☣ 01

[separateways]

[Ada's been here for a while--long enough to realize she's in a populated castle, there are no B.O.W. threats in immediate sight, and there's a book on the nightstand that is full of audible and written chatter.

She's seen stranger.

It doesn't take much time to find information. Names, basics of this place, the journals, other things she'll look at later. It's enough to distract her from the last moment she remembers.

Time to play with the other kids. If anyone else she knows is here, she needs to find out, and there's no better way to draw them out of the woodwork.]

This is certainly a far cry from China.

Let me get this straight: I'm in a sentient castle, I've had something taken from me, and I'm leaving here the same way I came in... suddenly, and not of my own choosing.

Wonderful. There are worse situations to be in, I'm sure... [Give her some time to wrap her mind around the idea of magic. Zombies? Easy.]

Now, who wants to volunteer to show a lady around?

Comments

[wagers]

[Here. Have a voice!]

Where are you even trying to go?

[separateways]

[Charming. Really.]

No place in particular. I was hoping someone that's been here longer wouldn't mind sparing some time to help me out.

[wagers]

[Fourteen year old girls can be charming and not bratty at all, ok?]

I've been here for almost an entire sweep and I am pretty knowledgable! I'm just trying to get specifics here so I know where to start my most helpful direction, that's all! But if you're going to be somewhat happy regardless of what you stumble upon...

[separateways]

[Children. Anything under 20 is a kid, and Ada's not particularly keen on them.]

I'm not really interested in broom closets or laundry rooms.

[wagers]

[Rude. She's all being helpful, too. Well, whatever. You don't get to hear all about the wonders of how warm clothes are fresh from the dryer or the time some loser tried on bras and licked the panties...]

Gotcha! So, okay. Let's start with this. Where are you right now? Okay, obviously you're not going to know every inch of this castle-- thus your asking for help-- but what's around you? That way I know where to lead you.

[separateways]

I assume I'm in the lobby.

[It's what she thinks the lobby of a castle would look like, anyway. She's never really in the wide open spaces of buildings much.]

[wagers]

The lobby? Wow, you're making this super easy! [Look at Vriska go!]

That's where most people find themselves at one point or another. It's a high traffic area! You're probably already catching sight of some weird looking people or humans or whatever! But they're not important unless you like idle conversation. The real important gem on this floor has got to be the kitchen. It's right down the lobby by this hallway?

Incidentally, that's where I am! This place definitely has some nice food...

[separateways]

[She may or may not have a better idea of where things are than she lets on.

Her heels click as she heads over to what should be the kitchen.]

Where does the food come from?

[And there's Ada, stepping into the kitchen.]

[wagers]

[Vriska is making mysterious hand motions at the journal like its something you can see through the pages or something. It's very nerdy. She even lowers her voice to emphasize the mystery!]

No one knows! [And if you catch a glimpse of her, there's some weird gray child with horns and a jacket eating a bowl of cereal. Lucky Charms because she has all the luck. But I digress.]

Yeah I know, it's weird. But it's not like the stuff in town is any less questionable. It's all magic or whatever.

[legacydeck]

[In Canontese, because he's a smart-ass] No, it certainly isn't.

[And in English-] You would be correct about this place, though, as far as I know. The castle is not particularly keen on giving up it's secrets.

[separateways]

[Without missing a beat, also in Cantonese:] Hilarious.

[And right back to English.] I've never known buildings to be stubborn.

[legacydeck]

You know, I think you're the first fluent speaker I've run into here.

And while I've known building that carry the echoes of built-up magic and feelings, I don't think I would have ever called one 'stubborn' until I wound up here.

[separateways]

That's almost surprising. The castle likes variety, then.

Stubborn, greedy... I've just gotten here and I'm finding myself with a list.

[legacydeck]

It does seem to. I've met a number of different people from worlds entirely unlike mine here. Rather fascinating, really.

I'm sure that list will only grow the longer you're here.

[separateways]

I take it you're not from China, in that case.

How long have you been here?

[legacydeck]

Actually, I am, originally. My mother's family is from one of the southern provinces, though they've lived in Hong Kong for the last century or so.

And about four months now, I think.

[separateways]

Those are some deep roots.

It must be easy to lose track of time, in this place.

[compromisedarrow]

If you're still missing a guide, I volunteer.

[separateways]

The more the merrier, in this case.

[compromisedarrow]

Yeah? Who else you got on board? Any names?

[An innocent enough question.]

[separateways]

No names, yet.

[compromisedarrow]

Here's one, then. Clint Barton. Nice to meet you.

[separateways]

Ada Wong. Likewise.

[compromisedarrow]

So, has anyone explained the whole castle shtick to you yet?

[separateways]

We're trapped and something is taken, you mean?