itscurtains | week 1

Entry tags:

act 2,
week 1

week 1

[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! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Rileeeeeyyyy!

[She responds in a sing song tone, sat up on one of the sinks, both palms and one cheek pressed against the mirror glass. She's so excited to see her new friend! Her new friend after a workout too.

Geez, she's even pretty when she's all sweaty. That's unfair. Christine sits up and tries to smooth out her dress and look half presentable herself.]

Well, there's a very good reason for that! You know that Phantom from yesterday? The one who's maybe secretly in love with me? [No he isn't, Christine.] Well. He's from a musical. I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but he is. Or well, originally a book, later a musical. And in the musical, he spies on the fair maiden Christine with a mirror he has in her dressing room! Much like the ones in all our rooms, in fact.

[She looks quite proud of herself for making that connection, but then pouts as she looks back at the mirror.]

Anyways, I was thinking maybe I could use those mirrors to get him to answer us about the weird errors in the pamphlet. And also for him to finally admit his feelings towards me. But I tried the ones in any bedroom I could get into, and none of them worked!

[ I mean! If it helps! Her hair's definitely puffy, strands having fallen from her ponytail. But. Yes, sweaty-Riley is sort of a state she's used to, considering. Cheerleader. She's discarded her tracksuit, leaving her in a pair of workout shorts and a T-shirt, still with the Giles Corey High Tigers logo emblazoned on the front.

Kidnapping aside, this is a normal day for Riley. She also doesn't seem to care about how poor flustered Christine looks! At least in how she's frazzled, dress wrinkled and the like from crawling around mirrors. What she frowns at is what Christine's saying. She crosses her arms and purses her lips, humming lightly. ]

I know who the Phantom of the Opera is, but- that wasn't... That was just a guy, dressed up him, wasn't he? Some...creep playing dress-up. [ There's less fire in her than when she was full-on insulting the guy. Still not too happy about him, though! ] Also, he kidnapped us, you do not want a freaky stalker in a mask to crush on you! Also he's a jerk.

[ ...He called her names!! He poked her insecurities!!! Down With Phantom!!!! ]

I mean, I don't know, he really seems into the role. Like kidnapping us for the sake of Christine's stardom seems pretty on brand. He could be a method actor, though.

[She doesn't like the sound of Riley's voice when she discusses him, though!]

He's not so bad! He's just blinded to his actions due to love! Eventually, I'll teach him to realize the error of his ways!

Even if he is... really rude right now.

[ Riley strides over to the sinks and sets her towel down. ]

He couldn't be the actual Phantom, because that is just a story. And did you hear him, yesterday?! He was mean, to all of us, including you!

H-He wasn't that mean to me! He was, um, playing hard to get?

[Christine knows for a fact how stupid that sounds, which is why she's already shrinking away from Riley.]

[ Riley holds in a sigh. ]

Christine. You're a sweet, passionate, and nice girl. You deserve much better than a mean ol' ghost. Or, really obsessed guy in a mask. Whichever it is. Or, you know, you could just...focus on your drive, your goals! I meant it when I said your dedication to theater is admirable.

[She curls a strand of hair around one of her fingers, looking away.]

You... you think so? From... heh, from what others have said, I dress like too much of a child to be seen as a love interest, anyways.

[And she doesn't know why that bothers her so much. She used to be just fine focusing on the stage!]

[ Riley rolls her eyes and huffs. ]

Yes! I mean- no, I don't think you dress too much like a...a child. [ Her eyes sweep over Christine, briefly, taking her in. Sure, it's not what she would wear, but. ] I think you're just fine, the way you are. If people don't appreciate your passion, that's their fault.

I... just, I don't know.

[She brings her knees up to her chest.]

Are you sure it's passion? Or is it just not knowing when to shut up?

[Why is she thinking like this? She never used to let these kind of things bother her before, but... Maybe her worry about this strange theatre and kidnapping (publicity stunt, it has to just be a publicity stunt...) is bleeding over into other areas.

[ She was fine yesterday... But, everything's setting in, isn't it? Riley frowns in sympathy, leaning against the sinks. ]

Christine, I've been on the Tigers Cheer Squad since I was a freshman. If there's one thing I can recognize, it's passion. I always can tell when a girl comes in really wanting it, or...if she's just there because she thinks it'll be an easy extracurricular activity or something. Even if theater's different... That passion, it transcends cheerleading and acting- drive, dedication, that's something universal. You have that.

I have that, but it's not enough, Riley! Not in a place like this! Not when... whatever is happening is happening!

[She gestures to the mirror in desperation.]

I thought maybe I actually knew something that would help this time around, but all I've been finding is wall after wall.

So... So it's been a day and we've learned next to nothing! [ that doesn't sound very positive- breathe, riley. ] That doesn't mean you...

[ She sighs and rubs her temples. ]

Look. I'm...really in over my head here, too. I think most of us are. But...keeping people's spirits up? Sharing your drive? That can never go wrong. [ ... ] Besides, it's...a big opera house. Who knows what else we'll find?

... I guess. Maybe there are clues I already found that I don't know are clues...

[Like that disposable razor and that seal, Christine?]

I just... it just hurts, Riley. I tried being optimistic, and after so long of people not believing me when I said it'd be okay... how was I supposed to believe it would be okay?

[ Isn't that just a kick in the teeth? It's...a familiar kind of worry. There's part of Riley that wonders if she's really here, because someone else sharing such emotions, confiding in her, who she only met a day ago?

...She doesn't know how Christine could do that. Riley certainly couldn't.

So, she doesn't share that she feels just the same way. That trying to say it'll all be fine has- well. Worn on her, in different situations. And probably will wear on her here, too. ]

We...just have to do our best and hope it'll turn out. No, it- it will turn out alright. Because we're going to do our best. Teamwork. At the very least, you've got me on your side. Right?

[Christine has no choice but to share her feelings. She's a bit of an open book, she knows, and people have always made fun of her for feeling everything so very strongly.

Part of the reason theatre was so fun to her. No one was going to make fun of her for crying at the drop of a hat there, so long as the script called for it. It was a lot easier to process her emotions when they were spelled out for her.

Here, it's... difficult. But she does look up at Riley, rubbing her eyes as she considers those words.]

If... if you're with me, maybe we can do something. Together... you are pretty strong, so...

[ It's time for Riley to break into a nervous chuckle, sheepishly smiling. ]

Well, it's... None of us can do this on our own. Yeah. I'm sure, if we stick together, more people will follow suit, and...we can get through this, together.

That's what I've been trying to do already, Riley...

[She smiles back and rolls her eyes.]

Shoulda just let me learn the cheers first. Would have been better at cheering people up then. So we'd actually have people to work with.

Hey. Just because people aren't receptive the first time doesn't mean we give up! That is my first cheer lesson. Before you get to any of the technique, you have to learn the attitude.

[ Riley gives her an encouraging smile, hands in fists as she bounces on her heels. ]

When the world's against you, you stand tall! When everyone's despairing, you're the beacon of hope for them to look to! Nothing's going to get you down. You hear?

[Christine giggles a little more, hopping down from the counter and rolling up onto her feet.]

Y-Yeah. Yeah! I am a strong and confident lady! Just because everyone else is panicking, I won't let them get me down! Get us down! We can make it out of here, no problem!

There we go, that's the spirit! [ Riley stands a little taller. ...She doesn't often feel taller than other people, but Christine is remarkably short. ] That is exactly what I like to hear. We're going to be a-okay.

[ ...A bit of sweat runs down Riley's neck, and- ]

But, um. I...really need to take a shower.

O-Oh!

[She is blushing, whoops.]

Sorry! I totally wasn't thinking. I'll get out of your hair! No more talking with me until you're clean.

[She offers an awkward wave as she starts moonwalking out of the room. At least she is back to her weird self?]

[ Moonwalking, what- a sort of surprised smile and laugh, even as Christine's leaving. What a...strange, but charming girl.

...Riley wonders, as she heads to the showers, just how Christine's able to be so unabashedly herself. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

week 1

Re: bathroom

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject