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]

Um...

[Rémy doesn't seem to be in much of a hurry to let the alligator give him a ride. He's likely to accept, but...

...yeah, he's hesitating. Can you really blame him for hesitating?]

[bayoublues]

[....]

Y'know, that's fine. How about I look for some windows, and...uh, you see if you can find any other clues as to why we're here? Or stuff. And we'll meet back here in like...I dunno. Half an hour?

[does this place even have clocks]

[bestchefinparis]

[Oooooh darn. Rémy's eyes widen a moment, realizing he may have been rather rude towards someone who had showed to be friendly enough. He shakes his head, a bit frantic]

Look, I'm sorry, I... [He passes a paw over his snout, thinking twice before talking] I'm not used to meeting an alligator. You don't see many of them in Paris. [Or pretty much anywhere he knows, he's pretty sure of it] I didn't mean any offense, seriously.

[Well better shut up before he keeps putting his paw into his mouth]

Sounds like a plan. I'll see you here later, uh...what's your name?

[bayoublues]

[Shhh it's ok Louis doesn't always remember he's supposed to be a scary predator]

Woah, woah, woah--Paris?! I ain't ever met anyone from Paris before! Europe, I think--one of my friends is from Maldonia. Anyways, no offense taken. Lil' critters like you ought to be wary.

Name's Louis. And I don't believe I caught your name, either.

[bestchefinparis]

Yeah, a rat's life is not easy, but I have always thought I can't let that stop me.

[If there's one thing Rémy has is determination, yeah]

I'm Rémy, chef in Le Ratatouille. [He sounds very proud about that] Nice to meet you, Louis! I'll see you here in half an hour.

[There he goes, intending to return at the agreed time...without any useful clues besides having talked to other people, which is useful in its own way]

[bayoublues]

A chef, huh? That sounds grand!

[He's never met any rats who could cook! But, hey, he learned how to play the trumpet. So he is incredibly supportive of any sort of animal artistic pursuits.

Louis makes a round, trying to explore the rooms as best he can, but, for some reason, there just...doesn't seem to be any windows around. This seems to be a serious oversight on behalf of the builder. Or perhaps it was intentional? He arrives in the foyer, glancing around a bit nervously while waiting for Remy to return.]

...Well, the good news is, if there's something awful out there, it sure can't get us in here. This place is locked up tight. You have any better luck?

[bestchefinparis]

[When Rémy returns he seems rather...uncertain about something. He shakes his head]

No, I couldn't find anything. But there's something...

[May as well ask a fellow animal]

Is it strange everyone here can hear you? I didn't think humans could understand anything I said, but it's like everybody here can.

[bayoublues]

Dang. Worth a shot, though.

Well, uh, now that you mention it...it is a little odd. Most of the time, when I try talkin' to humans, they don't hear nothin' but gator noises. Made it difficult to say, "Hey! I don't wanna eat you, just let me play a few notes for your trouble!"

[He scratches his chin, mulling this over.]

...Maybe it's magic?

[bestchefinparis]

But magic doesn't exist, right?

[...although he can't think of any other explanation, he isn't in a hurry to accept 'magic' as a convenient answer]

[bayoublues]

Yes, it does? I would know--my friends got turned into frogs from voodoo magic and hijinks.

So...maybe it's good magic. Since, y'know, I bet if no one understood ya, um. They might try and squish ya. Since you're a rat....

[bestchefinparis]

Why'd someone turn gators into frogs? That sounds a bit...senseless. [He mentions friends, he imagines they're alligators too, yep]

That would be nothing new, it's the story of my life. [Wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to kill him]

[bayoublues]

...Oh! My friends aren't gators, they're human. Well, one of them got turned into a frog 'cus of a deal struck by a witch doctor. A voodoo man. Loads of names to call him.

[Poor Remy. Must be tough for a little guy like him.

...Actually, it's tough for most animals who aren't domesticated.]