[OPEN] Please, please forgive me

[fifthtimearound]

Characters: Caroline Martinez and YOU!
Setting: Floor 2, specifically around 2-19
Format: Starting with prose, but I can do either
Summary: There is a very confused college student roaming around floor 2, trying to convince herself this isn't real
Warnings: None, potentially cursing

This all had to be a sick joke.  If it was that trio from Dallas thinking they were funny, heads were going to roll.

It was probably something that the Tower's residents were used to:  a young woman with two letters clutched in her hand, easing into the hallway with wide eyes.  She's changed out of the unitard, choosing the face the unknown wearing jeans and a tee-shirt.  Long, dark hair, dark eyes, she looks like a completely normal college kid.

"Hello?  Hey, this isn't funny!  Brendan?  Carlos?"

Why couldn't she reach anyone?  Nothing could keep her from connecting with James and Nova.  Caution and annoyance were threatening to turn to panic.

"Anyone?!"

Comments

[absolute_perception]

Elian was making his daily rounds now that he was given a job by the tower as a janitor. It wasn't what he asked for, which in fact, he never asked for a job. His small frame was pushing the huge cart and he didn't exactly see Caroline as he rounded the corner.

His head peeked over the side of the cart. "Are you lost?"

[fifthtimearound]

Caroline peeked around the cart at him, pretty much expecting a child considering how little he was. But maybe not?

"Hi, I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. Can you point me toward the exit? I can take it from there." There was a faint hint of hysteria when she laughed. She so badly wanted this to all be a joke.

[absolute_perception]

He stepped out from behind the rolling piece of equipment for a much needed break to wipe his brow with his towel that he kept separate from the others. Looking up, and with a sigh, he shakes his head slowly to address her question.

"I've been all over this place and found no visible exit that leads to the outside. If you're looking for the exit off this floor, it's that way." He points toward a darkened area with a rusted sign that said Stairs in faded red letters.

"This place is simply known as The Tower." Everything seemed so generic lately.

[fifthtimearound]

"Off this floor is a start, but I have things I need to do. I don't have time to play games." Panic would not help and she mentally grabbed onto that reaction and forced it down. It had to be a joke.

Then why couldn't she reach anyone . . .

"So where is this Tower place? Am I still in Massachusetts? Or did they really move me?"

[absolute_perception]

His small hand rubbed his chin for a moment in thought. The little person didn't react the same way others did their first time here and he saw that she was doing the same thing he did. He removed his hand and shook his head.

"We're all displaced here. I did talk to a couple of people that have left and came back. They mentioned their worlds were barren, a wasteland, and some described as completely obliterated.

The location of this tower is unknown to me. I've been trying to locate its position with no success." Elian felt that familiar pit in his stomach that he couldn't get rid of since he got here. It was almost like he was completely disconnected from his world entirely which made him nervous.

"I suggest if you explore the upper floors that you don't go alone." He turned to face his heavy cart with a look of discomfort. Pushing that thing was like pushing a car in comparison. He knew he would be sore later.

[fifthtimearound]

Caroline had to swallow hard before she could reply. "So you're saying these letters are serious?" She held up the two letters that she'd found on her arrival, crumpled in her hand.

Her stomach threatened to flip over as she let herself consider the possibility that this was real for just a second. That everything, everyone, was gone.

"What's on the upper floors?"

[absolute_perception]

"I'll get to the upper floors in a moment, but I wouldn't dismiss them as completely real just yet. Something doesn't make sense, and it's a factor I've been tossing around since I arrived. It's better to think of it as a likely possibility, but until we see it for ourselves, then we'll know the truth.

Let me just give you this information packet."

He sifted through the rack of paper products to pull out the folder he created and handed it to her. He kept a few copies just in case be met any new people. He looked over his shoulder to the left and right.

He spoke quietly. "Be careful."

Concern wasn't his strongest suits but it is starting to surface more as he encountered more people. It was all a learning process since he was just a little late in the social development department.

[fifthtimearound]

"Something doesn't make sense? Kid, let me tell you, none of this makes sense. If my universe was going to be destroyed, I'd be the first to know. Okay, maybe second. Third. Top ten at least."

She was babbling a bit, but it was part of how she reacted to panic. As long as it was a joke, it wasn't real. It couldn't be real. Everyone couldn't be . . .

Caroline reached out to take the information, hands trembling slightly. "Be careful about what?"

[absolute_perception]

He took note of her shaking hands and reached out to take them. It was something he learned from watching others that often calmed people down. "Your life is more important. Take care of it."

Of course it was obvious that anyone would, or at least those that were sane enough. "The unpredictable nature of this place has become a differentiating factor between worlds, yet anthropologically speaking, despite upbringings and backgrounds, everyone has the need to survive."

Elian gave a small smile and hope that it was something of a comfort for her to let go of her fear. "It's only how you chose to make your mark in finding your way home."

[fifthtimearound]

She let him take her hands, forcing herself to take a deep breath. Actually panicking would not help anyone, least of all herself. "Right. I have to remember that."

Her fear wouldn't be going anywhere for awhile, but it did recede for the moment. "People are trying to find the way home?"

[absolute_perception]

"Yes." Elian's hands release their grip as he turned back toward the cart. "Everyone has at one time thought about or at least attempted escape at least once. Given the proper planning and the right guidance, finding those still working toward that goal would be difficult on the network.

Be careful what you say openly on the terminals. The monsters on the upper floors can physically harm you with temporary effects. I cannot guarantee what the Administration would do if anyone manages to succeed in thwarting their plans. Those plans are not revealed." That was what Elian had originally wanted to say. Thankful that she was calm enough to listen, he leaned his back against the cart.

"My name is Elian Zigmarl."

[terraformagica]

This was Amalia not even a month ago, and she cautiously approaches the girl from behind. "Ah... excuse me, miss. Please calm down..."

[fifthtimearound]

Caroline whirled around to face the new voice, one hand raised.

She stopped. And stared.

"Uh, hello? Wha-- who are you?"

[terraformagica]

Amalia held out her hands as though to show that she meant no harm. "My name is Amalia. You're... you must be new here, right? You just woke up here, in a strange room?"

[fifthtimearound]

She looked cute and harmless, but then a lot of things did. It usually wasn't true. "Yeah, that pretty much sums the situation up. Care to explain what's going on?"

[terraformagica]

"It's... kind of hard to explain," Amalia admitted. "Those letters... they're a lot to take in, aren't they? Have you eaten the oatmeal in the cafeteria yet?"