Despair on Display

~ C h a p t e r I - P a r t I I ~

The announcement cut off.

Everyone immediately got up, leaving their empty plates at the table as they rushed out of the room. Hestia called out to everybody, reminding them to meet back at the cafe in the morning, and then she left as well.

Rei made sure to at least put her plate on the counter before exiting the cafe.
She then turned left to go down the hall where all of the rooms were. As she was walking, a thought crept through her mind: she did not recall seeing a bed in her room. How was she going to sleep?

Much to her surprise, when she opened the door, Rei was greeted with a purple queen sized bed against one of the walls, accompanied with a quaint nightstand.
There was also a new door that led to a bathroom.

Since when did this get placed here?!

Whatever the answer was, she decided to worry about it another time.

She checked the drawers of the nightstand to find lots of neatly folded clothes. She took out what seemed to be a purple nightgown, and put it on. She turned back to the bed.

Feeling her tiredness drag her down, Rei invited herself into the surprisingly soft bed. She could think about this tomorrow, just like Hestia said. She took off her glasses and placed them on top of the nightstand.

She stared up at the ceiling. Was she really going to have to be stuck here for the foreseeable future? She could only replay Hestia's hopeful words in her head to keep herself calm.

Like a broken record, the words echoed in her head: surely we will find a way out!

Surely we will find a way out!

Surely we will find a way out.

Surely we will find a way out.

It was the only thing that helped her fall asleep.

+++++

"Goooood morning, students! The Ultimate Gallery of Modern Illusions is noooow open! We look forward to our first full day of art and wonders! And by that, we mean blooody art! Ahahahaha!!"

The announcement was loud enough to cause Rei to wake up and immediately sit up straight in a panic. She rubbed her eyes and reached over to the nightstand for her glasses.
As she came back to her senses, the events from yesterday flashed in her mind.
Trapped in a museum of death.
Not ideal.

Trying to push the thoughts outside, Rei scrambled out of bed and started to get ready for the day.

While she was brushing her hair, a knock sounded at her door.

"Who is it?" She called out.

No response.

She sighed and put down the brush before walking to the door.

"Who is-" another knock.
Rei grumbled and opened the door.

"Y'know, a reply would have been nice- ah."
Rei found herself facing Yvette, who was smiling brightly. She waved to Rei in greeting, then pulled out her Monobook and started to type. Rei looked away awkwardly, mumbling an apology before running to her nightstand to fetch her monobook. She opened it to see a message from the mime.

Lachapelle Yvette: Good morning!
Lachapelle Yvette: I hope I didn't wake you up! Since you didn't answer, I just tried knocking again- sorry!

Rei looked up at Yvette, confused. "But I did answer! Granted, I... was hoping there would be a... well, nevermind- I'm just surprised you didn't hear me."
Yvette looked confused and typed something.