(no subject)

[opening_act]

Who: Anyone
When: Day 1, Afternoon
Where: The Arena
What: With any luck, answers.

[ You've met each other, and at least some of the confused amnesiacs have ventured out into the closest thing the sealed city has to open air, outside the dormitory building they woke in. The arena loomed large, the biggest landmark the city had to offer, and at some elected to explore the large building.

For those that didn't, the grand flash of light that fills the streets, coming from the direction of the Arena may call attention to it.

For those already there, the blinding light that suddenly blazed into existence is impossible to miss, pure and bright. If they closed their eyes reflexively, they may not notice, but the observant might notice that the flash left no afterimage on their closed eyelids. For those with their eyes left open, they will find the light doesn't hurt, or diminish their vision when they look away, though they still have difficulty seeing into that burning core.

Not long after, the light starts to dim. At the core of it, a mass of brilliant wings, too numerous to count keeps itself aloft in a constant whirr of motion and feathers. Or— maybe that's wrong, in certain moments there are no pure white feathers but stripped musculature, raw and writhing, with far too many eyes hidden amongst the folds.

Will you approach? ]

Comments

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

How'd we get here?

And why don't we remember anything?

[opening_act]

You were sealed in, I imagine. Lord Metatron called me here recently, so I really couldn't say for certain.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

"Sealed in," huh?

[Remembering the book.]

...we got some kind of disease?

[opening_act]

Bzzt. [ she crosses her arm in an X shape ] Incorrect!

The corruption is out there, those vulnerable, in here. You had it topsy-turvy.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

So you're saying you dragged us in here... what? To keep us safe?

[opening_act]

[ repeats the buzzing noise ] Bzzt!

I'm neither ticket-taker or bouncer! I'm the announcer, not the ring-master! Nothing more, nothing less.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

So you dunno either.

[opening_act]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner.

But I'm sure you will want to hear some of what I have to say. Libations and refreshments, do those tickle your fancy?

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

Sure. So long's you keep talking while we get em.

[opening_act]

[ wags a finger ]

I'm not going to get them. [ she produces a map, which she shows him ]

You're in charge of feeding yourselves, but I have just the ticket to start you off.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

Yeah?

[Comes in closer and holds out his left hand for the map.]

What've you got?

[opening_act]

Map of the grounds! Courtesy of one of the others, but I have it from the highest authority that the park has things to hunt, and the greenhouse, things to grow. Aside from rations, they'll keep you fed.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

[Takes the map and looks it over.]

Huh. Who's the other? That Metatron guy?

[opening_act]

[ it's not complete-- it shows the dorms, the park, and the greenhouse, but cuts off to just show the southern tip of the arena. still, it seems accurate to what he's seen on the way over here ]

Avavoth. Lord Metatron didn't just call on me to perform.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

[Folds it up and goes to pocket it.]

You keep saying that — perform.

[opening_act]

It's a general term. We've been called here to play different parts, after all.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

Yeah? And what's our part?

[opening_act]

Put on a show, play in games and earn your miracle.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

I don't know if I'm the acting type.

[opening_act]

Effort and enthusiasm makes up for a lot.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

Uh huh. And if we wanna opt out?

Say "no thanks, places to be"?

[opening_act]

Places to be?

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

[Shrugs.]

You know, whatever's out there.

[opening_act]

Then you really will be wanting the grand prize. You won't like what's out there, without your miracle.

[blankasfreshlyfallen]

Why?

What's out there?