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

[defyingfrigidity]

[So the sleepover last night was great! Honestly. The "afterparties" in the wake of each trial these past few weeks have helped fight off the spiraling despair, but this? This was just... fun. It was nice to be able to forget things for a while, and to really bond more with everyone. Even as the party dragged on into the late hours of the night, Elsa stayed up with everyone.

When she wakes up the next morning, she's still in Broadhurst dorm, snuggled up in a nest of blankets and pillows... and not alone. Drowsy and still mostly asleep, Elsa mumbles incoherently and moves closer to the person she'd fallen asleep leaning against - Cassandra.]


Mmmmnnn... is it morning already...?


[... Well. That was certainly a way to wake up. After all of that is over with, Elsa heads to the vending machine. Honestly, she's had a lot more fun watching others approach this thing; she's never been a very materialistic person, so she really has no fierce desire to find something from home come through. Still... she's curious, so she'll feed a few coins in...

And then immediately jump back as something clearly on fire shoots out of the machine past her.]

Whoa-!

[She's about to run off to find some water - her magic too weak to put out even a small fire like that - when she notices something... familiar about the flames. That purple-pink glow, the way the spark darts this way and that... it's almost like...]

Hey, h-hold on, little guy! It's me!

[The little fireball stops in its tracks at the sound of Elsa's voice, and as the flames settle into a stationary burn, anyone watching will see that it's not some sort of living fireball... but what seems to be a blue-skinned salamander. The little lizard lets out a confused squeak, head twitching this way and that, before it pads over to Elsa. The queen kneels down down, holding her hand out low and smiling as the strange creature sniffs her fingers.]

You've been trapped here too, huh? I'm sorry, that must have been pretty scary...

Broadhurst

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Hmm... Mmmm.

[Somehow, despite their position, Cassandra was sleeping... pretty soundly. Maybe it was the nest of blankets and pillows, or maybe it could have something to do with the woman cuddled into the crook of her shoulder. Truly, it's a mystery.

But just as Elsa stirs from her slumber, so does the other woman. Just a little noise at first, like she wants to fight it and stay comfortable. Then, in her half-sleeping state...]

Mmmmorning? Five more minutes, Crowley...

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa's had plenty of sleepovers with her sister in the three years since her coronation, ones where they wake up snuggled together or sprawled out in a terrible tangle of limbs. Those nights were comforting in their own way, but this... there's something about the feeling of warmth next to her, the sense of security that seeps deep into her bones, that makes her not want to move. Even as the alarm bells in her head sound, screaming at her that she's too close to someone, all she does is adamantly refuse to look up.

Because oh god, that voice. She knows who she's leaning against now, and that makes her feel... something. There's a bubbling feeling in her chest that she hasn't felt before, except in brief moments these past few weeks, and she's not sure how to process this with her still-foggy brain.]

... Cass...?

[Half-asleep, she mumbles out just part of Cassandra's name. Just. Let this be part of her dream still.]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[How fortunate for Elsa then, that she would get the chance to have yet another sleepover. Cassandra never took to the time to have sleepovers. Not much time for them when you're a member of the castle staff. You're always busy, between washing dishes and linins, mending and fitting clothes, and sneaking out on your own time to train and map out Corona's system of labyrinthian tunnels trailing under the island and beyond. Not much time for sleepovers, or friends. Rapunzel had only just talked her into the idea a year ago. Credit where it's due, that mentally prepared her for half a year living in a cramped caravan.

Rapunzel... Rapunzel? That voice, is it calling her?

...No. She knows that voice. That's not Rapunzel. It wouldn't be, would it? But her sleep-addled brain finds it... just as pleasant. There's something here, forming slowly in her mind. Comfortable feelings that she's felt before, just not like this.

Cassandra, whether subconsciously or not, shifts her head. Listening. Searching. Finally, she wills her eyes to open.]

Elsa...?

[defyingfrigidity]

[... Maybe she doesn't want this to be a dream. Maybe... maybe Elsa wants this to be real. This is the safest, the calmest she's felt since waking up in this terrible place, and she doesn't want it to end.

Still, as she pulls herself more into the waking world, her thoughts begin to speed by at a mile a minute. Is this too much??? This is too close. Is Cassandra uncomfortable??? Are people LOOKING???

It's enough that she shifts, not completely pulling away from this feeling of security but just enough so that her head is no longer resting against - oh dear - Cassandra's chest. She reaches up to rub at her eyes, and she shakes her head a little to clear it.]

I... I'm sorry, this is probably. Terribly awkward, isn't it?

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[This comfort, it makes her miss her bed, the safety of the castle and the caravan. Could it last... just a little bit longer? The yawning depths of slumber are beginning to shrink away from her, and she doesn't want them to.

A comfortable weight vanishes from her chest, and that's the last straw. Cassandra's resurfaced in the word of the awoken, starting with mild complaining and finally realizing just where she is: in the school, in Broadhurst, with Elsa... snuggled against her?]

Uh... [is that what this is??? awkward??] It's fine. I... How did you sleep?

[brokeforgood]

Oh my gosh. Look at that cute little guy. [Farrah’s here for her daily diet coke. She coos softly at the little lizard.]

It’s pretty messed up that living things are in there.

[defyingfrigidity]

[As Elsa stands, she shakes out one hand, which seems to be steaming ever so slightly - though there's no hint of any burns or even redness on her skin. None of this looks to be bothering her at all, as she keeps her occupied hand cupped so the little salamander can snuggle happily into her palm.

His fire's gone out, and without it burning along his back, a strange pattern on his scales can be seen... it almost looks like some kind of diamond-shaped rune...]

I've been thinking the same thing, ever since Varian's raccoon climbed out of that machine. Why torture them like that? Isn't it enough to do that to us?

[brokeforgood]

They’ve gotta.... put them in there just before we try and get them out. Because let me tell you. Ruddiger did not look like he’d been starving. [Big Bottom Raccoons and all that. ]

Do you.... know him?

[defyingfrigidity]

The Balladeer suggested there might be some sort of portal in there. I can't say that sort of thing in general makes sense to me, but I think it makes a lot more sense than being able to keep live animals in that machine.

[Or. You know. Hundreds of trombones.]

I... think I do? I don't remember running into him before waking up in this place, but... those dreams. The ones that might be memories? I remember him from the dreams I had last night.

vending machine

[comeandfindme]

[ A cute little lizard? …Who is literally on fire?!

Peregrine is passing by or meaning to when the flames start spurting out, and naturally that draws her attention, she’s ready to— actually she has literally nothing that would help with sudden arson so honestly be pretty useless, but then Elsa calms the fire to reveal the cute lizard.

Well. First thing’s first: ]

Is- was that lizard on fire?

[defyingfrigidity]

[As the lizard crawls into Elsa's hands, she hisses slightly; he seems to be hot to the touch, considering there's little trails of steam coming from Elsa's hands. But she doesn't seem hurt - maybe it has something to do with her magic? - just... surprised at the heat. And as the lizard curls up and Elsa stands, she turns to Peregrine.]

... Would you believe it if I sad this little guy is a nature spirit?

[Squeak squeak! The salamander seems to be trying to back up her claim in his own way.]

[comeandfindme]

[ She very slightly tilts her head, looking over the little salamander. ]

Nature spirit? Well... [ That throws her for a little bit of a loop. Nature's always been this uncontrollable force, this thing that does as it pleases. For there to be...something in control of it... ] Not...exactly what I'd picture, if you said that.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa gets that. When she thinks of beings who wield the elemental forces of nature, she thinks of the gods and the giants; Thor, Surtr, Skadi... not a little lizard she can pick up with one hand.]

He may look cute and cuddly... but believe me, he can pack quite a bit of a punch. When you live in a forest, being able to burn anything you touch can be quite dangerous.

Vending Machine

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer, who was on the other side of the room and quickly began approaching with his open water bottle at the ready, thankfully manages to stop himself before completely soaking Elsa and Bruni both once he seems the flames start to die down somewhat. He still seems alarmed, though! There was a big fireball!]

What is that?

[defyingfrigidity]

... Would you believe he's a spirit of nature?

[Elsa holds her hands out, showing off the salamander. He still looks a little unsure, circling nervously around her palms, but when he spots the Baladeer, he pauses, head tilting to the side.]

Funny, I only just... remembered him as I slept last night. I wonder if that had anything to do with him showing up...

[tellthestory]

I'd believe anything.

[They're all from different stories! Rules are different in different worlds! He seems a lot less nervous with the explanation, and starts screwing the top back on his water bottle.]

You think? I guess it could be - other people seem to have gotten...stuff with timing.

Vending Machine

[whatyouwant]

[The only think Elle saw was the fire. Fearing the worst, she runs towards the vending machine.]

Elsa! Are you- [She catches sight of the salamander.] Oh! Hey there, little cutie!

[defyingfrigidity]

I'm fine, I'm fine!

[She laughs. It was just... a shock, that's all!]

He was just... startled. I doubt anyone could blame him, what with tumbling out of that machine like that.

[whatyouwant]

Aw, poor thing!

[Elle's never really interacted with a lizard before, but they can't be much different than other animals, right? She presents a finger for sniffing.]

Is he yours?

[defyingfrigidity]

[There's no sniff, but the salamander does stretch himself out from Elsa's hands rather adorably to examine the offered finger, head tilting to one side before looking up and giving Elle a curious squeak.]

Not exactly. He's... a friend, not a pet. At least, I think we're friends? [Hard to tell, just from what she saw...] In those dreams we had... I just met him a little before my newest ones.

Vending Machine

[alchemistake]

[Varian's only had one experience with open flames here so far and it was uhh bad considering the fact he and Orpheus almost burned down the kitchen, so he's not interested in seeing a repeat of that. So when he happens to be nearby as the fire just jettisons from the vending machine, he's understandably...a little shocked.]

Ah, oh geeze-!

[Before he knows it, Elsa is running after the flames and for a moment he wonders if she's planning on trying to put it out with her magic...only to realize, no...that's a creature she's holding.]

Elsa...what is that?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Thankfully, the fire is surprisingly contained, it trails after the creature like the tail of a comet, but it doesn't linger. It's like whatever magic is dampening the powers of people like Elsa and Discord is also tampering with this little creature.]

He's- ouch- [Elsa quickly shifts the lizard from one hand to another, her palms steaming slightly. It doesn't look like she's being burned; it just looks like what might happen when you drop an ice cube on a hot surface.] It's okay, you're okay...

[Right. Varian.]

He's a new friend I made, from back home.

[alchemistake]

[Varian is cautious as he approaches, because if anybody knows how to deal with wild animals, it's him. Ruddiger is maybe an outlier that shouldn't be counted, though...]

Oh...a lizard?

[ANOTHER LIZARD...he looks more than a little fascinated, tilting his head as Bruni pitter-patters across Elsa's palms.]

That's...on fire?

[defyingfrigidity]

[A very friendly little guy! He's less slim and streamlined as the other lizards that have been popping out of the machine, and there's a sort of intelligence in his little lizard eyes that isn't there with the others. There's clearly something special about this one, if the whole... fire thing isn't enough of a clue.]

He's on fire because he can control it. Like I can do with ice. [She laughs softly as the lizard turns a circle in her hands, like he's saying "yes look at how good I am!!"] He has a very close tie to nature, in the forests far beyond Arendelle.