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

[madeofpine]

[It's fine they'll get there eventually, one way or another, though when they do Pinocchio just stands back from the bookshelves unhelpfully, looking expectantly at Noby.]

I dunno what we're looking for.

[used_realtears]

Hmm...books with the alphabet are usually pretty thin. And they have bright colors and big letters! Plus they're usually on lower shelves so kids like us can get them easy. [He starts searching one shelf, pulling out books to get a look.]

[madeofpine]

Got it!

[He pulls out books long enough to get a good look at the cover before literally tossing them over his shoulder. It gets pretty repetitive after a while, so he figures he can at least talk to fill the time.]

So, do you recognize anybody here? I haven't seen anybody I know from the village, and everybody dresses kinda weird.

[Or not at all, in some cases.]

[used_realtears]

[Noby shakes his head as he keeps pulling out various picture books. Huh, here's one about numbers. He sets that aside for now. Maybe later.] No...I don't really know any of them either! And I know most of the kids in my town... [Admittedly, he's less familiar with their parents.]

[madeofpine]

What town're you from?

[Noby's outfit is considerably closer to what Pinocchio considers normal, at least compared to some of the other people here. But he doesn't think he's seen him in the village, even if he only observed the real kids from afar before.]

[used_realtears]

...um, I don't remember. [That's kind of embarrassing.]

[madeofpine]

Oh, that's okay. I don't know that much about my village, either.

[Then again he's got a pretty good excuse for that, so...]

[used_realtears]

[He looks relieved, before finally finding a very battered-looking alphabet book and pulling it off the shelf with a triumphant "ha!"] Oh good, i found one of those alphabet books!

[madeofpine]

Great!!

[He might’ve been surprised the manor even had one but, really, it makes as much sense as anything else here.]

How’re you supposed to start?

[used_realtears]

Well...how about just looking at each letter first? [He'll start flipping through the book and naming the letters, along with maybe reading some of the words. He might go a little fast, though, and he'll be half-singing the alphabet song as he lists them.]