sticksandbones | MINI EVENT: GHOST RESCUE

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MINI EVENT: GHOST RESCUE

A HEARTBEAT BENEATH THE STAIRS

As the season turns, and blood sinks into the ground of the Grove, as monsters with your face haunt the halls, waiting to pounce, something else is creeping into light. Distantly one might see a light in the forest at night, and the next it comes closer. And closer. Until in the treeline you can see it: a pitch black manor that looks as if it’s covered in ash. The trees act as its gates, rebuffing anyone who tries to investigate, and the air smells like rot. Something watches in the windows, but vanishes when you blink.

… But not even this dark manor can stand in the way of one very angry grandfather skeleton, who will, eventually, rattle his teeth and bones in a rallying cry and urge others to follow him, sword in hand. It’s time to storm the castle, and Mr. Bone-Jangles has had enough.

The air within the manor is frigid and biting, and the inside itself is as decrepit as you may expect. Lights and candles can light the way… but only for a few minutes. The wood creaks as if the building is breathing slowly, and sometimes you here a loud thum-thump, as if its unseen heart beats while you explore.

For an already imposing building, inside seems even larger and there’s almost no end in sight as it feels like the halls wind on forever and more and more rooms, from libraries to studies to bedrooms to- … is this room dedicated to WWE Wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? … Needless to say, there’s a lot to work through, but Bone-Jangles urges you onward.

Wisps of color drift through. Are they your friends? Or something else?

A NIGHTMARE ON YOUR LIPS

And to those who have been locked away for days, perhaps weeks, nothing in this house feels real. Is it a dream? Is it a nightmare? The mere mention of a potential addition from your lips manifests another new room within the manor, but you cannot touch anything. Light hurts and makes you dizzy, while the night is painfully cold. How long has it been? How long will it be?

The burst of life is- new. Exciting. Distantly, you know these people, but the urges of death are whimsical and cruel. Part of you wants to guide them to the attic, where your souls are chained in full to a portrait of you. Break those portraits, and you're free, coming back to life outside, which is what you want, isn't it? Another part of you wants to chase them out, how dare they intrude upon your afterlife? Another yet thinks it’s time to play, but no longer remembers what ‘play’ is- so surely they can dodge the plates and books, right? Right!

And another yet wants the intruders dead. And if not by your hands, then by the demons guarding this world alongside you.

(CODE)

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[ The planters are made of heavy stone, covered in places by moss. In fact, there seems to be a wide variety of shady, ground cover plants filling in what free space there is on the soil.

It's not clear how far they are from the nearest wall. Looking at the ceiling, the room might stretch on forever. There are blooming flowers here and there, but the arrangement seems mostly random. Nothing seems any more odd or out of place than everything else.

The blankets give another gentle tug. Why did you stop? ]

[ Isabeau acknowledges the tug, sheepish as he tries to look around in where he might have to guess she's probably standing. ]

Sorry M'dame, we can't exactly just.. go through the wall?

[ Unless...? No, he just looks over to Loop, perking up a little. ]

Find anything? If we're really desperate, I can try to give it a good hard smack?

[They don't find anything but more planters... they stand up after checking the floor, eyeing the planter-wall again.

...

Okay, they are prepared to look stupid for trying this. They take a breath and just... try to walk through the barricade?? If they smack into it like an idiot at least they'll know for sure.]

[ Watches this happen like ???!! ]

[ The planter is certainly real and solid, and Loop bangs their knees, breaks a few small tree branches and falls face first into a bush.

It's not the best look, but at least the planter is deep enough that they don't land on their head on the other side. ]

[Loop bangs their knee into a planter and goes NYA

but! there is another side!! So before Isabeau can try to help them back out they wriggle the rest of the way through. This is obviously the intended solution.

Probably should've just gone with the "smash it" option but close enough!]

There's more path through here, it's not too deep! [They'll try to tug Isabeau through if he tries to follow them, c'mon big guy you can fit probably.]

L-Loop..?!

[ did you nya???? No wait, are they okay!! They're right in that he almost tries to help them out but he pauses, watching them wiggle a little and.

Huh! At that reassured comment, he laughs a little. ]

So there actually was! Smart thinking, Loop.

[ All credit to the bright star! Though he squeaks a little as he's tugged, right okay let's see how this goes. It probably isn't as nice a squeeze as it was for Loop, but it's probably fine??? Maybe. ]

[ It's not exactly comfortable, but it is certainly possible to make their way through the maze and across the room by simply climbing over the planters. The plants are thick, but the containers are only about 3 feet deep. If it wasn't obvious before, it will become clear as they make their way that this room is laid out as a maze.

The blankets don't get stuck on anything for long, though! Odile doesn't understand why this is causing so much trouble, but she will still pull them free from the foliage.

Though, I wonder... Is this a good idea? ]

[Yeah, they can both probably figure out its a maze from here... but why solve a puzzle when they can obviously brute force it?? There will be no consequences to this.]

Cutting through would be faster. Stand back for a second.

[They bring up their new dagger, channeling the Craft through their other hand—and slash, black blades shearing clean through a large length of the plant-wall. It's enough to take out several feet of wall in front of them and slice a dent in the next wall over. There are chunks of shredded bush all over the ground now.

... so, just do that a few more times! Easy!! They might need a moment to cool down, though.]

[ Is this cheating? This is probably cheating? But, you know, Isabeau's obliviousness always makes him the perfect teammate! Rather than stop Loop, he gives them the space they need with a glance up, allowing them to make quick easy work of the shrubbery and anything else that may be blocking their direct path.

Thanks for the extra help, M'dame. They would hate to lose these blankets that are so useful in her guidance. But he will without fail check on Loop, especially once the Craft usage starts to tick up. ]

Don't forget to cool down, we're making good on time here! [ ..He hopes. ] Too bad I didn't keep any tonics.

[ Alas, no tonics to decrease cooldown. Nor handy Scissor craft to help take turns with. ]

[ Good news! The room isn't quite as endless as it looked. The maze was big enough to be a challenge, but it doesn't take too long for them to cut their way through. They seem to have approached and passed the buzzing sound without actually seeing what got those flies so excited. Probably a plant... right?

As they move away from the flies, they might notice another sound under the buzz... a rumbling of some kind. The atmosphere grows tense, slowly at first, then faster. A sense of anger starts to press on their minds. ]

[Loop is expecting a dead body but that makes them want to investigate the buzzing even less. They are making progress! And the Researcher would tell them if they were doing something stupid, right?]

I don't know how I'd drink a tonic anymore, so it's fine. I can do a few at a time!

[To make their point, they cut through another layer of the maze with a wide slash—a weaker Craft than the last, but they'd burn out fast if they pushed themselves that hard. It doesn't quite slice all the way through, this time. They have to pause to cut a few stubborn branches by hand while climbing over.

Anyway, it's going fine until that foreboding pressure kicks in. Loop stops, Craft fizzling out before they can prune another wall.]

... Do you feel that?

[ With how sensitive Isabeau claims to be, it's hard to ignore that sensation. Glancing over his shoulder, peering around even as Loop continues to make work through the maze layer by layer. Something doesn't sit right. And that's even more apparent as it starts to press on him. ]

...Yeah. I do.

[ It'd be too easy if it all went smooth sailing, right? Too naïve to assume it'd stay that way. Which is why Isabeau starts to shift, position himself to guard Loop were something to show up. Fists raise, a tingling scent of wet rock shifting through the air as he hovers over use. ]

Let's try to get through the rest of here quickly, I'll intervene if something comes our way.

[ Odile would never lead them astray! Not on purpose, at least. The blankets seem to hug them tighter as they go, perhaps indicating that she too can tell something is amiss.

There's nothing she can do to stop it, though. ]

[They don't like this feeling, but what choice do they have? Loop nods, taking a slow breath to steady themselves.

... they feel safer, with the Fighter here with them. With Isabeau. They turn away to face the path forward, letting him guard their back.

Three more swipes of Craft, thin and quick. It cuts a narrower path than the others, but it's more effective at piercing through... perhaps this is what they should've used from the start, if they knew there'd be so many to go through. They step through, watching as carefully as they can for anything that might jump out.]

[ Unfortunately, Isabeau cannot be at two places at once, so he can't offer to head first while also covering their back. So he keeps his attention to behind them both as they piece through. It's fine, he knows Loop is plenty strong themselves, but it still makes him uneasy to think of them taking any damage.

So. Just in case. Come on!! A notable boost to both their Defenses as he finally uses his craft, better now as he tries to squeeze through himself. Except -- well, the narrower path means he is unfortunately getting Stuck. Something gets caught on the blanket, effectively sticking him in place and unable to move forward OR back. ]

Oh crab.

[ He might be able to actually feel Odile's hands as she pulls at the blanket, carefully picking at every spot the blanket is stuck. A fine distraction, when the door is visible past one last planter.

Somewhere, someone giggles. It sounds like... Bonnie? ]

Ha ha! That's what you get, cheater!

[ Suddenly the world turns briefly red, then pitch black. Slowly a new room comes into focus around them.

They're in the House, and time is frozen. They stand in the King's chamber, and though the room is empty his sobbing echoes through the halls. There are several large, blurry shadows stuck to the floor scattered around the room.

The blankets remain. So does the planter Isabeau is stuck in. ]

[They hear a rustle and a curse, attention snapping back—but it's just a branch, and they sigh, turning around to help him.] Come on, big guy, we're almost—

[but it wouldn't be that easy, would it?

It all happens too quickly. That familiar voice, a flash, and darkness—their back is turned, but they can see the frozen brick of the walls, the floor, an exit blocked by creeping stillness, long bright strands reaching and wrapping and clinging like vines. A scene so familiar they think they must be hallucinating. A trick of the mind, like so many of these halls have seemed. But the image sticks, solidifies, the scent of blood and the echo of tears.

Loop stares straight through him, holding their breath... then, slowly, they turn.

...

Ah. It is as bad as they'd imagined.

At least the King isn't here to finish them off. Small mercies. They don't want to see this.]

[ The hands helping pluck the branches do loosen a bit of it, Isabeau silently thanking Odile, equally relieved at the sound of Loop beside him while he tries to free himself. And for a moment, he does! But probably too late. Given the chance of surroundings right after one familiar voice.. ]

Bonbon-?

[ No, no. Stupid. Bonnie isn't here. They're probably still back in Dormont, safe and sound. And yet, as he thinks so, he recognizes the change of their surroundings. The frozen addition to walls and brick, shadows, familiar long strands of hair and it takes him a quick moment of shaking his head and finds his gaze meeting Loop's. Or at least, trying to. ]

..Hey. [ He reaches to gently grip that makeshift blanket-cloak around Loop. Just because he isn't sure direct contact will be good in a moment like this. ] We're okay. It's just trying to mess with us! You're still here with me, Loop.

[ Is that comforting? Or does that make it worse? He hopes it's the former, as he looks in the direction of what was the door before all of this. They just have to keep going, it's fine. This isn't really the House. It's all he can think of as he sets that thought aside, but he's more concerned over Loop than anything. ]

[ Uh oh. It looks like there aren't any doors in this room at all... Worse, some of the shadows are becoming clearer, and they seem to be roughly person-sized. It isn't any easier to tell where Bonnie's voice is coming from in this clearly defined space, and the sense of antagonism from the room is stronger than ever. ]

If you won't play fair, then neither will I!

[ One shadow comes into focus as the limp shape of Mirabelle slumped against the wall, blood trickling from her mouth, one arm bent in the wrong direction. She rises from the floor like a marionette, her hand shifting unnaturally into the Scissors sign. ]

[Distantly they hear the Fighter say something, but he's also slumped on the ground in a shadowy lump. Is their body here, too? Hah, how sad, that's it's not even a guarantee! How many times did they abandon them? How many times have they failed them?

It's their fault this happened. Stardust never abandoned them once, not until Loop forced them to.

Maybe they deserve this.

The Housemaiden—Mirabelle, Mira rises, and they now wish the King were here to kill them instead. They back up into the Fighter, shaking.]

No, no, no, no, no... [they can't they can't they can't hurt Mira]

[ Hands come to securely rest on Loop's shoulders, offering a reassuring squeeze before he gently guides them behind him. He isn't sure why something would use Bonnie's voice, but obviously it's to get under their skin. No easier way than to do that, planting the idea of the kid in their mind. Just as they would use the broken image of one of their dear friends. Putting himself between Loop and Mirabelle, his stance shifts into something defensive. ]

I'll handle it.

[ Just like he handled the copies of his other loved ones? Yeah, as if, he knows he probably won't be able to really raise a hand at Mirabelle even if she's not really here. The mere idea of raising a hand at any one of them fills him with a sickening dread, he'd sooner go down than risk hurting them. So, he'll just take the hits, he can stand up against some Scissor crafts - perks of being Rock craft!

Especially as he brings up a fist, sliding a quick gesture to inflict SO WEAK!!! onto what resembles Mirabelle, lowering her attacks for the next short duration. At least this way he can guarantee he can tank more than enough hits if needed. ]

Stay with me, Loop. [ It's affecting them so much, and Change he feels so terrible for it, wanting to reassure them more. To help make it go away. Even as he feels a bubbling nausea to see his cherished friend broken and bleeding. But he can't risk Loop coming to harm, has to try to reach out to them with gentle words. ] There has to be a way out, soon as we find it we can get out of this!

[ The blankets hug them tight as the Mirabelle puppet waves her hand, sending Scissors craft at the both of them. But the blankets aren't enough to protect them, and something is very wrong with Loop, and Odile needs to find them a solution now.

Another shadow rises from the ground in the shape of a person: Siffrin. They've clearly taken more than their share of hits. Old blood paints a thick line down their face and splatters across their tattered cloak. One arm is completely mangled, and bruises cover what little skin is visible. Their good hand holds their knife, and unatural as the motion looks they're just as quick as ever when they dart in to slash at Loop. ]

[The Fighter blocks their line of sight, firm hands and gentle words. An all-too familiar scene, with this backdrop, with their true enemy hidden behind Isabeau's shoulders. It helps more than they think it should.

They try to breathe, adjusting their grip on the knife—pull yourself together, Loop. This isn't the time! It's not real, it's not, but the threat it poses is and they have to act! So what if it looks like Mira?! It's not her, they have to be stronger than this—

Loop is still trying to catch their breath when they see the blur of bright clothes and the flash of a knife. Their skin bristles, instinct finally kicking back in—the blade catches on the edge of their own, a clang of metal echoing in the empty chamber. Their eyes are wide and wild, locked with that of their former corpse.

Another small mercy, that it would be themselves to launch the next attack. They can't stomach taking a swing at Mira, but Siffrin?

Their light flares as they twist their blade, trying to disarm the other rogue. Isabeau can hold back the Housemaiden, but they're going to destroy this Siffrin. Venting some serious self-hatred in this one!]

[ The blankets aren't defensive enough no, and he can only imagine how it must feel to be in Odile's shoes in this moment. But even as the metallic smell of Scissors kicks in Isabeau still tanks the hits well enough. Guarding against them before he shifts forward to take the follow-up hits so Loop doesn't have to. They pierce deep enough but he refuses to let that weigh him down.

C'mon, Isabeau. Mirabelle wouldn't attack if it was actually her. Just fight back. Fight back, fight back. A deep breath and this time the smell of wet rock flickers in, sending (admittedly not very strong) Rock craft in Mirabelle's way. To force her back, keep her distance, don't think about actually hurting her. Even if he winces when he attacks.

But it's never just that. That bright form of Siffrin coming through startles him, but their attention is on Loop and fortunately the star is right there to meet with a clash of blades. ..Right. Loop can handle that shadow, and Isabeau will keep this one's attention. He can't fail his friends again, he has to prove he's stronger than that. Stronger than this.

Still, they can't do this forever, there has to be a way out. Keep an eye out, keep looking while also defending - ]

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