//I'm stealing your signature, sorry. I'm not the best at this, so you might have to help me out?
(Nora wakes up in Link's body, in the starting house. When I realize this, I sigh.)
Great. This place is surrounded by gas, how am I supposed to - shit, the door!
(I get up, go to the computer and turn it on, ignoring whatever pops up because I'm lowkey freaking out.)
The door, the door's closed, right? The front door?
( Voices can be heard outside of the window, which seemingly leads to nowhere. )
[ . . . You understand some modifications will be required, just in case? You don't usually like to change things, so. ]
[ You? Being helpful? When's the betrayal coming along? ]
[ . . . you should've just never done this to begin with, honestly . . . ]
( One extra pop-up shows as Nora asks the question. )
[ the door is closed. it leads into the refuge. ]
( Upon closer inspection, the sun-lock is also replaced by a regular handle, same as when someone else was here. A book lays on the ground, illuminated by the dim light of the bedroom. )
[ It's full of blank pages . . . For now, at least. ]
( This place seems to be pretty useless for now. The door is the only way out, red light seeping through the cracks. It's not much light by any means, but it's still visible. )
(I sigh in relief)
Ok. Ok, that's good. Thank you.
(Looking around, I spot the journal)
The Author's - ! Wait...
(I go over to it, picking it up and looking at it from different angles)
Your... journal?? Wait, no...
(I gasp in amazed realization, flipping through - )
Why is it empty?
...maybe to avoid spoilers? Maybe because our - my routes aren't as predetermined as - yeah that's... probably it.
(I flip through the pages a few more times, just to feel the sensations. Maybe some other reason, too)
Is this the journal of the - the Author who uses the double slashes? Is this your journal?
( Some music can be heard from the computer, but it's nothing to really note about. )
[ . . . no? ]
( The voices from the window slowly fade out. Seems like you're alone here. )
[ i won't be able to talk to you when you leave. take the journal with you. ]
Oh, no, I - I was asking the Author.
I will take the journal with me, thank you! But, there are other terminals for us to communicate through, right?
That's... what I remember from another version of you, at least.
[ yes, but using the journal is easier. ]
( Small, glowing yellow strings can be seen around the book. Seems to be phosphor, but, you can't be 100% sure. )
[ the glen and barrens have selenium gas. don't go there. ]
( The computer shuts itself down. A little rude in my opinion but ok- )
I see...
(I put my hands around and on the strands, seeing the light interacting with Link's hands - wondering how the strands feel - or if they're even tangible. Something about it feels Mystical.)
Of course. Thank you for -
(I stop my fidgeting with the strands of light and stare at the monitor.)
Really? Eh, I guess you don't have anything else to say.
It's a better warning, at least. Thank you.
(I go back to fiddling with the lights - then stop once again.)
Where's that Zora mask...?
(I look around the room for the mask.)
( The lights seem to move towards Link's hands, even though the strand is tied to the book. Touching it feels... fuzzy. Not in a bad way, but it could get annoying after a while. )
( It takes a while, but after a bit of searching, Link's foot hits something on the ground. )
[ A mask lays on the ground. You know what this is for. ]
( The sound of a door unlocking can be heard. Seems to be the exit. A dim, red light can be seen seeping through the door. )
Oh, nice!
(I pick up the mask, briefly confused on how to carry both the mask and the journal, before tucking the mask under my arm. I readjust several times - because it feels super uncomfy - before switching and putting the journal under, but... that just doesn't feel right, so I look around...)
Ah!
(I take the blanket off of the bed, putting both items inside before grabbing it by the corners and carefully positioning the makeshift sack over my shoulder. This feels nicer than either of the previous options.)
Now, I'm ready!
(Smiling, I go to the door. A quote pops into my mind, fueled by my feelings of awe and apprehension.)
"There's a whole twisted world out there"
(I then open the door.)
The Refuge appears on the other side of the door. The sudden, red light is... a bit overwhelming, to say the least.
This place seems... different. It's a little cramped, sure, but there's something else. You can't exactly place your finger on it, it just feels... off.
There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger--other than someone dangerous noticing you. In fact, no one seems to have noticed you yet. Strange.
Ah! (I flinch back, shutting my eyes for a second. Upon opening them, I stare out past the threshold.)
Wow... uh... something's off. is it always like this? For all I know, it could be because - no, then this body would feel the same way. Hmm... "curiouser and curiouser."
Hmm... (I'm lost in thought for a little while, just staring at nothing.)
(I look towards the bathroom door, still thinking. Until I walk over to the bathroom and knock.)
I'm wondering if there's anything of interest in there?
The bathroom lacks anything of interest. A dead plant lies on the ground, the pot and soil fallen over.
The threshold seems... blurry? You can see into the city from here, but it's not much by any means.
(This world is alive - sentient? Whatever. The world's state might reflect the mindset of it? Or something? The knocked over plant... if the soil is the code the residents run on... and it's disturbed... the residents are dead. Testbuild told me it's constantly having to correct errors, to fix the squares that pop up - is this what happens should they fail? So, this world is constantly teetering on the brink. That's... oh gosh. And the plant was left alone. So, I should not do nothing. I should be decisive. Take action. Have courage. Right.)
(With that in mind, I set the plant back upright, replanting the dead plant, and attempt to use the faucets to water it. When I'm done, I leave the bathroom, closing the door behind me.)
(I look back at the room, considering the books, but looking at the threshold, I notice the blurriness. The threshold... it's very possible this location and the Refuge - it's very possible that this is a forced temporary connection between these two locations. It's very possible that this is taxing Testbuild, maintaining this.)
(With that thought, I immediately cross the threshold and close the door behind me.)
