?????

[guillotineroom]

Who: Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, Jiang Yanli, and Yukari
When: ????
Where: ????

What:

Back in the village, you hear the loudspeaker crackle to life, and then-- suddenly, the world begins to sway and go dark.

You find yourself waking up in another cell quite different from the crypt from which you emerged. The area is lit by half-burned candles, wax pooling at the base. In the distance, you can hear the sounds of chains rattling and water dripping.

There are plates of pre-prepared food and cups of water available for those who are famished and hungry. The beds are also quite comfortable, and the room is spacious enough for all who are present.

Outside the cell you can see that the prison facility you're in is dilapidated and overgrown with nature. There are no windows, but candles scattered across the floor and walls light the way for you.

There are two paths for you to take: left, from which the sound of rattling chains echoes; and right, from which the sound of dripping water reverberates.

Choose your way.

((HELLO AND WELCOME TO HIATUS, your hiatus for the event is a little exploradora in a new area! There are two directions for you to explore, and I ask that you separate yourselves into groups of two for each exploration. Unless you all want to go in one direction, which is fine too, since there are only four of you! Please note that my replies will not be quick and immediate, but I promise I will get you through your exploration before December 18. And lastly, there is a chance of character injury or death depending on actions taken. Thank you and I hope this hiatus keeps you busy for the duration of the game ♥))

Comments

[laughitoff]

[okay! yes! they are checking all this nonsense for anything even weirder that wasn't immediately notable when they came in, leaving the manacles for last. i assume they tug the iron maiden open at some point here also]

[directrice]

[as they examine the room, Wei Wuxian sees a flash of white in the corners of his vision, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it momentary presence]

[whispers begin to surface from behind the equipment, spoken by beings who have yet to make an appearance. Oh, they're cute! and I wish my hair looked that amazing. . .]

[and when the tug open the iron maiden-- something large immediately flies into their faces, kind of like what happens when you open a closet and a bird or a bat is stuck inside and it just kind of FLUTTERS INTO FREEDOM???]

[strikingchords]

[clenches his fist with a flash, trying to pin it in place in the air with spiritual energy]

[laughitoff]

[puts his flute to his lips, winding a cage of resentful energy around it at the same time with a few blown notes]

[directrice]

[the whatever it is is pinned mid-air by LWJ's spiritual energy, and then caged by WWX's magic. now that you can get a clear view of it, it seems to be. . . a tiny little Pixie]

[the creature lets out a high-pitched, startled shriek as the whispers in the room turn into full-blow yelling. Sister. . .!]

[strikingchords]

No need for excessive noise.

[eases the grip of his hand slightly, keeping his fingers pressed together; working in concert with Wei Wuxian's cage still]

[laughitoff]

Now, now, don't anybody panic, we won't cause harm unless we're harmed first, you know? We'd just like to ask you lovely ladies some questions without getting a shock.

[directrice]

[the Pixie quivers in the cage, eyes wide and wet with tears. the yelling turns raucous and completely inaudible, until--]

Now, now, gentlemen. There's no need for such. . . barbaric methods, is there?

[one voice rises above them all, quelling the unrest with its authority. should WWX and LWJ seek out the source, they'll find another woman seated in the edgy chair, legs folded as she runs her fingers across the snake's head gently and affectionately]

You'll have to forgive my daughters. They can be quite. . . mischievous.

[ash she speaks, more demonic creatures crowd the throne, hiding behind same as they shoot WWX and LWJ dirty looks]

[strikingchords]

...

...

...

Will return courtesies given.

[IS THERE A SHEET OR SOMETHING IN THIS ROOM. CAN HE MAKE THIS WOMAN COVER HER TITS]

[laughitoff]

[for all his flirty ways Wei Wuxian is actually blushing and trying not to look at any of the tits]

A...ha! Well. What he said. We're not looking to make trouble, you know?

[directrice]

[there are no sheets available to cover the titty. tits out, gentlemen]

[the woman flashes them both a smile, sharp and scrutinizing]

Are you? You are, after all, the ones trespassing into our territory.

[strikingchords]

[hate that

honestly more pressed to ignore Wei Wuxian blushing at the titties than he is to ignore the actual tits at this time. trying not to grit his teeth:]

...

Our apologies. No intent to trespass.

Did not arrive by our own will.

[laughitoff]

Yes, we appear to have been kidnapped to a prison cell, and then trapped into following the corridor here. No trespass intended at all!

[directrice]

Hmmm? I don't know anything about that.

[the woman drops her hand into her lap, brows raising]

But now that you're here, there doesn't seem to be anything else to be done about it! Tell me. . .

Do you have names, gentlemen?

[one of the pixie-like girls with white hair has become brave enough to venture out from behind the throne. she flutters in the air next to WWX, reaching out to take his hair in her hands and admire it lovingly]

[strikingchords]

[does NOT twitch, because he is a pillar of self control. that vague sense that something a bit more draconic is looming through him, not quite enough to do more than add depth and a strange shape to his shadow, is back though. bites down on whatever that instinct is too, mostly successful]

Courtesy name Lan Wangji.

[laughitoff]

[he...bends his head a little and lets the pixie admire his hair, sure, this is a little odd but whatever]

And this one is courtesy name Wei Wuxian! What of yourselves, lovely ladies?

[directrice]

[meanwhile, a lilim is floating up to LWJ to poke at his cheeks. oooooh what nice features you have Mr. Lan Wangji!!!]

[the snake woman laughs]

You may call me Harlot of Desire, if it so pleases you. Now that we have exchange pleasantries--

[her voice is a purr]

Shall we not play a game, good sirs? For the well-being of my daughter-- and, of course, yourselves?

[strikingchords]

[stoically just stands there having his face poked. he does not react. poke. poke.]

...

Hm.

[laughitoff]

What kind of game, and may we put a few questions about you and this place up for stakes as well, Lady Desire? I don't mind wagering information about ourselves in return.

[directrice]

Oh? Well, I suppose you may refuse me. However. . .

[the light flickers, the room growing dark as the pixies and succubuses and lilims suddenly jerk back, wings flaring as they hiss and bare their fangs. the world around them grows so cold they can now see their breath, icy particles forming in the air around the Harlot of Desire]

I am not so sure you would enjoy doing things the hard way. Do you accept, or do you not?

[strikingchords]

[raises his eyebrows a fraction. in a tone of glacial disdain, colder than the room:]

Your threats are premature.

Do you so fear added stakes?

[laughitoff]

Mm! I wasn't bringing up refusing you, just seeking more information, my lady. We've never been here before, we're here through mysterious means...can you really blame me for simply asking?

[directrice]

[the demons settle, but the chill remains]

I am not open to negotiation. All things considered, I do believe we have the upper hand, here.

[her gaze flickers to the captured Pixie, who cowers in the cage]

I could take back my child by force, should I deem it so. But that is brutish. . . boorish. Quite boring, don't you think?

Do you accept, or do you not?

[strikingchords]

Strange considerations for your game.

[still impassive; tilts his head the slightest bit to Wei Wuxian, subtly ceding him the decision]

[laughitoff]

[glances back at him, eyebrows climbing slightly that it's been left to him, and then makes up his mind with a twirl of the flute in his hand]

We're nothing if not gentlemen raised, and we don't wish to fight you, my lady.

So, yes, we accept.