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

[disclosures]

[While this was one of the ways she wanted to die- it definitely wasn't with Souji.

She stays on the floor, like she absolutely can't be bothered to summon the energy to get up anymore.]

Fine. [Unfortunately.] You're not that heavy.

[sanguinairy]

[Sorry he can only provide a pale shadow of the death you truly want, Rebecca.

This is concerning, though... When TB ballerina manages to pick himself off the floor first, that's a rough indicator of just how well someone is or isn't doing. He frowns a little before carefully extending a hand.]

Are you sure?

[He'll help her up if she takes the offer, but he's not going to force her to not just keep lying here wishing for Death™.]

[disclosures]

[The hand is in her sights but she doesn't take it. Just let her lie here a while, okay?]

It's not your fault.

[But that wasn't exactly his question, was it?]

[sanguinairy]

[Once it's clear she's just going to take a floor nap, he'll set his hand back into his lap, but also stay seated with her. They just live here now, it's fine.

But, hm. That sure is a non-answer.]

Even so... [...] Would you - like to talk?

[He'd ask if she's holding up alright, but the answer to that is kind of clear.]

[disclosures]

Last week was... Bad. Worse than all of the others. A lot of people that I cared about died and I- I didn't think I was that close some of them.

[Looks like the jokes on her, she bonded with them fast and lost them just as quickly.]

[sanguinairy]

[Considering their not-too-distant conversation about loss, Souji's brow immediately creases in an empathetic sort of understanding. Exactly what she hadn't wanted is exactly what had ended up happening, huh...]

...It's not usually a bad thing, to be able to make connections like that.

["Usually". Softer, somewhat gentle in its apology:]

But I know you were hoping to avoid it.

[disclosures]

[She hears that "usually" and usually she would be in agreement. But the circumstances of this place makes her less willing to connect, especially as they draw closer to the end.]

I hate this feeling.

[sanguinairy]

[He wishes he was the kind of person who could say things like "it gets better" and make it sound like something to believe in.]

It's terrible. [Instead, all he can offer is acknowledgment.] ...Have you written any of them yet?

[It might help her like it had helped him, just to see familiar handwriting in the absence of anything else.]

[disclosures]

[At this point? Even if he could, she might not accept it. But that's her own problem, not his.]

I spent most of yesterday writing letters to the people I was close to. Some of them... really needed an apology.

[sanguinairy]

[After everything, that's a pretty legit reaction...

Souji just nods along, though, quiet and considering.]

I hope that they write you back quickly.

[Waiting in between letters can be difficult too, in a different way.]

[disclosures]

I want to say I'll understand if they don't.

[But that's definitely a lie, isn't it? She's already lived with plenty of people ignoring her. At this point, shouldn't she have some armor against being ignored?]

[sanguinairy]

Some will, I'm sure of it.

[Like Natsuo, for sure... Hopefully she won't try to send her letters in fckin morse code, at least.]

[disclosures]

[Why would she do that?]

The only thing I can do now is wait.

[sanguinairy]

[Why does Natsuo do anything she does: the real questions.]

...Do you know what you'll do after?

[After she gets the letters back, after she writes, maybe something else. He doesn't clarify.]

[disclosures]

[Nobody knows. The hot dogs in the lake is still the biggest mystery.]

After... they write back? Or after all of this?

[sanguinairy]

[He opens his mouth - closes it, seems to reconsider something.]

--After all of this. Will you go back to the beach?

[disclosures]

[There's a distant sort of smile on her lips.]

I'd like that. But there are... some people here that I want to keep in touch with... There would be a lot more people if they could be revived.

[sanguinairy]

Once we get them back- [Once, not if, because anything else is simply unacceptable.] -we could find a way to do that, couldn't we? If there's a way to get us all here together in the first place, then I'm sure it's possible.

[disclosures]

[She was nearly out of hope for a while. Some things have happened, some minor changes, but it was enough for her. The smile gets a little more confident.]

Maybe there's enough ink for us to visit each other. To keep in contact after all of this is over.

Do you want to visit the beach I live close to?

[sanguinairy]

[As long as there's still hope at all, that's good enough, as far as he's concerned.]

That would be nice, I think. [To be able to keep in contact. He'd be happy if everyone were able to survive and go home, but being able to continue visiting them for as long as he can? That would be ideal.

At the mention of the beach, though, his smile brightens.]

I'd really like that, too. Would you show me your favorite spots?

[disclosures]

[ While she tried to keep some distance, she ended up closer to more Pele than she thought. What a mistake to make in a place like this.

She closes her eyes and remembers the warmth of the day, the sand in her toes, the sound of the ocean lapping against the shore. ]

I will. We'll get out of this and I'll show you the beach I love.

[sanguinairy]

[Souji tries to imagine what actually going into the water at the edge of that strip of sand would be like. Maybe exactly like a river? Maybe nicer? The sun seems like it'd shine brighter there.]

I'll look forward to it. Stephanie told me that they make things you can wear that will even help you swim. [Water wings...] The future is really incredible, isn't it?

[disclosures]

[A little warmer, a little nicer.]

Like a life vest? I think those inflatables are a lot cuter.

Yeah, there's all sorts of things that can help people. Especially when they're just starting out.

[sanguinairy]

What are inflatables?

[And life vests, honestly, but he can make an educated guess there... But he does look pretty happy - mostly because it's good to see Rebecca seeming to cheer up even a bit.]

I'd like to see some of those things for myself, I think. It would be a lot of fun.

[disclosures]

[There are reasons to live, people to live for. She hasn't given up yet.]

They're like inflated plastic, so you can hold onto it and not sink. I really loved the donut shaped ones. I'll buy you one.