[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XiAjh3G.png[/img][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent][i]Well, this is peculiar.[/i]

Braden was certain that he had last fallen asleep on his hospital bed in Axis Mundi. This was [i]not[/i] Axis Mundi. Or... at least that was what he thought. He let out a heavy sigh, pulling himself up to a sitting position on the floor against the elevator wall. His head felt heavy, and his stomach let out a growl, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since dinner.

Whenever [i]that[/i] was.

Braden stood up, holding onto the handle bolted against the elevator wall for support. Opposite him was the elevator doors. That fact alone was not interesting enough, but the message drawn in blood surely was. [color=82a327]"Abandon hope all ye— what the [i]fuck?[/i]"[/color] Braden was not the type to dream very often, so Braden was almost sure that this was not a dream.

He approached the doors, his hand reaching out to touch the cold metal before he started banging heavily against it. [color=82a327]"Oi! Let me out!"[/color] Maybe this was all just a prank... a stupidly dangerous prank... Braden's breathing grew uneven with every bang of his fist, slowly feeling his heart drop to his stomach. The doors did not open, and all Braden got for trying to leave was two aching fists. He rubbed his hands to soothe the pain to a tolerable dull ache while looking around the rest of the elevator.

Propped up in the corner of the metal box was his two puppets. After picking up the puppets, the Infinite Ventriloquist held the puppets in each arm. The moment he did so, the monitor n the top corner of the elevator turned on. On screen was a two toned bear sitting on top of a hospital bed, the teddy bear introduced himself as Doctor Monokuma Killgood before introducing many names and faces that Braden did not recognise.

And then... it was his turn...

[b]"Braden Carke isn't a very interesting person. I mean he has that moe appeal that makes him vaguely interesting to beat up, but that's it. And the Ventriloquist must realise it. Why else would he spend so much time pretending to be a bunch of dolls?"[/b]

[color=82a327]"That son of a bitch..."[/color] Braden looked at Erica, who had her arms crossed in front of her tiny body. The usual smile on the puppet's face looked fake, almost irritated. Braden inwardly felt the same way towards the talking teddy bear. [color=82a327]"That bastard is a talking teddy bear! He's no better than [i]me.[/i]"[/color] Erica would have humphed if she could. [color=82a327]"At least [i]I'm[/i] cute!"[/color]

The moment Erica finished speaking, the elevator doors opened for them. Looking around, Braden felt somewhat relieved that there was no one around to hear Erica. Braden wandered around the hallways, looking for any sign that would let him know where he was. The hallway looked similar to what he was familiar with from his stay at Axis Mundi, but the feeling was off.

At the sight of the first infinite, Braden held up Elias, the puppet stroking his chin before throwing his arms in the air excitedly. [color=82a327]"Well hello there! I guess I should introduce myself."[/color] The puppet clapped his hands enthusiastically. [color=82a327]"My name is Elias! Wait a minute..."[/color] The puppet pointed his tiny, stubby hand in Braden's face. [color=82a327]"Braden! My name is Braden Clarke! Nice to meet you guys!"[/color]

Braden lowered the puppet for a moment, looking around at his surroundings. Seeing nothing of note, he looked at the infinite. [color=82a327]"So... what is going on exactly?"[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/I8xAduJ.png[/img][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]
With the traitor stealing Krista's e-handbook during their attempt at looking for the telephone booth, Krista found herself at a loss. The night of carnage was over, yet Krista was still stranded outside her room. Up until the announcement, she had been hiding around with Jezabel and Bliss to avoid being caught by Monokuma, but with that ordeal [i]finally[/i] over but without her e-handbook, she couldn't enter her room and she did not have the energy to deal with Monokuma or the carnage sisters after the night she had.

At least the other team was successful... Krista felt relieved to hear that Aleecia had been moved to a pod, so that meant she was safe for now. Even the news that there was no deaths made Krista happy. The plan had worried Krista - who in their right mind would confront an angry robot with a deadly killing machine?! But through some miracle there had been no casualties, and even [i]she[/i] somehow lived to see the traitor singlehandedly destroy three of the four carnage sisters.

Krista stood up, tucking the seat under the table neatly before leaving the break room. Krista helped herself to an early breakfast in private in the break room, and now that she could hear talking down the hallway she felt it was the time to leave. She suppressed a yawn by biting down on the inside of her cheek. She tried to nap in the break room but it was just too uncomfortable to maintain the position for very long. Combined with the stressful events that occurred during the night of carnage, Krista was too terrified to fall asleep, worried that the traitor would return to take advantage of the fact that she was alone and silence her permanently. Call her paranoid, but if Lucas taught her anything it was to not trust the intentions of others as easily.

As she approached the new floor, Krista realised she was not the only one that thought it was a good idea to explore. Coming up the stairs, Krista found herself in the art plaza. As much as she found doodling on the corner of a notebook in school fun, she was no artist. The dojo and the indoor beach retreat were two places she knew she wouldn't be as interested in. The beach felt like Monokuma was mocking their desire to leave the hospital, while the dojo simply was not for her. The kitchen was exciting enough, Krista made a note to look for a cookbook inside the study so she could whip up some interesting dishes to pass the time. The music plaza... Krista couldn't hide the massive grin on her face. She explored each instrument available excitedly. There was even a [i]recorder[/i]! [color=6c9b8f]"Oh my... how long has it been..."[/color]

She shook her head, trying to stop herself from thinking of the days back in Germany where she would play the flute (badly, she was no Infinite Flautist). She did not acknowledge Alice, too wrapped up by the many ideas she was having about her next piece, but she did give the Recon a nod just before leaving the music plaza. Finally, Krista checked out the last room; the zen garden. Krista was taken aback by the simplicity of the room. It was pleasant though, calming. She took a seat, her eyes following the patterns drawn on the sand with the rake, her soft breathing being the only sound in the room.

[/indent][/indent]