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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A friend! Please do not worry! I... I only seek to help! [He does slow down when he feels he's drawing near, so as not to spook the poor youth.]
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He wants to believe in that voice. Even if he has his doubts, maybe, just maybe, they really are here to help.]
I'm over here!
[The call is quiet, but much less shaky. He fumbles in his duffel bag; amid the gym clothes, there's the laptop he always carries with him. Even if the light is not much, even if it alerts those who might be after him, it's better than this pitch darkness.]
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My name is Rock Lee. I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! And- do not worry. I am here for you! [He offers a thumbs up to try to help Chihiro, and his smile sparkles even in the darkness.]
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O-oh!
[He clings to the laptop, lighting the other boy's features and strange attire. He tries to rub at his eyes with the handkerchief quickly before bowing to the other.]
I'm sorry- I- Chihiro Fujisaki. It- it's nice to meet you Lee-san. I think- something very wrong is going on here.
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...It is nice to meet you as well, Chihiro-kun! It is true that there is something wrong about this place. In fact, most of this area should just be a simulation!
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He glances in quiet confusion for a moment, down at his own hands and back and Lee. His shaking stills and his analytical mind jumps at the idea. A simulation?]
This is... virtual?
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He nods silently.]
Yes, I am almost complete sure of it! In this place, we can often be stuck in a virtual space known as ViViD! This area is so unusual, that it surely has to be another of its odd and disturbing environments!
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It's just like- a game environment then?
[Chihiro gave a relieved sigh, one hand resting on his chest.]
Do you know um- what are the usual parameters to clear it Lee-san?
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I think it might be some kind of mystery story. If we can find who the killer is then-...
[Not that it made things much better. The idea of solving a murder was uncomfortably close to his heart and much too fresh in his mind.]
ah- I mean- then we might be able to complete the game.
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Yes, that may be the key! By working together, I am sure that we can solve this mystery. Being a shinobi, I am able too move around very quickly and collect a lot of details! I promise to do my absolute best to help you... I will not let you down!
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You're a shinobi Lee-san?
[He knew Hope's Peak looked for the best of the best in all things, but he hadn't heard of an Ultimate Shinobi. Then again, his experience with Hope's Peak hadn't exactly been normal. And if there was an Ultimate Shinobi, wouldn't it be to his credit if people didn't know about him?
Chihiro fumbled an apologetic sort of bow at Lee's offer of assistance. It was too kind really, but he couldn't refuse.]
I-I'm sorry to inconvenience you! Thank you for your help Lee-san! I will do my best too!
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Rock Lee keeps on smiling and nodding, probably more qualified as an Ultimate Hot-Blooded Youth than an Ultimate Shinobi.]
That is right! And do not worry. Completing this game will help us both! We can both do our best... Let this investigation begin!!
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Mm. I-it's probably best if we start back where I found the victim. I think I know the way.
[Chihiro gathered his courage and started back in the direction he'd run from. He wasn't looking forward to seeing the body again, but if it would help them clear the level, that was what they had to do, right?]
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But he smiles and nods.]
That sounds like a good idea. Let us move! [As Chihiro moves, Lee shadows him, and he remains alert just in case any dangers suddenly appear!]