itscurtains | 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

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?

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

[A closed hand over his heart.]

I will. This prison is poorly guarded. With force, we all can break free.

[Ariel mimics the gesture. It feels right.]

Doubtless, you've seen how many children live here. It would truly be a shame if anything were to happen to them. If nothing else, let that drive you.

It's another thing on my mind.

[He's never fought for such a small group of people, one where he could know each on an individual basis. Seeing the faces of the children made this mission more grave.]

Have you experience in fighting?

Aside from a few scrapes here and there, I am afraid not.

[Nevertheless, he stands up all the taller.]

But I have always been a willing student. What is one more craft?

I can't say I have trained other warriors, but I can relay the basics of combat. [This duty usually was performed by the Knights, not royalty. At the very least, Angus knows how one should and shouldn't fight.] The dancing room should be a large enough area to practice

The dancing room it is, then. [He takes the tunic he'd rustled up and folds it over his arm.]

Allow me a moment to change in my room, and then I shall meet you there.

I will also find something to work as a weapon.

[With another thump over his heart, Angus, turns away from Ariel to seek training weapons. It is difficult without proper wooden swords, like the ones he used as a boy, but two sweeping brooms work.

He waits in the dancing room with the two brooms until his sparring partner arrives.]

[Ariel isn't long behind him, having pulled on the black tunic and cleaned himself up a touch. He eyes the brooms with no small amount of skepticism.]

Are we meant to defend ourselves with cleaning products?

It is simply meant to be a training tool. [He tosses a broom towards Ariel.] Once we find something better, we can upgrade to a specific weapon style, but this should be safe for a beginning.

[He holds his broom like a war hammer, the brushes acting as the head.]

I see. [He goes his best to copy Angus's pose. His hands are positioned clumsily, and the hold is loose.]

Like so?

[It doesn't look right.]

Move your hands a bit. Make sure you are comfortable and your weapon won't slip.

[His grip shifts as directed, shifting it something just a touch more comfortable. He's still not familiar with being armed, but at least his stance seems more natural.]

Now what?

[First lesson....]

You stance! One of the most important parts of battle is how to deflect enemy blows, and to do that, you must ensure you do not fall easily.

[Angus widens his stance, putting one foot in front of the other.]

Now, do you feel as if you can withstand a light blow?

[Ariel shifts his footing a few times. No matter how he balances, he isn't certain that he could fend off a blow.]

Of course I can.

[Dammit]

[Angus swings his broom! Slowly, with little force, but just to see if if Ariel can block it.]

[It's just a broom! Ariel doesn't expect much from it. But it stings his palms and makes his wrists ache, to the point that he nearly loses his grip on the broom.]

Right. I see. [He adjusts his grip once more, looking more determined, more confident.]

Again.

Get ready.

[He repeats the same move, a bit faster this time.]

[This time Ariel inches forward to meet Angus's blow, bracing himself for the impact. It still stings, and he can feel the skin start to wear in a few places. He'll blister for sure if he continues.]

Better?

Yes, if you can block that, then we are making good progress. Now, try hitting me.

[Angus steps back with his broom raised just above his hip.]

[This... he is a little unsure of. But he steels his nerves and steps forward. He remembers what about his earlier grip felt so painful, remembers to brace himself for the reverberating impact.

It's a clumsy strike, aimed more for the broom than anything. It still makes Ariel's body ache from the vibrations that rattle through him]

[The strike is obviously telegraphed to Angus, and he swiftly moves his broom to block it. It requires less force than is he were blocking an attack with his hammer, so he does parry it a bit too roughly.]

So, like that.How are youfeeling?

It feels... unfamiliar. [He feels his muscles tingle from new use.] But it's not a bad feeling.

Something I could get used to, perhaps?

[He shifts back and raises the broom once more] May I try again?

[Ariel has become Stronger.]

Of course. A bit of practice each day should help. [He stands back with his broom raised again.]

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