DAY 029

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| NIGHT 028: GENERAL The heat of the night has not passed, although the oppressive humidity dims as the sun rises. The invisible cicadas remain, buzzing screams a constant background noise outside. The sun burns overhead, bright and merciless; those sensitive to light will find it uncomfortable to set foot outside, while many risk sunburn if they go outside of shade for too long, and water will be a necessity. The Guards have tentatively opened the gates, a number of them coming back looking battered and torn as the sun rises; they retreat to the Guard’s Quarters to tend to their injuries, fumbling with bits of metal in attempts at repairs. A thin fog a few feet thick covers the ground outside the gate. For those who brave the Ruins, the occasional phantoms of past events seem almost as if they could be touched, although they remain nonresponsive, going through the motions of past occurrences, and any attempt at contact passes through them. Chestmouths wander the ruins in an odd daze, restless and half-active. They are highly aggressive if disturbed, however, seeming even more ravenous than usual. || CASTLE Towards dawn, a Grey Maid’s stress gives out. She accidentally breaks a vase on the second floor. Though the castle quickly repairs it, she is called into the chambers of the Lady. No sound beyond muffled thumping escapes as the sun rises. Wallcrawlers lurk in the halls despite the daylight coming in the windows. The twisted mockeries of a human shape scuttle like lizards, darting for hiding places or through doorways if prodded at or approached too closely; they lack the black mottling and tarlike secretions that have been seen previously in this cycle. Occasionally an observant individual might notice shadows in corners watching them with blinking eyes that vanish when investigated, or shadows where none should be that soundlessly skitter out of sight as soon as they’re spotted. || THE TOWN The town’s doors gradually reopen as the day rolls through. Though curtains are still drawn, they seem to be more to block the sun than to keep people out, as most shops that stand yet are once again allowing entry. || GARDEN AND YARD The Gargoyles return to their perches, but they occasionally shift, growling and peering around them. The Crows have settled down somewhat, but are still restless. They will respond to hostile intent violently, scratching and pecking at exposed faces. They will no longer attack at random, but may mistake intentions; approaching them is not a good idea. The door to the Gold Bedroom is shut and locked. The chores for the day have been assigned: Dorm 18: First Floor Dorm 19: Second Floor Dorm 20: Basement Dorm 21: Groundskeeping - Garden Dorm 22: Second Floor Dorm 23: Kitchen Dorm 24: Groundskeeping - Road/Yard, Stables Dorm 25: Third Floor Dorm 26: Groundskeeping - Garden Dorm 27: Third Floor