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

Ravohyr | Beach Room | Ononoki

Getting the surf board ready would have been a good idea, but unfortunately his intelligence score was a bit too low to think of that as fast as she had. Also, he was very intent on watching the waves just now. He couldn't think of a time he'd been nearly half as intimidated; nothing he'd seen scaled up to this. Literally and figuratively, that is. 

He looked back over, caught Ononoki staring at him and finally got the hint. While he was getting hold of the surf board again, he shrugged, pursing his lips for a moment. Well, she didn't seem to have such troubles in her world. Perhaps they'd already been colonized, or something. "Plenty of people, anyone really... Bandits are the most likely, or highwaymen. But anybody traveling would be happy to find something valuable to sell later down the road," he explained, utterly casual about this. It was the norm for all the land; Kill or be killed and whatnot. Usually. Aside from special cases. 

But now he readied himself, clutching the surf board under one arm to leave his hands free to cast his spells. First the shield, then his ring. The regeneration should last for five minutes or so, and in theory would help clear his mind out. On the other hand, the shield could serve as a sort of air bubble, for a short time. Though, he wasn't sure how much pressure it could take. 

A large bubble glowed around him now, swirling a transparent red and purple. "This should last for a bit... It'll keep the air in, too," he told her, bringing the surfboard over and holding it so they could both jump on when the waves finally hit. 

"T-That's pretty tiny." So how was it its own country? Its government, maybe? "Is it peaceful? I-I've only been to the really big cities." Eises recalled Aes coming from a small, rural town. He had said how small towns tend to be boring, but the occasional quiet sounded nice.

"What kind of missions do you do?" Her curiosity peaked again. "W-What kinda stuff does your organisation do?"


Eises ignored the stream of blood that flowed from her nose as she slowly sat up. At least Myrnin managed to land on the couch. "S-Sorta." While she stretched with one arm, she gently rubbed her nose with the other hand, flinching at its soreness. Judging by his laughing, Myrnin didn't seem to get hurt in the process. It lightened her mood quite a bit, and she grinned as she flicked her fingers, materialising one last ball of snow and having it fly towards him. 

Root | Floor Is Lava Room | anyone

A new blinker appeared, standing very still, her wavy brown hair tucked behind her ears.
She was wearing a black shirt, black jeans, and a black leather jacket, and she was holding an apple in one hand and an orange in the other, and studying something directly in front of her with a very serious expression.
That is, until she smiled.
“You didn’t really think I was going to let you get away with that, did you?” She asked sweetly, then stopped, because the heat of the lava hit her like a slap in the face and the coffee table under her feet wobbled unsteadily, as though it were floating instead of being secured down.
She dropped the fruit reflexively, and cursed as it slipped in and immediately perished. Then she looked up, scanning the room in one quick turn, before she spoke again, in a completely different tone. This one was still relaxed, but there was an edge to it.
“Okay. What’s this supposed to be?” She asked the air in general, as though expecting it to answer her. “I mean, not that it isn’t cute. The lava is a nice touch. But I want my fruit back, please.”
When it failed to reappear, she continued. “All right, fine. Not in a chatty mood. Well, at least tell me how you’re managing to stimulate all of my senses and screw with my sense of time, and manage to keep me aware enough to still be me. No? You’re no fun at all.”
She shifted her weight. It was the only sign of discomfort she was showing. Then she began to consider her options.

Nico still didn’t know what to make of Kelsier. He wished it were simpler, he wished they had met in this room rather than that very first one… there were a lot of things he wished. It was, he knew, a pointless exercise. That knowledge didn’t mean he let go of the thoughts, though. If anything, it just made him transform his wishes for the past into hopes for the future. He hoped they could shrug off whatever it was that still lay behind them, even if making friends was a frightening exercise for Nico. Even if he still didn’t know why Kelsier hadn’t just stabbed him a second time when he was powerless in that room, when he’d broken down and been entirely vulnerable. It couldn’t have just been the lies Nico told about having to have both of them alive in order to get out.
Granted, Nico didn’t want a permanent death, he just didn’t understand why Kelsier hadn’t even seemed to consider it as an option. He didn’t understand why they had both allowed the peace of the butterfly room to smooth over everything that had been torn out of them in the room before. Above all else, Nico didn’t know why Kelsier hadn’t just dropped him at the beginning of this room. Maybe he would never know for certain. Maybe it was for the same reasons Nico hadn’t dropped Kelsier. As much as he hated to admit it, there was something between them now. Something they had forged themselves in spite of what the House wanted. Possibly. Nico still didn’t know if the room with all the questions had been meant to bring them together or tear them apart. He had a feeling it was meant to be the latter, merely because of the kinds of secrets the House had forced out of them both. That Kelsier’s main goal in slaughtering the oppressors of his world wasn’t to save his people, it was to get revenge. That Nico had almost destroyed his world because he was so selfish he thought he could outsmart a god who had him under his thumb, even now. And more. Looking at Kelsier now, Nico didn’t know what they were doing, skating like they were old friends. Or… no, perhaps like they were new friends. Was that what they were? Nico would have to ask, later. He’d never really been comfortable with friendships.
There was Kelsier’s smile again, as unreadable as always. Nico felt there might have been something different in it this time, though. A secret, but not a dangerous one, maybe just something Kelsier knew that Nico didn’t. Maybe something that Nico didn’t need to know, and he didn’t feel as though he knew Kelsier well enough to be able to ask. One day, perhaps. Unless Nico chickened out of whatever this was eventually and ruined it for both of them. That was still an option.
There were a few moments of silent skating for Nico to ponder that before Kelsier went on, and his blood froze. “I’m not a hero, Kelsier,” Nico replied under his breath, just loudly enough to be heard. “People enjoy reading about heroes.” He didn’t need his story told. He didn’t need to be mentioned in the stories that would be passed down about the people he secretly considered his friends. Helping was enough for him, but… what Kelsier had said… Nico wasn’t sure why it hurt. Why it felt like a physical wound in his chest just to hear that someone was interested in his story. The suggestion that maybe he wouldn’t have to be forgotten, and maybe he wouldn’t be painted as a villain. Maybe.
Watching Kelsier now, the way he took on the ice, the way they both let the wind flow past them as they got the hang of skating faster and faster and faster… Nico didn’t know what Kelsier had done to him. Nico didn’t play like this. Sure, he faced down challenges and did what he needed to do – sometimes more – in order to protect the people he cared about. That, he noted, was an ever growing list. Of course, when theatricality was needed, Nico was good at pulling it off. He wasn’t the son of Death for nothing. He’d pulled his fair share of stunts to make people leave him alone. Ghost King, a voice in the back of his head taunted, and he acknowledged it.
“Harsh winters,” Nico repeated, thinking. He’d spent the vast majority of his life with no winters at all. Venice was cold sometimes, even snowed, but it didn’t stick. “I’ve never had a harsh winter,” he admitted. “When I found out there are blizzards in New York I think I was rather taken aback. I thought blizzards and snow that stuck to the ground only existed in fairytales.” That was the truth, something he’d never really admitted before. There was a lot he hadn’t been prepared for, finding himself in New York. In a new world.
Kelsier was so casual with the names of the people in his world. Not that Nico would ever meet them, but still. Names were important. Dockson. Clubs. Spook. Mare. How many names of his own had Nico dropped? Bianca, Percy, perhaps? Had he mentioned Hazel? Did it matter? Nico pushed the thought away.
“If you’ve got glass sturdy enough for weapons, perhaps there’s glass sturdy enough to bear your weight,” Nico suggested, folding his arms behind his back as he continued skating. He was getting better at it, weaving more easily around and not having to windmill his arms nearly as much. He’d always been rather quick to pick things up. “If you can lure your god onto the ice, that’s a battle I’d kill to see.” Amusement twinkled in Nico’s eye for a moment before he pressed forward and it was gone. “I don’t envy your crew the job of having to reign you in.” A light comment, not meant to be an insult. Nico’s gaze flicked to Kelsier, watching to see how he would respond.

Root turned, her eyes going very wide as she realized there was someone beside her. 
Someone who hadn’t been there a moment ago. 
She stared at the kid, her lips open in a small “o”. Then she cleared her face of any and all trace of surprise and smiled, extending a hand to shake. “Hey there. You look...pretty surprised to be standing in a pool of lava.” She noted, still smiling cheerfully. “I’m guessing you don’t have a clue what’s going on, do you?” 
That’s right. Make friends with the simulations. Well, making enemies wasn’t going to help, now was it? 
“You can call me Root.” She continued, and her smile grew slightly, giving her a look that could almost be described as slightly mad. 

Vincent | Hell Maze | Shadepelt15

Vincent didn’t reciprocate the god’s laughter, and kept moving as his company wiped away fake tears. “Would it be important if I were?” He replied over his shoulder, still somewhat agitated with the seemingly pointless questions and curiosity. If the god was suspicious about what made up his innards; he could quit wasting the blond’s time and cut him open already, or he could drop the subject. 

He pulled his hands out of his pockets as they continued, placing them behind his back. He kept his gaze down, watching how he placed his feet so he could remember the space around him the next time it went dark. 

He occasionally let himself get distracted as Archie acted out in his...interesting ways. It was hard to differentiate what was done with a purpose and what was done on impulse - but the god seemed to have his mind on the beast in the darkness. He couldn’t blame him, as he was still thinking of what he’d seen as well. The discovery that it was a death wish to enter the pit willingly, made him doubt it would take long for their ‘safe’ positions on the surface to be challenged.

As Archie lowered down, the man stayed standing. He walked slowly, using his feet to test that the ground was secure before putting any weight down. He seemed content in the silence, but he was listening closely for any noise that could suggest movement from the beast in the darkness or a god with a shitty sense of humor.

"Depends on what you define as impossible," pointed out Vimes. Inwardly, there were plenty of things about this which warranted panic. It wasn't impossible by Vimes' definition, but it was a bit of a stretch for even what he'd experienced. That wasn't to say that he'd let Archie know that.
"This," said Vimes dourly, "is just annoying. Not impossible - an inconvenience."
He wasn't perplexed either, as the rather pompous 'blinker' had implied. Inconvenienced seemed to encompass it, because if he let something else take over that part of his emotions he might end up a sniveling loon on the floor. No, best to be annoyed by all of this. It made things easier.
It didn't take Vimes very long to discover that the hallways were infinite. Or at least as close to that as anyone was going to come. It was a struggle to work out what to do about it though. At least he hadn't traveled for very long. He stopped, turning slowly. He couldn't see the living room any more. Inwardly, he cursed that he hadn't marked off where they were. Did it matter though? There wasn't anything he could do about it now.
Pushing aside the thought that he was lost, Vimes looked at Archie and raised an eyebrow.
"Your thoughts?" he asked.

Eises' ear flicked lightly. What part exactly? "Depends on the area. U-Um...I think we're more common in the northern parts of Elisia...we-well of Theia in general." And the really Southern parts of the world.... "E-Elementals in general are common in most countries, b-but some countries don't have a lot. I-It also depends on the part of the country." Just like any demographic, everything varied. 

Weapons might not work if he doesn't have a good aim anyway. This was true regardless of the animal, but this room was especially the case if all the creatures here were part stone. Physical strength was also useful, and she had her doubts, judging by his thin structure. He really doesn't have a gun? Isn't he rich?

She continued keeping her ears pricked and ready, now that the threat was gone. If we're lucky, anything else would be scared away. Unless there's something scarier, then that means our fight attracted it. Eises didn't like walking down the clearing, she felt too exposed here. At least anything else that would come here would also be exposed. 

The sound of distant laughing-hooting caught her attention. "One of those birds..." As annoying and loud as it was, it eased the tension in her shoulders just slightly. What exactly should we be looking for? Something like a jungle was quite big for only two blinkers. Maybe a secret temple?

The sound of a branch snapping made Eises whirl around. The sudden quiet thickened the air with the tension. She would hope it was another blinker, but that hope was likely a distant one. 

Vincent | NIGHT 1 | Cloverleaf

The blond raised his eyebrows at the man’s answer, looking him up and down. “Did you kill anyone?” He asked, his tone difficult to read. His gaze lifted as the bird took off, his blade rotating in his grasp. 

His eyes narrowed as Enjolras spoke, his smile lingering. “Do you think I killed the man in that room?” His voice was sharp, expecting a direct answer to a direct question. He knew the Frenchman hadn’t voted for him - nor play much of a role in his lynching - but he hadn’t gotten to see everyone’s reaction after his death, and he didn’t know where everyone stood on the matter. He had no idea what kind of bullshit Daud could’ve planted, or what bullshit people were willing to believe because it was easier to stomach.

He looked around the forest, silently taking in the details. He turned his gaze to the sky, squinting at the setting sun. If he were a blinker with more muscle, nightfall would be the perfect time for hunting; especially on the first night when no one had found a secure shelter yet. His gaze flicked to Enjolras’s back, twirling the blade in his fingertips as he thought. “Should we find a place to camp?” He suggested, though he sounded ready to split away from the man without much more conversation. They could cover more ground if they moved independently, and both of them would be blind in the darkness if they didn’t move quickly. They’d need some kind of underbrush or clustered vegetation...something that could hide his company’s red coat or at least get them out of the open. 

If Sam had been a bit better at picking up cues, he might have thought all of this was easier to work out if he just put Nico in the context of anything death related.
It didn't seem like Nico's skull aesthetic was more than just that. Sam couldn't think of Nico as some necromancer or something. Not because he didn't believe Nico couldn't be or wasn't, but that he was more than that and that the 'more than that' was the important part.
"O-okay," he thought aloud. "What ... what does that mean?"
He hadn't told Nico that he was a vampire. Maybe Nico could already tell. But he wasn't sure what Nico was. Or what he was going through. Was there any way to? He couldn't step into Nico's shoes.
"Are ... did you want to do something to take your mind off it?" he said softly.

Ononoki - hunger games room - sachiko, the doctor

Her eyes blinked slowly as Ononoki watched Sachiko poke The Doctor. Was that really the best way to wake someone up?
"You're the one who was going somewhere," she answered, "Do you remember where?... I said with a posed look."
Ononoki stayed off to the side, choosing not to approach and instead taking her typical onlooker position. She was curious about what happened to The Doctor, but also did not want to be in any kind of blast zone. She tilted her head toward the tunnel's exit, to gesture that that was where to go. Arlo was probably wondering where they were, and could even be in danger if The Doctor's attacker had come across her.

(How's everyone doing?)