so she just holds them tight in her hands as she cautiously slips out of her room and down the hallway. Out of instinct, her muscles are tense and fists ready to strike...should a Tenga (wait, it's some kind of machine thing now--) or a monster emerge from the shadows. If she's here, thought, wouldn't it stand to reason-- wouldn't someone else, someone like one of the Rangers...?

She calls out cautiously. ] Um, hello? Like... Anyone here? [ Maybe she'll knock on a door. Maybe someone'll answer.

Whatever the case, Kim's curiosity does get the better of her and she decides to look around. The place she ends up, however...

In the foyer, there's these little bios. Songs too, but she doesn't really take note of them, no-- because hers has information only a small select few should know...and some no one really should. She's pale. How? How could someone know-- is this up for all these people to see, no, she's been so careful with--

Slightly panicking, Kim looks around to see if anyone else is there. If they aren't, she'll try to pull her bio off the wall...to no avail. If they are, she'll try to act as casual as possible. It's a little harder than normal, given her state of distress. ]

Hall!

[notasingleword]

[Ariel is still basically crawling against the wall as she makes her way down the hall. She's about the round the corner when she spots the other girl and hurries back around. With cautious, she quietly peeks around the corner. The girl can't help but be a little scared.

However this person doesn't seem bad. She seems almost as lost as Ariel. Finally she steps around the corner, holding her sheet up with one hand and waving with the other.]

[pinkflip]

[ Kim doesn't hear any scurrying or anything of the like. So there's nothing to draw her to Ariel's hiding place. ]

Hello? I'm a little lost here, so...if someone knows what's going on, I'd be real grateful! Hello??

[notasingleword]

[When she doesn't notice her, Ariel tries to call out to Kim... but nothing comes out. Oh... it's going to take a lot of adjusting isn't it. She shakes it off and walks over to her more directly. The girl gingerly pokes her shoulder with a smile.]

[pinkflip]

[ Not quite facing her, Kim notices Ariel right before contact is made, which is probably for the best. No startling, that'd be lovely. ]

Oh! Sorry, I didn't hear you, um...are you from here?

[notasingleword]

[Ariel is smiling, trying to hide her excitement. She's so close to a human! The other girl's question brings her back to reality, and she shakes her head with a shrug. Nope, definitely not from here.]

[pinkflip]

[ Dang, another swing and a miss. She'll find someone from this place eventually...she just hopes it's no one threatening. ]

Okay, me neither. I just woke up, did you?

[notasingleword]

[Ariel nods to respond, looking around a little. The fact that the other girl doesn't know where they are worries her, and it's clear on her face. What was this place? Certainly she didn't give everything up to end up here...]

[pinkflip]

[ Kim puts a hand on her shoulder. ]

I'm sure we're going to figure out what's going on here. How about... My name's Kimberly. Who are you?

bios

[upgradeit]

[Hiro wanders back in with a butter knife from the kitchen in his hand and just kinda. Stands there for a sec, blinking at her. Then he holds out the butter knife.]

You wanna borrow this?

[pinkflip]

[ Glances at him. Glances at her bio. Bites her lip. Kimberly is a Good Girl, and she is not going to-- ]

Ohmigosh yes, please.

[ Time to (futilely) try to vandalize like all of her profile. Spoilers, it doesn't work. ]

[upgradeit]

[Silently hands over the butter knife.]

It's pretty sturdy. I tried to dismantle the button next to mine earlier and it didn't even budge.

[pinkflip]

Button? Oh. This thing. [ She...was a little focused on the words. Still focused on them, on trying to scratch them off, but. What's that- oh there we are then! ] Whoa! Okay, was not expecting that!

[ ...but it's a jam?? it's a jam. ]

[upgradeit]

Why is your song so much cooler than mine? [Of course this is what the teenage boy is concerned about.] Mine's just someone's idea of a joke. It's not even funny.

[He is really, deeply upset about his bio song. How dare!!! Someone make fun of him like this!!!!]

[pinkflip]

Beats me. I'm not even really a hard rock kind of girl. [ She'd listen to it, yes, because that's a requirement of being a teenager with attitude, but she's more of a Soft Rock. Medium Rock. Gentle.

Anyway, she's scratching halfheartedly now, more focused on the music. ] What's the point of a...theme song, anyway?

[upgradeit]

Dunno. Maybe it's like back when everybody used to put song lyrics in their social media profiles?

[Hiro, Kim doesn't even know what Facebook is.]

[pinkflip]

In their what profiles? What's a social media?

hallway

[lostbutnotaboy]

[Knock knock.

Nothing happens for a minute or so, and might even convince Kim that there's no one there, but the door suddenly opens a crack. And peering out through it, is a little girl, who slowly opens the door.]

...Hello?

[pinkflip]

[ WHY are there so many children here? This is getting upsetting. ]

Hi, sweetie, I'm sorry if I scared you. My name's Kimberly, and I'm trying to find someone who knows...just what's going on right now? [ A gently bright smile. ] Do you live here?

[lostbutnotaboy]

[Oh no, a nice person. Jane's... honestly kind of confused.]

...I wasn't scared. [Yes, she was.] And I don't live here. I don't think anyone would live here- I'm not even sure where this place is supposed to be.

[quiet frustrated noise.] I'm sorry.

[pinkflip]

[ She shakes her head. ] Sorry? No sorry. We're all a little creeped out here, it's okay to be confused.

Did you just wake up?

[lostbutnotaboy]

[It's her turn to shake her head.] No, I just came back in here to check if I could find anything else.

[Also because she's stressing out just a little?]

All I can find is a note, and a key for this room. Nothing else.

[pinkflip]

[ The lack of findings would trouble her, but the obviously distressed kid is so much more important. Kim keeps her soothing look in place. ]

Well, I'm gonna take a look around myself, and I'll come on back here and tell you if I find anything. Or do you want to come with me? It can't feel too nice, being all by yourself.

[lostbutnotaboy]

If you'll have me, I could try to help. I am pretty responsible. [She tries to make that sound like an accomplishment, and not something that kind of ruined her life for a day or so.]

I don't... really want to be alone around here.

[pinkflip]

[ Kim holds out a hand with a bright smile. ]

Then come on out! We'll be a team, okay?