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

[37773972]

[bro]

Well, you're asking quite a lot. People don't always like listing their weaknesses. Or secrets.

[revelfree]

I know. I had my doubts in making the request but... I would not do so if I did not think it strictly necessary.

[37773972]

[...]

You think someone's going to try and use them against us?

[revelfree]

We are meant to kill one another, yes? What better way than to exploit that which he believes makes us weak.

[37773972]

[He lets out a breath. It's still...difficult wrapping his head around that, but. May as well prep for the worst.]

If he wanted me to do that, he should have found me a year ago.

[Would he have killed someone?...probably not. But that was probably his most desperate.]

[revelfree]

[Bro...]

Would it be... untoward to ask what happened a year ago?

[37773972]

[He's quiet for a second, seeming to think, then, quietly;]

It was the start of a really rough spot. I'm still trying to pull myself out of the hole.

[Maddie's death, Elizabeth...it's clear he doesn't want to get in to further detail, shrugging as he changes the subject]

People in grief can do crazy things, is the point. Why not get them at their most...upset?

[revelfree]

Of course. [There's still a note of concern on his face, but Ariel doesn't press.]

And what better way to begin that process than to lock them away from most anyone they know. Throw a handful of references to that which makes them uneasy, to what makes them doubt the safety of their own minds, and watch them tear each other apart.

[37773972]

[He barks out a short, bitter laugh]

Worried about going crazy, now, Ariel?

[revelfree]

[A scoff.]

If there's one, there's many. There is no doubt in my mind that someone else is experiencing the same uneasy feeling of someone knowing too much. There are always patterns, Stephen.

[37773972]

Maybe I'm just used to it by now.

[After all, he'd had that feeling since he woke up in the gas station bathroom, more or less. But his fake humor fades, and he grows more serious]

If there's a pattern, you'll find it. Just let me know what I can do to help.

[If you lead, I will follow.]

[revelfree]

Of course. [A smile]

Your faith in me means a great deal. I will not disappoint you, my Apollo.

[37773972]

[He laughs despite himself, this time without the bitterness or anything such - it's a sincere laugh, surprised and not at all against the nickname. God of the sun? Sure.

Prophecy?-we won't get in to that.]

I know you won't.

[He makes to give a playful nudge-shove-punch to Ariel's shoulder in emphasis. Really, though, he can't remember the last time he laughed like that. Was it all the way back before Maddie?...]

[revelfree]

[The laughter is infectious, and it isn't long until Ariel has joined in. He hasn't felt this at ease in years, especially not because of another person. Not since Helena, at least


He returns the shove, before settling back down to his work. He thumps Stephen's envelope against his own hand.]

Would you like for me to read this now? Or later?

[37773972]

Depends on if you think you'll want to ask me any questions about it. [He has the feeling Ariel will- and while he isn't interested in answering anything about his previously-mentioned down period, the recent past?

He'll sit down.]

[revelfree]

[Ariel reads the list over. Twice. There's a lot he doesn't understand but...]

Do you think he may have deliberately picked you for your lack of ability to escape? [A beat] No, because then he would not have picked Angus, would he?

[37773972]

[Thank you for not immediately launching in to the whole future-message thing. But Stephen considers, rubbing his mouth briefly]

There's a mix here. He could have picked all fighters, all civilians- instead, there's a mix. It could be that some of us are meant to be...targets of the others.

[He speaks slowly, uncertain.]

[revelfree]

If that is true, then both you and I would fall onto that list.

[He draws a slow breath. He seems uncomfortable with the very thought.]

I will not let that happen. Not to you, nor to anyone this place has deemed a "Victim."

[37773972]

I'm not planning on letting it happen, either. [But he does appreciate the comment. Nice to know someone'll have his back and all that.] The problem is you or I could easily be overwhelmed by Angus or Sigyn - and if we all start carrying weapons, that's just asking for trouble.

I think...we need to work on finding reasons to trust on one another. [He hesitates, than continues;] Some of the classes where I taught did icebreakers before putting the students in to groups. Maybe we can do that, build some more reasons for us to work together.

[Including that Weird Immortal Pirate Guy.]

[revelfree]

It's not a bad idea at all. We need reasons to believe in one another. Perhaps a dinner on the morrow, or a few days into the week. We can propose everyone bring their own dish, even a story to tell...

[He ponders the idea, tapping his chin as he does.]

Is that what you had in mind?

[37773972]

Something like that. I'm not sure they have 'two truths and a lie' where you come from, but it's a kind of game- taking turns trying to figure out the lie. I'm an only child, I went to Stanford, I can juggle - harmless stuff like that.

[He absolutely cannot juggle, for the record.]

Get us comfortable talking with one another, sharing thing things- so we can rely on each other when the going gets rough. We can play that over dinner.

[revelfree]

I've never heard of the game, no. What's a Stanford? [His brow is furrowed. He's definitely trying to figure out Stephen's lie.]

It seems a perfect idea. Riley is wonderful at motivating others, perhaps I can confer with her for further ideas?

[37773972]

College. [They had that back where Ariel is, right. Hopefully.] A pretty famous one- but I'll probably change that one. And yeah - she'll have an idea for some other games.

[revelfree]

Ah, of course. [A beat] So. Juggling then?

[Yes, he's still on this.]

[37773972]

Right. I'm pretty sure if I tried, I'd hurt myself.

[heh]

Your turn. Make up a few things on the spot - they don't have to be complicated.