15strangers | WAKE UP TIME

WAKE UP TIME

[The first thing you feel when you wake up is...nothing.

You don't feel much different at all when you wake up, no doubt from a very pleasant sleep, even if you may not remember what you dreamed of. If anything, you would have thought it was another normal day.

That thought would have vanished the moment you took in your surroundings. This is not your bed, this is definitely not your bedroom, and well, this is definitely not your home. In fact, this place isn't anywhere you've been before.

Before you can question anything much further, your cell phone starts beeping, flashing a message on the screen for a good several minutes, before flashing your profile, also for a few minutes. Yes, now you have a Title, and a power, even if you've never had one before. And yes, you have a cell phone. Even if you didn't have one, and don't know what the hell a cell phone is. You get the feeling you'll need to keep it on you.

The profile fades back to the home page of your phone - don't worry, you can still access your profile, and everyone else's, on that little lime icon if you really want - even though you have so many questions now. (The help button may... attempt to be helpful in that case.) Where the hell are you? Why do you have a Title? And can you get out?

Perhaps, if you're strong enough. But, in any case.

Welcome, Titled.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

((OOC: Welcome!

If you haven't filled out the resident profile or current residents information yet, please do so!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Phew. [ Now that the other guy is perking up, he backs away a little and offers a small smile. ]

I guess you don't like a lot of attention, do you? Sorry if I overstepped my boundaries. [ Sometimes he can be too eager to help someone without thinking it through. Maybe he should have stayed away? Awkwardly, he puts his hand on his hip. ] If I'm bothering you, I don't mind leaving. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.

Edited (that enter wasnt supposed to be there thx dw) 2017-11-26 23:55 (UTC)

[He's not really perking up, it's just years of practice in hiding his breakdowns in public. He doesn't want to be coddled or pitied, but he knows it's most people's nature to stop and try to help if they think something is wrong.]

N-- no, you just wanted to help. There's nothing wrong with that.

[He shakes his head slowly.]

Do you know where we are or why we were brought here?

[ An improvement is an improvement! If his head isn't between his legs anymore and he's able to breathe normally, it's perky enough. ]

A mall, I think. I'm afraid I don't know much more about the "where" than that. [ The why, however. Guess the information from the cell phone explains that. He watches the other guy for a few seconds, internally debating whether or not he should mention it. Hiding it won't do much good, he knows that but... It might be hard to take in right now.

Ultimately, he decides it's better to tell him now than have him find out later. With that in mind, he pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and opens the app with the rules. He holds it out for the other man to take. ] This might help with the rest. Try to breathe while you read it, all right?

[Once glance and Yuuri is shuddering and looking away.]

I... I know about it. This can't be real, it has to be some twisted prank. Kidnapping is illegal, and making us... making us kill each other....

[His voice cracks, his eyes squeezing shut. The fear is different from panic, a crushing pressure rather than a sharp electric crackle. His chest aches from it.]

My family... Victor... they'll be looking for me. I just have to hang on until then.

Oh, sorry. It makes sense though, the message was a little hard to miss.

[ When the other man's voice cracks, he puts the phone away and dares to step closer. Is physical contact the right response here? They don't know each other well at all; they're strangers to the point of not knowing each other's names. Even so, he wants to do something. Has to do something.

Carefully, he reaches out to put his hand on the stranger's shoulder. ]

... yeah. My friends will be looking for me, too. I think that's what we should try to focus on. The people who care about us and want to see us come home safely. Thinking about that is better than worrying about these crazy rules.

[Yuuri flinches at the touch, not used to casual physical contact from strangers, but he doesn't pull away. He hates seeming weak in front of the other boy, though there's no point in hiding it now.

He looks down at his right hand again.]

I was freaking out over this ring. I... I thought I got drunk and did something crazy right before this competition I was supposed to be in. Now I feel stupid, that's nothing compared to whatever's going on here.

The ring? [ He pulls his hand away (and gives an apologetic look too, he noticed the flinch) and chooses to focus on the ring. It might be better to keep his distance here. Though it is tempting to ask for Yuuri's hand so he can get a better look at the ring. ]

I don't think it's stupid. Whatever's going on here is surprising, but I don't think that means you can't be bothered by something else. [ He puts his hand onto his hip! ] Maybe I can help you retrace your steps. What's the last thing you remember?

[It's just a plain, smooth gold band, simple and brightly polished. Yuuri hasn't even taken it off to discover the secret he doesn't remember etched into the inside of the ring: a tiny half-snowflake....]

The last thing I remember....

[He closes his eyes for a moment, though he already knows what his last memory is. He remembers the spike of anxiety, the gasp and belated covering of his mouth to hide his fearful noises, the firm gentleness of aqua eyes watching him before he threw his arms around his coach.]

I was about to go out on the ice to perform a routine for the first time. My coach... I was trying to win so he'd stay with me. I must've blacked out before the music even started, because then I woke up here.

[ A ring like that is universally recognizable, or close enough it makes no difference. No wonder the guy freaked out and thought something happened. They might be able to circle back to it later. For the time being, he focuses on what he's hearing. ]

Sounds normal enough. A friend of mine gets the jitters whenever she has to perform, too. I've seen how rough it can be so no judgment here. [ He moves his hand to his chin thoughtfully. ] Okay, but doesn't that solve one of your worries? You weren't drinking before you came here. That means no impromptu wedding.

But if I wasn't drinking, how did I get this? How did I get out of my costume and into my exercise clothes? None of it makes any sense! It's like... retrograde amnesia. Can you get that from being blackout drunk, because it's the only explanation I have?

[Yeah, he's getting a little frantic again.]

WAKE UP TIME

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