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

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[selfinserting]

But... I-It means that there are other people who can relate to, to how you're feeling, you know?

[A sigh.]

...This can't, can't last too much longer, right?

[disclosures]

Most of the people here? Yeah. Do I want to talk about it with them though? Mmm... probably not. I can't believe this is the one time I actually want to see my therapist and she's not even here for me to walk out on a session.

[Rebecca?!]

God, I hope it doesn't. What did we start with, 38 people? We've gone all the way down to 26. It would be awful if we had to go until half...

[selfinserting]

[A pause, and when he speaks, he sounds incredulous.]

You, you've just... walked out on your therapist? My, my mom would kill me if I ever walked out on Dr. Sherman. [...] Although I guess it's different if, if you're, um, an adult.

[Anyways.]

...Yeah. There's, there's no way that's going to happen.

[disclosures]

[That's probably the exact right tone to take, but Rebecca just kind of shrugs.]

I still pay her. I think she's using my payments to buy a canoe.

Are you sure? I don't know where the end of... this is supposed to do.

[selfinserting]

If, um, if you don't ask me... Why do you, you pay her if you know you're just going to walk out?

[A shrug.]

I'm not sure, but... It can't go that long.

[disclosures]

Oh, she blackmailed me into going. I tried to break into her house while I really needed drugs and her prescription pad was right next to the window.

You don't? Why?

[selfinserting]

[A pause.]

...Rebecca?!

[disclosures]

What?

[She doesn't find anything wrong what what she's just said.

Despite... what she's just said...]

[selfinserting]

You, you can't break into somebody's house to steal drugs!

[disclosures]

I wasn't stealing drugs, I was going to prescribe myself pills! I had them before! I just needed them and I didn't want to go through all of the steps of therapy again. I wanted to get them back and Dr. Akopian didn't want to help.

[selfinserting]

That's still illegal, isn't it?

[A pause.]

I mean, I don't - blame you about the not wanting to go to therapy thing, it's not great, but...

[disclosures]

So is blackmail, but that's why I have to go to therapy with her. It's not like she can actually keep me in those sessions.

I've gone through therapy so much. I don't want to go over the fact my father was an abandoning asshole or that my mom was so harsh on me she might as well have been abusive. My constant craving for male affection is because my dad left- I know.

[She is so drunk.]

[selfinserting]

[He pauses for a good few moments, glancing at her, then at her drink.]

I'm really sorry, but maybe you should, you should not have any more? Just, this seems really personal and I don't, I don't mind listening! But I feel like you might, um, not really want to have told me all of this tomorrow...?

[disclosures]

Mmm... No. I don't really care because in the end you aren't where I'm from. What are you going to do? Tell everybody where you're from about my daddy issues? Why should I give a damn?

Besides, every single person who knows me? At home? They all know my father was a shitty piece of garbage. Westchester Sperm Bank. Only talking to me when he needs money for his other kid because he can't be bothered to be my father. [Her expression goes very dark and almost murderous.]

[selfinserting]

[He blinks, shaking his head.]

What? No, no, even if we were from the same place, I'd never do that! That, that would be horrible. I just meant that, um...

[And then he pauses, trying to think of what to say.]

I'm, um, I'm sorry about, about your dad. That's... really awful.

[disclosures]

See? You're fine. It's fine. Better to get it off of my chest now than like stew on it forever.

What about you? Need to talk? Air out some demons? Talk about how much you hate this place? Commiserate about objectives?

[selfinserting]

I, um... Okay.

[He gives a small shrug at her question.]

It's... the same for me as, as everyone else. I, of course I hate what's going on, but... I haven't been hurt and I'm, um, still alive. So.

[disclosures]

Except whatever you wished for on that very first week, huh? Can't touch anybody. That's gotta suck.

But yeah, congrats on surviving. I can't believe I'm still here. I know I have no combat experience so I'd be a really easy target, but nobody's tried to kill me yet... As far as I know.

[selfinserting]

Oh, I-I guess. I've, um, had worse, so it's okay, though.

[He shakes his head.]

Y-You shouldn't be so surprised. You seem, seem pretty tough to me.

[disclosures]

... What did you have that's worse?

[She raises her brows. Excuse her? Did she hear that right?]

I made it to 28, but that's not impressive in my day and age. The 21st century has great health care.

[selfinserting]

Oh, well, it's not as big of a deal now that it's over, but... See, last summer I was working in a forest, and I was climbing this tree when I didn't have anything else to do, and I slipped and fell and broke my arm. Anyways, it was a really big forest in a state park, and I landed pretty bad, so I couldn't get up and walk. Nobody was around to hear me call for help, so I just, um... Laid there alone for a few hours until someone finally happened to come close enough to hear me and take me to the hospital. So, um, that wasn't great. But it's fine now.

[He shakes his head.]

Y-Yeah. I'm from, um, 2016, so - I know.

[disclosures]

Yeah that sucks. I've never broken any bones, but being stuck in the middle of a forest? Sounds terrible. Being alone for that long... ugh, I can't even imagine it. It definitely doesn't have anything to do with... sticky fingers though? I think.

Oh, great! I can't tell when everybody is from. You're pretty close to me.

[selfinserting]

I would probably rather get stuck to people in, in a way I can prevent than break my arm and have to lay alone in the forest for hours...?

[He shrugs, before his expression changes to one of interest.]

Oh, um, really? What, what year are you from?

[disclosures]

... Try not to break your arms again. Wait, didn't I see you climbing up trees when we finally gout out of the castle?

I'm from 2015. [(ooc: i have no idea, the canon runners are unclear)]

[selfinserting]

Well, yeah, but - I still like it. I just have to, um, to be more careful than I was back then.

...Not much has changed in the last year, really.