-[ prismic △ sanctum ]-

[SHIVERS]

You resist the urge to spring out and attack.
However, you can't make out much about the shadow since they stepped forward.

With a piqued curiosity borne of fear and mild annoyance, you carefully pull back the side of the curtain barely enough to look out, readying yourself just in case.



Whoever they are, you doubt they're the purple figure you saw earlier.

They're garbed in a deep red cloak with a hood, and sporting some kind of gloved suit, effectively covering all of their body that you can see... except their tail.
It's big, vaguely reptilian, and curled at the end, looking quite powerful. 
You can't discern any specific species from it, as it could belong to several.

The figure is currently leaned over a railing just in front of you, focused on something else down below, though you have no idea how long that will hold their attention.
You vaguely note that this might be some kind of seating box before your gaze is drawn and locked to the large kitchen knife in their gloved claw, their other hand perched on the railing.

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: ???

[knux400]

Seems like they're waiting for something. Don't bother trying to see what they're looking at, just step back as quietly as you can and leave.

[ಠ_ಠ]

"Hi"

[SHIVERS]

You decide against trying to speak to them. 
Despite not having contact with anyone else since you got here, you worry they may be hostile.

You let the curtain go and start stepping back as quietly as you can, making no sudden movements.

However, the simple act of releasing the curtain makes it sway just slightly, the fabric retaining the movement longer than expected.
You manage to back your way a few feet from the end of the hall, the tunnel just around the corner.

The curtain opens, and the cloaked figure steps through.
"Stop." They hold their knife up.
You were already in the process of stopping on instinct alone.

You can see them entirely now: a red-colored chorosy, clad in a similar jumpsuit to the one you've got, though theirs seems to be modified to fit their species.



There's some kind of text on their right shoulder, but with their arm up you can't make it out.

"Who--"
"Hi," you blurt out.

"...Hi.
Do you have a weapon on you?
I need you to turn around so I can see."

You oblige for the moment and turn around for them, showing that you don't have anything.

"Alright, you can face me again.
Who are you?"

You hesitate.
It'd be easier to run for the tunnel facing this way.
That'd be your best chance to get away, and you'd have to do it now if you're going to.
Maybe that's the best call, but you aren't sure.
It'd be difficult to move fast enough through the vent to get away, and right after the vent is the ledge.
...And they might be friendly.


You need to commit to something now, either way.

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: ???

[knux400]

Turn to face them again.

"My name is Mantis. I woke up here a few minutes(?) ago. I don't remember anything else."

"please don't stab me"

[Lilium Mortem]

Yo, I've got a wicked case of the amnesia, no idea what's going on, and paradoxically my robot body is suseptible to stabbing, so please don't do a murder on me

[SHIVERS]

You turn to face them.
"My name is Mantis. I woke up here a few minutes ago... I think.
I don't remember anything else, I have amnesia.
...I am susceptible to stabbing, please don't murder me."

The chorosy looks you up and down, taking particular note of the text on your shoulder.
After a moment, they lower the knife.
"...Gonna hazard a guess and say the same people got you that got me.
Unless you're working with them. Not that you look the type, but can't be too careful.
Either way, I'm not gonna murder you.
Just don't try anything."
You can see now that their shoulder reads "ROUX".

They fidget, tapping their thumb on their leg.
"Did you find an exit?
Or anything useful at all? Anything that might stand out?"

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: ???

[ಠ_ಠ]

I saw a aerosoul that was purple standing on a roof and also a floating orb in red light and also i think other color orbs so i think this adventure has to do with colors since im green and youre red. Whats ur pronouns also.

[Lilium Mortem]

The floors seem to be labeled in reverse order, wait do you have a mental map too? despite being on different floors there are several windows that depict ground level in different climates, I woke up in a room where there was a big ol window looking out into a snowy landscape with a fountain. Doors can lock behind you, uh... there were these red orb sentries I had to sneak past in a façade of a city, really just like three alleys. that brings up the point that everything here seems to be built for looks only. like it's some kind of theme park and everything is just set dressing.

[knux400]

"One of the first rooms I found had eight chalices in it, with seven differently colored orbs. The ceiling was mirrored, and the reflection had the missing orb on it. I had to go upstairs to a similar room, grab the missing orb from there, and put it into the chalice on the bottom floor.

The orbs were blue, teal, purple, yellow, orange, pink, and red, and the one we had to move was green, like us.

Also we have a big plastic cube, it's in the other room. It was concealing a tunnel in the wall."

[SHIVERS]

You wonder where to start; what information might be valuable.
Ultimately, you decide to tell them everything you can remember, just in case.

"This place is unpredictable and does not generally make sense.
I've had doors close and lock behind me, for one.
When I awoke I was facing a fountain through a window in a snowy landscape, but I've also seen different climates, weather, and times of day through windows in different rooms as well as when going 'outside' myself.
Nothing was consistent, as if it was all built for looks only; just set dressing, like a theme park.
Some windows also seem to lead out to the ground floor, despite those rooms being on higher or lower floors from each other comparatively, which obviously doesn't line up spatially."

"Speaking of, do you also have a sort of... mental map? 
More than just picturing a layout in your head, I mean. I'm able to build a detailed map as I navigate. 
I've had it since waking up."

"I also believe color may hold some significance.
One of the first rooms I found had eight pedestals, with seven small spheres of different colors.
I was only able to leave when I went upstairs to a similar, mirrored room and retrieved a sphere from there to then place on the empty pedestal downstairs.
The spheres were blue, teal, purple, yellow, orange, pink, and red, and the one I had to move was green, like myself.
There was a floating, orb-shaped machine patrolling an alleyway that emitted a red light, like yourself.
I also noticed what I believe was an aerosoul with purple eyes - high on a platform above me - in a room with waterfalls just before I reached this room.
I waved at them, but they were gone when I looked back."

"I made it here through a tunnel I crawled through, just down this hallway. 
It had a large, plastic cube concealing its entrance, which I had to move.
...Also, what pronouns do you use?"



An awkward silence permeates the air for a few moments as the chorosy simply stares blankly back at you.
"That's... a lot of info. 
Probably more than I needed, but that's my bad."

"I don't have a 'map', but something else along those lines. 
Same as you; had it since I woke up."

"That 'red orb machine' you mentioned:  I turned that on by accident.
Nudged it with my foot while walking through there. I saw it float and that red light and just got out of there.
Might be red 'cause I turned it on, or could just be a coincidence."

"Either way, color definitely seems like a pattern. 
Those colored spheres; I also ran into something similar right at the beginning, but I got locked out of those rooms when I left.
Same with the fountain in the snow."

"You're the first person I've seen, though, so I don't know about anyone purple.
I know I'm not going the way you saw them, though. 
Until I know what's going on, the less people I run into, the better.
Someone must've done this to... us, so I wouldn't trust anyone, if I were you."

They turn around and pull back the curtain to leave, but hesitate.



"...You can tag along if you want. 
I don't really trust you much, but I'd say we have better odds of making it out with two of us.
And I bet that mental map you've got could help a lot with finding a way out; I've been managing best I can, but navigating this place is confusing as hell.
Us both going through that same alley, taking different routes, and ending up in the same place says to me that it'd be easy to go in circles, or get lost.
So... we could stick together til we find an exit, if you want.
Your call, since I'm on the fence about it."

"And pronouns, just... they is fine, I guess. 
Wish I could remember if that's what I used to use, but it works for now. 
You?"

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: ???

[knux400]

"They/them... I think. That's what it feels like right now.

I think our odds are better if we can find whoever else is in here and work together to get out. If they turn out to be mean, then... Sticking together will be helpful in a different way."

Since SOMEONE took the only good weapon, we may as well stop back at the previous room and arm ourselves with the wall cube.

[ಠ_ಠ]

"Do you have any theories for what this might be? Like maybe it's a prank show or something?"

Also keep in mind that while wandering rooms forever may be a good way to get more info, it would help if you could at some point determine an overall theme of this place that might point to the exit. Since you aren't likely to find an exit any time soon and there is no way to tell what is around, may as well go find any weird stuff you've already run into and poke at it a bit until you can determine something about it. That weird orb didn't hurt you so if they are willing you could go to it together and poke it.

[SHIVERS]

You really don't think the cube would work as a weapon; too heavy, too unwieldy. 
It would be helpful to find a weapon soon, though. 
You resolve to keep an eye out.

"They/them... I think. That's what it feels like right now."
"OK."
"Do you have any theories for what this might be?"
"Pretty obvious to me:  Someone kidnapped me, or us, and put us here. 
Wiped our memories, now they're using us for an experiment. 
Or maybe it's just a game to them, played with real people.
Don't really need to know specifics to know this isn't good, but I know I'm not dying in here."

"...I think our odds are better if we can find whoever else may be in this place, and all work together to get out. 
If they turn out to be dangerous, then... sticking together will be helpful in a different way."
"Look, if you're sticking with me, then we're not picking up anyone else. Not unless we're-- I'm sure we can trust them.
I don't like my odds if both of you turned on me.
And even if you didn't, if someone else did, they could still kill one or both of us.
You have that map of yours, so I'm willing to risk it with just you.
You can go by yourself if you want to pick up every stranger you meet."

"So, are you coming or not?
Need a straight answer."

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: ???

[seppawku]

i’d say we should go with them. caution can’t hurt

[knux400]

"...I guess I'll stick with you for now. By the way, um, what were you looking at on the balcony when I found you?"

[SHIVERS]

Caution can't hurt, you decide.

"I'll stick with you for now.
By the way, what were you looking at on the balcony when I found you?"
They give you a look, but it's hard to discern.
"...Thought you might be watching. 
Anyway, I was just about to show you."
They wave you along to follow as they pass the curtain again.

You follow them out, and find them leaning against the wall beside the balcony railing.
They motion with their head for you to take a look.

As you step up to the railing and look over, it soon becomes apparent what this room is:
You are currently in one of the few seating boxes of a large - and very ornate - theatre, more seats below you and more boxed seats around the rim of this upper floor.
The piano music you'd heard before is much more audible here, and you soon see why.
Most of the theatre is quite dark, the exceptions being some yellow dot lights on the ceiling in a constellation pattern, thin strips of red lights on the floor beside the lower seats, and a single bright spotlight illuminating a piano - playing itself - on the otherwise empty theatre stage.

"It just started up out of nowhere after I started searching all these seats."



You notice that the chorosy is pressing themself into the wall somewhat, as if subconsciously trying to add a scant few inches of distance between the two of you.
"Don't think I hit anything to make it happen, my guess is someone saw I was in here and started it on purpose.
Right around the time I got worried it was a distraction to ambush me, I turned and saw that curtain move, found you.
Could've just been bad timing, or maybe seeing the knife gave you cold feet... 
Can't really say for sure."

"Doesn't matter much right now."
They put a claw to their chin.
"I'm more than a little curious about the piano, but we'd need to actually get there.
There's only one other door around this top floor, which isn't likely to even lead to a way down there, knowing this place.
It's a high drop, too. Doubt it's fatal, but might break a leg... not worth risking.
Doable with a rope, though, I bet.
...But part of me doesn't want to touch that thing with a ten-foot-pole. It turning on by itself like that doesn't make it feel safe."
The chorosy shrugs with their shoulders.

"Oh, one other thing."
They wave to catch your attention before pointing somewhere down below, prompting your eyes to follow.
"See that?
There's exit signs at the bottom, but they aren't lit up, even though the other emergency lights by the seats are all on.
...Not really sure why. Just seems weird to me.
Might be nothing."

"I shouldn't think too much, anyways:  
The other door up here seems like our only option, less risky than running into that aerosoul if we go back your way."

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: GRAND STAGE

[knux400]

Let's go through the door, then. Does the song seem familiar to us or to Roux?

[SHIVERS]

"Let's go through the door, then."
"It's around through here." They push back a curtain beside the one you came through, another just past it.
They stop as you begin following, giving a final note. "Not too close."

You follow, maintaining a few feet of distance.
The song catches your attention as you pass through more of the upper seating boxes, looking out on the piano. 
You don't recognize it at all, unfortunately.

"Does this song seem familiar to you?"
"If it did, it doesn't anymore."
"Fair enough."

The two of you reach the backmost seating area, and they point at the closest door.
"This is the one I came through. Passed a construction site on the way, didn't find much.
There's a couple of tunnels there, but both are blocked off. 
One caved in as I was passing through it, the other's blocked by some heavy stuff on a forklift I couldn't get working.
...Just, so you know."



"This one," they put a claw on the handle of the second door. "I didn't check yet."
They open it and step through with you in tow.

It's quite dark inside, though there are dim lights on the floor and ceiling that give you enough bearings to walk without falling.
The floor, oddly enough, seems to be sleek metal.
Roux hurries ahead after a moment, heading further down the hall.
"Think those are win... dows..." 
Their voice trails off as they reach the supposed windows, staring 'outside'.
You follow along and mirror them as you look out.

You can see... almost nothing.
Empty space. Outer space.
A scant few dots, most likely stars or distant planets, otherwise just empty black.

"...Has to be... some kind of effect. 
Maybe they're using scraps to make the rooms look like this, somehow.
I don't know. Don't know why they would bother, either.
It doesn't really matter, does it?"

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MAPCURRENT ROOM: STATION HALL C

[knux400]

"I think it's best if we keep going. Hopefully we'll figure this place out soon."

"...Unless you want to break the window and find out?"