CYOA REWARD: WEEK 6

[guestservices]

You discovered a VHS tape on your adventures. Oddly, it seems similar to the blank tapes that can be found in the security room, given the Starlight Hotel logo on it. Upon further investigation there appears to be a sticker indicating that it's recorded footage from Monday, just a few days ago. When you take a moment to play the tape back, something happens...

There’s a small burst of static on the screen as the tape kicks on. Standing on the edge of a hole in the cemetery is a tall figure, hands folded behind their back. They glance to their left, at a smaller figure, seemingly ready to support the smaller one if necessary, but allowing them their space in front of the hole.

"…Careful, Aquarius." The tall figure’s voice is recognizable immediately as Orion’s. It’s a gentle concern, but there’s something a little softer to it, too, as their head stays turned down at the hole. "…thank you, like always."

Aquarius takes a step back from the hole, hands falling to their side as their head hangs. They don’t quite stagger, but they do move to sit on a gravestone for a moment.

"It’s not something to thank me for. It’s the least I can do, isn’t it?"

Orion comes to move beside them; they reach for something in their sleeve, and hand Aquarius a small bottle of water.

"It’s always worth thanking." And their gaze stays on the hole, not really moving otherwise; there’s a weight in their shoulders that seems to slump. "You’ve worked hard for them, and…though it is difficult, it’s been necessary. Your abilities are impressive."

Aquarius gratefully takes the water, missing the first time in unscrewing the cap before getting a grip and taking a drink from it. There’s a moment where they seem like their eyes are closed, glancing into the hole briefly.

"I’ve had practice." Their tone is a little dry, but they don’t seem bothered to hear Orion say that. "I wish I could keep them here longer but it’s probably better this way. Less of a chance of flagging something’s different." There’s another pause though, and this time they look at Orion. "Less than two weeks now."

"…mn." Orion makes a quiet noise of agreement, and for a moment, are just silent. Contemplative, maybe, still gazing at the ground. like this they just seem weighed down. "To find some kind of a solution that’s more permanent than this. For all of them.

We’re lucky to have even the short moments we do, for now."

"You read the contract as many times as I have. If they're not in the lobby in the same condition, then…that's it." There’s a soft sigh from Aquarius. "When the dead are gone, they're meant to pass on. They aren't meant to be brought back. They have to be judged, and then they live out their eternity where they end up."

Orion makes a quiet noise, agreeing. Time stretches into a pause.

"…I suppose that’s the natural way of things. The eternity of being in between is the place I’m familiar with, after all, one way or another, and, outside of these situations…" They lift a hand, resting it absently on their own chest. "… well. Perhaps we should speak of it, another time."

"You and I definitely have different experiences." There's a faint hint of amusement from Aquarius then. "We can speak of it another time. I'm just left wondering…what do you think they're going to do now? I've been hearing some of the living theorizing when I can't sleep. They figured out there's a cemetery on the other side along with the one here. Thinking they might be connected."

The first part gets a slightly amused noise back, but… Orion tilts their head, thoughtful. "I think…from knowing this group. I think they’re going to try everything in their power to make it work for them."

There's a long and ponderous moment. Aquarius shifts on the gravestone, leg pulled to their chest as they think. "…there aren't many stories about bringing people back from the dead. But there's a few. Have you looked at the library? The story of Orpheus and Eurydice."

Orion makes a thoughtful noise. "I haven’t. Would you tell it to me?"

"It’s…a little famous in terms of mythology. I bet if you asked some of the guests, they’d probably know about it, too." Aquarius pauses to fiddle with the water bottle cap, gathering their words to begin telling the story. "In mythology, many of the stories involve mortals and the divine. You know. Gods. Orpheus was a mortal who was a musician. He was said to have been trained by the god of music, Apollo, and his music became so enchanting that it became famous for charming all kinds of creatures and even creating a door to the Underworld. But like just about every other story in mythology, he fell in love. A woman named Eurydice. Apollo’s daughter.

"They lived a very happy life for a while. But one day, she died. Orpheus couldn’t bear to live without her, so he devised a plan to make his way into the Underworld using his music. He sang so sweetly that every challenge he faced was no match for him. He was able to charm Charon into letting him cross the Styx. He bested the Furies, and probably lulled Cerberus right to sleep. He wandered as far into the Underworld as possible until he met the lord of the dead and his wife themselves. Moved with temporary compassion, or so he would probably say, the lord of the Underworld allowed Orpheus to bring Eurydice with him and leave forever. But, like I said, the dead aren’t meant to leave. A deal was struck that the lovers could exit the Underworld together but there was one condition. Orpheus had to walk ahead of her, and he wasn’t allowed to look back until they reached the surface.

"They walked. Eurydice followed after him, close behind him the whole way. But just as he reached the boundary line between the living world and the world of the dead, fear got the better of him and he looked back. It didn’t matter that he was already on the surface. Eurydice still was in the Underworld, and it meant the deal was broken. He lost her forever."

Aquarius pauses to take another sip of water, a low hum following. "Supposedly after he died, they found each other again and they got a happy ending but I really doubt the rest of the guests want to die and potentially lose themselves forever." They pick at their gloves, and a skeletal bird soon lands on their shoulder. They do nothing to remove it. "Personally, I wouldn’t go around making deals with the lord of the Underworld to begin with. And they’re already in a contract with the Nightman, so the terms are very clear. But…if it was possible in that story, maybe they really will find another way to bring them all back by check out."

Orion doesn’t react to the skeletal bird beyond lifting their hand briefly to offer it near its beak for a sniff, unbothered by the creature. Instead, they just seem to be listening thoughtfully to Aquarius’s story, and finally turn away from the grave to look properly at their companion.

"…Our guests seem the type." There’s a little bit of warmth to that statement, that covers up Orion’s generally melancholy air. "I’ve rarely been an optimist, but there’s a part of me that longs for it. I would like to think they can do so, without looking back. At least…"

There’s another pause, as they glance back at the grave, and reach into their sleeve, producing a small sprig of some kind of flower. "…at least so many are so dearly missed, so… perhaps that can be motivation enough, if they’re afraid."

They drop the flower, letting it fall into the hole, and the tape cuts there.

The tape is yours to keep and show others, but do try to handle it with care. You may make two additional copies as well. One for each of you.