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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[randori]

Don't underestimate my strength!

[ It was just going to be a boost up, but since Waver forced his hand, he has no choice but to prove himself by heaving Waver up as high as he can to the point of throwing him into the air.

He's sent grown men flying with a single punch before, he can do this. ]

[londonstar]

Fuck--!

[ WELL THAT'S NOT SOMETHING HE EXPECTED. waver yelps, but that's the impulse he needs to grab the item and-- ah.

they sure aren't in kansas anymore. or in the castle kitchen. in fact, it seems that where they are is pitch black. ]

[randori]

[ Oh boy. He'd expect blacking out if Waver had come crashing back onto his face, but darkness comes without the pain and Natsuo gives a startled yelp, reaching out and grabbing at anything or anyone that be might in front of him. Watch your face. ]

[londonstar]

[ at least natsuo doesn't grab waver's face...but he does grab at his hair. and that might actually be worse than grabbing his face.

instinctively, he slaps away the hand. ]

Get that away fro-

[ "Boy," it's a deep, rumbling voice, obviously not waver's. though it's dark, the outline of a large man wearing a red cape is visible. "I don't think you should see this."

"Are you kidding me?! If Caster isn't here, then we should at least look for clues to see where he went, or else we'll never find him!" this voice sounds much younger, but if natsuo tries to use that half brain cell he has, he might think that it sounds a little similar to a certain lord he has by his side.

inside the bubble, waver feels like he can't breathe. he knows what is coming. ]

Natsuo. Don't watch this.

[randori]

[ His eyes are still having trouble adjusting to the lack of light, so while he presses close to Waver's side, he's also peering around him to see what exactly he's not supposed to be watching. ]

What are they talking about...? One of your friends went missing?

[londonstar]

I said don't fucking watch this!

[ something clearly has waver more stressed than usual. he can barely breathe, but he can't keep his eyes off the scene, watching how the person they're seeing this through steps away from the bigger man.

"That may be so, but don't do it. This is too much for you."

"Oh, shut up!"

suddenly, there's light. it's as if someone's looking through night vision goggles, but that's not exactly the case. it's simply enhanced sight.

and the scene that shows is--

bodies. so many bodies. the bodies of children, disfigured, transformed into macabre works of art. furniture. clothes. paintings. some of them are still breathing, even.

the owner of the younger voice makes a choked noise, and holds onto a chariot to keep himself from falling to his knees.

there's a sigh that comes from the man in the cape. "I tried to warn you."

"Shut up! Damn it! Don't make fun of me!"

at least the memory ends after that but waver himself looks...pale as a sheet, almost as if he's about to faint in any second now. ]

[randori]

[ The grip on Waver's arm is lax when it first happens, Natsuo unsure of what he's seeing, but— then it all slams into him at once and his grip tightens enough to hurt, nails digging into Waver's arm as he makes to pull back.

People. No longer people— but still people- breathing, living, hurting in a way he can only imagine it hurts. Everything else, he doesn't know what to think. His knees feel weak but his hold on Waver's arm more than makes up for it, as if the other man is the only reason he's still standing- if Waver falls, he will too. ]

What- [ His voice is dry, croaking, and he has to clear this throat before trying again ] What was that?

[londonstar]

I told you-- damn it. Idiot. Idiot.

[ waver's insults don't seem to have the same bite they always do. in fact, he looks more like he's trying to hold back from panicking. his body is stiff and he barely registers that natsuo's nails are probably going to leave some sort of a bruise on his arm.

all he can do is focus on his breathing. in. out. in. out. don't think about the war, don't think about the children.

after a minute of breathing, waver looks just a little more composed than before-- like he's barely containing the anxiety that threatens to overwhelm him. ]

It was...a memory of mine. That's all.

[randori]

[ He said "don't look" but there's no substance without an explanation of why not. Actually, if it was that bad and he could rewind time two minutes into the past, he would have really liked it if Waver took the initiative to cover his eyes for him or something, but

too late for that ]

"That's all"? You can't just- see something like that and say "that's all"!?

[londonstar]

Yes, that's fucking all! [ waver snaps at him with a great amount of anger and...desperation in his voice. ] That's all because I'm not going to relive that moment again just to sate your ridiculous curiosity!