Night 019

[allthekeys]

|| FIRST HOUSE|| SECOND HOUSE || THIRD HOUSE|| FOURTH HOUSE

|| NIGHT 019: GENERAL As the night falls and strange lethargy grips the house, leaving most settling into a half dozing state. Though true sleep eludes them, the restful state is quite tempting and entirely impossible to resist. Many will find themselves folding onto the nearest flat surface, too tired and lethargic to move. Perhaps the oddest thing about this strange exhaustion is those who seem unaffected by it. Threading through the strange tiredness is a single phrase, winding through their consciousness and burning itself into their souls. "What do you offer in return?" Those who have been losing time throughout the day will find themselves standing strong in the face of the tiredness, whatever is causing it will not touch them, though another feeling does creep over them. The feeling of another presence, standing so close to them it may well be on top of them. They do not black out again, but it feels almost as though something is protecting them. Lyhn's students will find themselves in a similar state, watching as those around them slowly collapse. Soubi will also find himself untouched. Though they can move and act, there is little to be done against what is coming. The Phantasms return to the house, sweeping through the house-guests, looking for something specific. Lock will be their first target, and though he fights, anyone near him will see how futile the battle is, and he very quickly surrenders to their dubious mercy. Whoever holds Shion and Nicolas will find the Phantasms appearing, wresting the two toddlers from their grasp and vanishing. There is no sign of what the three children might have been taken for, but the Phantasms hardly seem done. Their last target is clear, and Soubi will find himself surrounded by eight of the dangerous creatures no matter where he has tried to hide. Once their encounter is finished, the Phantasms scatter, appearing to each person who has had some interaction with Soubi or Mukuro, as though they seek someone in particular. Once their target is chosen, they will leave the house and the strange tiredness will fade, allowing the house-guests freedom to face the night. It will not be a quiet night. Though the storm seems to have waited until the Phantasms have left the house again, the opening crescendo of lightning and thunder is enough to knock the power out for the entire house. Strangely this darkness seems to extend to those with lights that are not connected to a power-source, and anything brighter than a match flame will quickly go out, as though some strange power has decided that the house will remain dark. Little Miss seems to be everywhere, and where she can’t be seen, she can be heard, giggles chasing the house-guests whenever they pause for more than a moment. She doesn't seem inclined to stop for long tonight, but she does seem intent on checking on everyone she has met or made a deal with. Attempting to ignore her seems rather dangerous. Small lights have their own perils, as the smaller shadows seem to have been set to the job of keeping them out. They are quick to attack anyone who carries them, and will only stop if the light is put out. The rain from the storm seems to be doing a good job of melting the snow, and within a few hours, the lower floors of all houses will be covered in an inch of slushy, half frozen snow. This flooding has extended to the basement areas, and anyone tempted to risk the Lower Floor Of the Fourth House, the Catacombs or the Basement will find themselves wading through six inches of frigid, dirty water. The storm wages on throughout the night, the flashes of lightning giving the house an almost ethereal quality. In the flashes of light, it becomes apparent that at some point in the perils of nightfall, someone has taken and ink brush and made their way through the house. Words, letters, and strange pictures cover the walls, the ink still wet enough that it is dripping, distorting the pictures and smearing the words. The smell is quite overwhelming, though what little can be seen of the designs is almost pretty. It is only in each flash of light that they can be seen, anyone attempt to study them with another light source will find them going out very quickly. Throughout the house, the noise of the construction has been silenced. Nothing works tonight. The Hellhounds are out in force tonight, though they seem to be somewhat annoyed by the water covering the floors. As the house starts to flood, the dogs make their way to the higher floors, often laying on the stairs and watching the water. They seem somewhat grumpy, and even the puppies manage to convey some level of irritation with the rising water. They will not enter any basements tonight. Though they will still attack the injured, their hunting seems to be weighted against how wet they want their paws to be. The Giant Hellhound waits until the slush and water have reached a few inches before he finally rises from where he has been lounging at nightfall. He slowly pads through the house, largely unconcerned with the shallow water that does not greatly inhibit his oversized form. It is an almost regal march through the houses, his head held high in a way that commands respect from the creatures around him. He seeks out all those who are in some way canine tonight, curiously investigating shape-shifters and otherwise. He may appear to be almost inclined to assist them, but it is with a certain detachment. For everyone else, while it does not seem entirely friendly, he will not attack unless they seem to threaten one of the smaller dogs, or any other member of his apparent pack. This is an unpardonable sin, should he witness it in any house: he will tear out their throats in an instant and without any mercy. The Wallcrawlers do not seem to share the same dislike of the water that their earthbound fellows hold. They can be found in all hallways in the houses. Though they are blind, their attacks are unrelenting, and it is likely better to run if the house-guests wish to avoid trouble. The Safe rooms tonight are: The Husk Bedroom, The Blank Library, The Mosaic Room and The Seedy Bar. The first half of the night is a full moon despite the fact that it cannot be seen. Any effected by the lunar cycle will feel it as night falls.