005 - [VIDEO, public] - morning of the second day

[intofireforever]

Wanda and I woke up freezing this morning. Anyone want to guess why? Anyone? No?

[In contrast to the attitude she's displayed to...well, everyone on the Barge since her arrival, Laura is angry. No, it's not just that; the anger is clearly mixed up with something else. The aggressiveness can't hide that she looks like prey that's been cornered.]

The window was open. I checked the lock on that thing repeatedly before we turned in. [And Laura would never, ever be able to sleep in a room with an open window, or even a faulty lock.]

By the way, I thought high-class hotels were supposed to leave mints on your pillow.

[She opens her hand, and flipping her fingers out, reveals a tiny baggie of cocaine held between her index and middle finger. It had been on the pillow beside the one she'd used while sleeping.]

I don't know if it's this place or one of you behind it, but--

[There's a click, and suddenly, there's a wind in the room. Laura's hair is visibly blowing in it, and now snow follows. She turns to look at the window, aiming the camera that way, too...

The window is open again.]

No. Fuck no. I'm not spending another night in this room!

[Laura runs to the door, then into the hall, and slams the door behind her...and the feed cuts out. ALL ARE WELCOME TO COMMENT! She will bring the feed back and reply as best she can.]

Comments

[truth_is_cold]

Doors are locking and unlocking after I've left them. You're not the only one it's happening to.

[And he doesn't sound any more pleased by it than she is.]

[intofireforever]

This place is so fucked up...!

[When she replies, she's sitting up against a wall in one of the hotel's many hallways, catching her breath. No windows there.]

I thought I felt it yesterday, you know? I told myself not to be stupid and jumpy.

[truth_is_cold]

I tend to assume the worst anymore from the beginning. [On his end, he's holding the "sewing kit" again.] At least you're on the first floor.

[intofireforever]

Are things worse on the upper floors?

[truth_is_cold]

Just on two. I asked Perry to investigate the room above you. He hasn't gotten back to me yet.

Other than that the issues seem... consistent. Worse on the outer grounds and in the ballroom area.

[intofireforever]

Maybe you should check on him. He's a big, tough guy, but this place...

[truth_is_cold]

I mean Van Shrike, [who is tough, but not that big] but I'll double check.

[intofireforever]

Oh. Yeah, then, you really should.

[Not that Van Shrike is incompetent. It's just that Perry Dawsey is kind of enormous in comparison.]

[looksfine]

Were you harmed?

[intofireforever]

[Laura rubs her face.]

Not physically.

[looksfine]

Then in what way?

[intofireforever]

Mentally? Emotionally?

[looksfine]

Do you require assistance?

[intofireforever]

Thanks, but I don't think anyone can help me with this.

[looksfine]

I see.

Should that change, you are welcome to contact me.

[intofireforever]

Thanks for offering, anyway.

[looksfine]

You are most welcome.

Take care, Laura Palmer.

[intofireforever]

You too, Aya.

[an_abomination]

I knew this place was too nice on the surface. We're never allowed nice things for long, except for that one time we went to Risa.

[intofireforever]

There was a nice Christmas port, once. My warden and I got snowed in, in a bar. We had a lot of fun...

[an_abomination]

I bet. [Doesn't sound impressed.]

[scarlet_discord]

Laura?

[Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck...]

OK. It's OK. I'm going back in for our bags and stuff. I'll meet you in the lobby with them. Maybe we can double up.

[Inside, she's scared for three seconds and then she starts getting pissed off.]

I want to find whatever's doing this and kick its stalkery ass.

[intofireforever]

I'm sleeping in a hallway tonight if I have to. No windows to open...

[scarlet_discord]

You know what, that's fine. I'll bring the goddamn mattresses with me. What are they gonna do, add it to our bill?

[She's marching up the stairs, too impatient for the elevator and way too pissed. But something stirs in her, and she stops a moment, hit by a stray thought. Then continues again.]

I really fucking preferred the dinosaurs.

[intofireforever]

Dinosaurs?

[Yeah, she'd remember if she had been around for that one.]

[scarlet_discord]

Oh yeah. We had to trek through a jungle full of them to get back to the damn Barge. It was horrible, but at least you can kill a Velociraptor and it stays down afterward.

[video]

[canfindrope]

I think this place is haunted. [Most obvious statement of the year.]

Re: [video]

[intofireforever]

Probably. I felt something weird last night. I never pay attention to my instincts...

[video] oops

[canfindrope]

You should. I think they're the only things that make sense anymore.

Audio

[darknessb4me]

[Terse:] Rooms across the hall should have four walls to the inside. Screw the Admiral's assignments.

Re: Audio

[intofireforever]

It's times like these that I wonder if this place is really an improvement over the Black Lodge. At least there you know what your future holds.

Audio

[darknessb4me]

Black Lodge.

Where you were?

Re: Audio

[intofireforever]

Between dying and coming on as an inmate.

Audio

[darknessb4me]

[Arthas grunts, tonelessly. Yeah, he knows that place.]

What was it like?

... Never mind. You have the present to worry about.