An Arthurian Knight in a Connecticut Yankee's Apartment

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

[Carnivals!  Roller coasters!  Cotton candy!  Exposure to too many foreign sights was overwhelming his brain; though Lawfer assumed it had something to do with the memory loss at first, careful observation of the others' reactions to the spectacles convinced him otherwise.  'Theme park' wasn't even in his vocabulary; asking someone to define it for him had resulted in nothing more than a brief spurt of laughter.

Either he had lost far more memory than the others, or he was simply from a vastly different place.  Either way, though he could grudgingly admit the park was enjoyable at some points, it was far too much to handle in a single day.  He looked forward to the comfort of a bed and a cold bath.]

[A: The first challenge: the elevator.  Anyone walking into the lobby will find a man pulling at two stubborn doors that refuse to budge, despite being assured that they would lead straight to his room on the 3rd floor.  He could only imagine that the stairs were behind them.  If only they would open.  Banging, kicking, and trying to force them apart with all his might leads only to strained shoulder muscles.]

I have clearly been directed to the wrong location.  Where are the rooms I have been assigned?

[B: The second challenge.  At some point, a wild yell will be heard from Lawfer's room, after which he barrels out the door as quickly as possible.]

Demons!  Demons!  Inside a box!  Do you hear their voices?!  The room is accursed!  Quickly, call for an exorcist, a priest; they may take material form at any moment!

[Astute listeners will notice that the television is on.]

[C: The third challenge.  After the business with the demon-possessed television is cleared up, Lawfer will be knocking at your door, largely devoid of clothes, and well... Let's say medieval knights don't usually shower that often.]

My apologies for the intrusion, but I cannot locate the communal bathing area.  Where is the well from which the water is drawn?

Comments

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

[Lawfer watches closely as Erk... pushes the button. Aha. Nothing is happening aside from a light. As he suspected.]

Ah, you see? It is certainly a great curiosity as to --

Ding

.............

That is all that was required.

[He sounds mildly unhappy.]

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

If it is any consolation, I did much the same thing yesterday.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

...It is not much, but it will have to do.

[Muttering something that sounds like 'accursed world', Lawfer enters the elevator. And blinks.]

This is neither the third floor, nor a room.

[Not being totally stupid, his eyes immediately light on the rows of buttons to the right; no doubt some secret combination would take him to where he needed to be.]

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Simply push the button for the floor you wish to continue to.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

...Three, then.

[Lawfer patiently awaits the back wall to open to reveal the stairs at last. ...There goes the front doors closing. And... what was that rumbling sound? Were they -- No, certainly -- They were. Drawing in a breath, Lawfer stares at the floor underneath his feet as if it were about to collapse, backing into the wall a bit.

The fact that Erk isn't panicking is some small relief. And after riding a roller coaster, it is, at least, far less traumatizing. Lawfer does his best to maintain his dignity in the time it takes to travel two floors, though he still scrambles out as quickly as possible when the doors finally open.]

Such sorcery...

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

I must admit, I am a bit relieved that I am not the only one with such reactions. Most others seem to take it in stride.

All that remains from here is to find whichever room you have been assigned.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

I... had noticed as much, myself. And your style of speech is one which sounds more familiar to my ears as well. Perhaps we are from similar lands...

I am roomed in three hundred and twenty one, as I recall. I've been told I am to share it with one other.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Three hundred twenty-

[Try as he might, Erk wasn't able to keep the disappointment completely off his face.]

What chance, then, that I happened to run into you. That happens to be my room.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

You are the 'other'?

[The expression on Lawfer's face is of surprise, though he is quick enough to catch and understand the glimpse of emotion he sees on Erk's.]

Ah. You had wished to be alone. That is understandable, considering the circumstances. I will endeavor to allow you as much privacy as possible, though I ask the same courtesy be extended likewise.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

I thought it would last longer than a day, at any rate. I'm Erk. A pleasure to meet you, milord.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

Lawfer. The honor is mine.

[With a slight nod, he'll glance around to see which direction 321 is in.]

You arrived yesterday? ...It seems as if we have only all come quite recently. Strange affairs...

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

I thought we all did. Perhaps more are coming in at a staggered pace.

It's down here, to the left, by the stairs.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[A pause as he attempts to work the key. He had, at least, figured that much out.]

They gave you the same explanation, I suppose? Work to keep safe their lands, ready their cities for expansion. ...I find it wholly inadequate.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

They claim there are not enough citizens well trained enough to do so. Why they think we are any different is beyond me. Truth be told, I doubt I can help much in that regard.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

[...And Lawfer is still struggling with the key.]

It is cause for suspicion. What they intend to truly do with us, I cannot say. But such an explanation fills me with unease. We must be on our guard...

[And finally, the door opens. He'll step in and stop completely.
...There is not a single piece of furnishing in this place that he's ever seen before in his life. ...Was that a table? Yes, that was a table. Tables were familiar.]

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Perhaps they do not have a plan, and we happen to be convenient. Truth be told, I find myself inclined to believe them; I'm sure it's more trouble than it's worth just to house all of us, let alone provide for us.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

...
...
...

What?

[Lawfer will finally snap back to himself, though there is a dazed sort of expression on his face.]

My apologies, what were we speaking of?

[Memory loss. How ironic.]

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

...perhaps I should let you lie down.

[seeker-of-law.livejournal.com]

N-No, that... will not be necessary.

[He'll glance suspiciously at the couch before deciding it was for sitting in. ...It is pleasantly plush.]

I... apologize for my behavior. Simply extraordinary...