The clock strikes twelve. The gong of the grandfather clock in the foyer tolls out the time in slightly unnecessarily obnoxious loud noises. The ambiance of this old mansion demands respect, care, awe --
Okay, no, wait, why are you even in this stupid dusty house?
No reasons are forthcoming, because everyone knows that people just end up in places like this sometimes. That's just how the narrative device works. The hows and the whys don't matter -- all that matters is that you're all here, so you'd better get cracking and start exploring, because it's not like you can leave yet.
Or ever, maybe.
 Good day, sirs and madams. Might I interest you in a nice glass of blood...y mary?
|
PHASE I [ 02 15 ] All you see is white. The crash of thunder hits your ears next, punctuated by the piercing pitch of white noise in the background. After a few blinks, your vision comes back to you. Oh good, glad that you’ve joined us in the land of the living. Unlike the nondescript corpse at your feet – it looks like… a butler? Oh dear. You’ve already killed Murder Suspect Number One in most situations. How terribly ironic.
After all, who could’ve killed him but you? You might not remember, but there is definitely a murder weapon in your hand. It’s probably a knife or a poisoned glass of wine or-
Wait, is that a toaster? A full on toaster? Or maybe it’s a taser. Maybe you bludgeoned this poor guy with an entire encyclopedia. Either way, it looks like your murder weapon is a little unconventional, whether it’s a stranger’s pair of underwear or a hair curler. Are you really supposed to believe you committed a murder with these? (Yes.)
That said in the next second the double doors will be opening up. It’s pretty clear you’re not alone. Think quick!
PHASE II [ 0600 ] Exploring more around the compound, you’ll find plenty of those tall, oil portraits of people hung around the walls. When you start walking, they’re all strangers. However by the time that you feel like you’re wandering around for an hour, two hours, they might start looking a little bit more… familiar? Mom? Is that you?
You don’t have time to think about that, though. You were clearly framed! You don't’ have a motive for killing some random NPC –
“Or do you?” a portrait will ask.
Oh. Holy shit. Well it’d just be rude to leave, right? Whether you stick around for conversation or not, you’ll find that was just the beginning. The portraits are going to start grilling you. Welcome to CERES Central’s Roast of You. What was your motive? Don’t you know you should respect the servants? How would you feel if you were caught like that? Careful turning your back on them though, because if you ignore them for too long, the subjects in the portraits may just reach out and snatch you to join them in their portrait world.
At that point, the only way to get out is to swap places with some other poor, unsuspecting soul wandering around.
PHASE III [ 1045 ] You know what makes me hungry? Murder.
What’s the point of making a mansion this big anyway? Who’s even here? Either way, whether you’re looking for the kitchen to make a fine post-homicide sandwich or just trying to escape, you’ll eventually make it to a stairwell. The most finicky stairwell ever. Is that a trail of bloody footprints leading up the steps? What? No. Stop it, just climb.
Or well – don’t climb too quickly now. The staircases apparently have a mind of their own, swapping from one doorway to another. You definitely haven’t seen this before. It would seem that these stairs might even be interested in keeping you in a circle forever, no concern for whether or not you’re hungry or, god forbid, need to use the restroom.
However the portraits in the stairwell will provide a little tip: “The stairs are gossips, you know. Why don’t you tell us a little something about yourself? Make it good!”
Weirdly enough, sound advice – that is, if you’re interested in shouting out your most embarrassing secrets into the void so a mansion can keep talking shit about you. Oh well. Your alternative is just being a stair golem. There are worse fates.
PHASE IV [ 1430 ] This hall is oddly quiet.
Well, until you hear it – the soft sniffles coming from down the hall, the broken sobs. It sounds like someone’s crying. For one reason or another, your footsteps take you forward – there’s really no point in going back now after all, right? Yet as you continue to walk… walk… walk… the crying becomes louder and louder. More desperate, more despaired. In time, it’s clear that this person is wailing, screaming, “How could this happen?!”
Within the span of a breath, all the lights in the hallway go out, leaving you in pitch black.
It occurs to you then that you hear a second set of steps. When did you stop walking? A cold chill runs down your spine and you find yourself running then, despite the fact that it feels like this pitch black hallway goes on forever. The other footsteps pick up, remind you that you’re not alone. No, certainly not.
Best hope that you find some assistance soon – otherwise it looks like the Butler Association is going to ignite some righteous vigilante justice on your ass.
BONUS [ why o'clock ] You’re in the grand ballroom now, ready to present your case. Armed with a cob pipe (don’t smoke inside, it’s rude), a detective hat, and a single spotlight aimed right at you, you now have to explain how you came to the conclusion about the True Killer that is Obviously Not You. Rather, it’ll just be the character of whoever tags into this prompt – yes, you are suddenly so very sure that they’re the ones who are the ultimate mastermind of this entire game and… you’re just going to have to bullshit the reason why even if you know virtually nothing about them. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, you know?
Sorry about that.
Should you actually provide enough of a compelling case or they take pity on you, having a villainous breakdown for the sake of the plot, you’ll be awarded with a coupon that’ll give you three free scoops at your local ice cream parlor! (Note: you must buy the first two scoops in order to qualify.) Of course, if you’re not able to nail them down as the killer, you are obviously the killer yourself (citation needed).
From there, you’ll be dragged off to face your punishment: for six grueling hours you will be tickled mercilessly.
[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with sensitive or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ] |
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ophelia | fire emblem: fates
PHASE III;
WILDCARD
screams also iii
he's about to introduce himself when he hears the telltale signs of a heroic introduction. he pauses and listens, rapt with attention. what... zeal! what strength! this is truly the heroic introduction of legend! ]
That was quite an introduction, if I do say so myself!
an epic tragedy is about to begin
she twirls around and beams brightly. ]
Oh, father!! You really liked it? I think it has really improved!
one for the ages
[ odin's not dumb. soleil's mentioned his daughter's name and the only way that anyone could come up with a speech of that caliber was if they were indeed the fruit of his looms.
really, now he knows how his father felt. ]
Ophelia?
no subject
Of course it is I, Father. Did you not recognize me somehow? I have been wandering a very long time.
[ she frowns a little. what's with that reaction? maybe she looks haggard from climbing all these steps. terrible. ]
no subject
[ a beat ]
For instance, I am not yet married.
(no subject)
iii;
Sheesh. That's...quite the introduction, all right.
[ YEAH.........SURE IS OPHELIA........ ]
no subject
Worry not! If you can't think of anything to say for yourself, we can come up with something together!
no subject
[ ... ]
I don't think our introduction styles would mesh. The result would probably confuse them way more than enlighten them.
[ ...Although, a more childish part of him wonders what kind of epithet Ophelia would give him, as opposed to his tea. The tea part he already knows quite well. ]
touches.... also iii
The portraits looks amused and Giorno is...playing catch up. He did hear something about sharing stuff about themselves? Must have been the reason for her lengthy intro... Seeing that she already went ahead— ]
I, Giorno Giovanna, have a dream, and that dream leads me to making the best of these situations so that I can not be held back by anything. Whatever these stairs need to know, I will not hesitate to answer them.
[ Sorry for randomly showing up behind you and spouting nonsense... ]
touches back...
on that note, she doesn't find anything strange about the stranger or what he pipes up with behind her. in fact, she finds it to be quite normal. she turns to him and smiles, obviously very approving of his introduction. dreams are very important! ]
Excellent! An ally has been made! Together we will solve the dark mysteries of these stairs.
blows u kisses
It would seem... [ He'll offer her a muted smile and a nod of his head but then turn his attention to a particular portrait of a young girl who has been staring at them both with what might be deep interest. ]
However, I believe the secret of these stairs lie with the portraits. They seem to know what it is that we must do.
(blush)
Oh, yes! [ Back to business, though she can't help being super happy to have made an ally all on her own. And it's not even one of the army member's kids from the deep realms! Amazing. ]
This fair portrait said that we may find the answers if we tell them about ourselves. Thus why I gave my very best introduction! [ .... ] I'm not sure I have much else to say. My legend is not as great as my father's yet.
slides hand up leg
There must be other things about yourself that are interesting. The people here in Cerealia are all diverse and from all sorts of different worlds.
[ He'd go first but it seems like she might have things she needs to work out over him. Giorno has plenty things that he could talk about but given the profile that he wants to keep, it wouldn't exactly be the best. ]
screams louder iii
But she is also in a haunted house and Ophelia is distracted, so she opts to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sneak up behind the girl and tickles the sides of her belly. )
Boo!
so much screaming!!
Thus, when she's attacked, she jumps! Rather high, too, if anyone was paying attention to that. Hopefully not. ]
Eee!
[ When landing has been made again, she whips around to see the culprit. ]
Soleil! Oh, it's just you. You truly gave me a fright!
no subject
( Soleil beams and throws her hands in the air in excitement. Even though she isn't one to get scared, this whole haunted house/murder mystery is gloomy to deal with all alone. )
No spooky nonsense could possibly create an imitation Ophelia that would trick me. I'm so happy to see you!
no subject
Now is not the time to be happy! I've wandered these stairways for what feels like decades! Perhaps you know the way back out?
[ she looks hopeful. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
1
[There stood Felicia in the doorway, hands over her mouth as she stared at the young mage with wide, startled eyes before she rushed over to try to help.]
Did you see what happened? [She asked, holding out her staff with both hands and casting a Mend spell while she tried to work things out. There was so much blood...
And why was that weird tool here?]
no subject
I know not! [ she frowns again, going to pick up the roller once more. ]
There was a bright light, and suddenly ... this!
no subject
So they put you in the room with someone who's hurt and...this thing?
[She pointed at the murder weapon before trying once again to heal the fallen butler...to no avail.] What was the point of that, even?
[Frowning uncertainly when she realized that her healing spells weren't working, she carefully set the staff down and leaned in over the victim.]
...
I think we have trouble, Ophelia. It's not good, but I need to check something.
[Carefully, she pressed her fingers against the victim's throat, mimicking a gesture she had seen Princess Sakura do many times since meeting with Hoshido's forces. Though she didn't speak much to the Hoshidan royals, she had asked about this because of how unusual it was to her.
After a moment, her eyes widened and she visibly paled when she realized what the problem was.]
This is trouble. This person.....they're...
[dead.
She couldn't spit out the single word.]
no subject
I know not... [ She looks back at the roller, bending down to lightly pat the butler with it. Yeah.... it's not doing anything. He's still dead cold on the ground. She frowns, nodding to Felicia's words as she examines the paint roller closer. They have trouble? It's not good? Oh no, what would father do? ]
What is it, Felicia? Is he ...
[ oh no..... ]
Is he dead?!
[ She drops to her knees, dropping the roller while she's at it. ]
O cursed darkness of fate! What do we do now? Something must have happened during that bright light... But I don't know what it was!
(no subject)
(general fe:fates screaming) i.
[ A girl with a book and a paint roller could possibly hit a man, but without visible weapons, and with such an oblivious demeanor, Pidge finds it unlikely that she could kill him.
Unless the obliviousness is an act. But then again, if people like Lance existed... ]
general voltron screaming!
[ She nods, frowning in determination. ]
This hero only fights evil!
general screaming all around then!