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Post by The Sidhe on May 6, 2014 13:21:08 GMT -5
Huy was a gorgeous sight to see in the sunlight. The old stone that held up most of the buildings seemed to regain a bit of life, and the wide streets gleamed from recent rain. The early morning rush was still ongoing, workers hurrying forth with coffee in one hand and their bags or coats in another. Cars crept along at an easy pace, and the forest surrounding the little city shone an impossible shade of green. But Huy was not so much a destination as a stop on their way, a marker. Across a road bridge and into the woods was where their path would take them. Old gravel would be their guide, somewhat overgrown with new sprouts of bright green breaking through from the ground. It was darker in the forest, damper, the air retaining the moisture from the rain and cooling the area. Sunlight filtered down from above, casting shadows with jagged and feathered edges through the tree leaves. The way wasn’t even all that far removed from the world, car horns and the rush of traffic still audible. But ti was accompanied by early morning songbirds, the rustle of the wind through the boughs that towered over them. Oddly peaceful, considered what was waiting for them. The gravel grew more dense and the forest let up a bit to allow room for the castle. In truth, it hardly looked deserving of the name. Red brick broken up by white on the fringe of its structure and outline, box-like in shape, and sporting only one small tower. It resembled an old church more than a castle. The window on the first floor appeared to be mostly covered up, boarded from the inside with plywood bleach white from the sun. One window in particular was broken, just to the left of the main doors, curtains flitting about visibly on the inside. The second floor looked darker somehow, the remaining windows dusty and clouded, and broken ones appearing threatening with the jagged bits of glass still wobbling in their frames. Even with the abandoned castle turned hotel looming solemnly in the area, the grounds appeared immaculate. Hedges were trimmed, flowerbeds in full bloom, and decorative trees looking better than ever. But then that was to be expected, after all the groundskeeper took his job very seriously. A crooked looking little man hobbled along the gravel path, appearing fully awake despite the hour. He was clad in simple brown work pants and a battered looking button down shirt, suspenders reaching up and over his shoulders. White hair was cut close to his slowly balding head, and two blue eyes looked out at the world from a severely wrinkled face. Even so, he didn’t look unkind. A Doberman that looked to be near the same old age as the keeper kept pace with him, pointed ears up and alert and looking around. She knew something was watching, she just didn’t know from where. The groundskeeper, old Alfred, normally shoved his wheelbarrow full of gardening tools and fixing kits along with him, but not today. Something else was happening today, and he couldn’t wait for it to be over and done with. Why they would send more kids in after what had killed several and driven many others insane was beyond him. But so long as they were capable, who was he to judge? He wanted this over and done with. He was tired of hearing more silly kids breaking glass for the sake of ghost hunting only to hear them screaming later and then complete silence. He was tired of seeing most never come back out, and especially worn down by seeing the ones that did return appear exhausted and shaking like newborn deer, babbling on and on that the halls had gone on forever and tricked them with false doors. Reaching the start of where the gravel opened up from the forest path, Alfred paused and waited for the students to show up. The Doberman paused by his side, standing stock still until her eats turned to flatten against her head. She turned back staring up at the Bambi, low growls rumbling in her throat. Alfred turned to follow his companion’s gaze and saw white light creep back from one of the filthy windows. A rasping chuckle left the groundskeeper as he patted the dog on the head, turning his attention back out to the woods. <<There, there,>> he said calmly even with such a gruff old voice, <<it won’t get us out here. Damn thing’s too cowardly to leave that place or we’d be dead already, right Ellie?>>The Doberman in question whined and kept her eyes on the castle. Alfred trusted her to keep watch. He had others he was keeping an eye out for.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 23:35:48 GMT -5
As Lucia hid behind Nolan in the crowded streets of Huy, Belgium, she began to regret her decision to take this mission. The flight felt like it had taken forever, and now they were navigating their way through a rush-houred town with puddles on the ground from the rain the night before. This was just too much for their first mission. They could have easily taken on a NOT mission as a warm-up, but she just had to have a random burst of overconfidence when she saw the mission board last week.
Lucia began to relax a little more after they crossed the bridge and started heading into the woods. She still trailed behind Nolan, using his enormous figure as a shield for anything that might be ahead, but that didn't stop her from taking in the new surroundings. This forest was far more beautiful than the one back in Death City, and the recent rain only made everything even better. The gravel crunched beneath her feet as she hastened every so often to catch up with Nolan. They had a mission to get to, and she didn't want to make them late.
Soon enough the forest began to thin out and Lucia was able to make out the brick structure of the castle that was going to be the setting of their investigation. Well, Lucia couldn't really bring herself to call the hotel a castle anymore. It was actually quite a disappointment. She had expected something much grander, but this...was definitely not castle. It was a brick building with a tower slapped on to it for good measure. So much for choosing a mission that would inspire pretty drawings later. Now she was regretting her decision even more.
As they neared the hotel, Lucia noticed the old man and the dog patiently waiting for them. Her eyes never caught the white light in the window, but the dog was enough to put her on her guard. As much as she liked nature, she had never been too comfortable around animals bigger than rabbits. This one was much, much bigger. She stopped behind Nolan and leaned to the side so that she would be visible to the old man but still able to use her weapon partner as a human shield. Just in case. She could never be too cautious in a situation like this. She glanced up at Nolan to see how he was taking everything in before she took a deep breath and began to speak in her soft voice.
“Hello, sir. My name is Lucia Rowe and this is Nolan Anderson. We were sent from Shibusen to investigate the strange activity around here,” she said. Her words tumbled out a little quickly, but she hoped she got the message across. She wasn't too keen on repeating herself, but she trusted Nolan to back her up just in case. Words: 481 Tag: Nolan/Sidhe
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 21:31:44 GMT -5
To say Nolan was dazzled by the city of Huy would be an understatement. People rushed around on the sidewalks and across the streets, clad in business attire with their morning cups-o’-joe in hand. There were cars, yes, but they moved at a lazy speed and were nowhere near as populous as the cars in most American cities. The air was humid from recent rain and the puddles on the ground—along with the breathtaking canals and rivers that coursed through the Belgian city like veins—reflected the sparkling sunlight in a way that bounced off of the sides of the buildings, giving everything a magical sort of feel. Nolan found himself beaming like he was his own ray of sunshine, hustling along with the crowd of early morning workers. “What an incredible city, huh, Lucia?” He chimed, simply enchanted by all the beauty around him.
When he didn’t get a response, Nolan looked down to this side, perplexed not to see his little Thumbelina walking beside him. He was reassured of her presence when he felt her hands clinging to his shirt from behind, and his expression became one of fondness. The poor girl was probably way out of her element in such a busy crowd; he had hoped she could appreciate the scenery a little more. He should’ve seen it coming, what with her getting all jittery towards the end of the plane flight. Nolan…had slept through most of it, really. Flying always seemed to have a narcotic effect on him.
Honestly, Nolan didn’t really know what to expect from his first mission. He kind of just rolled with the punches, and Lucia had seemed pretty enthusiastic about selecting this mission in particular, so why not? It wasn’t like he had to do much when it came down to the fighting; just transform into a hatchet and let Lucia do the rest. Of course, he’ll be there to keep her calm and focused on the task at hand. Actually, now that he thought about it…what was Lucia’s fighting style? They hadn’t really practiced much together since their first meeting by the track. Hmm…
Oh well!
After crossing the bridge and heading into the woods where their destination awaited, Nolan felt Lucia let go of his shirt. Sneaking a peek over his shoulder, he could see she had relaxed some and was now just enjoying the scenery and keeping up with his wide strides. Eyes merry with admiration, he slowed his pace some so she had an easier time staying at a more constant distance from him. Over the past few days, she had wormed her way into a special place in Nolan’s heart and he often found himself going out of his way to ensure her comfort.
After some more walking and admiring the European forest around them, Nolan and Lucia eventually came to the castle that they were assigned to explore. Calling it a castle…was a bit of an exaggeration in Nolan’s opinion. To him, it appeared to be some sort of old run-down mansion of gothic design. It was still an interesting building, though, and it gave off an eerie aura that made Nolan’s arm hairs stand on-end. What was waiting for them inside?
Well, waiting outside for them was an old man and his dog. As they approached the man to stand in front of him, Nolan felt Lucia press up against him once again. Nodding his head, Nolan affirmed Lucia’s statement and gave a greeting of his own. “Yep, what she said. G’morning, sir; we’re here to do what we can to help!” His friendly smiled faltered slightly when he noticed the large dog’s strange behavior, seemingly directed towards the building's tower. Maybe he and Lucia had jumped the gun a bit, taking on a mission so soon in their partnership.
Word Count: 636 Tagged: Lucia/Sidhe
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Post by The Sidhe on May 7, 2014 22:26:04 GMT -5
Alfred gave a wave to the two students as they approached. They weren’t what he’d been expecting in terms of appearance at least the girl wasn’t. She was a small little thing, and shy from what he could see. The young man, on the other hand, looked perfect for the job. Maybe he needed to give them a bit more credit. Hearing different footsteps approach, the Doberman turned her head towards the sound, appearing a touch calmer with more humans nearby. Alfred nodded in acknowledgment to their greetings and gave them a smile that was missing several teeth. “Mademoiselle Rowe, Monsieur Anderson, my name is Alfred Amsel,” the old man said with a thick French accent, “I will be letting you into the building and staying well out of your way.”
He turned very slightly with a wave indicating they should follow him before starting to hobble along back up the gravel path. Ellie the dog padded along by his side, her ears pricked up and alert. As they walked, Alfred tucked one hand into his pocket, rooting around for the keys. “I am glad you two are here,” he admitted, “that thing has caused more than enough trouble. Kids go in looking for ghosts; get more than what they bargained for.” Wearing a more somber expression, he withdrew a key ring and let it dangle in his hand as he walked, the metal clinking loudly in the mostly silent area. “The ones who come out…well, there is not much left to them. I do not know what they see, but I know I have seen light in the Bambi where they should be none, and I know that whatever is in there scared the sense out of them.”
The poor excuse for a castle loomed as they approached, the nearby courtyards sitting adjacent on either side looking impeccable by comparison. The forest surrounding the grounds almost looked as if it were trying to encompass them, keep them in. Alfred leaned heavily on the railing as they reached the small steps leading up to the front doors, an obvious hobble in his step. “The ones I’ve found wandering the grounds lost look like they walked out of wonderland, talking nonsense about vanishing doors and walls that came from nowhere, talking like they had been lost for days,” he continued as he reached the top, turning over the key ring in gnarled looking hands before finding the right one. Gingerly lifting the chain, he removed the padlock and slung the metal rungs out through the handles before standing aside.
“I wish you the best of luck in there. I am a bit too old to be dealing with things like this anymore.” Alfred stood to the side; Ellie joining him before looking up to the second floor of the building again, though this time the Doberman remained silent. The groundskeeper gave them one last encouraging smile, “A word of advice: watch the stairs. The building is not too decrepit yet, but it is not the safest even so.” Leaning slightly to scratch Ellie behind the ears, he tried to sound hopeful though he was truly worried for their welfare. “If there is anything you need from me, whether it be answers or anything else, it would be best that you ask now.”
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2014 22:47:53 GMT -5
The old man, Alfred, seemed nice enough to Lucia. She still remained squarely behind Nolan, her nerves having just increased to a stomach that felt like it was doing backflips. As she walked behind him, she took in even more of the old hotel's sites. It felt like the perfect place for a Kishin Egg to nestle away and call home. Actually, it reminded her of some of the haunted houses that had been featured on supernatural travel shows around Halloween. Those ones were probably fake, but this one definitely felt real. A shiver ran down her spine as she looked around at the looming trees of the forest. They seemed to envelope the whole area, as if trying to hide it from the rest of the world. It was rather ironic, though, compared to the neatly tended gardens, no doubt the work of the old man. He must have been some kind of miracle worker, for keeping the courtyard clean must have been doubly hard with his obvious limp. At least he had his old dog around to keep him company.
As they approached the castle, Lucia began to wish Alfred had not mentioned the insane people that had managed to escape. Technically she and Nolan were much better suited to handle phenomena like this, but it didn't make them immune to its effects. Maybe she had overestimated herself when she had decided to take the mission on the board. Something a little closer to home in a less creepy environment would have been nice. Maybe a haunted little toy store or an abandoned factory in the middle of a city. Out in the middle of nowhere in a weird castle that looked like it had stumbled out of some dreadfully old fairytale? She should have known this was a bad idea.
Her thoughts kept running in circles until they reached the door and she bumped into Nolan. She hadn't realized they had made it to the entrance, but she mumbled a quick apology anyway and stepped over to his right side. The old man removed the locks from the door, but his dog still seemed apprehensive. She reached out to grab Nolan's sleeve and waited for Alfred to open the doors. Even though she didn't feel like she was entirely ready to go, it was now or never. Just a few more seconds, then she and Nolan would be put to their first real test. She took a deep breath and looked up at Nolan to see if he was ready like she was. Words: 426 Tags: Nolan/Sidhe
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2014 13:32:41 GMT -5
When the elderly man introduced himself as Alfred Amsel, Nolan immediately took note of his French accent. His facial expression lit up, excited to have finally found someone since joining Shibusen who he could probably communicate with in a language other than English. Even though Nolan spoke Canadian-French and not actually France French, the two languages could understand each other for the most part. He followed after Alfred on the gravel pathway with Lucia sticking right behind him as usual. <<Nice to meet you, Mr. Amsel.>> Glancing around the courtyard of the castle, he could see how well-trimmed everything was and how nice it looked. Especially in comparison to the ominous eyesore that was the castle, standing smack-dab in the middle of everything.
Nolan tilted his head, nodding solemnly as Alfred explained the odd phenomena occurring inside the castle. It sounded as if whatever was inside was not quite as deadly as some of the Kishin Eggs Nolan has heard about, since some kids (although traumatized) had managed to escape the house in time. He used this fact to anchor himself mentally; he had to be prepared to face whatever was waiting inside, no matter the circumstances, and going in without any confidence or stability was a bad idea. Weapons had to be willing to die for their meisters and make that decision in a split second. The sound of their feet on the gravel seemed to get louder for Nolan as they approached the front of looming building.
Stopping outside the door, Nolan felt Lucia bump into him and he couldn’t help but smirk. “It’s fine, love...” He responded to her small apology, letting her grab his right arm sleeve. It seemed like now was the best time to enter the castle and take down the threat. Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Nolan nodded determinedly down at Lucia beside him before returning his gaze to Alfred. “I believe you’ve clarified anything we would need to know. Thanks again,” Turning to the unlocked doors, he gripped the doorknob tightly before opening it slowly and hearing the creak echo throughout the interior. He looked back to the groundskeeper, giving him a reassuring smile. “We’ll make sure to deal with things.” Looking down at Lucia again, he winked, trying to ease her nerves with his lightheartedness. “Let’s do this, partner.” With that, he stepped inside the building, away from the bright light outside and into the dreary shadows that awaited the two of them.
Word Count: 415 Tagged: Lucia/Sidhe
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Post by The Sidhe on May 13, 2014 14:34:07 GMT -5
Hearing French spoken back to him was…unexpected. But certainly not bad, though he picked up immediately that the young man was likely from somewhere in Canada. The way the young man’s face lit up at his accent made Alfred crack a weary smile. Oh to be young. Even on the amble up the drive, though, the impression he got of the two youngsters was hardly encouraging. The one appeared to be a touch too easy going, and the other. Well, the other reminded Alfred of a doe hiding in tall grass. Perhaps she was just shy with a fighting spirit hiding within. He didn’t know, it wasn’t his place to.
With confirmation that they were ready, Alfred gave the two a weary salute, not nearly as sharp as when he was still young. Ellie whined and sat beside him, looking the team over with deep, dark eyes with her ears flattened back. “I wish you the best of luck,” he assured them, “I will be here awaiting your safe return.” With that, he left the two to wander through the doors, slinging the chain carefully over one shoulder and carrying the heavy padlock in his free hand as he hobbled down the steps. Ellie pressed against his left side just in case he should fall.
Within the Bambi was perhaps not the darkness one would expect. Even with boarded window, enough had been pried through and broken open by trespassers to allow in an adequate glow. On a day with better weather, it would have been even bright, but alas today there were naught but looming clouds threatening more rain. Inside was damp from where the water had blown in, the muddied colors of the old carpet damp and squelching beneath their feet. Even so, the place wasn’t nearly as bad in terms of disrepair as it could have been, at least in the entry.
The wallpaper, while dulled considerably in color, still clung to the walls save for a few corners. In place, water damage stained it a sickly brown. Moss had begun to grow in the carpet nearer the windows, the old wooden frames cracked from swelling beyond their confines. Shards of broken glass till lingered I a few of the opening, several more pieces lying nearby and appearing smudged and gritty, though still sharp. Few pieces of furniture remained. An overturned armchair with the back looking to have been cut open lay off to the right, something black beginning to show through the fabric. A desk lay further in with two legs broken off, one half propped up against the ground and the wood rotted from being hit by the rain. Above was a lovely sight, though. The ceiling was in impeccable condition, arched and painstakingly painted with gold details of flowers and leaves, delicately winding through the rafters. A chandelier hung overhead as well, still twinkling in the dim grey glow, though looking like it could use a good dusting.
An arched opening right back into the main hallway system. The carpet here was bleached from the sun, filthy windows lining the walls still intact and letting in a cool light source to lead the way. A staircase to the second floor lay to the right, appearing surprisingly sturdy though littered in paint chips. Up the stairs would lead to several of the rooms to look into, four to be exact, in addition to the stairwell leading to the third and final floor.
Down the left of the hallway appeared darker for a spell, though there was a light from the side and a dark looking door at the end. There was also a twin set of stairs, leading to the other side of the second floor and four more rooms. With the wallpaper switching to red, it cast a heated glow that was not at all welcoming in the pale light. The walls peeled a bit more, remnants scattering the carpet and the stairs looking a might more water damaged, though still sturdy enough to hold a person. The opening further down the hall would lead to the kitchens, and the dark door to the store room and cellar.
If the team listened carefully, quietly, they would note the sound of severely muffled humming coming from somewhere within the Bambi.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 23:56:09 GMT -5
Lucia was glad that she had left the talking to Nolan. He seemed more than pleased to find another person that spoke French, even if it wasn't the same version of the language. He closed their conversation with the old man cordially, leaving Lucia to gain more control over her nerves. The door to the hotel was opened, and Lucia stepped inside after Nolan. With a groan and a click the door closed behind them, leaving the pair in the dark building all alone. Except it wasn't all that dark. And they probably weren't alone.
The first thing that caught Lucia's eye was the ceiling. With its gold detailing, it was difficult for her not to notice. The chandelier, even in its dusty state, was also a dazzling sight. She promised herself that she would draw this whenever they got back to Shibusen. This was enough to level off the wave of fearful emotions she had been feeling earlier. Now that they were taking the first actual steps in their investigation, Lucia decided it was finally time for her to act like an actual meister. A few of the stories her mother used to tell her popped up in her head, so she tried to think about how her mother would behave in them. Lucia's posture straightened and her face settled into a focused expression. There had to be clues around this house that would lead them to the source of the crazed survivors...and the dead people.
Suddenly the sound of humming reached Lucia's ears. Because it was only registering on her left side, though, she couldn't exactly pinpoint the location of its source. She desperately wanted to use her soul perception so that she could find their enemy, but Lucia was well aware of her own limitations. Even though she was a One-star meister, her Soul Perception was rather weak. It would have been a waste if she tried to use it now when she didn't even have a direction to focus on. She turned he head so that she could take in more of the sound on her good side, but even then it didn't seem to be coming from a particular direction.
Well, there was only one way to go about this whole investigation: they were going to have to search floor by floor. Since they were on the ground floor, this meant searching the area with the dark hallway first. Lucia stared at the eery place for a moment, a rush of fear running down her spine. Then she took a deep breath to calm her nerves once again. It was now or never.
“Nolan, can you please change into your weapon form?” Lucia said softly as she began to head in the direction of the arched opening. She wasn't sure if anyone was listening, but she didn't want to make their presence too obvious. “We need to get started, and I'd rather be prepared in case of surprise attacks.”
Words: 494 Tag: Nolan/Sidhe
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 13:44:10 GMT -5
Stepping inside, Nolan was surprised to discover that his eyes needed very little adjusting to the building’s interior. Once the door had closed behind him and Lucia, the light filtering through the windows was enough to give the area an eerie glow, so it was more than enough light to see everything with relative clarity. A twinkling—something reflecting the light—was visible out of the corner of is eye. Looking upwards to find the source of the sparkle, Nolan gasped gently at the magnificent sight of the golden ceiling. Its intricate design, as well as the beautiful chandelier hanging from it, almost left the large Canadian man breathless as he stood there next to his partner. “Incroyable…” He uttered in a hushed tone, afraid to speak any louder lest alert the enemy to their presence. On the topic of the enemy, Nolan was trying to predict what he and Lucia were going to have to deal with. Of the stories he has heard, it would seem like they were dealing with a ghost haunting. Although, since this was a mission available to Shibusen students, he doubted that was the case. And even if it were a kishin egg or something else, how were they going to deal with a ghost-like monster? Would they even be able to see it, let alone land a decisive blow? It was all very uncertain and up-in-the-air…but he couldn’t afford to doubt himself. Shaking his head, Nolan clenched his fists obstinately. Get it together, Nolan. You can’t hesitate for a second.And that’s about when he picked up on the humming sound. It was muffled, yet still bouncing off the walls and echoing throughout the Bambi. It didn’t seem to be coming from any specific source; turning his head in different directions, Nolan found it impossible to pinpoint a direction they should pursue the noise from. Which meant that they were going to have to search every room in the mansion; this mission might end up taking quite a while. Sighing and preparing himself for what was to come, Nolan then redirected his attention to Lucia, who had just spoke to him and was now heading towards a dark hallway to their left. She seemed more determined now…that was a good sign. Smirking, the blonde’s eyes twinkled with newfound excitement. If his meister was ready to fight, then so was he. “Can do, Lucia,” He replied to her request, closing his eyes and focusing on the mental image of his weapon form. His body began to glow and soon the golden light had completely enveloped him; he could feel his cells morphing and rearranging themselves at a blinding speed. It was an exhilarating experience that words couldn’t truly do justice. The golden energy he had become sailed through the air and formed into the shape of an axe, hovering in the air before Lucia. If she were to reach out and grab the handle, the light would disappear and Nolan would be completely transformed as a red-handled steel hatchet. Word Count: 504 Tagged: Lucia/Sidhe
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Post by The Sidhe on May 16, 2014 14:41:19 GMT -5
Red would tint and dye their forms as they started down the more sinister looking of the two hallways. The dark wood of the stairs, coated in fallen paint chips and dust. A section of the banister was missing, though where it went was a mystery as no scrap of it lay anywhere. Old lighting fixtures hung above them, wires spiraling from gaps in the ceiling’s plaster. Thankfully electricity was one thing the Bambi no longer had. One less potential hazard to the team.
The first opening along the hallway was on their right. Once concealed by two double doors, now only a single wide arch remained as an entryway into the kitchens. Like other parts of the Bambi, the room was in surprisingly stable condition. The white tiles that lined the walls were oddly clean, though they didn’t quite manage to shine in the dim light. Despite their color, it was obvious that they, like most of the Bambi, needed a vicious cleaning. A long stretch of bronzed metal stretched the length of the ceiling, acting as an oven hood with ventilation for smoke and steam being cut in clean openings. Most were sealed over with plywood.
The floor appeared as some form of old linoleum, grey flecked with black laid out in a tile form. Some of the corners were beginning to curve upwards; air bubbles making the middles lift in places. Smudges and scuffs from former trespassers littered the floor. Shoved up against the left wall beneath the ventilation hoods were three massive cook pots, front hatches sealed with the inset cavities being at least two and a half feet deep. Thermometers stuck up beside each in the back and to the side of round lids, lined with copper treated to appear a muddled blue-green. A single ladle remained in one of the open ones, the one beside it sporting a faucet turned outwards. Once for making sure all of the hotel guests were well fed, they were now empty, and in stark condition compare to the rest of the room.
Their metal bearings looked polished, and the inside of the cookers was completely spotless, the metal glinting dimly from the muggy light that shone through the windows of the furthest wall. The only exception was the one furthest from the entryway. Not only was it closed, but something dark and thick like old syrup was leaking from the lids. It wasn’t on, but there was a decisively acrid smell surrounding it.
Beyond the kitchen, the dark wooden door and a gilded knob led to the cellar. A dark set of creaky stairs led down not quite as far as one would think, the room below sporting a low ceiling, only eight feet. It was utter darkness without the door open, and even then the light only barely breached the gloom. Along the wall were old dusty racks filled with wine bottles. Cobwebs clung to them, the labels yellowed and the bottles grimy from the damp and dust. The floor was coated in plaster, and there was single ominous crack that ran the length of the ceiling. A single light bulb hung by wires in the middle of the room, clouded and with several wires cut. Old boxes filled with unknown contents and coated in mildew sat forgotten in the far corner beneath the stairs. Perhaps the most distressing presence in the room would be a pile of clothing, set neatly beside the wine racks on the left. All of the items looked decidedly more modern than the Bambi. All were stained with red and torn in places.
The moment the team set foot past the door, the humming would no longer be audible.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2014 16:44:07 GMT -5
The glow from Nolan's transformation reached Lucia's eyes, but she didn't need to look over at him to know exactly what he was doing. She reached out with her left hand and snatched Nolan's hatchet form out of the air, then she quickly tossed it over to her dominant right hand. Her grip was tight, but not overly so, just enough for her to be prepared to make a move in case of any surprises. So far, the place had been disappointingly mellow. As she walked through the archway on the first floor she felt her heart rate pick up. Everything was dyed a foreboding red from the poor lighting.
Lucia paused just before the first opening on the right. Slowly she leaned over to peek inside, but the large room looked empty. It was a kitchen, much to Lucia's surprise. Aside from the scuff marks on the floor, it looked like the place hadn't been touched in years. She took a few cautious steps inside, but all remained quiet except for the faint humming. Lucia rubbed her right ear out of habit, but it still didn't help her pinpoint the direction of the humming. At least it didn't sound like it was coming from the kitchen. She was about to leave the room when she noticed something a little off. The large cook pots on the left side of the room did not bear the same marks of age as the rest of the room. One of them still sported a ladle from its depths. Lucia tried not to think of what they might have been used for recently as she gripped Nolan's weapon form a little tighter and shuffled out of the room. One of the pots was leaking, and the smell emanating from it was absolutely terrible. They were definitely large enough for....well...Lucia really didn't want to think about it as she tried to distance herself from the room.
Lucia continued down the hallway, trying her absolute hardest to keep her composure. She wasn't too great with surprises, and this place felt exactly like a haunted house with jumpers. Each step was going to bring her closer to something jumping out of nowhere and scaring the ever-loving daylights out of her. At least, that's what she believed as she continued down the hall. She tried to quiet her mind with calming thoughts, but her heart rate was still rushing at an unthinkable speed. Just come on out so I can fight you already Lucia thought in exasperation. I want to get this over with. Suspense is not my cup of tea.
No wonder her mother had never told her stories about this part of the mission. At least, she had never elaborated on the emotional rush of trying to sneak around in such a creepy environment. Now that she was here, Lucia couldn't exactly rely on her mother's stories in order to compose herself. She finally reached the end of the hall with the door to the cellar. With a deep breath, she opened the door and looked down the stairs.
Initially it didn't look that bad. The wine racks seemed normal for a place like the Bambi. There was also an old lightbulb that probably didn't work, but it was nothing that would worry Lucia. She was about to close the door and walk away when she noticed something that was definitely out of the ordinary. A pile of clothes was stacked on the floor. They would have been normal except for the stains on them. Lucia opened the door to let a little more light in, but she still couldn't make out exactly what the stains were. She took one step down the stairs and leaned forward to get a better look. Her heart sank as she confirmed what she had been thinking: those were definitely bloodstains. Whatever they were dealing with was a killer. They would have to be extra cautious.
After a few moments of taking in the new information, Lucia realized something was off. She tilted her head to the right to take in more sound on her good side, but nothing was there. The humming had stopped. At least, that's what it sounded like to her.
“Nolan, is it just me or is the humming gone?” she whispered.
Words: 717 Tag: Nolan/Sidhe
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 16:47:01 GMT -5
“Whooo…” Nolan whistled as he was tossed over to Lucia’s right hand. Being swung around like this still made him feel a little dizzy, but he was getting more and more used to it. Especially since practicing a few times before the mission cleared his head a bit. Immediately, he felt the presence of Lucia’s soul appear within the dark room of his weapon form, and their wavelengths met and wove together seamlessly. It had gotten to the point that they almost didn’t have to think about matching wavelengths anymore; it was now far more natural of an occurrence. Nolan absentmindedly seeped comforting thoughts into their bond as Lucia began walking down the horribly blood-red papered hallway.
Once Lucia had stepped inside the first room on the right, the young Canadian man immediately scrunched his face up in disgust. What was that horrid stench? He was so appalled by it that his hatchet head twisted around the handle for a moment in reaction to the smell. They were in some sort of kitchen, that was for sure, but Nolan wanted nothing to do with whatever...or whoever...was being cooked up on the stove. To his relief, Lucia didn’t take any more time than necessary to scope out the room and then hightail it out of there.
Continuing further down the hallway, Nolan felt his partner’s heartbeat quicken and grip tighten on the hatchet. He honestly couldn’t blame her for getting nervous, seeing as he was on-edge as well. This place was just all-too quiet to not expect a jump-out moment; he just had to make sure to hold on to his faith in Lucia to react appropriately if and when it happened. “No need to rush, love…” Nolan whispered; they both had to maintain level heads if they wanted to get out of here alive.
Expecting something to attack them from the darkness, Nolan flinched slightly when Lucia leaned down to get a better look into the cellar. Luckily, nothing happened to them yet, and upon closer inspection the blonde noticed the stained pile of clothes on the floor. Blood?? Well, so much for this not being a gorey mission... He had hoped that from the stories told to them, it would be a less-violent enemy that they would have to deal with. However, that didn’t seem to be the case anymore.
Nolan frowned upon hearing Lucia’s soft question. She was right: there was nothing but silence surrounding them now. It was somewhat suffocating and very much unsettling. “..No, I don’t hear it either,” He replied, his own heartbeat now quickening as well. “Lucia, please be careful…”
Word Count: 438 Tagged: Lucia/Sidhe
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Post by The Sidhe on May 21, 2014 20:23:00 GMT -5
Nothing in the gloomy cellar would suddenly jump out to drag them into the dark, likely leaving the team relieved somewhat. But without the humming, the silence was almost deafening. Wind only barely buffeted the outside, and the way it echoed made it sound like the building was trying to speak to them, it’s dull and deep voice stopping and starting irregularly. With nothing further to investigate within the cellar lest they wish to, whatever remained of those who hadn’t made it out would be left alone once again. And then the tricks would begin. The moment the team took even a single step back into the hallway, the whole building would begin to shift. Or at least, it would appear to. The walls shimmered and wove like they were under extreme heat, stairwells curving in a way they hadn’t before. The wallpaper became vibrantly gold, patterned with a brilliant green brocade pattern. TH archway to the kitchen shook and glided to the floor before the walls billowed open, forming another golden hallway. The cracked white beams of the ceiling lifted up into Gothic arches, painted gold with red detailing. Blown glass lights in swirls of green and gold shaped like spheres before flaring out like blossoms hung down to cast the space in shimmering light. The now vaguely bend stairs curve out and inwards on either side. The wood once rotten in appearance appeared entirely pristine and polished to the point of reflecting the ceiling above. The banisters curved from the bottom and ran smoothly all the way up. The arch that had led the team from the grand foyer into the hallway shrunk until it disappeared, being taken over by the illustrious wallpaper. The other end down the hall extended, appearing to go on for further than it had previously, and a door springing up at the end that hadn’t been there before, sporting the same dark wood as the cellar, though far more polished and with a golden and gilded handle. The window grew clear and reflected a brilliant scene outside, the frames that held them reforming unsplintered. The same manicured lawn and gardens they’d seen on the way in shone under a suddenly clear sky. Out on the gravel path, a group of obscure people were visible but…there was something wrong about them. They were all chasing each other as though they were playing tag, eight of them appearing to be between the ages of eight and eighteen. All had shining blonde hair, some shorter some longer, and pale skin that glowed. They were taller than they should’ve been, thin and lithe, swift as they chased each other in circles. The way their hair flung over their shoulders concealed their faces always, completely hiding them from view. Even though they appeared to be only two hundred feet out, the entire scene was odd. There were more who looked like them further out, impossible to see save for a dull light surrounding them at the edge of the tree line so far away. In addition, there was only one entrance or exit to the Bambi, and the team had used it already. There was no way the eight gallivanting about in the gardens could have gone out without passing them or alerting Alfred. As the apparently new building settled, eerie giggles echoed throughout the Bambi, giddy but malicious nonetheless.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2014 16:01:45 GMT -5
So the humming had definitely stopped. Nolan was right. Now that things were beginning to change, she would definitely have to be on her guard. She turned to head back up the stairs when the house began to morph around her. The creative side of herself was in absolute awe of all the changes – the blown glass lights, the brilliant wallpaper, even the gilded doorknob were all quite a treat for her eyes. The meister side of her was terrified, though. Their exit had been sealed off, leaving them no way out except down this new corridor that had magically opened up. She and Nolan would have to discover the Bambi's secrets before they could even think of escaping. Lucia had had a feeling that something like this would happen considering the many other victims the place had taken, but she had hoped that as a meister she would be able to figure out a way to get out of it. Now that she saw the real deal, she knew that there was no other way to go except through whatever tricks this mansion had up its sleeve.
Lucia took slow, cautious steps down the hallway. Both her hands gripped Nolan's weapon form now. She was prepared for any surprise attack, but nothing happened. By the time she reached the window near the end of the hall, her heart rate had slowed to a more relaxed pace. Maybe this place wasn't so terrifying after all. She looked out the window to see the same manicured lawns that had decorated the area around the Bambi. There was a group of children running around probably playing a game with each other. It all seemed so normal until Lucia noticed something: their skin glowed. Not only that, but they all seemed a little too tall, a little too thin. She couldn't even make out their faces. As she continued to stare at the scene, she could just barely see a few others much farther away. Who were these people? Surely she would have noticed them passing her in the hall. She looked over at the door in confusion. There was only one entrance into this house, but now a second one had shown up. She glanced out the window one more time before breathing a deep sigh. There was only one thing she could do at this point.
“Looks like we're going outside, Nolan,” Lucia said as she gripped the doorknob and pushed. The door opened and she stepped through it. The echoing laughter from within the Bambi reached her ears just as she stepped across the threshold. She didn't like the sound of it.
Words: 442 Tag: Nolan/Sidhe
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 16:11:17 GMT -5
Thankfully, Lucia had turned and was now heading for the cellar door. Nolan kept an eye out behind them just in case something decided to lunge out of the cellar’s darkness and strike Lucia now that she had her back turned. However, they seemed to be safe because apparently the kishin egg wasn’t down in the cellar waiting for its next victim. As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, though, the building began to morph and change around them at an astonishing rate. Just like the stories they had been told beforehand. Nolan found himself admiring the gorgeous interior design of this “new” version of the Bambi. Everything was so vibrant and beautiful, nothing like he would expect to be seeing. “Whoa…” Nolan exhaled, completely floored by the extent of the changes. How was this actually happening?
Unfortunately, it seemed as if the hallways had rearranged themselves to seal off the way they had just came. A new hallway had formed instead, leading off in a different direction and to places unknown. Nolan could feel Lucia’s caution as she grasped his handle with both hands, creeping down the new corridor slowly but surely. Nothing happened to them during the walk to the end of the hall and upon reaching the window, he studied Lucia’s facial expression as she looked out of it. She began to look more and more confused the longer she looked out the window, which worried Nolan. He also felt rather frustrated that she wasn’t holding him high enough to look out the window himself. What could she be seeing outside? He followed her eyes to gaze at the new door that had appeared, and his predictions were confirmed by what she said next: they were about to head outside again. Before he could even protest, Lucia had already opened the door and stepped across the threshold. Gasping, he now could see what she had been looking at. Tall, slender, extremely creepy children that gave off a strange glow were playing around the courtyard, accompanied by an eerie giggling. “Wha...who are these kids?” Nolan muttered, just loud enough for Lucia to hear. He wondered what the chances were of these being the kids that had disappeared inside the Bambi.
Word Count: 376 Tagged: Lucia/Sidhe
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