-[ prismic △ sanctum ]-

[SHIVERS]

You pull at one of the models experimentally, as they're quite close, but it doesn't budge an inch.
All of them seem to be bolted to their respective exhibits.

After this, you can wait no longer, and slap one of the buttons.
"The haiku fish is a notable exception amongst other fish species for not having a proper spinal cord,
instead having a 'notochord', one of the fe----------------- that carries this trait!"

"Did you...?"
Roux returns to your view as they walk back up the stairs.
"I don't know that we have time--"
You hit another.
"--Mantis." 
"Willow nettle may look unassuming, but this plant is actually a pr--ator!
Its sur--ce is covered with thousands of tiny, sharp, glass-like ----rusions that look like hairs.
These 'hairs' instead act like syringes, injecting unsu-------------------------------------------."

You make your way to the next button, but look up to find Roux staring at you, arms folded.
"It's neat. And I think I enjoy museums. 
Maybe. My memory is still entirely fuzzy."
"...Alright.
Let's just finish up quick."
They gesture to the button you're at.
"Knock yourself out."
You smile as you tap it.
"Brissler's sh-----ish - like most shieldfish - has bony plates that form a shell-like around its --dy,
protecting it from po----ial predators.
This v-----------------------------------------------------."

You glance at the last intact button to find Roux already in front of it.
They shrug their shoulders, and press it themself.
"------------aps disguise themselves as bottomfeeders along the riverbed,
partially burying themselves in mud and waiting for smaller predators looking for a quick meal.
When one approa----------------------------------."


"There. Done."



Satisfied, you follow Roux down the stairs.


"...Oh, hell."

There are six more buttons here, all in front of what looks to be a timeline on the wall, but it's too faded to make out any words or pictures.
"You have fun, I'm gonna look around."

You waste no time trying them, but all of them either elicit uninterrupted static or simply don't work at all.
Despite this, the loudspeaker clicks on suddenly.
"This elevator is for employees only.
Please make sure to stay with your group!
For employees: Please tap your badge on the sensor to call the elevator."

Your companion is at an elevator door, the audio seemingly triggered automatically by approaching said elevator.
They tap the sensor pad just beside the door.
"Something else to look out for."



With only one way forward, you both head for a set of doors on the south end, but you stop.
In the center of the downstairs area, there's a giant model - larger than you and Roux combined - of a dark brown, white-spotted fish bolted to the floor.
At its south side, facing those doors, there's another button.

You hit it.

"The coela----h--"
The voice cuts out entirely as a loud, high-pitched whine comes from the crackling speaker up above.
You both cover your ears. Or, at least, Roux seems to cover where you guess their 'ears' are.
The screeching speaker mercifully goes silent after a few seconds.
"Ooookay, no more buttons.
Let's get going."

You nod, and continue through the doors.





On the other side is a dark, sterile-looking hallway.
Doors line the walls on both sides, separated by plain white wallpaper and wooden guardrails. The floor is flat tile in a pastel green color.
Only one of the fluorescents on the ceiling - the one just over your heads - dimly lights the hallway, buzzing obtrusively. Beyond that, only the red exit sign at the end of the hall is lit, staining the rest of the corridor in an eerie red glow.

You don't like it here.

Roux looks hesitant, but they step past you and try a random door. It doesn't open.
You check your mental map.
"All the doors seem to be locked.
This may be a dead end."
"Hang on."

The chorosy cautiously follows the hall, and you reluctantly trail behind.

You soon see what Roux did:
A full-length shovel has been deliberately wedged through both handles of the exit doors.
The shovel's wooden length looks worn around its middle, right where it rests on the door handles.
Roux experimentally tugs at one of the handles ever-so-slightly, and the door moves.
"It's unlocked, shovel's the only thing blocking it."

"...We could pull it out."

"It does say it's an exit, but I still doubt that matters much. 
And this uh..." 
They gently touch the stress marks around the middle of the shovel. 
"...might be here for a good reason."

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CURRENT ROOM: SDU HALL 2