And a one, and a two...

[gembeasts]

And a three!
 
[ Johan throws his weight against the locked door, and finds that not only was it unlocked, but also ajar, and so what really happens is that he just kind of... crashes into the wall. Possibly knocks a few paintings off.

Let's not forget that headache. ]

Nnngh... aah it hurts, hurts, hurts.

[ That door was locked two minutes ago. He was sure of it. He had woken up in a dark room with a locked door and for the past hour had been trying to bust it down.

Well at least he's out now--for the price of his dignity. And this splitting headache.

He gets up rather shakily and leans on the wall for support. These surroundings aren't familiar at all. ]

Ah...? Where am I?

[ This doesn't look like his house. ]

Comments

i'm already logged into her and i'm lazy so

[ruatcoelum]

[ This is indeed not Johan's beautiful house and this certainly isn't Johan's beautiful Juudai wife.

She is sitting up on the empty counter in the lobby though, watching him like some sort of oversized bird of prey.

(if birds of prey wore baggy sweaters, or ate beef jerky, or sat around with big heavy books nudging at them for attention like some kind of pet) ]

...new here?

Re: i'm already logged into her and i'm lazy so

[gembeasts]

[ It'd be really nice if it was.

Ah, someone he can ask for help! Not that he knows her or where she came from or if she even kidnapped him but Johan doesn't dwell on that stuff. ]

I suppose? I woke up in that room there and I've been trying to get out for a while! Not my best idea, but the door unlocked by itself.

[ What is that book. Is it a spirit? ]

Aah, ma'am. There's something try'na get your attention!

[ruatcoelum]

[ Thomas is sort of looking him up and down, inspecting him, although when he mentions the book she glances down and then reaches to pat at it absently. ]

Oh. Don't mind that, it followed me from that Heartland's room.

[ She gestures vaguely. ]

You're in a weird hotel. Some of the rooms are bigger on the inside. Not many people around, and nobody knows how they got here.

What's your name?

[gembeasts]

[ Heartland's room? Is Heartland a country? Huh. ]

Well this wouldn't be the first time I've woken up in a strange place, haha. Not that this happens on a daily basis, I mean!

[ He scratches his chin sheepishly and gives a small smile. ]

I'm Johan! Johan Andersen. How about you?

[ruatcoelum]

[ How the hell is a guy this unconcerned about weird things like this even still alive?

Oh, well. Not like she particularly cares about his wellbeing or what dumb luck is keeping him alive either way, anyway. ]

Thomas Arkwright.

[gembeasts]

[ It might have something to do with the fact that he's the protagonist's best friend. ]

Nice to meet you!

[ He holds out his hand for a shake. ]

Do you happen to know anyone else here? Whenever something like this happens there's always more people involved. Speaking from experience, I mean!

[ruatcoelum]

[ She stares at the hand like he's just offered her a dead animal, and then looks away. ]

I've met... a guy who looks like me, a guy who looks like someone I know from back home, and a woman who's about three miles tall and wearing too much leather.

Nobody I actually know from home, though, if that's what you meant.

1/2

[hellkaiserin]

[Scandinavian in pain?

She's here. She's so very here--]

[hellkaiserin]

[...wait.

That's not Johanna.]

...what.

[gembeasts]

[ Don't sound so disappointed or else Johan is going to be disappointed too. For whatever reason. He tends to pick up other people's moods.

Ah, well, a familiar face! That counts as something.

He doesn't see the difference just yet. ]

Oh, Kaiser! Fancy seeing you here!

[ He sheepishly pats his clothes down and tries to make it seem as if he was leaning against the wall and not leaning against the wall for support. ]

Did you also wake up in a locked room?

[hellkaiserin]

No, I walked in the front--

[....]

..."Kaiser"?

[This is more serious than she thought.]

[gembeasts]

[ Wait. Why does Kaiser sound surprised at his own name? ]

U-Unless you're not... Kaiser...?

[ But he's pretty sure! Doesn't Kaiser always wear that trench coat and have hair like that and have this general intimidating air about him?

Uh...

Wait. Are those-- ]

Aah! I'm so sorry, oh my God! I mistook you for someone else! You look a lot like him, you know. Kaiser, I mean. Haaa...

Wait, does Kaiser have a sister I didn't know about? You look so much like him! B-But I thought the only sibling Kaiser had was Shou... unless it was a secret? Oh gosh--

[ Someone stop him from jumping to conclusions. ]

[hellkaiserin]

[This is not going well. She sighs.]

I'm Kaiserin.

And you're not Johanna Andersen.

[Hopefully that clears something up.

It seems like her luck, though, that when her newfound rival and potential executioner walks into this place there's such a drastic change.]