From sad to interesting to hip

[firewalled]

[The first thing Rich notices is that his hospital bed is feeling mighty uncomfy at the moment. No matter how he tries to shift himself around, it feels like he's sleeping on rocks. He really doesn't want to wake up so soon, but with a mumble, he opens his eyes, hoping that maybe one of his friends has popped in to visit.

When he opens his eyes, he doesn't see any of his friends. In fact, he doesn't see the room he's almost gotten used to. When he turns his head to the side, he notices what he mistook for his hospital bed is actually a hard stone chair, something like a throne that he's currently seated in.

Then he notices that he is seated, and looking down at his legs, the bandages are completely gone. He makes a confused noise as he lifts his arms. They're mobile again... covered in scars, but otherwise healed. He frowns and looks around the room.]

Um... Mr. Nurse Dude? Did the doctors take the casts off while I was out?

[He takes in the rest of the room: the tall stained glass windows, the looming pillars, the sprawling velvet carpet covering stone floor. He feels way tinier than he usually does.]

...Also am I high?

[There is regrettably no answer. Not when he calls for Jake or Michael or Jeremy, not when he even tries calling for Chloe or Brooke. He waits for a while, but, antsy as he was when he couldn't move his limbs, it isn't long before he hops off the throne and starts using his newly healed legs to start wandering.]

((This is a joint intro of sorts! Rich's bestest bro Jake Dillinger (jakeyd) will have a tag under this post to respond to if you are so inclined.))

Comments

[jakeyd]

I know bro, I appreciate it! [Jake ruffles Rich's hair a lil' and just leaves his hand there after.] It's just my dumb mistake this time.

[When he looks back over to Minako, he seems concerned by what she's told them. But only because;] Is whoever runs the place just kidnapping a buncha high-schoolers? That's pretty freaky...this isn't gonna end up like a horror movie is it? How long have you been here, uhh--oh.

Sorry, I didn't ask your name yet! I'm Jake and this cool guy is my best buddy Rich.

[Jake pats Rich with the same hand he'd left on Rich's head.]

[wildcardpotential]

[Such a protective little knight! These two are freaking cute as hell. She's glad for their sakes that they came here together. God the head pats. She could squee.]

Oh gosh, I have no manners at all! I'm Minako! It's nice to meet you boys! [A small bow.] Sorry for the bad first impression, seriously.

[She giggles and gives a vast shrug.]

Honestly this place seems to run itself. The rooms move and change, and people appear and disappear with very little warning. There aren't just high schoolers here, though. Some adults, too, and some non human creatures. Many of them are safe. Not all, but... many. We still haven't figured out a why either but the castle itself doesn't seem malicious. Just magic.

[firewalled]

[Yay, head pats! Rich is quite soothed by that, smiling a little easier at Minako with Jake's reassurance.]

It's cool! Minako is a sweet name. Japanese?

[Rich, your weeaboo is showing. He frowns and looks over his shoulder at Jake at the description.]

I mean, compared to home, it still sounds a little more dangerous. What with some dangerous creatures and the random disappearing thing.

[jakeyd]

[Pff, as if Jake would even care if you're a weeb or not. Not that 'my best friend might be a weaboo' is where his brain went, at all. When he glances down at Rich's question, Jake's only wondering whether or not his bro actually knows Japanese. He'd have to ask later-if he even remembers, as he's now far more concerned by the 'random disappearing thing'.

As he listens, Jake's hands unconsciously switch position so that they both rest on Rich's shoulders; gripping on slightly.]

Hold on a sec-has anyone come back from disappearing? Do you know where they go?

[He's a lot more tense now, unable to trust that the place 'isn't malicious' if it has a habit of fuckin' disappearing people.]