Well this is definitely one of my weirder dreams." Belle mutters to herself as she finds herself in…Gravity Cinema? Yeah, that's right but it's eerily empty none of the usual film enthusiasts milling about and even the ticket center left vacant.
"Belle!"
Turning towards the voice she spots "Wise!" As her brother approaches her she asks "What are you doing in my dream?"
"Dream?" Wise looks momentarily confused, "I don't think we're dreaming Belle."
"Huh?" Recalling the simplest way to determine the truth Belle punches Wise in the arm. Hard.
Yelping, Wise quickly turns away from his sister his other hand rising to rub at his aching wound. "What was that for?!"
"To figure out if this is a dream."
"Well it hurt!"
Belle nods gravely, "So it's probably not a dream." Looking around she then questions, "Then how did we get to Gravity Cinema? And why is it so empty? That's not normal at all."
"Right, therefore likely it's not the actual cinema, just a place that looks very similar to it. Putting aside the lack of people for one the posters on the walls are for films I've never even heard of." Wise deduces.
Glancing around them at the six posters within her immediate view Belle realizes he's right - of the six films titled 'A call from the hollow's heart', 'Mission unthinkable', 'The midnight pursuit', 'Tour de inferno' and 'A storm of falling stars' she doesn't recognize a single one and as a video store owner she knows a countless amount of films.
Out of curiosity Belle shifts to view the posters on the wall behind the ticket booth before coming to an abrupt stop as her mouth falls open in shock.
"Belle? What's wrong?"
She starts and stops, hands gesturing weakly unable to find the words to explain the sight before her. "…Just come over."
"What could be so" Once the poster's in view her brother is just as speechless taking a few moments before formatting a full sentence staring at the girl and boy in the foreground of the poster. "Is that us?!"
It appears to be the two of them or at least some 2D anime version of them that wears business suits but still the parallels are too obvious to ignore - after all how many sibling duos where the sister has short blue hair and the brother is grey-haired can there be in New Eridu.
Getting over her surprise Belle begins to analyze the poster as she would one of a not-yet-released movie she's been dying to watch for months - the monochrome background contrasting with the title 'Business' in bloody print hinting at a sinister plot, the silhouettes of skyscrapers suggesting an urban setting and what looks like wanted posters behind the duo showing…
"Wise, is that Nicole? And Anby?"
Her brother shakes his head visibly pushing down his disturbed feeling and looks to the section where Belle is pointing to. "It does look like them but why? Why would they be on a movie poster? Why would we be on one? And why were we brought here?"
"An excellent question."
Belle jumps slightly. "What- Who's there?"
The disembodied voice ignores her. "But let's wait for the others before answering."
"Others?" Wise repeats. "Who?"
"Proxy!"
Belle and Wise turn to the cinema doors spotting "Nicole?!"
"Do you guys know what's going on?" Nicole hurries over to them with Anby and Billy following behind, "Outside, Lumina Square is creepily silent and like there was a blackout or something. Only the Cinema's sign was lit up."
"We're not sure either." Belle says. "But that weird voice should explain soon."
"A weird voice?"
"We don't know who's speaking and where they're speaking from but they must be nearby if they can hear us." Wise elaborates. "And they seem to know why we're here."
"Well then they better explain! I just received a commission with a significant return, who knows if the commissioner's gonna give it to someone else with the time we've wasted in here."
"Shh, Nicole." Anby holds a hand up motioning for silence, "I hear footsteps approaching, it appears to be a large group of people."
At her words all of them face the cinema doors, Billy's hand on his holster and Anby's on her sword. Belle takes an involuntary step back as Wise tilts himself to partially shield her as tension fills the air.
The doors open.
And no less than twenty-five people squeeze in.
*****
Both groups pause for a moment - the group entering surprised there were people already inside and the cunning hares plus the proxies shocked at the large number entering - before splitting into smaller factions around the cinema to discuss the situation.
"PubSec." Wise mutters, studying the group of four lingering at the door - of which three are in uniform. "What are they doing here? Belle remember to-"
"Wise, Wise!" Belle repeatedly tugs on her brother's sleeve.
"Belle this is important. You can't draw at-"
"It's Astra Yao!"
"What?! Where?!"
*****
"How fun Eve." In normal circumstances Astra's smile is enough to brighten any room but alas all it achieves now is a slight softening in Evelyn's gaze as she ceases her observation of the others and turns back to her charge. "Do you think we're here to watch a movie?"
"I'm not sure Miss Yao but for the time being I will ask that you stay by my side."
*****
Standing near the door Zhu Yuan is able to assess all the people within the cinema - the group that comes from the outer ring, the maid agency? centered about the wolf thiren, some who appear to be construction workers, the superstar that even she recognizes accompanied by a woman she assumes to be either her girlfriend or bodyguard both have equal possibility, the duo that she's eighty percent sure are criminals of some sort, a lone cat thiren, the five who were originally inside the cinema and Section 6 curiously without Miyabi.
"Qingyi, you got anything?"
The robot shrugs, "It's an unprecedented situation Captain. Your guess is as good as mine."
Zhu Yuan sighs, she didn't expect much else but she still turns to ask, "Jane? Seth? Any observations?"
The lynx thiren only shakes his head yet Jane replies cryptically, "Just a feeling."
"What feeling?"
"That - for now - everyone here is worth our trust."
*****
"What do you think Hugo?" Vivian asks quietly.
"I think…" The blond's mismatched eyes land on first PubSec then HSO before fixing on the wolf thiren on the opposite side of the room "…this is interesting."
"So…as usual?"
Hugo nods, "The refined gallery owner and his sister operating from the shadows."
*****
"Quite a curious mix we have here." Lycaon observes.
"Mr Lycaon, do you want us to do anything?" Corin pipes up softly when he doesn't continue, Rina occupied with the sleeping Ellen.
"Nothing much Corin, simply observe and collect information about our situation."
*****
Anby silently observes the other seven clear factions for a while before turning to Nicole asking, "Nicole, are they from the movie posters?"
"No Anby, movies aren't based on real life. Or most of the ones you watch aren't at least."
She points to the poster titled 'Cat's lost & found' and then to the cat thiren lurking in a shadowed corner watching Nicole's eyes widen in shock, then to the red haired girl with pigtails who's the exact image of the character in 'A call from the hollow's heart' and at last to the poster beside them - which shows the two proxies.
Nicole has passed right through shock and confusion and is heading towards contemplation. "It appears someone is plotting something, something that requires everyone here. Well, we'll have to protect the proxy Anby - that should lessen our debt I think." The last part is more muttered to herself. "Billy! Wait, where's Billy?"
*****
"Say Lucy, are you sure this kind of thing isn't normal for you city folk?"
"Yes we're often knocked out and left in an empty plaza only to be led to Gravity Cinema." The girl deadpans before shrieking, "No this is NOT normal!"
Caesar raises an eyebrow "Should we be worried?"
"Oh, I don't know…YES!"
"Brother!"
Lighter straightens from where he was leaning against the wall watching Caesar and Lucy to greet Billy. "Brother! It's been awhile."
Billy nods then tilts his head at the screeching former noble and the wincing leader, "Should we stop them?"
"Nah, it's not a good fight until they pull out the weapons."
*****
"Don't stress so much sweet pea."
"How can I not stress! We have no idea what's going on! And who knows how much time we're wasting here! And after losing that bid every second is precious if we want to become the best in the industry!"
As the red-haired teenager continues her stressed-out rant the eyes of Grace and Ben meet over her head. A question is asked and answered with a subtle nod and then Koleda is lifted onto the bear thiren's shoulder.
"There's other projects President, for now what's important is for you to relax." Ben tells her.
"That's right!" Anton announces, "We're the best of the best and one day the whole of New Eridu will recognize that."
"…Fine…Now can you put me down!"
*****
While all those conversations take place the cinema doors open once again and a fox thiren slides in - offering a silent nod to the PubSec officers who noticed her she slinks towards her team.
"Chief!" Soukaku calls out.
"What did you find?" Yanagi asks once she returns.
"It appears that there is no way to exit the square. No matter which way I take or how far I travel I always end up before this cinema." Miyabi reports.
"Then we can assume that whoever brought us wants us here." Yanagi concludes, "And that their plan includes the everyone else within this cinema as well. Well in that case-" She takes a step away from the group.
"Wait deputy chief-" Harumasa calls, "What are you planning?"
Yanagi lifts her glasses, "Based on my observations the other seven factions within this room are in a similar situation to ours, since that's the case I'm inclined to believe the best plan going forward is to cooperate until we can escape. Any objections?"
The three of them look at each other before meeting her eyes once again, "We have faith in you Yanagi. Just tell us what to do."
*****
"Ahem."
The simple gesture pulls everyone's attention to her whereafter the pink-haired lady offers a polite smile. "Hello everyone. I'm Tsukishiro Yanagi, deputy chief of Hollow Special Operations Section 6. Since we're all stuck here I believe we should work together while we figure out this situation."
"Excellently put deputy chief." The sounding of this voice is accompanied by the screech of metal as countless weapons are pulled out, eyes darting about searching for its source. "We are here to promote cooperation not violence."
"But that's not your main goal, is it?" Zhu Yuan calls out. "Speak, why did you bring us here?"
"We thought you might enjoy this little film, it promises to be very informing."
"So I was right!" Astra exclaims, "We are here to watch a movie! But it would have been nicer to just invite us and not deposit us in this creepy space."
"This is a unique film Miss Yao, if it had to have a title it would be 'The Future'."
The voice's words immediately spark a series of doubts and skepticism.
"They can't really know the future, right Wise? No one can be that powerful."
"I don't know Belle. If it was a lie then what's the point? To confuse us?"
"Putting aside the matter of if you can actually foresee the future," Yanagi speaks up once again, questioning the voice, "What's your motive for sharing it with us? To change it?"
The future can't be changed." Oddly, it's not the voice that answers but the misery filled words of a purple-haired girl, "What's foretold will come to pass. No matter what."
"The girl speaks true. As for our motive…well for one, this film concerns all of you and all will take the stage. For two…we simply want to observe what happens when so many from different walks of life are thrown together. We mean you no harm and after the film you will exit to find that no time has passed and life continues as normal."
"I don't get it." Lucy crosses her arms, "If we know what's gonna happen won't that affect it?"
"This will be like a dream, all but the deepest impressions forgotten once you wake. Does this answer your questions?"
A few people nod in reply. "Good. Then introductions first before we proceed with the movie. You may continue deputy chief."
*****
When cued the pink-haired lady was discussing quietly with the fox thiren - one easily recognizable as a "Void hunter." Belle whispers under her breath so quiet only Wise can hear her. You'd have to be living under a rock to not recognize her, the youngest Void hunter to date, supposedly she single-handedly founded Section 6. The fox thiren carries her own imposing aura, her stare nearly blank as she surveys the room yet Belle still gets the feeling that her red eyes are capturing everything.
After only a moments pause Yanagi addresses the room once more. "As I said, I'm Yanagi and we are Section 6 of the Hollow special operations for H.A.N.D. Our team is comprised of four elite individuals: the archer Asaba Harumasa, oni Soukaku and our chief Hoshimi Miyabi." Her lips twist into a subtle smirk as she adds the words "Void hunter." With that she steps back leaving the 'stage' free.
Next the wolf thiren steps forward a hand before his waist as if he's about to bow. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the head of Victoria housekeeping Von Lycaon, pleased to make your acquaintance. In my employ I have Alexandrina - or Rina - the head maid as well as maids Ellen and Corin."
"A cleaning agency? I've never heard of them." Belle mutters quietly to Wise.
"Just look at them," Her brother motions to the impeccable dressing of the thiren and his refined air "they probably exclusively serve the upper class."
"Hm, makes sense."
Immediately after the wolf thiren finishes a blond man begins introducing himself as "I'm Hugo Vlad, art dealer and gallery owner. Beside me is my adopted sister Vivian."
The purple-haired girl who spoke up before ducks her head shyly, fiddling with her umbrella as she mutters a soft hello.
"Do they know each other?" Wise wonders aloud, looking between Hugo and Lycaon, "He seems to be staring at him."
"Who knows?" In contrast Belle eyes fix on Vivian, "What do you think of her though?"
"What?" Wise glances towards his sister, "Belle we don't know who these people are! We're not here to make friends!"
"Why not? She seems sad, I think a few movie nights would be good for her."
Her brother sighs, "We'll talk more about it once we're out of here."
Following him a red-haired teenager introduces her faction "I'm Koleda and this is Grace, Ben and Anton." She gestures to her three companions in turn "Together we are Belobog heavy industries, specialists in in-hollow construction and all the latest technologies."
"I've seen them in the news recently," Wise recalls, "I think they were one of the top competing companies for that metro project a while back."
Belle shrugs "I don't remember but that teenage girl reminds me of Nicole a bit."
Her brother frowns, "That age when she was trying to promote the cunning hares? Somewhat I guess, though at least she appears to have a better support system than Nicole did at first."
"I don't think I need an introduction but anyway," Astra steps forward with a twirl, "I'm Astra Yao, singer and actress. And this is Eve~"
"Evelyn Chevalier. Her bodyguard. And manager." With a tug the superstar is pulled back towards Evelyn who positions herself protectively before the singer.
"Astra Yao, Belle! Astra Yao! She introduced herself! To us!"
"I know, I know." Belle's voice wobbles a bit as she's shaken by Wise. "I heard it too. Hey, do you think-" She trails off suddenly remembering her brother's already near-total obliviousness when it comes to romance let alone when he's distracted by his idol. "Never mind."
While the siblings discuss the PubSec officers begin their introduction. "I'm Zhu Yuan, captain of the criminal investigation special response team. Here with me are officers Qingyi and Seth Lowell as well as criminal behavioral specialist Jane Doe."
"Jane Doe." Belle repeats intrigued, "Do you think that's her real name?" Glancing up at her brother she realizes she won't get an answer anytime soon, if they were in a cartoon his eyes would be star-shaped right now. Belle shakes her head - and he's normally so composed and cautious, especially around PubSec.
The last unknown faction to the siblings is the group from the outer ring, introduced as "The Sons of Calydon." Unlike the other factions each member introduces themselves. "I'm Casear, their leader."
"Luciana Auxesis Theodore de Montefio." The short girl crosses her arms, "But you can call me Lucy."
"Lighter. Champion of the Sons of Calydon." He gives a two fingered salute. "A pleasure to meet you."
The next member simply shrugs and says "Piper."
Moving onto quite possibly the most enthusiastic introduction of the lot the pigtailed girl is almost bouncing as she exclaims, "I'm Burnice the bartender for the Sons of Calydon. It's nice to meet all of you."
Wise squints at her, "Are those nitro-fuel tanks on her back? And flamethrowers? Isn't that a safety hazard?"
"I guess she's careful with them?" Belle's statement comes out sounding more like a question.
Instead of returning to her group Burnice turns to the side where there's a cardboard cutout, "Aren't you gonna come out now kitty?"
"Mrrow!" A cat thiren springs out from her hiding spot, "How did you find me?"
"I could see you of course." Burnice points to how the cardboard only conceals one side from view, "Now, what's your name?"
"I'm Nekomiya Mana, meow~ Or just call me Nekomata." She ducks close to the wall once more, the puffed up tails swaying behind her betraying her unease.
"Is she alone Wise?" Belle wonders, "She didn't introduce her faction."
"Maybe, or she might be hiding it." His eyes dart to the PubSec officers - suggesting a similar circumstance to theirs.
As Nicole introduces herself, Anby and Billy as the Cunning Hares Belle asks "And we are…"
"Video store owners." Wise replies, "What else can we be?"
"You don't think the movie will out us?"
"I hope it won't but…we'll deal with it as it happens."
Belle bites her lip, "I think we should…I mean, if it's a movie it's more likely the…other half of our life will get shown instead of Random Play."
"So you think we should admit it?" Wise frowns considering before shaking his head, "I don't-" He pauses as all eyes in the room land on them, obviously it's their turn now.
After a seconds hesitation Belle steps forward. Wise grabs her wrist as she passes him whispering "Don't-"
Belle looks back and smiles her best innocent smile, "Don't you trust me bro?"
"Not when you smile like that." Wise tells her.
"Well too bad." With that she pulls her brother forward with her, offering a nod as she meets Nicole's worried gaze before stopping just in front of her, Anby and Billy.
"Hi everyone." Belle addresses the room. "And the voice if you're still listening in. I'd just like to double check first, nothing that happens in here will have an effect on the future right?"
"Correct."
"Alright then, thanks!" Looking around the room it's clear her question has caused some suspicions to rise but since Wise's eyes show his reluctant approval Belle takes a deep breath and says "We're Phaethon, it's nice to meet you all."