END OF CHAPTER 1 ; EXECUTION

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... END OF CHAPTER 1 - WEEK 134 Narrators Remain ; It's execution day, naughty murder children. Breakfast is served in the dining hall, all the better to fortify you for what is to come. Wherever you might wander in the castle, you will find yourself drawn to the foyer when the clock strikes not twelve, but ten. In the distance, there is the sound of clanking armor. Ann Takamaki appears, flanked on either side by suits of armor, escorting her to her punishment. She stares straight ahead with each step closer to the group that they take. A moment later, the Tiger appears on the foyer's staircase. Her hand trails down the banister as she sashays down it, and she takes her place at the head of the group, standing in front of what appears to be a wall. "Come along, darlings," she says. "The execution awaits." You blink, and then it's there — a door leading to the outside. The Tiger steps through it. You have no choice but to follow. Welcome to your second execution post! Please see here for the results of yesterday's voting. In addition, make sure you fill out your CR Chart for Chapter 1! If you have any questions, please ask on our Discord server or ping us on plurk. Please direct pings for the NPC to Danielle (Discord DMs preferred, then entrappings), as she will be taking point for today's NPC, and the moderator team will be on deck for all other questions. full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

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LOOSE ENDS

[themodsgrimm]

[Following the execution of Ann, everyone will be led to the grand foyer. The ornate clock opens beneath the face, revealing a compartment in which a large glass container is revealed to the eyes of everyone present. Two spouts lead from the interiors of the clock into the glass container. From one side comes a stream of red ink and from the other the same amount of gold ink. Once it stops, there is a pause - and then a stream of purple ink comes from one of the spouts. When all three colors mix into the container, it appears to be black. The Tiger watches the ceremony with interest, a smile playing on her lips.

Magnus, Veronica, and Natsuo will find themselves overcome with a sudden burning sensation. Many phantoms feelings pass them all at the same time: their feet undergo a sensation like they're being ignited with flame, their heart is going to be pulled out of their chests, and there is the faintest feeling as though a blade is cutting across their necks - the roulette wheel spins for how their death is going to be carried out as partnerless until—

It stops.

They feel perfectly fine, like everything is slotting back into place, and a flicker of a red string is seen connecting Magnus and Veronica before it's gone - almost like a trick of the light. As for Natsuo, a straw doll escapes from his person, slicing to ribbons by unseen means before it hits the floor.

The Tiger, having watched them the way a cat watches a mouse, smiles slyly.]

Lucky you! They've come through for you once more. [She turns back to the rest of the Narrators and announces.] The partnerless have been spared.

[But that isn't quite all. She looks almost regretful as she beckons Natsuo forward once more. He will find himself compelled to walk forward to her, if he doesn't plan on doing so already; when he comes close enough, she cups his cheeks between her hands.]

Ah... I wish I didn't have to do this. But casting a vote for yourself? Such a thing will not move this story forward. This is the first time, so we won't be too severe...

[She pats him on the head fondly - and then waves her hand. Natsuo will find himself trapped in a set of stocks until nightfall.]

This will do for now. Try not to do this again, won't you? [This is directed at Natsuo and the rest of the group.] We won't be able to be so lenient, next time.

[And with nary an explanation as to anything, she claps her hands once more.]

Hmm... that's it, then. Run along now, darlings!

[The Tiger will remain for questions.]

[randori]

[ He can't exactly... run... but after he settles down a bit and before she leaves, Natsuo calls out to the Tiger. ]

Tiger, this is... [ highly inconvenient. he's going to starve like this until Rapunzel comes to his rescue. his legs will cramp. it's merciful, considering all else she could have done. ]

I guess I should say thank you? And I was wondering if I could ask for something else.

[themodsgrimm]

[The Tiger, for all her airs, crouches down to her knees so she can look at Natsuo in the face without him hurting his neck (farther) while they speak.]

It depends entirely on what you ask for, my darling.

[randori]

[ No matter what pattern kigu he has, The Tiger is his favorite. ]

Some things, actually... [ His voice is quiet, a conspiratorial whisper that's only for her to hear. ] This punishment, for what I did, feels too light. But I won't complain- that's what the thank you is for. Me asking you not to do that again, I dunno if that's even necessary.

[ His voice rises a little then, to its normal tone. ]

I think you took it back, but can I have Fane's journal you brought out? He said I could have it. And also... Dave's, um. Cuttlefish sword. The Welsh one.

[ Caledfwlch ]

[themodsgrimm]

[The Tiger smiles at him. Maybe she doesn't mean it to be, but it's a bit of a frightening look, but it's hard to tell if she means it to be. She runs her hand affectionately through his hair.]

You don't need to worry about that. A warning is a warning, and I never give more than one.

[Be careful with your choices, Natsuo.]

Yes, you may have those. Come see me when your punishment has concluded.

[randori]

[ He already has 23094866 PCs of people telling him he's a dumbass, so it wouldn't happen again, on his part. But if a punishment is a warning for others, this one doesn't serve as a very effective one at all for not voting for yourself. ]

When is my punishment concluded? [ She never said. A little hopeful- ] How many more minutes?

[themodsgrimm]

How many more minutes, he asks. Oh, sweet boy.

[She pats him on the cheek.]

You have until the sun has set.

[randori]

The sun just rose!

[ Is it winter? It'd been cold enough to feel like it— do they have early sunsets? late sunsets? whenever-Tiger-feels-like sunsets? ]

[function]

... Two questions:

First, can you tell us Ann's role?

Second, what are the conditions to... winning this game?

[themodsgrimm]

Hmm...

[She looks thoughtful.]

It will have been removed from the list, so I suppose it's fine. She was The Giant. As for the win conditions, however, I'm afraid it's too early for me to be able to give you a concrete answer.

[She glances around, as if she's trying to determine if she's being listened in on, before she continues.]

I will tell you that there are multiple separate win conditions, though you'll likely prefer some to others. You should be able to earn more clues to determine what they are.

[function]

[ a sigh. ] You're never going to give us a straightforward answer, huh.

[ she really should have expected as much... but she'll continue pressing. ]

Did she use her... "gift" this week?

[themodsgrimm]

[She pauses, like she's honestly trying to remember.]

I'm not supposed to say...but if you want to ask me what it was, I can tell you that.

[function]

Hmph... fine.

[ . . . there's a pause where she assumes tiger will continue. then she remembers, she's a fuckin cat. visibly a little irritated, she flatly asks, ]

What was the Giant's gift?

[themodsgrimm]

[You catch on quick, Toob.]

The ability to move without being heard.