week 1

[stagemanagers]

[Well, all escape attempts have failed thus far. None of you have seen the Phantom since his brief appearance on Sunday, or heard from him at all. It looks like, for the time being, you’re all going to be stuck here.

You're free to continue exploring your surroundings to your hearts' content. The only real restriction on your movements is that the kitchen is closed between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am. Better make sure to grab any midnight snacks you may want ahead of time. Also, remember to label any investigation toplevels!

The Merchandise Booth is now open for business as well! The Phantom hasn't deigned to explain how it works, but...well, some of you will start to find mysterious coins in your rooms, and the Booth's got a place to put coins. You'll figure it out.

Should you wish to engage more with your host, you're welcome to drop letters in the box office slot. There's no set way to converse verbally with him, and he's certainly not guaranteed to respond if you just yell at the walls - but that doesn't necessarily mean he isn't listening. Just something to keep in mind.

Enjoy your first week, everyone.]

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday

(( OOC: This will be the last mod post for this week! Feel free to start submitting regains for any threads that aren't with the Phantom. Remember, song threads mean an extra coin! This is a peace week, so get all that CR while you can! ))

Comments

[revelfree]

[A new day comes, and with it the feeling that there would be no easy escape from this hell. Ariel hefts himself from his bed early, still in the clothes he'd worn the previous day. If nothing else, it decides his first order of business.

You'll find him buried deep within the costume shop, searching for something more his style. He tosses a handful of more modern outfits to the side after some amount of scrutiny. Someone else might approve of it.

Eventually, he retreats to the bathroom -- thankfully distinguishing between the men's and women's room rather easily. Though he's stripped bare, he at least has the decency to wrap a towel around his waist as he approaches the showers and...

stares. Oh no.

Whether he figures it out through the assistance of another, or by his own efforts, Ariel is eventually clean and dressed. He makes his way to the music room, this time shuffling through the instruments as he looks for something familiar. It isn't long until his voice carries through the room.]

Call me a liar, a king or a fool
But sing me a song of prosperity
Higher and higher, the farther we fall
Hard to remember

two dudes hanging in the shower five feet apart because they both have canon female love interests

[37773972]

[hi Ariel, guess who's already in here. it's Ya Boy Stephen, who is just finishing up his own shower and getting dressed and


either Ariel is really devoted to the character he's playing, or - as it's becoming more and more likely - there's no character at all. Either way, Stephen clears his throat.]

Not used to the setup?

sooo what happens when they get /those/ memories back?

[revelfree]

[Ariel starts, turning to face Stephen with wide eyes. He glances from man to pipe, pipe to man, and then shakes his head.]

A young man was telling me about "lightning" in sockets and wires yesterday. I can only imagine that this is in the same vein.

good times, clearly. nothing else could go wrong

[37773972]

[opens mouth

closes mouth

o- okay he'll actually talk, shaking his head and approaching one]

No, this- this is just water. Electrical sockets are different. [beat] I'll show you later, but the way this one works?

[He reaches for the handle to demonstrate]

[revelfree]

I am well aware of the differences between electricity and water. [His ego is bruised, but it's fine.]

More that the method of transport -- of harnessing it to flow on command. That is beyond my capacity.

[Ariel only just scuttles back from the water as it begins to flow. His eyes are wide in wonder.

[37773972]

Sorry. [Look. He doesn't know how much you know.] That's more- water pressure, and yeah, electricity is involved in a lot of it, but some setups don't use it. For hot water, though?

[...okay, you know what, this is what is going to convince Browning. Once and for all. He turns the water on to warm, tests it with his hand, then gestures for Ariel to do the same.]

Give it a try. It's safe.

[revelfree]

[He hears what Stephen says -- hot water -- but he doesn't believe it. It's not until he sticks his hand in and feels it -- that he truly processes it. He recoils once more, only to stick his hand back under.]

Is there fire somewhere? To warm it?

[37773972]

[Enjoy being studied closely, Ariel - that is, if you notice it, or are distracted by the water. Either way, Stephen's clearly paying close attention to the other's reactions, and at them...

He shakes his head just slightly, pressing his lips together before answering.]

Maybe. Pilot light under a water heater - or it's all electrical. I couldn't tell you just by this, I'm not an electrician.

You...really haven't seen anything like this before, have you. You're not acting. [The last is said a little more softly, as if to himself. And even more quietly;] You're from the past.

[revelfree]

[Ariel only just catches the scrutinizing look as he backs away from the flow of water, attempting to marvel at it from afar. His gaze shifts over, brow raising as he does.]

Past, present, it's not for me to say. But there are differences between you and I, just as there are between us and everyone else here.

Costumes

[mcfife]

[Though it had only been a day, Angus was feeling tired wearing his regular armor. It wasn't as if he had to be at a battlefield at any moment, so it would be better for everyone if he changed into something clean and more comfortable before inspecting the building.

The options are overwhelming. He has the choice to wear just about anything.

He starts with the outfits that Ariel has put to the side.]

Did these not fit you? [They seem to be about the same size. Angus judges that what doesn't fit Ariel likely wouldn't fit himself.]

[revelfree]

[Ariel starts in the slightest at the sound of the other man's voice. All this talk of murder and some such has him a little uneasy.

But it's only Angus, and he's been pleasant enough company.]

Metaphorically, if nothing else. I apologize for the mess -- I will clean it up once I'm done.

[mcfife]

That would be kind of you.

[He has no idea where any of these clothes go.]

I wonder how the former performers of this theater feel about their costumes being used like this.

[He pulls out a dancer's outfit.]

[revelfree]

Whoever they are, it would seem that they are long enough gone not to have many cares. To leave such a place in disrepair -- there were clearly more pressing things on the mind.

[Finding a tunic up to his standards, Ariel sets to replacing the items he'd cast aside.]

Did you find something more suited to you?

[mcfife]

I found something.

[It's a very 80's-looking set of pants, long-sleeved shirt, and vest. At least it has some padded shoulders to his liking.]

It may be that the phantom took over this opera house and expelled them. With all this dust, it must have been a long time ago.

[revelfree]

[it's a very... interesting outfit, in Ariel's eyes. He's a bit stunned by it all, though thankfully it's diminished by every other outlandish outfit he'd come across ]

You may be right about that. If that is how this narrative has gone, then I can only hope we'll be able to return their possessions soon.

[mcfife]

This theater belongs to them. We will begin by overthrowing the phantom and returning it to its rightful owners.

[He wraps up the clothing in his arms.]

Have you found any possible passage out of the building?

[revelfree]

It is only just.

[Ariel shakes his head. His shoulders hang, looking all the part of disappointed.]

Stephen and I agreed to look for answers, a way out even, but no such luck. If you know anything at all, please feel free to impart your wisdom

music room

[isawallflower]

[ A day's passed and they're still here so. Riley's taking more of a look around the place. It's like taking inventory, she guesses, but she'd really rather find a way out or like, a cell phone or something like that.

The music room doesn't look like it's going to be helpful to her, basically. She plans on passing it a few cursory glances and continuing on her way, but she hears a familiar voice and. Well, no one can blame her for being curious, right now. At the doorway, she feels like she's interrupting something, but. Well, she lingers, and listens, in case Ariel continues. ]

[revelfree]

[Consumed as he is with his efforts, he doesn't outright notice Riley. In fact, his eyes are closed and his head is tilted up toward the ceiling. Beyond his own voice, which shifts higher to accommodate for a second voice he doesn't have, he doesn't hear much else.]

I will surrender and I'll always wait
Wait as in all of eternity
Hard to remember and hard to forget
This shadow that hangs over me

[isawallflower]

[ His song reminds her of Anugs', yesterday, but more...sad. This is definitely intruding, especially with the higher shift. But Riley takes a few steps closer, and the melody washes over her. It's not the type of thing she'd sing. It doesn't feel like it, like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. But she tilts her head, letting the song wash over her.

And, it sure sounds like this should be a duet. ]

Take me home to a house on a hill, in oblivion
And take away this shadow over me

[revelfree]

[Ariel starts as the voice joins in. He turns, looking wide-eyed, almost afraid. Relief washes over him when he finds it's only Riley.]

You almost sounded like someone I once knew. I feared this house was playing tricks on me. [He scratches the back of his neck.] Your voice is lovely, are you known for it back home?

[isawallflower]

[ Riley gives a sheepish smile and pushes a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ]

Sorry~! Didn't mean to frighten you. [ A little awkwardly, she goes to get a better look at the instruments. ] Um, really I'm not all that into singing, except in the shower or driving to school. Or, like, to enhance some cheers.

[revelfree]

Oh, you needn't apologize. [He waves her off -- smiling amicably as he does. Maybe it reaches his eyes, maybe it doesn't.]

That's surprising. Perhaps once you've returned home, you should consider it. It would be quite the travesty, to see such talents go to waste.

[isawallflower]

[ Clearly flattered, she shakes her head. ]

I couldn't, I'm waaay too busy. I've spent...well, just about every day since seventh grade focusing my goals and dreams on cheerleading. ...Do you...know what cheerleading is?

[ She's getting the feeling some people may not have it, where they're from. ]

[revelfree]

[It's Ariel's turn to look sheepish. He glances downward, rubbing at the back of his neck.]

I am afraid not. But if you have spent so much time working on the craft, then surely it is quite an important aspect of your life. I can admire the devotion, if nothing else.