SUNRISE BOARDING SCHOOL ☀ RECEPTION
Mar 11, 2019 15:40:22 GMT -8
eurby, terucarus, and 5 more like this
Post by mom on Mar 11, 2019 15:40:22 GMT -8
Hi! I wanted to start this thread with a very, very, big thank you. Thank you guys for participating, but most importantly, thank all of you for being absolutely wonderful people. I went into this game with a lot of anxious feelings and being afraid of it not being good enough. We've had some incredible games in the past and it all just felt like a lot to live up to. I was scared to do stuff that was different. I was so, so anxious about the big event because it was so different. I was so scared that people weren't going to like it, were going to think it was weird or unneeded. But you guys have been nothing but supportive and that means so much. So just, thank you for letting me host this game. Thank you for letting me tell a story while doing it. And thank you all for being so. Damn. Wonderful. I love you all so much, please never forget that. 
Now, onto the role list, clues & PM flavor!
Night One:
Perce being Jailed:
Merc receiving results:
Steex protecting Onse:
Bee failing to kill Onse:
3p failing to investigate Perce & frame someone:
Night Two:
Quil being jailed:
Merc receiving results:
Steex protecting themself:
Bee killing Eureka:
Eureka dying:
3p investigating Ima:
Teru discovering the letters:
Night Three:
Merc jailing Perce:
Merc's results:
Steex protecting Perce:
Teru asking for Eure's input:
3p investigates Stella & uses his own clue in the murder:
Bee kills Uber:
Uber dying:
Stella investigates Steex:
Night four:
Bee getting jailed:
Merc's results:
Steex protecting Doll:
3p investigating Steex:
Stella investigating 3p:
Teru getting insight from Eure:
Night five:
Quil getting jailed:
Merc's results:
Teru getting info from Eure:
Stella fails to investigate quil:
Steex protects Stella:
Bonus Bits: Worst End
♪♫ MOOD MUSIC ♪♫
The room fills with the sound of pens scribbling against paper.
Then suddenly, a soft woosh.
Doll’s candle lights up, its flame a brilliant green. The Headmistress sits up, her face a mix of relief and satisfaction.
Next is Uber’s flame, a bright green.
Then Bee’s, also bright green.
Merc connects the colors to their meanings quite quickly. They glance down at their vote and then back at the three green flamed candles. They look nauseous. “Perce,” they hiss. “Can you..?” They jerk their head towards the Headmistress.
She hasn’t yet seen Bee’s candle. Its flame was hidden from view by 3p’s form.
Perce gives a solemn nod. “Ah! Ah! Oh my god!” He starts to clutch his chest, voice loud and panicked.
“What’s wrong?” The Headmistress stands up in a flurry. “Perce are you okay?”
Merc turns to Bee’s candle, wasting no time. They try to snuff out the wick with their fingers. They wheeze in pain, the flame refusing to die. Their finger tips are a deep red. “Come on, come on!” They whisper, eyes meeting 3p’s. “Help!”
3p’s gaze slides over to the Headmistress. She’s absorbed in Perce’s staged ailment. Steex asks him to calm down while she holds his hand, murmuring soothing words.
3p takes a moment, gears turning behind his eyes. Finally he nods, leaning down towards the candle. He whispers something to the flame that you can’t make out. Gradually, green turns to red. He leans away, jaw clenched.
“Thank you,” Merc whispers. He then offers Perce a thumbs up.
Perce begins to lose the theatrics, writing the incident off as a product of nerves. Steex backs him up, throwing in medical terms you’re almost certain are fake.
The final candle, Eure’s, comes alive. It’s grass green
Merc lets a choked noise.
They had been forsaken.
“Voting is over! Please pass your index cards to Imagine.” The Headmistress’ voice is smooth as honey.
You can see Merc doing the math. Even if her daughter thought her sick it wouldn’t be enough. They hunch over their podium, bracing themselves for what was coming. Around you, your peers do the same.
She takes the index cards and begins to read each result aloud. “Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick…Healthy! That was Imagine’s though. Sick…and sick.” Her face is one of offense and disappointment. “All of you thought I sick? I don’t understand…every last spirit would disagree with you.” She gives Merc a pointed look.
They look away, chest heaving.
“What I’m most concerned about is the fact that 3p also agreed with this silly verdict. I can only assume that he did not vaccinate you all, but instead infected you. Perhaps it was because you lot got a bit too chummy with him. I’ll have to tweak interactions a tad for the next semester…” She’s murmuring to herself as she returns to her chair. Finally she stops, catching herself babbling. “Imagine you can head back to the office. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Without a word, but with many dirty looks, Ima exits the concrete room.
“Now, my dear 3p, I know I said that if the Survival Majors disagreed with the dead you would go free. But seeing how, firstly, the dead believe me to be healthy and therefore my decisions to be of sound mind, I was correct in labeling you a murder major. Secondly, you agreed with the others’ ridiculous ruling. Those two things aren’t coincidences. Obviously, you infected them, and that isn’t something I can really let go. I’m terribly sorry.”
3p stares at her, mouth slightly agape. “I…” He just shakes his head. “I don’t know what I expected.”
The Headmistress offers him a sad, pitiful smile. “I don’t know what I expected either.”
And with that the Headmistress presses a button beneath her chair and the podiums disappear into the floor. Huge saws replace them.
They begin whirring, darting towards you and your classmates.
Stella glances towards the room’s door, only to see that Ima had left it open when she left. “Run!” they scream.
No one objects.
Everyone splits into two groups. Quil, Stella and Teru begin tearing up the stairs. Steex, Merc, Perce and 3p race down the hall.
The Headmistress sighs. She reaches under her chair, flicking the saws off. She approaches her office, but before she can reach for the handle the door swings open. A look of relief and embarrassment crosses her face. “Giles, I need your help,”
Quil, Teru and Stella huddle in the library. Teru is speaking quickly, doing their best to stitch together some kind of plan. “I mean you said it yourself Steex is strong maybe they could-“
“Teru, this lady has the school booby-trapped! Do you really think Steex could get the jump on her?” Stella whispers harshly.
“Not to mention, even if we detained her there’s no guarantee she’d tell us the way out.” Quil murmurs hopelessly.
Teru opens their mouth in objection but stops short.
The library door swings open.
It’s huge, the top of its head mere inches from touching the ceiling. . It stands on two legs. Golden flames roll off its shoulders. White robes cover its body, moving gently in an unseen breeze. Large wings extend from its back. It’s faceless, the place where a face should be looking like a pool of melted gold. It points its face towards the three students.
Quil stands, leaving her two peers huddling against bookshelves. She reaches out a hand. “An…angel…?”
A fist plunges straight through Quil’s chest and out the other side.
Teru and Stella scream.
Quil stares at the creature before her, eyes slowly turning to glass.
The creature stares back.
This was no angel.
It lets her body hit the floor with a wet thud. It looks at the blood coating its fist and chuckles. “Who is next?” Its voice is a blend of glee and chaos, and completely unpleasant.
Stella and Teru exchange glances before each nodding. Stella runs left and Teru runs right, hoping to lose the entity amid the shelves.
It decides it doesn’t have time to run among the shelves. Instead it pushes them over, watching them tumble over like dominoes.
Stella screams.
Their foot is caught beneath a shelf. They scrabble at the ground before them, trying to climb out from under the weight. But it’s no use.
The being strolls up to them nonchalantly.
“Please! Please let me go!” Stella begs.
It sighs.
Stella’s head crunches under the weight of its foot. It was an oddly satisfying crunch.
“Fuck you!” Teru, armed with a gigantic encyclopedia, rushes at the creature. They slam the volume against its side.
They may as well have slammed it against a wall.
The being chuckles. “What a good try,” It wraps its hands around Teru’s neck and lifts them off their feet.
“I don’t know what you are, but you’re sick! You’re fucking disgusting! You…god…you’re the real mastermind aren’t you! What did you….did you…” Teru struggles to speak, face turning blue.
“Talkative lamb,” it rumbles, before clamping down hard.
Teru goes limp.
The door to the nurse’s office flies open.
At first, it appears perfectly empty. But only at first. The creature catches a glimpse of a foot beneath a cot. “Come out, lamb. I can see you,”
It takes a step forward.
Steex springs forward.
They smash a mason jar against its skull. Fists then begin to pound against anything they can make contact with. The sound of bone snapping fills the room.
The entity screams.
Robes turn to dust. A face of gold turns to a face of blood. A set of jaws emerge from its neck. Wings turn to ask colored limbs. It is on all fours now, a deep growl forming deep in its chest.
It is done being merciful.
It grabs Steex by the pelvis and chest.
And pulls.
Skin rips apart. Organs splatter to the ground. All while Steex, not yet dead, screams.
3p, pressed against one of the cots, begins to pray. It is loud and in a language long dead.
The demon laughs. “You do not know the words you speak. And even if you did, they cannot save you.”
It approaches 3p’s hiding place. His prayer does not falter. Not when the beast grabs him by the neck. Not when his face goes flying towards the wall. Not until he’s dead. Which takes a few sickening hits.
Merc is standing now, stumbling towards the exit.
The creature takes on step forward-
A scalpel pierces its mouth.
Perce stands before this wicked beast, driving a scalpel further and further into its mouth. “Run!” he urges Merc. “Save yourself! Tell everyone what happened here! Ple-“
It chomps down on his hand.
Merc turns and runs. They can hear more crunches. They can hear Perce screaming. They begin to sob when he stops. They are running aimlessly. They turn corner after corner until finally, they find themselves face to face with her.
The Headmistress holds a single knife in her hands. Her eyes are filled with regret.
“I’m sorry it had to be this way.”
Metal through skull.
Boarding school program #105: Complete.
Epilogue: A New Path
The Headmistress sits behind her desk, phone pressed against her ear. “You said you had a better version of the vaccination process in the works, dear?”
“Yes!” On the other side is a former student, one who had dedicated their life to perfecting the Headmistress’ philosophy. “You see, I think I’ve created a much more consumer friendly version of Sunrise. There’s no physical violence, no one is put in actual danger, which means it can be taken to the mainstream more easily.”
The Headmistress frowns. “I don’t follow. Removing the danger aspect ruins the entire process. I don’t understand how the vaccine could still be effective.”
“Well you see ma’m, virtual reality is beginning to catch on. What if Sunrise was replicated in a virtual space? Now of course, strings would still need to be pulled to make the experience authentic. But! I think these small moral hurdles are much more sellable than the previous grievances of Sunrise.”
She says nothing for a long moment.
.
.
.
“Tell me more.”
And of course, please share your feedback/critique and feel free to ask any lingering questions you may have!
Now, onto the role list, clues & PM flavor!
- Doll - Survival Student - You are extremely clumsy, try not to break anything (bones or otherwise)!
- Quil - Survival Student - You are physically very weak, with little to no upper arm strength.
- Perce - Survival Student - You are addicted to smoking and have a pack stashed under your pillow.
- Eure- Survival Student - You prefer to keep things simple.
- Steex - Med Track - People have always said you're physically a very strong person.
- Merc - Hall Monitor - You have a tendency to wear a lot of jewelry.
- Stella - Bookworm - You have awfully long nails that, to your dismay, get caught on just about everything.
- Teru - Teacher's Pet - You have always considered yourself to be a very creative person.
- Uber - Class President - Sadly for you, you are very squeamish.
- Imagine - Headmistress's Daughter - You suppose your quest for blood suits you, as you have always been a morbid type of person.
- 3p - Popular Kid turned Bully - You have strong spiritual beliefs, and regret what must be done.
- Bee - Bully - You are frightfully forgetful.
Perce being Jailed:
You awake from your fitful sleep to the sound of someone opening your door. Before you can even choke out a tired ‘What?’ a pillow case is pulled over your head and you are dragged from your bed. You let out a noise before being shushed. “I don’t want to hurt you, I just need some questions answered.”
You are lead around the school for what feels like a millennia before you hear a door unlock, and are guided into a chair.
“Now, I have two questions for you:
1) What were you going to do tonight if aaanything?
2) Would you call December 25th Christmas, Yuletide or Xmas?”
You are lead around the school for what feels like a millennia before you hear a door unlock, and are guided into a chair.
“Now, I have two questions for you:
1) What were you going to do tonight if aaanything?
2) Would you call December 25th Christmas, Yuletide or Xmas?”
Merc receiving results:
You couldn’t help but feel bad dragging Perce from his bed, but you needed to assert authority and gather valuable information. He sat across from you now, within the supply closet, your pillow case pulled over his head. You posed your questions and he took a moment to gather himself before responding.
“1) haha, nothing--i'm a vanilla this time i'm afraid. that's fine though because having huge power roles makes me anxious.
2) i usually just say christmas but i shorten it to xmas if i don't have a lot of time, or if i'm lazy; but i don't say xmas out loud, i only write it in text.”
You nod, even though he can’t see it, and stand. You carefully guide him back to his room before darting back to yours.
“1) haha, nothing--i'm a vanilla this time i'm afraid. that's fine though because having huge power roles makes me anxious.
2) i usually just say christmas but i shorten it to xmas if i don't have a lot of time, or if i'm lazy; but i don't say xmas out loud, i only write it in text.”
You nod, even though he can’t see it, and stand. You carefully guide him back to his room before darting back to yours.
Steex protecting Onse:
You sit with your back against the wall, with the door to Onse’s dorm just around the corner. You sigh, simultaneously bored and tense. Who knew trying to save lives could be so full of waiting around? But at the same time…that waiting around makes you anxious. What if you’re in the wrong place? What if someone is dying right now and you’re just sitting here, back against a wall, fidgeting with same damn pill bottle for an hour straight?
Then you hear it.
Footsteps, barely audible, making their way up the stairs. Your breath catches in your throat. It appears you are, indeed, at the right place, at the right time.
You hear a door open and as you peer around the corner you see it is, in fact, Onse’s. It’s now or never.
You run towards the open door, hurling one of the many glass mason jars you found within the nurse’s office. Glass explodes against the doorframe. You hear a yell, definitely not Onse’s, and suddenly someone is running past you. But before you can see who they are they’re gone, feet pounding down the steps.
You rush into Onse’s dorm. She’s lying in the middle of the floor, unconscious. You begin taking out your supplies, determined to make sure she’ll be okay.
You have successfully protected Onse from an attack.
Then you hear it.
Footsteps, barely audible, making their way up the stairs. Your breath catches in your throat. It appears you are, indeed, at the right place, at the right time.
You hear a door open and as you peer around the corner you see it is, in fact, Onse’s. It’s now or never.
You run towards the open door, hurling one of the many glass mason jars you found within the nurse’s office. Glass explodes against the doorframe. You hear a yell, definitely not Onse’s, and suddenly someone is running past you. But before you can see who they are they’re gone, feet pounding down the steps.
You rush into Onse’s dorm. She’s lying in the middle of the floor, unconscious. You begin taking out your supplies, determined to make sure she’ll be okay.
You have successfully protected Onse from an attack.
Bee failing to kill Onse:
It took you ten minutes longer than it should have to get to Onse’s dorm. You had gotten the numbers thoroughly mixed up but, to your credit, you did remember them in the end. Now you stood outside her door, baseball bat gripped firmly in your hand. Taking a deep breath you pushed open the door.
At first she didn’t understand why you were there. She gave you a half smile, and was opening her mouth to speak. You didn’t care to hear what she had to say.
The bat made a very unique thud as it collided with her skull. It was the kind of sound you wouldn’t soon forget, and that was saying something. However, before you could finish your kill, the sound of breaking glass and thundering footsteps pierced the night. You scream, absolutely startled.
Fight or flight mode activates. You, sadly but wisely, choose flight. You dart of the dorm, brushing past the one responsible for your panic. However, you don’t stop to see who they are. You only stop running once you’ve reached the safety of the Faculty Lounge.
You’ve failed to murder Onse.
At first she didn’t understand why you were there. She gave you a half smile, and was opening her mouth to speak. You didn’t care to hear what she had to say.
The bat made a very unique thud as it collided with her skull. It was the kind of sound you wouldn’t soon forget, and that was saying something. However, before you could finish your kill, the sound of breaking glass and thundering footsteps pierced the night. You scream, absolutely startled.
Fight or flight mode activates. You, sadly but wisely, choose flight. You dart of the dorm, brushing past the one responsible for your panic. However, you don’t stop to see who they are. You only stop running once you’ve reached the safety of the Faculty Lounge.
You’ve failed to murder Onse.
3p failing to investigate Perce & frame someone:
You had decided to trail Perce tonight. It was fairly easy, you simply murmured something about safety in numbers and he let you tag along. When he said his goodbyes at his dorm room you nodded and smiled before turning the corner and ducking into one of the vacant dorms. You waited a few moments, making sure it truly looked like you left.
That’s when you heard someone walk into Perce’s room, followed by a startled noise. As you looked out to see what it was, you caught a glimpse of Perce being hauled away by someone you couldn’t quite identify. It wasn’t until they were long gone that you let out a litany of frustrations.
You were unable to gather information about Perce.
The night only soured further upon your return to the Faculty Lounge, where Bee began to recount a nonsensical story as to why she was unable to carry out the murder.
You were unable to frame anyone since no murder occurred.
That’s when you heard someone walk into Perce’s room, followed by a startled noise. As you looked out to see what it was, you caught a glimpse of Perce being hauled away by someone you couldn’t quite identify. It wasn’t until they were long gone that you let out a litany of frustrations.
You were unable to gather information about Perce.
The night only soured further upon your return to the Faculty Lounge, where Bee began to recount a nonsensical story as to why she was unable to carry out the murder.
You were unable to frame anyone since no murder occurred.
Night Two:
Quil being jailed:
You were still awake when you heard someone open your door. In these trying times you preferred to keep yourself busy until you inevitably passed out, rather than lay awake with a head full of nightmares. Before you can turn in your chair to see who it is, a pillow case is pulled over your head. You begin to thrash, fear taking over.
A voice quietly shushes you. "Please stop. I don't want to hurt you. I just need you to give me some information," You still, sensing the sincerity in their voice. You let them stand you up and guide you out the door.
You are lead around the school for what feels like a millennia before you hear a door unlock, and are guided into a chair.
“Now, I have two questions for you:
1) What were you planning to use your role for tonight?
2) Who do you distrust the most?”
A voice quietly shushes you. "Please stop. I don't want to hurt you. I just need you to give me some information," You still, sensing the sincerity in their voice. You let them stand you up and guide you out the door.
You are lead around the school for what feels like a millennia before you hear a door unlock, and are guided into a chair.
“Now, I have two questions for you:
1) What were you planning to use your role for tonight?
2) Who do you distrust the most?”
Merc receiving results:
Onse had been awake when you found her, drawing absent mindedly across her nightstand. You slid your pillowcase over her head, shushing her as she began to thrash in your grip. After offering her a few reasonable words she stilled. You lead her down to the supply closet, sitting her across from you just as you had with Perce.
You ask her your questions. You did not anticipate her answers.
Her posture straightens and when she speaks her voice has a very confident edge to it. You can tell she's thought about her words long and hard.
"1) I don't have a night action, I'm just your run-of-the-mill survival student. I do want to look like I have a role to throw off the MM's though (I mean, if they kill someone with no action that's better for us than them killing someone with one, right?), and I actually have an idea for something real sneaky we could do that just might do the trick and throw off the MM's. If you claim your own block in the morning, and I pretend like nothing happened to me, I can try to pass off as the hall monitor and become a red herring of sorts for the MM's, while you act fairly vanilla unless needed. This can buy you and other power roles some extra nights if needed should the plan work and the MM's take the bait and try to kill me. If you agree to this plan, claim the block tomorrow. If you don't agree, but you're still comfortable with me knowing who you are, don't claim the block. Instead, heart my intro post for this game. You can unheart it whenever you like after my first post of tomorrow, just make sure you heart it before then. If you don't agree to this plan, and do not want me to know who you are, simply ignore these instructions and carry on as usual. Please note that if you do not tell me who you are through the above means (either by claiming the block or by hearting my post), I will wait until all players have posted before claiming the block myself.
p.s., I get that this all looks like some intricate backstabbing-rouse (get identity of hall monitor, try to get them expelled on the basis of faking a block report), but it isn't. I'm proposing this plan to you so that I, as a survival student, can best fulfill my role by misleading the MM's and protecting important power roles as much as I can (I will, of course, continue to provide as much discussion help in thread as possible). You might just be our only blocker, and if I can manage to buy you even one more night than you would've otherwise by doing this, it will be worth it, because that's one more chance to get more info that can bring the student body closer to victory.
2) I can't really say who I distrust the most at the point, however Percy, Imagine, Eureka, Steex, and 3p are all relative trusts (for now). If I do find someone who's acting kinda shady/might be worth looking into if you haven't already, I'll heart their intro post before night rollovers to signal you about it. If you're comfortable doing the same to signal to me who I might want to look at a bit harder and analyze, feel free to. If you think it might be putting you out on the spot too much, you can of course refrain from doing so."
You say nothing in response. Wordlessly, you grab her arm and lead her back to her dorm. You then return to your own, not quite sure what to feel.
You ask her your questions. You did not anticipate her answers.
Her posture straightens and when she speaks her voice has a very confident edge to it. You can tell she's thought about her words long and hard.
"1) I don't have a night action, I'm just your run-of-the-mill survival student. I do want to look like I have a role to throw off the MM's though (I mean, if they kill someone with no action that's better for us than them killing someone with one, right?), and I actually have an idea for something real sneaky we could do that just might do the trick and throw off the MM's. If you claim your own block in the morning, and I pretend like nothing happened to me, I can try to pass off as the hall monitor and become a red herring of sorts for the MM's, while you act fairly vanilla unless needed. This can buy you and other power roles some extra nights if needed should the plan work and the MM's take the bait and try to kill me. If you agree to this plan, claim the block tomorrow. If you don't agree, but you're still comfortable with me knowing who you are, don't claim the block. Instead, heart my intro post for this game. You can unheart it whenever you like after my first post of tomorrow, just make sure you heart it before then. If you don't agree to this plan, and do not want me to know who you are, simply ignore these instructions and carry on as usual. Please note that if you do not tell me who you are through the above means (either by claiming the block or by hearting my post), I will wait until all players have posted before claiming the block myself.
p.s., I get that this all looks like some intricate backstabbing-rouse (get identity of hall monitor, try to get them expelled on the basis of faking a block report), but it isn't. I'm proposing this plan to you so that I, as a survival student, can best fulfill my role by misleading the MM's and protecting important power roles as much as I can (I will, of course, continue to provide as much discussion help in thread as possible). You might just be our only blocker, and if I can manage to buy you even one more night than you would've otherwise by doing this, it will be worth it, because that's one more chance to get more info that can bring the student body closer to victory.
2) I can't really say who I distrust the most at the point, however Percy, Imagine, Eureka, Steex, and 3p are all relative trusts (for now). If I do find someone who's acting kinda shady/might be worth looking into if you haven't already, I'll heart their intro post before night rollovers to signal you about it. If you're comfortable doing the same to signal to me who I might want to look at a bit harder and analyze, feel free to. If you think it might be putting you out on the spot too much, you can of course refrain from doing so."
You say nothing in response. Wordlessly, you grab her arm and lead her back to her dorm. You then return to your own, not quite sure what to feel.
Steex protecting themself:
You have decided to play things safe tonight. Having all important medical supplies ready to go in a nearby drawer, you lay down on one several cots within the nurse's office. Sleep is elusive, and you toss and turn excessively. At one point you awake in a cold sweat, swearing you heard someone screaming. But after lying motionless for some time you determine it was just a bad dream. After countless hours you finally fall into a deep sleep.
No one visited you tonight.
No one visited you tonight.
Bee killing Eureka:
This time, you weren't going to fail.
Baseball bat gripped tightly, you march your way to Eureka's dorm. You made sure to write the numbers on your hand this time, so you wouldn't forget. You open the door without hesitation.
She's curled up in her bed, but her eyes are opening groggily.
You close the door behind you.
At first she doesn't understand. "What are you doing here?" she mumbles, stretching her arms over her head. "Were you having trouble sleeping?"
Then she sees the bat. She's not groggy anymore.
She screams, scrambling out of her bed. You raise your bat high before bringing it down.
You recognize this noise. It's the same noise you heard last night. You knew you wouldn't forget it.
You place the bat on the floor and lean down beside Eureka. You pull your knife from its holder at your side. "I'm sorry," you whisper, before plunging it into her gut.
You have killed Eureka.
Baseball bat gripped tightly, you march your way to Eureka's dorm. You made sure to write the numbers on your hand this time, so you wouldn't forget. You open the door without hesitation.
She's curled up in her bed, but her eyes are opening groggily.
You close the door behind you.
At first she doesn't understand. "What are you doing here?" she mumbles, stretching her arms over her head. "Were you having trouble sleeping?"
Then she sees the bat. She's not groggy anymore.
She screams, scrambling out of her bed. You raise your bat high before bringing it down.
You recognize this noise. It's the same noise you heard last night. You knew you wouldn't forget it.
You place the bat on the floor and lean down beside Eureka. You pull your knife from its holder at your side. "I'm sorry," you whisper, before plunging it into her gut.
You have killed Eureka.
Eureka dying:
You wake to someone opening your door. Groggy, you sit up, realizing you know this someone.
They shut the door behind them.
"What are you doing here?" you mumble, stretching your arms over your head. "Were you having trouble sleeping?" You had a pretty tough time falling asleep yourself, so if they needed a buddy to help them feel safe-
They're holding a bat.
.
.
.
You scream, realizing what they are. You try to get out bed but, god, you're shaking so bad. Tears are stinging your eyes. You want to plead with them, convince them you aren't worth it.
Then their bat collides with your skull. You're staring into the carpet, watching as it darkens with your blood. Your eyelids flutter. No, no, you need to stay awake. Just...stay...
"I'm sorry," they whisper.
.
.
.
a
w
a
k
e
YOU HAVE DIED.
They shut the door behind them.
"What are you doing here?" you mumble, stretching your arms over your head. "Were you having trouble sleeping?" You had a pretty tough time falling asleep yourself, so if they needed a buddy to help them feel safe-
They're holding a bat.
.
.
.
You scream, realizing what they are. You try to get out bed but, god, you're shaking so bad. Tears are stinging your eyes. You want to plead with them, convince them you aren't worth it.
Then their bat collides with your skull. You're staring into the carpet, watching as it darkens with your blood. Your eyelids flutter. No, no, you need to stay awake. Just...stay...
"I'm sorry," they whisper.
.
.
.
a
w
a
k
e
YOU HAVE DIED.
3p investigating Ima:
You had been watching Ima for over two hours at this point. Her door was open a crack, more than likely by accident. Crouched within the doorway of the dormitory diagonal hers, you could see her hunched over something on the floor. She seemed concentrated, very carefully and systematically working on whatever happened to be in front of her. Eventually, she rises and turns to leave, holding out what appears to be ink-smudged hands. She vanishes in the direction of the bathrooms.
You stand, quietly crossing the hall and entering her dorm. You wonder what she's been drawing. You figure it's probably impressive, due to how focused she was.
You look down at the spot where she had just been sitting and hold back the desire to wretch.
On the ground is a roach surrounded by scalpels and tweezers. It has been sliced down the middle, it's midsection carefully pried open. On a piece of paper are various, what you can only assume, organs, with their names written beneath them.
You take a step back, and realize that covering every available surface of her dorm is similar sorts of 'projects'. Other bugs, what you can only assume was once a mouse, and by god is that a human hand? All carefully sliced open, exposing their inner workings, with organs and tissue carefully labeled. You realize then that Ima has a very morbid curiosity when it comes to how things work.
You turn and run, eventually tumbling into the Faculty Lounge, visibly disturbed and unsure how to feel.
You stand, quietly crossing the hall and entering her dorm. You wonder what she's been drawing. You figure it's probably impressive, due to how focused she was.
You look down at the spot where she had just been sitting and hold back the desire to wretch.
On the ground is a roach surrounded by scalpels and tweezers. It has been sliced down the middle, it's midsection carefully pried open. On a piece of paper are various, what you can only assume, organs, with their names written beneath them.
You take a step back, and realize that covering every available surface of her dorm is similar sorts of 'projects'. Other bugs, what you can only assume was once a mouse, and by god is that a human hand? All carefully sliced open, exposing their inner workings, with organs and tissue carefully labeled. You realize then that Ima has a very morbid curiosity when it comes to how things work.
You turn and run, eventually tumbling into the Faculty Lounge, visibly disturbed and unsure how to feel.
Teru discovering the letters:
You stand within the main office, bored. You've already scoured the entire office, unable to find anything particularly interesting. Most drawers were completely empty, others contained forms that seemed fairly standard for a school. Sighing, your eyes drift to the intricate mahogany door tucked into one of the office's corners. It lead to the Headmistress' office, which you've never seen. You know that currently she isn't in there. She left about an hour ago, telling you to 'tidy up' on the way out.
You try the handle, startling when it gives way. Breath shaky, you push the door open.
The office is fairly elaborate looking. Dark wood covers almost every surface. A fireplace burns. Her desk is massive, and houses a mess of papers. You glance over them, not understanding anything they say. It all looks rather scientific.
You start pulling open drawers. They've been neatly labeled with the names of your classmates. However, every single one is empty - even yours. Just as you're about to give up, you spot a folder tucked into the back of an unlabeled drawer. It's fairly full.
You tuck it under your shirt and return to your dorm.
Within this folder is a form, four letters, and a necklace. You do not like how the necklace feels in your hand.
Form:
NAME: XXX
AGE: XXX
BIRTHDATE: 09-17-XX
POSITION: Headmistress
EXPERIENCE: English Teacher (18XX-19XX) Taught second year English within Sunrise Boarding School. Received multiple Teacher of the Year awards.
Student Counselor (19XX-19XX) Advised students of all years at Sunrise Boarding School.
Headmistress (19XX-)
Letter 1:
My Dearest,
I must start this letter without the usual pleasantries, for your previous correspondences have me frightened. These things you speak of, demons and malevolent gods, they're nonsensical as well as unholy. Therefore, I must decline your request to travel to that poor forest town. Instead you should take a trip to the local church. If you are indeed being plagued by demons. I'm sure a priest could be of aide.
Stay safe, and with much love,
Your Beloved
Letter 2:
My Dearest,
I admit, the correlations you've drawn between that tragic forest town and the fantastical tales of the 'Haunted Horror' are compelling. But may I stress the later was fantastical to the nth degree. It is a tall tale created to keep children from straying too far. Please dear, drop this frivolous research. It's beginning to concern our child.
Stay safe, and with much love,
Your Beloved
Letter 3:
Dear Mrs Adviser,
I was quite surprised to receive your correspondences. These case files are lovingly detailed, this line of work is a clear passion for you. It's also a passion of mine. Your hypothesis regarding evil being something of a disease is not particularly new, but never before have I seen such detailed research to back it. I will not question how you obtained your more gruesome research. We do what we must for the sake of good. Below I've enclosed some-
The rest of the letter is torn off. You can't find the matching piece.
The final letter is written in shaky handwriting. You could swear it's tear stained.
Dearest Wife
Please. I am begging you. Return to me our child. You're not well. This thing you've done. This thing you've invited into your life. It's not human. It's sick. Please. Our child doesn't deserve this. Return them and I will say nothing. I'll even give you anything you desire. Please. Just give them back.
Please. I love you,
Your Beloved
You feel sick. Suddenly there's a knock on your door. You scramble, but the door opens wide and there she stands. Her face is still kind, and she sighs as though you're a small child who took a cookie when they weren't supposed to. She simply holds out her hand.
Shakily, you hand her the file.
"Now get some rest," she whispers playfully, shutting your door.
You try the handle, startling when it gives way. Breath shaky, you push the door open.
The office is fairly elaborate looking. Dark wood covers almost every surface. A fireplace burns. Her desk is massive, and houses a mess of papers. You glance over them, not understanding anything they say. It all looks rather scientific.
You start pulling open drawers. They've been neatly labeled with the names of your classmates. However, every single one is empty - even yours. Just as you're about to give up, you spot a folder tucked into the back of an unlabeled drawer. It's fairly full.
You tuck it under your shirt and return to your dorm.
Within this folder is a form, four letters, and a necklace. You do not like how the necklace feels in your hand.
Form:
NAME: XXX
AGE: XXX
BIRTHDATE: 09-17-XX
POSITION: Headmistress
EXPERIENCE: English Teacher (18XX-19XX) Taught second year English within Sunrise Boarding School. Received multiple Teacher of the Year awards.
Student Counselor (19XX-19XX) Advised students of all years at Sunrise Boarding School.
Headmistress (19XX-)
Letter 1:
My Dearest,
I must start this letter without the usual pleasantries, for your previous correspondences have me frightened. These things you speak of, demons and malevolent gods, they're nonsensical as well as unholy. Therefore, I must decline your request to travel to that poor forest town. Instead you should take a trip to the local church. If you are indeed being plagued by demons. I'm sure a priest could be of aide.
Stay safe, and with much love,
Your Beloved
Letter 2:
My Dearest,
I admit, the correlations you've drawn between that tragic forest town and the fantastical tales of the 'Haunted Horror' are compelling. But may I stress the later was fantastical to the nth degree. It is a tall tale created to keep children from straying too far. Please dear, drop this frivolous research. It's beginning to concern our child.
Stay safe, and with much love,
Your Beloved
Letter 3:
Dear Mrs Adviser,
I was quite surprised to receive your correspondences. These case files are lovingly detailed, this line of work is a clear passion for you. It's also a passion of mine. Your hypothesis regarding evil being something of a disease is not particularly new, but never before have I seen such detailed research to back it. I will not question how you obtained your more gruesome research. We do what we must for the sake of good. Below I've enclosed some-
The rest of the letter is torn off. You can't find the matching piece.
The final letter is written in shaky handwriting. You could swear it's tear stained.
Dearest Wife
Please. I am begging you. Return to me our child. You're not well. This thing you've done. This thing you've invited into your life. It's not human. It's sick. Please. Our child doesn't deserve this. Return them and I will say nothing. I'll even give you anything you desire. Please. Just give them back.
Please. I love you,
Your Beloved
You feel sick. Suddenly there's a knock on your door. You scramble, but the door opens wide and there she stands. Her face is still kind, and she sighs as though you're a small child who took a cookie when they weren't supposed to. She simply holds out her hand.
Shakily, you hand her the file.
"Now get some rest," she whispers playfully, shutting your door.
Night Three:
Merc jailing Perce:
You aren't quite asleep when you hear your door open. Fearing the worst, you open your eyes, ready to see whatever instruments of torture the Murder Majors have arranged for you. Except there are none.
A figure stands in your doorway, hands raised in surrender. "It's me again. We need to talk."
There is no pillow case, there is no effort to hide who they are.
It's just Merc, hands raised, one of which is holding the keys to the storage closet. You follow them without question.
They point to one of two folding chairs set up within the closet, and you sit. Now without a pillowcase over your head you can see that the storage closet is spacious, but quite average looking.
The hall monitor takes the seat across from you, and lays out the situation.
"1. Hey it's Merc and I'm going to be a risky sob and let you know. I trust/worry for you, forget the Christmas code I mentioned before - where do we go from here with our current susses?
2. Do you think my back-and-forth with Quil gave my identity away?"
A figure stands in your doorway, hands raised in surrender. "It's me again. We need to talk."
There is no pillow case, there is no effort to hide who they are.
It's just Merc, hands raised, one of which is holding the keys to the storage closet. You follow them without question.
They point to one of two folding chairs set up within the closet, and you sit. Now without a pillowcase over your head you can see that the storage closet is spacious, but quite average looking.
The hall monitor takes the seat across from you, and lays out the situation.
"1. Hey it's Merc and I'm going to be a risky sob and let you know. I trust/worry for you, forget the Christmas code I mentioned before - where do we go from here with our current susses?
2. Do you think my back-and-forth with Quil gave my identity away?"
Merc's results:
You push open Perce's door, relieved to find that he's still safe and sound. He rolls over in bed, and recognition and fear spark behind his eyes. You speak to him with as much assurance as you can muster, and slowly the fear melts away.
He follows you without question.
When you reach the storage room, you notice his eyes tracing the space. A soft look of 'So this is what it's like in here' coats his features. You gesture for him to sit and explain why you brought him here again. And why this time without concealing your identity.
Perce nods, understanding.
"1. hey merc. what's goin on.
well, currently I have a pool of 3p/ima/teru, and i'm pretty sure at least one maf/third party is in this. 3p's play this game is Missing something i can't really put my finger on, but it reminds me of the recent game i played with them when they were scum and it's very Thinking Emoji. I can't shake my head telling me that the maf this game are probably all playing under the radar, because I'm not getting scumreads off of any of the really talkative players (you included. actually I was pretty sure you were the HM, but that's ONLY because your messages to me N1 sounded like you, and I made the connection). (there's someone on SF that's REALLY good at guessing anon identities in mafia games and I only hope to be as good as he is someday)
2. not really? the way quil talked to you in that larger post in which they detailed out their plan didn't seem like they knew who they were talking to, necessarily. I did notice, however, steex said something in thread about you painting a target on your back, which might not be a good sign. I think steex is town, but I really think they shouldn't have said that... steex might have been good at sniffing out your role but some people aren't as good at guessing off cues (myself included) so steex potentially brought attention from those people to you. I'm worried you're going to die tonight, actually. I kind of wish I was cop dude, I'd be having a field day right now."
You thank him for his insight and walk with him back to his dorm.
He follows you without question.
When you reach the storage room, you notice his eyes tracing the space. A soft look of 'So this is what it's like in here' coats his features. You gesture for him to sit and explain why you brought him here again. And why this time without concealing your identity.
Perce nods, understanding.
"1. hey merc. what's goin on.
well, currently I have a pool of 3p/ima/teru, and i'm pretty sure at least one maf/third party is in this. 3p's play this game is Missing something i can't really put my finger on, but it reminds me of the recent game i played with them when they were scum and it's very Thinking Emoji. I can't shake my head telling me that the maf this game are probably all playing under the radar, because I'm not getting scumreads off of any of the really talkative players (you included. actually I was pretty sure you were the HM, but that's ONLY because your messages to me N1 sounded like you, and I made the connection). (there's someone on SF that's REALLY good at guessing anon identities in mafia games and I only hope to be as good as he is someday)
2. not really? the way quil talked to you in that larger post in which they detailed out their plan didn't seem like they knew who they were talking to, necessarily. I did notice, however, steex said something in thread about you painting a target on your back, which might not be a good sign. I think steex is town, but I really think they shouldn't have said that... steex might have been good at sniffing out your role but some people aren't as good at guessing off cues (myself included) so steex potentially brought attention from those people to you. I'm worried you're going to die tonight, actually. I kind of wish I was cop dude, I'd be having a field day right now."
You thank him for his insight and walk with him back to his dorm.
Steex protecting Perce:
It doesn't take long until you hear someone approach Perce's door. By the time you peer around the corner, the stranger has already vanished inside.
You reach into your bag, fingers wrapping around a syringe. You were going to protect Perce tonight, even if you had to kill someone to do so. But before you can even take a step towards the door, you hear bed springs creak, and soft voices. Moments later, someone walks out of the room, followed by Perce. Their head is angled just the right way, so that you can't see their features.
However you see a key glittering in their hand. You continue to watch as the pair round the corner, still speaking in hushed tones.
Finally, you let go of the syringe and sigh in relief.
Perce is in good hands tonight.
You decide to head back to your dorm. You may as well get some rest.
You reach into your bag, fingers wrapping around a syringe. You were going to protect Perce tonight, even if you had to kill someone to do so. But before you can even take a step towards the door, you hear bed springs creak, and soft voices. Moments later, someone walks out of the room, followed by Perce. Their head is angled just the right way, so that you can't see their features.
However you see a key glittering in their hand. You continue to watch as the pair round the corner, still speaking in hushed tones.
Finally, you let go of the syringe and sigh in relief.
Perce is in good hands tonight.
You decide to head back to your dorm. You may as well get some rest.
Teru asking for Eure's input:
When the Headmistress had posed to you a theoretical question you had assumed it was just that – theoretical.
“If you could ask Eureka any two questions in the world, what would they be?” It had been brought up casually. You were sorting paperwork (none of which you comprehended) while the Headmistress signed documents (again, incomprehensible). Naturally, you gave her your honest response.
She nodded. “Fair, fair.” She murmured. She placed her pen on the counter that ran the length of the main office, then turned and vanished behind that ornate wood door.
Two hours later she returned, handing you a single sheet of paper.
It was covered in Eureka’s handwriting.
1. my clue was that i "prefer to keep things simple." i'm not sure how this would have manifested in a scene (a more cut-and-dry murder than Baseball Bat And Knife? a cleaner scene?) but maybe just keep this in mind for how abstract the clues might be!
2. alright i have No idea how bee is flying (pardon me) under the radar so well! go back and read their posts in isolation -- they're very careful, supplementing their posts with mechanics / general meta discussion to make sure they stay middle of the pack as far as post volume, and mostly commenting on other people's susses rather than supplying their own. their post in response to quil's Master Plan reads v much like a smart, cautious maf whose ears are perked to capitalize on an innocent's stumble -- same with their post to steex about their quil-defense. triple same with the Thanks For Reminding Us We Can't Trust Perce -- waiting for someone else to say it, so that when percy responds, the backlash goes to you, not bee. sowing distrust, but in a less traceable way. tbh it's mostly setting off my radar because these are all My mafbehaviors lmao
i've also got eyes on dad and uber (but uber Always Always Always feels like a maf to me and they've been maf........once? maybe twice? so that one we can probably disregard)
You stare at it in disbelief. Eureka was dead and yet, these were her answers. You could almost picture her voice speaking to you as your eyes glided across the page. "H-how did you? She was-"
"Shhhh," the Headmistress soothes. "Some questions are better left unanswered,"
“If you could ask Eureka any two questions in the world, what would they be?” It had been brought up casually. You were sorting paperwork (none of which you comprehended) while the Headmistress signed documents (again, incomprehensible). Naturally, you gave her your honest response.
She nodded. “Fair, fair.” She murmured. She placed her pen on the counter that ran the length of the main office, then turned and vanished behind that ornate wood door.
Two hours later she returned, handing you a single sheet of paper.
It was covered in Eureka’s handwriting.
1. my clue was that i "prefer to keep things simple." i'm not sure how this would have manifested in a scene (a more cut-and-dry murder than Baseball Bat And Knife? a cleaner scene?) but maybe just keep this in mind for how abstract the clues might be!
2. alright i have No idea how bee is flying (pardon me) under the radar so well! go back and read their posts in isolation -- they're very careful, supplementing their posts with mechanics / general meta discussion to make sure they stay middle of the pack as far as post volume, and mostly commenting on other people's susses rather than supplying their own. their post in response to quil's Master Plan reads v much like a smart, cautious maf whose ears are perked to capitalize on an innocent's stumble -- same with their post to steex about their quil-defense. triple same with the Thanks For Reminding Us We Can't Trust Perce -- waiting for someone else to say it, so that when percy responds, the backlash goes to you, not bee. sowing distrust, but in a less traceable way. tbh it's mostly setting off my radar because these are all My mafbehaviors lmao
i've also got eyes on dad and uber (but uber Always Always Always feels like a maf to me and they've been maf........once? maybe twice? so that one we can probably disregard)
You stare at it in disbelief. Eureka was dead and yet, these were her answers. You could almost picture her voice speaking to you as your eyes glided across the page. "H-how did you? She was-"
"Shhhh," the Headmistress soothes. "Some questions are better left unanswered,"
3p investigates Stella & uses his own clue in the murder:
Within five minutes of tailing Stella you begin to realize something. They can't go two steps, can't brush against a single thing, can't exist a single minute, without something happening with their nails. Whether it's a nail getting snagged as they ran a hand through their hair, or a nail scraping against something unpleasantly, or a nail getting bent back painfully as they went to grab something. And yet, surprisingly, the damn things never once broke.
You blow out a puff of air, aggravated that in a murder boarding school, Stella still insisted on having longer than possibly reasonable nails.
You leave in a huff, not knowing how they could possibly stand living that way. You've probably heard Stella say "Ouch" more times within the past ten minutes than times you've ever uttered the word in your entire life.
While returning to the Faculty Lounge in your annoyed daze you pass by Uber's dorm. The door has been left ajar. You enter, seeing that she's been left on her side, stab wound clearly visible. You click your tongue, appalled that Bee didn't even have the decency to lay her down properly. You carefully turn her over, and begin wiping away the warm red that covers half her face.
You blow out a puff of air, aggravated that in a murder boarding school, Stella still insisted on having longer than possibly reasonable nails.
You leave in a huff, not knowing how they could possibly stand living that way. You've probably heard Stella say "Ouch" more times within the past ten minutes than times you've ever uttered the word in your entire life.
While returning to the Faculty Lounge in your annoyed daze you pass by Uber's dorm. The door has been left ajar. You enter, seeing that she's been left on her side, stab wound clearly visible. You click your tongue, appalled that Bee didn't even have the decency to lay her down properly. You carefully turn her over, and begin wiping away the warm red that covers half her face.
Bee kills Uber:
Uber is sound asleep when you arrive at her dorm. Silently, you place your bat down, knowing that it wouldn't be necessary. After yesterday's display of violence, part of which was due to your sudden and extreme dismay at officially becoming a murderer, 3p had given you a stern talking to. "Tone down the gore," he had stated quite plainly. "We may have to kill people, but that doesn't give you the right to mangle a corpse like that," You agreed somewhat. It was just such a shame that the Headmistress went out her way to return your bat to you, and now you wouldn't even use it.
Nonetheless, you remove your knife from your hip and approach Uber's sleeping form.
Even when you're hovering right over her, she doesn't stir. It feels wrong, almost, killing her like this. Almost like it was unfair.
"I'm really sorry," you whisper. She stirs at that, eyelids fluttering open for just a moment.
Then you plunge the knife into the side of her head, watching as her body goes limp.
You have killed Uber.
Nonetheless, you remove your knife from your hip and approach Uber's sleeping form.
Even when you're hovering right over her, she doesn't stir. It feels wrong, almost, killing her like this. Almost like it was unfair.
"I'm really sorry," you whisper. She stirs at that, eyelids fluttering open for just a moment.
Then you plunge the knife into the side of her head, watching as her body goes limp.
You have killed Uber.
Uber dying:
It happens all too quickly. You've finally managed to fall asleep, your dream a mess of unintelligible images. Then suddenly you hear a voice. It's soft and full of regret.
"I'm truly sorry," it says. Your eyelids flutter, mind unable to process what you've just heard.
Then
N
o
t
h
i
n
g
.
.
.... You have died.
"I'm truly sorry," it says. Your eyelids flutter, mind unable to process what you've just heard.
Then
N
o
t
h
i
n
g
.
.
.... You have died.
Stella investigates Steex:
Steex had been darting in and out of their dorm all night. You weren't quite certain why, but from their quick pace you assumed it was important. The first three pages of your latest read (A quirky murder mystery on the high seas) already had their margins filled with notes on the directions they'd been running off in, what sort of things they'd been carrying, ect. As you re-read your notes you began to notice a pattern: Steex had a habit of carrying things that normally would be way too heavy. For example, they had switched out their nightstand with one from a vacant dorm (upon closer inspection you deduced it was due to a jammed drawer). They had carried both nightstands with little effort, holding them as though they were made of feathers.
But they weren't made of feathers.
They were made of wood.
After about two hours of watching you finally decide to pack up. You return to your dorm, having learned a brand new fun fact about your classmate: Steex was incredibly strong.
But they weren't made of feathers.
They were made of wood.
After about two hours of watching you finally decide to pack up. You return to your dorm, having learned a brand new fun fact about your classmate: Steex was incredibly strong.
Night four:
Bee getting jailed:
You're preparing to head to the Faculty Lounge when you hear footsteps approach your door, and the knob begin to turn. Crap, you forgot this might happen.
You kick your bat under your bed, and throw your knife beneath your covers. You turn to face the opening door.
Only there's no one there.
Confused, you step outside, looking down one side of the hall and then the-
A pillowcase is thrown over your head. You're about to start thrashing when you realize that it would be a bad look. Instead you just take it, letting this stranger lead you around the school. Finally you hear a door unlock, and you're pushed into a chair.
They speak with as much authority as possible, but you can hear a slight waver to their voice. A sense of uncertainty.
"1. Hmmm more detail on your night actions as the med track. Like the flavor from the messages, paraphased as best you can.
2. Who would you have protected tonight if you weren't jailed? I felt like I had to do this, sorry..."
You kick your bat under your bed, and throw your knife beneath your covers. You turn to face the opening door.
Only there's no one there.
Confused, you step outside, looking down one side of the hall and then the-
A pillowcase is thrown over your head. You're about to start thrashing when you realize that it would be a bad look. Instead you just take it, letting this stranger lead you around the school. Finally you hear a door unlock, and you're pushed into a chair.
They speak with as much authority as possible, but you can hear a slight waver to their voice. A sense of uncertainty.
"1. Hmmm more detail on your night actions as the med track. Like the flavor from the messages, paraphased as best you can.
2. Who would you have protected tonight if you weren't jailed? I felt like I had to do this, sorry..."
Merc's results:
The lights are on in Bee's room when you arrive, and you can hear her shifting and moving things inside. Carefully, you turn the knob and push the door open, while keeping as much of your body out of view as possible. You hear Bee pause.
Slowly she steps outside, glancing down one side of the hall. But before she can glance in your direction you've already pulled the pillowcase over your head, feeling her body stiffen and then relax. She allows you to lead her to the supply closet.
You sit her down and ask your questions, making sure to end with a small apology. You were incredibly torn, but ultimately this is what had to happen.
She takes a deep breath, readying herself to explain:
"1.
n1 - Quil consistently comes out swinging and is an excellent source of both opinions and supporting information, so I decided to protect her n1. It took me a while to get to her room because I got lost on the way, but as I got closer, I heard a scream and smashing sounds. I got there in time to see a shadow of a person disappear down the hallway and someone in Quil's room. I ducked back, watching, but the person just started cleaning Quil up. They stayed for a little while, and then left. I went in to check when they were gone and Quil was stable but unconscious--looked like she'd taken a hit to the head but didn't show any other signs of trauma. There were small glass shards here and there in her room, as well as trailing down the hallway, so I cleaned them up to prevent anyone from stepping on them and getting hurt. I stayed by her room for the rest of the night, in case the attacker came back to finish the job, but nothing else happened.
n2 - Stella had been altogether too quiet, in a way that made me suspect that she might've been trying to cover for something. I remembered to write her room number down on my hand, so I got there much more quickly than last night. All is quiet, no sounds from inside or out, so I wandered up and down the hallway, being very careful not to go too far and make a wrong turn. Eventually I got bored and sat down next to her door, only to almost kick the door in when I heard her say "ouch", but there were no other sounds that I could hear after that, and a few minutes later there was another quiet "ow". I started keeping count, but kept losing track somewhere in the hundreds. No one ever turned up.
n3- I feel like Percy is closing in on the MM so I wanted to be sure to protect him as much as I could. I didn't remember to write down his room number, so decided to just follow him back instead. I came prepared to spend the night, and was just dropping off my pillow and blanket into the empty room next to his when I heard his door open and then a muffled noise of surprise. By the time I got my head out the door, I could only catch a glimpse of someone towing Percy off around a corner. I tried to follow, but they made too many turns and I quickly got lost.
I'm sure you can see why I didn't mention a lot about my flavor in-thread, I'm trying to keep the fact that we have two med tracks as quiet as humanly possible. I've been trying not to double up on saves again, to give us the maximum possible effect, but it's hard when there's no safe way to communicate.
2. It's okay, I understand, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't half-expecting it. I was originally going to protect Quil, because I know 100% for certain that she's not MM, but then after I had to reveal I decided to protect myself instead."
You thank her quietly, before returning her to her dorm.
Slowly she steps outside, glancing down one side of the hall. But before she can glance in your direction you've already pulled the pillowcase over your head, feeling her body stiffen and then relax. She allows you to lead her to the supply closet.
You sit her down and ask your questions, making sure to end with a small apology. You were incredibly torn, but ultimately this is what had to happen.
She takes a deep breath, readying herself to explain:
"1.
n1 - Quil consistently comes out swinging and is an excellent source of both opinions and supporting information, so I decided to protect her n1. It took me a while to get to her room because I got lost on the way, but as I got closer, I heard a scream and smashing sounds. I got there in time to see a shadow of a person disappear down the hallway and someone in Quil's room. I ducked back, watching, but the person just started cleaning Quil up. They stayed for a little while, and then left. I went in to check when they were gone and Quil was stable but unconscious--looked like she'd taken a hit to the head but didn't show any other signs of trauma. There were small glass shards here and there in her room, as well as trailing down the hallway, so I cleaned them up to prevent anyone from stepping on them and getting hurt. I stayed by her room for the rest of the night, in case the attacker came back to finish the job, but nothing else happened.
n2 - Stella had been altogether too quiet, in a way that made me suspect that she might've been trying to cover for something. I remembered to write her room number down on my hand, so I got there much more quickly than last night. All is quiet, no sounds from inside or out, so I wandered up and down the hallway, being very careful not to go too far and make a wrong turn. Eventually I got bored and sat down next to her door, only to almost kick the door in when I heard her say "ouch", but there were no other sounds that I could hear after that, and a few minutes later there was another quiet "ow". I started keeping count, but kept losing track somewhere in the hundreds. No one ever turned up.
n3- I feel like Percy is closing in on the MM so I wanted to be sure to protect him as much as I could. I didn't remember to write down his room number, so decided to just follow him back instead. I came prepared to spend the night, and was just dropping off my pillow and blanket into the empty room next to his when I heard his door open and then a muffled noise of surprise. By the time I got my head out the door, I could only catch a glimpse of someone towing Percy off around a corner. I tried to follow, but they made too many turns and I quickly got lost.
I'm sure you can see why I didn't mention a lot about my flavor in-thread, I'm trying to keep the fact that we have two med tracks as quiet as humanly possible. I've been trying not to double up on saves again, to give us the maximum possible effect, but it's hard when there's no safe way to communicate.
2. It's okay, I understand, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't half-expecting it. I was originally going to protect Quil, because I know 100% for certain that she's not MM, but then after I had to reveal I decided to protect myself instead."
You thank her quietly, before returning her to her dorm.
Steex protecting Doll:
Your night had dissolved into playing frivolous games to pass the time. The first was an exercise in guessing. You would turn your pill bottles so that the labels faced away from you. Then you'd close your eyes and mix them up, and attempt to guess which bottle contained what. After the third bottle you realized the game was too easy.
Now you were focusing on speed and stealth. You would empty out your bag and then try to refill it as quickly as possibly without making any noise. It was quite the challenge.
A couple times you had to pause your game, hearing something or other go bump in the night. But when you stood to check it out, nothing was wrong.
Hours passed like this. By the time dawn began staining the horizon you knew it was time to go.
No one came.
Now you were focusing on speed and stealth. You would empty out your bag and then try to refill it as quickly as possibly without making any noise. It was quite the challenge.
A couple times you had to pause your game, hearing something or other go bump in the night. But when you stood to check it out, nothing was wrong.
Hours passed like this. By the time dawn began staining the horizon you knew it was time to go.
No one came.
3p investigating Steex:
When you arrive at Steex's dorm you find that they're awake. They have a stack of boxes beside their door, which they are steadily moving into their bedroom. The boxes are unmarked and opaque, so you can't tell what's inside them. Part way through, they pat their pockets as though realizing they've forgotten something. Steex exits their room, mumbling about where they could've possibly left whatever it is they misplaced.
You wait a few moments to ensure they're truly gone. Then, you cross the hall and begin inspecting the boxes. To your dismay, they're all protected by a combination lock. You attempt to pick one up, hoping to jiggle it around to guess its contents.
It weighs a crap ton.
You let out a pathetic noise as you try your damnedest to get it off the ground. After a solid minute you give up.
Steex made it look so easy, like these boxes were filled with feathers. They must be incredibly strong.
Winded, and slightly embarrassed, you return to the Faculty Lounge ready to share your findings with Bee. Only she isn't there. It's just you, alone.
You wait a few moments to ensure they're truly gone. Then, you cross the hall and begin inspecting the boxes. To your dismay, they're all protected by a combination lock. You attempt to pick one up, hoping to jiggle it around to guess its contents.
It weighs a crap ton.
You let out a pathetic noise as you try your damnedest to get it off the ground. After a solid minute you give up.
Steex made it look so easy, like these boxes were filled with feathers. They must be incredibly strong.
Winded, and slightly embarrassed, you return to the Faculty Lounge ready to share your findings with Bee. Only she isn't there. It's just you, alone.
Stella investigating 3p:
The door to 3p's dorm was ajar when you arrived. Peering inside, you could see him crouched in front of his nightstand, eyes closed. His hands rested on his knees, and his mouth moved silently. On his nightstand a candle burned. You could glimpse small globs of wax covering the entirety of the nightstand's surface, all in different colors. You begin filling your book's margins with these findings.
After a what feels like at least an hour, his eyes open and he sighs. You inch away, listening as he stands and begins moving around his room. You decide to return to your dorm, feeling a like you had just watched something...sacred. Something very personal. From what you saw, 3p strikes you as a very spiritual person.
After a what feels like at least an hour, his eyes open and he sighs. You inch away, listening as he stands and begins moving around his room. You decide to return to your dorm, feeling a like you had just watched something...sacred. Something very personal. From what you saw, 3p strikes you as a very spiritual person.
Teru getting insight from Eure:
You don't wait for the Headmistress to ask you any 'hypothetical' questions. You place your forehead against the large wood door, and tell her who you want answers from and what you want answered. You're not even sure she's in her office, but you haven't seen her out and about either.
You know that last time it took a few hours, so you try to sort more paperwork in the meantime. None of it is in English, or even written in the Latin alphabet, but the Headmistress pointed out which symbols to look for when sorting.
A few of the pages feel wrong in your hands, and you sort them quickly, not bothering to guess what they may mean. The feeling reminds you of that necklace-
A piece of paper is slid under the Headmistress' door. It's covered in the same handwriting as the one you were handed yesterday.
1. not a single iota. mt is by far the easiest and best mafclaim to take. the 3 power roles that aren't One Per are cularts, loner, and mt. there have been No block reports, so cularts is out, and mt is ridiculously easy to fake (vs loner who can't Prove themselves / become "useless" after claiming because their one utility is surprising the maf, so it doesn't have the same Oh No I Don't Want To Lose Our ___ reaction from town as doc / maf claiming vet is Very Done at this point and would have spurred Much more "are they telling the truth" discussion than them claiming mt).
keep in mind that people who are saved by mt get no notif, so bee is free to run rampant as long as they can fluff it up with beelievable flavor. also, check out who bee Cleared with their night actions: quil. the person who was essentially going to bat for bee. this leads me to your second question.
2. who do i sus most (apart from Public Beenemy Number One)? tbh i cannot decide whether quil is a very earnest, sometimes misguided, but incredibly sharp and attentive player who has made a couple stumbles but is trying their Absolute Best OR somebody playing a very interesting mafgame. in their interactions, bee definitely feels maf, but now i can't tell if their reaction to quil's Master Plan was throwing an inno under the bus, or literal bussing between mafmates. remember, she's a Smooth fuckin Talker! she knows what she's doing! she almost convinced me she wasn't maf in MaW even after we Literally Knew it was her!
then there's doll, who's been hiding behind her I Don't Have Anything Useful To Say Ever schtick? plus her instantly believing bee's mt claim?
well. here's the thing. i trust perce, merc, and ima to not be MMs 100%. i feel Pretty Very Much good about steex and stella too. dad's still middle of the road to me, i'm feelin him less now than before
so i'm mostly squinting at quil / doll. i think the last maf's gonna be one of em
"Thank you," you say loudly, hoping she heard.
As you leave the office you swear you can hear voices coming from the other side of that intricately carved door - but none of them sound like the Headmistress.
You know that last time it took a few hours, so you try to sort more paperwork in the meantime. None of it is in English, or even written in the Latin alphabet, but the Headmistress pointed out which symbols to look for when sorting.
A few of the pages feel wrong in your hands, and you sort them quickly, not bothering to guess what they may mean. The feeling reminds you of that necklace-
A piece of paper is slid under the Headmistress' door. It's covered in the same handwriting as the one you were handed yesterday.
1. not a single iota. mt is by far the easiest and best mafclaim to take. the 3 power roles that aren't One Per are cularts, loner, and mt. there have been No block reports, so cularts is out, and mt is ridiculously easy to fake (vs loner who can't Prove themselves / become "useless" after claiming because their one utility is surprising the maf, so it doesn't have the same Oh No I Don't Want To Lose Our ___ reaction from town as doc / maf claiming vet is Very Done at this point and would have spurred Much more "are they telling the truth" discussion than them claiming mt).
keep in mind that people who are saved by mt get no notif, so bee is free to run rampant as long as they can fluff it up with beelievable flavor. also, check out who bee Cleared with their night actions: quil. the person who was essentially going to bat for bee. this leads me to your second question.
2. who do i sus most (apart from Public Beenemy Number One)? tbh i cannot decide whether quil is a very earnest, sometimes misguided, but incredibly sharp and attentive player who has made a couple stumbles but is trying their Absolute Best OR somebody playing a very interesting mafgame. in their interactions, bee definitely feels maf, but now i can't tell if their reaction to quil's Master Plan was throwing an inno under the bus, or literal bussing between mafmates. remember, she's a Smooth fuckin Talker! she knows what she's doing! she almost convinced me she wasn't maf in MaW even after we Literally Knew it was her!
then there's doll, who's been hiding behind her I Don't Have Anything Useful To Say Ever schtick? plus her instantly believing bee's mt claim?
well. here's the thing. i trust perce, merc, and ima to not be MMs 100%. i feel Pretty Very Much good about steex and stella too. dad's still middle of the road to me, i'm feelin him less now than before
so i'm mostly squinting at quil / doll. i think the last maf's gonna be one of em
"Thank you," you say loudly, hoping she heard.
As you leave the office you swear you can hear voices coming from the other side of that intricately carved door - but none of them sound like the Headmistress.
Night five:
Quil getting jailed:
Tonight is not a night for sleep. Bee's expulsion keeps replaying over and over in your head. Any last hope you had, any childish thought that this place might still be a joke, was gone. You sit with your back against your door, just staring off into space.
A jiggling door handle breaks your concentration.
"Quil?" you recognize the voice. It's the hall monitor's. "Quil, come on. Let me in."
You stand, your back facing the door. You find that the least you can do is respect their wish to remain anonymous. The door clicks open and the pillow case is over your head. You let the hall monitor lead the way.
Once at the closet you are again guided into a chair, and they pose their questions:
"1) How do you feel now Bees confirmed MM after everything?
2) Who do you sus now?"
A jiggling door handle breaks your concentration.
"Quil?" you recognize the voice. It's the hall monitor's. "Quil, come on. Let me in."
You stand, your back facing the door. You find that the least you can do is respect their wish to remain anonymous. The door clicks open and the pillow case is over your head. You let the hall monitor lead the way.
Once at the closet you are again guided into a chair, and they pose their questions:
"1) How do you feel now Bees confirmed MM after everything?
2) Who do you sus now?"
Merc's results:
On the stroll to Quil's dorm Bee's expulsion continues to play in your head. You know your other classmates would call it twisted but the whole ordeal was...satisfying and extremely motivating. You're eager to discover what even more gruesome fate would befall the remaining Murder Major.
You jiggle Quil's door handle, but the door does not open. There's something blocking it on the other side. You sigh. "Quil?" you hear a slight shifting of weight on the other side. "Quil, come on. Let me in."
The floor boards give a soft creak as she moves on the other side. When all becomes quiet again you open the door. She's standing a few feet from the door, back to you. You pull the pillow case over her head and lead her away without problem.
When you reach the supply closet you sit her down and ask your short questions.
She gives you a very long response.
"1) I feel pretty bad, to be honest? Like, it's great that we didn't wind up repeating the Doc!Doll fiasco, but now everyone knows that a confirmed MM was attempting to clear my name with a forged doc!save. This on its own wouldn't be too bad if I was in a situation like Merc's where most people already believe me to be cleared, but because of the early sus on me (which is my fault) it's pretty clear that Bee is trying to frame me as her partner in crime (not to be confused with being her partner in rhyme, which I will wholeheartedly admit to being, since puns and rhymes are the best), which will hopefully be foiled come rollover, unless the remaining MM chooses not to act, expecting me to be jailed, in which case I'm just gonna be shit outta luck, I suppose. On the bright side, if the MM doesn't kill anyone just to get me expelled tomorrow, then it wouldn't make too much of a difference for the student body's sake other than eliminate one false lead, which isn't too bad, I guess? It's gonna be a waste of discussion time, though, so win-some lose-some?
2) I'm just gonna make a list of everybody here this time around so:
3rd party
Ima - no real reason to doubt, not only provided a proper role name for ?, but it stands out enough to not just be a random shot in the dark made by a MM.
Very Confident Town!Reads
Merc - might be slippery as mafia but I don't think they would condone the killing of their wife on N2 with no clear signs of her being a direct threat/power role, especially given that they straight up hissed at me when I sent in the action to kill her a second time in MaW.
Stella - they've never condoned the bussing of scum!teammates, and with only two MM's, they sure as hell wouldn't have voted for Bee, especially not that soon.
Steex - unless the MM's had been planning on either one of them being able to frame me by having the student body trace the breadcrumbs back far enough, I'm pretty sure that Steex isn't the last MM. I kinda pondered Steex being the actual med track, though, since they did seem to defend my whole slip up and saying how I was likely a SM that everyone was jumping on. This would make sense if Bee was telling half truths and had tried to kill me N1 only for me to be doc!saved. Steex seemed pretty much sold on the fact that Bee was not the real med track and admitted that they just wanted to see how far the lie would go. If the chaos-lover Steex was our actual med track and had successfully saved me from the bulbee N1, they would obviously raise an eyebrow at someone claiming that they did the exact same thing and would know that I'm a SM as MM's can't kill other MM's.
Perce - I have nothing on him that really screams "I'm a town!" (other than his wonderful art he posted in thread), but I trust him, and given his confidence in his ability to prove himself if need be, I think it's more than safe to say he's town.
The "I Don't Have A Clue"'s
Doll - hasn't posted much so I've got nothing, not even a lean this way or that. Her saying it was weird that both my supposed-assault and Eure's death involved a bat kinda struck me as ???, given that both Eure and Uber had the connection of a knife being involved, yet missing from both crime scenes. I didn't really find it too unlikely that the bully would theoretically use a bat twice if they used a knife twice as well. I first thought that if Bee was a SM, then Doll might've been a MM trying to plant more doubt in Bee's case, although in the light of Bee's expulsion and subsequent reveal, it just seems like Doll being Doll, though I'm still not sure with her. More reading of past games is required.
Teru - never played with them before in a game where they weren't dead off the bat, still trying to do some research into past games on them to figure things out.
3p - only very slightly more scummy than the prior two. He feels kinda different from WaW and MaW? Not as jokey as CL!3p was, but it feels like he's been leaning a bit more on the Funfair!3p side, though I'm not sure if that's RL issues of poor internet leading to him posting with less meat or what. Still looking into past games on him as well.
"
You wait a moment after she finishes to make sure she is, truly, done speaking. You then quietly thank her and lead her back to her dorm room.
You jiggle Quil's door handle, but the door does not open. There's something blocking it on the other side. You sigh. "Quil?" you hear a slight shifting of weight on the other side. "Quil, come on. Let me in."
The floor boards give a soft creak as she moves on the other side. When all becomes quiet again you open the door. She's standing a few feet from the door, back to you. You pull the pillow case over her head and lead her away without problem.
When you reach the supply closet you sit her down and ask your short questions.
She gives you a very long response.
"1) I feel pretty bad, to be honest? Like, it's great that we didn't wind up repeating the Doc!Doll fiasco, but now everyone knows that a confirmed MM was attempting to clear my name with a forged doc!save. This on its own wouldn't be too bad if I was in a situation like Merc's where most people already believe me to be cleared, but because of the early sus on me (which is my fault) it's pretty clear that Bee is trying to frame me as her partner in crime (not to be confused with being her partner in rhyme, which I will wholeheartedly admit to being, since puns and rhymes are the best), which will hopefully be foiled come rollover, unless the remaining MM chooses not to act, expecting me to be jailed, in which case I'm just gonna be shit outta luck, I suppose. On the bright side, if the MM doesn't kill anyone just to get me expelled tomorrow, then it wouldn't make too much of a difference for the student body's sake other than eliminate one false lead, which isn't too bad, I guess? It's gonna be a waste of discussion time, though, so win-some lose-some?
2) I'm just gonna make a list of everybody here this time around so:
3rd party
Ima - no real reason to doubt, not only provided a proper role name for ?, but it stands out enough to not just be a random shot in the dark made by a MM.
Very Confident Town!Reads
Merc - might be slippery as mafia but I don't think they would condone the killing of their wife on N2 with no clear signs of her being a direct threat/power role, especially given that they straight up hissed at me when I sent in the action to kill her a second time in MaW.
Stella - they've never condoned the bussing of scum!teammates, and with only two MM's, they sure as hell wouldn't have voted for Bee, especially not that soon.
Steex - unless the MM's had been planning on either one of them being able to frame me by having the student body trace the breadcrumbs back far enough, I'm pretty sure that Steex isn't the last MM. I kinda pondered Steex being the actual med track, though, since they did seem to defend my whole slip up and saying how I was likely a SM that everyone was jumping on. This would make sense if Bee was telling half truths and had tried to kill me N1 only for me to be doc!saved. Steex seemed pretty much sold on the fact that Bee was not the real med track and admitted that they just wanted to see how far the lie would go. If the chaos-lover Steex was our actual med track and had successfully saved me from the bulbee N1, they would obviously raise an eyebrow at someone claiming that they did the exact same thing and would know that I'm a SM as MM's can't kill other MM's.
Perce - I have nothing on him that really screams "I'm a town!" (other than his wonderful art he posted in thread), but I trust him, and given his confidence in his ability to prove himself if need be, I think it's more than safe to say he's town.
The "I Don't Have A Clue"'s
Doll - hasn't posted much so I've got nothing, not even a lean this way or that. Her saying it was weird that both my supposed-assault and Eure's death involved a bat kinda struck me as ???, given that both Eure and Uber had the connection of a knife being involved, yet missing from both crime scenes. I didn't really find it too unlikely that the bully would theoretically use a bat twice if they used a knife twice as well. I first thought that if Bee was a SM, then Doll might've been a MM trying to plant more doubt in Bee's case, although in the light of Bee's expulsion and subsequent reveal, it just seems like Doll being Doll, though I'm still not sure with her. More reading of past games is required.
Teru - never played with them before in a game where they weren't dead off the bat, still trying to do some research into past games on them to figure things out.
3p - only very slightly more scummy than the prior two. He feels kinda different from WaW and MaW? Not as jokey as CL!3p was, but it feels like he's been leaning a bit more on the Funfair!3p side, though I'm not sure if that's RL issues of poor internet leading to him posting with less meat or what. Still looking into past games on him as well.
"
You wait a moment after she finishes to make sure she is, truly, done speaking. You then quietly thank her and lead her back to her dorm room.
Teru getting info from Eure:
You place your forehead against the Headmistress' door. Before you have a chance to state your questions for Eureka, a loud sob sounds from the other side. "H-Headmistress?" Your fingers brush the knob. While she was...unstable at best and entirely responsible for your life being jeopardy, you felt a tightness in your chest hearing that sob. Slowly you open the door.
The Headmistress is seated at her desk, head in her hands. Her shoulders shake, and her breath hiccups loudly. Someone stands behind her, a hand on her shoulder, head bent to whisper into her ear.
Or at least that's what you think you saw. You blink and suddenly they've vanished, and it's just you and her. "Who-" you stop yourself. Now is not the time. "Are you okay?" you ask instead.
She stares at you for a moment, as though she can't quite place who you are. "Oh, oh right," she shakes her head, as though trying to dislodge something from her mind. "Who would you like to talk to today?"
You tell her.
She gives you a soft smile. "You're quite fond of Eureka's opinions. Makes sense. She's a smart girl," she begins pulling items from her drawers. Those items had not been there when you'd snooped through her files. Black candles, a canister of salt, tarot cards and crystals quickly fill her desk. "You can wait outside," she says, kindly but with a sense of authority. Whatever she was about to do was not for your eyes.
You nod and leave. There's no paperwork to file tonight. Instead you take blank sheets of printer paper and begin folding small origami animals to pass the time. You've finished seven and are almost done with your eighth when the wooden door opens.
The Headmistress hands you a paper covered in now deeply familiar handwriting. "Here,"
1. proud! but to be real, my opinions haven't really changed much since yesterday. merc, perce, and ima are still 5000% a-ok in my book. steex and stella also feel genuinely town. dad's still hard for me to get a read on, but he's said a few things that ping town to me lately.
i still can't get a handle on quil. i keep going back and forth. but (a) we all gotta remember that quil is Smart. super sharp. like a needle in a haystack, except all the hay is other needles, and also they're actually The Whole Pile Of Needles.
doll i could still hypothetically see as being maf, but where seeing quil as maf is just wondering how Evil the Genius is, mafdoll just feels like a stretch?
2. quil, though let me just disclaimer that i am Much Much Less positive about this than i was about bee. there's a lot less i can actually physically point at and say Look There, Maf Behavior.
if quil is maf, they've been doing a fantastic job of keeping their interactions with bee feeling like they're not communicating outside the game, while still arguing for bee on logical grounds (e.g., bee killing me in CL, "dragging =/= struggle"). at the same time, all today, quil has been distancing themselves from bee and keeping an open mind to bee sus / theorizing about bee beeing maf / etc. this might have been because they both Knew that, at this point, the bee ship was going down and it was time to jump? then again, if quil is maf, why would they have gone so catastrophically public with their Master Plan? while the plan itself is clever, for both town and maf for different reasons, the reveal and how it was handled was Not. if they were partners in crime, what maf would let their maf partner Do That
"Thank you," you look her in the eyes as you say it, meaning each word. You grab one of the paper animals, vaguely fawn shaped, and hand it to the Headmistress. "Keep it,"
She holds it as though it is the most important thing in the world. She cradles it to her chest, eyes wide and glossy. "You know what? I was going to ask for the necklace back, but...But you can keep it. I won't tell you what it does but...never forget you can use it."
Unlocked the ability to use the Headmistress' necklace. Please use this PM thread to alert me to when you desire to use it. I will confirm whether or not it can be used in the given situation, and if it can I will provide further details on its use.
The Headmistress is seated at her desk, head in her hands. Her shoulders shake, and her breath hiccups loudly. Someone stands behind her, a hand on her shoulder, head bent to whisper into her ear.
Or at least that's what you think you saw. You blink and suddenly they've vanished, and it's just you and her. "Who-" you stop yourself. Now is not the time. "Are you okay?" you ask instead.
She stares at you for a moment, as though she can't quite place who you are. "Oh, oh right," she shakes her head, as though trying to dislodge something from her mind. "Who would you like to talk to today?"
You tell her.
She gives you a soft smile. "You're quite fond of Eureka's opinions. Makes sense. She's a smart girl," she begins pulling items from her drawers. Those items had not been there when you'd snooped through her files. Black candles, a canister of salt, tarot cards and crystals quickly fill her desk. "You can wait outside," she says, kindly but with a sense of authority. Whatever she was about to do was not for your eyes.
You nod and leave. There's no paperwork to file tonight. Instead you take blank sheets of printer paper and begin folding small origami animals to pass the time. You've finished seven and are almost done with your eighth when the wooden door opens.
The Headmistress hands you a paper covered in now deeply familiar handwriting. "Here,"
1. proud! but to be real, my opinions haven't really changed much since yesterday. merc, perce, and ima are still 5000% a-ok in my book. steex and stella also feel genuinely town. dad's still hard for me to get a read on, but he's said a few things that ping town to me lately.
i still can't get a handle on quil. i keep going back and forth. but (a) we all gotta remember that quil is Smart. super sharp. like a needle in a haystack, except all the hay is other needles, and also they're actually The Whole Pile Of Needles.
doll i could still hypothetically see as being maf, but where seeing quil as maf is just wondering how Evil the Genius is, mafdoll just feels like a stretch?
2. quil, though let me just disclaimer that i am Much Much Less positive about this than i was about bee. there's a lot less i can actually physically point at and say Look There, Maf Behavior.
if quil is maf, they've been doing a fantastic job of keeping their interactions with bee feeling like they're not communicating outside the game, while still arguing for bee on logical grounds (e.g., bee killing me in CL, "dragging =/= struggle"). at the same time, all today, quil has been distancing themselves from bee and keeping an open mind to bee sus / theorizing about bee beeing maf / etc. this might have been because they both Knew that, at this point, the bee ship was going down and it was time to jump? then again, if quil is maf, why would they have gone so catastrophically public with their Master Plan? while the plan itself is clever, for both town and maf for different reasons, the reveal and how it was handled was Not. if they were partners in crime, what maf would let their maf partner Do That
"Thank you," you look her in the eyes as you say it, meaning each word. You grab one of the paper animals, vaguely fawn shaped, and hand it to the Headmistress. "Keep it,"
She holds it as though it is the most important thing in the world. She cradles it to her chest, eyes wide and glossy. "You know what? I was going to ask for the necklace back, but...But you can keep it. I won't tell you what it does but...never forget you can use it."
Unlocked the ability to use the Headmistress' necklace. Please use this PM thread to alert me to when you desire to use it. I will confirm whether or not it can be used in the given situation, and if it can I will provide further details on its use.
Stella fails to investigate quil:
Someone has beat you to Quil's dorm. Their back is to you. They try the knob with no luck. You hear them say something, presumably to Quil on the other side of the door. After a long moment the door opens and the mystery student steps inside. They re-emerge with Quil, a pillow case drawn over her head. She allows herself to be lead away, and the pair disappear down the hall.
You sigh, and scribble down what you saw in your book. While you're sure Quil is going to be just fine you're disappointed that your investigation was over before it began.
You were unable to learn Quil's clue.
You sigh, and scribble down what you saw in your book. While you're sure Quil is going to be just fine you're disappointed that your investigation was over before it began.
You were unable to learn Quil's clue.
Steex protects Stella:
Stella sits in their dorm room, lights on, all night. At around 2am you begin to hear them snore and fight the urge to go inside and tuck them in. You can only wonder why she stayed up so long. Or if she kept the lights on intentionally. After that display of viscera...well you could completely understand someone not wanting to sleep, and if they did with as many lights on as possible.
And that is what occupies your thoughts until dawn stains the horizon. Bee's expulsion. How it was possible (Was the Headmistress rich or something? Was every room booby trapped?) why she opted for something so twisted, and if she would dare be so violent if an actual Survival Major was on the chopping block.
No one came.
And that is what occupies your thoughts until dawn stains the horizon. Bee's expulsion. How it was possible (Was the Headmistress rich or something? Was every room booby trapped?) why she opted for something so twisted, and if she would dare be so violent if an actual Survival Major was on the chopping block.
No one came.
Bonus Bits: Worst End
♪♫ MOOD MUSIC ♪♫
The room fills with the sound of pens scribbling against paper.
Then suddenly, a soft woosh.
Doll’s candle lights up, its flame a brilliant green. The Headmistress sits up, her face a mix of relief and satisfaction.
Next is Uber’s flame, a bright green.
Then Bee’s, also bright green.
Merc connects the colors to their meanings quite quickly. They glance down at their vote and then back at the three green flamed candles. They look nauseous. “Perce,” they hiss. “Can you..?” They jerk their head towards the Headmistress.
She hasn’t yet seen Bee’s candle. Its flame was hidden from view by 3p’s form.
Perce gives a solemn nod. “Ah! Ah! Oh my god!” He starts to clutch his chest, voice loud and panicked.
“What’s wrong?” The Headmistress stands up in a flurry. “Perce are you okay?”
Merc turns to Bee’s candle, wasting no time. They try to snuff out the wick with their fingers. They wheeze in pain, the flame refusing to die. Their finger tips are a deep red. “Come on, come on!” They whisper, eyes meeting 3p’s. “Help!”
3p’s gaze slides over to the Headmistress. She’s absorbed in Perce’s staged ailment. Steex asks him to calm down while she holds his hand, murmuring soothing words.
3p takes a moment, gears turning behind his eyes. Finally he nods, leaning down towards the candle. He whispers something to the flame that you can’t make out. Gradually, green turns to red. He leans away, jaw clenched.
“Thank you,” Merc whispers. He then offers Perce a thumbs up.
Perce begins to lose the theatrics, writing the incident off as a product of nerves. Steex backs him up, throwing in medical terms you’re almost certain are fake.
The final candle, Eure’s, comes alive. It’s grass green
Merc lets a choked noise.
They had been forsaken.
“Voting is over! Please pass your index cards to Imagine.” The Headmistress’ voice is smooth as honey.
You can see Merc doing the math. Even if her daughter thought her sick it wouldn’t be enough. They hunch over their podium, bracing themselves for what was coming. Around you, your peers do the same.
She takes the index cards and begins to read each result aloud. “Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick…Healthy! That was Imagine’s though. Sick…and sick.” Her face is one of offense and disappointment. “All of you thought I sick? I don’t understand…every last spirit would disagree with you.” She gives Merc a pointed look.
They look away, chest heaving.
“What I’m most concerned about is the fact that 3p also agreed with this silly verdict. I can only assume that he did not vaccinate you all, but instead infected you. Perhaps it was because you lot got a bit too chummy with him. I’ll have to tweak interactions a tad for the next semester…” She’s murmuring to herself as she returns to her chair. Finally she stops, catching herself babbling. “Imagine you can head back to the office. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Without a word, but with many dirty looks, Ima exits the concrete room.
“Now, my dear 3p, I know I said that if the Survival Majors disagreed with the dead you would go free. But seeing how, firstly, the dead believe me to be healthy and therefore my decisions to be of sound mind, I was correct in labeling you a murder major. Secondly, you agreed with the others’ ridiculous ruling. Those two things aren’t coincidences. Obviously, you infected them, and that isn’t something I can really let go. I’m terribly sorry.”
3p stares at her, mouth slightly agape. “I…” He just shakes his head. “I don’t know what I expected.”
The Headmistress offers him a sad, pitiful smile. “I don’t know what I expected either.”
And with that the Headmistress presses a button beneath her chair and the podiums disappear into the floor. Huge saws replace them.
They begin whirring, darting towards you and your classmates.
Stella glances towards the room’s door, only to see that Ima had left it open when she left. “Run!” they scream.
No one objects.
Everyone splits into two groups. Quil, Stella and Teru begin tearing up the stairs. Steex, Merc, Perce and 3p race down the hall.
The Headmistress sighs. She reaches under her chair, flicking the saws off. She approaches her office, but before she can reach for the handle the door swings open. A look of relief and embarrassment crosses her face. “Giles, I need your help,”
Quil, Teru and Stella huddle in the library. Teru is speaking quickly, doing their best to stitch together some kind of plan. “I mean you said it yourself Steex is strong maybe they could-“
“Teru, this lady has the school booby-trapped! Do you really think Steex could get the jump on her?” Stella whispers harshly.
“Not to mention, even if we detained her there’s no guarantee she’d tell us the way out.” Quil murmurs hopelessly.
Teru opens their mouth in objection but stops short.
The library door swings open.
It’s huge, the top of its head mere inches from touching the ceiling. . It stands on two legs. Golden flames roll off its shoulders. White robes cover its body, moving gently in an unseen breeze. Large wings extend from its back. It’s faceless, the place where a face should be looking like a pool of melted gold. It points its face towards the three students.
Quil stands, leaving her two peers huddling against bookshelves. She reaches out a hand. “An…angel…?”
A fist plunges straight through Quil’s chest and out the other side.
Teru and Stella scream.
Quil stares at the creature before her, eyes slowly turning to glass.
The creature stares back.
This was no angel.
It lets her body hit the floor with a wet thud. It looks at the blood coating its fist and chuckles. “Who is next?” Its voice is a blend of glee and chaos, and completely unpleasant.
Stella and Teru exchange glances before each nodding. Stella runs left and Teru runs right, hoping to lose the entity amid the shelves.
It decides it doesn’t have time to run among the shelves. Instead it pushes them over, watching them tumble over like dominoes.
Stella screams.
Their foot is caught beneath a shelf. They scrabble at the ground before them, trying to climb out from under the weight. But it’s no use.
The being strolls up to them nonchalantly.
“Please! Please let me go!” Stella begs.
It sighs.
Stella’s head crunches under the weight of its foot. It was an oddly satisfying crunch.
“Fuck you!” Teru, armed with a gigantic encyclopedia, rushes at the creature. They slam the volume against its side.
They may as well have slammed it against a wall.
The being chuckles. “What a good try,” It wraps its hands around Teru’s neck and lifts them off their feet.
“I don’t know what you are, but you’re sick! You’re fucking disgusting! You…god…you’re the real mastermind aren’t you! What did you….did you…” Teru struggles to speak, face turning blue.
“Talkative lamb,” it rumbles, before clamping down hard.
Teru goes limp.
The door to the nurse’s office flies open.
At first, it appears perfectly empty. But only at first. The creature catches a glimpse of a foot beneath a cot. “Come out, lamb. I can see you,”
It takes a step forward.
Steex springs forward.
They smash a mason jar against its skull. Fists then begin to pound against anything they can make contact with. The sound of bone snapping fills the room.
The entity screams.
Robes turn to dust. A face of gold turns to a face of blood. A set of jaws emerge from its neck. Wings turn to ask colored limbs. It is on all fours now, a deep growl forming deep in its chest.
It is done being merciful.
It grabs Steex by the pelvis and chest.
And pulls.
Skin rips apart. Organs splatter to the ground. All while Steex, not yet dead, screams.
3p, pressed against one of the cots, begins to pray. It is loud and in a language long dead.
The demon laughs. “You do not know the words you speak. And even if you did, they cannot save you.”
It approaches 3p’s hiding place. His prayer does not falter. Not when the beast grabs him by the neck. Not when his face goes flying towards the wall. Not until he’s dead. Which takes a few sickening hits.
Merc is standing now, stumbling towards the exit.
The creature takes on step forward-
A scalpel pierces its mouth.
Perce stands before this wicked beast, driving a scalpel further and further into its mouth. “Run!” he urges Merc. “Save yourself! Tell everyone what happened here! Ple-“
It chomps down on his hand.
Merc turns and runs. They can hear more crunches. They can hear Perce screaming. They begin to sob when he stops. They are running aimlessly. They turn corner after corner until finally, they find themselves face to face with her.
The Headmistress holds a single knife in her hands. Her eyes are filled with regret.
“I’m sorry it had to be this way.”
Metal through skull.
Boarding school program #105: Complete.
Epilogue: A New Path
The Headmistress sits behind her desk, phone pressed against her ear. “You said you had a better version of the vaccination process in the works, dear?”
“Yes!” On the other side is a former student, one who had dedicated their life to perfecting the Headmistress’ philosophy. “You see, I think I’ve created a much more consumer friendly version of Sunrise. There’s no physical violence, no one is put in actual danger, which means it can be taken to the mainstream more easily.”
The Headmistress frowns. “I don’t follow. Removing the danger aspect ruins the entire process. I don’t understand how the vaccine could still be effective.”
“Well you see ma’m, virtual reality is beginning to catch on. What if Sunrise was replicated in a virtual space? Now of course, strings would still need to be pulled to make the experience authentic. But! I think these small moral hurdles are much more sellable than the previous grievances of Sunrise.”
She says nothing for a long moment.
.
.
.
“Tell me more.”
And of course, please share your feedback/critique and feel free to ask any lingering questions you may have!
Thanks again, Mom- it was super fun! 
