CHAPTER 7 ; MINGLE

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... CHAPTER 7 - WEEK 715 Narrators Remain ; Just before Narrators awake, those who are still attached to partners will dream of the two of them together – and then the sudden snap of a red string that connects the two of them. Once they awake, they’ll find the entire section of the rulebook pertaining to Partners has disappeared entirely. Apparently the time for partnerships is over. In addition, the castle has begun to empty out. Perhaps Narrators will notice it now especially on this morning, as their footsteps echo and the halls lack the familiar faces they’ve come to know. Upon entering the dining hall, the tapestries of Evan Hansen, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuo, Fon Master Ion, Fane, Varian, and Zelos Wilder will all catch flame and disappear as the fire engulfs them entirely, leaving nothing behind. Yet one oddity seems to have enchanted the castle this week – there are the sounds of running footsteps and the familiar laughter of those who have departed. Should you choose to follow this noise, you’ll be led to the Puppet Room. The door will shut behind you – you’ll catch be movement out of the corner of your eye. Yet instead of a puppet entering the stage and re-enacting a dramatic scene, it will just suddenly appear… closer to you. It lingers there, and makes no other move. Welcome to Week 7, everyone! We would also like to remind players to submit all of their Chapter 6 PCs and new PCs at the Private Conversations page and review the weekly ooc notes for important details in the castle. Something odd will be arriving on Wednesday, July 25th so keep your eyes peeled for that as well. full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

Comments

[doublecrows]

It's pointless and repetitive.

[he's upset at it cuz he has issues]

[concasse]

Monday - Kitchen

[Well, seeing as this bastard already lost his partner, Sanji hasn't a clue about the other partnerships being cut. But last night he slept like shit, and that's the reason he's curled up in a corner of the kitchen, bright and early Monday morning. There's a cloak over his shoulders and a baby tiger either snoozing by his side, or immediately pressing her face into his ribcage when an intruder approaches.

Sanji just... giggles briefly. Shut up, he's tickilish]

Nnn... Nami-chan, gimme a bit.

Monday - Classics

[Sanji's staring at his tapestry, curly eyebrow twitching until--]

How the hell did they get a picture of me from two years ago...?

[Gawd his parts his hair on the left side now!! He did not need the entire castle knowing his brows curl in the same direction, thanks binches. He's gonna irritatedly be combing his hair more thoroughly over his right eye, hoping NO ONE NOTICES.]

Tuesday - Owlery

[And Tuesday night he also slept like shit! So his newest napping hideout? The place that smells of bird droppings. Head flopped against the table, cushioned by his folded arms, anyone can find Sanji sleeping the hours away while the owls either hoot at him or occasionally nip at his hair and ears as if to say "Get ahold of your life, man."

Around him lay some letters with names at the top -- Zelos, Jae-Ha, Rapunzel, Yasusada, Dazai, Reyna, Varian, Ion, and Natsuo -- but the letters are either blank or... furiously scribbled over in ink.

Also of note -- Sanji's shoulders twitch irritably in his sleep. Maybe he's itchy? Maybe he's having a nightmare? Who knows.]

[nivation]

[ Tell that to the simulator!!!

I can't believe Souji is going to make Kyouka feel a little sorry in one comment when she wasn't going to be sorry at all. Stop this!! The broken shards serve as a good distraction, and some guilt creeps in when she watches him pick up her mess. ]

... It's all I could think of to do.

[ He makes her lose some of the fight in her, but she meant to do it, so she's not backing down. ]

Kitchen

[disclosures]

[Rebecca might be suffering from another emotional hangover after the roller coaster that was this weekend. But hey, she's still here for now, and she makes her way into the kitchen.

She's definitely late for breakfast at this point. But it's hard to miss him. Kneeling down next to him...]

... Sanji?

[sanguinairy]

[The simulator was a prediction machine aLL ALONG...

Anyway can't stop won't stop!! He's here to make people regret their reckless bad life decisions, shoulda killed him sooner so he couldn't keep coming out of his well to shame mankind!!

Except he's not here to shame Kyouka. He doesn't even look angry, really - not much at all besides tired. He lapses into silence again as he collects as many pieces of plate as he can fit in his hands, carefully making his way up the staircase to where she stands. The little pile is set off to the side; he brushes his hands clean of any porcelain dust and small droplets of blood that may have welled from any cuts. Then, he just pulls her into a loose hug. She seems... like she could probably use one, okay.]

owlery!

[sanguinairy]

[Hm, this seems like a very uncomfortable place to sleep... And his shoulders are twitching, so maybe that means he's... cramping up? From sleeping at a table for who knows how long?? MYSTERIES.

It might be merciful to let him continue sleeping if he's already tired enough to just conk out like this, surrounded by owls, but... Maybe it's also a good idea to not just let him become a new owl roost. Souji will reach out to tap his shoulder.]

You should have at least brought a pillow.

[finethanks]

That's how it is, isn't it...

[He leans forward in his chair, folding his book over his finger so not to lose his place, but still trying to be a little closer to Rebecca.]

Please, don't worry yourself too much. Your presence helps Goro as much as his helps you, so I'd appreciate it if you could stay calm. Things are coming to an end, slowly but surely, aren't they?

[finethanks]

[Slowly, at the touch to his elbow, he pulls his hand back with a sigh. It's covered in ink now and dripping on the floor, itself.]

I had wondered if these intended to count our actions back home alone, or in this place, as well. It seems this answers it... probably.

[finethanks]

Fufu... it's been some time, Belph-kun.

[He'll pull his hand away from his own tapestry, finally, but now it's dripping, too.]

Did you want to do such a thing? There are many great thinkers who came to wonderful answers or theories after doing something like that.

1/2

[disclosures]

It's a lot easier said than done! [She snaps.

It takes her a moment to realize she's done it.]

[disclosures]

[She pulls in on herself.]

I'm sorry that I yelled, Eichi. I'm trying. I'm really trying.

[finethanks]

[Eichi doesn't flinch at her snapping at all. He manages to remain calm, somehow, reaching over to cover one of her hands with his own.]

There's no need to apologize, Rebecca-chan. After all... there are many people in this castle who should be yelling at me, who either refuse to or never had the proper chance. [Does that make it better]

Dealing with emotions of this level is similar to dealing with physical illness. Focus on your breathing. Long, deep breaths, and only allow yourself to focus on something positive, such as a goal. We will get through this. Things can be fixed. We're nearing the end, and we have to do our best.

monday obvs

[resumed]

[Nico, Sunday night: everything will be fine
Nico, now: it was not fine...

So yeah. He'd chosen to sleep in (and probably slept like the dead for once in his life on this fine Monday) but he still hears the shattering even from inside his dorm. As such, he gets up and shuffles his way out of the room and toward the stairs and spots Kyouka.

He's sleep-rumpled and confused, mostly just staring at her while he registers the words he'd heard while going to collect his partner. Who cares if the rules don't exist anymore, she's still his.

It's also why he doesn't say anything immediately and stares at her with half-lidded eyes before pointing at the spot next to him a few stairs up. "You. Here. Now."]

[concasse]

Nn?

[An eye pops open... it happens to be the eye covered by hair so Sanji probably still looks like he's asleep, even though he's able to make out Rebecca kneeling nearby. Nami, for her part, settles down upon somewhat recognizing this human. She still intends to bother Sanji, however, now kneading her sharp baby claws into his thigh like he's her pincushion]

Rebecca-chan?

[concasse]

[nnnn ten more minutes, let him rest. He is so tired--]

Didn't plan on sleeping.

[Poking his shoulder seems to have worked, as after that sleepy retort, Sanji's head shifts in his arms and he blinks open one bleary eye.]

I taking up space?

[Implying he'll move if Souji wants to write some notes]

[disclosures]

[Asking if he's okay seems a bad idea. She's sure the answer is going to be no or a lie. So instead she gives a smile to Nami before settling her concern back on him.]

Do you want me to get you a pillow and a blanket?

[disclosures]

You're protecting who you love. [As long as love is involved, of course everything is forgivable. For love, for true love. Rebecca can't hold it against him.

She breathes, long and deep, trying to focus on winning this game. But instead her mind wanders and she jerks out of it, shaking her head.]

[axilium]

Yeah, I take it you were busy banging your boyfriend.

[hurrah, inky tapestries for all!]

Nah. I prefer not thinking.

[wagashis]

monday, menagerie-

[sometimes you've had an exhausting time and you just need to hang out with some baby animals?

so here shirasu is with the little dragons and tigers... the small dragon he's been taking out is happily perched on his head, and he's busy playing with one of the tiger cubs, letting it bat at the dangling ties on his headband. it swats, standing on its hind legs to reach, then tumbles onto its back as he smiles down at it.]

Ah, that one was close... come on, then, try again.

[just quietly encouraging this cute little cat... this is definitely a good break.]

tuesday, owlery-

[he hasn't really hung out here too much, but he does have letters to write, for once. shirasu is careful not to leave any where they can be read-- they're promptly sealed and sent, and if he's working on one when someone enters, he'll keep it obscured.

but he'll still offer them a nod, and-]

I'll be done shortly, don't worry. Do you have many to write?

[concasse]

[now doesn't this seem familiar.

He laughs? A little bit. But now both eyes are open and he's shaking his head, giving a painful stretch because yikes, sleeping on the floor is no bueno]

Nah, I'm up. I sleep in and Nami-chan will riot for her breakfast.

Thanks, though.

[wagashis]

It's still best to take it easy first, just to be sure. Let's see... should we get you some water first? Or tea?

[shirasu is going to personally enforce this break from the ladder, okay. he is removing souji from the library.]

[disclosures]

[It's funny to be on the other end of it. At least she picked a place with plenty of books around her.

She moves out of the way so Sanji can get up.]

If you ever need help, I'll be here.

[Sounds like something happened, for the better recently.]

[axilium]

[it's what he's here for.]

I think whoever goes here next should bring a shovel.

[asswipe]

monday, the menagerie:

[After the absolute horror show of the past few days, it's... probably no surprise that Veronica has decided to subject herself to animal therapy. That is, she's currently laying down on the ground, letting the tiger cubs walk all over her. Should anyone approach, she'll turn her head to look at them.]

... Whatever you're going to say, save it.

[Just let her sink into despair in peace.]

tuesday, puppet room:

[Anyone who passes by the puppet room on Tuesday afternoon will suddenly hear a loud, shrill scream. Should they decide to investigate... They'll find Veronica inside the room, with one of the puppets next to her.

... It looks like she just got startled.]

wildcard:

[Remix one of the above scenarios or come up with your own!]

[concasse]

[... Huuuh.

Looking a little... surprised by this. Sanji isn't sure what to say at first]

Th-thank you.

[stuttering out another word of gratitude. Rebecca, what happened?]

You feeling okay?