clouds came and covered the sun

[hairpining]

[You find yourself in a small, quaint little town. The architecture has a notably late-1800s bent to it, in contrast to the clean, crisp air you breathe – combined with a faint, flowery scent – it's almost as though it is not industrialized at all.

Which would be easy enough to believe. After all, there do not seem to be any people out other than you and your fellow spelunkers – in spite of the occasional whisper you might hear. Hushed and impossible to actually make out.

Far in the distance lies a towering building, similar in shape to a fairytale castle.]

(Castle Town | Atelier | Smithy | Castle Town Revisited |
Painting the Roses Red | The Golden Afternoon | Castle Corridor |
The Library of Babel | The Girl Without Hands | The Garden of Paradise | The White Bride and the Black One |
The Princess Sleeping in the Glass Coffin)

((BGM entirely for ~atmospheric~ and ~stylistic~ purposes and personal reference, feel free to listen if you want to!))

Comments

[guardofsteel]

No, I don't. Not actually sure why I'm here, really.

[provocate]

[...LKSDJLFKJ???]

How unfortunate for you...

[kalahiki]

Whims of tiny child gods, I guess? [Shrugs.]

[artsistic]

It looks like it's one of the goals of this game.

[hairpining]

[He walks on over to them!

His expression is still hidden to you, but somehow, you are able to feel him smiling. It's a charming smile that suits his clothes, a smile that suits a prince – when he speaks, it is in even, carefully measured, warm words.

For Chieko, his voice might sound vaguely similar to Ichiro's, but. Different, somehow. Younger? Higher?

Also.

Not only are there no clouds, there's also no shade.

There is no logical reason for his skin to be hidden, not that there was any reason for it to be fucking pitch black anyway.]

Good day. I believe you called for me?

[fangirlitis]

Alright then, consider it done!! [Between the two... The dollhouse is more likely to be interesting. Let's head there first♥]

[kalahiki]

You don't know the half of it.

[Smiling. Smiling so cheerfully. This is totally a safe topic of conversation, baron.]

It's not like either of my parents have anything to do with me now, or anyone from back then, so whatever.

[artsistic]

[...Yeah, it would explain a lot if it sounded like Ichiro.]

Yes, I did. May I ask who you are?

[hairpining]

[AND BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS ARE UNEVEN the Prince actually approaches ~you~

His expression is still hidden to you, but somehow, you are able to feel him smiling. It's a charming smile that suits his clothes, a smile that suits a prince – when he speaks, it is in even, carefully measured, warm words.

Also.

Not only are there no clouds, there's also no shade.

There is no logical reason for his skin to be hidden, not that there was any reason for it to be fucking pitch black anyway.]

Good day. It does seem clear to me that you are from parts unbeknownst to me -- could I possibly trouble you for a favor, good Sir?

[provocate]

[A H A H A like he gives a fuck about how safe it is lskjdflj I'm sorry Sei]

[He will reach over to pap him again though fff that smile's looking a little fake there broskie]

It's rather silly to dismiss wigglerhood trauma, darling.

[guardofsteel]

They'd deserve it. [ Mucking around with souls. It's a bad idea and anyone who does it wrong deserves what is coming to them. ]

[guardofsteel]

...

Yes. That. [ why. ]

[hairpining]

If you so desire, My Lady, you may refer to me as the White Prince.

[Politely and elegantly, he bows at the waist -- and attempts to kiss Chieko's hand.

There is a vague condescension in his smile.]

[kalahiki]

Dismiss? No, no, you misunderstand.

[Smiling a little more...broadly. Sharklike, even.]

I got even, so there's no point suffering over it anymore.

[kalahiki]

I'd say you get used to it but that's honestly the opposite of comforting.

[provocate]

[wow bro wow he was doing just fine without you asshole z-snap head waggle]

[lkJsdc no okay, runs his eye over him... before reaching over to grab him by the jaw and try to pull him close???]

Your face is wrong, darling.

Atelier

[hairpining]

[Flos]

[The dollmaker's shop is a cozy, spacious place, lined with shelves filled with small dolls of all manner of design, every single one beautifully dressed, with well-kept hair that nearly seems real. Their only shared features are their red eyes. The moment both feet are through the door, however, you notice: for all the shop's beauty, it is not incredibly clean. Porcelain torsos and glass eyes litter the floor.

There is a man at a desk in the back of the shop, across the fragile sea. He's turned around, so it's impossible to tell whether or not his face is obscured in the same fashion, but his voice and hair are much more recognizable. At his desk, there is a small flower pot, and in it, the blue roses you're looking for.

“Oi, watch your step,” he says, not even looking up from his work. “Sorry about the mess. What can I do for you?”]

[provocate]

Got even~? How exciting. [Dis smile says he'd be chinhands if they weren't standing 8> Do go on, darling]

[guardofsteel]

...You are physically impossible, you know that? There should not be so many shadows on you with this lighting. Also, shadows are almost never pitch black. If this weren't the inside of someone's goddamned heart, I'd say you were some kind of demon.

But today seems to be a day for bad ideas, so what the hell. What do you need?

[artsistic]

[Yeah, uhh. Well, she'll let him do that.]

Why does your face look like that? There are no features on it.

[kalahiki]

[...SCREAMING

SCREAMING ON THE INSIDE

OH MY GOD]

...I'm...looking for blue roses.

[hairpining]

[It feels just like a normal, flesh-and-bone, human jaw!

Speaking of feelings, you also feel that he is SLIGHTLY IRRITATED excuse you motherfucker?

He smells nice though. Like roses.]

... Pardon me, Good Sir? Forgive this rudeness of mine, but it seems to me that you have touched my face, just this moment.

[kalahiki]

I made very sure the man I was sold to is very very dead. Letting my mother wallow in her own misery until she dies is punishment enough. As for my father, he never existed, so it's not my problem.

[hairpining]

Does my face appear strange to you, My Lady?

[provocate]

[Huu... cackles lkjsdf]

What an eventful life you've lived~! You must be so glad... [BARON]