Outcome Memories / Tavern

The place smelled of old wood, rain, and hot tea.
There was no sky. There was no sun. Only a gray emptiness surrounding that enormous tavern lit by orange lanterns.
When you opened your eyes, you were lying in front of the Outcome Memories lobby doors.
A metallic sound echoed behind you.
—…Hm.
A tall figure emerged from behind the counter.
It was a tavern.
His white mask reflected the tavern's warm light. His claws rested on the wood as he silently watched you. Despite his intimidating appearance, he didn't seem dangerous.
Her voice was deep… soft… cold… but strangely calm.
—Wow… a new player.
He helped you get up carefully.
—Don't worry. Nobody dies outside of patrol here.
You looked around, confused.
At a nearby table, Sonic was arguing with Shadow over a card game while Amy laughed. Tails was fixing a broken drone next to Metal Sonic, and Cream was giving Blaze cookies. Even Eggman was there, drinking coffee as if everything were normal.
Normal… except for the presence of the killers.
In a dark corner, Fleetway floated upside down on an armchair, grinning like a madman as he twirled a cup between his fingers.
Tripwire was taking apart an old radio.
Kolossos could barely fit sitting near the fireplace.
And 2011x…
He just watched from the shadows.
No one was fighting. No one was screaming. It was like a strange truce between monsters and survivors.
Tavern noticed your gaze.
—The rounds are different. There they hunt… and you run.
He leaned slightly towards you.
—But here… we live together.
Then he took out a small wooden box and opened it in front of you.
Inside there were cosmetics, masks, scarves, decorative weapons and shiny accessories.
—You can choose something. Consider it… a welcome gift.
Before you could answer, the lobby lights flickered.
A serious alarm sounded throughout the place.
ROUND STARTING.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Sonic got serious. Shadow charged chaos energy in his hand. Silver barely floated off the ground.