Log 1.1 - Tumble to Marvash

START OF REPORT LOG:

(Written below are the recalled memories of the Visitor Benezet von Trea from World 419 upon arrival to Marvash. All is written in order and as best as can be recalled.) –Signed Benezet von Trea

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When Benezet came too, he found himself engulfed in a plush and warm blanket. It wasn’t just one blanket either. It was a whole sea of fluff atop his body, weighing down on his chest like one giant warm hug.

His blue eyes flickered open. Bright light, sunlight, shot straight into them. A stark contrast to the rainy and overcast forest he had been-

-wait, forest. Why wasn’t he in the forest any more?

He shot straight up, forcing the blankets off of him and opening his eyes to his surroundings. He sat in what appeared to be a bedroom, with only a bed and dresser sitting across the room. A window sat wide open, curtains pulled aside to welcome in every ray of sunlight that was possible. Nothing was posted on the walls, and no items or trinkets sat assorted across the room.

Before Benezet could question anything about his new surroundings, memories flashed across his mind in fractured snapshots.

He had gone with the head writer for the paper up to the forest for a new story. The person they were interviewing lived in the thickest part of the forest, so they had to travel extremely far by carriage to reach it. Benezet had offered to go get water from the nearby well while the boss started the interview….

Oh, now he knew. He had reached the well, and had been pulling up the bucket from the depths below. It had gotten caught on some brush while rising up, so he had reached over to try and untangle it. He stretched as far as he could, enough that his fingertips had brushed the top of the bucket. But then he slipped, and darkness-

Benezet blinked. He flexed his fingers ahead of him, careful to watch as the muscles moved in front of him. Nothing hurt. He could feel himself breathing, and his heartbeat in his ears. He still had normal movement in his entire body.

So then…where was he? What happened to the well? Was it just a nightmare? Did he have too much to drink the night before and wound up in someone else’s house? Or had he somehow tumbled into a whole new location?

A knock ripped his attention towards an oak wooden door in the corner of the room.

“H-Hello?” Benezet asked, finally using his voice to speak. His voice sounded the same as well; surely this was real.

“Oh, you are awake, Visitor Benezet? May I enter?"

It sounded like a young girl, but it didn’t sound like anyone he knew. And how did they know his name? “S-Sure, I guess?”

With his approval, the door popped open, revealing a short young girl carrying a silver tray of colorful food. She wore a long black dress that hung to her ankles and wrists, with only a silver apron layered over top. Her hair, a deep blue, was cut into a short and strict bob that curved around her round face.

She carried the tray over towards the dresser, setting it down and inspecting the food. Once satisfied, she turned to face Benezet with her arms tucked behind her.

“Welcome to Marvash, Visitor.”

Her voice was low and forced. As if she were a child forced to be polite and kind by their parents. Benezet didn’t know what to make of it. “W-Welcome…?”

She nodded. “Yes. You are the 45th arrival this month to this world.”

His mind was struggling to keep up with these new facts. “Arrival? To where?” He shouldn’t have arrived anywhere.

The maid girl sighed, breaking her strict character. “….Marvash. I just said that.”

His heartbeat was starting to quicken. “But where is that?!” He asked. Was it one of those countries across the sea? Where was he? And how would falling into a well lead him there?

The maid brushed at her clean-cut hair, trying to assure everything hair was in place. “Very, very, very far away from where you are from, most likely,” she replied, focused on her appearance.

“Huh?”

The maid sighed, and cleared her throat. “’Marvash is the one of the best and most successful worlds the Gods have ever seen. With their blessing, the citizens of Marvash house those chosen by the Gods to experience and learn about things they could not in their previous lives, and let them enjoy luxuries without cost until their return to the cycle’.”

“…previous lives?”

“Yes. You have passed away in your previous world and life. Be gracious, as the Gods have allowed you to come here and live your desires before returning to the cycle.”

His shoulders slumped. “I died?” Hearing himself say those words was dizzying. Disorienting. As if he’d had his own feet kicked out from under him and smacked his head on the way down. It had been that quick. “…I died falling down a well?”

The maid winced, visibly recoiling at the thought. “That’s pretty rough. Hopefully it doesn’t hurt too much.”

A good point. Nothing on his body hurt. In fact, he felt completely normal and healthy. He could even place his hand on his chest and feel the rise and fall of his lungs. “But I’m still breathing.”

“’You are alive, as you can tell. The Gods have allowed you to live in the world of Marvash to live out the desires you may still have before you leave. Do not worry. You will be okay.’”

Benezet rubbed his temple with the palms of his hand. So…he hadn’t died. But he had? And was brought back to life? It sounded like a hoax. A dream. Almost even a lie. Why would he of all people be given this opportunity? Why did he have to die by falling down a well?!

“There’s a few more things I have to say, per our required spiel. May I continue, Visitor Benezet?”

He didn’t know what else to say. “Sure.”

The maid continued. “Dear Visitor, be thankful to the Gods who have chosen you, and take advantage of this amazing opportunity. But before you set out on your all-expense covered activities, please review these documents and sign so that you have read them and understand what they are saying,”

With a flick of the wrist, the maid summoned a pile of yellow papers bound by thick rope and held them out to him. In the corner was a golden stamp of approval. “Were you taught how to read and write in your previous world?”

Those were two of Benezet’s best skills to offer. Did other people in ‘Marvash’ not know how to do so? “I am a head writer for my local paper. I’d be a pretty bad writer if I couldn’t do that, wouldn’t I?” He replied, trying to give a curt laugh to ease the atmosphere.

The maid stared at him with a flat expression. “…you were. You no longer are.” She corrected. She passed the papers and matching pen over to Benezet, then turned to inspect the food she delivered to the room. "Your breakfast is here, Visitor Benezet. I was not able to get your opinion in advance, so hopefully it is to your liking. What do you like to eat for lunch? I can get started on that next."

Benezet couldn't believe his ears. He only ever ate the same stale and cheap sandwiches over and over. Could he really have any food he wanted? “Are there any foods or meals local to this area? Maybe something like that?"

The maid bobbed her head. “I see. It’ll be prepared for you soon. I shall call for you once it is ready.”

“Oh, thank you. Do you want my help?”

The clicking of heels stopped. The maid froze in the doorway, careful to breathe and think through her response. “You will have everything provided for you, Visitor Benezet,” she said slowly, careful to keep her tone under control. “Please, take it easy. And again, welcome to Marvash.”