[color=7FFFD4]"What kind of proving ground? I'm still not entirely sure what's going on, here,"[/color] Jeriah took his eyes from a particularly faded card depicting a twisted spire beseiged by lightning, closing the book automatically, [color=7FFFD4]"it's all kind of...I don't know, surreal?"[/color] That was, perhaps, the most mild way he could have phrased it. True, the shock of his death and removal from familiar elements still remained; but there was an eager, nigh voracious curiosity that had crept its way to the forefront. 

Rose's gaze had lost its former melancholy, returning to an unreadable placidity. She folded her arms across her stomach, only slightly turning her head to face the Pariah Dream. [color=FFB6C1]"The Hollow Egress serves as a kind of nexus, in Navain."[/color] Sensing the coming question, she pointed a finger towards the building looming behind them. [color=FFB6C1]"Navain, by the way, is the place you're in. The, uh, [i]world[/i] you're in."[/color] Jeriah nodded, but offered no interruption. [color=FFB6C1]"You're takin' all of this pretty well, over all, Jerry. I expect some of the others might be a bit more, uh, intense about the situation."[/color] She looked away from him, out over the field. [color=FFB6C1]"They're already starting to show up."[/color]

Straining his eyes offered no indication that the two of them were anything but alone. The grassy expanse had not changed in the slightest, save for the earlier fleeing of birds. [color=7FFFD4]"I guess you're right,"[/color] he said, sighing afterward, taking a few slow steps toward the concrete monolith, [color=7FFFD4]"I should probably be flipping my shit about now, huh?"[/color] From the corner of his eye, he saw the Guide smile. [color=7FFFD4]"I guess anywhere's better than New Graeline, though. Do you want to explain some of what you're talking about? Or should I just dive into The Hollow Egress?"[/color]

 [color=7FFFD4][i]She's got a point. You're being awfully chill about all of this. You [b]did[/b] kind of die a few minutes ago, right? If that's the case, why does this place feel like a huge relief? It has to do with more than just getting away from that [b]thing[/b], doesn't it?[/i][/color]

 [color=FFB6C1]"No way, that'd be suicide!"[/color] Rose turned fully, lifting her right hand to point an accusing finger at him, [color=FFB6C1]"It's my job to look after you and the others, so listen up! I'm only gonna run this down, for you, once. Got it?"[/color] Jeriah nodded, placing his book-and-chain into the nook of his armpit. The girl waited a moment before finally nodding in return. [color=FFB6C1]"Ok, so you're currently in what could be referred to as a disjointed reality. That means that what you're seeing isn't what other people from your world are seeing. This place twists the meaning of 'time and space'. Where you're standing here, at the entrance, there are others who are just now noticing my presence. Soon, I'll be talking to them. However, I'll also, maybe, still be talking to you.[/color]

[color=7FFFD4]"How does that work...?"[/color]

[color=FFB6C1]"Well, s'pretty complicated. I'll explain the more nuanced points of that once you've managed to make your way through the Egress. For now, just accept what I'm sayin' for what it is. You're going to need to meet up with the others inside that place, once they've entered, since it seems like you're gonna be the 'first' to go in. When you're in there, you guys are gonna have to cooperate to find your Anchors."[/color] Unfolding her arms, she took a few brisk steps towards the entrance. [color=FFB6C1]"I can't enter, there, so it's all on you and the other Dreams to figure out exactly how you're gonna accomplish that. You've all been granted Manifestations. Like your book, there. I dunno the specifics of your power, so don't ask. That's for you to discover."[/color]

[color=7FFFD4]"Right, got it. So why did you call it a 'proving ground'?"[/color]

[color=FFB6C1]"Ah, yeah, sorry, totally forgot to answer ya on that one. This place, like I said, is a nexus. In there you'll be meeting up with the others. In the center, prolly a ways down, you'll each find something called an Anchor. An Anchor serves to supplement your Manifestation, and your existence in this world; which means that you and your new 'friends' will be able to interact with one another on the same 'plane' of this world, rather than havin' to go it alone, once ya get out. It won't just be you guys in there, though. A place like this attracts all sorts of, uh, 'phantasms' I guess you could call 'em."[/color] She paused, looking around for a moment. [color=FFB6C1]"I'm not sure how to put it in terms other than 'a bunch of things that want to kill you and steal your existence for themselves'."[/color]

[color=7FFFD4][i]What the fuck is she on about? It makes sense, in a few ways...but there's a lot that I'm not being told. Wonder why she can't go in...or what a Dream is. I guess we'll find out, on the way...[/i][/color]

[color=FFB6C1]"I know, I know, it prolly sounds like I'm avoiding giving you the big picture. I'm not really [i]allowed[/i] to tell you a lot of what's going on, at least not until you get your Anchor. On the plus, though, once you do that there'll be a chance for you to go back home!"[/color] Jeriah nodded, but his heart felt heavy. Returning home didn't sound nearly as appealing as what the strange girl was telling him. [color=FFB6C1]"Of course, all of ya will have to meet up with me, as a group, when you stomp your way outta the Egress. I'll tell ya more, then, ok?"[/color] She offered him a look that could only be sympathetic and made a small motion toward the building's entrance.

[color=FFB6C1]"Before ya go, though, let me tell ya one more thing, ok?"[/color] Rose didn't wait for a response. [color=FFB6C1]"Be careful in there. The 'phantasms' aren't your only potential enemy. Pariah Dreams don't always get along. You seem like a nice kid, Jeriah. I don't want ya getting hurt or pushed around; so watch ya back. Once you start making some progress, I can fill you in on the things going on in this world and why you're all here. Ya might even be able to find a Node or two in there to communicate with me. Keep ya eyes open for anything that interests ya. Now, I gotta focus on the others. Which means it's about time for you to get started. Once you're ready, just step through the doorway. Wait around in the 'lobby' for a minute and the others should show up."[/color]

[color=7FFFD4]"I...yeah, sure, thanks Rose."[/color] He didn't know what else to say. Despite all she had said, there were huge gaps in his understanding. Pressing her didn't seem productive, so Jeriah simply did as he was told. Stepping through the shattered maw brought him to something entirely unfamiliar.

It looked like a hospital's waiting room. Detritus of all sorts littered the floor, and a staunch silence permeated the entire area. Jeriah tilted his head, looking back. Through the windows he did not see the grassy field, or anything at all. A shiver rolled up his spine, but the newly appointed Dream fought it down; instead bringing his book before him and opening it gingerly. He would have to familiarize himself with them, should he expect to understand anything about what Rose had called his 'Manifestation'.

[color=7FFFD4][i]That leaves a lot of questions for us, doesn't it? If we survive, maybe we'll get a straight answer out of that weird bitch, yeah? Going 'home', though? ...Don't make me laugh. Better keep sharp, Jeriah. Who the fuck knows what's going to happen, here.[/i][/color]