The imagination is dangerous.
Yes, it can create art and beauty, but what if the imagination is twisted?
Good thing Rei Mochizuki's imagination isn't twisted. The same, however, cannot be said about her classmates...
Blood splatters can be abstract...
Rei looked up. Inside the room was a bunch of crates labeled "DANGER: EXPLOSIVES" and "HANDLE WITH CARE." The walls were covered with different pictures of fireworks and fireplaces. The rest of the room was filled with supplies that Rei did not recognize, though she assumed they were all related to fire and explosives.
What an idiotic move it was, putting all of this dangerous equipment here. Especially in a place where anyone had such easy access to it. Maybe she'll talk to Hestia about it later.
Not wanting to accidentally set anything off, Rei quickly moved onto the next room: Room 2: ---- Cartographer Exhibit. Just like for the first room label, Rei noticed the scribbled out "my room- the best room" written before "Cartographer Exhibit." She couldn't help but smile at Artemis' comments.
The room was completely covered by maps. A globe stood in the corner of the room, and a giant table took up an entire side of the room. Many scrolls similar to the ones Artemis had lay on top of the table. Rei recognized some of the items on the table besides the scrolls: a compass, magnifying glass, and a protractor.
She moved on.
Rei looked down at her map once more. Room 3: Dungeons Master Exhibit.
The room had one large table in the middle of the room with 6 chairs surrounding it. On top of the table was a rather large book labeled "D&D Dungeon Master's Guide." There was also a small container filled with all sorts of dice and a stack of papers with stuff written on them, though Rei paid no attention to it. She moved onto the last room of the four: Room 4: Train Conductor Exhibit.
The most significant thing in the room was the giant model of a steam engine on a rail. The room had several tables with items on display.
Rei noticed Tadashi was in the room, hiding over the corner, hunched over something. She cautiously took a step towards the door, trying not to alert him. Unfortunately for her, Tadashi heard her.
"Oh, hey there! Mochizuki-san, right?" Tadashi had stood up and tipped his hat in greeting. Rei nodded. "What brings you here to my room? Well, exhibit?" "I was just exploring." Rei held up the map. "I won't be long. My apologies for bothering you." "Nonsense! You aren't bothering me. Stay for as long as you'd like!" Tadashi put down the item he was holding and walked over to Rei. "But hey, how are ya feeling? After the whole 'killing game' news?" Tadashi asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern. Rei frowned. Now that she recalls, it was Tadashi who had helped her back up to her feet after the reveal of why they were trapped here. She drummed her fingers on her arm nervously. "I'm alright. Better now that I have a basic understanding of our environment- thank you." Tadashi gave a thumbs up. "Good to hear! I'm assuming this is the last place you had to explore then?" "Ah-" Rei looked down at the map, just to double-check herself. "Yes, it is." Tadashi smiled. "Well, good to know you've been doing your part in trying to figure out how to escape this place. I was going to look around, but then I… kinda got distracted once I found this room." He scratched the back of his neck, looking away in shame.
Rei smiled awkwardly. What was she supposed to say to that? "Well, I couldn't blame you." She suddenly said. Where was she going with this? "You're just trying to calm down in the situation presented. Nothing wrong with trying to distract yourself." Tadashi let out a laugh. "Oh, you're just saying that to make me feel better! But don't worry, I suppose you're right! Being able to handle and operate a train- even if it's fake-" he glanced at the model train in the room, "makes me feel better. If I have control of a train, I have control over the situation! Y'know what I mean?" Rei slowly nodded. She didn't quite understand him, but it sounded as if he had similar views to his work like she did with music. "Yes, I understand what you mean. So I take it that you find pride in your work?" She replied. "Why, of course! It always makes me so happy to know that passengers are safe and comfortable when with me! I could never let them down, so I find much joy to know that they are satisfied!" Rei cracked a smile. "Ah, I feel the same way about music- I love it when people find inspiration in my works!" "Oh, speaking of which! I don't know if you're up to this, but would you be willing to compose something for me? Something soothing to play while on the train? Once we get out of here, I mean, and only if you're up to it, and I can-" Rei raised up her hand, which made Tadashi stop talking. "I'll gladly compose something for you. It'll give me something to do while stuck here while looking for an escape." Tadashi's face lit up. "Oh, thank you, Mochizuki-san! I look forward to hearing it!" Rei smiled proudly and was about to reply when a voice sounded from another room.
"Helllooooo? Is anyone in heree??" Rei and Tadashi turned to see the energetic Nari enter the room. "Oh, there you areee!! I've been looking for you twoooo!!" Nari exclaimed, waving at the two of them.
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"Oh? What ya need us for?" Tadashi asked. "Hehe, I'm simply here to deliver a meeessaaaage!!! Hestia wants us all to gather in the cafe for diiinneeerr!" She exclaimed. "Her, that mushroom guy and I aaaall made something for eeeeveryooone! So come and jooooin uuus!!" Nari bounced on her heels as she explained, waving one hand, indicating for Rei and Tadashi to follow. "Dinner…? You should have found me sooner and asked me to help! I'm right behind ya, Narakumi-san!" "It's alriiight! Maaaaybe next time!!!!" Nari swayed from side to side. "But Mochizuki-saaaaaan, are you coming as well? Hestia wanted you especially to be thereee!! She said something about you being too tense…?"
Rei.. tensed up. Of course she would be tense in this sort of situation! She was sure Hestia's intentions were pure, but Rei wasn't going to just relax now!
"Ah, she did? Well, in that case, I'll join you, so that she doesn't worry." Rei said. The events of today made her forget about eating, but now being reminded of it, she could felt her stomach claw at her with hunger. She gestured for Nari to go.
"Yaaayyy!!!! Let's all go then!!"
With an overjoyed Nari in the lead, the three of them made their way to the cafe, where the others were waiting.
