Percy Jackson and the Art of Gacha

I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. I knew I was but I couldn't place my finger on why.

So now I stood there, outside of a building, it's black facade swallowing the sunlight hitting it and the windows clean enough to burn someones eyes from the suns reflection alone, as they were mirror windows.

I felt compelled to enter.

And as I did and the door be hind me closed, I missed what was written right above the buildings entrance.

DOA Recording Studios

A few steps away from the entrance there was a register with a man standing behind it. He was surrounded by people of different ages but every single one of them looked slightly off.

They were pale and some of the almost blue.

The man behind the register looked around the people and repeatedly asked if any of them had the fare. None spoke up.

Then his eyes, purple in color, almost flaming, zeroed in on me. I saw his movement slow down until he stopped entirely.

"Hello Child. I believe you have entered the wrong building. Would you mind telling me where you wanted to go?" his voice was soft and calm but there was also a cautious and sorrowful undertone.

"Do I know you?" I asked. The man with his suit was a total stranger, so why was he looking at me like that? Like i was someone he had wished to never meet. Like he wanted nothing more than to break down and cry.

"No child, you don't. I just thought you looked like someone I know. But why don't you leave? This is not the place for someone as young as you."

Why was he trying to get me to leave? Why was he so desperate?

One of the people messed with the mans' register and the mans head snapped towards the person.

His for flickered for a moment. The suit made way for a long robe and the man's face became gaunt. No not gaunt, more like an actual skeleton.

Somehow this caused some from of suspicion within me but I did not act on it. Instead I just observed what was happening.

The offending person slowly turned away from the register and moved to the back of the line but I couldn't see their face, only their clothes which didn't help much as the person looked like they just came from cosplaying a soldier from the second world War.

"Child? Can you tell me your name? I have to check if your name is on my list." a new voice came from behind the registerman. The man that just spoke looked like someone I wouldn't have hesitated to put a ring on their finger. No, I wouldn't have let them leave my sight either.

I just stared, any sound I wanted to make was tuck in my throat and for some reason suddenly everything felt numb and distant. I could make heads or tails from this entire situation.

How did I get here?

Who were those people?

Why does that one want to check if I am on some kind of list?

Was this some kind of elite recording studio that only allowed people in if they had a reservation?

Why did both of them react like they had?

Was there something wrong with me?

My breathing became quicker and it grew more labored.

What was I missing!

WHY AM I HERE!

WHERE IS HERE!

I sank slowly to the ground as my hands gripped at my hair and my sight lowered to the floor as well.

Footsteps seemed to echo in my head before someone caught me in their arms, stopping me from falling to the ground.

I felt lightheaded.

Was I breathing?

The person behind me picked me up and almost softly began to hum a lullaby.

~Call the nightingale~

~there is heartache in this town~

~And the stars are little lights, I can see them falling down~

The man on the register soon began humming, too.

And soon they were in harmony.

~Call the nightingale~

~There is heartache on your lips~

~and your heart's a foreign house~

They repeated the song in small and soft voices, whispering me to sleep. And slowly, the chaos in my mind calmed down. My eyelids grew heavy as they slowly began to close.

I woke up after some time. I didn't know how much time had passed but the man behind the register was gone and I was just in the presence of the other one.

He had placed me within his arms, cradled to his chest as if I was a small child. I leaned into it as I began to close my eyes again.

______________________________

Percy: I am somewhere I am not supposed to be but I don't know why.

Registerman: *Makes small cooing noises* And why are you here? You shouldn't be.

Voiceman: *More cooing* he so small. I carry you, don't worry. *Starts singing*

Registerman: *Joins in singing*

Percy: *Passes out*

Registerman: *Leaves*

Voiceman: Hmmm, mine.

Percy: Hmmm, he mine.