WEEK 4

[umbralant]

WEEK 4

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Last week could probably only be summed up as a mess. Three people died, one was turned to currency and the hotel pool remains in a general state of unusability unless swimming in pulpy mush is someone’s idea of a good time. And that’s not even counting the haunted morse code T-Rex. At least the greenhouse is as relaxing as ever, even if someone seems to have made off with a number of succulents and cacti.

But with the new week comes a new set of locations to explore as the fog retreats to reveal another portion of the city. The half moon wanes to a new moon this week, leaving streets even dimmer this week -- hopefully you have some other portable sources of light available if you plan on straying too far beyond the reach of the lampposts in the new areas.

[[Welcome to Week 4! Note that new areas have been added, and can be found under the Week 4 tab on our Locations page. Once again, feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. You can also privately contact The Lady or Rembrandt.]]

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[umbralant]

[The door opens with ease. It even doesn't creak, like someone has oiled the door. Must have been everybody's favorite assistant.

The inside is...well it certainly confirms this is mastermind territory -- more concretely the Lady's. It's a sitting room, but it has been repurposed into some sort of junkyard. The window has been covered with wood, most likely to prevent anyone from looking inside from the outside of the castle.

There's a lot of stuff strewn around randomly without a care, as well as bits and pieces of devices and machines. There even is a tire in a corner. Wow. There also is a table aside, with a few papers on it. All in all, it seems like a decent place to take a look around]

[bawcock]

[ Huh. And here he thought she'd be living up in a tower somewhere. What is with important people choosing rooms in such weird places? The King of Heliodor's was right in front of his throne room! This is almost as bad as that!

Welp, whatever. The stuff in the room is more questionable than its location anyway. ]

Jeez, I don't think I've ever seen so much junk in my life. [ Shaking his head in judgment!! With that done, time to get to work!! He'll start by trying to read the papers. He's be tempted to grab some of the devices but, eh, she might notice they're missing. Sry anyone who wants them. ]

[umbralant]

[Time to take a look!

On one side there's a pile of little notes. They seem to be addressed to Rembrandt, each one on a different note.

'I'll be at the office, bring me tea'
'Bring me these machine parts, you can extract them from--'
'If I fall asleep anywhere drag me to my room'

Well then. But it's a confirmation she's not writing this stuff encrypted, possibly because Rembrandt doesn't know how to read her codes.

Hm? On the other side of the table there's what seem to be drafts for letters!]

[bawcock]

[ Good news is, he doesn't have to take these with him! Bad news is, they're not useful. He does have to wonder why they're here though. Like, does Rembrandt just bring these notes back to her?? Does she keep a stockpile of pre-written messages to Rembrandt and throws them at him when she wants something???

Or maybe these are her latest messages to Rembrandt and she leaves them here because... he comes in here? For some reason? Not to clean, clearly. Since these questions are starting to feel better left unasked, onwards!!!

What new and disturbing letters will greet Erik's eyes this time? ]

[umbralant]

[Well looks like there's not much to be disturbed about! The majority of the letters clearly are drafts, things she once wrote and threw aside for one reason or another. They're unreadable, scribbled over messily and with ink stains all over them. The few words Erik can read tell nothing.

There's one letter that's easier to read than others, though. Let's take a look--!

...

...you'll want to take a look at this, Erik]

[bawcock]

[ Umm, excuse?? There are clearly some disturbing things in this letter!! What were you reading, meta!!

There's a lot of things that are pretty yikes about the Lady's room but this might take the cake. For a hot minute, he debates simply copying the letter. That would be the sneakiest way but, meh, there's water in here now anyway! Yoink!!! Are there any books in here? He is specifically looking for whatever indecipherable book Cumore mentioned but, eh, any book at all will do. ]

[umbralant]

[There's a couple books, indeed. 'Precision Machining Technology', and 'Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers'. Judging by the way those were just...left here, she didn't find much use for them. Maybe they weren't up to her expectations.

...hm? The room seems to be getting darker, Erik, much, much darker. It's noticeable even though you have those night vision goggles]

[bawcock]

[ Plucking up one of the books and tossing the drafts between its pages!! And now the book goes into his bag. Hopefully it shall now be safe from the rain. Safer.

And uh, hm, ok, that's not good? Looks like it is time to away! Making a break for the door—and if he can nab any small devices or materials or anything pocket-sized along the way, he is! 'cause now that he's already taking stuff, everything is free game!!! ]

[dominioned]

[ The devices are kind of bulky and nonsensical, but Erik does manage to snag a spool of copper wire as he makes his exit in the pitch black darkness. His vision clears as soon as he exits the door, but it reveals a probably unwelcome sight.

Leaned up against the wall is Rembrandt, his arms crossed. ]

My, my, I was not informed we were going to meet with two survivors today. [ His attention is on Erik, so he's not seen the bag with stashed goodies yet. And though Erik can see his surroundings just fine once again with the goggles, there's some lingering dark spots that fade in and out around the Lady's assistant. ]

[bawcock]

[ Heck yes, copper wire! And, man, he knew he should've made a break for the window!! ]

What can I say? I was in the area, and it'd be downright rude not to drop in and say "hello." [ Crossing his arms and holding out his hand to gesture. ] Speaking of, hi. How've you been?

[dominioned]

In that case, good afternoon. [ He won't motion with his hand but he doesn't seem particularly annoyed or put off compared to other times. ]

Not to terrible all things considered, even in the face of sub par tea. And yourself?

[bawcock]

[ Wow. There is no good reason why that should've worked. ]

If I had to put it in one word, I'd choose "soggy." Or maybe "wet." [ Shaking his head. ] Dunno if you've looked outside yet, but it's raining cats and dogs out there.

[dominioned]

[ And yet here we are. ]

Sodden? Waterlogged? [ He reaches up with a smile to push up his glasses. ]

I took a shortcut, so I was able to avoid all of that mess. Not much unlike your own to wind up here, perhaps.

[bawcock]

How about dank? [ Turning to his side (conveniently so the bag is at the hip furthest away from Rembrandt's gaze!!) and confidently leaning in! ]

Hard to believe you're actually comparing the two. Whatever your shortcut is, it has to be leagues better than mine. Care to share what, or where, yours is?

[dominioned]

Dank is quite fitting. [ Phew, he's not going to be thrown off by errant vocabulary today! And he won't spot the bag either. ]

Ah, but you won't be able to use it. But I suppose as a reward for your conviction, I can tell you. As fast as I am, teleportation is much more convenient in this weather.

[bawcock]

[ Of course he isn't!! Dank isn't even a weird word!

Also, huh. Makes sense given, uh, everything? He's still gonna whistle though. ]

Hey, not bad, Rembrandt! You've got more tricks up your sleeve than I thought. But now I have to ask—did you steal that one from someone here or was it always yours?

[dominioned]

[ Deadpan. ]

Why would I need to steal something from any of you? [ Okay, now he sounds offended. ]

[bawcock]

[ Shrugging!! ]

You're asking me? [ He knows zilch about your motives, bro. ] All I know is, that's one of the theories going around. That you—or even the Lady—took everyone's powers and are using them for yourselves.

[dominioned]

If that's what you discussed after I left, then I clearly didn't miss much.

[bawcock]

One of them, not that the rest would hold your interest either.

[ A beat. Then, he takes a look around before pulling off the night vision goggles. ]

Since I'm here, and since you don't seem all that interested in kicking me out, what say you turn on the lights and give me a tour of the place?

[dominioned]

Nice try, but I would never hear the end of it if I did. I was simply giving you the courtesy of leaving out the front rather than the back.

[ Canting his head to the side. ]

However, that doesn't mean I need to tell her that I found you here.

[bawcock]

Hey, worth a shot! And you know my preference here, I'd rather she stay blissfully ignorant of what I've been up to.

[ However!! Also, quickly glancin' around Rembrandt to see if he can make out any of those weird dark spots from before. ] I do have to point out one thing. If you're planning on keeping her in the dark, then how will you "never hear the end of it"? We could just keep this whole thing a secret, y'know.

Tour included.

[dominioned]

[ By this point, there's only a few dark strands that are lingering. ]

We could, and I'm amenable to it considering this breach of security lays at her feet, not mine. [ This is apparently really what's important here, judging by his barbed smile.] But she's on her way back as we speak, and although she isn't much capable of traveling like I am, I can't imagine the walk will take too long. Much too short a time for a tour, you see.

[bawcock]

[ Interesting!! No idea what it means, but interesting. He is also getting the distinct impression that he shouldn't tell Rembrandt he's like 80% likely to bust back in here at some point. If he did, then it'd be Rembrandt's fault and not the Lady's.

And that wouldn't be cool. ]

Already? Boy, that must've been some lousy tea. [ Rembrandt already called it subpar but they both couldn't wait to get away, could they? Shoving the goggles into the bag, at risk of catching Rembrandt's gaze. ] Oh well. I'd better hightail it outta here before she makes it back.

[dominioned]

That and I doubt Rean will be able to keep her attention long, as he really isn't her type. [ If he notices the bag he doesn't mention it. ]

Try not to drip on the floors anymore than you already have. [ He'll stay to make sure Erik actually leaves, but fly and be free you thieving magpie. ]