DAY 009

[allthekeys]

|| Day 009: GENERAL As morning dawns outside the castle, the clouds have mostly dispersed, although the thick humidity lingers. While the fog tries to encroach along the edges of the walls, it is held at bay, and the sky above is clear and blue. Early in the morning the sunlight angling through the fog provides some mercy, but the temperatures steadily rise throughout the day; by the time the castle grounds are getting direct sunlight, the heat is oppressive and muggy. The solid stone of the castle does little to block the humidity, but does seem to mitigate the oppressive heat; inside, it is overly warm, but not nearly as miserable as the outdoors. INSIDE THE CASTLE: The Guards are still groggy and sluggish as they move about their tasks. They are slow to react to any crimes today and seem dispirited by the night's events. The Captain appears to be attempting to deal with the issue, but many of the metal men have simply slumped down at their posts, heads in their hands as though grieving. It is clear the spell of the night has somehow caused them damage. One Guard is sitting on the ground outside the Kitchen, head cradled in his hands. His shoulders seen tense, and he barely shifts as people walk past him. Tanner, meanwhile, sits on the ground outside Murtagh's cell with a sheet of leather spread over his lap. As the day goes on he traces a pattern for a pair of boots, cuts it carefully from the material, and begins to stitch them up. The Dark Skinned Woman who often keeps the Lord company is sitting in the Kitchen, a mug of something steaming in her hands. Her gaze appears far away, and though the cook has clearly attempted to ply her with sweet pastries and fruit, she has not touched any of it. She is well dressed, with a long skirt covering her legs and her sleeves pulled down over her hands. She blinks occasionally, but otherwise could easily be confused with a statue of a woman. Thick gold bracelets around her wrists chime gently every time she shifts, but she does not seem to notice. The Jester is laying on the bed in his room, one arm thrown over his face. The makeup is smeared from half of his face, his hat has been cast onto a chair, and he appears to be asleep. Gilly the crow is sitting on the pillow, his feathers fluffed up and also apparently sleeping. The cut on the Jester's head has mostly scabbed over, but the edges are red and puffy. The Collector's Library still feels somewhat empty, but the man with the baby has not left. He is, however, exhausted, and sits quietly in a corner singing to his bundle. He seems barely able to keep awake. In the Jungle Bedroom, the mounted animals have returned to their original condition. They look as pristine and seamlessly crafted as usual, and all that's left to show for their nighttime antics are pools of dried blood scattered along the floor. Two black leopards are stationed directly in front of the locked door in the room, and something is snarling from behind it. The Sirens have simply disappeared. GARDENS AND YARD: The Gardens are less violent, but still agitated; in many places the plants visibly move. They are sluggish in the day's light, but seem to be testing the boundaries of what they can reach while rooted. As long as they are not handled aggressively, they are harmless, but those going close to them or into deeper parts of the garden will find themselves being investigated by branches, leaves, and vines. Viola is groggy and anxious, often hiding in alcoves of the garden when Amaterasu is not present, staying close to the wolf for comfort otherwise. Zephram sits on the edge of one of the many fountains scattered through the Gardens, his feet trailing against the water. Small sheets of delicate frost form on top of the water, never moving too far around him. He chews occasionally on his lower lip, gazing into the water as though it holds some answer he is seeking. The fish in the pond occasionally nibble at the edge of the ice, but otherwise nothing moves around him. The horses and various animals in the Stables are mostly being given a break from work, allowed to rest through the miserable weather; they can be found sticking to shade as the sun rises in the sky. THE TOWN: The Town is still clearly rattled by their Lord's nighttime visit, and its residents go about their tasks with considerably less laughter and playfulness than they had the day before. Behind the the Cheese House, the young woman who normally tends shop can be found doubled over, one hand pressed to her stomach. Her face is ashen and her stance suggests she feels rather ill. The older woman who can occasionally be found there is tending the shop today, attempting the clean the mess that has been left in the Lord's wake. The apothecary is still at work righting his shop after the night’s visit. He keeps the door open since there’s no need to have it closed when he’s darting in and out to throw out broken glass and furniture and taking some things in from his garden. He still appears quite stressed from the ordeal with the Lord and looks pale, but he’s more animated today and on occasion appears to talk to himself in a low tone. The Goblin has returned to his drafting, though he has dragged into his employ several of the town's men and a few strange figures that blink cautiously at the sunlight making its way through the heavy clouds. Their bodies are barely clothed and covered in a thick black grease that hides any distinguishing features. They work without pause, in contrast to the townsfolk who stop occasionally for water or snacks. The townsfolk seem rather unnerved by the creatures, and often during their breaks congregate together to speak in soft voices about them. They avoid them when they're working next to them, stepping quickly out of the way if one drifts close. But the creatures either do not notice or do not care. In the town, the building that they towns people are creating is taking shape as a shop. There is considerably more joviality at this work site, with chatter and laughter and songs breaking out as the people work on the shop they are building. They seem to intend to finish it by the end of the day. The Monastery remains locked, and the gardens behind empty. The chores for the day have been assigned: Dorm 18: First Floor Dorm 19: Groundskeeping/Garden Dorm 20: Kitchen Dorm 21: Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings Dorm 22: Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings Dorm 23: Second Floor Dorm 24: Basement Dorm 25: First Floor Dorm 26: Groundskeeping/Garden Dorm 27: Second Floor

Comments

THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED NIGHT 08

[bloodyashes]

Playerbase Updates and Deaths:

Thancred was disappeared most of the night for a canon update! He now has an eyepatch he doesn't need and no more magical power.

NPC Interactions:

Sync and later Luke got caught wandering the third floor by the Lads, and had a really traumatic night because of it. They were taken to a chamber with Zeph/the scaled boy and the Lads satsified their appetites in a particularly trigger-warning-ful way. Asch and Hibari attempted a rescue not long before midnight that ended in injuries and the new information that the Lads regenerate. After the Lord kicked everyone out in the midnight update, Luke attached himself to Asch, Sync ran off to hide, and the cook fussed over everyone who would stick around the kitchen long enough. Zeph was taken back to Dorm 20.

The hooded spy gave tokens to Estinien and Sync to serve her as sources of information, some important information to Kaito, and is also keeping an eye on Syhrgeim. She slipped into the Rose House after midnight to talk to Sil.

Speaking of the Rose House, Asch brought Luke out there and made a decent attempt at introducing him to Sil and Rose. Asch asked Sil about the apparent curse causing Luke to sprout fur and occasionally change shape entirely

Murtagh attempted another raid to break out the dragon girl and her fellows, which wound up with him thrown in a cell the later half of the night.

Dist had some close calls with Something while having tea with the apothocary and got a good portion of his life siphoned off. Several others helped put the shop to rights throughout the Night.

Explorations and Discoveries:

Kaito got a map of a good portion of the third floor while the Lord was away, and also got some sweet loot out of it! Potential Rei Readings on the loot are pending, stay tuned. (He also broke his hand and shoulder in various places.)