itscurtains | OVERTURE

You wake up, and realize you don’t remember how you got here.

This bed is soft and warm, but it’s certainly not yours. And the room is unfamiliar - unless perhaps you’re an actor, seeing as it looks almost exactly like every dressing room in the world. It's not quite large enough to fit the bed and trunk comfortably alongside the vanity, but it what it lacks in open space, it makes up for in coziness. This could be something you’ve seen in a movie, or dreamed about experiencing one day. But whatever the case, you aren’t supposed to be here.

There’s a silver key resting on your vanity, along with a thin program booklet. The cover - where the name of the show would usually be - is blank, but if you flip through it, you’ll find some startlingly familiar information. Maybe a few familiar faces as well…

The hallway outside is narrow and poorly-lit, lined with star-studded doors. But if you make your way past them and out into the lobby, you’ll find something entirely different: an elegant, refined opera house. Crystal chandeliers glitter overhead, and the red carpet is perfect for putting on a show. A large clock on the northern wall marks the time, though with the windows shuttered and locked it's difficult to tell whether it's morning or night. There’s also some framed information pinned up that you might find helpful. If you explore further into the adjoining wings, in fact, you'll see there's an identical copy in every room.

There’s also two sets of double-doors in the lobby: one leading back the way you came, deeper into the Opera House, and one leading out. For the moment, neither of them will open.

It looks like you’re stuck. But hey - at least you aren’t alone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Th-that's me! [bow] I am Himelda Window Cure Queen of the Blue Sky! Though I go by Shirayuki Hime because nobody can remember it.

[wha.....t is this]

Hime...lda-san. I don't blame you. I know for sure I won't be able to remember it. [How blunt! But her kind smile and gentle tone offset any rudeness.]

You can call me Hime if it's too long. Even my best friend never remembers it. Who are you?

D-ne. [because that's a normal name right] I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but...

But we've been kidnapped and it's not a pleasure at all! [She finishes, wailing.] The doors out won't even work or anything!

That is the problem, yes. [Sigh.] Is that so? There's no exit, at all?

There are locked doors and shuttered windows, but nothing that actually lets us leave.

[She wrings her hands but doesn't look openly upset.]

Ah, that's... It'd still be productive to look around, but that doesn't bode well.

They've got our stuff hidden somewhere too, I'm sure! Anything we could use to get out if we had it!

Yes, there are...a few things I'd like back. [She narrows her eyes, smile not leaving.] If we can locate them, I can fix the situation.

[Hime's eyes widen, then narrow, and she lowers her voice to a stage whisper.]

Were you invited to Harmonia, too? The "39 Fairies" celebration?

I have no idea whatsoever what that is?

Wait, then you're not -- but you sounded like -- never mind! [She shoves the garment rack all the way back into her room and laughs nervously.] A-anyway! We could get out if we found our things, door or no door, right? Like-- like a phone! With cell reception! You can call 119 no matter what, right?

[Blink, head tilt...and smile.]

Hmmm, you are an interesting person, Hime-san. That's what I've decided. Yes, it's something like that, something, ah, of that sort!

I hope you mean something nice by that...

[She shrinks away like she's wilting.]

[...]

Of course I do, Hime-san. Don't worry, don't worry. I promise I'm not thinking of anything mean.

Sometimes it's hard to tell with people!

It is. So many have different faces for every situation...so I don't blame your assumption.

I hope we can get out soon... None of my friends are in here at all.

Yes... Neither are...mine, so far. I was hoping one of these rooms would have her name, but. Well, seeing her face would...be a comfort.

[D-ne sighs.]

Ah, but there's little we can do? Except explore.