HAWKS PALACE

[doublefried]

The process of entering the palace is... smooth. Painless.


You are falling, but it's not scary at the speed you're going. You drop through the pre-dawn sky like a feather, light and easy on a breeze, descending towards a bright and multicolored island in a sea of dark trees.

When you land, you are somewhere new.

Comments

[rootsforyou]

[she would be tempted to collect all of the stuffed animals but she's too surprised by seeing a real person]

...? Madam?

[doublefried]

"Hey."

She waves.

[rootsforyou]

[does this lady look like anyone from the photos in the museum by chance]

Hello. If it isn't too rude, might I ask what you're doing in there?

[doublefried]

She was absolutely not in any of the museum photos.

"Well, I'm locked up because I killed someone."

[rootsforyou]

Somehow, I feel like that explanation should be a little more nuanced... Might I ask your name?

[doublefried]

"My hero name was Lady Nagant. You're looking for Hawks, right?"

[rootsforyou]

I am. Would you happen to know where he is? I'm sure he can handle himself just fine, but I'm a bit worried about him nonetheless.

[doublefried]

"Well, I'm pretty limited in what I can see, being in jail and all. But since you're backstage you're probably heading in the right direction."

[rootsforyou]

...Are you friends with him, by chance?

[doublefried]

"Nah. I had his job before him. I'm more of a chilling reminder than anything."

[rootsforyou]

...I see. I thought that you might want to meet with him. Should I send him this way, if I find him?

[doublefried]

"Dunno that he'll want to see me, really."

[rootsforyou]

If you're here, it seems like he should have a talk with you whether he wants to or not. You hold a place in his heart, after all.

[doublefried]

"Hah. Well, I'm willing to talk to him."

[rootsforyou]

[can she try the door to see if it's locked or not]

Then...it might be asking too much, but would you like to join me?

[doublefried]

It resists at first, but with a pull there's a memory. This time it's not an assassination.

This time it's an appointment with what sees to be some kind of therapist. While they're not dressed the same as the men with clipboards in some of the other memories, they have the same calculated gaze. Calm, businesslike, without a shred of empathy.

It's a general wellness check-in. They want to make sure you're not unstable. Is everything going okay? How are your stress levels? If you feel as though there's too much on your plate between your two roles, we can arrange for a substitute. As a reminder, your mental health is our highest priority.

We wouldn't want a repeat of the incident with your predecessor, after all -

It clicks open.

"In looking for the runaway bird, you mean?"

[rootsforyou]

[she flinches when the memory ends abruptly]

...Yes, that's right. It might be nice for the both of you to have a conversation after what you've been through.

[doublefried]

She stretches out her arms and shoulders. She's been pretty cramped up in here.

"Sure! Why not?"

[rootsforyou]

[steps aside to let her out, then]

Might I get your name, as well? Though it's belated, I'm Jiang Yanli.

[doublefried]

"... Kaina Tsutsumi."

[rootsforyou]

I'm a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madam Tsutsumi. Please wait a moment while I find a path for us.

[she's going to step back so that miss Kaina Tsutsumi can get out of her cell and stretch, and go inspect the exits that are...blocked with cell bars. are they illusions at all, or super solid?]

[doublefried]

They seem less like cell bars and more like the thinner bars of a birdcage! Just, birdcage upon birdcage upon birdcage.

"Do you want to get through there?"

[rootsforyou]

Mm...

[thinks about it, and nods as she inspects the bird cage bars with a furrow in her brow]

Yes. It says this is the exit, so that means it's the way we want to go, right? But I'll need to think of a way to break these bars first.

[doublefried]

"I can help with that. Stand back a little?"

[rootsforyou]

Oh! Please don't hurt yourself.

[she does obligingly stand back though]