WEEK 4

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 4


[It is late in the afternoon when the Titled finally wake up from their long, vivid sleep. What day is it? Maybe it doesn't matter.

They weren't awake when it happened, but the final set of doors have opened. The Intercessor hasn't emerged from their room. There is no sign of the grumpy old man. And, the Titled may notice that nothing has been cleaned up - including the remains of those who prompted the Investigation - since they went into the Debate Hall. No new food has been supplied in the Kitchen, either.

The only replenishing food supply is in the Conservatex - who knows when those'll get ripped out from the ground out of spite, though. Their captors certainly showed themselves to not be above petty revenge, unfortunately.

So many questions now swirl. Is the old man hiding? Is the Intercessor ok? What the hell happened with the dragon? What about that other group which the Titled have come to realize exist? What did their captors have planned? And...really, what the hell else is going to happen now?

Whatever it is, it's not going to be good.

So get ready, Titled.

There are nine (but perhaps only eight?...) strangers in this place.]

Comments

[carries_war]

[Barracks]

[When people first leave their rooms this morning, they'll find five identical potions sitting on top of a letter. The handwriting is a bit messier than they'll remember, but still reminiscent of Rubedo's handwriting:

'After what happened in the debate hall, I thought it might not be a bad idea for everyone to keep healing potions on hand, especially if we're going to be planning an escape. There's more in the laboratory, but hopefully we won't need them.

-Jr.'

Alexia's are sitting right outside the door to their loft. Eric will also find that opening his door pulls a string that upends a bucket of goop exponentially grosser than what McBurn threw at him...albeit still nonstick and harmless.]

[Hallway]

[During the morning, people will be able to see Jr. at Yusuke's mural, paintbrush in hand. His strokes are slow and careful, and even so he can't come close to matching Yusuke's skill, but eventually he manages to make a reasonable reproduction of a hyssop among the other flowers, with brown, dead looking leaves contrasting the vibrant petals. The petals themselves are a deep, midnight blue edged with red, almost like they're traced with blood. He won't pay much attention to anyone passing during this process, but he won't ignore them if someone tries to approach him. A keen eye may also notice that the dagger he gave to Babette has been replaced by a distinctive knife]

[Kitchen]

[Since Diet Darth Maul was nice enough to give him a tea set, Jr.'s decided to go ahead and make himself up some tea. Unfortunately, he couldn't find much in the way of caffeinated leaves, but what he has put together does smell good, so long as one likes mint. He's parked himself at a table with a cup in hand, but there's several others sitting out for anyone who happens by.

Under the table, Sisi is gnawing contentedly on a bone...one of several sitting in a box next to Jr.]

hallway

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's breath catches at the sight of the knife ]

Might I... see that?

[carries_war]

[He lowers his paintbrush and turns around with a look of confusion, before realizing Maglor is looking at the holsters he's still using to carry knives. He draws the hunting knife and flips it upright with skilled fingers.]

You recognize it?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's eyes are very soft, and he traces the carvings in the white bone handle fondly, before turning it so Junior can see the eight-pointed star engraven in the hilt ]

My younger brother Tyelko... Celegorm, made me this as a Begetting Day gift when we were younger. He hunted the stag from whose antlers he carved the handles himself. I am glad it has found its way to a worthy owner.

[carries_war]

Well...if it's something like that, you should have it back.

[He digs in his jacket pocket and produces the cloak clasp.]

I got this, too.

[bythewaves]

My cloak pin! [ he exclaims softly and accepts it back, but the knife he tosses once and then shakes his head ]

No. [ Maglor smiles and shakes his head, passing it back to him ]

Keep it! May it serve you well. My brother would be pleased to see it in good hands. It was made with my father's techniques and will neither dull nor rust. And so long as your heart holds true it will not break. It had a pair, once - but that snapped in my hand. It will be happier with you.

[carries_war]

[He takes the knife and holds the side of the handle against his chest, opposite his heart. It still feels wrong that nothing beats there.]

A pair with a broken other half, huh...well, I can't say it doesn't fit. I'll take good care of it.

[bythewaves]

[ He smiles at Junior quietly ]

Its name is Maeglach - "Piercing Flame". May it come to happier times in your hands than in mine.

[carries_war]

Piercing Flame...shame I don't have my fire here. But when we get our powers back, I'll have to make something for you. I'm not exactly a blacksmith, but Ether crafted jewelry can have useful effects.

[bythewaves]

I will treasure anything you choose to gift me with, Junior.

Barracks

[poorlovefool]

Aah- Uuughhhhh!!

[He shouts in surprise and disgust as more foul sludge seeps down his hair and shirt - nonstick or no, that's going to take some cleanup when they don't have any showers and the smell is horrible. Eric claws his hands through his hair to immediately get as much out as he can, but they stop and fall at his sides after a moment as he suddenly stares into blank space. He had thought angrily about who the culprit behind this was, and of course his thoughts went to McBurn, who had thrown some at him in the trial. McBurn, who was dead.

To Eric, that makes this prank extremely fucked up, so he's just going to look broken for a half second before he just starts to laugh. It lasts a long time. Long enough to think about who would actually do this to him, and he can only conclude it's that same stuck up little shit that he got in a tiff with earlier. Why else would someone do this? He may be rough around the edges but he really doesn't think he's pissed anyone off that much. And well, he doesn't really believe that Rubedo had grown up at all. This just proves it. That's fine, you little brat. He won't take this personally.

But, it is the morning and he just got a dog, which means there's important business to be taken care of as soon as the owner wakes up. So, since everything is fine and dandy, he's just going to happily let him go about that business. Right here! Just good ol' Midwestern neighborly hospitality! He hopes you love the smell of dog pee on your door when you get back. He just wanders off giggling about that because this is so much fun.]

[carries_war]

[When he first gets back to the smell of urine, his first thought is that Sisi did it when he wasn't looking. But no, he walked the dog before delivering the potions, and this is on the outside anyway. That just leaves one possibility...and he really hopes Eric got a dog too.

His first impulse is to turn this into a prank war, but no. One prank and retaliation is one thing, but a back and forth would be too distracting. So fine, Sparkles, you win this round. And might come back to find Jr. with cleaning supplies from the lettered rooms, scrubbing the floor in front of his room.]

[poorlovefool]

[He brought Gab to the meeting, so Jr would have seen him!

Serves him right though.]

[carries_war]

[That's still not sanitary, dude. And this better just be pee.]

Kitchen/Dining Room

[defriendestration]

[There is a NYEEEH??!! coming from the doorway, at the sight of the box.]

MY BOX OF BONES!!

[carries_war]

[Blink blink.]

What's a skeleton need with a box of bones?

[Replacement...parts?]

[defriendestration]

IT'S MY BONES FOR MY SPECIAL ATTA--

[IS THAT A DOG CHEWING THE BONE]

HEY!! STOP CHEWING ON THEM!!!