CHAPTER 5 ; MINGLE

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... CHAPTER 526 Narrators Remain ; Now, what are the odds that this week will be as quiet as the last one? … look, we have to at least humor the idea, don’t we? The rumbling that awakens Narrators on this lovely Monday morning is – larger. It’s louder, it’s more intense, and it lasts longer, like one final shove. Once it concludes, the castle is quiet, almost tired in its stillness. Should anyone wander into the dining hall this week, they will find that none of the tapestries burn up in true testament that no ink had been spilt and no Narrators have left us. Should you choose to explore the grounds and find the new additions to the castle – you’ll likely be surprised to say the very least. In the interest of recreation, the pumpkin patch has been opened – and you’re more than welcome to see if you fare better in a pumpkin carriage better than our Cinderella did. What’s the harm in giving it a try? Or if you’re more interested in paying your respects, the shrines of the Tiger and the Dragon are both open. Shall you see what happens if you try to leave an offering? You know what they say – nothing ventured, nothing gained. Or maybe you’ll find your friends. Your dearly departed, delightfully preserved friends in the morgue. Reunions always bring a tear to the eye, don’t they? As if the sky mourns with you, Narrators will find that on Tuesday afternoon, it will begin to rain. It pours and it pours and it pours… and it will show no sign of stopping until Friday evening. Plan accordingly. Stay dry. Finally, partners had best get comfortable with the idea of touching into the spirit of generosity. They'll feel compelled to be kind to their partner, including possibly making or giving them a present. Isn't that just the sweetest? This feeling will dwell until the beginning of Thursday night's curfew. Welcome to Week 5, everyone! Hopefully you all enjoyed your break week and are ready for your regularly scheduled murder! We would also like to remind players to submit all of their Chapter 4 PCs and new PCs at the Private Conversations page and review the weekly ooc notes for important details in the castle. Something exciting will be arriving on Wednesday, July 11th so keep your eyes peeled for that as well. full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

Comments

monday.a

[randori]

[ It's sure been a while since he last saw this cat. Is it the same cat? He wouldn't know. A part of him had hoped it'd escaped, way back in week 0 when he'd assumed there was no way out of the confines of the castle; but while they're not entirely free, there's freedom in being able to be outdoors, having gardens like these that calm even Natsuo down, remember who he used to spend so much time in them with. ]

Is this your cat? Or did it come from the zoo?

[ menagerie ]

[sanguinairy]

[This tiny miracle of Natsuo being calm for once... Souji's sickly ass will treasure it.

In any case, he laughs and shakes his head at the questions, glancing down at his armful of cat.]

No, this little one has just decided to keep me company. [He's been blessed to become the designated nap cushion and cat carrier!! An honor.]

I don't believe those animals can leave, anyway... Ah, outside of the dragons and tigers, of course.

[pathcrossed]

[Another person! The cat wriggles in his arms to turn and meow at Natsuo, as if agreeing with Souji. Yes, it's just decided it likes being carried around.

Maybe that makes it Souji's cat anyway, but telling it that is not highly recommended.]

[randori]

[ Natsuo meows back at the cat, but it's a very poor imitation of one; he's much better at barking like a dog.

Out of the two of them, Souji's the better choice to be handling a cat, seeing as one of the first things Natsuo did with his tiger cub was throw it in the air. Not like a baseball!! but a little gentle toss that was nevertheless unappreciated. ]

It's a shame they can't all leave and see the gardens like this, though. It's nice out here when we don't have to be here.

[sanguinairy]

[Souji won't be doing any cat tossing, gentle or otherwise, any time soon that's true... Maybe he really should start saying it's his just so other people don't start lobbing it around??

Though he does laugh at Natsuo's attempt at communicating. GOOD TRY.]

That's true... But it would get a little crowded out here too, I think. These gardens weren't meant to hold so many animals.

[Or any at all...]

[randori]

Maybe not the gardens, but there's so much open space out here! Don't you think the minotaur's lonely? And the swans in the forest hate us too— if there were other animals, I'd bet they'd get along and calm down!

[sanguinairy]

[WORRIED ABOUT THE ANNALS THAT WANT THEM DEAD... Never change, Natsuo.]

You do have a unique way of viewing things, don't you? [Too polite...] But it might be true. There could already be other animals in the forest keeping them company, though. And what if they end up disliking any new neighbors they get? Animals can be very territorial.

[randori]

Then they can learn to share! It's a huge world out there, so there's plenty of space for everybody to stretch their legs and stuff! Things like dragons and tigers don't belong in cages, anyways!

[ Neither do people, but there's no really anything keeping them in the castle. Just an infinite stretch of wilderness. ]

[pathcrossed]

[Natsuo gets a meow that sounds sort of like agreement, there. Or maybe it's just trying to show Natsuo how to meow properly, after that imitation of one earlier. It believes in him!]

[sanguinairy]

[This cat is doing its best... Souji glances down and it and laughs.]

Ah, is that why you're out here? You wanted to stretch your legs a little? Well, I guess it is a shame to keep anything cooped up when there are better places to be.

[Here's where he should feel one mild concern that Natsuo may, at some point, try to free the animals from the menagerie.]

[randori]

[ Honestly that was his first thought when the menagerie first came into being. Be free, friends!!

He gives the cat another terrible imitation meow. It's only slightly less horrible. ]

Me? I'm out here to pick flowers! I'm going to make Ion handcuffs.

[sanguinairy]

[He'd been talking to the cat, but won't bother correcting Natsuo. Especially considering this is vaguely alarming?! HOW ARE THESE TWO THINGS RELATED AT ALL.]

...You're going to make him handcuffs out of flowers? [Flower stems don't seem as sturdy as good ol' ye olde handcuffs ie rope. Also, more importantly--] Why?

[randori]

[ adsfljkh Natsuo isn't in the habit of talking to animals so he didn't realize. It's fine, it's fine. ]

Yeah. [ yeah... ] Ion showed me how to make flower crowns once, so I'm going to try to remember how he did it so I can return the favor!

[sanguinairy]

[Why is everything Natsuo says so...... concerning. Souji's brow is furrowed and he's looking a little uncertain. HM.]

I'm not sure that I understand how those two things are related, Natsuo-kun.

[randori]

They're not. [ Not really, but Natsuo paws through a nearby bush to find something that's not a thorny rose. ]

Goro-chan and I were talking before about how to keep partners from wandering off at night, since- like you said- you see them and think they're there when they're not. I dunno where to get handcuffs, but I could make one and make it pretty.

[ So! Flower hand cuffs that will have to be supplemented with lots and lots of wiring to keep from falling apart. ]

[pathcrossed]

[Flower.... handcuffs.... the meow this time sounds kind of concerned??

While Natsuo is pawing through the bush, the cat glances up to Souji and gives him such a Tired look. Souji, please don't just let this happen.]

[sanguinairy]

[THAT IS a very pure reason for a very weird plan. How entirely... like Natsuo... Still concerning, but good at heart.

He glances back down at the cat and also looks like he's aged a few extra years. IT'S FINE, HE'LL DO HIS BEST.]

I see. [Hm, how to word this.] It's a kind thought, but don't you think that might also be a little risky? If you get into a situation where one or both of you need to run, or something like that...

[Moreover, he's still just assuming Natsuo is using Only Flowers in his cuffs which clearly won't ever work. ...Well, maybe it will against Ion BUT LOOK.]

[randori]

If we're both in trouble, I can just carry Ion.

[ It's no problem at all, he's sure, even if they're being chased by a madman with a hatchet. ]

It's mostly to make sure we both stay inside the room. The doors are supposed to be locked, right? Nobody's supposed to be able to open it from outside, and if they try to get in while we're asleep, I've got that sword under my bed still.

[ It's a fairly reasonable plan, he thinks, picking one of the flowers from the very base of the stem like Ion had done, and waving it in front of the cat's face like a cat toy. ]

[sanguinairy]

[It's amazing that Natsuo still has that kind of self-confidence in his plans even after his last big one ended in him dying... Wild.

He also stays still to let cat play if it wants to play. He highly encourages waving flowers and grass and reeds at the cat!!]

That's the way things are supposed to be, yes, but most of our victims so far have been people who wouldn't leave alone or without weapons. I'm not entirely sure if it's as easy as just keeping a physical hold on your partner, that's all.

[randori]

What if... I move the dresser and everything in front of the door? Ion wouldn't be able to move that aside!

[ Having a weak partner is great! ]