Day 017

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| DAY 017: GENERAL || THE TOWN As the sun rises, warmth seeps into the town. The snow and the icefall begins to melt, becoming a further hazard as great pits of mud. The townsfolk toss straw down in these as they creep out of their houses, surveying the damage and beginning to make repairs. Outside the Apothacary the survivors of the merchant train whistle and work on repairing their newly claimed home, with the Tea Woman keeping an eye over things. The Cobbler seems interested in the Tailor's Shop and can be found there early in the day, studying Manny with a look of great consternation on his face. The survivors seem to be breaking new ground in addition to the repairs, salvaging what is left of their carts--with the exception of the Tea Woman's Cart--to build up a new structure. The two surviving Bullmen are quick to help, and join in the soft singing that carries on throughout the day. Several crows alight on the shoulders of the workers, complaining until they are offered some small morsel or some other contact. In the Cheese House one of the Gryphon Riders is visiting, his bird sprawled casually near the table, eating a bowl full of food. Kora and the man chat easily and he dangles Gem on an armed knee, plying her affections with little sweets and sips of his cooled tea. While rather incongruous with her normal environment, she handles the man easily and calmly, seeming almost fond. She is quick to break away and serve those that enter the shop, almost as though she intends to hurry them on their way. He speaks to no one but her, face obscured by his odd liquid mask, and his bird peers at all who enter. The Blacksmith is working hard, keeping her head to the ground and her fire hot. To those who watch her, she seems consumed with something other. Her knuckles white and her work more hurried than her wont. It is unknown what troubles her. Four Guards, accompanied by the Eyeless Lad referred to as Akari, arrive at Rei's house to retrieve Tanny and spirit her back to the castle. The girl is still blinded, and the escort leaves little room for any interruption or interaction, disappearing up the stairs to the Third Floor. Around the Town and the Courtyard area, small shapes can be glimpsed occasionally, darting between dark spaces and cover. The creatures lack eyes and seem to have black matting in their fur. It’s difficult to tell what they once were, but perhaps they could have been large rats, small cats or dogs, or other wildlife. || GARDENS AND YARD Seemingly a part of the anxious energy, the Guards are wandering the Maze several station right inside the gates, preventing anyone from entering. They seem anxious to those who know them, often seeming lost in some conversation or another. The Garden is somewhat agitated, working on regrowing the damaged areas; the regrowth of the outer buffer zone is slow, and it will take the greater part of the day for new growth to once again reach the wall around the Garden. The canopy grown over it seems to be thinning somewhat, dripping meltwater from above in a constant drizzle that pools in puddles and overfills some of the ponds. While some of the more overgrown areas and groves are relatively clear, it is nearly impossible to stay dry in most of the garden. || CASTLE The castle is uneasy today. The servants that do enter it will find it a surly, inhospitable place. The Cook mutters and seethes over a cracked pot; the Basement is filled with shadows that never seem connected to any person, and at the grates things that are not-quite human press and paw at those who step over them, mewling and sighing. Several Guards are lined up on either side of the doors to the Throne Room. They are peculiarly attentive to any servants who approach, and they’ll follow and keep close by anyone who crosses through the doors. Once inside, the reason for this becomes clear: the Lady has descended from her chambers and currently occupies one of the two thrones. She appears serene and content, and though her mirrored face makes it difficult to perceive the nuances of her expression, her lips are curled into a smile. She hums quietly to herself as she overlooks the room. Those who had been in the castle during the previous day will recognize it as the same jaunty tune that the music box had been playing. Nine of the ten remaining Grey Maids have gathered around her. They stand solemnly by her side, poised and ready to carry out her orders. The chores for the day have been assigned: Dorm 18: Groundskeeping - Road, Yard, Stables Dorm 19: Second Floor Dorm 20: Groundskeeping - Road, Yard, Stables Dorm 21: Groundskeeping - Garden Dorm 22: Groundskeeping - Garden Dorm 23: Kitchen Dorm 24: Kitchen Dorm 25: Basement Dorm 26: Basement Dorm 27: First Floor

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DAY 017 PLOTTING COMMENT

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