DAY 008

[allthekeys]

|| Day 008: GENERAL As dawn creeps closer over the castle grounds, those within the market square begin to pack up their remaining wares. The remains a steady drizzle, and seems like it should dampen the spirits of those who have spent the night in it, but most appear quite content with a night well spent, counting their money and packing what remains of their wares. The band steps down from their makeshift stage and begin to store their instruments, great, twisted faces pulled into grins. These strange goblins seem to be good natured creatures despite their leering, grotesque faces. They are congratulated by most of those in the midst of tearing down their stalls, and most of the interaction seems pleasant. One sits down on the edge of the well, playing a jaunty tune for the duration of the tear-down. The rest of the small band stand around him, tapping feet and conversing with the passers by, drinking wine and water as it is offered to them. They seem to be in good sorts after the night of playing, and a few of the other visitors pause to drop coins into a hat one has tossed down on the ground. The Girl from the Candle Seller comes with a handful of coins for them, smiling brightly as she drops them into the hat. She has tossed her hood back, seemingly to have little care for the rain that is soaking it, and is rather distinctive for the single strip of braided red hair down one side of her otherwise dark head. One of them offers her a fond hair ruffle before she scampers back to her guardian, only to be scooped up and placed in his cart, the placid beast that pulls the cart flicking an ear, turning its massive head to look at them. The man seems nervous, glancing to the castle from time to time as he works to bring down his cart. The Cobbler sighs softly as he stores his tent, loading it into the back of the Tea Seller's cart, along with what remains of his supplies and wares. The old woman is washing the mugs from the night, and providing those packing with hot tea if they come to her. She seems to be in reasonably good spirits as she works, and exchanges pleasant words with those who come to see her. There is an air of respect from the strange gathering towards the woman, a few pause for longer, asking questions or soliciting advice from her before they go on their way. The Bullmen are picking up the remains of their game, stacking what wood they did not use near to the Apothecary with careful hands. The man who runs the shop comes out to speak to them, exchanging a few careful words with them before returning to his shop. If asked what it is they do, they will simply chuckle and offer that they are paying tribute. There is a genial air to the strangers, most are friendly with each other. The bullmen seem to be in great demand as a tear-down crew, and seem rather happy to assist anyone who asks them. They are easily able to lift heavy carts into place behind the beasts that will haul them, or tables and baskets into those same carts. Most will notice that the man who sold the Unicorns is ignored by all who toil in the square. He hooks up his cart alone, without even the girl to aid him, and cleans up his area without looking at the others who work in the square. It is clear that his banishment is universal, as none will move to aid him even when he struggles. He seems to expect this, and though he appears angry, he does not object to it. The burned girl sleeps in the cart, curled amid the empty cages. By the time dawn has come fully upon the castle, the strangers will be gone. There is no trash remaining in the square, though soft mud has left a smattering of prints upon the cobblestones and a variety of tracks give testament to the fact that they were there. Soubi will find a small tin of sweets sitting on his pillow, the hard candies range in falvor from rose, to violet to a sweet, tangy orange. No indication of who has left this gift here can be found. Rei will find a comb on her pillow, hung with silver chains and several hammered silver bangles. It looks very like what she saw the Tea Seller wearing in the market. Asch will discover a charm made of blue stone and beads on his pillow, though the main stone seems to have been cut neatly in half. Luke has the other half of the charm on his own pillow. Both are made in such a way that they can easily be attached to the hair. Hope will find a simple silver bell with blown glass beads woven onto the cord on her bed. When the bell is rung, it evokes a sense of safety and contentment. In the Throne Room the Lady has taken her leave of her Guests, and the poor creatures have at last returned to their inert state. The room smells of old death and dust, with little to cut the smell from the air. The Jester has pulled his hat off, revealing curly red-hair, and has slumped over his harp, arms wrapped loosely around it. His hair is matted with blood and his scalp is bruised around a deep wound, and he seems entirely exhausted by the night. The Gold Bedroom remains aflame, although it has receded enough to be a thinner heat-haze of flickering tongues over every surface; the room can be entered without burning, although it is uncomfortably hot, and anyone lingering too long will begin feeling the effects of the heat. The Tyger has vanished with the dawn. The Unicorn and her foal have been crammed into the already too full cage with one of the males, she stands between her foal and the male, head down and body hunched protectively over the smaller foal. Tanny sits on the grand staircase, skirts draped around her knees. The Cook has brought her a breakfast tray, and she seems to be idly picking at it. She seems a bit sleepy still, eyelids heavy. Her hair has been done up in simple plaits that have been pinned to her head. The Crows are still at their game nearby, a few flutter down next to her for their clothes and ornaments to be admired by her. The largest of the crows, with her white feathers, sits next to the girl and watches the game with serious eyes. She seems to get more of Tanny's breakfast than the girl does. The Crows are still something of a menace, and are quick to steal things from the pockets of those who wander near to the girl, though Kaito, Hibari, and Soubi will largely be able to pass without being too bothered by the persistent, feathery creatures. In the Stables the Stable Boy is settling a few new birds and a small flock of goats. He seems a bit sad, glancing occasionally to the door of the stables, but never leaving the area. The two small Gryphons have been returned to his care and are making nuisances of themselves, hopping from hay bales, small wings spreading as they chase him around the stables. He does not seem at all irritated by them, occasionally catching the smaller one and tossing him up onto the hay when he pounces. The Young Feral Deer are growing quickly, standing at nearly half the size of their adult counterparts. Their horns are in the process of growing, and they often drop their heads to rub against the wooden posts in the Stables, and bleat occasionally for their caretakers to come itch spots they cannot reach. They are quite demanding small creatures, and will readily follow anyone who takes their lead ropes out into the courtyard. The massive horses seem somewhat jealous of their smaller counterparts, though the guards are quick to pat them and fuss over them. The silver colt will not accept any touching, and lingers in the back of his stall with wary eyes to the door of it. He is no longer tied in place, and moves freely around his stall. He will bite if anyone male tries to approach him, but will merely flatten his ears at females and avoid their touch. Those assigned to the Stables will find themselves under the direction of an odd little man. He stands no more than four feet tall, has a neatly tended beard, and shrewd, thoughtful eyes beneath a heavy brow. He has several guards with him, and those guards are hauling pieces of stone to where he directs them. He seems to be in the process of drafting out a new building to stand between the kennels and the main stable. The Captain works with him, speaking quietly with him from time to time. He does not seem a cruel man, but does seem to be entirely consumed with the plans he is in the process of sketching and not at all aware that some of those he directs to hall stone are made of flesh and bone, not metal shells. After dawn at the Apothecary a Scarecrow can be found carefully weeding the garden. It is obviously stuffed with straw, though it moves as one might expect a human to move. Its eyes painted on rather than real eyes, and its lips are a line of stitching on its canvas face. Straw peeks out around its wrist and neck, and it crunches slightly as it moves around. Despite the obvious unreality of this strange creation, its face is animated and seems to express emotion. Anyone who approaches it will find that it is quiet cheerfully devoted to the task it is preforming, and it offers no complaints, it is unknown if the creature is capable of speech. Now that the festivities are over, the Sirens begin to disperse. Despite the daylight, the creatures can be found sporadically around the castle. They do not seem to be violent today, instead simply musing to themselves. They ignore men completely, but will pay some attention to women. Those who have been kind to them and whom they have followed before will find the sirens particularly willing to be friendly. A woman that some might recognize as the normally Drowned Woman sits in the town by the well. She listens cheerfully to the music and ruckus as the night market packs up. No one saw her appear, but she seems quite healthy for the day. The chores for the day have been assigned: Dorm 18 - Groundskeeping/Garden Dorm 19 - Second Floor Dorm 20 - First Floor Dorm 21 - Basement Dorm 22 - First Floor Dorm 23 - Kitchen Dorm 24 - Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings Dorm 25 - Groundskeeping/Garden Dorm 26 - Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings Dorm 27 - Basement