[ The jigokuberry isn’t hard to figure out. Naoto’s immediate inclination is to call out, give minimal details where possible; determine what this place is, who brought here and why. The bedroom she woke up in is ascetic, a thinly furnished bed and a dresser with squeaky drawers. Chipped paint and peeling wallpaper. She memorises every exit, every nook and cranny. The living room window tells her she’s not on the first floor, that this is a large house or some sort of apartment building.

The blackberry doesn’t tell her the day, the month, or the year. There’s no map application, nothing she can use to pinpoint her exact location.

If this is a kidnapping, withholding from using any and all tools at her disposal would just be pointless. That, and – she can still feel Yamato-Takeru flitting around, just outside her thoughts but mercifully within reach. He will be there if she needs him. That’s enough to reassure her. ]

While this situation is not ideal, I suppose I have to commend whoever brought us here on their thoroughness. [ Her words are calm and thoughtful, her tone even. She’s not upset. As long as she thinks of this as just another puzzle, she’ll keep from getting upset.

The apartment smells old, rotting, to the point of distraction. ]

I hope whoever is listening will forgive my rudeness if I skip over the introductions. Until I can ascertain who we all are and why we were brought here, the situation is a sensitive one. [ She’s heard footsteps from the hall outside, from the floor above. Soon, she’ll investigate them personally. ] However, any information that can be provided will be greatly appreciated, and will be recom --

[ Ah, well.

Naoto gives a tiny smile, only to herself. ]

I guess this is where the phrase “I’d owe you one” would go.

[ audio ]

Saber? Saber, are you there?

[ It's a young man's voice, quizzical and increasingly irritated. ]

Sakura...? No, that's not right. Sakura shouldn't be in a place like this, so forget I called for her.

Hmm, I guess Saber's not here either. Anyway, would whoever's there tell me what this place is? I'm going to have to be rude and leave soon, but I'll at least get its name.

[ action ]

[ After he turns off the Jigokuberry, Shirou can be found outside the apartments. He might be staring down a crow, unsure whether it's a familiar or simply a bird, or he might be running after a fleeting ghost, determined to learn more from it. In either case, he's looking really annoyed.

Eventually, he slumps against the wall of the building in frustration. But his hands are still bunched up into fists; he doesn't look like he's admitted defeat against his new surroundings. ]

[ The video feed begins, unknowingly activated, and divulges an unhappy scene. A young child is seated on a bed, knees drawn up to her chest and arms hugging her legs. Though her head is bowed, the thick fall of her golden hair obscuring her face, it is quickly obvious that she is quite upset. She sobs loudly, breath stuttering on every gasping inhale. ]

S-someone...please... I don't w-wanna be alone anymore! Don't make me go back, don't make me go back!

[ Her body trembles all over, a fear so powerful that she hasn't even registered her new surroundings and situation. ]

It isn't supposed to be this way...! N-no... Ib...G-Garry! Help me...! Help me!

Fuck me. Not here again.

[SIGH.]

What is it with cinnamon candy? I hate cinnamon.

The power has been out for some time as winter settles itself in for the rest of the season. The wind whips and howls outside the apartments. Inside, the new lights seem close to turning off for good, and yet one by one they flicker to life, illuminating every hallway in a sickly yellow glow. Inside the apartment rooms themselves, flashes of lightning provide the only illumination until you stumble from your bed, making your way outward, the taste of cinnamon candy sharp in your mouth.

This wasn't where you went to sleep. It isn't anywhere near where you were.

There's a flicker in the darkness - an unnatural shadow against the black that seems to shift constantly, always staying just out of your visual range. You might be treated to laughter, or a whisper for help, but if you turn you will find nothing but the darkness until you can make your way into the hallway. There is a need deep in your bones to get to the light underneath the doorway of the apartment itself; it offers hope the hope as it peeks through the cracks in the door.

With a loud crash of thunder that seems to shake the apartment to its core, all of the power goes dead once more, but a moment later it returns, shaky and faint but puttering on for the lost souls trapped within. Doors slowly swing open with loud creaks, enabling you as you stumble through you living room to catch a glimpse at what awaits you.

The dingy hallways are slowly filling with people.


Jigoku had claimed a new batch of souls.



[[OOC: Feel free to reply to this or start making journal entries! It's a dark and stormy night in Jigoku. Until dawn, the doors leading outside will be locked and no amount of magic or pressure will be able to relieve them. If you stay alone for too long in your room, you might see a Wallfader whispering your name as it slowly manifests itself. Move too close to it and you'll likely be grabbed so watch out!]]