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general murdergame catch-all!!
[You wake up in the cold room of a beautiful, opulent castle. Despite it's beauty, the bed that your in is uncomfortable, perhaps even left you a little stiff as you awaken. You'll find that there are many others like you, if you step outside of your quarters. You might even be tempted to sneak a look out of the window to your room, only for the guards stationed there to raise their weapons in warning.
It would seem that escape is not exactly possible from this place you've awoken from.
Some of you might recognize the castle who's walls you inhabit, but even knowing that much isn't going to be enough to save you from what's to come. Of the game afoot, and the shrill and haughty tone of your game mistress.
May as well get used to your new life. Seems you're going to be stuck here for quite a while.]
It would seem that escape is not exactly possible from this place you've awoken from.
Some of you might recognize the castle who's walls you inhabit, but even knowing that much isn't going to be enough to save you from what's to come. Of the game afoot, and the shrill and haughty tone of your game mistress.
May as well get used to your new life. Seems you're going to be stuck here for quite a while.]
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...Not a promising answer. Okay, that's wonderful. Alear's gaze hardens a bit further at that, before she glances away, not sure of how to engage this further...]
...No. They weren't. I haven't seen any allies here, and you're the first person outside of the guards that I've been able to recognize.
[And somehow, that's more terrifying than Alear could have thought. She's always thought she had it pretty lucky, having people constantly at her side willing to explain everything, and being without any sort of support...
Well, it certainly puts the Divine Dragon on edge.]
If this is some sort of trick by Hortensia... [That much is quietly said, before she shakes her head.] Never mind that.
[She pauses, awkward. Like she really has to consider she's asking Griss this.]
...Have you found anything of interest?
[Look, just let her swallow her pride for a second and ask her sworn enemy for help--]
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...If Zephia was here, this would be perfect, but since she isn't and Griss has no damn idea what's going on, the only thing to really do is play nice. Not like he'd stand a chance against her if he were to try to pick a fight, what with this Silence spell strangling his magic. If only he hadn't minmaxed so hard smh...]
Nah. Well...
[He inclines his head a bit, considering. Then he decides why the hell not and tells her what he's noticed.]
Somethin's off. I'm not sure what it is, but this ain't like the castle.
[The guards should recognize him, for one. He did stay there sometimes, with the Hounds, always with Zephia nearby, but they were always perfectly respectful of King Hyacinth's weird allies. But these guards? They've been treating him like every other person here.]
No point pretendin' otherwise, so I'll just be honest - I've got no damn idea what's goin' on or why we're the only two here.
[He should be more careful. Zephia would make a face at him if she knew what he was saying. But right now if it becomes her verses him, there's literally no way he's going to make it out. So. Might as well play nice. Offer up what he knows, and hope that's enough to keep him in her good graces for just long enough until he can figure out where the hell Zephia is.]
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...She can't feel pity for this man. She cannot, she will not. But Alear hates to say it--she believes him. She believes this isn't a trap, and that is deeply concerning.]
...Alright. I certainly don't see any reason not to believe you right now, at least. Nothing about this feels right at all.
[do you know! how much!! it pains her to say it!!!]
I don't know what could be the reason for this. If Elusia is really attempting to betray all of us... [...Hm.] ...How much would you say you know about this place?
[please. we're both trapped here, please be at least a little cooperative--]
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Dunno if it'd be Elusia on their own. While I can see 'em turnin' against the Hounds, I don't know why they'd leave me alive.
[King Hyacinth doesn't seem the sort to mash betray now, but there's no accounting for his daughters. Neither of them seemed particularly interested in the Fell Dragon or particularly fond of the Hounds. So while it could be their doing, it'd be weird for Griss to be here without the Hounds... unless they're already dead, but then why leave him alive?]
I know a decent amount. We stayed here for awhile when we first met up with Hyacinth. Didn't see every part of it, but I've got a decent idea of the layout, at least.
[This is probably too much honesty, but if Griss tries to figure out the right balancing act for how much to give the Divine Dragon, this is just going to be a massive headache. May as well be open about what he knows and maybe their temporary truce can last until they're outside - or at least until that Silence spell is removed.]
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Do you think there's anything they could've overlooked, or anything worth looking around to see if we can exploit?
[Which sounds dumb, she knows, but--]
Even if it is Elusia, there's always a possibility they could've overlooked something. Something that we could use to our advantage. And if it isn't Elusia, and they've been taken hostage...well, that just seems like there's more of a possibility for them to be stupid and miss something, right?
[It's a long shot, she knows, but if they're gonna cooperate for now, maybe Griss's knowledge could be used for something good for once.]
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[That's a good place to start, and Griss motions for Alear to follow him. Their first stop is a little further back in one of the rooms - a massive dining hall, connected to a rather robust kitchen.]
Can't say I know all the passages in this place, but whoever designed this castle made sure there were a lot of 'em. Plenty of places where the royals could get out in case somethin' went wrong, that sorta thing.
[He's scanning one of the far walls, looking for a stone that's out of place - the exact location isn't something he remembers, but he knows it's somewhere around here...]
Marni found this one and was so damn pleased she was practically yellin' about it.
[It feels sort of surreal to think about, in all honesty. How are the other Hounds doing right now? Are they even still alive?]
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But it's a risk Alear is willing to take at this point. Alear follows closely, keeping an eye out on the others and the guards--they at least seem distracted for a moment.]
Was she? Huh. I wouldn't have taken her to be so enthusiastic about something so small...
[...At any rate, whatever you're looking for, Griss--you will absolutely find it, somehow. Alear pauses for a moment, and she swears that she...]
Is that...
[She's quiet when she says that much, looking to Griss. Is this what you're talking about??]
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[It's sort of fond, but it's also distracted given what he's just found. Alear notices and Griss simply nods in response - he glances back over his shoulder briefly to make sure they're alone before pressing down on the stone.
The wall shudders a bit as a part of it folds back inwards - it's a small passageway that theoretically should lead deeper into the castle. If he remembers right, this one connects to one of the unused rooms in the royals' chambers...]
Not sure how this'll go. Still wanna take that risk?
[He's just as quiet, for once, and though Griss is smirking, it isn't in the usually threatening way. It's more like he's just really damn amused at this whole situation - probably because he is.]
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And it seems like someone's already picking a fight with the guards, and that's proving as good a distraction as any.]
...Lead the way. I don't think we'll get another shot.
[Alear isn't sure just what they're gonna find, but she's here to see what they could possibly uncover. She can certainly tell the others when they all come back, hopefully unscathed.]
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Anyway, with that confirmed, Griss nods and slips into the passageway. It's a winding, narrow path that while carefully constructed, was clearly not meant to be used for your every day walks through the castle. It leads upward - like Griss thought, this one connects to a room in the upper wings of the castle, an unused royal's bedroom near the end of the hall.
So how's the passage looking? Same as it did back in his version of Elusia, or has the mastermind of this game taken care of this passageway?]