...Darker skinned then I expected from most of them, I did that 'default to white' thing that alot of ethnic groups wouldn't be happy with me about...
But then again I've been thinking of this as taking place in like, London or something like that, which would explain the rift.
That's interesting! I didn't have a specific location in mind, but mentally I have the mansion and the city located in the Northeast USA somewhere... but with some AU / alt history characteristics.
Also, I am starting the update and it'll be finished and posted sometime tomorrow.
Disoriented, you stare at your surroundings. What's going on? Where are you? You were... dreaming, right? Dreaming of wolves, owls, and a forest... of shining lights fading out...
Your noise awakened Rocandi, who helps you up, and you managed to get back to sleep.
... Your dreams are haunted...
... Are you haunted...?
...
Knock, knock, knock.
What is...?
"Saaaage~? You there?"
"Maybe she's working...?"
"You think they made her work today?"
...
Ah!
You practically fling yourself out of bed, change clothes quickly, and rush over to the door. Rocandi is gone, so you can be as loud as you want. You unlock the door and swing it open to see...
"Sage!"
...your dear best friends Violet, Lily, and Daisy. They all tackle-hug into and you end up in a giant pile of friendship and excitement. You all lapse into indistinct chatter – saying hello once again, saying how glad you are to see each other, saying how much you missed each other, and so on. This is the longest you've been away from them in a good long time, and definitely for the last few years. You think back upon it. The three of them all went to college locally, so even that didn't separate you. Only Lily was born here, but your families all made their way here and you all became friends by the time you were all teens.
Friends... old and new, all are good.
You're all sitting on the floor now, Violet holding you in her arms. Normally you'd start making some pointed comments and asking her let go, but given all that's happened so far, you'll indulge her just this once.
You shudder as you think of how wrong things could have gone, how close you felt you were to an edge...
Violet notices and holds you just a bit tighter. "Sage? Are you okay?"
Both Daisy and Lily are looking at you with concern too...
"Sorry, it's just stress. I'm just so busy here! It's exhausting!"
All of that is true, but so misleading...
"Ha! I can imagine. Working in a spooky place like this? Seen any ghosts yet?" asks Lily innocently. Only Violet notices you flinch.
"Haha... don't be silly Lily, ghosts aren't real!" you say, absolutely not in denial. "This place isn't so bad. The housekeepers are a friendly and helpful bunch, especially my roommate and a few others. And my work keeps my busy, but it is pretty fulfilling. I'm enjoying it here, even though I miss you."
"Ah, Rocandi is cool then?" asks Daisy. "That's good; she kinda gave me the creeps when I first saw her."
"Me too!" you agree. So does everyone else. You mentally apologize to your absent roommate.
"Vini was super cool though," adds Daisy. "Showed me all around the outdoors, they did. There's a lot of cool stuff on the grounds and beyond here. Ah, but you're not really the outdoorsy type, right Sage? Well, more for me!"
You force yourself to chuckle and agree with her, trying not to think about strange bird-men.
"Tell me more about what's happening in town!" you demand, hoping to change the subject. "I'm out of touch now... not that I really was in touch before, but still! And what's been going on in your lives?"
Being honest, you'd rather not talk about yourself right now. You want to relax and if you start opening up before that happens, you're not sure if you'll be able to hold yourself together. And Violet will, of course, demand you quit for your own safety (which you've thought of doing but won't) and you don't want that whole discussion to start...
And so, your three friends discuss what's going on in their lives and in the city. Despite the strangeness of the setting you've found yourself, it seems their lives on the outside are relatively unchanged. The only real thing of note that's happened to any of your friends is that Lily and a few other local poets had released a collaborative collection of poems entitled "Passionflower". She promises to send you a signed copy later.
But in the city on the other hand...
"Oh, you haven't heard yet? About Mr. Gein's brother? Seems like he died recently. Well, murdered is more accurate. The strangest thing is that no one knows just quite what happened to him. He was found in a frightful state of gnawed dismemberment. But there were no weapons lying nearby and no one heard any sounds. And it gets even weirder! As the man's family and the community patrol started going through his belongings to open up his house for someone new, they found some odd things... it seems like he might have been involved in an organized crime ring! It's the latest scandal! Mr. Gein is being investigated too and it seems like a lot of people are on edge! We're all eager to find out the truth!"
...wow. Sure, scary things happen sometimes in your city, but something like this?
Well, all you can do from where you are is hope that everything that can be made right is made right...
You all then spend the hours in idle chatter before yours stomachs start growling and you descend to the dining room for lunch. There, you get an experience brand new to you: being served by other housekeepers as a guest. You're shown to a table, and sure enough who comes to serve you all but...
"Hellooooo there~!! Welcome back, Sage's friends! What would you all like to eat?"
...Vini themselves, eyes shining (not literally, thankfully) with delight and eagerness.
You flush slightly. "Vini, this isn't really..."
They shake their head and cut you off. "Nope! I insist! You're all our guests today. Now then..."
With a smile, Vini takes your orders and departs. When they return with a few other housekeepers with your meals in tow, you insist that Vini eats with you all. Things end up with Rocandi, Glaz, and Rufflo joining you too. When Violet asks about Britt, you just say that she's busy elsewhere. That's technically true, after all. You can't help but notice that Rocandi is actually eating, and that her meat looks a little... raw... but you say nothing. This is a day of rest!
Afterwards, your friends ask about a mansion tour, and the four housekeepers who ate with you agree to show you all around. After you spend a while on the upper floors, which are open to the public, your friends start asking what's in the basement.
"Is that where you keep the real spooky stuff?" asks Lily teasingly.
You're not sure how to answer that, so you don't. Instead, the other four housekeepers talk amongst themselves... and decide that there's one particular room they want to show off. So, they take you all down to Basement 2 and...
"Huh? A private bowling alley?"
"Ooh, nice! I could go for some games!"
"Aww, this isn't spooky... but oh well..."
...you play a few rounds of ten-pin bowling. Sure, the last round you mostly just watch Daisy and Rufflo showing off against each other, but you all cheered them on, so that counts as you playing, right?
At this point, your friends are eager to see more of the mansion, and you all split up for now, promising to reunite for dinner. Daisy is intrigued by Rufflo's talk of an Armory and a Training Room, and goes off with him. Lily wants to see strange subterranean sights, and so the other three lead her to the Ancient Grotto. Violet, meanwhile, sticks around with you and you both end up idly wandering around chatting about life – mostly Violet's life.
After a while, she finally asks what you feel like she's been wanting to ask all day.
"Sage. Something's wrong, isn't there?"
The two of you are now out on the Grand Balcony on Floor 2, where there's a great view of the mansion's grounds and the woods beyond. It's rarely used, so it's a good place to have private conversations. You're both leaning on the railings, and the sun is setting in the distance. Soon, you'll have to return to your work in the fright-filled place, a place filled with wonder and terror...
Instead of answering immediately, you lean on her. Surprised, she blushes slightly but does nothing else.
You're both silent for a few minutes.
Finally, you speak...
[][Violet!] Tell her the truth, even if you don't think she'll believe you. (write-further details) [][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details) [][Violet!] Tell her nothing, but re-assure her that you'll be fine. (write-in further details if desired)
...and after that, you both join your friends at a dinner just for your group this time. Vini insists!
Afterwards, your friends depart again and you give them all great big hugs once more, you and Violet holding onto each other a bit more tightly than you did last time.
You can't wait to see them again. You'll make sure you can.
Week 4, Day 7
The next morning, you and Rocandi both get up around the same time, much to Rocandi's surprise.
"You must have slept well then," she surmises.
And sure enough, you feel much better and your shift is a breeze.
Once you come back however, you notice something odd. Someone left a letter for you.
It says it's from someone named Pena... does that name sound familiar? You think back and... ah! That's right! She's Britt's sister. You don't know her very well, but she seemed a bit shy and meek... so the exact opposite of Britt.
You sigh. You get the feeling opening this is going to entangle you with Britt again... on the other hand, Pena is a decent-seeming person and hasn't done anything wrong that you know of. What to do...
[][Letter?] Open! [][Letter?] Ignore!
...and after you've made your choice, you start planning out the next week.
You work five days a week with a six-hour shift on each of those days. You choose which five days you work and the two in which you will not. Rather than going through each work day, I will roll to see which days have notable incidents. Each work-day in a week gets a d20 roll. A major incident will occur on a single day with the lowest roll below your Insanity. However, if a 1 is rolled, then the next lowest number will also get a major incident. If every roll succeeds, then a minor incident will occur on whatever day rolled the lowest number.
Only on your rest days will you have access to multiple shifts. You may use two (2) of those individual sessions (Morning / Afternoon / Night) each day for reducing your Insanity, exploring the mansion, acquiring lore, making friends, and so on. You may only choose one session for Insanity reduction. This cannot be changed unless ????????? occurs. On work days you must choose which shift you want along with which floor you will work on. You may specify a room if you wish. You must choose at least one (1) of each shift during the week. You may not access the Graveyard shift until ??????? occurs (it's not good).
A vote may look like the following, as an example:
[][Day 1] Break
-[][Morning] Explore the attic
-[][Night] Read a book from your collection (activates Bookworm trait)
[][Day 2] Work
-[][Morning] Basement 2
[][Day 3] Work
-[][Morning] Attic
[][Day 4] Work
-[][Night] Floor 1
[][Day 5] Break
-[][Afternoon] Meet a new housekeeper
-[][Night] Explore Basement 3
[][Day 6] Work
-[][Afternoon] Outdoors
[][Day 7] Work
-[][Night] Floor 1
Some weeks will also have special incidents. I'll let you know when they will impact the vote and exactly how it'll change from this template.
You are no longer required to have a buddy on floors where no name is listed. You may write in a buddy if you choose, however. You may still only choose an option up to two times.
Basement 3
Basement 2
Basement 1 Outdoors (must be Morning or Afternoon) Talk to Vini first!
Floor 1
Floor 2
Cotton and Floor 3
Attic
Use a trait to lower your Insanity (may only do once per week)
Go to the Mini-Sauna to recharge Steam Cleaning "Illumination Theory" Sub-plot: Continue reading from "Illumination Theory" "Illumination Theory" Sub-plot: Investigate the Reverie Troupe Rocandi Sub-plot: Talk to Rocandi about magic and contracts. Maybe you convince her to help you out? Vini Sub-plot: Vini wants to tell you their story! (may write-in specific details you'd like to know or questions you'd like to ask) Glaz Sub-plot: ??? Need to do his special incident first! Rufflo Sub-plot: You don't know him well at all... maybe now is the time to start? Britt Sub-plot: ??? Dormant for now... Prali Sub-plot: How much does he really know about magic and spirits...? Time to find out! You hope... (rolls d20, DC Insanity) The Pralissons Sub-plot: Go see if Mr. Pralisson is doing well to learn more family history (rolls d20, DC Insanity) The Pralissons Sub-plot: What exactly happened during that haunting? There have to be records somewhere... you feel a burning desire to know what's going on.
Explore a floor and discover a new room (may choose multiple times)
Randomly meet a new named housekeeper. Special Incident: Hang out time with Rocandi and Vini! (must also choose Vini sub-plot and that must happen before this in the week; gain -6 Insanity; this week only) Special Incident: Randomly run into Glaz, one of the housekeepers you first met but haven't seen much of yet, at night (will stay available until chosen)
(write-in; subject to QM veto)
[] Plan ???
-[][Day 1] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 2] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 3] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 4] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 5] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 6] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
-[][Day 7] Work or Break?
--[] Further details
Insanity: 12
QM Note: Vote will be open until 5/16 at noon EST. The Violet and Letter votes will have no immediate consequences but will come up again later.
[x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
[x][Letter?] Open!
...the sister can't be that bad. Can she? Maybe it's a letter of apology for the unseemly behavior of her sibling.
I'll figure out a schedule a bit later if no one comes up with something first.
Edit:
[x] Plan Hanging out with Vini
-[x][Day 1] Break
--[x] [Morning] Cuddle toys
--[x] [Afternoon] Vini Sub-plot: Vini wants to tell you their story! (may write-in specific details you'd like to know or questions you'd like to ask)
-[x][Day 2] [Morning] Work
--[x] Basement 1 with Glaz
-[x][Day 3] [Afternoon] Work
--[x] Floor 3 with Cotton
-[x][Day 4] [Night] Work
--[x] Floor 1
-[x][Day 5] Break
--[x] [Afternoon] Special Incident: Hang out time with Rocandi and Vini! (must also choose Vini sub-plot and that must happen before this in the week; gain -6 Insanity; this week only)
--[x] [Night] Go to the Mini-Sauna to recharge Steam Cleaning
-[x][Day 6] [Afternoon] Work
--[x] Floor 2 with Rocandi
-[x][Day 7] [Night] Work
--[x] Attic with Rufflo
[X][Violet!] Tell her the truth, even if you don't think she'll believe you. (write-further details)
-[X] The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Added the schedule. Basically, only the Break options are worth noting, the work days are filled based on what rooms we haven't yet seen and what servants we haven't interacted with yet.
If anyone have their own plots to pursue, feel free to borrow the plan and change Break slots for those couple of days.
[x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
[x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
Well, got to the end of this and this seems like a really neat quest! Will follow it for sure.
The bit in the throphy room made me think of Darkest Dungeon. There if any hero gets overwhelmed with stress while in the dungeon they either are a chump and go mad, or they power through sheer will and become stronger from it. Even if just for a bit.
[x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
[x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
[Side Note: Different Branches of Triunitarianism]
The core of Triunitarianism is the belief in a unified being of three aspects: Above, Below, Center.
This belief has manifested in many different ways. Originally, the idea was that a singular god (Truth) made the universe and then split apart into three connected beings – Above (the Heavens), Below (the Earth), and Center (the Living).
Further subdivisions exist. For example, some hold that actually the three split-off gods were the original ones who combine solely to destroy existing universes and re-make them in a cyclical manner. Others hold that the three gods can be subdivided into further groupings of three, and others still hold that many lesser deities serve either the three gods or the unified god.
The families of Sage and Violet are from the same branch: The Nonem. This branch is fairly common and was one of the earlier splinter groups. In it, the three deities are split further, making a total of nine:
The Stars Above, the Creator in the Light (Symbol = Diamond Jewel)
The Clouds Above, the Bringers of Peace (Symbol = Cloud)
The Sky Above, the Raging Winds (Symbol = Flute)
The Center of Fire, the Roaring Inferno (Symbol = Flame)
The Center of Life, Death, and Renewal (Symbol = Flower)
The Center of Water, the Flowing River (Symbol = Raindrop)
The Ground Below, the Steadfast Rock (Symbol = Drum)
The Caverns Below, the Sites of Suffering (Symbol = Pillar)
The Void Below, the Destroyer in Darkness (Symbol = Obsidian Shard)
While individuals may feel closer to one or a subset of these nine aspects of divinity, all are worshiped and regarded as equal. Attempts to elevate one over the others are deemed heretical. The Nonem are hierarchical, with a single leader and their nine attendants. Below them are the priests and monks, and below them are the commoners. There is no differentiation by gender within the ranks. There is not supposed to be differentiation by class, but that has crept in over time and is being actively fought.
As far as the Nature spirits go, they are regarded to be either manifestations of one of these aspects or a charlatan masquerading as someone divine. Commoners are expected to defer to the expertise of those more enlightened in order to resolve these matters.
As far as magic is concerned, it is deemed to be at the behest of divinity. Miracles are accepted, but known to be rare and evidence for them is lacking. There are records of these strange happenings, of course, but the actual events can never seem to replicated... and there even more charlatans who would take advantage of the commoners here if they're not swiftly dealt with.
[The higher-ups and some of the priests and monks (including the ones in Crescent City) are well aware of the truth of the matter. But their lips are sealed. There are some things that should not be public knowledge after all...]
Winning vote: [x][Violet!] Tell her something edited to sound more believable. (write-in further details)
-[x] The woods are haunted, my coworker is into paganism, another one tried to bite me, and I ended up buried under the rubble just the other week. Also the last person to leave the mansion was taken straight to mental asylum. It's a bit stressful here!
[x][Letter?] Open!
[x] Plan Hanging out with Vini
-[x][Day 1] Break
--[x] [Morning] Cuddle toys
--[x] [Afternoon] Vini Sub-plot: Vini wants to tell you their story! (may write-in specific details you'd like to know or questions you'd like to ask)
-[x][Day 2] [Morning] Work
--[x] Basement 1 with Glaz
-[x][Day 3] [Afternoon] Work
--[x] Floor 3 with Cotton
-[x][Day 4] [Night] Work
--[x] Floor 1
-[x][Day 5] Break
--[x] [Afternoon] Special Incident: Hang out time with Rocandi and Vini! (must also choose Vini sub-plot and that must happen before this in the week; gain -6 Insanity; this week only)
--[x] [Night] Go to the Mini-Sauna to recharge Steam Cleaning
-[x][Day 6] [Afternoon] Work
--[x] Floor 2 with Rocandi
-[x][Day 7] [Night] Work
--[x] Attic with Rufflo
Roll for [Violet!]: d4 = 2
Acquired trait: The Letters. After telling her... a version of the truth, Violet is very concerned over your state and wants to stay more in touch. Gain -2 Insanity each week due to sending her letters regarding that week's incidents. Happens automatically on Day 7 of each week with a write-in action to specify the details.
[Week 5, Day 1: Divinity, part 1]
You wake up in the morning on the floor again. Disoriented, you pick yourself up and look around... looks like Rocandi is gone already, off to work. In your dream, you were within a sleeping forest...
You can't remember what you were dreaming about. ...beset by foes at all sides, led by yourself, cloaked in wrath.
You assume that it wasn't a big deal then, and crawl back into bed after grabbing one of your stuffed animals. At first, you wanted to cuddle with the wolf, but given your... tense... relationship with a certain wolf, you grab something else instead.
And then, you relax for a while, preparing yourself for what's to come later.
Toys trait activates! Gain -2 Insanity.
Much later on, you finally get out of bed for real once your stomach starts growling. You just grab some things, change into some decent attire, and then...
...hm.
You pause for a second and start rummaging through your closet for something else. You end up with something that's still casual, but comes as you having put at least some effort into your appearance. While you're at it, you decide to wear a pair of earrings for once, put on some makeup, check your hair, and...
It's not until you run into Vini, who seems to have had the same exact thoughts as you, that you realize you're treating this like a date. Which it isn't of course, so Vini should stop grinning like a happy fool because no you are not blushing and...
Your feelings all a mess and Vini seeming to have never been happier, the two of you end up in the Solarium, eating lunch together. Sandwiches again.
Once you've calmed down and you're sure that your face isn't going to melt, you start asking questions.
"So... ummm..."
Vini looks at you quizzically, mid-bite.
"You and that other guy... you're both nature spirits, then?"
They nod, continuing to eat.
"So... why are you here then and he's out there?"
They finish their meal, and explain while you eat.
"Because we're different even though we're so similar. He and I, despite both having lived on this land for ages, have different relationships with humanity. He preys on people, and always has as far as I know. I, however... I used to evade people, hiding deep in the forest, tending to my own affairs. But as more of you started congregating here, I wanted to understand you better. So, I split a part of myself off and that's the me you see before you."
...huh...
You don't really get it though.
"So, you want to learn more about people by... working as a housekeeper?"
"I've been lots of things and met lots of people. That said, I've been here for decades since I love it here!"
...
You feel tempted to ask Vini how old they are, but hold off since you're not sure that you'll like the answer.
"So, if you've been here for decades, how have you kept your true nature secret?"
"I have to change my appearance so that it looks like I age normally. As far as the records are concerned, I've only been here as this person you see before you for a few years now. But you're right, I can't hide it from everyone. The Pralissons know, of course, and so do people like you who happen to run into some of the more... uhhh..."
"Murderous?"
"Unfriendly spirits, yes. They're not entirely bad, Sage. Okay, well he was, but he's not the only one who lives here and... Sage?"
You're taking deep breaths to calm yourself.
It seems to be working. But just thinking about him is... and the idea that there might be more of him!?
You shudder.
"What would have happened if he had gotten to me? Be honest."
Vini frowns and sinks into her chair. "Are you sure?"
You nod.
They tell you.
...
You somehow manage to resist the urge to throw up.
"Sage. You were being watched the whole time. It would have been fine... eventually."
"Eventually isn't good enough, Vini," you manage to force out. Letting someone who does things like that run around unchallenged? No. They have to be stopped.
Vini seems to feel the energy around you change, and puts their hand on yours. "Sage. We know him. His name is Bubo, in case you care."
You don't, but you don't say that out loud.
"We don't like him either. But he's a part of nature too, so all we can do is manage him. We..." Vini then looks around to make sure no one is listening, and then goes on. "...can't die, not in the same sense that humans can. He's been killed at least five times – sometimes even by humans! – and refuses to learn anything from this or change in any meaningful way. So, we just try to contain him."
Vini sighs.
"Sorry. I know you feel like that isn't good enough, but we're stuck there. He is not allowed to roam anywhere else because I can contain him. But you almost fell prey to him anyway..."
...
Well, that's a damper on the mood.
And it's not like you want Vini to feel bad... they're not the one in the wrong here.
You accept Vini's apology and that seems to make them feel better. Meanwhile, you still want to find a permanent way of dealing with Bubo. But you'll have to do that on your own...
The two of you continue eating, chatting idly for a bit, before another question pops into your mind.
(Choose one. The rest will be reserved for later.) [][Questions?] "So... why me? I'm not special..." [][Questions?] "How did you end up here?" [][Questions?] "What's your 'real' body like?" [][Questions?] "Are any other spirits friendly?" [][Questions?] "Who else knows in here?" [][Questions?] (write-in)
Insanity: 10
QM Note: Vote will be open until 5/20 at noon EST. Vini is the kind of friend who goes "nah, you got this!" when you clearly don't got it... you may need to wake them up a bit.
Winning vote: [X][Toys!] raven
[X][Questions?] "Are any other spirits friendly?"
[Week 5: Cotton Threads]
Day 1
"Are any other spirits friendly? Or at least, are there others who won't try to do bad things to me?"
Vini thinks it over for a moment, putting a finger to their forehead and accidently smearing it with sauce. You do your best not to react, wondering how long it'll take them to notice.
"Wellllll... you've met Pena already, right? She's super shy, but very nice as far as I can tell. Actually, a lot of the other workers complain to me in private that they wish she'd open up to them more. But she doesn't really trust people..."
This is when you mention the letter Pena gave you, and Vini perks up.
"Ooh! That's exciting! I hope something good comes out of it; she really could use a good friend."
"...wait, are you not friends with her?"
"No... I have bad blood with her sister, so the two of us don't really interact. It's a long story... well, not really, but I don't want to talk about it now. Anyway! You wanted more names! Ummmm... Cotton! Yeah! She's... kind of an oddball, hyper-focused on her fashion work, but she would be good for you."
...that would explain why you got an odd feeling just from looking at her. Though she needed to work on concealing it a bit better. You didn't realize anything was up with Vini or Britt until they basically announced it to you. Then again, maybe she's so good at what she does that...
...
Vini is starting at you patiently.
"Sorry, did I drift off again?" you ask.
They nod, and you focus on them. There are a few other housekeepers that Vini knows are spirits for sure, and they name two generally friendly ones: Gophe and Cara-Cara.
"Thanks... the more allies I have on my side, the better. It's not like I can have you take care of everything, you know."
Vini pouts, hands on their hips. You think this is supposed to be intimidating, but honestly you think it's kinda cute. Not that you'd say that out loud, of course. "Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh nothing..." you say, leaning forward as Vini backs away in surprise. They continue to do nothing other than blush more deeply as you loom over them, leaning down closer and closer until...
...you wipe away the sauce on Vini's forehead with your finger, and then lick it off.
"...after all, you didn't even notice that," you say, amused, smirking.
Vini's response is to pout even harder and complain about how they can't work under these conditions, face bright red. You start laughing. They laugh too.
You still have questions, of course, but you'll hold them for later. You will have plenty of time to learn about your new friend. That's your hope, your desire, and your will.
It's all good.
Day 3
As for Cotton... even though you're working with her today, you decide not to bring up the fact that you know she's a nature spirit. For now, you decide to just try and get to know her a little better.
"You're also a fashion designer, Cotton?"
...which isn't hard, because you're both just polishing mirrors.
"Yes, Sage. I came here to practice my skills."
Yep, that's really your job. Polishing mirrors. How glamourous. What an amazing public service.
"So, then, why are you a housekeeper?"
The two of you are in the Glass Hall of Mirrors, inspecting them all and cleaning and polishing those in need. Most of them seem okay, though.
"It's a simple job that provides food and shelter, and leaves me much time for my craft. What else could I ask for?"
The two of you had alerted the other workers on the floor that you would be here, as a precaution. After what you've seen so far, it's better to be safe than sorry.
"Ah, yeah, that's a good point!"
You both move a bit down the hallway, where finally start seeing some dusty mirrors.
"Do you, perhaps, have any hobbies, Sage?"
You take one side and she takes the other side. Your backs are to each other.
"I like reading and I collect stuffed animals..."
Looking back on it, if the two of you had kept your eyes on each other here, nothing that followed would have happened.
"There's no need to feel embarrassed, Sage. Your hobby is... Sage? Sage? Where'd you go?"
You pause your work, confused.
"What do you mean? I'm right here, Cotton."
You turn around and...
...
...it's just you here, bounded on both sides by mirrors.
"Sage, can you hear me?" booms Cotton's voice from seemingly every direction.
"Yes! How did we get separated?" you ask, looking around.
Both of you were walking in a straight line, so how...?
"I don't know, but we have to get out of here. Quickly. You remember the rumors, yes?"
The rumors of people getting lost in this hallway for hours and even days...
You can't let that happen to the two of you.
(Choose one. You may tack on more details if you wish, subject to QM approval.) [] Move forward, try to reach the end
[] Move backwards towards the start
[] Inspect the mirrors more closely
Insanity: 10
QM Note: Vote will be open until 5/23 at noon EST.
