week 5

[stagemanagers]

[That was...an absolute shitshow. More beloved friends are dead in a mess of a trial that's left Angus half the man he was, Riley in a free fall and the Phantom...somehow still standing despite taking two stabs to the torso.

When you wake on Sunday, you'll find that you've recovered another one of those memories - or had another dream, if you still wanna be in denial about it. The door blocking the stairwell on the second floor has been unsealed. You can now venture up to the third floor! You have so much space now, it's just a shame it's all come at the cost of eight lives.

But despite the tragedy you have made progress! The trip into the Phantom's lair yielded some hints to the past of the Opera House, your house manager's apparently grim hobby and the possibility of an ally outside the Opera House. Who knows what this week will bring?]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday


(( Welcome to Week 5! Please remember to submit your AC and your memory regains, as well as your coins! You can also still contact the Phantom. ))

Comments

[heathencall]

So have I.

[Despite this, he clenches Stephen's shoulders all the tighter. He will die. They will die. He knows it to be true, even as he tries to stand strong for those remaining. They've been here five weeks. Nothing has changed.

He knows it's true, but that doesn't mean he doesn't wish it wasn't.]

[37773972]

[Mortality. Not just that, though; the understanding that he couldn't bring himself to kill anyone here. At first, he thought someone like Angus would kill him, but now? Now, he could survive, maybe, but-

He shoves the thought away, and takes a shuddering breath.]

What happens to the souls you take, Mephisto? The ones you deal for.

[heathencall]

Hell. Eternal Damnation. The usual biblical mess.

[Which... brings something to mind. His deal, the seizing of Ariel's soul. How something still feels wrong.]

Why?

[37773972]

But are they yours, there? To decide what happens?

[heathencall]

No. I've never been to Hell. I don't plan on it, either. It's a one way trip, from what I've heard.

[37773972]

[Stephen seems to deflate at that. Perhaps he was hoping for something more- perhaps he was deceiving himself. But all told...]

...between that and a god who'd gamble souls, I don't know what's worse.

[heathencall]

If you're hoping for comfort, I have none to give.

[This is his life, man!]

[37773972]

No? [Something bubbles up, but- doesn't last long.] No, you wouldn't. You didn't even give a shit about us until Sigyn.

[It sounds more tired than angry]

[heathencall]

[He tightens his jaw.]

That isn't true. The seeds were planted before her. Christine asking for purpose. Riley breaking down in front of me. You confessing the death of your wife and child.

I was learning just how pitiful you were before Sigyn died. She was just the reminder that I could fight back against it.

[37773972]

Yeah? 'Cause you told me that was only because you were planning on using us.

[heathencall]

I have always been a liar, Stephen.

So why do you bother?

[37773972]

Because I have to believe in something, Mephisto! Even if it's in someone I shouldn't!

[That was. A little more emotional than he thought it'd be.]

[heathencall]

[That... smarts. Just a little. And the problem is that Mephisto is very close to saying something about it too.

But if he can't shut himself up, he'll remove himself from the picture. The water's done what it can -- he'll turn the water of his own shower off and grab his towel. He only bothers to wrap it around his waist before making for the door. Fuck your floor, Phantom, enjoy the wet spots.]

[37773972]

[And Stephen promptly turns to slam his fist against the wall. The shout is as much from frustration as actual pain- but there's another pain there, too.

Fuck this.]