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

[chaoscontrol]

I will take you there.

[Shadow pauses, placing a hand on Erhard's leg]

... He doesn't hate you, Doctor. I hope you know that.

[cryosurgeon]

I know....

[It wasn't long enough.]

I'm tired, and I know I'm going to get my ass kicked from every direction as soon as certain parties find me. They can afford to be hypocritical, they have the numbers advantage.

[People cared about him in the world of the living, though, where here he only really has Shadow.]

[chaoscontrol]

You'll see him again soon. I couldn't tell you directly then, but as long as they can remind Nirrti of who she once was... we'll all get out of here in one piece. Giving them Sherlock back... that was a smart move. They can do it, Erhard.

[Shadow huffs]

Watanuki is conserving his energy, so I can't go back to the mansion anyway. So like hell I'll let them pick on you while you're here. I won't have it.

[cryosurgeon]

[Giving them Sherlock was smart... he did something right.

Even if he stained his conscience to do it.]

You can't watch me every second. And there's nothing stopping them from coming after me when this is over. They're all supernatural beings, I'm... only human.

[chaoscontrol]

[yes, you did a good, Erhard. So just stick with that]

It's not like I have anything better to do. And when this is all over, they'll have more important things to worry about than petty grudges against what they perceive as a weakling that won't fight back.

[cryosurgeon]

... you're right, I won't fight them. Even if I could, I wouldn't.

["I deserve it" is left unspoken, but clear.]

[chaoscontrol]

People like that tend to get bored quickly if their prey doesn't make it interesting. Takes all the fun out of it.

[cryosurgeon]

Then I'll just have to keep stitching myself back together until they reach that point, because it's not like you can make them forgive me.

[chaoscontrol]

If they're anything like me, it won't take long. And I think they are. Like me, that is.

[he's as much as a monster as they are when the situation calls for it]

[cryosurgeon]

Good, then I guess I'll only have to sew myself up a few times.

[Great, Shadow. Your elder son has now learned sarcasm from you. Hope you're proud.]

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow claps him on the back. SARCASM IS A GREAT WAY TO COPE]

It will be good practice. Come, I'll show you were Sherlock was staying.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard nods listlessly and gets to his feet, though it looks like it's taking all of his energy. The dark circles under his eyes are deeper than ever, almost bruised, and his eyes themselves are painfully bloodshot.]

Do you think... the Foundation will let us take some time off after this?

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow holds Erhard's hand lightly, just to keep him moving ]

I would hope so, but I also wouldn't hold my breath.

[cryosurgeon]

I thought so.

[He sighs softly, letting Shadow lead him but thankfully not dragging his feet. He's too eager to rest his head on Sherlock's pillow for that.]

They really do think of us as mere tools, don't they?

[chaoscontrol]

Some more so than others.

[cryosurgeon]

My concern is that us being transported away suddenly will have us all marked as Keter-class, or worse. They won't believe it was against our will.