The dangers of exploration

[emilia_galmar]

Characters: Emilia Galmar, Howard Link, CLOSED
Setting: Floors 21-34
Summary: Emilia and Link decide to observe some of the dangers of the Tower. The Tower isn't willing to let them just observe.
Warnings: Warning for the effects of Floor 34


[Although the restaurant on Floor 21 is closed it still looks invitingly normal. Emilia tugs her coat tighter and looks up at Link standing by her side] 

I've been told that the food is lovely here, but the prices are incredibly high. I never did ask exactly what the prices were, but I received the impression that it wasn't in money.

[She presses her arm softly against him, seeking the reassurance that his solidness always provides. It's these seemingly normal places that she finds the most unnerving]

Comments

[inspector_link]

[Link glances around quickly, doing his best not to look put off by the idea of any further artistic contemplation.]

Perhaps another time? We should keep to our schedule for this first trip.

[Though he has no watch or communicator to judge the time, his sense of time is fair enough to know that can't afford to spend too much time here. Not if they plan on making it to their goal before night falls.

Also, he knows Emilia, and that enthusiasm of hers? Means just one room won't be enough.]

[emilia_galmar]

[She's disappointed for a moment, but then sighs and straightens her shoulders. He's right, she'd easily lose track of time if she let herself look around.

She turns away from the walls and brushes his arm again, so that they can walk up the stairs beside one another]

You're completely right. Look at me, distracted by the first floor we see. We can come back later in the week to look further.

[The walk up the stairs seems a little longer than before and Emilia pauses as they reach floor 24, shaking her head slightly and looking at the empty room in confusion]

Did we just miss something?

[inspector_link]

I'm not sure...

[He looks down at himself, checking for changes or missing items before looking Emilia up and down as well. They both look the same.

Missing memories aren't all that unusual for either of them. Not that that makes such things okay, but seeing as nothing has changed, he's not really willing to take the risk of going back down into a room he can't remember.

Link motions for Emilia to follow him before continuing up the stairs.]

Let's just keep moving.

[emilia_galmar]

[It's a sensible decision to Emilia, as she's just as aware that the vanished time could have been seconds or days. She trots up with him to the meadow on the floor below.

She pauses for a moment to feel the air on her face. It smells of spring and fresh grass and delicate flowers]

This would be a perfect place to rest for a while

[Almost too perfect. ]

We'll have to ask what sort of traps or poisons are lurking before we try having any picnics, I think.

[inspector_link]

[Even Link, sensible, boring fellow that he is, stops to appreciate the breeze and view. It's almost like being outside and, as he often had to during F3 trips, he has to take a moment to remind himself that that's not the case. It's always a disappointing moment.

He bends and reaches out, brushing his fingertips over the grass for a brief moment.]

Walker mentioned this floor. It should be safe, but it would be wise to double check.

[emilia_galmar]

I still haven't met him.

[Truthfully she's dreading that moment slightly. It's always difficult to look into the eyes of a friend who doesn't remember.

After a moment more to appreciate the view they begin heading up the stairs again]

Did he tell you what time he's from?

[Her question trails off at the end as they stop to look at the next floor. The faint smell of embalming fluid and rot is sickening]

[inspector_link]

He said that the last time he saw me was in France. I believe he comes from after that mission...

[Link trails off once that chemical scent hints him. He surveys the room quickly, only a few seconds really, before reaching back to take Emilia's hand and pull her to the next floor. With a smell like that, there's no need to linger and risk finding out just what's making it.

He almost bypasses the next floor when he sees the laboratory equipment, but stops to before Emilia still has her breath.]

[emilia_galmar]

[She's glad he dragged her away from that room before she could see to much and glad too he's stopped to catch their breath. The chemical stink wafting out is stinging enough to cut through any smells lingering in her nose]

The Supervisor would have loved this room. It worries me that it's right over the last floor.

[She keeps hold of hand and continues the walk up the stairs. The gentle sound of instruments playing grows louder as they reach the next room and falls silent when they enter. The instruments look so normal in their racks and open cases. She twines her fingers through Link's before stepping out to have a closer look]

I wonder what sort of curse is on these? I'd quite like to try playing a flute again if it won't be detrimental to my health.

[inspector_link]

[Link follows, considering a rack of beautifully made violins for a moment before reaching out to brush a finger over the nearest one. Nothing happens.]

Someone was playing these while we were climbing the stairs, but no one's here.

[emilia_galmar]

[Her breath catches in her throat when he touches the violin, but when nothing appears to happen she lets herself breathe again. She steps into the room and looks down the rows of instruments, calling out]

Hello? Is anyone here? We don't mean you any harm.

[There's no response, so Emilia steps further in, peering round a corner]

Link, they've even got a full-sized organ!