Week Four

[stagemanagers]

[Last week, Gershwin High School Academy University saw its very first intentional murder! What a milestone! And right after Spongebob's No Murder party, too - that doesn't seem like it bodes very well for anybody's future.

You all wake up this morning with yet another new memory returned to you. You'll also find that the school's external doors have now unlocked. Congratulations! You're free! Unfortunately, you also seem to be entirely in the middle of nowhere. So maybe it's more of a symbolic victory.

Still, you should look around and do some investigation! Maybe you'll find a fun surprise.]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( Be sure to submit your memory regains and your AC for this week! Hester's office hours and the merch booth also remain available! ))

Comments

[violentenvies]

That was a kingly gift, then. If nothing else, I'm glad it's been returned to you.

[violentenvies]

I...honestly don't know whether he's named it yet. I suppose I should've asked.

[alchemistake]

Well...he could have the resources to build a fake place for us to live in, that's for sure. In that case, it doesn't even have to be magic. As long as it's far enough and looks convincing enough for us not to get too suspicious...

[But uh, too late there.]

[violentenvies]

It's alright. You have nothing to apologize for. [he's relieved that she looked up so he can hold her gaze]

Just keep breathing. Slow and steady--that's it.

[disharmonizes]

It's a rather strong reaction you're having. I didn't hit on anything at all there, then?

[mcfife]

...No.

Not for a while. And I’ve been too busy saving my current home dimension to date anyone.

[A smile.] But at least we aren’t in an urgent situation this time.

[comeandfindme]

I never believed. [ She says that quietly, as she holds the penguin statue close to herself. ] I just... I don't know, it always sounded so... so not real? Like, why didn't we know for sure or not, or...

[ Peregrine shakes her head. ]

I don't know. I think it was easier to believe that when people died...that was it. That there was nothing, but...

I keep thinking, if he believed it, maybe... Maybe he's still here somehow.

[ It sounds stupid. At least it does to her. But. Still. ]

[comeandfindme]

You should take it as a "Discord I'll squeal on you the moment someone asks but go for it anyway".

[disharmonizes]

It's not my fault you don't know the Equestrian rules of chess.

[he is so full of it]

Don't be mad because we have a very fair referee.

[comeandfindme]

[ The thinnest possible smile. ]

You gave him a lizard and you don't know what he named it?

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus shakes his head a little. ] No, Mister Hermes liked you a lot, I could tell. He kept trying to warn me that you were in trouble, and he seemed really upset when, um...

[ He trails off a little bit, staring into the flames. ]

And he told me how to follow you, without having to... go the same way. I was almost there, when I woke up on Sunday. [ At that, he takes a deep breath and looks over at her. ] I don't know about the other workers? But he was willing to break the rules for you. For us.

[comeandfindme]

...I don't really know if he cares about it not being suspicious. Like...if so...why not mess around with the trees when we weren't allowed outside? Why not...put more effort into the woods?

[ Considering it's her Whole Thing, like. ]

[tellthestory]

[ - until the Balladeer strides through the doors and, for the first time in over a month, onto a stage proper. He stops almost immediately, turning about in place so that he can grin up at the curtains, both familiar and not.]

Oh my god, we did it! I knew we could -

[Oh, oh, he's maybe getting a little too excited! The Balladeer raises a hand, freezes for a moment, and goes on in a whisper when nothing happens.]

Let's just be quiet. I really doubt the Wizard actually lives back here or anything, but you never know.

[fourbutts]

[ Janis looks around. She looks back for a moment, biting her lip. She told Maya and Per... well, she told them she was going to go investigate with The Balladeer, you know, narrator stuff, but this is. Hm.

But they're never going to get out of here if they don't try. ]

... Right. I'll be like a fucking mouse.

[disharmonizes]

[Yeah, time to just get out of here. They can head to the kitchen and Discord will take out some tea bags that of course he just has on him and get on making that.]

[whatyouwant]

Good. I mean not good about the fighting, but, I mean-ugh. [Elle turns and places a quick peck on Angus' cheek.]

[tellthestory]

We'll just lock up when we leave. Like nothing even happened.

[He'd felt like he should do something. He hasn't so much as seen one of these carvings people are discussing, but...well, it's like he said at the meeting. Maybe between him and Janis together, they could get to places they shouldn't. That's helpful, right? He really, really wants to be helpful.]

Let's just look around a little. Don't go too far.

[They're buddies, after all! Where would you like to look?]

[fourbutts]

Right. Don't want to get v- eaten by the giant robot head.

[ It's almost to herself, but she still almost says something more cursed than this situation deserves.

Well first off, they're backstage! What kind of stuff is there, back here? ]

[themuseabandonsyou]

I'm glad to have it back! I'm sure someone would've looked after it for me if I'd left it back home, but it's better having it here with me. [ He pauses. ] I guess I'll just have to be absolutely certain to have it with me when we figure out how to leave.

[themuseabandonsyou]

It might be worth bringing up the next time we're all in one place? I'll... think about what to write for mine, at least. [ He shakes his head. ] Maybe keeping a record of what's going on here and our thoughts would be a good idea, even if we don't, um. Die. Janis is filming something, but it might be something for the rest of us to do too.

[stagemanagers]

[So the backstage! You've both been backstage before, in somewhat different respects, but most backstage areas look roughly the same.

This one might be a slight exception. There are a few things back here: a long wooden work table, a half-full costume rack, a metal ladder and assorted body parts.

Where would you like to begin?]

[brokeforgood]

I love it. It’s got my team colors on it. The tigers. [She lets go of one of Rina’s hand, but keeps the other gripped. With the free hand, she scratches at the air like a fierce tiger.]

Rawr!!! Thank you. It means a lot to not be alone. Especially.... after yesterday.

[fourbutts]

[ Hey what the fuck do you mean assorted body parts? I'm so sorry but that's getting looked at first!!! ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[No, no, no. She has to get out of here. The doors are open, they can just leave. Even as Elsa crouches down to help the other woman up, there's fear in her eyes. Her lips part, anticipating an answer to how she's doing - terribly, as anyone could see. How is she supposed to work her way out of this? What can she say to Elsa that would put her at ease without saying any-

Oh. Elsa's hands are. just as smooth as she remembered them. Soft and cool against the cuts and heat emanating from her face. Rather than pulling away, almost instinctively, Cassandra leans into the touch.]

I...

[She shudders. There's no strength in her arms.]

I don't think I can go back to Corona.

[employeeoftheyear]

Oh dear Neptune, Mr. Balladeer, what happened?

[Spongebob looks downcast. He's not entirely sure if the Balladeer meant at home or here but.

He would be lying if he said he couldn't relate.]