It's all happened before...

[grimgrinningghosts]

[You wake up in a plush bed, well rested but very confused. As you become more conscious, one thing becomes abundantly clear: this is not your room, nor does this look like any bedroom you’ve ever been in before. It’s relatively clean room, but immediately something feels… off about all of this.

When you start exploring, a thing you’ll soon notice is that on the bedside table, there is a room key sitting ontop of a neatly typed note.]

Dear hotel guests,

We cordially invite you to come to the downstairs library at noon for an important meeting regarding your stay in the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Before then, we invite you to make full use of the amenities this hotel has provided for you.

On behalf of the hotel staff, we dearly hope you enjoy your stay in this marvelous hotel.

-HTH Management

[But, as you leave the comfort of your new bedroom, any hope that you somehow booked a hotel room the previous night and just forgot is immediately dashed. It looks like this hotel hasn’t been cleaned in decades, and despite the mention of hotel staff in your note, there doesn’t appear to be anyone working here.

Not to say that you’re alone, however. As you explore the hotel, you’ll soon find that there are 23 others in the exact same situation as you: confused and with no memory of how they got here. And to make matters worse, if the bios you stumble upon in the dining area is anything to go by, this clearly isn't just a freak accident.

Get comfy, because you are all in for a wild ride.]

Comments

[anasty]

[ See, the trick to complimenting others is to actually just compliment yourself in such a way they can ride your wake. ]

It feels more like toiling in futility. Useless!

[ She tries to pick up one of the geometric lamps only to find that it's bolted down. Snarling, outraged to be foiled at even this tiny turn, she beats at the less sturdy shade instead, shattering the sensitive light bulb if not crumbling the shade. ]

No records, no keys! What sort of inn is this?

[ Her eyes search her company out now, expecting to see a pipsqueak and finding, well... magnitude indeed. ]

But I haven't checked everything yet. Can you help, my dear?

[ Of course, Ratigan should know a veiled ultimatum when he hears one. ]

[stenchus_rodentus]

[Already Ratigan can tell from the very well composed and delicate manner this Charybis carries herself that getting in the way of her tentacles or even hands right now wouldn't end too well.

He merely stretches his neckerchief to mask the violent tension that a giant volatile set of tentacles can create.]

Not a well-catered-to inn if the state of disrepair is to say anything.

[And clearly right now Ratigan knows he has no real advantage at the moment. This information might be useful to him. He's merely just...servicing himself while incidentally helping another.]

Why certainly...I suppose I can use my proportions as a means to sniff out information, madame.

[anasty]

[ Smart rodent. It's only been an hour, if that, since Ursula woke up and it's already been A Day full of ignorant disrespect. His manners soothe her and she offers him a little smile in turn.

She leans towards him, propping herself up on the desk with one lavender elbow and half-turning towards the pigeonholes behind her. She indicates them with her finger. ]

That top row is the only place I haven't been able to look just yet. If you're not afraid of heights, I'd be grateful to have you as my second pair of eyes, Mister...?

[stenchus_rodentus]

Heights? Rarely a thing to fear in the sprawling streets of Mousedom!

[Manners keeps you alive where brute force fails. And if it weren't for her habit of issuing iltimatums hed say she was pf the decent sort.

He doesnt need much help climbing. He stuffs his gloves in his coat, claws put as he makes his ascent. It's a good balance of Victorian gymnastics and clawing rat style upwards into the pigeonholes.]

Now that I had my excercise for today...let us pry into this long hidden hole~

[anasty]

I would have given you a boost.

[ She says, after having watched him scale the thing with admirable agility. As useful as someone looking up from their magazine to see the house is already clean. ]

I've never heard of such a place. Where is Mousedom? An Anglican clime, if my ear serves me better than my vantage.

[ A little chuckle. ]

[stenchus_rodentus]

I prefer to display my many talents.

[That and he doesn't quite trust those tentacles. They look as though they could crush him with ease if they wanted.]

Why you have the natural art of the ear, madame! Indeed Mousedom is somewhere on the British Isles~

[Said as he scrounges through the small hole. Hmmm nothing yet.]

[anasty]

[ They could. However, he's fostered the best attitude from her today; if she were going to kill someone, he wouldn't be at the top of her list. But then again, the day isn't over yet.

She watches him about it, unable to see into the darkened slots but assuming anything he finds might come with some tell-tale twitch of that wormy appendage that dangles out of it. ]

I've met a few other rodents in my short span here, and neither of them with half the manners as you. You are a refreshing credit to your kind, sir.

[stenchus_rodentus]

I would say that to ever mouse and rat I met who wasn't an awful bore.



Might I dare say I haven't met as many...fascinating denizens of the sea with your powers of persuasion.

[anasty]

Do you venture off your island often, then?

[stenchus_rodentus]

Does a king leave his throne when he can?

[Yeah let's get to that level of bragging.]

[anasty]

I suppose that depends on the size of the kingdom. If you were, for example, the ruler of the seven seas, I could see some trouble with getting out.

[stenchus_rodentus]

And would madame suggest she is a said ruler?

[That would be rich.]

[anasty]

Let's just say all I'm missing is the crown. Though I was wearing it before I was so rudely netted into these lackluster accommodations.

Talk about a buzzkill!

[ She's passe about the phrasing, but it'd be hard to miss the underlying fury. ]

[stenchus_rodentus]

Indeed. I can see the sea is missing a quite capable mantle.

[Who better to handle a volatile element than someone who's equally volatile?]

I know the agony...to have victory nearly rudely snatched away by something or someone sooo mundane!

[anasty]

Nearly? Unless my eyes deceive me, you and I are in the same boat, honey!

Or are you still running Mousedom from your stateroom? Did it come with a couple of pigeons and a window that'll open? I'd love to know!

[stenchus_rodentus]

Quite a luxury cruise, isn't it?

I'm afraid I've been left in a position of minimal contact through my connections. It's such a hassle.

[anasty]

What's your position looking like now? Anything worthwhile up there?

[stenchus_rodentus]

Unfortunately not.

[He ever so gingerly knocks against the end of the hole with his body weight for good measure and. Nothing. He steps out with poised over dramatic manner.]

The only item this hole collects is dust, I'm afraid.

[anasty]

And my disappointment. It was good of you to try, at least.

[ She offers a long, slick, black tentacle up to him, much the same way the coachman might offer their hand to a lady in helping them step down.

Well, Ratigan? Take the stairs or slide down the banister? ]