allthekeys (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
allthekeys) wrote2012-06-08 10:14 pm
allthekeys) wrote2012-06-08 10:14 pm
Entry tags:
Midnight Update
As midnight approaches, the storm gathered over the house breaks. Rain and hail pelt the windows, nearly overwhelming the raucous sound of the construction. The pressure drops so suddenly and intensely that many of the house-guests will find themselves dizzy and briefly confused.
The bells in the tower begin to announce the hour, followed very shortly by the clock. Halfway through the chimes of midnight begin to slow, spaced out further and further until it seems like they will not sound at all. Anyone who has kept track of the clock will notice that the hands seem to be creeping along more lesuirely than usual.
The door in the Rough Kitchen finally gives to the fury of the wind, swinging open with an almighty crash. The lantern on the table blazes into new life, coating the kitchen with light and heat, warming the area around. The flames reach for the ceiling, flaring out of control. For just a moment, the girl standing by it shifts, her shape changing into that of an intelligent looking man of Asian descent. He frowns at the lantern, reaches to tap it, and fades away once more as the fire dies.
His appearance seems to have stirred the girl into renewed fury, her assault on the door rises to a fever pitch. Nothing in the kitchen is safe, and the house-guests may find themselves dodging crockery as the bell tolls the hour. As the last signs of midnight die away, the girl and her lantern fade from the kitchen.
Anyone who pauses to listen might hear a sound in the now calmer room, though nothing makes itself known. Those with children of their own might recognize it as the sound of a frightened child. Crouched under the heavy table, just beneath where the lantern rested before, is a tiny redheaded girl. She clings to a scarf, hands pressing the fabric against her mouth to muffle any sound that might try to escape from her. Her eyes are wide and frightened, and she seems just as alarmed to have appeared here as those who find her might be to see her. Any who have encountered the Twins might recognize her.
The wind dies down after The Lantern Keeper vanishes, allowing the house-guests access to a small, simple Courtyard. The area seems almost oppressively empty, as though just a moment ago it was full of life. The sensitive will find themselves hearing whispers, the occasional half heard conversation, the laughter of children as they play, the toll of bells even when the bells are silent. Like the chapel, this area feels as though it has been lived in, and those who lived here linger still.
Passing through the courtyard the house-guests will find an open gate, leading to a wide stone hallway. The hallway does not seem like the sort of road that should be leading to such a rustic looking chapel, and as the house-guests move deeper down the hall, they may find themselves wondering if it is a road at all.
The third house has opened.
Anyone looking at the Dollhouses in the Dollhouse Room will find that another house has opened up, the lights are on and the front door has opened. It, like its fellows, seems almost to be waiting for them to explore.
As midnight falls onto the house, several occupants will find themselves momentarily losing consciousness, transported away while they gain a few short instants of repose. However brief the sleep, it is restful, allowing them to recover and prepare for the remaining night ahead.
Sif has awoken in the Bell Bathroom. Agito/Lind and Ulquiorra are now in the Candy Store. Ben and Piper wake in the Herbal Bedroom. Eight, Estella, Romano, and Tsuna are in the Satin Room. Himawari and Orihime regain consciousness in the Silk Room. Akito rises in the Stalker Room. Dean finds himself in the Statuary Bedroom, encircled by the figures. Jamie and Loki occupy the Wax Bedroom.
Each will find an additional companion, crouched on the floor next to them, watching them silently. These extra occupants, though, are peculiar -- while human in shape and form, there is something not quite right about them, almost alien. Nonetheless, they are still inexplicably familiar and comfortable. Each one has well-known features, something recognisable to the guest they sit next to. Male, female, or otherwise, there is something almost intimate there, whether it is the eyes of a mother, the facial shape of a friend, or the hands of a lover -- there are the characteristics of someone with whom they have a positive relationship.
At the wrists of these companions is a single red cord, tied directly to their match. The feeling of anticipatory excitement is now almost palpable, and the source is clear. Even their actions show as much, as none of them seem willing to part from the sides of the one they have been tied to, excitement turning into unbearable panicked anxiety if they are separated by any wall for more than a couple of minutes. In fact, they can almost be described as dependent -- desperate to maintain close physical proximity, and frequently direct contact. They constantly grab for arms and hands, seeking out a more tangible link than the cord that connects them to their partners. They will curl into the sides of their charge when they lie to rest, settling against them.
Unfortunately, it seems impossible to determine if these companions are the ones that spoke to the guests on the phone the previous night, or to understand anything else of their purpose or motives -- their mouths have been sewn shut, and their fingers broken. They are perhaps too distracted to even nod or shake their heads in answer, for the time being, and the house-guests will be hard pressed to achieve any sort of communicative response from them.
Aside from the response of fear when separated, and genuine joy from being with their new-found friend, there is really only one response that the house-guests will be able to achieve from them. Anyone acting in a negative manner toward someone who said 'yes' will be met with aggression and hostility. The reaction is directly correlated with the severity of the action; someone who makes them uncomfortable will be met with stares that prove they are unwelcome, while anyone who physically attacks will find themselves contending against the companion instead.
As for the rest of those taken during Night 008, all who said no to the voice, they discover they are not quite alone either. There is a sinister chill that follows them, pervading the air as they wander the houses, and the constant dreadful feeling of eyes watching them. From time to time, something similar to the companions can be spotted from the corners of their eyes, the very edges of rooms and doors, watching them, though it seems difficult to catch more than a glimpse of them. Unlike those for the ones who said yes, however, these carry distinguishing features of the ones the house-guests loathe and admonish. Their eyes are of enemies, or of those whom have scorned or been scorned. Eyes filled with nothing but predation and hate follow them, and the emotion practically oozes from them.
No single moment will feel as if they are alone, or as if they have any semblance of privacy. In the stillest moments, when they pause and listen, they will be able to hear breathing.
In the Velvet Room there seems to be some electrical problems. The lighting fixtures all flicker on and off, as if there is a faulty fuse affecting the room, faint sparks occasionally illuminating the brief darkness. In these moments, blood and sweat can be seen glistening on the skin of the doll in the case, but he is fine when the light returns.
If anyone lingers too long in this room while it is bathed in darkness, however, they will find more than just the change to the effigy. Something seems to be lurking in the corners of the room, waiting for their prey to step further into the room and become vulnerable. It is impossible to tell what it is through the shadow, but it is fast and relentless.
The Lady In White waits just inside the new house, sprawled inelegantly in one of the chairs in the Sitting Room, her eyes are glassy and unfocused and her normally pale skin seems strangely flushed. Anyone examining her closely might notice a trickle of blood seeping from her ear. She will not move to attack anyone who enters the room, nor move at all, no matter how much she is bothered by the guests. Despite her presence, the room seems safer than most, and while she remains, none of the other monsters entering the house shall bother the house-guests. This does not mean that they will not enter, simply that the room seems to make them passive, and ill-concerned with the presence of the living.
The air in the Satin Room seems oddly calming. Somehow, the chill and the negativity of the house almost seems to stop at the door here. Instead, the entire room is almost warm and peaceful. This even seems to affect the creatures of the house; any who enter seem to settle down, becoming more passive and subdued. They will fight back if attacked, but seem rather opposed to the idea-- it seems to suit them to leave the guests alone for the time being.
In the Gentleman's Lounge a familiar face has appeared. The Perfume Lady stands on one of the stages, singing a soft song in a language none of the house recognizes. She seems to have dressed for the occasion, red dress standing out perfectly against her dark skin, voice like honey on the ears of those who happen to hear. Her eyes are closed, and will remain so, as though she is too lost in the song to care what she might see. The heavy smell of perfume lingers around her, and those who get too close will find that the smell is an almost physical thing, coating their lungs and making it difficult to breathe. Anyone who pushes it will find themselves slipping into bloody coughing fits.
The song she sings makes anyone who hears it feel safe, despite the appearance of her backup singers. These new creatures seem to have taken advantage of the setting, some dancing and others singing with the woman on the stage. A house-guest who lingers to take in the beauty of the woman and the Sirens accompanying her might even find themselves with their own personal attendant, bringing them drinks and cooing soft phrases in their ears. They will find it difficult to leave, with these intent attendants catering to their every whim, coy smiles and ruffled feathers encouraging them to stay.
The Sirens and the Perfume Lady act as the perfect lure for the unwary. They will find themselves uncaring as the Siren’s begin to feed, talons slicing into tender flesh, teeth biting and ripping. The song keeps them passive, unresisting, even as they are consumed alive.
On the bed of the Stalker Room the ghost of a young girl has appeared, legs drawn up against her chest as she rocks herself anxiously. The Tormented Girl is as scared as the rest of the house guests, more in some cases. She glances around the room in a wide-eyed panic, gets up every so often to pace and check things. Anyone who enters will find her nervous, liable to back as far as she can into a corner and regard them with suspicion. She does not attack, though, unless provoked.
Anyone making their way along the Second Floor of the newly opened house may find the Red Hallway not entirely safe. A shadowy figure patrols the length of it, slow and absent as if it isn't entirely sure where it is or what it is looking for. The shuffling footsteps and rotting, sweaty smell announce the presence of the Foul Boy. Although he is slow to pay attention to guests, once he takes an interest it can be very hard to lose him. He is aggressive to more masculine characters and rather determinedly friendly to feminine ones, likely as not unwanted given his state.
In the Hot Springs the Skinless have appeared. They lurk in the pools, despondent and pained. Their soft noises of discomfort warn of their presence before anyone comes upon them. Unlike many nights, tonight they are not passive. Anyone venturing too close to the ledges will find themselves dragged into the water and skinned alive. The hapless victim will become clothes for their killers, and the skinless seem incredibly pleased with anything they manage to catch.
Whenever any adult falls asleep alone, they run the risk of finding themselves with company when they awake. An Admirer will sit next to the house-guest they have devoted themselves to, watching them with wide, adoring eyes. Once their gaze is met, it will feel almost impossible to break from it-- even the thought of blinking is accompanied by dread.
The instant eye contact is broken for any reason, the Admirer is free to move. Even blinking can make them move without notice, hands clinging to faces, stroking and caressing gently. Breaking free from them tender embrace is almost impossible to do alone-- their loving grip is like bindings, strong without being forceful or painful.
In the time leading up until midnight, it seems that the Children grow restless. As the dead of the night approaches, they appear with higher and higher frequency, even at the feet of those who have only closed their eyes for a brief moment more than a blink. Somehow, they seem to be becoming impatient, and desperate for attention.
By the last chime of midnight, their demeanour has changed all together. Anyone looking at them through peripheral vision has the chance to see them in their unnatural state, beastly children appearing in the corners of their eyes. Still, they look as normal children whenever they are looked at straight on, without the aid of any mirrors or glass.
Now, however, they do not seem content to remain passive and idle. As if someone has left them too long at a game, as if they have decided to twist the rules and play at their own. Anyone who turns their back on the children risks being attacked. This is especially true of other youth and of parents.
If given a moment to do so the children will use anything they can in order to smother their victims, suffocating them and holding them still. They laugh and giggle while doing it, and are surprisingly strong for their size-- the biggest problem, however, is that they frequently arrive in groups now, to compensate for the fact that their prey is frequently larger than them.
As their victims' heads spin, the children will say to them in a low, vindictive whisper "you're it."
In the Bell Bathroom, someone is banging on the inside wall of the sectioned off shower, evidently locked in. The shower is running, and the drain apparently clogged, as the water level can be seen slowly rising behind the frosted glass. The dark silhouette of a woman can be made out, even as the steam envelops her and drips through the cracks between the door and the wall. Though she does not speak, the rapid and loud pounding that nearly shakes the partition speaks of her desire to escape from the steadily filling trap. Within a few minutes of the end of midnight's chimes, however, even if the latch is ignored by house-guests, it will burst open-- allowing a flood of water to escape. Tumbling out along with it is the Drowned Woman, who seems filled with even more desperate fervor than normal.
Anyone who follows the path away from the Stable will find themselves surrounded by the mist, though the path remains clear. The sound of voices and people just out of view haunt their steps, and many times they might find themselves convinced that they are being chased by something. At the end of the path, they will find themselves at the Hanging Tree though the bodies are not still, instead they writhe, as though trying to escape the nooses. Their hands claw at the rope and their mouths move soundlessly, as though begging for help. The tree creaks alarmingly, almost as though moaning for them. Anyone who lingers for long will find themselves giving into an almost visible sense of panic, sending them fleeing back into the mist.
Anyone entering the Ballroom in the first house will find that the silence has deepened, swallowing even the slightest sound made within it. As the night mounts, the room gains a nearly magnetic pull, sucking all sound into it. Anyone in the Loft Bedroom or the Parlor will find it impossible to speak above a whisper. Anyone entering the Ballroom will find that the floor seems to have changed to a thick taffy, catching anyone who steps onto it fast, like quicksand. The Wallcrawlers are taking advantage of anyone who becomes stuck in the floor, and still cling to the walls in all the hallways. They have become more willing to hunt larger groups, hunger overriding caution. They seem to have begun to concentrate their efforts, however, and have withdrawn from several areas. They now linger primarily in the Maid Hallway, Oak Hallway, Dirt Hallway, and Stone Hallway.
There is an unseen presence in the Blue Kitchen. The moment any one enters, they will feel something against their skin, like a million tiny legs crawling just across the surface, tickling and itching. Their entire bodies will be overcome with the faintest need to scratch-- to clear away whatever is moving across them, to get rid of the incessant itch. It ceases the moment the kitchen is exited, and not a second sooner.
Lock seems to have fallen prey to an attack as midnight chimed, rising shakily once the noise fades. He seems anxious about something, and his nose and mouth are both bleeding as he gets to his feet. Very carefully he wipes the blood away from his face, smearing it a little as he heads elsewhere in the house. He’s pale, though his cheeks are flushed, and he seems to be confused, as though not entirely sure where he is. He settles in the Study, curling in the chair and beneath the tattered Afghan, breathing slightly labored and nose still dripping blood. He doesn’t sleep, staring almost intently at the door. The Photographer Ghost does not move from the desk, but anyone entering will find that they feel almost unwelcome if they try to bother the child.
Nicholas and Shion begin to cry as the clock stirs, fussing loudly and attracting a lot of attention. They seem more restless than usual, their guardians may find that they do not wish to sleep and do not seem to be comforted by their presence. The creatures of the house remain confused and concerned by Shion's cries, avoiding him and any who hold them no matter where they happen to be. The babies settle a little once the chimes fade, cries trailing off into muffled whimpers. They do not seem particularly keen on allowing their guardians a moment to rest, fussing as their attention starts to wander or they begin to drift off.
As midnight settles the Doll-spiders following house-guests all freeze as one, then turn and skitter away into the darkness. In the Parlour of the first house the Doll Queen stands central, the spidery monstrosities skittering across the floor and swarming to her side like obedient dogs. Their tiny hands pull at her dress as they fight to get closer to her, a writhing mass of limbs as she stands and waits.
Waits.
They still as she raises a hand slowly, stiffly, then start to whisper all at once -- a chaotic hushed sound too overlayed to discern individual voices. Some house-guests who have been followed, though, may catch their name in among all the fuss. Eventually the voices die down and she lowers her hand, having listened to all that has been said. She considers this a moment, listening to the flurry of movement in the house, before she speaks -- although anyone who sees would be hard pressed to say where the voice itself comes from as the doll's expression stays flat.
"You were right, there are too many rude boys here."
She vanishes, and in the darkness the Doll-spiders seem to hiss -- perhaps in protest, perhaps in agreement, perhaps in reaction to something nobody else can see. Their limbs click on the marble floor as they restlessly glance between themselves, then they turn and run away into their own corners of the house. House-guests who have been followed previously will find that now their followers are more aggressive, although their behavior is strange. Attacking and running alternately, as if trying to lure guests into rooms. Those who take the bait might find the doors close behind them.
1. Front Door 2. Entry Way 3. Coat Closet 4. Parlor 5. Formal Dining Room 6. Blue Kitchen 7. Doll Bathroom 8. East Hallway 9. Library 10. Study 11. Dawn Room 12. Closed Closet 13. Nursery 14. Dollhouse Room 15. Dollhouse 16. The Crack In The Wall 17. Maid Hallway 18. Clean Bedroom 19. Dirty Bedroom 20. Closet Room 21. Smoke Room 22. Yellow Bedroom 23. Vanity Room 24. Ivory Bathroom 25. Door to Basement 26. Supply Closet 27. Ballroom 28. Oak Hallway 30. Theater 31. Backstage
1. Wind Tunnel Hallway 2. The Front Door 3. Sitting Room 4. Leather Study 5. Gentlemen's Lounge 6. Diamond Dining Room 7. Professional Kitchen 8. Stable 9. Locked Door 10. Orchard 11. Hanging Tree 12. Hot Springs 13. Locked Door
1. Red Hallway 2. Herbal Bedroom 3. Costumed Room 4. Bell Bathroom 5. Fairytale Bedroom 6. Playboy Bedroom 7. Statuary Bedroom 8. Candy Store 9. Stalker Room 10. Satin Room 11. Scented Bathroom 12. Birdcage Room 13. Hedonist Room 14. Carved Parlor 15. Silk Room 16. Get Away Cabin 17. Vanity Bathroom 18. Velvet Bedroom 19. Wax Bedroom 20. Husk Bedroom
((ooc: Just leaving a note to confirm that yes, the night is extended both ICly and OOCly! Night will be ending on the 23rd, instead of the 16th. In character, it will be just a few 'days' (as in 24-hour periods) longer than normal.
For those affected by the companions in the new house, you're given free reign to NPC them following around and looking at your character like they're the best thing since sliced bread. If you're curious about any particular reactions, or want to have more major interaction played out, feel free to contact a mod.))
The bells in the tower begin to announce the hour, followed very shortly by the clock. Halfway through the chimes of midnight begin to slow, spaced out further and further until it seems like they will not sound at all. Anyone who has kept track of the clock will notice that the hands seem to be creeping along more lesuirely than usual.
The door in the Rough Kitchen finally gives to the fury of the wind, swinging open with an almighty crash. The lantern on the table blazes into new life, coating the kitchen with light and heat, warming the area around. The flames reach for the ceiling, flaring out of control. For just a moment, the girl standing by it shifts, her shape changing into that of an intelligent looking man of Asian descent. He frowns at the lantern, reaches to tap it, and fades away once more as the fire dies.
His appearance seems to have stirred the girl into renewed fury, her assault on the door rises to a fever pitch. Nothing in the kitchen is safe, and the house-guests may find themselves dodging crockery as the bell tolls the hour. As the last signs of midnight die away, the girl and her lantern fade from the kitchen.
Anyone who pauses to listen might hear a sound in the now calmer room, though nothing makes itself known. Those with children of their own might recognize it as the sound of a frightened child. Crouched under the heavy table, just beneath where the lantern rested before, is a tiny redheaded girl. She clings to a scarf, hands pressing the fabric against her mouth to muffle any sound that might try to escape from her. Her eyes are wide and frightened, and she seems just as alarmed to have appeared here as those who find her might be to see her. Any who have encountered the Twins might recognize her.
The wind dies down after The Lantern Keeper vanishes, allowing the house-guests access to a small, simple Courtyard. The area seems almost oppressively empty, as though just a moment ago it was full of life. The sensitive will find themselves hearing whispers, the occasional half heard conversation, the laughter of children as they play, the toll of bells even when the bells are silent. Like the chapel, this area feels as though it has been lived in, and those who lived here linger still.
Passing through the courtyard the house-guests will find an open gate, leading to a wide stone hallway. The hallway does not seem like the sort of road that should be leading to such a rustic looking chapel, and as the house-guests move deeper down the hall, they may find themselves wondering if it is a road at all.
The third house has opened.
Anyone looking at the Dollhouses in the Dollhouse Room will find that another house has opened up, the lights are on and the front door has opened. It, like its fellows, seems almost to be waiting for them to explore.
As midnight falls onto the house, several occupants will find themselves momentarily losing consciousness, transported away while they gain a few short instants of repose. However brief the sleep, it is restful, allowing them to recover and prepare for the remaining night ahead.
Sif has awoken in the Bell Bathroom. Agito/Lind and Ulquiorra are now in the Candy Store. Ben and Piper wake in the Herbal Bedroom. Eight, Estella, Romano, and Tsuna are in the Satin Room. Himawari and Orihime regain consciousness in the Silk Room. Akito rises in the Stalker Room. Dean finds himself in the Statuary Bedroom, encircled by the figures. Jamie and Loki occupy the Wax Bedroom.
Each will find an additional companion, crouched on the floor next to them, watching them silently. These extra occupants, though, are peculiar -- while human in shape and form, there is something not quite right about them, almost alien. Nonetheless, they are still inexplicably familiar and comfortable. Each one has well-known features, something recognisable to the guest they sit next to. Male, female, or otherwise, there is something almost intimate there, whether it is the eyes of a mother, the facial shape of a friend, or the hands of a lover -- there are the characteristics of someone with whom they have a positive relationship.
At the wrists of these companions is a single red cord, tied directly to their match. The feeling of anticipatory excitement is now almost palpable, and the source is clear. Even their actions show as much, as none of them seem willing to part from the sides of the one they have been tied to, excitement turning into unbearable panicked anxiety if they are separated by any wall for more than a couple of minutes. In fact, they can almost be described as dependent -- desperate to maintain close physical proximity, and frequently direct contact. They constantly grab for arms and hands, seeking out a more tangible link than the cord that connects them to their partners. They will curl into the sides of their charge when they lie to rest, settling against them.
Unfortunately, it seems impossible to determine if these companions are the ones that spoke to the guests on the phone the previous night, or to understand anything else of their purpose or motives -- their mouths have been sewn shut, and their fingers broken. They are perhaps too distracted to even nod or shake their heads in answer, for the time being, and the house-guests will be hard pressed to achieve any sort of communicative response from them.
Aside from the response of fear when separated, and genuine joy from being with their new-found friend, there is really only one response that the house-guests will be able to achieve from them. Anyone acting in a negative manner toward someone who said 'yes' will be met with aggression and hostility. The reaction is directly correlated with the severity of the action; someone who makes them uncomfortable will be met with stares that prove they are unwelcome, while anyone who physically attacks will find themselves contending against the companion instead.
As for the rest of those taken during Night 008, all who said no to the voice, they discover they are not quite alone either. There is a sinister chill that follows them, pervading the air as they wander the houses, and the constant dreadful feeling of eyes watching them. From time to time, something similar to the companions can be spotted from the corners of their eyes, the very edges of rooms and doors, watching them, though it seems difficult to catch more than a glimpse of them. Unlike those for the ones who said yes, however, these carry distinguishing features of the ones the house-guests loathe and admonish. Their eyes are of enemies, or of those whom have scorned or been scorned. Eyes filled with nothing but predation and hate follow them, and the emotion practically oozes from them.
No single moment will feel as if they are alone, or as if they have any semblance of privacy. In the stillest moments, when they pause and listen, they will be able to hear breathing.
In the Velvet Room there seems to be some electrical problems. The lighting fixtures all flicker on and off, as if there is a faulty fuse affecting the room, faint sparks occasionally illuminating the brief darkness. In these moments, blood and sweat can be seen glistening on the skin of the doll in the case, but he is fine when the light returns.
If anyone lingers too long in this room while it is bathed in darkness, however, they will find more than just the change to the effigy. Something seems to be lurking in the corners of the room, waiting for their prey to step further into the room and become vulnerable. It is impossible to tell what it is through the shadow, but it is fast and relentless.
The Lady In White waits just inside the new house, sprawled inelegantly in one of the chairs in the Sitting Room, her eyes are glassy and unfocused and her normally pale skin seems strangely flushed. Anyone examining her closely might notice a trickle of blood seeping from her ear. She will not move to attack anyone who enters the room, nor move at all, no matter how much she is bothered by the guests. Despite her presence, the room seems safer than most, and while she remains, none of the other monsters entering the house shall bother the house-guests. This does not mean that they will not enter, simply that the room seems to make them passive, and ill-concerned with the presence of the living.
The air in the Satin Room seems oddly calming. Somehow, the chill and the negativity of the house almost seems to stop at the door here. Instead, the entire room is almost warm and peaceful. This even seems to affect the creatures of the house; any who enter seem to settle down, becoming more passive and subdued. They will fight back if attacked, but seem rather opposed to the idea-- it seems to suit them to leave the guests alone for the time being.
In the Gentleman's Lounge a familiar face has appeared. The Perfume Lady stands on one of the stages, singing a soft song in a language none of the house recognizes. She seems to have dressed for the occasion, red dress standing out perfectly against her dark skin, voice like honey on the ears of those who happen to hear. Her eyes are closed, and will remain so, as though she is too lost in the song to care what she might see. The heavy smell of perfume lingers around her, and those who get too close will find that the smell is an almost physical thing, coating their lungs and making it difficult to breathe. Anyone who pushes it will find themselves slipping into bloody coughing fits.
The song she sings makes anyone who hears it feel safe, despite the appearance of her backup singers. These new creatures seem to have taken advantage of the setting, some dancing and others singing with the woman on the stage. A house-guest who lingers to take in the beauty of the woman and the Sirens accompanying her might even find themselves with their own personal attendant, bringing them drinks and cooing soft phrases in their ears. They will find it difficult to leave, with these intent attendants catering to their every whim, coy smiles and ruffled feathers encouraging them to stay.
The Sirens and the Perfume Lady act as the perfect lure for the unwary. They will find themselves uncaring as the Siren’s begin to feed, talons slicing into tender flesh, teeth biting and ripping. The song keeps them passive, unresisting, even as they are consumed alive.
On the bed of the Stalker Room the ghost of a young girl has appeared, legs drawn up against her chest as she rocks herself anxiously. The Tormented Girl is as scared as the rest of the house guests, more in some cases. She glances around the room in a wide-eyed panic, gets up every so often to pace and check things. Anyone who enters will find her nervous, liable to back as far as she can into a corner and regard them with suspicion. She does not attack, though, unless provoked.
Anyone making their way along the Second Floor of the newly opened house may find the Red Hallway not entirely safe. A shadowy figure patrols the length of it, slow and absent as if it isn't entirely sure where it is or what it is looking for. The shuffling footsteps and rotting, sweaty smell announce the presence of the Foul Boy. Although he is slow to pay attention to guests, once he takes an interest it can be very hard to lose him. He is aggressive to more masculine characters and rather determinedly friendly to feminine ones, likely as not unwanted given his state.
In the Hot Springs the Skinless have appeared. They lurk in the pools, despondent and pained. Their soft noises of discomfort warn of their presence before anyone comes upon them. Unlike many nights, tonight they are not passive. Anyone venturing too close to the ledges will find themselves dragged into the water and skinned alive. The hapless victim will become clothes for their killers, and the skinless seem incredibly pleased with anything they manage to catch.
Whenever any adult falls asleep alone, they run the risk of finding themselves with company when they awake. An Admirer will sit next to the house-guest they have devoted themselves to, watching them with wide, adoring eyes. Once their gaze is met, it will feel almost impossible to break from it-- even the thought of blinking is accompanied by dread.
The instant eye contact is broken for any reason, the Admirer is free to move. Even blinking can make them move without notice, hands clinging to faces, stroking and caressing gently. Breaking free from them tender embrace is almost impossible to do alone-- their loving grip is like bindings, strong without being forceful or painful.
In the time leading up until midnight, it seems that the Children grow restless. As the dead of the night approaches, they appear with higher and higher frequency, even at the feet of those who have only closed their eyes for a brief moment more than a blink. Somehow, they seem to be becoming impatient, and desperate for attention.
By the last chime of midnight, their demeanour has changed all together. Anyone looking at them through peripheral vision has the chance to see them in their unnatural state, beastly children appearing in the corners of their eyes. Still, they look as normal children whenever they are looked at straight on, without the aid of any mirrors or glass.
Now, however, they do not seem content to remain passive and idle. As if someone has left them too long at a game, as if they have decided to twist the rules and play at their own. Anyone who turns their back on the children risks being attacked. This is especially true of other youth and of parents.
If given a moment to do so the children will use anything they can in order to smother their victims, suffocating them and holding them still. They laugh and giggle while doing it, and are surprisingly strong for their size-- the biggest problem, however, is that they frequently arrive in groups now, to compensate for the fact that their prey is frequently larger than them.
As their victims' heads spin, the children will say to them in a low, vindictive whisper "you're it."
In the Bell Bathroom, someone is banging on the inside wall of the sectioned off shower, evidently locked in. The shower is running, and the drain apparently clogged, as the water level can be seen slowly rising behind the frosted glass. The dark silhouette of a woman can be made out, even as the steam envelops her and drips through the cracks between the door and the wall. Though she does not speak, the rapid and loud pounding that nearly shakes the partition speaks of her desire to escape from the steadily filling trap. Within a few minutes of the end of midnight's chimes, however, even if the latch is ignored by house-guests, it will burst open-- allowing a flood of water to escape. Tumbling out along with it is the Drowned Woman, who seems filled with even more desperate fervor than normal.
Anyone who follows the path away from the Stable will find themselves surrounded by the mist, though the path remains clear. The sound of voices and people just out of view haunt their steps, and many times they might find themselves convinced that they are being chased by something. At the end of the path, they will find themselves at the Hanging Tree though the bodies are not still, instead they writhe, as though trying to escape the nooses. Their hands claw at the rope and their mouths move soundlessly, as though begging for help. The tree creaks alarmingly, almost as though moaning for them. Anyone who lingers for long will find themselves giving into an almost visible sense of panic, sending them fleeing back into the mist.
Anyone entering the Ballroom in the first house will find that the silence has deepened, swallowing even the slightest sound made within it. As the night mounts, the room gains a nearly magnetic pull, sucking all sound into it. Anyone in the Loft Bedroom or the Parlor will find it impossible to speak above a whisper. Anyone entering the Ballroom will find that the floor seems to have changed to a thick taffy, catching anyone who steps onto it fast, like quicksand. The Wallcrawlers are taking advantage of anyone who becomes stuck in the floor, and still cling to the walls in all the hallways. They have become more willing to hunt larger groups, hunger overriding caution. They seem to have begun to concentrate their efforts, however, and have withdrawn from several areas. They now linger primarily in the Maid Hallway, Oak Hallway, Dirt Hallway, and Stone Hallway.
There is an unseen presence in the Blue Kitchen. The moment any one enters, they will feel something against their skin, like a million tiny legs crawling just across the surface, tickling and itching. Their entire bodies will be overcome with the faintest need to scratch-- to clear away whatever is moving across them, to get rid of the incessant itch. It ceases the moment the kitchen is exited, and not a second sooner.
Lock seems to have fallen prey to an attack as midnight chimed, rising shakily once the noise fades. He seems anxious about something, and his nose and mouth are both bleeding as he gets to his feet. Very carefully he wipes the blood away from his face, smearing it a little as he heads elsewhere in the house. He’s pale, though his cheeks are flushed, and he seems to be confused, as though not entirely sure where he is. He settles in the Study, curling in the chair and beneath the tattered Afghan, breathing slightly labored and nose still dripping blood. He doesn’t sleep, staring almost intently at the door. The Photographer Ghost does not move from the desk, but anyone entering will find that they feel almost unwelcome if they try to bother the child.
Nicholas and Shion begin to cry as the clock stirs, fussing loudly and attracting a lot of attention. They seem more restless than usual, their guardians may find that they do not wish to sleep and do not seem to be comforted by their presence. The creatures of the house remain confused and concerned by Shion's cries, avoiding him and any who hold them no matter where they happen to be. The babies settle a little once the chimes fade, cries trailing off into muffled whimpers. They do not seem particularly keen on allowing their guardians a moment to rest, fussing as their attention starts to wander or they begin to drift off.
As midnight settles the Doll-spiders following house-guests all freeze as one, then turn and skitter away into the darkness. In the Parlour of the first house the Doll Queen stands central, the spidery monstrosities skittering across the floor and swarming to her side like obedient dogs. Their tiny hands pull at her dress as they fight to get closer to her, a writhing mass of limbs as she stands and waits.
Waits.
They still as she raises a hand slowly, stiffly, then start to whisper all at once -- a chaotic hushed sound too overlayed to discern individual voices. Some house-guests who have been followed, though, may catch their name in among all the fuss. Eventually the voices die down and she lowers her hand, having listened to all that has been said. She considers this a moment, listening to the flurry of movement in the house, before she speaks -- although anyone who sees would be hard pressed to say where the voice itself comes from as the doll's expression stays flat.
"You were right, there are too many rude boys here."
She vanishes, and in the darkness the Doll-spiders seem to hiss -- perhaps in protest, perhaps in agreement, perhaps in reaction to something nobody else can see. Their limbs click on the marble floor as they restlessly glance between themselves, then they turn and run away into their own corners of the house. House-guests who have been followed previously will find that now their followers are more aggressive, although their behavior is strange. Attacking and running alternately, as if trying to lure guests into rooms. Those who take the bait might find the doors close behind them.
1. Front Door 2. Entry Way 3. Coat Closet 4. Parlor 5. Formal Dining Room 6. Blue Kitchen 7. Doll Bathroom 8. East Hallway 9. Library 10. Study 11. Dawn Room 12. Closed Closet 13. Nursery 14. Dollhouse Room 15. Dollhouse 16. The Crack In The Wall 17. Maid Hallway 18. Clean Bedroom 19. Dirty Bedroom 20. Closet Room 21. Smoke Room 22. Yellow Bedroom 23. Vanity Room 24. Ivory Bathroom 25. Door to Basement 26. Supply Closet 27. Ballroom 28. Oak Hallway 30. Theater 31. Backstage
1. Wind Tunnel Hallway 2. The Front Door 3. Sitting Room 4. Leather Study 5. Gentlemen's Lounge 6. Diamond Dining Room 7. Professional Kitchen 8. Stable 9. Locked Door 10. Orchard 11. Hanging Tree 12. Hot Springs 13. Locked Door
1. Red Hallway 2. Herbal Bedroom 3. Costumed Room 4. Bell Bathroom 5. Fairytale Bedroom 6. Playboy Bedroom 7. Statuary Bedroom 8. Candy Store 9. Stalker Room 10. Satin Room 11. Scented Bathroom 12. Birdcage Room 13. Hedonist Room 14. Carved Parlor 15. Silk Room 16. Get Away Cabin 17. Vanity Bathroom 18. Velvet Bedroom 19. Wax Bedroom 20. Husk Bedroom
((ooc: Just leaving a note to confirm that yes, the night is extended both ICly and OOCly! Night will be ending on the 23rd, instead of the 16th. In character, it will be just a few 'days' (as in 24-hour periods) longer than normal.
For those affected by the companions in the new house, you're given free reign to NPC them following around and looking at your character like they're the best thing since sliced bread. If you're curious about any particular reactions, or want to have more major interaction played out, feel free to contact a mod.))