~ Tнє Pαяα∂σχ Hσυѕє ~ now back to regularly scheduled chaos

Kelsier | Hunger Games Viewing Room | mintedstar/fur

Kelsier, though unnerved, was also undaunted. Okay, so Myrnin could sometimes read minds and probably always crush him like a bug if he so chose. Well, he’d caught Kelsier off guard that time. The circumstances had been different.
Kelsier would learn from it and be ready. And if the vampire tried it again, he would regret it.
“Fair enough.” He said, and smiled. It was an almost unnerving expression, but it wasn’t angry, it was more...confident. “Well, under the circumstances I think I’ll give you a pass for killing me. It’s only fair - as you said, I’ve killed Nico before. If he can be lenient with me, what sort of person would I be if I didn’t pay it forward?”
Mostly, though, it was because he thought Myrnin was telling the truth. The vampire seemed to be being honest about the whole thing, and Kelsier knew all too well the rage one felt at seeing their loved ones harmed. So if it had indeed been sparked by his killing Nico, then he could hardly hold it against the other blinker.
Especially when he had assumed the same thing of Myrnin.
He waved a hand. “Let’s put it behind us, then. But if you do try it again, I swear you’ll wish you hadn’t.”
Not a threat. Just something he had to say.
He looked around, letting his attention fall back to the task at hand. Helping Nico was more important than this discussion was, anyway.
His hazel eyes soon found a keyboard near the back, and he headed for it, not looking to see whether Myrnin was following. “Perhaps this?”
Sponser Gifts.
“Hm.” Kelsier muttered, frowning at the screen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

L | Hunger Games Viewing Room | Mint again

L glanced at the necklace, noting its appearance the way most people noticed clothes, or eye color. It was natural, instinctive even, for him to take note of everything about the person he was focusing on. Including any indication that they were lying.
Which Samual, thankfully, wasn’t. L followed his gaze to the screen, and he was still watching it when the boy spoke again, addressing him.
As a matter of fact, he had. Multitasking, he could do.
“She was hit with a knife.” He said, matter-of-factly. It wasn’t that he didn’t care. It was just that getting it to show up in his voice was a bit of a struggle.
“Do you know her?” He added, in a more gentle voice. He looked at the boy again, giving him a piercing stare through dark eyes.

Archie | Living Room | mintedstar/fur

Pleased that Vimes accepted his offering, he smiled and made a small hum in response to his grunt. Ah, the joys of indirect communication. Beautiful. He couldn't read the other mans mind, but he would have undoubtedly been quite thrilled with the conclusion he came to, as it was impeccably accurate. Also delightful. 

As his company echoed the name of the bizarre and accommodating prison, he gave a nod and another hum and waited for him to think it all over and give him another round of questions. While he waited, he resumed toying with his ensemble, admiring the truly fine craftsmanship and impressiveness of the intricacies. Even if he was able to simply pop something as fine with a snap of his fingers, he did have to appreciate the work of artisans that could not. Their diligence was really something to marvel at. 

Looking back up again, he pursed his lips. "...I... am perhaps not the best person to ask. For all I know, some say that it is, others say its not. Personally, I think it has some form of sentience, though perhaps not the same as you or I. But again, you'll meet others that have been active here for much longer and they'll be able to tell you more," he offered. 

As proud and excited as he was to answer questions, he didn't want to give false information in this case. This case specifically because, well, if the house was sentient, he couldn't imagine it being very happy with him if he blew it off.

And if it was sentient, he could only imagine that possible sentience coming back to haunt him in the worst of ways. 

"You needn't be concerned about it hunting you down, I don't think. By a general perspective, whatever sentience it may possess only seems to extend far enough to come up with ever-confusing new rooms to explore," he told Mr. Vimes.

Ravohyr | beach room | Ononoki 

"I think so, the odd floating device is slippery, but-" he was cut off, sucking in a hard breath of air only to loose it as Ononoki shot them into the sky with incredible and very unexpected power. Was she some sort of wizard? She didn't look it- but this was incredible! A power only the highest of mages could wield safely, and here she was doing it! Tears in his eyes, he peered at the ground and just as soon wish he'd refrained from doing so. His gut twisted up in knots and the breath he'd been hoping to get back was far, far gone. Still, he had the sense to hold absolutely still and keep whatever desperate wiggles contained until they landed and she dropped him. 

Gasping, he promptly followed her lead, dropping what he'd been carrying and stabilized himself against the stone wall next to him. "You can fly?" he asked finally, looking over at her. Slowly he blinked, pondering her statement and glancing at the waves as their aggression increased, now far, far away from them. Her logic was fine, or at least he decided he would normally agree with it.

Okay, now that he was breathing properly again, he straightened up and tried to speak properly. "Thank you- that was... absolutely incredible. I'm amazed," he commented, still looking out over the lay of the island. "Ah... Are you sure its safe to wait? What if the waves come up here? There should be a way out somewhere here," he pointed out, turning and staring to look around. Trying very hard not to make his shock at her magic ability too weird or awkward.

Kelsier | Trust Exercise Room | strider

Perhaps Kelsier’s outlook was simple, or perhaps it only appeared to be. He was confident, he was optimistic, and he never quit. But he wasn’t stupid, and he hadn’t lived through the Pits just to come out swinging motivational catchphrases and not actually doing anything useful. He was a planner, and he didn’t believe in “no-win scenarios”, which meant he was always taking an impossible situation and saying “how can I solve this.” He was doing the impossible every day just by drawing breath, after all. What was a little more?
Nico may have been the more practical of the two, it was true. Kelsier would even admit it. Maybe the Pits had broken him more than he let on, maybe he wouldn’t give up in much the same way a ghost wouldn’t give up its life, and vengeful and dangerous. Maybe he’d lost a part of himself he’d never get back.
But he had survived, he reminded himself firmly. He had survived, lived to see another day, and with a power he never expected to have, too. He had, quite literally, Snapped. Broken. And grown back stronger. That was who Kelsier, survivor of Hathsin, really was.
A broken man. But stronger for it.
And looking at Nico, he thought the boy was very similar to him. Not as insane, probably. But still stubborn and unyielding and strong, stronger than he knew. He smiled softly, thinking about it, about all the people who were lucky to count Nico as a member of their world, all the people the boy was saving every day by never giving in. The House was just another impossible challenge, after all, and they were both used to that. They had to win. They could do it, somehow, even if Kelsier had to admit he didn’t know what that would look like, winning. Against the House. What did he want, anyway?
Did he want to destroy the only connection he had to other worlds? To Nico?
The question was whether the House intended to hurt them. Was it even alive? Yes, he thought it was, because it seemed far too orderly and put together for something that couldn’t think. It also seemed to intentionally hurt them, sometimes. The problem was, he didn’t want to lose what it had given him, either. He didn’t want to lose this incredible opportunity, to experience other worlds and meet people from them, too literally widen his entire universe. His world was one of many, and he didn’t want to lose the only thing proving it.
He shook his head, pulling his thoughts back. He couldn’t start thinking like that. He had to focus on the present, had to concentrate on moving forward, because he knew from long experience that that was the only way to keep going. He couldn’t take it down yet, if that was even possible. So he wouldn’t stop looking for ways and plotting out how he could do it, but he also wouldn’t let it consume him.
“You never know.” He pointed out with a smile, looking at Nico brightly. “Maybe more people will read it than you think. Hell, I’d read it. And I’m not really much for reading in general.”
Promises were something Kelsier probably made too many of. He intended to keep them, too. To Nico, to his crew, his world. He made promises like “I’ll never give up” or “I won’t leave you” or “I’ll save you.” It wasn’t smart, but he made those promises to himself to keep going. To throw a rope and use it to drag himself forward.
Or maybe he just liked the way they felt in his mouth.
Either way, he was no longer crawling. He was standing tall and strong, ready to face the world, and he was as close to flying as he’s ever been.
And if he’s still thought of Nico as an enemy, then one of them would have been dead by now, because Kelsier didn’t spare his enemies. He was not a merciful man. The fact that they were here, skating together, meant that something between them had changed, something important. Something that couldn’t be reversed by any natural means.
Kelsier liked games. He played with people’s minds, or even their hearts. He played games with the noblemen before he killed them, and he danced in the mists, his cloak fluttering around him like feathers on a strange and dark bird. Maybe that was what set them so far apart. Kelsier was childish and playful, dark and dangerous, but he played with his food. There was always a theatrical air to whatever he did, and he didn’t need to go as far as he went sometimes. Nico, no, Nico didn’t play games. He did what he needed to do and he got the job done, and then he moved on, the way he had to.
Although in that moment, they met in the middle. Kelsier playing gently, not too much. Nico playing gently, not too little. Was it the House toying with them? Or was it simply them?
He considered that, thinking of the lake near the place he lived. “Oh, there are winters.” He confirmed, thinking of the biting cold, the wind that blew ash in your face and blinded you. “Harsh ones, though I don’t have anything to compare them to. I suppose I could figure out how to make these things. I’m not much of a mechanic, but maybe I could rope old Clubs into it. Hell, even little Spook. Though wearing metal on my feet would probably be a bad idea…”
He shrugged. It would be worth it if he managed to pull it off, he thought.
“I’ll figure it out.” He said confidently. “My crew will kill me for it, but I will. Hey, why take out god when you can do it in style?”

Vincent dipped his head in a small, understanding nod. Archie was clearly trying to cover something, so the man didn’t want to continue prompting him to shit out lies. He’d figure it out on his own eventually, or the god would trip over his words again and spell it out for him.

Vincent squinted against the light as it returned to the one side of his face. He watched, scuffing his heels against the surface he stood on, as the god hopped into the pit like he was diving into a pool.

After just a few moments, he was back at his side, and a unidentifiable creature was sulking back into the darkness. Vincent was left staring blankly at the spot in the air that he’d nearly watched Archie get swallowed in - then turned sharply to look at the snapped off chains dangling from the god’s ensemble. He followed his lead and looked over the edge, raising his eyebrows at his choice of words. “Is that it?” He said with a sigh, sitting up straight and giving him a flat look. 

A limited perspective then. That wasn't the best. There'd be no use pressing it. Vimes kept that thought in the back of his mind, instead noting that Archie didn't seem inclined to play all-knowing. That at least was some consolation.
That didn't get him any closer to answers, of course. Instead, it just prolonged what sort of information he could get and when. It was problematic, but he supposed there had been times where he was forced to wait before.
He didn't like it.
In fact, he hated it. But better to be patient than dead. He wasn't going to rush into things.
He thought that, even as the bits of him which were wise to what he actually meant took over. One of which happened to be him mouth.
"Rooms to explore then. Sounds like a promising start. Come on."
And he turned on his heals enough to start treading in the direction of the hallways. He'd be damned if he was going to wait around chatting when he could walk and talk just as easily. He had a place to be, and time freezing wasn't really a concept he was going to buy just yet. This seemed more like a hands-on sort of learning. And discovering what would happen needed to start now.
Apparently the other part of him which was wise to what he was actually thinking were his legs, since Vimes noted with disappointment in himself that he was going first. Sure fire way to get killed.

Archie | Living room>hallway | mintedstar/fur

The abruptness of his decision to go explore rooms made his eyebrows bounce up, then lower doubtfully. Usually, from what he'd seen and what he'd gathered, newbies were really antsy about first exploring rooms and accepting the horrific paradox they were stuck in. Vimes seemed like a very stoic-grumpy man, but still. Terror, stress and disbelief were universal, or so he thought was the case. Apparently not, though. "You're remarkably calm for a man thats just had the impossible explained to him," he mused, trailing after him.

A nice thing about long legs were his strides were unrealistically long, so he glided after him with ease into the hallway and down the corridor. "Not that thats bad, its just... unexpected. Even I, a glorious bringer of chaos," he smirked egotistically to himself, "was perplexed to find myself here."

Looking around the halls was actually quite interesting, he noted as they walked. He hadn't gotten to wander the halls very much himself, he usually just blinked into rooms other people were already in. Seeing the remnants of rooms was almost hilarious; a few socks here, some blood stains there, wilted, crispy leaves scattered about... What a history.
Kind of gross, actually. Or at least what some would refer to as gross.
Personally it didn't bother him. It was all about aesthetic, and when your aesthetic was ripping people from their worlds and tormenting them in odd and unthinkable ways, well then damn just live it at that point. 

Ravohyr | beach room | Ononoki

Her correction did nothing for his awe and shock, not right off at least. Once he'd calmed from it, he shook his head and ran a hand through his waxy hair, paused to regret it and then work on untangling his fingers from the inky black strands. "Ah- well... It was a very impressive jump to say the least. Also the landing, also very impressive." He decided not to mention the only time he encountered a flying-jumping wizard was the landing, and the wild fool hadn't lived to tell his tale. 

Hand free, he looked back over her and blinked slowly, then raised his eyebrows with the realization that he hadn't specified. "Sorry, sorry.. You see, in my world, only the truly gifted and most well practiced wizards can fly or create scrolls to allow others to fly. It takes so long to master, in fact, that humans don't live long enough to do it themselves and only elves and mer of the like have truly managed it. Though, some can levitate, but none can go very high," he tried to explain. 

When Ononoki mentioned impending death and posed looks, he stopped looking around again and almost paled, except his confusion at her odd, subtle hostility distracted him just enough. "A raft... Well, my dying aside, what about you? If its not safe for me, would it also not be safe for you? Unless- your remarkable jumping abilities are some hint to your... immortality?" Or was she truly just that fearless? 
The raft thing he did however take somewhat seriously. Perhaps not literally, but seriously. He picked up the surf board again, propping it up against the wall and examining the inner tube he'd grabbed. The flimsyness of it made him very anxious and, frankly, he didn't trust materials he didn't recognize to float very well. 

Vince | Hell Maze | Shadepelt15

The man couldn’t help but lift his brow as the god fixed his outfit. It almost seemed...wasteful...but he figured magic didn’t work like that. It was still weird.

”Ah.” He said flatly in response, not bothering to make the expression sound genuine. He looked towards the light for a moment, eyes narrowing. There was a reoccurring theme to Archie’s discomfort - but it seemed incredibly odd. Did the god get queasy talking about death? He smirked, rolling his eyes at the dumb idea. 

He didn’t look away from the light as Archie announced his proposition. He was about to make the god explain his reasoning, but he was already on it. Initially, his thinking was as elementary as he’d been expecting - but the bit about getting lost had some practicality to it. He cocked his head, staring at the light more quizzically. There were a lot of what-ifs to the plan, but teasing the god with them seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

He finally looked at the god when he heard his outrageous question; leaving him staring at him in confusion for several seconds. “Why does that matter?” He finally said, dismissively moving on. It was strange, but he had no reason to pursue such a strange discussion. If he kept pressing he could return with his own off topic questions for the god. 

Ravohyr | Beach room | Ononoki

The uncaring or unknowing attitude- Ravohyr couldn't be sure which- that Ononoki called herself "extra-monstrous" with was, put bluntly, alarming and concerning. It showed on his face as well; eyebrows drawing nearer to each other and down, making his handsome features look a bit droopier. He decided to make no comment on it, and instead pondered the logic of him floating on the board with her at one end. Would that not capsize it? he wondered. Something about balance, not that he knew much about the sciences of the world.

Tricks? "Well... Normally I would have scrolls with me, but..." He cast an annoyed glance at his swim shorts. "I can cast a shield for a limited time, I think ten times without rest, give or take, but I'm afraid thats all that would be useful here. I also have this ring," he held his left hand up to show off a gold band with emeralds embedded in it, "it regenerates me over time, so I probably wont die... immediately."

Looking out, he watched as the waves below them felled a few unfortunate trees on the shrinking island, mesmerized by the sight and glad it wasn't either of them. The other rooms he had been in had some kind of door to escape out of, but this place? Where would you find a door here? Certainly not in the middle of the forest, nor in that raging water. Ononoki had already made a very good point about the water swallowing them in any cave... "Do we just pray we'll be taken before we die in this room? Is that the plan?" he inquired, looking back at his blue haired companion.

Ravohyr | Beach Room | Ononoki

The blunt question made him recoil slowly, making a bit of a sick expression. "Oh Nine... Well... Between the shield and the regeneration, I'd say an hour or two. Maybe. Possibly. If the stars align," he said nervously. At this point he decided he might as well sit down, leaning his back against the propped up surf board.

"I suppose you're right... a will?" That seemed reasonable, if only they had parchment, quills and ink here. And if not for the fact said parchment would surely be ruined by the water that would surely do them in. "I've no reason to write a will, theres nobody that would read it and I've nothing of worth to give. Also, if I happen to return home dead in my own armor, someone will surely loot my body anyways," he sighed, slumping further down and pursing his lips. "...A good idea in theory, though," he added aftet a moment. As relieving as plan would be, he had to admit to himself that she had a point; there wasn't much it would effect. The caves would swallow them, and perhaps if there was a door in one of them it would take too long to find it. A raft would be appropriate, falling back on that, but there wasn't enough time of materials to make it...

Another sigh, dragged out longer this time. "I suppose I'll follow your lead and just settle, then," he relented.