guestservices: (Default)
🛎 ([personal profile] guestservices) wrote2022-07-11 08:16 am
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GRAVEYARD.






GRAVEYARD


Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...

...to be super dead. No, did you think you were getting a funeral? Sorry.

When you wake up, no matter how you died, you'll find yourself all in one piece, inside of a fairly large box that upon further inspection may in fact be a coffin. However, throwing the lid off isn't too difficult, and as you step out of your own grave, you'll find yourself standing in a cemetery behind a large mansion, where an iron gate stands between you and the entrance. Thankfully, the moment you approach, dirty and tired as you are, the gate swings open, and you're allowed immediate entrance into the mansion.

The mansion itself is a little dusty, and the furnishings are vintage at best, but... hey, it's home. Why don't you explore a little?




FIRST FLOOR.

★ On the first floor is a parlor and sitting area. On one of the tables is a phone, which as of Week 3, Saturday has a dial tone and can be used to contact hotel staff. In addition to that is a kitchen stocked with food - not to mention a large wine cellar full to the bursting with every kind of wine you could imagine. Vintage!

★ Walking down a long hallway, you'll find a laundry room with a washbin and a washboard, a few closets full of dusty old clothes, a large library, and an ornate dining room with a crystal chandelier.

Of note, the dining room in particular has a very tall wall of what look like portraits to one side. If you walk closer, however, you may notice that the portraits are moving - and appear to actually be holding black and white images of your friends (and enemies?) back in the hotel, so you can monitor their activities. That's nice! There are record players set up beneath the portraits, which come with blank records set in there already; if you turn them on while the blank records are set there, you will be able to hear what is being said by the people in the portraits.

★ At the very end of the first floor hallway is another door - it is locked up tight with a padlock, and has a message painted on it.... Don't dead? Inside here is the basement that the dead locked Qi Rong into on Friday of Week 5. In theory you might be able to take the key from someone and go in, since it hasn't been returned to Virgo; inside here is a dark, dank basement illuminated by a lantern giving off a dim green glow. There are barrels of stale water and sour wine, boxes containing stale crackers, extremely questionable jerky, and other rotted foodstuffs, and... uh... there are some unpleasant-looking rats skittering around. Icky. In practice, why would you want to? Just keep it locked.

1, 2, 3


SECOND FLOOR.

★ On the second floor of the mansion is a series of bedrooms. Just like the hotel, you'll find a room already booked with your name on a nameplate on the door - and a portrait of yourself, as well as your hostage, hanging just above the nameplate. The inside of the rooms are simple - a bed with red covers, a desk with a typewriter, and a small bathroom with a toilet and a clawfoot tub. Provided that you didn't give your belongings away, you'll find all of them on your bed, waiting for you upon your arrival. This includes tickets (so long as they weren't looted from your body and used to pay for hints) and other things that may have been evidence in your case but belonged to you beforehand.

★ A dumbwaiter sits at the end of the hallway of bedrooms. Inside of it is a typewriter, and a space where there once sat a golden bell labeled as Virgo's; however, the bell is currently missing. An unlabeled bell sits to the side of it. A small sign above the dumbwaiter says: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT STAFF BY LEAVING A MESSAGE. VIRGO MAY ALSO BE SENT A TIP AND RUNG. PULL THE LEVER TO PRESS SEND. - STAFF

It seems you can reach out to the hotel staff by leaving a message or ringing the bell, though your options are limited for the latter. Sure enough, a lever in the wall next to the dumbwaiter is currently set to the "down" position. Push it to "up" and watch your message disappear.

★ Beside the dumbwaiter is one last bedroom. This room is marked with a plaque that says "Dream Suite", and has several familiar constellations decorating the door. Occasionally, when you ring the bell by the dumbwaiter while thinking of a member of Hotel Staff on the living side, the corresponding constellation on the door will light up, and you'll feel as though you should walk in. Inside, there is a line of comfortable beds. Lie down in one, and you'll have a dreamlike "in person" audience with the NPC you had attempted to contact.


OUTDOORS.

★ Outside of the mansion is a small garage. The ground here is worn down and thin, and you can almost make out what look like railroad tracks embedded in the dirt. Inside of the garage is a rattly old car that moves along those little railroad tracks, from the garage to the mansion front, and then back all the way around to the cemetery.

★ On the grounds, there is a garden full of flowers. There are also the remnants of gardening supplies and supplies to package and send bouquets, but none of these supplies are in useable condition now.

★ A "bumper cars" rink has been made by clearing out all of the rocks, weeds and grass in a sizeable area. There are some small slopes and dips, and a bumper barrier along the outside of the rink which was made by piling up compacted dead leaves from the graveyard. There are two "cars": laundry baskets that have rudimentary jar lid wheels with ladle axles and nails stolen from a dining room chair. They have been padded with some old clothing, like that will save anyone. Since we don't have electricity in hell, each "car" has one paddle made from tree branches broken down into the appropriate size, presumably used to push the cars around.

★ The cemetery where you first awaken is a direct copy of the cemetery outside of the hotel - right down to the placement of statues, mausoleums, and the creepy atmosphere. Your grave remains after you wake up in it, in case you want to take a dirt nap.

1, 2



overruns: (Default)

w7 ; weds night

[personal profile] overruns 2022-07-28 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
YooYoo,

Did you send me underwear? I do not understand.

Sincerely,

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd


[ there is one bruised little snowdrop included with this letter, as well as several wisteria petals. ]

Shinobu,

Though he can be a rake, Sylvain would never be so crude, so let us consider ourselves lucky. That said, I am still profoundly embarrassed with what's happened. Please forgive me. I have reflected on my actions and realized that even efforts to be helpful can be twisted into something truly abominable.

Secondly, while Marie does deserve retribution, I believe the correct person died that day. Death has not made him any more contrite, so I have no qualms saying so. Some people deserve to die, at best.

With those unpleasantries aside...

We did see the discussion regarding the tickets. And I was heartened by what you said -- it is true that the guilt of being chosen over someone else would weigh on me beyond words. But more importantly, I feel such genuine relief to see Claude and Hope revived, even if it is not the end to their troubles. It is a gift to me to have them that much closer to safety.

Just as kind was the sentiment that you would want to meet again. It is impossible to put words to paper for how grateful I am. You have forced me to wonder what happiness looks like: perhaps it is in reuniting with someone thought lost to you, or the warmth of a hand in yours, or simply to desire someone's company, and to be desired in turn.

I think it may be happiness to sit here, looking out at the snow that fell today, and write a letter with you in my thoughts, wondering what you might think of the same scene.

To sweeter dreams,

Dimitri


Dear Tsurumaru,

All I have to say is that your sense of humor is quite uncouth. And that Claude sent me his candy, so there is some sort of karma at play here. We used it to ask about returning to the lobby, but I do not think the answer is worth reporting to you. It is my opinion that you ought to use yours to inquire about something else.

Thank you for trusting me with your little bit of selfishness. No matter how many people we may lose -- to violence, illness, or simply the passage of time -- it is the nature of the heart to want to save all that we can. I want to help him too, though at the moment, I just hope I can help you.

Let us see this through.

Sincerely,

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd


Dear Mikazuki Munechika,

I would not have been so gracious in my means, so sufficed to say, you have both my understanding and acceptance both. I will be frank that I am still angry beyond words. Hatred is a distinctly human weakness, and one that I suffer from especially.

But that is why I am here, and you are where you are. What she needs is not my fury, but the support you and Tsurumaru must be leveraging her way. I am grateful, and will always do my utmost to help you, my friend.

However, I believe we are reaching an end to our usefulness here. I have faith in you all, and in the capability of those on both sides. Though I have only lived a fraction of your years, I understand what it is like to watch others be left behind, overtaken by flame while you yourself must move on. But life is not always kind in its outcomes, regardless of how much we might toil and struggle. If we should not be able to return, then do not look back. And do not regret for my sake.

But selfishly, I will hope for the best.

To whatever awaits us,

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd


Dear Claude,

While I would have been glad to see anyone on that list brought back to life, it is a blessing for me in particular to see you returned to the other side. Even if your troubles are not over, and though no, I do not consider anything resolved, I think it is a step in the right direction.

Thank you for sending me this most horrific lollipop. We used it today with regards to returning to you all.

The answer was nothing worth speaking on, but everything we've encountered makes me want to believe we stand a chance. Still, I am not naturally inclined to optimism. So while I cannot afford to lose myself to hopelessness, if all else goes wrong, I want you to know that I have been grateful to learn more about you. Is it not strange, that I feel closer to you now than I ever did at Garreg Mach? I find myself thinking about our monastery days in excess lately, wondering what might have been.

Sincerely,

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd
illomened: (welcome)

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Clapping his hands together with delight!]

Oh! You really got it! This conveys his looks perfectly, I think! Right, Saizo?

[Saizo eyeballs the sculpture before doing a little flip. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. Apparently it's good at least as far as Souji interprets it, since he just nods.]

That's what I thought, too. Ah, you're even cute in big snow form, you know?
sageguidance: (pic#15711730)

[personal profile] sageguidance 2022-07-28 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ we're not all marvel characters, bucky ]

No... no, I should be fine, I think. I feel naught but a terrible chill, which something warm ought to fix.
sageguidance: (pic#15711740)

[personal profile] sageguidance 2022-07-28 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ u_u ]

Aye... unfortunately so. We grew terribly lost as the storm became more severe, yet we could but press on as we were battered with hail.
illomened: (last train)

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
Ah... Lost again. [Seems to be the theme when they go poking their noses in places they shouldn't be.] --Hail? Goodness. I'm glad that it wasn't anything worse than weather, at least, but even so...
sageguidance: (pic#15711607)

[personal profile] sageguidance 2022-07-28 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
Well—we did expect worse, 'tis true, and we need not spend any of the tickets among us either.
illomened: (humbug)

w7 weds night

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
To Jason-san,

That does sound very much like the Hijikata-san that I know, but that is also exactly what I mean by causing problems. I am sure that he fulfilled his duties in the worst possible way, because he would not want anyone to think of his role as noble, or to feel pity or empathy for him. He is a very tiring man. Please accept my apologies on his behalf.

Over here, it is the same as ever. It is Wednesday night as I write. I received your letter earlier, after sending my own last night. We had a snowfall overnight and the winter weather seems to have decided to stay with us for the time being, though it is not unpleasant. The instabilities afflicting your side do not seem to have taken our own in such a way.

If you look into those doors, take care. I will pass on your greeting, but from what I know, no one has anything new to pass on. We have very little to do but face the future head-on, whatever it may bring. Be sure to act as anchors to one another where needed, as it is very easy to lose oneself in times such as these.

Take care and stay well.

With sincerity,
Okita Souji
illomened: ((•ᗨ•;;))

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
That much is good news... No small injuries that need tending to either, though?
sageguidance: (pic#15711729)

[personal profile] sageguidance 2022-07-28 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
Mayhap not more than a bruise, so you need not worry. Surely, we've all dealt with worse!
illomened: (but somehow)

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, that's undoubtedly the truth...

[BUT A SIGH.]

Let's get you all inside, then, so you can warm yourselves.
frostythehitman: (why do i have to listen to you)

[personal profile] frostythehitman 2022-07-28 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
Alright, good. Get some of that fancy tea of yours in you, then.
fishingforcompliments: (021)

w7, thursday evening

[personal profile] fishingforcompliments 2022-07-28 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[well, this is happening.

flayn is seated near one of the portraits, watching this play out. there is a smudge of grave dirt on her cheek and dirt under her fingernails, almost as if she has just crawled out of her own grave, finally? don't worry about it.

anyway, she looks deeply concerned.]
supremity: ꜰᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ ∗ ᴀsᴋ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴛᴀᴋɪɴɢ (🦋 ₁₉₂)

[personal profile] supremity 2022-07-28 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ tanhua trots over to where flayn is seated, letting out a rusty yap before dropping his head in her lap.

behind her are faint, jingling footsteps. hua cheng crosses his arms, looking at once amused and pensive somehow, apparently eying something in the portraits.
] Of course he still has the mask on.

They'll have it under control. Should we make ourselves entertaining, in the meantime?
callalilies: webtoon. (❄️ tender.)

[personal profile] callalilies 2022-07-28 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he sees flayn and leaves briefly to return with a little wet hand towel for her poor dirty fingies and face. ]

We're in for it now... here you go, Miss Flayn...

[ :thonk: ]

Time to get a little distracting.
fishingforcompliments: (070)

[personal profile] fishingforcompliments 2022-07-28 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Entertaining...?

[she starts to nod - and then pauses, as if realizing she's about to agree with something she really should have been too busy dirt napping to be aware of.]

...ah... yes. Our contracts, correct? I believe that would be advisable right about now.
ktiseos: (63)

[personal profile] ktiseos 2022-07-28 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[here's the thought process: they've already fought more than once, won't that have stopped being a good distraction from something like this? they need one Right Now, Immediately and property damage in the watch room is a bad idea. there isn't any time to make suggestions.

he stops and takes a look at who's here.

then he just like. scoops up souji and whispers forgive me but we must do something unexpected, before smooching him. he's still watching the portraits behind souji the entire time.]
philandery: (pic#15159543)

[personal profile] philandery 2022-07-28 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ sylvain doesn't recognize any of the NPCs on the living side (stuff sure is Happening), but he DOES RECOGNIZE!!! FLAYN!!! he beelines over to fret, and wipes a bit of grave dirt off her cheek ]

You all right...?
fishingforcompliments: (023)

[personal profile] fishingforcompliments 2022-07-28 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh - thank you...

[she towels the dirt away, then glances worriedly at the portraits again.

...there's shinnosuke advising them to light things on fire.]


...it seems arson would be a suitable distraction?
fishingforcompliments: (063)

[personal profile] fishingforcompliments 2022-07-28 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)



Oh, my.
dms: (not a single thought)

[personal profile] dms 2022-07-28 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ gazes ]

Really should've gotten those fireworks, after all...
supremity: ꜰᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ ∗ ᴀsᴋ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴛᴀᴋɪɴɢ (Default)

[personal profile] supremity 2022-07-28 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ there's a snort, but hua cheng just reaches down and pats her on the head, leaving her to clean up after herself. ]

Guard duty, Tanhua. [the huli jing stays there with her, tails curling along her back as his ears flatten, lips curling slightly, apparently prepared to attack a threat. ]

We'll handle it. Our turn to be pests, now. Keep an eye on them.
dms: (eh?!)

[personal profile] dms 2022-07-28 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ GASPS OBNOXIOUSLY ]

Whoa! Plot twist!
sageguidance: (pic#15664992)

[personal profile] sageguidance 2022-07-28 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ oh. Alphinaud pauses mid-step entering the room. ]

—Flayn? There you are!
illomened: ((;=▽=))

[personal profile] illomened 2022-07-28 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[WEWAOKOFESOFSOKFSOFES
- About where Souji's mind is right now between the fact that literally every staff member is in danger, most of whom he cares for very dearly, and being scooped up to be smooched by a giant tree.

But he's picking up what Emet's putting down... BOY IS HE... In his loudest voice with all of the drama in his little soul, hoping the Nightman loves a good soap:]


—EMETSELCH-SAN, I'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT MY HEART BELONGS TO ANOTHER—!! AS MUCH AS THAT NIGHT SOOTHED MY SOUL, I SIMPLY CAN'T BE FAITHFUL TO YOU!!!