DAY 013

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| DAY 013: GENERAL A faint chill settles in the air, one that is not banished by the sun during the day; an occasional stray wind brings with it the smell of fallen leaves from some unknown source. All those within the castle will occasionally find themselves snapping out of an odd, brief daze, as though something is occasionally interrupting their thoughts. Outside the walls, something churns the fog. It causes gaps, ripping open a clear path to the sky. It also makes the entire world shake, minor earthquakes tremble through the castle for the entire day. It seems to be making the Guards uneasy, and many will stop when it rattles the castle and peer out towards the walls. Shortly before dawn, Luke will find that the area of his previously healed injury has a growing network of black veins under the skin. After dawn, Deniro will begin to feel an odd squirming sensation under his skin where he was attacked. || CASTLE As dawn arrives, the Guards briefly snap out of their strange fugue, long enough to sweep through the castle, driving the Wallcrawlers and Former Servants back into the deeper tunnels. The bars return across the halls below, blocking the creatures from returning. The Wallcrawlers huddle along the walls and ceilings just beyond the bars; it is difficult to tell if the eyeless creatures are dormant or merely lying in wait. Once that task is complete, the Guards return to a repetitive patrol of the hallways, barely seeming aware of the current servants. The only consistent interruption to their pattern seems to be the periodic tremors. The Grey Maids, however, remain locked in the same odd patterns they have kept throughout the night, cleaning and tending the same small patches of the castle over and over again. Those who have been assigned to laundry duty may be surprised to see that there are no tubs or washing stations set up in the Barracks—or anywhere else in the castle, should they look farther—and will find themselves left with no direction whatsoever. All of the lights in the Collector’s Library have gone out, leaving the windowless room pitch dark. No matter how many attempts are made to remedy this problem, they simply will not stay lit. Anyone wandering the area may occasionally catch an unpleasant whiff of stale sweat and filth. The Tyger is still in the parlor, although the creature seems asleep in the chair it occupies; while it will burn any who touch it, it can be safely maneuvered around. There is a warm and inviting air about the Common Room today. Any of the servants who spend much time in the room will find themselves feeling pleasantly relaxed and content, perhaps inclined to sit back and unwind from whatever they had previously been occupied with. The fireplace is lit, and the hearth is filled with an assortment of fresh pies that are replenished throughout the day—although nobody is ever seen doing so. A kettle filled with the warming, coffee-like beverage from previous days hangs over the fire. As usual, drinking it excessively will cause guests to feel drowsy and somewhat drunk. The Steward is still nowhere to be found. His quarters have been cleaned meticulously; dirty dishes have been cleaned up and taken away, the bed has been stripped of its sheets, and the closets emptied of clothing, leaving behind almost no trace of recent inhabitance. The ledger keeping record of servants’ wages remains open on the table, however, the last few days’ entries are blank. || GARDENS AND YARD The strange Fae Flowers in the Garden close, although the buds look as though they could reopen easily. The garden plants seem to be stubbornly ignoring the growing chill, with no sign of their leaves turning; those who have been turning to the gardens for edible fruits and vegetables will find that everything is regrowing neatly at a rapid pace. The Green Man patrols the garden paths, taking note of any who enter and carefully going around them on the paths to continue on his way. The two Rescued Prisoners have moved to one of the secluded groves near a fountain and small fishpond; they seem to be attempting to make it livable, clearing dead wood and broken branches from the clearing. Helen is playing quietly in the twists and turns of the garden, hand running along the edge of hedges and fountains as she passes them. She laughs often, chatting with the crows who come to find her, or with the plants themselves, and can sometimes be found in a game of tag or hide and seek with Viola. She seems content and comfortable with her new location. || THE TOWN The odd cycling patterns of the Grey Maids are apparently beginning to spread to the Town; throughout the day, many of the townsfolk will fall into a daze, repeating their actions of the last hour or so before snapping out of it, confused, and returning to their business. A small, red songbird flits about the town today, singing to itself. The House that Rei asked be built is nearing completion, and the Bullmen work to apply thatch to it. They sing often, deep, chanting work songs that lift the spirit and make those that hear them feel more ready to face whatever comes. They seem unaffected by the occasional fugues. The man who woke up in the Receiving Room has left the Library in favour of wandering the Town today. He keeps a stiff, unwelcoming posture, but he walks slowly and looks at each shop and dwelling, even though he doesn’t directly approach any. The townspeople don’t seem all that inclined to approach him either, however.   The Apothecary is once again quite fidgety this morning, and can be seen pacing inside his shop as he works, seemingly in an effort to occupy his hands. The shop itself remains open despite its keeper’s state of mind.   The Candy Maker takes advantage of this and enters the Apothecary later in the day with a small bag in her hands and a faintly concerned expression. She stays chatting to the apothecary for a few minutes in a low tone, and while he seems reluctant to tell her much, he appears calmer after her visit.   She returns to her own shop shortly, no longer carrying anything, and makes a point of keeping an inviting air today, offering anyone a smile and a wave. Her door, too, is open.   The Beggar has once again disappeared—apparently without a trace.   The chores for the day have been assigned, although the handwriting in which they are written on the board is notably different than usual. Dorm 18: Basement Dorm 19: Basement Dorm 20: Kitchen Dorm 21: First floor Dorm 22: First floor Dorm 23: Second floor Dorm 24: Second floor Dorm 25: Laundry Dorm 26: Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings Dorm 27: Groundskeeping - Roads, Yard, Stables/Outbuildings || THREAT DOWN GENERAL: • The air is faintly chilly and sometimes windy • All within the castle will find themselves occasionally snapping in and out of odd dazes • Something churns the Fog outside the walls, and earthquakes tremble throughout the castle. The Guards are uneasy CASTLE: • The Guards snap out of their fugue for long enough to drive the Wallcrawlers and Former Servants back beyond the bars blocking the area past the Common Hallway • The Grey Maids are still locked in patterns of repetitive motion • There is no laundry station set up in the Barracks • The Collector’s Library is pitch dark and smells unpleasant at times • The Tyger is sleeping in one of the Small Parlors • The Common Room feels warm and inviting • The Steward’s Quarters are spotless and have been emptied of most traces of inhabitance GARDENS AND YARD: • The Fae Flowers are closed • The Green Man is on patrol • The Rescued Prisoners are spending time in a grove • Helen and Viola play quietly in the garden THE TOWN: • The townsfolk are also falling into occasional fugues and odd patterns of repetitive motion • A songbird flits about the town • The Bullmen are working to complete Rei’s house • The man who had woken in the Receiving Room wanders the town, stiff and unwelcoming • The Apothcary is once again fidgety, though his shop is still open. The Candy Maker visits him • Once she returns to work, the Candy Maker makes an effort to keep an inviting air to her shop • The Beggar has vanished

Comments

[silver_lucifer]

*on the proper journal* Guess who else is in Room 23 XD

[onethousandflowers]

I noticed! It's God-dorm. It's a weird one.