[OPEN] Prick your fingers, it is done, the moon has now eclipsed the sun

[manufactured]

WHO: Albert Wesker (eventually) and whomever decides to join him (presumably you!)
WHERE: Dreamscapes.
WHEN: Slightly backdated to 8/24.
WHAT: Dreamdiving.
WARNINGS: Medical experimentation, brainwashing, child abuse, violence, body horror, depictions of self-harm, a general blanket warning that Wesker has been through Some Shit and as such this is probably going to suck on several levels.

[It's cold.

It isn't the familiar drop in temperature that might come from the weather, but a sterile, artificial chill, the sort associated with medical work - hospitals and laboratories and other places that bring with them a sharp, chemical smell and an unpleasant sense that you don't really want to be there.

Of course, the metal table against your back probably isn't doing much to keep you warm, either.

Trying to sit up will be a bit of a problem, given the heavy restraints locked around your wrists and ankles, your hips and your upper body; they're a combination of metal and leather, old-fashioned and imposing, clearly designed to restrain something very, very powerful, and they're keeping you from going very far. You can look around enough to tell that where you are is...probably not somewhere you want to stay for long - it is, in fact, a laboratory of some sort, full of instruments and vials and jars of things that don't look very nice, the metal walls giving way somewhere just on the edges of your line of sight, turning into something else - a sort of open entrance to what looks like a cave of some sort. Either way, it'll probably take you somewhere that isn't here if you follow it. Tipping your head back will show another potential exit to the area - a metal door in the wall near all the instruments and materials.

Of course, you can't really utilize either route if you're bound down, now, can you? You should probably work on figuring out what you're going to do about that, first.]

Comments

[manufactured]

[You know, as long as you don't turn any of that on the specimens or research in here - or, you know, him - you are officially Less Interesting Than His Notes because Birkin is just sort of like this as a person. That said, he'll still comment because this is a thing that's happening over there.]

...Your aim is better with that thing than I'd think.

[thesettingsun]

[He'd have to finish with the restraints first before he could attack Birkin.]

It's a stupid weapon and whoever first decided to use it as a weapon was a moron, but unfortunately it's the weapon I have experience with.

[One ankle free...]

[manufactured]

It's the one your past life used, I'm guessing? That entire line of study is a fascinating thing, if you ask me. Not that Wesker's been taking it very well.

[thesettingsun]

Can you blame him? Some of us lost the past life lottery. Maybe he'd be more fascinated by it as a line of study if it didn't suck for him personally.

[manufactured]

[There's a light laugh behind his words when he replies. Casual.]

I can't say I know what he's so upset about. His life was fine with us, before he decided to leave.

[thesettingsun]

That's something I don't feel like trying to explain to you.

[Even if this were the real Birkin, he probably wouldn't bother.

Other ankle done, that just leaves hips and upper body. He'll start with hips.]

[manufactured]

The higher-ups loved him. Gave him everything he wanted. He was out of his mind for trying to leave the corporation, I told him that plenty of times.

[He shrugs, though.]

Do you even know where you're going after this? Other than "out of the room." Which is fair.

[thesettingsun]

If I was trying to be alone and I had a convenient cave, I'd probably be in the cave. So that's my plan. Unless you have better ideas.

[He sort of doubts that Birkin has good ideas.]

[manufactured]

[Mm.]

I mean, it's a fair guess? I'm never really too sure where he goes, I just know when he deigns to come back. Sometimes he's gone for a while; last time I saw him before this was years ago, but that's because he was on assignment.

No idea where he went now.

[thesettingsun]

Do you know anything helpful?

[Guessing not! But might as well talk while he's moving onto getting that other hip restraint off.]

[manufactured]

Depends on what you consider "helpful." You probably know how all of this works by now - I know what he needs me to know.

[thesettingsun]

Well, if you don't know where he is, can you at least tell me about whatever's most likely to kill me?

[He did say it was safer in here...]

[manufactured]

Well, Lisa's probably not too happy. I lost track of her a while ago.

[Alas, poor fucking Lisa.]

Of course, it's possible he'll just try to kill you himself, if he gets agitated enough. He's kind of like that sometimes, depending on his mood.

I'm not here to kill you, though. It's not really my area of expertise. Annette wouldn't hesitate to, though, if you decide you're going to rip my head off anyway.

[thesettingsun]

I'm not going to kill you for no reason, what does Wesker even think of me if that's a concern...

[Hip restraints done, it's on to the last two restraints and then he's Free.]

[manufactured]

Oh, don't worry, he likes you. It's just a standard concern around here. He probably wouldn't put it past me, either.

[...He does not sound bothered by that notion.]

[thesettingsun]

[Past Wesker's coworkers are weird and also lacking in moral fiber.]

That's fair. But I'm still not going to do anything except in self-defense.

[manufactured]

[Also social skills.]

That's probably the best way to do it around here, actually. Don't give anyone a reason to kill you and keep your head down, and usually that works out pretty well.

[thesettingsun]

Usually is good enough. I have to find Wesker, I can't just sit around here even if I wanted to.

[One restraint left...]

[manufactured]

Best of luck.

I don't hand out maps to the place or anything, but it's not like I'm going to be going far - I've got work to do. So if you get completely lost, coming back here's an option, I guess.

[thesettingsun]

I'll keep that in mind.

[Last restrait is off. Shuji sits up, stretching out his limbs instead of just immediately standing up and probably falling over like an idiot.]

God, that's so uncomfortable.

[manufactured]

I wouldn't know. I've never been the one on the table, and I'd like to keep it that way.

[...birkin there are some things you just aren't supposed to be casual about]

[thesettingsun]

It'd probably straighten out your back some, but I honestly don't think it would be worth it.

[Okay, now Shuji stands up.]

Later.

[And he's headed toward the cave-looking exit.]

[manufactured]

[Aaaaand off you go.

While the juxtaposition of the lab and the cave seenms odd at first, it isn't long before it begins to blend more naturally; there are sconces on the walls giving the entire thing a deep, bronzed glow that's more than enough to see by.

Eventually there comes a split in the path; one leads to what looks like higher ground, still subterranean but leading on a gentle upward slope that seems to fade away into darkness. The other seems to dip down slightly as it leads off, into water that can't be more than ankle-deep, but the lighting seems to be more consistent.]

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji would like to say that he carefully considers which avenue is more likely to take him to Wesker based on what he knows of Wesker's personality, history, etc. That would be the smart course of action.

In reality he just immediately takes the path that doesn't head into water. It might be ankle-deep now, but who knows how long that will last.]

[manufactured]

[I mean, that is entirely legit, and who the hell wants to get wet anyway? Let's go upward, then.

The path is quick to narrow out through here, leading into a tunnel both claustrophobic and dark; when the blackness and the shadows are finally pierced by light it may take a moment for your eyes to adjust. It's another of those sconces set into the wall, burning brightly and illuminating a pair of people occupying a curve in the path. One is lying on the ground; another is kneeling over them as though trying to take vitals.]