01: Blank Slate

[returntosender]

†01「Locked to 336 Brady」

[Waking up in a bed in a room full of things he didn't recognize, clothes he didn't remember owning, in a place he didn't know: left Hope in a of a state of panic. The last thing he remembered was jumping down from an airship onto a race track, following after his friends to infiltrate Eden. Thinking about it now, he couldn't even remember landing on his feet after the leap. What stood out most to the young teen though in his fleet of uncertainty was his left wrist, which was no longer branded with the mark of a l'Cie.]

Hello?? Is anyone there?? [He'll call out into the home, cautiously going down the hall with a bat, which he found in 'his' room, at hand.]

†02「Phone」Morning

[The phone in Hope's new home was very different from the phones he was used to, but after a little bit of investigation and time to calm down he's decided to use it and try to contact his friends.]

This calls out to everyone, so uh, can someone tell me how I got here. This is place is called Mayfield isn't it....? I'm... I'm looking for some people too.

†03「Action」

A 「Streets of Mayfield」Afternoon

[After determining his 'fake home' was the last place he wanted to be: Hope went to the streets exploring. So where ever you are, regardless of what you might happen to be doing; you might see a small young teen wandering around. He doesn't seem exactly sure about talking to others, but he is rather interested in the homes and vehicles he keeps passing. He might even stop in front of the one in your driveway or just outside your home or shop and start fiddling with it.]

B 「At the Park」Evening

[He didn't know anyone, didn't recognize anything in the town, really the park was just one more brand new place he would have to familiarize himself with. Probably the only consoling aspect of the play ground was that it didn't have pictures of him and some random family hanging around the walls.

It's getting dark out though, and he wasn't exactly sure how to get back to where he started.]

... I guess it's not like I haven't slept outside before.

Comments

[returntosender]

[Give him a moment to let that soak in.]

I...uh, saw pictures of the ones that were in my house.

[fineinthefire]

Yeah, sounds about right. You go into any house and you'd probably find them. This place is under the impression that we've always lived here. Those pictures are supposedly of you and your family.

[returntosender]

...But we haven't. I need to go home. I promised my-! [He cuts himself off and stares down to his hands. Gloveless for once, it was a strange feeling.]

So, this place kidnaps you randomly, forces you to pretend that you've always been here, and if you don't go along with what they say, then what?

[fineinthefire]

They drone you. [Didn't even miss a beat.] And it's not a good thing. It's like them taking your soul to make you act exactly as they want you to.

[returntosender]

[Hope gulps. The way things looked, he just couldn't catch a lucky break. Sure he lost his brand but in exchange he'd more or less taken prisoner to some strange place.]

Can't you fight it? Has it, happened to you before?

[fineinthefire]

Not that I know of. Never been droned myself. [But he's seen one of his friends droned.] It'd be better if you just tried to avoid it.

[returntosender]

I'll remember that... Thank you.

[Hope keeps staring at his hands, still absorbing all of this information.]

Do you know if there are any ways, to look for other people? Y'know, that might be where I'm from.

[fineinthefire]

Back in your house there should be a phone. When you talk into it, the whole town can hear it unless you tamper with the feed. You can ask the community if they are there or not. If they hear you, they'll respond.