Dreamland (round 3)

[foundationmods]

[A strange house of some sort sits in the pitch black nothingness that exists around it. For those just now wandering in, they will be drawn to the building, finding it lit up in a way that it should not be. It's as if the whole area- house, yard, fence, and giant sakura tree- all give off their own light, and the newly-arrived are drawn to it like a moth to the flame.

Inside the boundary of the yard, the familiar faces of those who have passed on already will greet them. Depending on who is asked, they might give an accurate explanation. But even if they don't, one thing is clear: you don't want to leave this place. The area outside feels Dangerous, and it is probably best to stay put.

Fortunately, the house is built in an old style, and there are many rooms to explore. One room on the second floor seems locked, but the rest are open to explore as desired. The standard rooms are easy to find: kitchen, a W.C. and a bathroom, a sitting room of some sort, and a couple bedrooms (with plenty of futons for the dead to use). There are also several tatami mat rooms with nothing in them currently, but it seems like there might be some use for those rooms.

Around the house, perches for birds can be found. No birds are on them currently, though.

Sometimes Watanuki can be found in the house, but most of the time the dead will be left to their own devices. The question is, what will they do here?]

Comments

[oceanicbutterfly]

We're not sure yet. The door wants us to do something.

[Does that sound like something a sane person would say? No. Does she care? Not really.]

[foundationmods]

[There's some butcher's string in the kitchen? That might work for what Shadow is looking for.]

[chaoscontrol]

[perfect! He'll take that back with him and... tie it to something outside the door. NOW THEY CAN PROCEED]

[foundationmods]

[EXPLORATION TIME~

As they go into the room, they can pick up the note on the desk.]

FORWARD

[oceanicbutterfly]

That's clear enough.

[Time to open the door opposite the one they just came through!

She won't immediately step through it, because she is a smart person.]

[beguiledcard]

...

[ He, on the other hand, will try to immediately step through it. ]

[foundationmods]

[There is another room! It looks identical to the previous room, and it even has a table with a card on it in the middle.

No funny business, just rooms and cards. :)]

[chaoscontrol]

[Uh huh.

Shadow follows Akira in, holding his string like a security blanket]

[oceanicbutterfly]

You could at least show some caution.

[...she says, after that whole thing earlier.

What does this card say?]

[foundationmods]

Left, down, then swing around, ending at the top of start.

[Slightly more complicated, but not impossible.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He just gives a small, grim smile. ]

... Are these navigation instructions or dance moves?

[ But, yeah, okay, he will look to her. ]

So... left next?

[chaoscontrol]

Left, then... down? What does that mean? Back toward the way we came from?

[hnnggpph...]

[oceanicbutterfly]

It might, if we consider what our path would look like on a map.

Or maybe we'll find steps.

[beguiledcard]

Should we be trying to make a map as we go, then? [ ugh, but... ] Top of start? Does it mean just above where we started, as if... looking at it the way you suggested?

[ Last part is to Karen.

Anyway, he's moving. ]

[oceanicbutterfly]

[As she follows:]

Presumably. We'll have to be careful to keep track of our orientation.

[beguiledcard]

The string will at least give some help there.

[chaoscontrol]

I know. What a good idea that was. I wonder who thought of it.

[foundationmods]

[Speaking of the string, you can tie it off at each table along the way, so it anchors in the center of each room.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

Thank you, Shadow.

[beguiledcard]

[ SNORT... ]

Good work, Shadow.

[ So, they went left just then! Akira's pausing after that, and then... looking... towards his left? ]

So, if we were looking at it like it's following a map, that would be back down...

[ . . . also that is a good idea??? so. . . ]

Wanna tie off the string, Shadow, so it doesn't get tangled?

[chaoscontrol]

[he's going to do that!]

Yes. Thank me. You're welcome.

[he ties as he goes so they can have nice straight lines]

I think that's probably right-- er... the correct way.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Turning to port will leave us pointed south.

[There.]

[foundationmods]

[So far so good! Nothing bad has happened at least.

Now how about the rest?]

[chaoscontrol]

So we went left, then down... so now we..... swing around?

[Shadow frowns]

Go back the way we came? And end at the top of the start... Retrace our steps until we get back to the first room?

[beguiledcard]

[ A thoughtful hum... ]

I'm on board with trying that.