sit yourself down, and meet the best inn keeper in town ( O P E N )

[checkingin]

Who: Everyone!
Where: The initial arrival rooms, the main lobby, all over the place.
When: February 3rd
What: Welcome, newbies.

ARRIVAL.

you wake up when you hit the floor in a dark room, and the air is knocked out of your lungs. the carpet is threadbare, worn with use, kind of dusty. and you're not the first person to endure this crash landing. nor will you be the last.

once your vision rights itself, you can see the well-lit hallway through the doorjam straight ahead of you. not to say there’s monsters in the shadows, but something propels you towards that door and out into the bright hallway beyond.

and once outside your room, you can hear it: the steady thrum of rain outside.

MAIN LOBBY.

there's a staircase at the end of the lengthy hallway you tumble out of. grab your suitcase and follow the dull green exit signs on the ceiling until you reach the disappointingly bland stairs that lead you down to the ornate old fashion hotel lobby.

to your left is a warmly crackling fireplace, to your right is a lobby desk. straight ahead are three large sets of doors, though only one of them is open to the public. and outside the few (curtained, permanently dark) windows is the continually steady hiss of rain.

welcome to the hotel.

FRONT DESK.

though there is a bell and a plaque designating the desk to be the main desk, the customer service desk, there are currently no staff members behind it. none shall answer your calls, either.

terribly sorry for the inconvenience.

SCREENING ROOM.

on a tall pull-down screen, a silent version of nosferatu will be playing on loop. at the back of the room, between the neat rows of fold out chairs, mounted on a wobbly table is the old timey projector, and mounted on the walls are some rather old speakers that warble out "terrifying" old timey music.

along the curtained windows is another long table, with a large bowl that looked like it once would have held popcorn. but is now unfortunately empty. same for the large hot drink dispensers labeled "hot chocolate" and "coffee".

OTHER.

the ballroom and breakfast hall are currently closed, grand doors locked.

there is no main door leading to the outside, good luck trying to find one.

the door to the courtyard is locked.

ROOMS.

you've a room key with your assigned room number on it. all the new guest residences will be located on floors one & two. while there is an open elevator in the main lobby, and the buttons light up inside, the doors will not close. all in all, you'd be better off taking the stairs.

while they're the same stairs you undoubtedly came down to get to the lobby, the door to the endless hall everyone woke up in will not reappear between the main floor and the subsequent residential halls.

there are twenty rooms per floor. feel free to get to know your surroundings; or your neighbors as they trickle in around you.

Comments

open as hell;

[gloriouscurse]

[arrival]

[Regina, as it turns out, can't even say goodbye to her soulmate for good without something happening. She huffs out a breath as the air is knocked out of her lungs when she hits the ground. All she can do is stare at the ceiling for a moment before slowly sitting up, bringing a hand to the back of her head. Either she's been knocked out, or Ingrid's magic at the town line did something no one expected - sent anyone who tried to go through it to different land. But she'd watched Marian and Roland step through; they'd been fine. Robin too, and she can still feel his fingertips dancing at the edge of her own. But then she was here, and she has no idea what happened. She hadn't stepped over the town line herself, as badly as she'd wanted to. No, she couldn't because there's Henry in Storybrooke.

But now she's here, and the thought of Henry spurs her into action, finally standing, disoriented and glancing around. She can't stay in this room, wherever the hell it is, and she opens the door, stumbling out into the hallway. And that's when she realizes, as she raises a hand to produce some kind of magical defense (against what she doesn't know), she finds that it's gone. She's powerless here, wherever here is, and that's more terrifying to her than anything else. Every time her magic has been stripped without her consent she's very nearly died.]

What in the hell is this? Henry, are you here?

[Her yell is loud and echos a bit, so she finds the stairs, barreling down, losing her breath until she reaches what appears to be the lobby of a hotel.]

[Main Lobby]

[She has a suitcase. Of course there's a suitcase, and now she isn't sure what's more bizarre. The fact that she's here at all, or that somehow a very odd selection of clothing choices (plus a stuffed crow?) are waiting on her. She's out of her element, not used to being the one cursed like this, exactly. The curse she can handle, but there's no green sister behind this one, Ingrid was dead, and she couldn't have pissed off someone between the spell of shattered sight being broken and saying goodbye to Robin. It seems there are a few people milling around, though no staff, and everyone seems about as confused as she is. Suitcase in hand, her ire is raising by the second. She has a room number, and a room key, but she's pissed.]

Has anyone bothered to try figuring out where we are, or are we supposed to mill around like idiots?

Main Lobby

[1_truth]

[ Upon hearing someone approach and still not one hundred percent sure what the hell is going on, Conan hops off the lobby desk in order to hide behind it, listening closely to see if he recognises anyone's voice but so far he hasn't found anyone even slightly familiar. He's not sure if he's relieved or concerned by that fact but with how his luck usually is he'll go with a little bit of both. Relieved that no one from the organisation seems to be milling about and slightly concerned he can't find Ran or Occhan. They had been in the same car as him, they should be around somewhere, right? ] [ He won't reveal himself until she speaks, hopping back up on the desk and perching himself like he belongs there as he sizes the woman up-(small scar on her lip-the way she's holding herself suggest anger (no duh) dark hair, dark eyes-clean dressed smartly-wealthy? Not only is she angry but she's important-he can tell just by how she holds herself-practical?) ] I tried to find the log book. [ He offers with a childlike chirp. ] But there doesn't seem to be one. I thought hotels usually kept track of the people coming and going... [ He looks back behind the desk holding off a moment before he 'innocently' delivers the next line. ] But there are some locked drawers back here! I couldn't find the key though, have you seen it?

Re: Main Lobby

[gloriouscurse]

[Sizing him up, Regina decides he poses no threat at all. So, she crosses her arms over her chest, taking a step forward.]

I just got here, I haven't had time to find anything yet. And if I had any magic here, a lock wouldn't be a problem.

[Just for the hell of it, she has to try again, and she gets a few purple sparks that give her hope, but they fizzle out as quickly as they appeared.]

Dammit!

[And now, just because she's angry, she's looking through things, trying to find that stupid key.]

[1_truth]

[ Magic. (Scratch Practical. Add in Delusional.) He does his best not to let his personal opinion of magic show on his face. Maybe later he'll tell her how insulted he is but for now it's best not to make enemies-especially with someone that could potentially have a hairpin. The Sparks throw him off though as he was honestly not expecting them. His first thought is that maybe she's a magician and the small display was meant to impress but if that were so then sure she'd go with something more impressive than what would amount to be purple glitter. ] [ Unless the theory he's dreaming proves to be true but if that were the case then he should recognise her face from somewhere. The Brain cannot create a face it can only project what it's seen before-perhaps it was someone seen in a crowd but with how careful he has to be now it's extremely unlikely. ] Do you have a hairpin? I saw a movie where they picked a lock that way once! I bet it would work here too.

[gloriouscurse]

[Regina doesn't have a hairpin on her person, but she goes to her suitcase, kneeling down and rifling through the toiletries bag. She's muttering, mostly to herself, and when she finds one she smiles.]

Yes I do. Now. Let's see what secrets this place is keeping.

[She steps behind the counter and while she hasn't actually picked a lock - ever - how hard can it be? As she works on it, she glances over at him.]

Any ideas on what happened to us?

[She can't really be that gruff with someone so small in stature. She's not even sure of how old he is, so she tones it down a bit.]

[1_truth]

[ Is it possible to delusional and practical? He watches her try and pick the lock and can tell just by her movements that this is the first time she's attempting this. Petty crime like break ins are probably below her. He'd guess white collar crimes or something perhaps more sinister but with no evidence to support it he'll just left her try and figure out the art of lock picking on her own and worry about his own profiling later. ] No, I had a nightmare I was falling and I woke up here. [ And unfortunately, aside from the obvious kidnapping he really doesn't know what's going on. It's uncomfortable and he hates it. ]

[gloriouscurse]

[Regina pauses to look over at him, and maybe it's missing Henry already or all of that growing she's done, but her features soften a little.]

If there's a way out, I'll find it. And the someone will answer for this.

[She's not a woman used to being out of control in situations, and she goes back to the lock 'ah-haing' when it pops open.]

[carjacked]

[ Arguably, there might not be a whole hell of a lot of difference between the way he'd been yelling around the check-in desk and the way she's yelling now, and yet hers still somehow manages to catch a lot more attention than his. It's not the words but rather the voice that has him turning, though, a furrow of disbelief etched into his brow and lips parted. If this is the afterlife, what the hell is Regina doing here? She can't be dead, no, no way, Neal refuses to believe that his son could lose two out of three parents in such a short span.

She's throwing a wrench into his gears, short circuiting the part of him that had been convinced he knew what this was.

He shoves away from the desk with determination, leaves his briefcase behind in favor of weaving through the people milling around them. ]

Kinda harsh way to make friends.

[ He comments dryly when he's close enough to catch her attention, shoves his hands deep into his coat pockets. It's not the best preface to hey I don't know if you knew I probably died but I'm apparently not dead, but, you know. Bigger issues at hand or whatever, right? ]

[gloriouscurse]

[At his voice, and worse, at visual confirmation, Regina isn't sure she isn't dead, and any anger she had or tirade she was about to go on disappears completely. Her mouth is slightly agape, and admittedly, it's impressive that she's speechless for a moment. The last thing she'd done in regards to Neal, was toss dirt on his grave, and it hurt - not because they were particularly close, but because Henry's lost his father before he even had the chance to know him.]

You're...this is...

[She pauses, straightening her back.]

Where are we? What is this?

[She wants him to have the answer, she really does.]

[carjacked]

[ Despite the situation, it's kinda hard not to be at least a little amused that he managed to render her speechless. Not an easy feat to accomplish considering the stories he's heard about her, so, you know, he'll take it. That amusement drains out pretty quickly, though, because they're still both trapped and kidnapped, and he's got no idea what this means for his son right now.

His head shakes slowly when she straightens, hands reemerging from his pockets so he can hold his palms up and just shrug. ]

I- honestly, I got no idea. I just woke up here a couple minutes ago, and-

[ He glances behind him, absently points a thumb toward the desk back there. ]

Nobody's pickin' up out front, there's no... books, no phones, no- anything. Frankly, I don't even know how this is... possible.

[gloriouscurse]

Magic.

[There's the 'duh' head tilt when she says it, but really, she doesn't look that sure about it.]

Except mine doesn't work. Which means we've been kidnapped somehow and taken to a land without magic, or it's like the original curse without the memory taking.

[Regina looks at him as if she's sorry for what she's about to say.]

Or I'm dead.

[She has no idea if he knows he's dead though, so she leaves it at that. Either he'll get it or he won't. Either way, she'll find out soon, she guesses.]

[carjacked]

[ His brow wrinkles a little at the duh in her tone, because he may not be as apt as his father or her at the whole magic thing, but even he knows magic has limits. It can't raise the dead, otherwise half the people who went bad never would've gone bad in the first place. It can't bring him back any more than it can take Regina over to the afterlife.

Well, apart from by outright killing her or something. Either way, he's not going to bring that up. No sense arguing it and striking up her temper on him.

It doesn't explain why she can't seem to use her magic, though, not that Neal's complaining. Nothing personal, he's just not a fan. He shrugs unhelpfully. ]

Considering I haven't actually been keepin' tabs on your vital signs, I don't know. Couldn't tell you. All I know is I was dying, then I fell through a ceiling upstairs.

[ Dying is a mild word for feeling yourself literally die, but whatever. Nobody likes a downer, right? ]

There's no paperwork, no staff, no exit. Beyond that...

[gloriouscurse]

[Zelena and your baby mama certainly managed to screw some things up there, Neal. All to be explained when Regina feels like it, though. At least he knows he died, at least she doesn't have to tiptoe around that.]

I landed up there, too. Whoever brought us here didn't do it very gracefully.

[Her features change a little, switching to worried as she looks at him.]

You haven't seen Henry here, have you?

[mygame]

Can I help you, ma'am?

[The Nogitsune leans against the counter, the picture of a bored teenager employee. It isn't, of course. No real staff are about, but the creature is having a good time causing as much confusion as it can.]

There is a movie playing in the screening room if you would care to attend. I'm told it's an interesting one. Unfortunately, our popcorn maker was sent out for repairs.

[Of course given that this place strikes the Nogitsune as a place out of one of Stiles' bad movies, a front desk worker that looks as ill as it does might not be too out of place.]

[gloriouscurse]

[Regina eyes him warily. Something feels...off, but then the whole damn situation is off.]

The least of my concern is a damn popcorn maker. Where the hell am I? Why am I here?

[mygame]

[The Nogitsune, on the other hand, seems completely at ease with the situation. Tonight has given it plenty of practice.]

I'm sure when it is returned, you'll be quite glad. The popcorn it makes is quite good.

The rest, however, I am sorry but the concierge has left for the night or he would be happy to answer your questions. I can have him contact you in the morning if you would care to leave your name and room number, ma'am.

[Bland smile in place, the Nogitsune looks up to her expectantly. And completely unhelpfully.]

[gloriouscurse]

I'll be back down here myself.

[His appearance is, well, off putting to say the least, and she eyes him up and down.]

You work here? Why can't anyone get out?

[mygame]

Yes, ma'am, I do work here. I'm manning the front desk right since we're so short on staff. It's the storm, you see. Concierge Argent would have been here to meet you, but again... the storm.

[The Nogitsune spreads its hands apart helplessly.]

These things do happen. Is there anything else I can do for you. We are here to do what we can.

[It had to wonder about this woman. Most likely highly placed in some sort of business seemed about right to it. A take control sort given what it has seen so far. That could come in handy later on.]

[gloriouscurse]

'These things happen.' Mass kidnappings?

[She leaned in close, tone low, dripping with anger and venom and a queen very much pissed off about being trapped and powerless.]

You tell your boss, whoever it is, that they should hope I don't figure out how to get my magic back.

[Because she assumes, that something knew to take it away to begin with, and so it was no secret that people arriving here could have it. And without knowing that it isn't an actual employee, she lets her secret come out.]

That will be all. I'll figure out what to do in the meantime myself.

[Useless.]

main lobby

[sheriffing]

[Regina is always pissed, usually at Emma. Good thing she's used to it by now, because it allows her to approach Regina without a hint of hesitation. This isn't the time or the place to get into all the things Regina has to be angry about. Either she can listen to reason, or she can keep milling about (like an idiot, apparently)

There are probably too many things going on for her to hold on to how Emma has wronged her. Hopefully, now that they need each other, the former queen will understand that they're stronger together. It's what she's been thinking for a long time, but Emma knows it's a tough sell to Regina.

She also knows that unless they work together, they're probably all screwed.]

Do you have any ideas on how to figure this out? If you do, I'd like to hear them.

[She's not suggesting they sit back and accept any of this, but the doors are missing, the windows are secure, there's no one around but other people in the same exact situation they're in, and nothing looks familiar. It's not that no one is trying, they just don't know where to begin.]

Neal said he ran into you earlier. Are you alright?

[gloriouscurse]

[Regina would probably, in all likelihood, be lying if she said she wasn't glad to see Emma. If only because that meant there was someone other than her here who should have magic. Except with her here, Henry's parent-less in Storybrooke.]

I have no idea what this is other than a mass kidnapping. And if we're both here, then our son is stuck with your parents to keep him alive.

[It's not that she doesn't think they're capable, it's just that she'd rather be there with him; being reunited with him for just a couple of weeks isn't enough after a year without him.]

I'm as fine as I can be with magic that doesn't work in a place with no windows and no doors. At least none that go anywhere useful.

[sheriffing]

I'd rather know he's home than worry about him being here.

[Her parents are perfectly capable of keeping Henry safe. In this world, without their magic and knowing how much of it had to have been used to get them here, Emma isn't sure she and Regina would have been able to protect him. The kid's been through enough because of them.

This time, she'd rather know he gets to sit out than to have him beside her - especially when they still don't have the slightest clue as to what they're dealing with.]

Then we'll have to make our own way out.

[They'll figure it out, they just need some time to see how this place operates. Maybe their magic isn't even gone, just blocked.

It wouldn't be the first time.]

[gloriouscurse]

How? I can't do anything with my magic other than sparks.

[Being powerless is, for Regina, violating something about her. She'd been tortured last time her magic had simply been taken, and that fact alone has her on edge. But she takes a breath and runs her hands over her face, up into her hair.]

I need a drink.

[sheriffing]

You need to take a breath.

[Because this? This doesn't do them any good. It's not going to get back what they lost, and more importantly, it's not going to get them home. It's different for Regina, that much Emma does understand. She hasn't had magic for long enough to actually embrace her abilities, but to Regina, it's a part of her.]

We're going to get back to our son, we just need some time to figure this out.

[And time is one thing they seem to have. She reaches out, one hand resting against Regina's arm reassuringly.]

We can do this. We're going to do this.

[gloriouscurse]

I'm fine, Swan. Don't worry about me.

[Though, Regina does take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. And she nods, because they have a common interest here: getting back to Henry, and if there's one thing she knows for certain about Emma, it's that she won't sit idly by. She doesn't even shrug off Emma's touch, just nods, swallowing.]

Stronger together right?

[It was what she'd pitched in Neverland, anyway.]