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Post by mintedstar/fur on Aug 6, 2019 21:32:34 GMT -5
<Raintalon> Sησω and indirectly paradoxnpc Amico nodded along to Mei's every word, even though he was only half listening. He'd heard it all for the most part as well. He kept wanting to ask Dad why people were going missing and why they had to worry about it, but he could never quite work up the courage. He didn't wanna ask Mommy Cham either. But he wanted Mei safe. Mei was aware of this because if she even looked like she was heading for a door during the night, Amico would often start crying. Either that, or he would wrap his arms so tightly around her legs that she would have a very great difficult time moving them without hopping around. He couldn't loose her like he had his other sisters. The ones he hardly remembered. The ones he had to leave after the plague. And with Mei, at least, he had another chance of keeping his loved ones safe. Even if a boy of five didn't have much chance to do that. "Don't go outside," he begged both Mallory and Anika. "The rooms are very nice here. Just ask him." He pointed to the innkeeper. Actually, Amico didn't know him, but he figured it was a good chance to trust that would be correct anyway. He tugged at Mei's arm. "Come on. We'll go ask him. The rooms are nice here, right? No one is going to disappear!"
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 6, 2019 22:17:27 GMT -5
Vincent watched out of the corner of his eye as Anika sat herself at the table of confiding children. If the group intended on getting away with any thieving, as he’d first anticipated, then they’d certainly soiled any hopes of furtiveness for themselves. The dragon who now accompanied them was easily the hardest to miss in the entirety of tavern, a trait which seemed somewhat undesirable for the typical street rats of any town. Perhaps innocent of petty crimes, he still observed the peculiar bunch from where he sat. His eyes were trained on them as he pulled his stew close to him with his fingertips, while the palm of his other hand located his coin pouch within his cloak and squeezed. After all, the fascinating display of patrons would be the perfect cue for any other decent thief to seize; and he sought not to have his wealth within the pockets of others. Suspicious to let his eyes linger too long now, he returned to his mission of finding a face within the tavern to clue him into Markus’ story. Perhaps the lot of the town was just as crazy as the poor bastard, somethin’ in the water, he figured. He eyed the brew on the counter next to him as he considered it, smirking at the idea but perhaps holding some genuine thought. As he scanned the bar he became aware of Madeline staring irritably in his direction. She appeared to be gazing past him with intent, perhaps not seeking or perhaps even avoiding eye contact. Immediately, he dipped his head slightly into her peripheral, a subtle movement to attract her attention. He cast a simple smile towards her when he was certain she’d spotted him, a gesture he supposed would be open to her interpretation. Perhaps the act was a simple show of kindness to an unfortunate like herself, though there was the more likely case, that he’d somehow earned the frustrated look she possessed and had now salted a wound. Either way, his gaze lifted fast when the waiter he’d spotted earlier called out to the barkeep. Cold and icy eyes followed the man as he passed him, seeking some sort of giveaway to his take on the barkeep’s story. He was about bored with his inconclusive search, but the lack of reaction to the tale was becoming comical. His plan to finish his meal, rest, and leave early morning hadn’t yet changed, but fear his meal had been tampered with was becoming a real suspicion. (@/paradoxnpc - can edit if there’s an answer,, sorry for double posting) (@/bubblingtsunami & @/amatsumagatsuchi)
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Post by paradoxnpc on Aug 7, 2019 0:55:22 GMT -5
"See that you do." Markus said to Vincent. He ran his cloth along the edge of the bar to sweep away crumbs, noting the traveler's doubtful expression, but seeming satisfied all the same. The man had been warned, any action after that was on his own head. Hearing someone call to him, Markus looked up to see Sandalphon drop his shift's earnings on the bartop. "So you'll just sit there and watch as we do all the hard work?" He asked the young man when he returned. "You're a heartless monster." Although his words were less than friendly, there was a gleam in the barkeep's eye. He was just giving Sandalphon a hard time. The server was good at what he did and the tavern was better off for it, and that also meant Markus didn't get the opportunity to properly scold him. The barkeep's eyes turned from the man to the tall, freckled girl standing nearby, her face bearing much the same expression as Vincent's. Another out-of-towner dismissing the story. They couldn't really be blamed for that, it did seem like something out of a grandmother's faerie tale. "Can I get you something, Miss?" As he waited for her response, Markus pulled over the bag Sandalphon had left and sorted through it, checking for false coin. After a moment, his brow furrowed and he withdrew his hand to reveal a small green gemstone. "Now just a moment, who's the loony that gave us this for their tab?" ~∂єѕтιиу HᥲꙆƒꙆɩɠᖾt zeph!
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Post by HᥲꙆƒꙆɩɠᖾt on Aug 7, 2019 2:27:52 GMT -5
"That's exactly what I'm going to do." Sandalphon deadpanned back at Markus, all the while completely oblivious to Vincent and Madeline. He was busy trying to enjoy this brief bit of downtime, with most of his attention focused only on the drink he was working on. The off duty server was relaxedly reclined back with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes, which he didn't bother to open when he spoke, were closed in quiet satisfaction. While he was indeed being a bit sarcastic, he was completely serious as well. He wasn't moving until his blend was gone. Afterwards however, he had other things to tend to elsewhere. Like working out where those bandits were hold up, so that they could be flushed out the next time he had off. After that, it would be time to move on again. At the so called 'insult' the other man threw his way, Sandalphon slowly opened one eye, its own red iris reflecting a spark of amusement, and shot his boss a sly smile before lifting his cup to his face and taking a swallow. "Heh. That's not the first time I've heard that one." His tone was actually light-hearted this time, his normally distant persona having melted away ever so slightly thanks to the fact he was enjoying himself. The server had to admit, he had grown a bit fond of this village, especially this little tavern. The pay was decent, and both his employers were not unkind. Most of the time, activity here was pretty slow as well, with busy nights like this usually uncommon thanks to the location's remoteness. If he didn't have a promise to uphold, he might have considered taking up a permanent residence here. But sadly that wasn't the case, not while that chain of bandit gangs was still around, awaiting the vengeance they had brought upon themselves. "Hmm?" Sandalphon shook his head to clear his mind, coming back to reality upon hearing the confusion in Markus' voice. His brows rose when he saw the rock in the barkeeper's hand and he leaned in to get a closer look. What in the skies? When had that thing gotten in there? "Strange. I don't recall picking up any such things when I collected payments." paradoxnpc ~∂єѕтιиу zeph!
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Post by Auransky on Aug 7, 2019 2:29:58 GMT -5
The Monster Room - The Third Choice The man with Green-yellow eyes shifted his position. He wasn't angry, rather defensive of the women's presence. She was obviously insane, in fact-beyond reason. He looked down, then up, then slowly leaned out towards his far right to spot the remains of the dragon statue that had been destroyed only moments ago. He couldn't help but briefly frown. "Then who's life do we take?" Challenged the round man from the top of the alter. He had lost his patients, these people were refusing to let them leave-to find the way out. If they waited much longer then they would be forced to start all over. Time was running short. The yard captain dropped the weapon. He addressed Sky's question with a question of his own. "Proof? Very well." He added confidently. "We have one of three options." He started. "If we take the life of this doctor, then we can all leave and the cycle will break. On the other hand." He leaned towards his side. "If his life is spared then we will wake up a year prior to today, forced to repeat ourselves and be forced to bring ourselves back here in order to remember." He slid his foot back. "We have a third option but-" He pointed towards himself. "Are we really going to gamble such chances?" Willdhart was kneeling, forcefully tied-and blindfolded coated in his own blood. He listened to everyone it seemed hopeless. It seemed like no one was listening, everyone was determined. With his head tilted down he spoke up, being in the center of the room his voice could be equally across the room. "There's no use fighting. Everyone believes that I'm responsible for this. Everyone believes that my lack of faith opened the faithful gate..." he trailed off. "Just finish this already." He softly muttered. "Come on Willdhart, don't listen to their lies." the man with green-yellow eyes spoke up. He refused to believe in the fateless man. Willdhart tilted his head in the direction of the blue-haired man's voice. "I-It's you-" Was all he could say, as the woman's whip wrapped itself against his tied hands, and was used to drag him to the ground forcefully. he let out a yelp of surprise and pain. "It's you..." The woman in red lightly added. "Yes, it is him. The man you signed your life to. In other words, you are the key that has been under our noses for all this time." She pulled the whip, dragging the man across the ground forcefully. The Vicar, had his little bible at hand, softly muttering a prayer. But then he tossed the bible across the room. "There is another choice." he had been quiet during the entirety of this intervention. But now, that they were minutes from the end they had to make a decision. "Have you all shaken the stranger's hand?" he asked the blinkers. "If you haven't then-there is another choice," he pointed towards the blue-haired man. "Take his life. It'll remove you from this nightmare. And for us, it too can remove us of this room. We shook that thing's hand, and now we are of its world. But you? You are still not of this world, not entirely, therefore, a third choice, one that can avoid the other two." The round man and Yard Captain's expressions shifted. It was serious, yet somewhat lifted with optimism. That answer was one they hadn't considered-because they haven't asked the strangers if they shook the man's hand. The woman in red let go of the whip. She dropped it instantly, "O-Oh.." Her legs were shaking. She turned her head to the Vicar. Her own expression was difficult to decipher. The man with blue hair waved an aggressive hand. "I can't believe you'd stoop so low. All of you!" he cried out. "Take a man's life, and offer to trade for another. Then what? take two, three four, hundreds more?" He stopped his foot against the tile floor. "Such mockery to the faith you claim to practice. Yet to still have the courage to ask we trade one's life for the other?!" He stopped himself taking in a deep breath. This was beyond his expectations, this was even worse then he expected. These individuals had entirely lost it, their minds devoured by the demon who preyed upon their sanity months ago. They were just wandering corpses, chasing a false ending. After a brief pause, he raised his two hands in the air. "You know what?" He addressed with a tone that indicated forefit. He shrugged, bringing his shoulders as high far back as he could. His yellow-green eyes softened, as though he had enough of this. "Let's suppose the third option is a possibility. Assuming that, it saves you, and them." He shifted his head slightly back to indicate the blinkers. "And Willdhart. Then..." He softly paused, a soft gentle smile coming on his face. " Then, that will be just fine."
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Post by --cato phoenix on Aug 7, 2019 15:02:12 GMT -5
"Eh, I could have paid attention to what was going on," Arlo replied. Still, she was glad that he didn't seem upset about the paint.
Dipping her brush in the jar to clear the paint from it, she nodded slowly at his answer, still trying to remember when she'd seen him. Her memories of the day were slightly blurred, probably thanks to her habit of painting late into the night. "Yeah, I do actually, and... I think you did?" It still bugged her a bit that she wasn't sure when. She wasn't sure why it seemed so important, but maybe she could ask Henry later, he always kept track of who came and went... unless she'd seen him somewhere outside the inn.
"My name's Arlo," She glanced between Danny and the painting, trying to fix a few of the areas where the paint had spattered on her canvas while they talked. It wasn't too bad, just a a few dots here and there. "Are you from around here?"
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 7, 2019 16:01:05 GMT -5
(ok cool lol) Ougi didn't return the smile. But she didn't sneer at him, either. She absentmindedly picked crumbs of debris from the shoulders of her dark cloak. Taking the risk of being recognized, she lifted the slightly tattered hood away from her head. She wasn't particularly worried around here. Besides, she probably wouldn't do any more thieving tonight. "I don't think it's the right question to ask," she corrected him. Maybe 'yes or no' questions would be viable, but asking 'why' for the broadest of ontological questions would only give unsatisfying answers. "Of course, fools will ask it anyway." Her arms automatically crossed and she leaned until her back was against her chair. She was definitely referring to him as the fool as well, but knew he was sharp enough to catch that. It wasn't a serious chastisement. "Asking why we exist is only a selfish thought, a begging for destiny when really we do what anything would do, like insects." Her spite for humanity was clear, but simultaneously jarring with her pleasure for talking about it with another person. It was ironic to be so disinterested in human purpose and also electing to talk to a poet. As if reminded of her skepticism toward the crowd, she glanced over at the other people in the tavern. Even though her head was turned away from him most of the way, she still spoke to him, short and ragged dark hair framing her face. "I could never be a poet, I'm sure." She was brave to lift her hood, even a little bit. It was obvious that she was trying to stay anonymous, though he couldn’t tell anything more than that about it. Maybe she was in danger, on the run from someone. Or maybe she was simply cautious. Whatever else she was, she was definitely smart. L listened to her answer, quickly deciding she’d thought about it before now based on how detailed it was. She wasn’t making this up as she went along, she’d really tried to find the answer, just as he had. He didn’t miss the fact that he was being called a fool, but he didn’t argue with it, either, because it was true. They were all fools, just in different areas, and this was one of his. He leaned forward as she leaned back, tilting his head slightly, the ghost of his smile turning into something a little more serious as he considered the question again. “Maybe.” He agreed. “Humans are selfish creatures, they’re incapable of being anything else. Even the most selfless action comes back to the person making it. But that’s a different topic for a different day.” The apparent contradiction between her answer and the fact that she’d clearly given this a lot of thought didn’t bother him; life was full of contradictions, and people were even more so. She seemed to be the sort of person who just had to know, which meant if she’d found that the answer was a world without purpose, she’d gotten there for a reason. He poked his lip with his thumb, considering her. “In the contrary. I believe you would make an excellent poet.” He told her seriously, his face light and serious. “Why do you think there’s no destiny? Not that I think there is, I’m just curious how you came to that conclusion.”
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Asexual
zeph!
tired + busy but i'd like to say hello again :]
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Post by zeph! on Aug 7, 2019 16:02:55 GMT -5
Madeline frowned slightly more as Vincent caught her attention and smiled. Great, she'd brought attention to herself. Again. She just hoped the barkeeper didn't see, although it was likely he did. Another huff, this time of frustration. The girl startled slightly as the barkeeper spoke to her. "Oh-um- I'd like a roo-" She began awkwardly, before her eyes narrowed, annoyed as she was interrupted. However, she went closer as she noticed the stone, curiosity overcoming her irritation.
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 7, 2019 16:45:08 GMT -5
Madeline didn’t seem pleased with his acknowledgement, but the woman didn’t react in a way which required any further attention. Hence, the man slipped back into boredom and rolled his eyes while he returned to his meal. He ate quietly until Markus lifted the sack of payments into his possession, the sound of moving coin causing his mind to wonder. His eyes didn’t lift until the man removed the little emerald, speaking out of it’s unusual placement. Instantly, the performer’s hand moved to his earrings, lips parting in preparation to speak. He didn’t however, and let his hand fall back down in disappointment. The probably fake jewel wasn’t worth the effort of trying to claim it as his own, and frankly, he wasn’t desperate enough to try and pull the scam. Instead, he pretended he wasn’t watching as the two servers tried to figure out it’s origins.
(A shorter one,, oops)
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Post by <Raintalon> on Aug 7, 2019 17:32:54 GMT -5
Mei nodded - although she didn’t particularly want to talk to the the innkeeper on some random stranger’s behalf, she also couldn’t bring herself to argue with Amico’s energy. He was very kind - very kind, and alarmingly naive, at times. It hadn’t even occurred to him not to trust these people wholesale. “Mm, alright. We can talk to him,” she agreed, with a small nod of her head as she fixed her eye first on Mallory, then on Anika. “But you’re strangers to us, so we won’t vouch for you. All we can do is ask if they have space for some people who need a room.”
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Aug 7, 2019 20:55:53 GMT -5
Ougi smirked, first internally, and then visibly. She took pleasure in the way he described humans as selfish. Even when they took on the air of sacrifice, it was always for them in the end. He had come up with something more clever than she would have thought of on her own, and she let herself be entertained by it. At the same time, she was wondering more and more what his writing must be like if this was the way he talked in philosophical conversation. A cynical poet... No wonder he's struggling. She cast her face away slightly when he complimented her, in the way someone would when they're trying to be perceived as tough and someone has called them cute. She drummed her fingers on the table in a line, its sturdy wood making a solid, echoless sound. What she said next nearly broke away from her seemingly rational line of thought. But it was bitter enough to be from her. "Maybe there's just no destiny for the people who go looking for it," she postulated to him in a low murmur. Finally, her head lifted again, just enough for her to look down her nose at him. "Why don't you share something you've written?" The drumming hand slowed and turned palm-up, expectant. The black glove was closely fastened right where her long sleeves ended; her wrists, neck, and ankles were all well covered where typically skin would show.
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 7, 2019 21:30:06 GMT -5
His writing was something he didn’t consider himself good at, but couldn’t seem to stop doing. It was words on paper instead of acid burning through his skull. More for him than anyone else, really, because once again, humans couldn’t help being selfish. She didn’t seem to have the same need. She had similar thoughts, but she also seemed to be less invested in the outcome than he was, or else she just hadn’t had time to give it as much thought, what with her house burning down and her life in apparent ruin. But that had happened recently. She was a puzzle, and he was tempted to see how fast he could solve her. She didn’t seem to want to be a poet, though, going by her expression when he said she could be. He tilted his head to the other side to get a different angle of her face, but it didn’t unlock anything new, so he went back to the first side. “Or maybe destinies are the wrong concept.” He suggested. “Maybe our lives aren’t written in the stars, and the world doesn’t write stories, and humans are selfish creatures without paths laid in stone. I don’t think that had to be a bad thing. I think destinies written in sand might be a beautiful thing.” He glanced down, but not before surprise had flickered visibly in his dark eyes. “Do you really want to?” He asked the table in front of him, but he was already handing over one of his scrolls, smiling like a child given an unexpected gift. “It’s not much. Tell me what you think?”
Black, like a hole, The sky stretches far above me, Stars like raindrops spark and dance and sometimes leap like foxes, The air is sharp and cold like water, The wind stings my skin and I close my eyes, at peace. - Stones pierce my bare feet as a run, My arms reach wide on either side of me, And frozen rain hits my face, Unrelenting on my closed eyelids, My lungs burn, Yet still I run, Free as the bats that swoop high over my head. - Lightening blinds me, Then thunder shakes the ground, I stumble and my feet leave the ground, I’m falling, the air catches in my throat Yet I never hit the hard earth. - With the weight of the world on my shoulder, I never knew what it was like to breath freely, I watched you swoop and soar, I envied you, The weight on my ribs threatened to crush my lungs every second, And now I’m falling, falling like sharp hail, spinning like a maple seed, And I finally know what it is to fly. - I open my eyes, A ghost of flame marks the dawn, The horizen is stained crimson and gold, It’s reflected in your mirror to my soul, Eyes like I’ve never seen before, And I’m not falling anymore. - Did you know that when you’re falling you weigh nothing? Did you know that you could fly? Have you seen the sun open like a morning glory over the edge of the world and fill the blackest of skies with warmth? My eyes are open, I’m watching the clouds fall, Until the sun lies down and the moon opens her eyes, And I’ll run again.
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Post by mintedstar/fur on Aug 7, 2019 22:59:28 GMT -5
Amico didn't seem particularly impressed with Mei's hesitation, but he didn't show it very openly. Instead, he said, "Ooooooooooooooooookay." The word was lengthened to a ridiculous length to show his 'not impressed' but then he seemed satisfied with the rest of everything and tugged at Mei's hand. He cast a look at Mallory and Anika, not sure if they would be coming, but planning to talk to the innkeeper anyway. He looked busy. Amico also didn't really care about that either. Instead he scrambled up onto a chair that was against the counter and then looked over the top of it so at least he was a bit closer to head height. This was mildly annoying for the small child, who vowed to find someone to lift him soon. "Do you have free rooms?" he squeaked. He waved a hand back at Anika and Mallory. "For them?" Mei didn't have to ask. He would. His chin tilted a bit in a rough attempt to look older than his five years. paradoxnpc Sησω <Raintalon>
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Aug 8, 2019 0:15:42 GMT -5
Ougi had certainly become distracted by the recent happenings in her life. She was odd to see after the incident, because there was no evidence that it had occurred except the evidence on her: ash, tattered clothes, and the look in her eye. Those surely could have come from other sources, it was only her word that said otherwise. But when employing deduction, one always had to submit to the possibility they had put the pieces together incorrectly. He was right about destinies. At least, she believed so. To her they were merely long strings of actions done by people unto themselves and others. That wouldn't stop people from mistaking those stars though, and she couldn't help but chastise anyone she found living that way. When he placed the page in her hand, her pale face turned down and read it in a blur. Her eyes moved slowly and smoothly left to right, not letting one word go unnoticed. Finally, she inhaled to show that she was ready to provide an assessment. "Oh, it's quite romantic, isn't it? I'm sure something like this will be popular in two or three hundreds of years." Breaking the fourth wall, slightly, and casually. The rogue turned the page back toward L, but passed it too close to the lit candle near the center of the table. It promptly caught fire, and she smoothly brought her free hand to her chalice as if having predicted this and been prepared. She tipped it to douse this piece in the remainder of her milk, leaving only a hole singed through near the "mirror to my soul" line. "...I'm sorry about that." It came out stilted, and she gave it back to him with the same stiltedness in her arm.
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Aug 8, 2019 0:35:45 GMT -5
~∂єѕтιиуAfter sticking her landing, Ougi looked down at Hook, appearing perfectly pleased with herself. She had no remorse for dragging him off of a speeding cart, and apparently no remorse for getting them stuck in a situation with a monster either. The tractor had fully transformed into a more organic looking form, and it even spilled oil and slime from its joints. The sun was starting to beat down now after fully rising over the horizon, and its light ricocheted off of the now-deadly machine. "No need to yell," the student assured him, as if talking to a puppy. Usually when she had to deal with him in a room, it was more a matter of negotiating with other blinkers rather than straightforward combat. Apparently she was less worried about him here than say, a social situation. Probably something to do with the altercation at the lodge around her first year, internalized. "Why don't we get to work?" She was turning away from the giant enemy and trotting up to the nearest cherry tree, skirt and hair flowing daintily behind her. The dust was already settling and making everything clearer. As she picked several cherry bunches and loaded them into her basket with her back to him, the monster focused on Hook as the nearest prey and immediately charged with saw-like claws. (feel free to rp the monster as well of course)
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Post by paradoxnpc on Aug 8, 2019 0:51:59 GMT -5
"Odd. Looks real enough." Markus held the small gemstone up to the light to see it sparkle, the small dagger engraved on his ring also glinting in the light. When Vincent shifted, the bartender cast a glance in his direction. Not an outright look, but enough to indicate he was paying attention. "Not worth much at this size but more than a couple drinks. Anyone had fifths tonight?" He asked Sandalphon, lowering his arm. If not, there was a good chance the owner of this stone would come looking for it after sobering up and realizing it had gone missing. "For a room you'll have to talk to the Innkeep." Markus added to the tall girl, assuming he knew her question. "I feed ya and keep entertained but he takes care of everything else around here. He'll probably be in his usual spot, by the entrance." ~∂єѕтιиу HᥲꙆƒꙆɩɠᖾt zeph!
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Post by paradoxnpc on Aug 8, 2019 1:32:28 GMT -5
"My dear boy, there are always rooms," The wizened Innkeep replied without looking up. He scribbled something more in the guestbook. "The problem lies in finding the correct one." Placing his quill pen into its holder, the man stood up and produced a large keyring from inside one of the many pockets on his long tunic. For a moment he seemed to asses the two travelers before selecting one of the skeleton keys. "Madam Dragoness and Miss, if you would follow me, I believe I have one that will suit your needs nicely. As for you," He added to Amico, "do your caretakers know of your whereabouts? I shall not be held responsible should they go looking outside for you." As he spoke, the sky outside the window finally began to slowly fade from orange into violet as the sun dropped below the treeline. After a few moments, a loud clanging could be heard from the village square.
*****The night bells.*****
Turning, the Innkeep lead the way down one of the first floor hallways, heading to a room near the tavern floor but not close enough for the chatter of conversation to be heard. Placing the key in the door, he turned the latch and allowed the door to swing open. Inside was a spacious single room that had clearly been modified for a dragon to reside in. Small glowing charms attached to the doorway indicated much of the floor, walls, and ceiling had been protected from elemental damage such as accidental fire. "We don't have many of your kind who pass through, but we like to prepare for any visitor."
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Post by mintedstar/fur on Aug 8, 2019 2:12:08 GMT -5
Auransky Cloverleaf zeph!Kid didn't like the way the man with the yellow-green eyes was smiling. Something cold down his spine - the spine which had to be somewhere under all those wrappings - caused him to shiver. This whole situation was making him very uncomfortable. There had been a mention of 'room' from someone who, up until this moment, he hadn't been really sure were actual people or house generated creations. That seemed to imply, in some way, that Kid, Enjolras, and Sky had hijack their event. He remembered the alternate reality version of Danny from the previous event he had been in. The one who had died in that other version of the Paradox House and who they had brought back. That Danny had not been the one they all knew. Yet he had seemed much more real than any of the other House generated people. Now the rolls seemed to be reversed. They were the extras and these people were the originals. The ones actually acting out the show. But they - he, Enjolras, and Sky - where the ones who had to make the final choice. That didn't seem fair. But it also didn't matter. Kid took another step forward, hoping the other two blinkers were on his side in this. "No killing! There has to be another way! I'll play out this whole loop again if it takes that long to figure it out and I would do it if I were in your place!" He seemed angry. Throughout this whole room he hadn't sounded angry. But through this whole room, nothing like the life and death of another person had been in his control. Their control. He silently prayed that Enjolras wouldn't attack anyone else. If the revolutionary turned vampire did, there was little Kid could do to stop him. "What about this ... Prime Minister or whoever. Or whoever is playing the part of Prime Minister? Where's he?" He glanced at the man with yellow-green eyes, suspicion on his face. But he was willing to give the odd man the benefit of the doubt. He'd said Willdhart had been framed, and from the look of him, Kid was inclined to believe that. But it didn't mean the statement of Vicar was wrong either. The yellow-green eyed man seemed to know too much and had given it all too willingly. And he couldn't stop thinking about demons. He'd met demons in the House before. They had eyes just like this man and Kid didn't trust that calm smile in the face of possible death. It was the same smile that Sebastian had had when he talked about taking Ciel's - Kid's first friend in the house - soul. Glancing back at Sky, his eyes silently asked her to join him in questioning the logic of this madness. And was just as worried that she wouldn't or that she would take one of the choices without a fight. He was sure there was some spell she could wield which would kill. When he looked back, however, his eyes also fell on the woman wearing red. He would have expected a whip crack by now to interrupt him, but she'd dropped it and seemed visibly shaken. Had that happened before or after the Vicar had suggested killing the man with yellow-green eyes? "What?" he asked her. (For Bubbling's benefit: Ceil (RPed by Broken) is from Black Butler and became friend's with Kid. He'd also made a deal with a demon called Sebastian. During Kid's time in the House he grew to fear Sebastian. That's the long and the short hand of his wariness to the yellow-green eyed man. He thinks he's another demon just like Sebastian. The first event I ever completed was about a Mansion (AU of the House) which had been destroyed due to efforts by AU blinkers. Our TPH blinkers found it, investigated, and discovered an AU Danny (RPed by Falcon) who explained what had happened. There wasn't much else to it other than the fact they found out they might not be the only 'House' like place out there. I think that's all I referenced to? I'm trying not to be confusing. XD I remember what it's like to be dropped into an established world of TPH and it being very confusing to pick up sometimes. I usually worked that out by asking questions and also having the characters ask questions. Very sorry if I didn't explain something well. Also, Dia basically said that you can just question the characters currently in the room if you're confused, since the are trying to convince you to do what they want. Therefor they'll answer your questions.)
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Post by mintedstar/fur on Aug 8, 2019 2:15:54 GMT -5
Where are you getting this art, paradoxnpc? XD ))
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Post by HᥲꙆƒꙆɩɠᖾt on Aug 8, 2019 2:37:21 GMT -5
Sandalphon's gaze wondered away as he scanned back through his memories of that day, idly tapping a finger against the side of his cup. "Besides the regulars, I don't believe so." By some miracle, despite the flood of customers tonight, none of the patrons he had tended to had managed to drink themselves stupid, all having left before too long. He wouldn't be surprised if that local ghost story had helped dissuade anyone from doing so, for fear of being caught outside at night with a mind clouded by booze. When the server returned his eyes back to the stone, he felt them unconsciously narrow as a strange feeling stirred in the depths of his mind. He couldn't tell exactly what or why, but it felt like... He was forgetting something... After a second, the sensation was gone, as if it had never been there. Blinking a few times, Sandalphon quickly dismissed it, thinking it nothing more then an after effect of a long day on a tired mind. "It's probably just a good luck charm or such." He mused finally, taking a few more swigs of his brew. By this point the cup was almost empty, although he was debating on going back for seconds if he was tired enough to be imagining things already. Another tankard of pure espresso should help stave off sleep for a few more hours. "Perhaps it will help this place see some extra prosperity if you keep it around." He suggested to his boss with a bit of a shrug, making it evident he didn't really believe in such things. Outside, the now familiar sound of the town bells could be heard, signaling the self imposed curfew the residents had imposed on themselves. Sandalphon himself payed little heed to it, as all it meant to him was that the day was finally over. He was well aware of the reason the townspeople had set this little system up, as it was impossible not to when you worked at such a public establishment after all. Small towns with their local tall tales and strange rituals were nothing new to him with how much he traveled. To avoid raising any fuss, he simply went along with it. paradoxnpc ( forgot to tag oops lol)
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Post by mintedstar/fur on Aug 8, 2019 2:56:54 GMT -5
(Testing awesome art?)
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 8, 2019 3:20:11 GMT -5
Razzle Dazzle Hook staggered for a moment as he tried to stand, still heavy on his feet when he planted himself for combat. Furious, he glared at the student as she corrected him for his behavior, but he was too distracted to give into arguing with her. He moved backwards carefully as the tractor shuttered into what seemed to be it’s complete form, sharp, oil laced claws glistening in the peaking sunlight. His blade drew as she spoke again, then, surprised, he turned to stare after her as she skipped away. “What are yo - OUGI!” He sprung to the side, hearing the monster charge before turning back. The panic induced dodge barely saved him from being turned into multiple pieces, and after the pirate quickly decided he wouldn’t waste his breath calling after the girl any longer. Oil sprayed from the machine as it lunged, it’s joints leaking slowly while it groaned to face him again. He circled slowly, sword in front of him instinctively despite knowing it probably snap if put against the metal beast. Fortunately, it’s attacks were easy to read. Because all of them were right at him. He ducked hard, scrambling to the side and then facing it again. He needed to find a weakness of some kind...or a plan...or a weapon that wasn’t so damn laughable.
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Pansexual
Cloverleaf
For certain as our banner flies, we are not alone. The people too must rise.
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Post by Cloverleaf on Aug 8, 2019 3:27:43 GMT -5
Enjolras walked alongside the rest of the group with vampiric grace, keeping up easily despite the distant look in his eyes. The House was throwing a lot at the group, and the gunshots on cobblestone and the blood and the fact that he'd been drawn into attacking someone were starting to wear on Enjolras. The yellow-eyed guide was speaking, his words echoing off the stone walls like the water droplets that splashed all around them. What he was saying... didn't make sense. This felt like it was spiraling into something much larger than a simple room.
As the group came upon the Doctor and the rest of the inhabitants of this strange world, Enjolras froze. The Doctor was covered in blood. The scent of it permeated the stone room. He could hear a cacophony of voices speaking, explaining, imploring, manipulating, but the pulse of the man's jugular seemed to echo more loudly than any of that. Enjolras swallowed, his shoulders tense as he tried to focus on something, anything, else. As Kid suddenly made a stand, the sound seemed to startle Enjolras. who seemed to come back to himself, and, luckily for Kid, Enjolras spoke to back him up. "We are not going to rashly risk killing any innocents. And we hardly have any reason to trust any of you."
As Kid questioned the group who had fought against them, Enjolras shifted. Even if they asked about the situation, trying to dig to find the truth, there was no guarantee that they would be able to make that judgement. But the people here... they seemed so real... so alive... so trapped in this empty, House-created town. Wait. Enjolras thought back to the plot forest- they'd come upon an empty town, and if it hadn't been for the clones working with them to create a door, they very well could have been stuck there. Was the House playing with another set of people? Had it increased its powers enough to trap people here for much, much longer? Enjolras shivered at the thought. "This might sound... odd, but hear me out. Does anyone here know what the Paradox House is?"
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 8, 2019 3:31:02 GMT -5
Vincent cocked a frustrated eyebrow at his soup, not pleased with the set of eyes on him. He listened intently as the two waiters finished their conversation anyways, making note that the man had a thorough idea of the small jewel’s worth. Not that he hadn’t been sure already, but he felt better about not wasting his time on it now that a second opinion had confirmed its low value. Sipping slowly, his eyes narrowed sternly at the sound of the bells outside. His drink hit the counter with a quiet thud, and he turned to look towards the door for a moment - then the rest of the tavern. Some seemed perplexed, others unsurprised. He turned back, glancing towards Markus with a hesitant smirk. He was in a town of lunatics.
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Aug 8, 2019 8:57:12 GMT -5
Ougi turned her head toward hook as she reached up to pluck a particularly high bunch of cherries, and a strange noise rose from her throat when she saw him. It was a giggle. "Oh, I'm sorry." An rhetorical apology for laughing but not for putting him in the situation he was in. "You're funny. You could have come over here like I did." She pointed it out, even though it was a complete lie. If he had come over to her, it would only be after both of them right now. He was simply the closest target. She had stepped up onto a slight ridge and was now partially covered by the tree, but it really wasn't much cover at all. The only thing between Ougi and the monster was Hook. She gave him a pitying look and lowered her basket for only a moment to stop picking cherries. "But I guess I should help you, unless I want to stay a villain forever." Playfully quoting their earlier conversation, she started to step down from the ridge. But suddenly, the student was on her back with a thud; cherries flew everywhere, the basket tumbling to one side. A twisting tree limb was the culprit, having reached down on its own and surreptitiously wrapped itself around her arm. "...Oh." As it started to drag her in, Ougi was calmly attempting to remove the plant life from her arm piece by piece. She was giving it far too much time to take her away. She glanced toward Hook and gave a look of indecision, not as though it were a life and death matter but as though she were choosing which muffin to get at a cafeteria. "I'll be right with you..." she murmured far to low to be heard over the monster fighting Hook.
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 8, 2019 10:57:04 GMT -5
Hook bristled at the sound of her distant laughter, tempted to take up her offer and run right at her with the monster on his tail. Hell, if she didn’t live to tell the tale then it wasn’t like he could get in any trouble for it. Then again, last time he’d had that thought process he’d brought a rather unpleasant war upon himself. Instead, the pirate chose the continue with his wide circling berth around it, ducking behind wherever it was not as quickly as he could. While he retreated around it, his heel suddenly sunk deep, causing him to nearly land on his back. Thankfully, he stumbled backwards fast enough to avoid that, standing in the divot of the tractor’s tire path for only a brief safe second before the machines claws slashed across the air of where his head had been. The momentum of his backwards stagger sent him to the ground when he recoiled from the attack, from where he rolled out of the way of a second swipe attempting to crush him into the earth. Frantic, he climbed onto his feet and fled to the opposite side of the creature with a path close to its legs. “Then get on with it!” He shouted breathlessly after her, unaware of her current problems within the trees. He wasn’t a particularly fast individual...and his heavy breathing was a clue into how much speed he had left in him. Without flesh to puncture, the tractor monster was already a mighty foe compared to his usual enemies, and judging by the man’s scowl, he was not happy with his chances.
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Aug 8, 2019 11:32:09 GMT -5
As Hook was frantically running-and falling-around the monster, causing quite the ruckus, Ougi was calmly and quietly disentangling herself from the vine-like tree limb. To undo the final knot, she somersaulted backwards slowly and precariously and twisted her arm fully away. She was again presenting her hidden gymnastics skills. When her hat fell on the ground because of it, she snatched it back up, along with the basket she had dropped. Wait, there was one more thing: still leaving the pirate waiting, she took a moment to pick up the scattered cherries and add them back into the basket. Her expression was completely blank the entire time, not even letting hints of placidity or focus show. She was strolling up to Hook and the monstrous tractor now, presenting herself as entirely friendly. "Ah, hello there!" she greeted the other blinker, still adjusting her sun hat so that it was properly fastened over her dark hair. She gave a smile, and then reached into her basket, past the cherries. There was something else she had brought from the crate in the barn: a pair of the red-handled shears. The student teasingly waved to him with them in her gloved hand. It was only a matter of seconds before the enemy locked onto her as a more upright and slow-moving target. In one swift movement, it slammed its claws into the ground to propel itself and dove toward her with jaw unhinged. To avoid being eaten in one bite, the girl sidestepped broadly to her left toward Hook, her skirt millimeters from brushing with the monster. This dodge wasn't enough to cause any damage to the creature but it did make it fumble slightly, the next attack being slower in effect. Slow enough for Ougi. As it advanced, teeth forward again, she closed and locked the shears casually and sent them flying in a blur. Like a crossbow bolt, the blade whizzed with perfect trajectory and dodged all else in its way before lodging itself somewhere in the center of the mechanical monster. The glowing of its headlights dimmed and it stuttered in place for a moment, then slowed and simply lurched toward Ougi and Hook instead of finishing its pounce. The jaw remained open even after the head had slumped to the ground; it was now a pile of debris. "Surely that was the trick the Paradox House wanted us to perform, correct?" Ougi asked, even though it would be absurd for such a niche battle tactic to be expected. She pointed toward the cherry trees, the visible digits on her hand being a strange sight. "I'm good with guesses. And now I'm thinking we should pick some cherries." Her face was completely straight. If one didn't know better, they might think it was threatening.
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Asexual
zeph!
tired + busy but i'd like to say hello again :]
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Post by zeph! on Aug 8, 2019 13:06:16 GMT -5
Sky swallowed as she heard everyone’s questions and answers. She fiddled with her wand, trying to think of the most logical answer to this. The easiest thing would be to kill the doctor, yes. But if it was the wrong choice, they would be stuck. She also really didn’t want to kill someone, especially if they were innocent. Same went for the man with the yellow-green eyes. “What if...” She hesitated, before speaking softly. “What if I untied Willhardt, and see what he does. If...” Sky faltered slightly, not really knowing how to phrase it exactly. “If the townspeople are right, I’ll... I’ll kill him.”
(Thanks :3)
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Asexual
zeph!
tired + busy but i'd like to say hello again :]
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Post by zeph! on Aug 8, 2019 13:35:18 GMT -5
“Alright, thanks.” Madeline said, before turning to leave. Her gaze however, lingered for a moment on the gemstone. She felt her hand go towards her neck, touching a spot slightly with a sear of pride. The gem was pretty, yes, but her’s was prettier... Her hand dropped, a slightly confused expression on her face. She’d never handled something like that before, let alone owned one. She frowned again, unsettled, before walking to wait for the Innkeeper near the door.
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Post by ~∂єѕтιиу on Aug 8, 2019 14:04:05 GMT -5
Oil oozed from the tractor’s jaw as it turned towards him, a deep rumble of the engine replicating a growl. Before it could make another move, Ougi had joined them - her friendly approach earning her a nasty snarl from both parties. The pirate watched with a restless gaze as she dug through her basket, keeping his eye on the beast as it sized up its new target. “Are you serious?” He snapped, stepping back a bit as she removed shears. He moved in sync with her when the creature lunged, though his movements were harsh in comparison. During the following attack, he hesitated, if only for a second to acknowledge Ougi’s work. He watched in surprise as the small tool was flung into the creatures gut, prepared to reach out and rip the probably too cocky student aside in the case of failure. Of course, the act never came to pass. The tractor parts fell into rubble before his eyes, the electrical hum of its life sputtering to an end. He gawked, still breathing heavy as Ougi addressed him. As bizarre of luck as it been, it seemed so easy for the student he almost felt inclined to agree. He was only half decent at darts, which was the reason he never carried knives, but the red shear handle visible within the debris made him wonder if it was a talent worth bettering. He stared at her when she started up again, processing her words slowly. I’m good with guesses. Right. It seemed like she was choosing to answer a question he’d asked a while ago, though he was hesitant to believe such a thing. Her ability to predict several situations thus far had seemed childishly impulsive and wildly fortunate...but perhaps there was some reason behind such. He frowned, still distrusting of her suggestions. Correct or not, the strange girl was no one he had the faith to blindly take the word of. Especially if her guesses would often involve them getting attacked by vicious machinery. He paused for a long time, then spoke with a casual, though still tired, boredom. “I lost my basket,”
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