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Post by Thorn on Oct 28, 2017 16:02:51 GMT -5
This is the kind of house which shouldn't exist outside of old black-and-white films, perhaps with clouds dramatically parting to reveal a bright full moon, the air pierced by the hungry howling of distant wolves. Three stories tall, all splintered timbers and big creaking iron gates. Entirely at odds with this image are the overly cheerful candy-filled pumpkin perched on the edge of the porch, and the tacky dollar-store garland pinned carefully under the veranda which reads 'Happy Halloween!'
The pumpkin is filled to the brim with an assortment of brightly coloured lollipops. Perhaps you take some and leave, satisfied with your haul. Perhaps, rather, you raise your hand to rap experimentally at the door. In which case...
The door swings inward with a resounding thud. A translucent child in a Superman costume cringes against a wall. When they catch your eye, they wince harder.
"Sorry about that! I forget my own strength sometimes. I hope I didn't scare you."
They gesture down the corridor. As they do, the candles lining each wall light up, one by one. The spirit floats forward, towards the door at the far end. They don't take long at all to recover from their earlier embarrassment! The walls echo with their rapid chatter- whirling, whispering, like a swirl of leaves in the breeze.
"I'm glad you knocked! Some people just want candy. And I get that- candy is great! But we don't get many visitors. And we really like visitors."
They puff out their chest. "But me? I must surely fly, for I hear the cry of a fair maiden in distress. My city needs me!"
Their cape flutters as they leap into the air, disappearing through the ceiling without another word, and leaving you alone in front of the new door. Do you knock? Do you barge straight through? Do you just leave, because whatever Halloween is truly about, it's certainly not ghost-Superman?
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Post by Mostly Harmless (flufflepuff) on Oct 28, 2017 22:38:10 GMT -5
Coming up the lane is one of the most terrifying creatures known to man or beast: a humanoid creature the size of an adult with patchy fur, loose around the stomach and knees, fake paws, fake head, fake tail, fake fur--
Toting an empty ghostie bucket.
The creature says something--muffled, surely, for such is the mysterious language of this particular creature--in protest to Superchild's departure, and raises a paw. Looking around almost as if she can't see, the creature clumsily raises a paw and scratches at the door in a vain attempt of a wolfy knock...
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Post by Gelquie on Oct 29, 2017 16:13:41 GMT -5
The hooded figure who dramatically swooped in blinked as they watched the ghost child smash through the door, then go up into the ceiling. Their gaze follows the child's movements with concern. They don't get that many visitors? That sounds... really lonely. But before they could offer their company, the child flies away to save... something. With the way they pounded the door open, there was no denying they could do something, but they were still a child...
Well, no time to think about that now. They didn't want to leave quite yet; the child may return, and they may yet want company. But in the meantime, there wasn't much else to do. They stare at the door in front of them...
...Well, maybe it's rude not to knock. But it's also rude to leave guests hanging, especially on a cold night; they at least wanted to be somewhere where they could warm up. They'd just go in the first door; surely the child would understand? They sweep forward and enter the first door without another word.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 29, 2017 18:10:44 GMT -5
Mostly Harmless (flufflepuff)The door swings open, and another wolf- this one decidedly less anthropomorphic and with silvery-grey fur- blinks at her from the other side of the room. It licks its lips. "Uh...hey." It sits down and cocks its head to one side. "I really like your costume. Your bucket is empty- that's sad, did you see all the candy outside? That was Ainsley's idea, but I went and bought it- cos I'm a modern kid and all. They would probably have bought some rubbishy old hard boiled stuff."
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Post by Liou on Oct 29, 2017 18:28:44 GMT -5
A swarm of dark glyphs pulsing with arcane energy floats up the street, mimicking a four-legged creature's walk. It pauses in front of the door, as though daring anyone to decipher it. It seems so very simple - too simple. The inscrutable creature bends over the pumpkin, almost low enough to dive into the lollipops. The spaces between glyphs where eyes should be flash red. One unfortunate lollipop rises towards the beacon of confusion. The innocent piece of candy then dissolves into a brightly coloured vortex. The dark glyphs, in turn, melt into a vortex which swirl and merge with what remains of the lollipop. The glyph creature emerges from the vortex once more. Perhaps that is how it feeds. It floats through the first door in its ambling gait, imperturbable, and looms with it glowing red eyes.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 30, 2017 3:05:41 GMT -5
GelquieThe hooded visitor found themselves at one end of a long corridor. Ghostly white light silhouetted a figure at the far end. As it glided towards the newcomer, robes billowing around it, candles flickered on one by one and with each some of that blinding light faded. The figure came to a halt right in front of her and, as the last candle began to burn, was revealed as a young woman- perhaps seventeen years of age- in long flowing robes. Over the top she wore a short, heavier cloak, held together at her collarbones with a sunburst-shaped clasp. Like the child previously met, she was translucent- the candles and now shadowy corridor visible through her form. "I'm sorry about Ainsley," she said. "Their heart's in the right place, I promise." She offered a hand. "My name is Heart. Can I get you anything? Tea? More candy? A very pretty little light show? I don't get to practice that one much these days."
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Post by Celestial on Oct 30, 2017 14:00:29 GMT -5
The lady has to pull her horse away from the lollypops and gives him a a bit of carrot for all his trouble. She nevertheless picks up a lollypop for herself, perfectly aware of hiw it looks to have a mysterious woman in a swirly, jangly costume with her eyes covered sucking on a sweet like a child. Nevertheless, she did not care: lollypops were good.
When the child breaks open the door, quite literally, she pulls away, but immediately has to restrain her laughter at just how keen and enthusiastic he is. When he flies away and disappears, she raises an eyebrow. "A child spirit? Now unusual, but such a keen one and...oddly dressed one is. Perhaps I can see what I can do about him. It is, after all, rather impolite to not offer my services."
The lady raises an elegant hand and raps on the door, her jangling jewelery acting as a kind of doorbell. Once it is done, she adjusts her skirt and her shawl and waits.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 30, 2017 17:04:54 GMT -5
LiouSomething mostly like a zombie, but with tidier clothing and better reflexes, jerks back with a startled yelp. The grey tabby leaps from his arms and puffs itself up, hissing vehemently at the glyph creature. After a few moments, the not-zombie crouches down and holds out a treat to his anxious pet. "Sorry about that! I was told to expect visitors, but I didn't think...what are you? Like, the ghost of a dead language? That would be really cool. Octavius would love that. If that's what you are, you need to meet him." He stands and shoves his hands into the pockets of his jumper, a thoroughly impressed expression on his mostly intact face.
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Post by Gelquie on Oct 30, 2017 20:21:05 GMT -5
GelquieThe hooded visitor found themselves at one end of a long corridor. Ghostly white light silhouetted a figure at the far end. As it glided towards the newcomer, robes billowing around it, candles flickered on one by one and with each some of that blinding light faded. The figure came to a halt right in front of her and, as the last candle began to burn, was revealed as a young woman- perhaps seventeen years of age- in long flowing robes. Over the top she wore a short, heavier cloak, held together at her collarbones with a sunburst-shaped clasp. Like the child previously met, she was translucent- the candles and now shadowy corridor visible through her form. "I'm sorry about Ainsley," she said. "Their heart's in the right place, I promise." She offered a hand. "My name is Heart. Can I get you anything? Tea? More candy? A very pretty little light show? I don't get to practice that one much these days." The hooded visitor watched, entranced, as the figure approached them, gradually becomes less bright. Were they... a ghost? ...Would that be a rude thing to ask? It was probably a rude thing to ask. Or it wasn't, but perhaps they shouldn't take chances. They stare down at the figure's hand. "I, uh... It's alright, about Ainsley. I... Looks like they're just a kid. Kids do what they do. No harm done. Anyway, it's nice to meet you Heart. I, uh... I'm pretty good, though if you're offering tea or candy, I won't say no. Although you said you don't get to practice one much? Well, if you wanna show it, I'll see it; it sounds fascinating. It was quite the show just walking in, if I may say."
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Post by Thorn on Oct 31, 2017 5:32:10 GMT -5
Celestial The door is answered by a pale teenager who is evidently very much enamored of the colour black: black lacy dress, jet black hair, black boots. Her eyeshadow, however, is glittery lilac. Her eyes light up when she spies the coins and beads coating the newcomer's clothing. "Oh, I love that! So pretty. But where are my manners? Please, do come in." When she speaks, it's clear that her front teeth at least are very sharp, and her upper canines elongated. She beckons her guest into a sizable dining room with a roaring fireplace, colorful tapestries, and a long wooden table. She positions herself at the head of the table, beneath what appears to be her own portrait, and folds her hands in her lap as she watches the lady expectantly. The candles here, sadly, do not flare up as the young lady takes her seat; but appear to have been lit with the expectation of company. There are three place settings- one in front of her, one at the opposite end, and a somewhat wonky one on the left side which looks like it was thrown together as an afterthought. Gelquie Heart withdraws her hand somewhat awkwardly, but her face lights up when her visitor gives her the go-ahead. "Thanks! I don't get to meet many new people, so when I do I try to make an impression. I was a light mage, see?" She taps the starburst at her collar. "I'll get you some tea, and then we'll get to the cool stuff. Uh- that is, the house can get you some tea. My own tangibility is...variable, at best. But if you just say what you'd like, we can get that sorted, and then I'll show you why I won 'Most Promising Apprentice Spellcaster, category: light or dark magics' three years running."
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Post by Celestial on Oct 31, 2017 8:20:24 GMT -5
Thorn The lady smiles and curtsies before coming inside, following the pale teenager. She casts a look around the room, taking in its features. "Well, I can see who the owner of his house is," she remarks, gazing up at the portrait beneath which the teenager sat. "It is all rather old-fashioned. But that is good; I quite like old-fashioned." She goes as close to the teenager as she dares, taking the seat in front of her and resting her head in her hands. "Do you like my decorations? I can teach you to make them. It is quite easy, if you have a lot of old coins, or facsimilies of coins lying around. Though I do not quite know if they would fit your aesthetic."
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Post by Thorn on Oct 31, 2017 8:31:05 GMT -5
Celestial"My aesthetic?" the teenager frowns, then laughs. "It's probably time for an update. This is...this is something of a morbid joke, you see. Mourning attire, although I have long since done away with the veil. I would love to learn how to make beautiful decorations like yours! And in return, I will share what is most precious to me." She hesitates. "And, while I am flattered...this is not precisely my house. The House is an entity unto itself, but it modeled this room after one very dear to me, so that I would have something familiar to hold on to in these very strange times." Okay so this is wonderful, I didn't have her storyline fully planned out but this is perfect. <3 Once you start to teach her, she'll happily hand over the memory!
(if that last sentence is confusing- see the spoiler box in my first post, which I only recently updated.)
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Post by Celestial on Oct 31, 2017 8:37:30 GMT -5
ThornThe lady listens before nodding. "I see. In that case, it is kind of it to give you a place where you are comfortable," she reaches out, just barely touching the teenager's hand. "But it not good to mourn for so long. I do agree, it is time for an update for yourself. I will teach you." From the voluminous pockets of her dress, she produces a small, thin sheet of metal and a toolkit. "I always carry it around, in case I need to repair my costume," the lady explains. "Watch." Taking the sheet of metal, she cuts out an old coin and then stamps a design upon it before piercing a hole at its top. Then, she puts a needle and thread through the hole and stiches it loosely on the sleeve of the teenager's dress. "And, there. You have coins much like mine. If it is too difficult, I can give you some beads to brighten up your attire. How about that?"
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Post by Thorn on Oct 31, 2017 9:38:49 GMT -5
Celestial The girl watches, wide-eyed. "I don't think that would be too difficult at all! I've been looking for something to keep myself occupied, I've tired of many previous interests. Some beads would be splendid as well. Maybe...maybe green? Maybe gold?" She places a hand gently on the lady's arm. "Thank-you. It is only fair that I share something of equal value." She's been waiting for her father for what feels like forever. Her mother sent her to bed hours ago but it's her eighth birthday tomorrow, and he promised he would be back. He's away on business- he's always away on business- but he made a promise and told her that you never break a promise.
She waits up until her eyelids grow heavy, but he's not there. Disappointment. Sorrow. Loss. There was a promise and a promise was broken, and if promises can be broken, what can she trust?
She fell asleep by the window, but she wakes up in his arms. He tucks her back into bed and kisses her forehead, and waits with her until she falls asleep. Relief. Joy. Security.
The overwhelming impression left by the vision is one of contentment, of everything being right in the world, in the way it only can be for the very young.
Only now have I realised how similar the premise of my house is to Wrighton argh. I promise that was unintentional, accidental inspiration at most.
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Post by Liou on Oct 31, 2017 11:59:05 GMT -5
Liou Something mostly like a zombie, but with tidier clothing and better reflexes, jerks back with a startled yelp. The grey tabby leaps from his arms and puffs itself up, hissing vehemently at the glyph creature. After a few moments, the not-zombie crouches down and holds out a treat to his anxious pet. "Sorry about that! I was told to expect visitors, but I didn't think...what are you? Like, the ghost of a dead language? That would be really cool. Octavius would love that. If that's what you are, you need to meet him." He stands and shoves his hands into the pockets of his jumper, a thoroughly impressed expression on his mostly intact face. The glyph creature looms as its aura of darkness intensifies... somehow. More symbols burst from its mouth and float overhead, shifting several times before turning into legible letters: The flow of letters stops abruptly. A ripple runs through the glyph creature and it suddenly turns into something material, something four-legged, blue and fuzzy. The blue costume unzips and out steps a Liou, who crouches to say hi to the kitty. Liou clears their throat, glances left and right and hides back inside the mysterious-creature-that-cannot-be-named costume.
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