MAZE ONE

[hereyouare]

[You wake up on a cold metal bed in a room that is unfamiliar to you.

How long have you been out for? Why does your head hurt? Why can't you remember how you got here?

Before you find the answer to these questions, you might want to check out that hand-written note. There's one in every room.

Dear [NAME],

Thank you for volunteering to participate in the experiment. With your help, this project should be quite successful. My name is Huey Laforet, and I am the one responsible for this experiment. I will be here observing and the point of my project will be revealed by the end.

Your goal today is to find the exit. To do so, you'll need three card keys. However, to activate them, you will need the item listed on the card to move forward. You might not be able to find everything by searching, but certainly, there are other ways to get what you need. I've left them scattered about,

If you fail to escape by the time the experiment is over, you will have to participate in further experiments with me. If you succeed, then you will be able to successfully leave the maze.

I wish you luck. Try to stay alive.

-Huey Laforet]

[contact|instructions]

Comments

[affectate]

[ After a bit she becomes aware her muscles aren't behaving like usual, so she pastes over her expression with that vacant (but civil, that's the important part, she thinks from observing her father and uncle and the maids) smile from earlier.

It's not her first time being condescended to this way. If not the words, she's got the tone and the motions and the sentiment down and memorized so intimately it's a part of her. So she doesn't really feel anything in response (disappointed, something along the lines of slightly upset, maybe, that she got blown off so easily cut that out let her help let her help). Of course she's a thing. Of course she's lower than dirt. It's only natural he'd speak to her that way, even if he's the same. She's the worst; after all ]

Ah, you are correct, I am afraid! I am a monster; feeling romantic affection for another is beyond my capabilities. Such positivity from interacting with others eludes me.

Have you ever eaten roast lamb with mint sauce, Komaeda?

[outbalance]

At one point, I'm sure. My parents fed me properly.

[ that was their mistake, of course. had they known, he's certain they would have left him in an alley somewhere, to die in infancy. but he isn't very fond of what ifs. ]

But you digress. The pleasure someone derives from eating a meal is nothing like feeling pure love. If I had to be honest, I'd say I pity you. Ah, but it's not as though I think I'm any better -- to be frank, I think even calling myself a "monster" would be too generous! Being repulsive refuse, lower than even a worm, as you've said -- being even worse than a nothing -- I've accepted it all!

[outbalance]

And that's what makes my love so strong! I don't admire them because that would suggest I would want to be like them; garbage can't possibly hold such ambitions! I don't want their acknowledgment, nor do I want their praise, nor even hope of my own. It will forever be unrequited . . . But it can't be helped, right? Because I am what I am. It's enough for me to be used by them, and if it will ultimately aid their hope in shining i even brighter, I don't care if they step on me, revile me, or even kill me! That's what love is!

[affectate]

That is what love is?

[ She thinks back for a moment to her two older samples. Her grandmother went mad with grief after her grandfather died, and she's never known her father not to be mad over her mother (her own fault, partially, she knows but there's nothing for it but to hope for his recovery. haha. hope. what a joke that is.), and then --

Then there's this boy. There's Komaeda. It doesn't really contradict what she's seen; so, after a amassing a solid collection of three in-depth samples, she reaches the conclusion that this is what love is like, and she feels almost grateful she's a heartless piece of garbage. (Almost. Maybe she'd like to try being happy too. Fat chance.)

But how can she save someone who doesn't want to be saved? That's the riddle. ]

In that case, Komaeda, do you feel happy? Could you feel joy being entirely disregarded, as well, rather than simply reviled?

[outbalance]

If that's how they deem fit to treat me, then it simply can't be helped... Of course, I would be happiest knowing I was able to be of use, but it's not as if they need to use me... It doesn't have to be me at all. But as long as their hope shines brightly, I'm happy. Selfishness is not a privilege I'm allowed.

[affectate]

It is not any particular manner of treatment, Komaeda. They are scarcely aware that you exist. As you've said, they have no need for you. It will always, without fail, be someone else. Please refrain from squandering your valuable time on such frivolities -- although I believe our ages to be similar, the life of a human is still rather short, isn't it? What you do is meaningless, so it follows naturally that you are granted the luxury of behaving selfishly.

[outbalance]

[ he smiles, in resignation ]

I feel like we're having two entirely different conversations. I really wish I could make you understand, but... It's a shame. Loving is such a wonderful feeling, and yet you're more hollow than I am.