MIDNIGHT 010

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| MIDNIGHT 010: GENERAL Before midnight, there is a brief, almost tangible sense of menace - as though some looming threat is about to befall all those present. This presence lasts relatively briefly before flickers of light are seen from the center of the Maze. While weak at first, these flickers soon grow to envelop whatever resides in the middle, bright enough to throw shadows across the outer grounds before suddenly vanishing; not only do they take the sense of menace with them, but the air seems lighter than it has been since any arrived. Along the Main road outside, there is a sudden pause as the garden vines and gargoyles freeze their combat, attention focused the direction of the maze. After some time has passed, both sides seem to accept some sort of grudging truce; the vines still spill over the wall, but have ceased attacking unless provoked, while the gargoyles file in procession patrolling the road. Metal gates slam down barring passage into the seemingly endless hallways that trail off away from the Dorms. A Gargoyle wanders into place at each such gate; while their attention is fixed on the space beyond, they will move to bar any attempts at tampering with the gates. Kaito will find that the bundle of broken bones and feathers in his arms grows unusually warm as midnight nears, so warm that it almost feels like it is burning. As midnight nears, the threads of magic around Gilly become brighter, visible to the naked eye. The bird begins to change, his body lengthening into the shape of a little boy, gaining mass as it grows. The boy appears as dead as the bird, his bright orange hair stuck to his face with traces of the blood that covered him as a bird. He is dressed plainly, and his eyes are closed. The magic closes around him like a net and he abruptly draws a breath into his body, his entire form shuddering as the magic seems to bite and he is once again is a bird, though somewhat changed now. Where once glossy black feathers covered his head, now he is capped by bright orange. He makes a startled noise and seems incredibly disoriented, but he is undamaged. Screams be heard from the third floor, the way is now blocked by several guards. The screams have a distinctly female sound to them, though they are occasionally joined by a raised male voice. The locked door on the second floor is red hot, and enraged shrieks can be heard from beyond it. Smoke leaks out from around the edges of it, and something heavy makes the occasional impact against it. The Heart Eater is leaning against the wall of the staircase, tracing symbols on the wall with her finger tip. They glow as she leaves them there, each finger brush seeming to paint with ink a message. Gone, gone, gone. Gone to pieces. Gone gone gone, all of it to ruin. Gone gone gone, no more to answer. Gone gone gone, gone to ashes every one. The Tyger is no longer prowling the great hall; it has found a corner of the entry hall where it lays, head on its paws, the flickering flames seeping through holes in its hide dimmed from their earlier blaze. While it will visibly move its head to track those passing through, it is mostly passive unless disturbed. The Tea Woman seems guarded, her eyes on the horizon, her back straight and her focus intense. She says nothing, though there seems to be a watchful air in her band, and many come to her. The Children who had been playing vanish. Rose sleeps, barely moving. Her skin has a faint sheen to it, and her breathing is at times a little shaky, but it is constant. The Blacksmith's Shop has gained an unwelcome pair of visitors, two Eyeless Lads leaning carelessly against the walls, seeming to watch the Young Apprentice. They sneer and mock her as she works, clearly not caring that their presence is making her uncomfortable. Or perhaps that is their intention. It seems to be working. She appears very tense: she's shaping the iron she's working on with more force than necessary, and her jaw is set in an angry-yet-scared way that doesn't really suit her young face. The Apothecary closes up shortly after midnight. The young man who owns it quickly shuts the door and windows and draws the curtains, only appearing outside long enough to make sure nobody looks like they're going to bother him. There's something stressed about him, and he pointedly ignores anyone who seeks him for the rest of the night.

Comments

MIDNIGHT 010 PLOTTING POST

[allthekeys]

Luce

[birdwingsandthings]

Luce will still be hanging out in the Gardens and Zoo, although he might be exploring the gardens a bit more thanks to being told about the Maze and the Gazebo (which he really thought was an animal at first until he was told about going into it, so now he thinks its a cage).

Any NPCs or such would be fun if the modly ones are up for it.

His open post for the night in the gardens is here