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

[bestchefinparis]

[Oh, he was heard. The more people hear him talk, the more he gets used to it, but it's still kind of weird...

A bit wary, Rémy peeks to take a look at who he will talk with now. He looks like a decent enough person, but Rémy isn't going to approach. Better stay away, just in case]

Over here. You can hear me, right?

[holdthetrumpet]

[... Oh. Hey. This, again. Kit nods, stepping away from the projector, though not too close. This one isn't wearing little clothes. Maybe he's not used to people?]

Should I not be hearing you? The other mice were speaking just fine.

[bestchefinparis]

I'm not sure anymore. All this time I thought humans couldn't hear me, but it's like everybody here can! It's almost strange.

[holdthetrumpet]

Maybe none of the humans you met before were good listeners.

[bestchefinparis]

...it wasn't like I tried very hard to talk to them, either. Usually they tried to kill me, not talk to me.

[He does sound a bit annoyed at that, but it happening a few times now has made him be kind of used to murder attempts]

[holdthetrumpet]

... You know, I hadn't thought about it that way but that seems very fair.

[Kit's seen how people get at the mere suggestion of vermin in the castle. He gets it.

But also how do you politely navigate the whole 'humans kill animals all the time and also eat them even if they don't really eat rats usually but like that's still an elephant in the room and oh god how mad are elephants' thing?]

I, uh. Apologize on behalf of humanity for the repeated and unwarranted attempts at murder.

[Nailed it.]

[bestchefinparis]

[An apology on behalf of humanity was not what Rémy expected. He shakes his head, a bit at a loss of words for a moment]

N-No, you don't have to apologize! It's okay, that's just something that happens. I mean it, it's okay.

[The gesture is appreciated, though]

[holdthetrumpet]

[IT'S JUST POLITE... like oh my god what if the stories about rat kings are true and there's a rat monarchy they've been grievously offending for centuries oh my god it's a policy nightmare]

Well it just seems... you talk. And wear little clothes, sometimes.

... Actually is there a reason some of you do and some of you don't? I've been wondering about that.

[bestchefinparis]

[Rémy seems to cringe for a moment. Basil being embarrassed had left him a bit defensive, and now it's starting to make him a bit self-conscious]

Is that really a thing, rats and mice wearing clothes?

[Have he and his whole clan been doing something wrong their whole life or what?]

[holdthetrumpet]

Only the ones I've talked to in the past day or so. Not... all of them. I don't think?

[Unless he just like somehow didn't notice.]

[bestchefinparis]

[Rémy paces a bit around]

Only since today people have been asking that a lot. 'Where are your clothes?' It's like, I don't know, people keep expecting me wearing them. I should at least have my toque, but it must have been left behind before I was brought here!

[At this rate maybe he should get something, just so nobody asks him that ever again]

[holdthetrumpet]

If you don't want to wear clothes I don't think you should have to.

[Boy that sure is a surreal thing to be saying, not even counting that he's saying it to a rat.]

It's, uh... an individual choice, I imagine.

[bestchefinparis]

It's not like humans make that choice, I think...

[At least from what he has noticed in the city. Geez, how did he end mentioning that, Rémy wonders for a moment]

[holdthetrumpet]

Oh, no. I mean we could, but it's considered indecent to walk around naked.

[Kit is completely unaware that nudists exist, and if he was aware he would probably bemusedly accept their choice to be nude, but the fact remains most people don't walk around with their bits out because it's just not done.]