Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Holy fucking shit. Am I somehow taking drugs?

Easing herself up on a nearby bench she somehow fell asleep on, [y/n] strained out her blurry vision around the area she was at, it seemed like a outside subway station. 

Reality finally stopped taking its course on time, realizing she was nodding her head off a luggage. Wait a minute. This was not just some luggage she could be stealing or something, It appeared like her own that she would using when going overseas. Noticing the [f/c] scarf hanging around the handle that she always uses when it was winter season.

Flustered, she promptly sat myself down on the bench to get my head a wrap of the current predicament. "Ok," Saying to no one in particular, she inhaled her breath and listed down her fingers. "I clearly remember crashing my couch after working overtime, scrolled on my socials, showered, did skincare, still playing that new project eden's garden chapter, while eating a apple fruit bowl, got tired, then slept.." the more she continued on her list, the more she got puzzled of the whole thing.

Messing her hair in frustration, she could only grumble. There were not any logical conclusions of suddenly teleporting from the capital of London to suddenly being in some random subway, unless she had some unfound superpower she doesn't know about, it's not adding up. It's not even the London subway she was familiar with even. Was she taking hallucination drugs?

Not only just that, she now only just realized there was nobody around the station. 

"Ugh, I miss my bed."

Was she in a dream? then why was she feeling so conscious then? Why can she feel wind blowing her hair on her face, almost begging her to tie it up. And why was she fully clothed in her work attire?? 

This was almost giving her flashbacks when she had been called to stay in the hospital for two weeks straight to help out with surgical treatments on numerous patients. Even her parents were worried for her being. They even came over and helped her pack her many uniforms in her luggage. Not like there were other worse days she got called in though.

God, that isn't even the point, why can I think of a whole memory in a dream!? Did me catching up on my interests backfired so much that I can't relax? Come on, it was a game I've been obsessing with since high school and a new chapter came out. Could my brain just shut down, I don't have many breaks like this, dude.

Never in her 20 years of living that she could be thinking so much in a dream she can forget at any moment, when its supposed to be a moment that would make you feel relaxed. But she never encountered a dream since her teenage days ended. How would she know? She didn't remember any from her childhood even. Adult life really can change a person.

Glancing at the sky up at the end of the tunnel, it looked like it was morning already, but it was no excuse to just disrupt her actual sleeping time like this. Almost hunching her back like an old man, looking down in the dumps. Unfortunately, her deaf ass ears just had to sharpen and could faintly hear engine sounds coming towards her station.

An exaggerated sigh mixed in with some 'ugh's can be heard echoing the station. Said vehicle coming into a halt with a choo choo, opening its door, awaiting its passenger.

'Whatever makes the dream go dreaming I guess." As if someone sent some commands on her, she immediately sat up and dragged her luggage into the train. Rubbing her eyes.

...

Groggily walking towards a random direction when another door opened, some colourful blobs appearing in her direction. Well, at least blobs are better than weird horror game entities.

She really just wanted to nap at this point, if she's even lucky.

Not caring about her surroundings currently, she found a random empty seat at the middle where she could rest on. Making her way near towards window seat and lean her head on top of it, not bothering to store her luggage. On board, few murmurs can be heard.

"Dang..she ok?."

"No kidding, that poor doctor sure has it rough."

"Alright let the dear rest, she had a long day."

more concerned voices could be detected within my area, I mean if it was in another situation, I probably wouldn't t mind conversing but, I can't even bother replying back even. I could feel rays of sunlight on my body. Like its coaxing me to get into a deep sleep.

...

oddly enough, my body finally wanted to fall asleep this time. I could still make out some odd noises from the passengers.

"air....door....piss....passing...."

..its just a dream. I'll wake up tomorrow. She assures herself.

[y/n] in fact, did not wake up in her bedroom.

Chapter Text

Oddly enough, that sleep was a really good one [y/n] had in a while. She was considered quite a light sleeper from her family and co-workers, might it have been from working overtime on multiple days or doing consultations with various doctors or so, yet whenever she had time to relax her body, she couldn't rest easy just like in the moment.

Struggling to snap herself up and not resisting the urge to fall asleep again, [y/n] tried pulling her body up against a nearby bumpy hard wall.

wait, a wall?

Her mind finally becoming aware of the situation as she hissed from the pain laying her back harshly to what she thought was a wall. She looked back at whatever she was laying on which was not a wall at all but a wooden kitchen cabinet. What the, am I still dreaming?

Refocusing somewhere else instead made her feel more hazy then being at that subway she was at earlier. Why is she suddenly in some random kitchen now?

It was quite a nice modern looking kitchen, sure. Giving it a quick look around, but the fact that she was possibly still sleeping pretty damn long or something did not sit right up her alley at all.

"Ugh-" she groaned. "at least give me a bed or something." 

She propped herself up with the support of the cabinet counters and the aesthetic from the kitchen to what she assumed was a dining hall felt like she got transported in a medieval era. Astounded from the decorations and layout of the room. 

The wallpaper choice was an abnormal thing to see, with spiderweb patterns all over, not to mention the uncanny looking paintings arranged on them. Totally not creepy at all. Still, there was a weird lingering feeling of deja vu. 

Mentally preparing herself for some reason, she guarded herself with a random kitchen spatula inside one of the cabinets as a defense weapon and too baby steps around the place. Starting with her left side towards the door.

Well, she was quite focused on looking up at the place though, admiring the fanciness of the paintings, not noticing that she stepped her foot on something hard.

Looking down on what paused her walk certainly did not help her tense feeling from almost screaming profanities as the poor guy laying down beneath her.

"HOLY SH-" [y/n} paused herself with a hand over her mouth, realizing there could possibly be kidnappers in this supposed dream she was in. Now seeing another guy asleep like she was before. Luckily, she stopped from hitting him with the spatula she had, holding it over her shoulder.

Recollecting herself with slow and steady breaths, she then observed the unconscious man.

wait a damn minute.

The guy looked awfully familiar, well, not someone she knows personally, but more specifically inside a game, even more specific, he was in a game she played not even 2 days ago. And with the striking jet black gelled hair and matching suit, highlighted with purple tie, she knew exactly dang well who this lawyer could possibly be.

It was like lightning struck her head, immediately looking back and saw the pantry door she didn't even see the first place when she woke up, sprinting towards the door and immediately turned the knob over.

Another familiar pink haired woman she knew all too well was presented in front of her. Sleeping.

"The fuck am I dreaming..." [y/n] was so bewildered by the situation, she gently closed the pantry door and retraced her steps from where she awoken as a reaction.

Processing what happened in the last few minutes. Realizing how it felt like she had seen the room somewhere else before. On her computer.

Dropping her spatula on the kitchen counter, [y/n] checked her wrist for some sort of confirmation.

"shit shit shit." Why do I have the watch like them!? I know I was quite obsessed with the game and thought about wanting to be inserted inside too, BUT I DIDN'T MEAN IT SERIOUSLY??

"Oh god,  if you're hearing me right now, please wake me up, I did not ask for this and I do not wanna be apart of this, God PLEASE."

She started chanting prayers over prayers that she could remember, she was not that devoted but no way in hell does she want to be in a game where she knows the contents of it too well to remember.

After the realization starts kicking in, [y/n] held her hands against her rapidly beating heart to calm down, miracles won't happen in a second, she supposed. Glancing behind and still saw the lawyer sleeping soundly. Resting her elbows on the counter and massaging her head, trying to remember what else happened during the prologue before her supposed dining hall buddies woke up.

so, if I have the watch,  I'm not just a spectator watching as a ghost or something. Vaguely remembering the prologue, her head struck a lightbulb as she remembers the protagonist she was playing as in project edens garden. 

Of course, the protag. [y/n] huffed. If I remember correctly...

From the kitchen, she turned her head towards the right, seeing a vent. Bingo.

She recounted the events as hard as she could. If Wolfgang was still asleep, that means those two should be up.

Though, unless she took over the mc's place, but she doubts that. "Everyone should've had a pair," mumbling to herself. "If I'm here with those two..ugh." [y/n] grabbed her hair in frustration. If they saw her through the vent, approached his sleeping form and not shake him up awake, it would look really damn suspicious.

"..Future me will figure out." Not wanting to think any harder, she decided to wake up the woman first in order to save her ears drums from the future loud interactions.

Sliding the door knob again, not being agitated this time, the woman before her still appears to be knocked out.

Kneeling down, [y/n] gently shook her shoulders.

"Excuse me, please wake up." 

No response. 

Eyebrows creasing, she then shook her shoulders with more force.

"Hellooo?, please wake up." A stern tone was added.

The pink haired woman gave out some grunts.

[y/n]'s eyes widened. "Hey, hey girl wake up!" voicing out her pleas for the woman to open her eyes.

What it felt like an eternity, said woman slowly stirred up and rubbed her eyes, adjusting to the brightness.

"Ugh..what the hell happened.." She groaned out the words.

"Oh finally you got up.." [y/n] sighed in relief. Not missing another second, she held the woman up by her shoulders firmly.

"Hey!" her eyebrows furrowed.

"Ok, whatever you're thinking, please don't hit me." [y/n] addressed out first. "I'm in the same boat as you."

Saying her piece, she pulled her hands away from the woman.

"...Fine." The woman reluctantly gave out shouting whatever she wanted to shout and grumbling.

Huh. That was surprisingly easy.

"uh, there's another guy asleep like you were outside, but.. I wanted to wake you first, y'know." She looked away.

"What the? There's more people?" The woman hastily got up. "And they got the guts to fuckin' shove me in here.." 

Scooting out of her way. [y/n] looked back from the pantry and saw her pick up the spatula she put down the counter not too long ago, and pointed it towards..the door?

"Oi! You with the kidnappers or nah?" She spat out.

"Uhh Gr-uhm sorry, but who're you talking to??" I thought the guy was still out. 

She peeked her head out of the pantry door and saw him getting up as well. Turning his head over to the woman.

"Woah!?" she stunned.

"Um, pardon me, but weren't we in the same train?" The man then glanced towards my direction.

"Yeah sure, but y'all still could be under disguise on that train or working together for all I know" She pointed the spatula to both of us

[y/n} stared at her, appalled. "Excuse me-I literally just shook you up non-stop, woman."  

Several coughs were heard. Source coming from the suited man.

"We all had gotten the letter to attend Eden's Garden Academy, did we not?" He clasped his hands together behind him. "I assume we're all Ultimates under the same train."

Oh. [y/n] gulped.

She then realized that these weren't dialogues in the game when she played as the mc. These new conversations sparked out, as if they were real life people.

But one thing was for certain, where their thoughts came from were not the same as hers. 

"..Hmph, so y'know about that too, soybean." The woman who was previously glaring with the pointed spatula reluctantly lowered it down.

"Of course!" He was taken aback. 

Stepping out of the pantry, [y/n] walked towards the two, hands pocketed inside her coat. "We should probably introduce ourselves then, so like, I know what to call you guys." she had be trying her utmost hardest to not say anything about their names since they've woken up.

"Hm, that's good idea." The man adjusted his tie, starting himself first. "I'm Wolfgang Akire, the ultimate lawyer." He proceeded to take out a card from his suit pocket. "This is my card." He stretched his hand gracefully with smile.

Whew, hearing that even in the flesh makes me shudder.

"A lawyer ey?" The rabbit visor woman snatched his card away, taking a good look. "You look so young though." Glancing up towards Wolfgang, then back on his lawyer card.

"Well, I get that comment a lot." He hummed with a chuckle.

"Still, it's quite impressive. I never heard a professional lawyer around my age. " [y/n] peeked over the woman's shoulder to take a good look at the card as well, feigning ignorance. Phoenix Wright would be shaking in his boots.

"Pardon?"

Oh wait, the card didn't show his age.

"Hm? You should be around our age like the other students in the academy, right?" [y/n] used her smooth wording to not cause an awkward moment.

"Oh, I guess you're right.." He scratched his chin sheepishly.

"Well, you still look like a loser to me alright." The woman placed the card against his chest, walking over the center of the dining hall, laying on top of the table.

"Eh?" 

"What about you?" She glanced over to [y/n].

"You want me to start next?" she questioned, pointing at herself.

"Yeah? Shouldn't you guys have heard of me?" The woman placed the spatula on the table, crossing her arms.

Wolfgang sweatdropped in response. 

Oh yeah, she's kind of a sport athlete celeb I guess. [y/n] mused "I think my fam watched your games on tv before. You look familiar." a sweet lie wouldn't hurt. "Oh, you're Grace Maddison? A golfer right?"

"Hah! saves me the pleasantries then." said person clapped her hands elatedly. "You hafta thank your parents in return!" Her face growing smug. "Anyway, you a doctor or something? judging from your uniform."

Both, the lawyer and the golfer then turned their heads towards her, waiting expectantly. 

"Oh, um.." fidgeting with her coat's ends, she pondered on how to words this properly.

If it were any other person, she could easily shrug it off like a joke. But this time, on where she could least expect being in one of her favourite franchise and inside a fangan she had been following since its development. With everything stretched out talents as 'ultimates' in their world, that's quite literally their normal, and being centered around hope and despair from the original series. She didn't have any prepared responses up in her sleeve for this type of situation.

"..Well, you're correct about the doctor part," she  looked around the room as if that would be of any help.

Some dilemmas crossed her mind. If she said her occupation as an ultimate, they might find out she was lying all this time somehow, and is an ultimate-less person. That would cause her some trouble. Worse, maybe ultimate discrimination?? if that's even a thing. If she spout any other stuff though, the same thing was going to happen anyway. But then what else was she supposed to say?

"Is there a field you specialize in?" Wolfgang seemed to be listening with his interest piqued.

..why am I even thinking so much in a dream anyway?

"specifically, I'm a neurosurgeon." she finished. Still my job sounds like a pretty sick one for sure.

Though seeing their gaping reactions satisfied her curiosity. 

"Whew..no wonder you looked out of it in the train." Grace steadied her stance, almost falling off balance.

..Did I really look that dead outside for THE Grace to feel bad?

Wolfgang gleefully placed his hands together. "I must say, being an ultimate neurosurgeon sure does have to be exhausting," he then gave a small courteous bow. "It's truly quite a respectable talent."

"Woah woah, no need for all that dude." [y/n] waved her hands in the air. "Its not really that deep, just enjoying the job." It gives me insane bank anyway.

Sadly, more random conversation from the dining hall trio had been paused abruptly by the upcoming footsteps.

"Shit! Those footsteps might bee the kidnappers!" Grace immediately leaped into action and grabbed the spatula back, standin beside the dining hall entrance door in the fighting stance.

Her reaction time is quite fast. [y/n] thought.

Turning towards Wolfgang, they both silently nodded and tried to find a place to hide.

Too bad, they aren't the actual kidnappers. 

[y/n] dragged her feet and crouched behind one of the velvet couches, already knowing the outcome.

Chapter Text

The door knob quietly turned, revealing two more familiar faces. Well for her atleast.

Not even a second later, Grace jumped out of her spot and whacked the blonde haired guy's head. Metal clacking sounds can be heard reverberating around the dining hall. 

"gAH!!"

A broken cry spilled out of the poor boy. 

eugh..that's gotta hurt. Y/n cringed from the noise and closed one eye. Some gasps can be heard in the background.

"Alright, spit' it out!" Grace then announced out towards the newcomers, pointing her spatula towards them, getting defensive. "Who the hell are you two!?" 

"U-Ugh- who the hell are you!?" The victim of Grace's attacks massaged his forehead from the sudden impact, getting pissed. "Why did you just start hitting me out of nowhere!? s-shit..!" his strength to stand up almost faltered. 

From the corner of your eye, you spot the other person he was accompanied with, standing right beside the doorway, looking quite baffled from the sudden events. She then returned back to her normal blank look, crossing her arms.

"Ya think I would open a embrace a stranger with open-fucking-arms? You can be a murderer for all I know." Grace sized him up, glaring at him.

"So you're just gonna attack anything you see? and what'd you think I look like??" Looks like the sass is starting to show.

"Hey, I already sparred two other people here, I'm not letting down my guard down anymore."

Supposing that was the cue to appear from their hiding places, Y/n and Wolfgang slowly showed up and approached the others.

"Seriously, we're going back to this again?" y/n kissed her teeth. "And who was the one who woke you up first?"

"That don't mean shit ya surgeon." Contrary from her words, the golfer's wariness died down a little. 

Its neurosurgeon but ok...

The basement duo were silently observing the others who stayed hidden. Y/n gave them good look as well.

"Yo, is you're head good? I could get it healed if it still aches." I don't want you to be pulling a makoto right now.

The other party's green eyes widened by the offer,  giving it a thought. "It's fine." His focus seemed to be on Wolfgang though.

"..We've met before, haven't we?" The raven haired girl spoke up, focusing elsewhere.

"Hm, I believe we've met eachother before, in the train."  Wolfgang seemed to be pondering hard, recollecting his memories.

Hm..sounds like they're talking about the stuff in the game.

Since Y/n already recalled what the topics were about to happen, she took another glace around the dining area for no reason. They were most likely doing introductions, then Grace and hers, then asking what happened when they woke up, if they have any ideas where the are currently, yada yada yada. 

She spaced out midway,  just nodding attentively along their conversation, not really having anything else to add on. Atleast she was finally able to say Eva and Damon's names out loud.

Though she did hope a certain someone won't mention anything out of the blue of her, more specifically, whatever Damon saw through that vent will be just Wolfgang laying there and not her just staring down at him like he was some rotting corpse or something.

Dude what's getting me so worked up?? It's not like I did anything bad.. 

Y/n held her arms tighter, hearing her heartbeat in her head.

"Anyway enough about that, you're pretty quiet just now." Grace then patted the neurosurgeon's back lightly. 

"Huh, something up?"  she then perked up at the mention.

"You don't seem too bothered by our situation, in all honesty." Wolfgang's tone got oddly high-pitched.

"What? I'm not gonna go full on screaming like a little kid in agony if that's what you're expecting."  Shit, I wasn't listening halfway, what's happening right now?

"You don't look concerned about the straps on our wrists." Eva clarified with her usual neutral tone.

Oh yeah, completely forgot about it..all those what if thoughts got me overwhelmed.

"Not gonna lie, I didn't even realize we had them until now." She turned her arm around to give it a good look. "feels like a apple watch to me."

"A apple what now..?" Grace questioned.

"Um, a phone brand, it's nothing." Damm, and I thought my world's brands would exist here.

Her postured deflated at the revelation. 

whats gonna happen to my iphone and ipad..shit I used up most of my hard-earned savings for those..shit I miss my phone.

Two more topics later, it seemed that some heads were focusing out the dining hall entrance. Oh I totally forgot she came too.

Recalling the game's events, it was most likely Toshiko peeping out of the corridor, somehow managing to open the door without anyone hearing.

And lo and behold there she was, standing at the left side of the entrance, holding her signature paper fan behind her face. Cue the rest of the cast changing their gazes towards the new member, and Damon turning behind from the sudden shift in focus. 

"Hello there" Wolfgang gave a gentle smile. 

The little girl then left her position by the corridor then slid into the room. Everyone else got dumbfounded by taking a closer look from her height.

"What the hell, Is that a fuckin gremlin!?' Grace  shrieked out, feeling stunned.

Chapter Text

"Hey! For your information, I am NOT a gremlin."

The little girl flapped her fan around her face, mouth clicking in annoyance.

Now seeing her up close, she was around the height of an average middle schooler...

The rest of the group stared down at new arrival, eyes widening and mildly confused, given the current situation at hand.

"THE GREMLIN CAN FUCKING TALK??" Grace's immediate reaction was to point at the kid as if she was an undiscovered species.

Wolfgang ever being the gentleman he is, made an effort to hush down miss pottymouth. Though it didn't help much when the girl started to bicker back to her and with the snakebird duo questioning her existence in this place.

"ok ok let's settle downnn, we're supposed to be the adults here being more mannared, not the opposite..." to which [y/n] side eyed the most vocal one here while pulling out a chair. "Less talking, more thinking, if the kid is here, then she's an ultimate too, no other explanation."

There, that'll probably speed up the process.

"Oh my, you're quite observant." well atleast the girl looks delighted.

"Now that I think about it, I did see you in the train behind the others earlier..." Damon added on.

"Buh no way, you're too small to carry a title so big." Grace narrowed, eyeing her up and down.

Said girl then added her hand on her hip, emphasizing her disapproval. "Well now you know! And mind you, I do not appreciate your misguided comments about my age...I'm a professional just like you all."

"I didn't think children could qualify as ultimates." Eva spoke offhandedly.

"Must I keep repeating myself? I'm not a child! a professional!" her face seemed to grew red.

"So what is it you're so good at?"

"Hmph, normally I'd decline further conversations from rude people like you...given our circumstances, I shall be sanguine on this matter." Oh lord we have a missy over here..

Sever 'ahem's and coughs later, the girl finally uttered. "I am Toshiko Kayura, the ultimate matchmaker, nice to meet you, I suppose." she then gave a twirl with her fans a small bow. There was an abrupt silence right after.

"...Aren't you a bit too young for that sort of thing?" Damon suspiciously questioned.

"Obviously the gremlin's lying." Grace scoffed out "she probably lost her way here and snuck onto the train from the commotion!"

"Oh knock it off girl, you got her feeling disheartened now." kid or not, that title is what she defines her whole life with...no one should talk bad about it. [y/n] pat her back in support.

"Exactly! now look what you've done, you made her upset!" Wolfgang came over to their side.

Her eyes downcasted. "upset..?"

"Come on, you guys seriously believe that??" Grace snarled.

"Basic human decency guys...especially to strangers you've just met. Also, I think having an ultimate at a young age is quite impressive myself." Toshiko's expression seemed to brighten from your response.

From your knowledge of danganronpa games, having an ultimate is a really REALLY big deal here, the younger you achieved it, the more acknowledgment you'll be congratulated with.

"..Kinda sounds niche, if I'm being honest." Damon remained indifferent.

You almost wanted to facepalm. "Oh brother, having healthy relationships are so so important nowadays..people can be making up any new terms and labels that can break year long couples apart, especially on social media."

The rest looked at [y/n] dumbfoundedly.

"You guys ever heard of 'situationship'?" They shook their heads. "Well people will assume a couple is a couple, but they say they there's nothing going on at, yet they would do all sort of things with eachother, even freaky jits..and say they aren't in a relationship like notmal people would, so absurd." Grimnancing from past memories of looking through her friends spamming on her close friends story about some guy shes on some talking stage with. Fortunately, the employed neurosurgeon had no interest in that nonsense.

Unfortunately, still the "big sister advice" friend her friends would tell their boy problems too.

I could really go on rants about modern romance if I wanted to, microcheating this, 3 month rule that, goodness, and to think that these would only happen during highschool and not adulthood...

"What, Seriously?? Just say you're dating then." Even Grace was invested.

"Oh don't get me started that any connection they gave with the opposite gender, they would call it some sort of theory, gives me a headache." You can remember searching up all those theories you've never even hearf about while scrolling on tiktok.

"ooohh...maybe some people just want to feel like they have something special. Never had any problems with these with my clients though" Toshiko shrugged.

"Exactly why it's important to have a professional love adviser for these things if you're really desperate for a partner, and I feel like kids are more observant and honest with these things in general.

I literally had to undergo a surgery with a patient with a brain tumor from literally having a breakdown over his wife of ten years and started having seizures from it. What love can do to a person really. Not telling them about that though.

seems no one else wanted to speak up about her talent anymore.

Damon crossed his arms "You seem quite educated about these things."

"Oh Trust me, you don't wanna know what doctors go through nowadays."

"Well if I have things right," Eva quickly changed the topic "if six of us boarded that train, what about the others? Do you think they're kiddnapped as well?"

"Well no shit man, I think you saw them fall down by that gas in the train " [y/n] baffled. Eva gave her a slight frown.

"well...that is correct, apart from us, there are eleven others.." Toshiko started.

"so including us, that makes us seventeen." Damon concluded.

hey seventeen mentioned.

"Mhm! and I've become well aquainted with them." The kimono girl waved her paper fan around then closed it abruptly. "Only one person i've been avoiding was this frustrating boy I woke up with, you wouldn't believe his manners!"

"Ah Im starting to see a pattern, so evryone here woke up as a pair or a group." Wolfgang thought outloud

[y/n] meanwhile kept quiet

"Speaking of, would you like to meet with the others?" Toshiko now looked up widely towards the group. "I think they should know about you five."

"that would be helpful, thanks."

"I didn't know we're gonna be doing a college orientation while being kidnapped." Damon sarcastically remarked.

A prolonged sigh coming from you "just enjoy the guide"

"So where are the other now?"

"Obviously outside the building! Do follow me, there's an exit not too far from here." Toshiko then excitedly exited the dining room, waving her fan along.

A chuckle emitted from Wolfgang. "She seems to know more than us....It wouldn't hurt to entertain her." he was the first to exit.

"Feh, let's see what that thing has up her sleeve." Grace followed suit, the rest trailing behind her.

"Damon, aren't you coming along?" He's probably having his inner monologue right now.

"Yeah yeah"

...

The walk along the hallway was fairly quiet, some light chatter from Toshiko, Grace and Wolfgang here and there, [y/n] adding on some teasing jokes. Commenting about the odd paintings in the hallway. The basement duo still as silent as ever.

Around a corner, Toshiko subtly slowed down her steps to follow your pace, lightly tapping your shoulder. You grapsed her signal.

"Do ya need something?" [y/n] tilted her head to match her level. Silently whisper talking.

"uhm..I appreciate what you did back there," she faced down the floor, shyly hiding her face. "people would just dismiss my role as soemthing childish, your reactiok was really refreshing to hear."

Suprised from her quite words, you lightly rubbed her head, smiling lazily.

"It's nothing kid, as the future advances, a lot more jobs get added in the roster nowadays" I've seen some kids matchmaking on tv before, it's nothing new.

"Still..thank you [y/n]." The two of you were behind the rest so they never really heard much from the dining table duo's banter. The girl now rushed forward to the group, becoming the guide again

"We're almost there everyone!"

Chapter Text

You immediately shielded your eyes from the sudden light glare entering the scene, covering your eyes with some of your arm before lowering.

"Finally some sunlight!" Grace breathed out, stretching her arms in the air while bathing in its rays.

Blinking a few more times, you took in the new view before you, a whole ass garden courtyard. You honestly could not believe your very eyes.

Of course you recognized this place. The courtyard was practically the unofficial meetup place in the game. You never really payed any attention to the game backgrounds, though theres a tiny thought in your head. Its a little too realistic.

The light conversation in your group faded in the background for a minute. You started noticing the tiny movements and details of vines and leaves surrounding the arches and pillars for no reason. Each of them having their own movements as if being fluttered around by wind.

You started to consciously focus on your breathing, now realizing you could breath this whole time. You knew this garden isn't actually a garden, just a hollogram or something along the lines. But the clouds were turning around clockwise with the sun right at the center. An unnatural placing, but it still felt like it was the norm around here. 

Even the grass wasn't just some cheap knockoff from department stores, each blade held its own unqiue length and form, the sounds of them when being stepped on felt like we were actually in a garden and—

oh my god am I ok?? Dreams aren't supposed to feel like this, right?

You shaked off the thought in your head, trying to listen to what the others were talking about while getting that weird feeling off your head.

"You mean, the sky we're looking at...is actually a video panorama?" Damon answered unsurely, looking up at the sky in disbelief.

Sounds like they discovered this is a fake garden.

Well the listening did not help all that much, you could start feeling the clothes on your body and your saliva swallowing. What time was it even during this moment?

Some small shouts and whines were heard, but you didn't process the words they were saying. Really, you weren't even supposed to be here to begin with, you have a life outside of here, not playing detective.

can I wake up like, right now..

Sure, it was fun dreaming about you favourite characters and all butttt you should really be getting some deep sleep for the next few days.

Through all the back and forth about the sky being fake or what not, some sniffles cut threw the bickering.

Well probably just you. Grace was still on and on about the sky whatsoever, Toshiko explaing the situation at hand and Wolfgang being a parent of the group and adding some reassurances.

You heard that whimpering sound again. This time, Damon heard it. You noticed his slight head turn from your peripheral vision. 

"Hey, could you guys stop talking for a second?" Gosh, blunt as ever.

The others quieted down then stared at him. "Hm? Is there a problem?" Wolfgang raised a brow.

"You guys hear that?" The sniffles were quite obvious now through your ears. Yep that's definitely Eloise.

"Wait, I just heard it!" Grace yelled aloud like it was a competition. "Oi who the bloody hell is cryin!? come out and quit hiding!"

"Do ignore the shrew!" The kimono girl enlarged her voice with a melody, covering Grace's words. "Her bark is worse than her bite"

"Who you calling a shrew!?" 

The sniffling stopped when they called out.

Eva shaked her head to the side disinterestedly. "Can we let them be? If they don't want our help, that's not our issue."

"Oh don't be ao heartless." Wolfgang pressured. "This could he someone in need!"

"Like a worried parent.." [y/n] mumbled irritatingly. She wasn't that interested in comforting too but waning to see the other characters continued her curiosity. 

Wolfgang called out to the cry again, this time reassuring them that our group won't do any harm. Damon was unsure about that convincing.

You noticed the bushes starting to shake, revealing the plump woman in all her glory, well sort off.

You could tell her nervousness in her body language, eyes darting everywhere but us and her words being left unfinished.

"You can start by giving us your name." Wolfgang paused her stutters. Patiently waiting for her next words with care.

Really like a parent.

The bob haired woman carefully thought out her next words before with introducing herself. "E...Eloise Taulner. I'm the ultimate fencer. I-It's really nice to meet you...even if it doesn't seem like it." she fiddled around with her fingers.

Though there are a few stutters, atleast they were from the bottom of her heart. You then gave her a smile in return.

Truth to be told, she was one of your favourites in the cast. Her personality reminded you of how you first started out your joruney as a young and upcoming neurosurgeon to be made in generations, and was a nervous wreck.

There was a lot of skepticism from the higher ups on your age, all of them thinking that it was just hard work and lots of studying without any kind of experience in the field. Well duh obviously, but you were just been fascinated about the brain, as odd as it sounds...its complexity was just interesting for you and plus, helping other people was a natural thing for you, why not just combine them together? You weren't passionate in anything else anyway.

After interning on how the surgeries flow and the tools snd machines to use, you got the hang of it. Mistakes appeared, but your mentors guided you through them, no scoldings. They knew any harsh words could change your feelings of this world and stress you out.

Overtime you grew out of your shell from those experiences, making your decisions more firm and confident. Your mentors then became coworkers, and they couldn't care less how young you were as your another member to help for society, and were proud that you chose to pursue the path without any doubts or uncertainty. Really, they were like your second family. Giving out those wise advices and stuff.

When you saw Eloise for the first time in the game teasers, you had a gut feeling she might have the most insane development when the game will have its closure.

You played her freetime events on your first playthrough, and really, you found her interactions interesting. Damon and her couldn't get along in them though, which was a bummer. You wanted to know her story more. Well It's Damon being damon. Eloise's moments during the trials showed her some light too.

You had to refrain yourself from geeking out a little when seeing her appearance.

As the others questioned her whereabouts and why she was hiding, you could see another familiar face behind the crowd, sitting on a rock nonchalantly.

You HAD to hold yourseld back from squealing aloud.

Actually, I don't mind being here a little longer....

There wasn't much things your can add onto the conversation, so you just remained quiet, occasionally adding some comments. In doing so, you pat her shoulder softly when Wolfgang was reassuring her.

"That's probably the last thing she wants to hear right now. and since when are we friends?" Damon randomly commented on the sidelines.

"You don't gotta be a spoilsport dude." [y/n] supressed her laugh under her breath.

"...I wasn't trying to be funny."

You sure are when you're sneaking some glances at me thinking I can't see you doofus

You really hoped he didn't saw you through that vent...

As if he was now just realizing you existed, Wolfgang commented on your quietness "Mm I have to say, [y/n] didn't say a lot since entering the garden." 

You had the most deadpanned face at your name mentioned.

"Ehh what's wrong with that? She doesn't need to contribute her words when we already have you talking on and on..." Toshiko came to your rescue. Thank the lord.

Said guy almost got flabbergasted with the implications. "H-hey I didn't mean it like that!"

"Man couldn't ya see her sleepin like a baby in the train? She even slept through that sleeping gas! Give her a break" Grace pointed towards me like I grew a second head.

Okay I did NOT expect the most rudest one here to respect my job....

"Yeah man, don't really have the energy now." You added on your own snarky things towards the poor lawyer and turned your head towards Eloise. "Take things easy okay? Im lowkey having a hard time adjusting too."

"...You never told me your name." She mentioned out, sensing your openess to ease her.

"really??" You paused back to look at your group bickering again. "I thougjt they introduced me with them...Well anyway i'? [y/n] [l/n]. A neurosurgeon. " You straightened your back and shuffled your standing beside her..

"O-oh, my apologies! I thought you just don't wanna talk about yourself..." Eloise ducked her head down. "You must've got alot on your mind."

You mirrored her posture a little. "mm yeah, worried about my patients, I guess." You were quite suprised by her understanding all from your 'talent'

The talks managed to ease you out a lot, which relieved yourself. Though thrs some ringing in your ears from how your letting your voice rest.

...You swore you heard some footsteps blending in.

"Um so...were you the only people in that building, by the way?" Eloise prompted up.

...

...They didn't move that yet...right?

Your muscles tensed up. An inkling feeling. Knowing some events that'll be happening is giving you some chills. You tried to brush off the thought away.

Ugh, that weird out of body experience is gonna creep back again. 

As Wolfgang was asking Eloise if she wanted to tag along, she declined the offer. Being the understanding man he is, he told her he'll gather the others in this place, making sure she won't be alone.

"Yeah, I'll wait here, if it makes things easier for everyone." 

Sending off our regards, we walked towards the other large building, seeing a dreadhead man waving towards our way.

———

"Hm...Im Desmond Hall. They call me the Ultimate marksman." 

Seriously, who gave him the permission to be so damn fine

He lowkey was one of your other favourites but with no good reasoning, he just looked cute in your opinion. He was also pretty laidback and not a dramatic. Just nice. His talent sounds cool too.

Grace seemed intrigued by the title. "A marksman ey? must mean you're good at shooting stuff right?"

 "That's right, I got a really good eye for my targets." He started naming all different kinds of target weapons and hitting bullseye with all of them.

Wolfgang didn't wear his kind smile towards him though, instead opting a more bold question.

"With all those weapons, I must ask...you...haven't killed anyone, haven't you?"

That question had everyone stilling their tracks.

"Woah, never!" The poor dude waved his hands from that major sting. "I only practice on stationary targets...moving ones are totally out of my comfort zone."

Seriously, if he actually killed somone, he would've gotten arrested already. 

"This accusation isn't very lawery of you, Mr wolfgang..." You shook your head in disapproval. 

"Huh!? Miss [l/n] not you too..." He already got picked on atleast 5 times during this whole group trip.

"Hey, It's all good, I know my talent can leave people on edge..I'd never take a human life on my words." Desmond chuckled heartedly. 

Damon took note of his words. "I see..good to know." 

Subsequently, the topic strayed away from Wolfgang's sudden bomb to some pirate dude Grace was freaking out over. You already know who they were talking about but not bothering to be apart of their shenanigans. They'll know when they enter soon enough anyways.

 After Desmond left the group to accompany Eloise, Toshiko started leading the way again. 

"Alright folks! The rest should be inside the hallway, don't forget to be polite!" she gently turned the doorknob open.