(no subject)

[idolpro]

[John Heart, R1]

Comments

[389410772671]

There is a great expanse between you and the rustic house looming in the distance. If you are a member of LiliS, you find yourself comfortably seated in a small dinghy with a few flower petals scattered at its bottom. Otherwise, you are standing in ankle deep water with the occasional flash of silver under the water when fish dart away.

Looking deeper into the water, you can see tangles of dead vegetation, feel the crunch of bones, both large and small, underneath your shoe. The smell of rancid decay wafts in and out.

[we_meet_again]

[Wh...

Where am I?

He looks around in every direction to get his bearings. What's out here?]

[389410772671]

Nothing. For miles and miles, there is nothing. The sky stretches vast and grey above you, and the water is calm around your ankles.

[we_meet_again]

[Better get going, then.

The smell of putrid water is oddly familiar. Nostalgic, like the smell of home. (Whatever that means.)

He heads toward the house, carefully minding his footing with the bones and slimy plants. He doesn't mind that his shoes are full of water.]

[letgrow]

[Leaning over the edge of the dinghy to glance at the water underneath]

[389410772671]

It's . . . Interesting? It looks like it was once rotten, and really it still is, but the organic matter is giving way to the gentle ebb and flow of the water, disintegrating into nothing. Occasionally, a fish nibbles at a feeble root.

[letgrow]

[Looking around before finally settling her gaze on the house]

I guess that's where I'm supposed to go...

[389410772671]

(Ignore the dogs. You are not so lucky.)

The interior is unassuming but warm. Odd collections of books, tools and gadgets, mismatched furniture with years and years of use are positioned around the living room. There are FOUR doors visible from where you are, oddly shoved into spots along the walls where it doesn’t seem like there should be a door, but, for now, there is. At the back of the room, there is a shadowed flight of stairs heading up to the second level. All around the room, there are cracks and bits of wallpaper peeling away. The grates of the air vent rattle with each stuttered exhale.

In the center of the room, near a pedestal, a woman in sharp clothing and make-up assesses you from head to toe.

“Don’t make yourself comfortable. You will be leaving soon enough.”

[we_meet_again]

Ah... Sure. Thanks.

[He wipes his bare feet before coming in -- if there isn't a doormat, then he discretely wipes his feet on his own pant legs, getting them as clean as possible before coming in.]

Sorry to bother you. I don't know where I am.

[389410772671]

[There's a doormat. It was outside of the door, but she doesn't say anything about leaving the door open while he figures himself out.]

Well, considering where you are, it's better not to know where than to know. Hello, Cobalt.

[we_meet_again]

[gasp! she knows me]

Have we met?

[letgrow]

This room or this place? Sorry for the intrusion...

[389410772671]

This place. And don't worry, you were expected.

[letgrow]

Was I.... Ah, may I ask who you are?

[389410772671]

The kitchen is spartan but usable. A few pots are heaped near the sink, and a mug is placed within it. Knives that are old but well cared for hang from hooks on a plaque. The refrigerator and oven are clearly from a few decades ago if you have any eye for modern day appliances, but they are clean and show no sign of wear.

Again, the wallpaper pulls away from the walls. The grate here has given up and fallen from its fitting. A cold wind blows through, but only at the occasional odd moment.

At a small, round table, a young woman warms her hands around a cup. She greets you with a smile.

“I’ve been waiting.”

[letgrow]

-!!!

[Perks up at the voice, immediately zooming in on where it came from]

Lavender!

[389410772671]

Hello.

[said like she doesn't know exactly what is up]

Tea?

[letgrow]

[Shakes her head, taking a seat near her]

Nn, I'm all right.

[389410772671]

(There is not actually a window, sue ShutterStock.)

The attic is barren. Nothing save a light bulb hanging right above the staircase landing is in sight. The light from the bulb is weak, not able to pierce the deep recesses of the attic. Each step causes the floorboards to creak.

[we_meet_again]

[HEY WOW if there's one thing he doesn't appreciate, it's a dark and scary attic!!

Fortunately(?) he hates the darkness SO MUCH he carries a small lantern on his person at all times, so he doesn't get eaten by a grue. He unclips the lantern from his belt and turns it to its brightest setting, holding it aloft.

Reveal to me your secrets, attic. What is in you?]

[389410772671]

There is nothing, well and truly. It is dark, on and on. Perhaps, you ought to check the corners a little closer?

[we_meet_again]

[What if, maybe, he inspects the corners a little closer?

Also, maybe the rafters? Or walls, or whatever there is to inspect. He'll wander around and do a perception check.]

[letgrow]

Empty?

[389410772671]

". . . Empty."

The voice echoes, small and insecure.

[letgrow]

Ah? Hello...?