YOU'VE JUST CROSSED OVER INTO -

[nightaudits]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from HOTEL MULTIVERSE AT THE EDGE OF THE COSMOS BETWEEN CANONS™ Guests who find themselves partaking in the Hotel's amenities quickly find some tricks afoot. The decor is first, neon lights changing to autumnal oranges, garish greens, and ghoulish purples overnight. Those who peruse the shops will find them stocked with masks and costumes, and the ambient music which plays throughout the ship is punctured by blood-curdling sound effects such as screams and anxiety-inducing musical stingers. This is Halloween. Those who utilize the Hotel-provided devices will find an ad splashed across their screens. Similarly, TVs, phones connected to the network, and flyers posted will read: "FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF OUR GUESTS, HOTEL MULTIVERSE AT THE EDGE OF THE COSMOS BETWEEN CANONS™ IS HAPPY TO PROVIDE HALLOWEEN-THEMED ENTERTAINMENT." Staff members' uniforms change, with employees adding costume pieces to them as the weeks wear on. Guests are strongly encouraged to put together a costume with pieces from the shops, but those who opt out will instead find one of the standard options (listed at the bottom of this post) and chosen at random (by googling "rng 1-19") in their wardrobe. After dark (or, what would be dark), the ship transforms into a hotel of horrors, the following chaos breaking loose: TRICK-OR-TREATING Costumed guests are welcome to partake in trick-or-treating with the ship's staff, who can be found with carts of candy in common areas. Guests are also offered flags for their doorknobs to indicate that they have candy available in the rooms if they would like to partake as well. SCAREZONES Grab a map from the concierge or walk the halls at random, but don't be surprised if a staff member jumps at you from the shadows! HAUNTED HOUSE Guests using the hotel app will find numerous ads alerting them to a haunted house that's overtaken one of the hotel floors (and honestly, the ads are impressive, opening as an emergency alert to a runaway alien), and the hotel itself plasters the attraction across its screens and walls overnight as well. Obviously, a haunted house is a great thing to do after you've had a ton to drink, or a great way to meet fellow guests (whether or not you're reaching for their hand in fright). However, to ensure the safety of all team members and guests, do not make physical contact with any member of our cast. Remember: the actors' intention is to frighten you. HORROR MOVIE MARATHON Guests hoping to keep things a bit more low key might find what they're looking for in the hotel's movie theater and lounges, which offer 24/7 horror movie marathons ranging from the classic to the avant garde. A programming guide can be found outside of each respective screening or on the app. Film buffs will be delighted at the hotel's library, but don't be surprised if your niche fave is banished to a graveyard slot. MASQUERADE The hotel's ballrooms are open late for those guests interested in keeping the revelry going night after night. Just don't let the anonymity of your costumes take you too terribly far (or, I mean, do what you want, everyone has a room, after all). If you aren't able to purchase a costume or aren't feeling inspired, no problem! Our courteous staff have taken the liberty of providing you with a courtesy costume, free of charge, to allow you to participate in the event. You will receive one of the following at random: 01: Ghost 02: Alien 03: Devil 04: Superhero (Your Choice!) 05: Skeleton 06: Pumpkin 07: Zombie 08: Vampire 09: Clown 10: Mummy 11: Werewolf 12: Black Cat 13: Pirate 14: Frankenstein's Monster 15: Witch 16: Spider 17: Bunny 18: Bat 19: Angel

Comments

[brokeassgoing]

[oh, okay. alright! he takes the shoes, and there the boy is, in his socks again.]

We'll look for the foam ones, then? Couldn't hurt to take a look at 'em and think about it.

[solitarynote]

[Omori was content with the feel of his feet against the floor, but then Badou’s words reached him.

Foam. Foam…

The boy wordlessly mouthed the word. What would foam feel like? He nodded in agreement, if only to test that theory - like getting new equipment in a game, he supposed this could only help.

Omori’s gaze scoured the room for a sign saying ‘foam’. He was unaware that such a sign didn’t really exist here yet.]

[brokeassgoing]

It's really soft, like squishy. A lot of people wear shoe liners with stuff like that if their feet hurt.

[there isn't a sign for foam, but support shoes, there's got to be something like that irght. he gets to his feet and hums, hands on his hips as he scans the area]

[solitarynote]

[Soft and squishy.

For some reason, the only thing the child could think of was marshmallows, which left what others might consider a bizarre image in his mind.

Still… it couldn’t hurt to try? At least Badou was still hanging around which, to be honest, was probably Omori’s real goal. Now that he had gained a plus one to the party, he didn’t want to deal with this place solo again.

So… marshmallow shoes. Dark eyes scanned the room until he found some more pairs of black and white shoes. He pointed at them, wondering if he had found what they were looking for?]

[brokeassgoing]

Let's see. [he nods, moving towards the shoes, squints at the box] I thinkkk...yeah, if not foam, then they're super soft. And they're black and white, your fave, dude!

[solitarynote]

[It was quite obvious, wasn’t it, what colors Omori might prefer? The child himself was a living monochrome… and yet the idea of what his favorite could be…

It was foreign. The thought, Badou’s observation, pleased him.

Gaze lighting up, bouncing on the tips of his toes as he strained to get a better look too.

Then, a nod. Maybe a bit more enthusiastic than the others he had shown so far!]

[brokeassgoing]

[man that's the happiest he's seen the kid! Badou brightens as well, grinning wide. he takes the box he's found, holding it out to the boy]

Hell yeah, let's see 'em.

Badou out here making this child’s dreams come true T.T

[solitarynote]

[Badou’s excitement transfers to Omori as well. At first a small trickle - the way the boy grabs for the box, faster than he normally would and (for once) not aggressive about it - then cascades into full on Happiness.

Omori figured out how to put the shoes on much faster this time, with the knowledge of his previous attempt, though he still glanced every so often at Badou for… tips? Approval?

His excitement laced into a full stream as he stood up. Dark eyes blinking almost in what might be surprise, as he made several small hops in place.

These ones were… comfortable. Had that mattered before? In Headspace, there was simply grass and dirt and sea beneath his socks, nothing causing any sort of pain or feedback on his unprotected feet. Here though? Comfort was a foreign concept, something new to him, as when his feet landed after each hop - cushioned by the foam sandals - an almost pleasant feeling arose.

Omori actually smiled, something stiff yet unbridled by his normally unmovable features.]

he's doing his best!!

[brokeassgoing]

[he nods each time, approvingly, every time Omori peeks up at him, his smile just as encouraging, and it's like a moment of magic when the boy finally wrestles them kicks on.

Keeping his voice down (more or less), he hoots happily--]

Dude, lookit you!! You look great, cool as hell!

Too cute!! T.T <3

[solitarynote]

[With each of Badou’s encouragements, Omori’s happiness grows. Like a well-timed Follow Up in battle, the child’s excitement takes over.

He bounces again. He wants to know how tall he can jump! Tall enough to reach the Moon? Would the shoes increase his Speed?

The child is Ecstatic, nearly ready to rush out the door of the shop to try, before-]

Shhhh. [A sound, not unlike one in a library, reaches them. It seemed as though, despite their efforts, they were making too much noise.

That was a reminder though, to Omori - they still had to pay. How did one pay here? He looked back at Badou, excitement calming back to Neutral as he sought guidance.]

theyre seriously adorable ;;

[brokeassgoing]

[it absolutely shows in his body language, in the bouncing-- it's hella adorable! how can he not get these for him? in a place like this, Badou isn't worried about spending too much (the food, you know, is all you can eat so that's one less worry)--

with another nod, he tilts his head toward the check out area.]

You wanna get 'em now? Or try to look for more?

[solitarynote]

[There’s an enthusiastic nod at Badou’s first question - he couldn’t imagine shoes being more capable of Buffs than these ones!

Still… what would Omori have to do to earn them? It wasn’t like these ones had been sitting inside a watermelon, free for the taking. Any others time, it was a trade. A task for an item or an item for another. Which would it be this time?

The child was still contemplating this, his Neutral expression weighed down at the corners, as they approached the checkout.]

[brokeassgoing]

[most kids would go overboard, but it's been clear this entire time that Omori isn't. and that's not bad at all.

If Badou notices the frown upside-up, he doesn't comment, chatting idly, when they get to the line]

Least it ain't long.

[solitarynote]

[At least that much was true. There were only two other customers in line, and they were quickly checked out with their purchases, moving on.

That was fine with Omori. There were some situations when it was fine to stay still (especially if the door to a room just wouldn’t budge), but other times… he wanted to be moving.

The child rocked back and forth on his feet idly while they waited. In fact, he hadn’t even taken the shoes off, so the only thing they had to present to the clerk when it was their turn was the empty shoe box. That certainly got an eyebrow raise out of the sales associate.]

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou only smiles widely as the box is presented]

He was so excited he wanted to wear 'em out. When's the last time you were that happy? I know I sure can't remember.

[though the clerk doesn't look moved-like-mountains or anything, maybe they do soften because they only cluck their tongue as they take the box

Badou offers a thumbs up to his little buddy]

[solitarynote]

[Omori mirrors that thumbs up, bouncing in place again, dark eyes almost shining.

He couldn’t get tired of that feedback - the feel of his feet on foam, foam pushing back against the ground beneath them. It was like… validation. That he was here.

The thought had him stop, almost frozen, blinking.

Validation… why did that matter? And yet… for some reason, it did.

He was so stumped by the thought that he missed Badou paying for the shoes, the clerk giving them a look as they exited the store.

Badou had paid for the shoes. Did… Omori have to pay him back? What could he pay him back with? Or… was it shared funds? Since they were a Party of two?]

[brokeassgoing]

[even if the boy had noticed, Badou certainly wasn't going to let him pay for them. call it just a good deed, a whim, something natural. not pity, never.

it's purely selfish.]

C'mon. We should see how you jump around in 'em.

[solitarynote]

[As selfish as Badou might think he was, his deed was coming off purely altruistic. And, honestly, was one of the nicest things that had happened to Omori

That excited expression had the child’s mood up again, a Happy grin on his face.

Where would they go? How high could he jump? There was a Haunted House - not that Omori would jump in fear at anything in there - but maybe there was someplace else Badou had in mind?

Omori, for once, didn’t mind being the follower in their little Party.]

[brokeassgoing]

[oh-- a grin, a happy little-big grin! that's cute, that's awesome. he has the feeling, again, that the boy doesn't have many of those

Badou would never suggest the haunted house, ever. he's too much of a chickenshit]

Wish they had a park on this ship, you could really run.

[solitarynote]

[Badou’s words had Omori pausing.

Such a shame. No park.

Omori didn’t have any sway here - unlike the dreams that he normally waded through, sometimes shaping minor things to his desires, here…? It was disconnected.

The boy pulled on Badou’s hand then, wanting to lead.]

Find. [A raspy whisper, not quite a command but one that bid the man to follow. Maybe the word hadn’t been spoken at all. Maybe actions were simply enough. Normally, they were, but Badou was a special case. Badou was someone that Omori was really liking to spend time with.]

[With enough imagination, they might yet find a ‘park’. With enough imagination, maybe they could create one themselves.]

[brokeassgoing]

[oh, the little tug has him looking down, curious. and there's that little voice-- strange, unused, but urgent. no longer those empty eyes, a bright spark of want in them.]

Find one? Hmmm...we could definitely look around. If not a park then some kinda activity, bounce house, something.

[solitarynote]

[Badou is definitely introducing ‘want’ to Omori’s vocabulary, even if the child couldn’t properly name the feeling inside of him yet. There was another spark in his otherwise darkened gaze.

Bouncy house… that sounded fun! And more doable! People have bouncy houses at parties right? Why not Halloween?]

[brokeassgoing]

[Omori is correct, they SHOULD have bounce houses at halloween, and all houses. Humming to himself, Badou leads them around for a short time, seeing more of the adult fun, casino and etc, but there has to be an arcade or two? at the very least!]

Give him an Arcade XD

[solitarynote]

[Surprisingly, a glint of recognition appeared as they passed the casino… but nothing more. He wasn’t eager to face a Shark Boss again anytime soon. Even if he had the feeling that Badou would be a super useful and supportive party member in a fight.

Omori followed after the man, eyes peeled, until the myriad of flashing lights seemed to glow from within one of the storefronts. The outside looked somewhat rundown - for an arcade on an interplanetary spaceship/building/literal planet - but the games inside still looked like they worked. The main differences was the lack of a store clerk. Did that mean they could just enter?

Omori’s gaze slid to Badou, a mixture of anticipation and a challenge within.]

YEAH!!

[brokeassgoing]

[Omori is actually, wrong. He's only great at running away, let it be known. For the moment, Badou also pauses once the child does, his attention flickering with interest.]

Oh, hey! Think that's...some kinda arcade. Wanna check it out?

[doesn't look too spooly to Badou]