WEEK 5

[whimsicalism]

Five deaths in one week. With the end of the last trial, you've lost eleven people in total. There's only ten people in the twisted wonderland of the Castle. Even if the new area is cheerful something seems just a little bit off. The arcade has gained a new arcade machine and the ghosts in the graveyard seem to have returned to their mechanical routines. Your powers, too, seem to be gone once more. It seems Halloween has ended for good now as your fifth week in this strange building continues.

Just when will this game end...?

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

[Welcome to Week 5! Don't forget to submit your memory losses and your weekly AC here. The Alices can be found in their audience hall. However, the Queen can be found roaming the castle this week! Just put 'Alice' in the headline and she might pay your character a visit. As always, don't forget to turn in threads for fabulous prizes.]

Comments

[battlestations]

[a team leader, you say. Nigel has been wondering where Amdi's been (and feeling... bad about it, to say the least.) But it looks like he's pretty nervous about the brass knuckles.]

Oh, hey. D-do you want someone to get rid of those?

[though it'd be pretty much just for his peace of mind at this point. Seven already wears his own pair of brass knucks at least when they're training.]

[octopups]

[Amdi tries to play it cool and act cheerful when one of him sees Nigel approaching, but it's not hard to tell that he's self-conscious.]

H-hi, Nigel! Yeah, um, that would probably be good. They're for "punching", right?

[battlestations]

[Nigel nods.]

Yeah, they are. To be honest, you're not the only one who's got a pair, but I understand not wanting to be responsible for a weapon.

[There's a pause, as he frowns a bit, guilty. Is it their fault he's been avoiding everyone?]

We... obviously got a bit carried away last week. I've been meaning to apologize for it.

[octopups]

Y-yeah, um, I got a couple of axes a little while back and Allen burned them for me.

[Amdi pauses too, fidgeting. But when Nigel talks, he seems surprised.]

N-no! It's okay! I was weird last week, so you should have been suspicious! And this week I...

[Amdi bunches up and hangs several heads in shame.]

[battlestations]

You...?

[Presumably this isn't "I already committed a murder, I'm sorry!" shame. Nigel glances around to make sure no one is sneaking up with a hammer, but then he gets on his knees to be more level with the pups. This way they can whisper if needed! Or well, Nigel can. He's trying.]

It's alright. You can tell me anything.

[octopups]

[Amdi makes a single faint whistle from one of his actual mouths, and at the same time emits a simulated *sniff* noise that sounds just like a little kid who's holding back tears. He does lower his "voice", though.]

Uh-um... y'know Jefri, my human best friend from home? He... he actually came down with his parents, but, th-they... they were killed before I ever met them.

... Then, when Alice gave us all those envelopes... I wasn't really worried, because I've never lost anything really important like that, y'know? B-but... but the picture was...!

[Several of him are shaking now.]

[battlestations]

[Oh, that- that is pretty sad. And relatable - since Nigel can't remember anything about his father, it's hard to know even if he was dead or alive. How about he just puts a few of those shivering pups on his lap.]

If it was them... Well... You're a good friend thinking so strongly about helping Jefri. It probably feels... bad...passing that up. But that's not something a friend would hold against you. I bet you're like his family too, aren't you?

[I mean kid plus dog usually equals a family dynamic in some way]

[octopups]

[PUPS ACQUIRED. The lap-Amdis snuggle against him while the rest press close to his legs.]

... Y-yeah, you're right. I know he wouldn't. We've been best friends for a whole year, we do everything together.

[The shaking subsides, but he's still tense, hesitant.]

[battlestations]

Then it's been a year since. I'm sure you've already helped him cope with his grief.

[ear scritches for the ones at his sides.]

Not just him. Many have died here... we need each other to carry on.

[octopups]

[The lap-Amdis nod their heads against his chest.]

Yeah... and he has his sister back now too, and Ravna is staying, and the other kids from the High Lab...

[He trails off for a moment.]

I guess... I guess, as long as people have each other... it can be okay.