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

observation... somewheres.

[not_over_yet]

[ Basil's more accustomed to being the one doing the tailing, but he's been followed himself a few times before. He pretends not to notice this time, and tries to be subtle about noting who--OKAY, nevermind, forget all that in favor of a disconcerted twitch-sputter. ]

Please have a reason you're naked.

[ Yes, he's noticed an assortment of strange beings wandering about in various states of undress--but you're a rat, Rémy: rats wear clothes, this is weird. Also awkward.

...And considering Victorian vs modern fashion trends, this particular mouse is likely wearing more clothing than Rémy's used to seeing humans bother with. ]

[bestchefinparis]

[So rude, Basil. Rémy blinks, surprised. Where are your priorities? The relief he felt about seeing someone of his size is quickly vanishing, instead getting defensive]

This wasn't my idea! My clothing simply wasn't brought with me!

[His toque counts as clothing, doesn't it? At least he figures it does]

[not_over_yet]

[ Excuse you, his priorities are perfectly in order!

But it's relieving that the nudity wasn't this fellow's idea. And simultaneously alarming because it wasn't this fellow's idea. Muttering: ] Good lord, we need to get out of here.

I'd, ah, offer you my coat or something, but... scale differences and all... [ Awkward throat clearing. Moving on! While studiously looking someplace else. ] Do you have any idea how we were brought here? Or why?

[ If Basil finds out that by "clothing" Rémy actually means "hat and that's it", there will be Judging. ]

[bestchefinparis]

[I can't believe Basil will spend like eight weeks looking somewhere else when Rémy is nearby, haha!. Why don't you ask Mabel to make Rémy something, Basil? For your sake]

I don't know! I just--last night I was home above the bistro, and then I'm here. I guess I'm kind of known in the city, and I was almost kidnapped once, but not...with a bunch of other people.

[He does sound rather uncertain about the situation, that's for sure]

[not_over_yet]

[ His priorities have been very clearly established, of course he'll find a way to get Rémy clothing!

...But getting back to that kidnapping issue, Basil frowns in thought as he mulls over Rémy's reply. ]

"Known in the city"? I can't say I recognize you, not by sight at least... [ Technically, Basil, you haven't even looked at him properly. ] What's your name, and which city are you referring to?

[bestchefinparis]

Paris.

[Surprise, this is a French rat]

[not_over_yet]

[ ...Ah. And for Basil, so much is explained.

Wait. Damnit, this just makes their situation worse! ]

One or more of us has been spirited away across national borders. Which I suppose could explain the extreme oddity of... Depending on who everyone here is when at home, this little jaunt could be risking international repercussions.

What exactly is it that you're "known for" in Paris, Mister...?

[ Basil finds this skipping past offering his own name rather suspicious. Basil not having seen the foyer just yet. Y'know. The foyer where each captive is named and described right there on the walls for everyone to see. ]

[bestchefinparis]

[The less you say to Rémy's face about French people, the better, Basil! Hah!]

Really? I'm not sure if anyone would listen to me if I tried to say something back at home. Humans don't listen to rats at all... [Now that he thinks about it...] I think this is the only place where anyone can hear me, I don't understand why.

[It'd be easier to understand if people stopped saying it was magic, that's for sure]

I'm a chef. I don't mean to boast... [Well, maybe a little bit] ...but humans consider a rat cooking very memorable!

[not_over_yet]

[ ......wait what ]

You... cook for humans?

[ why tho ]

I suppose "memorable" is a word for it. From several multiple perspectives.

[bestchefinparis]

[You have no idea the amount of metaphorical hoops the bistro had to jump through to be accepted by the health department, Basil]

I know, but if that's what got me here, I'll be really upset. I never thought I'd be taken anywhere...

[Being known for his cooking is fine, being kidnapped because he's known is not okay]

[not_over_yet]

[ What's a health department, asks the Victorian, ]

I'm well-known--but not for my cooking, and certainly not among humans... rather doubt any humans know I exist, or Toby's would have traps in it by now... Why take us both?

...Tell me, the room you awoke in: was anything the correct scale? Everything in "my" room was sized for a human.

[bestchefinparis]

No, it was all human-sized. Looks like whoever brought us here doesn't care about accomodating anyone.

[not_over_yet]

Mm. [ He's not sure what to make out of any of this. ]

This is assuredly the most elaborate kidnapping I've ever encountered. The process must be quite involved, leaving the likelihood of accidental inclusion...

[ Ah. Now there's an alarming thought. ]

...Maybe all this has happened before, and whoever's behind it simply felt no need to make adjustments for a new batch of captives.