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

[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.

[disclosures]

The good news is, if you don't go into the forest, there's plenty of people out here who can see you. So you won't be stuck for hours.

[She gives a little shrug.] I kind of figured. Tech doesn't advance that quickly anymore.

[selfinserting]

And, um, also not fall in the first place. That's also a good plan.

[A beat, before he realizes something.]

Although, um, Beyoncé released a new album, so you're, you're missing out on that.

[disclosures]

I mean, I wouldn't go into the woods. At all. Not after what happened to Stephanie and Varian.

[She makes a little tsk-ing noise.] ... Damn, I'm jealous.

[selfinserting]

I wasn't really, um, planning on it. I, I worried people enough last week.

[He nods, though.]

Something to, to look forward to when you go home.

[disclosures]

... Did I miss you last week, what did you do?

At least there's something. I'm not... that excited to go back home, even though I don't want to be here.

[selfinserting]

Oh, um... [A pause, as he looks down at the ground.] I sort of, um, broke into Tiger's room?

[And then he's immediately moving on.]

Can, um... Can I ask why?

[disclosures]

Oh. It was you, Veronica and Dazai, right?

Everybody knows my husband to be decided to leave me the day we were going to get married. I don't want to see... anybody after that.

[They also saw her contemplate jumping off a cliff, but he doesn't need to know that.]

[selfinserting]

Yeah, but... It was my, my idea, so it was my fault.

[As she goes on, he looks incredibly concerned.]

That's... I'm so sorry. But - that was, was his fault, not yours. Why don't you want to see anyone...?

[disclosures]

They went along with you. At least share the blame.

Because they all saw me when I was vulnerable? Like, do you want anybody to see you after the worst embarrassment of your life? I don't think so.

[selfinserting]

I'm not going to, to blame them for being good friends.

[He shakes his head.]

No, but... I get that it would be, be really embarrassing no matter what, but - just, um, just try to remember that you, you didn't do anything wrong.

[disclosures]

[She winces really hard for a moment and then shakes her head.]

I'd really like to believe that. [But her conscious is very sure she's done at least several things wrong.]

[selfinserting]

[He hesitates, not sure if he should pry, but...]

Is there a, a reason you don't believe it...?

[disclosures]

Depression. Maybe anxiety.

[Those aren't really answers.]

I don't know what I did, but I just think... think it's definitely my fault.

[selfinserting]

[Even if they aren't answers, the look on his face makes it fairly obvious he can relate to what she's saying immediately.]

...I get it. Um, it's, it's okay if it's too personal, but... You mentioned you were, um, taking medication for it, right? Do you have, have any here to help you with feeling that way...?