(no subject)

[sinphony]

[ You wake to a comfortable silence, warmth and softness surrounding you. The room is dim, but a little light comes into the room. Should you check, the room has an ornate clock that tells you it is still early-- only a few minutes after seven in the morning. Although it should be no difficult task to assess that this room is unfamiliar to you in every way; your last memories will be a bit herder to focus in on. But the haze will gradually lift and you will be left with a few simple facts.

This bed-- this room is not your own. Nor is it the last place you were.

You are not alone. There are at least two other people sleeping in beds like yours in this room.

Now that you are awake it is time to explore. As you do you will realize just how many others there are in this building. Meet with them and you will probably soon realize none of them know any more than you do. Still-- considering the situation it may benefit you greatly to work together.

It is likely that you will see portraits of some familiarity positioned throughout the building as well as some confusing writing posted in each of your rooms as well as just outside of the Ballroom.

Looking around you will notice that you have practically full reign of the house-- with one exception. It would appear that right now the office is locked. ]

Comments

Invitation to the Dance

[chiarodiluna]

[ When the clock strikes exactly four in the afternoon, a sudden chorus of music can be heard from the ballroom, as if a symphony is playing. And the song will play on repeat, even after everyone is inside. They doors will slam loudly and lock after the last person has entered, but there is no one to be seen who could have done so. In fact, there's no one to be seen at all besides the other guests.

The curtains around the ballroom fall, blacking out the sun and casting everyone into darkness amidst the musical frenzy. The guests may panic or remain calm, whatever their prerogative. A spotlight casts down onto the dance floor now, and two people dance a waltz beneath it. This time, when the music reaches its end it doesn't begin again, and the couple bows to each other before the man turns to the crowd. ]

Welcome, welcome, all of our dear guests! It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet all of you! I am the master of the house, Van, and this is my lovely wife, Memori. We will be your hosts during your stay in our home.

[ The masked man seems to be quite pleased to see all of them, and if not for how eerie this entire set-up was it would probably seem like an actually pleasant introduction. But he rubs his hands together, continuing on as the lights go up just a bit--enough that everyone can see, although the spotlight remains on the duo. ]

First of all, as I'm sure many of you know, there are rules. We are here to not only introduce ourselves, but to address an incomplete rule. That is, the seventh, which states in its full: "For a certain amount of time only your hosts may know, you are asked to survive. However, there is a catch. We will place temptations before you. To obtain these temptations, one must commit the act of murder and, in a trial of their peers, get away with it.

"To facilitate this, when a murder has been committed there will be an investigation by the guests present. After a short time, they will then proceed to the ballroom to discuss the evidence and try to find the culprit. Whomever is convicted will then be executed--guilty or innocent--and the guests may return to their daily lives afterward. There is no punishment for choosing wrong."

[ The entire time he has been addressing this, Van, has been pacing back and forth matter-of-factly. A spotlight splits from his wife and follows him. But when he is done explaining the rule, he will turn back to the guests with the most calm and pleasant smile on his face. As if they had simply discussed normal, everyday business. ]

Furthermore, Memori and I both have specific duties. You may seek us out in our office if you wish to speak in private, too. I will be handling the votes and the punishments when someone breaks the rules. Memori will be the one handling temptations and gifts. Together, we will handle executions and the general running of the household. Any questions?

[diabolusinmusica]

[The young lady standing with him is quiet while he speaks but smiles when he finishes and turns to him; offering an approving nod.]

That was wonderful.

[Addressing their guests then--]

It is exactly as he says. My name is Memori-- likewise, it is a pleasure to meet you all properly.

[The masked woman holds her dress and curtsies politely.]

Should you need anything, please do not hesitate to seek me out. I will do what I am able to make your stay here fruitful and pleasant.

[pervet]

[ ... HE IS SO NOT DOWN WITH THIS. ]

Yes, hello, a couple questions. What happens if you kill everyone? I really don't have time to waste here.

Also, what did you do to me?

[ ... He's noticed by now. It's not right in this place. It's too hot. But it's not this place. It's him. ]

[chiarodiluna]

We'd prefer you not. If we need to, we will amend the rules. As well, we've taken your powers so that there is a level playing field. It wouldn't be quite fair if you simply, say, froze everything to death, would it?

[ He'll just keep that smile that, well, it's hard to tell if it reaches his eyes or not because of the mask on his face. ]

[diabolusinmusica]

Should you wish to take on the entire house, we won't stop you. However... in your present condition, that may be difficult. Such acts will have natural risks as well.

[catchastar]

[ "... what... what the heck...! How can they both be so calm about something as messed up as this?!" ]

This is a joke, isn't it?! You can't be serious! You're really expecting us all to just-- to just pick up weapons and start going at each other?!

[diabolusinmusica]

Whether you do or not has yet to be seen. If you chose not to... that wouldn't be an unacceptable result either.

However, there will be incentives for you to consider it at least.

[chiarodiluna]

Well, if you wish to, that's up to you. You could also, if none of the temptations we offer speak to you, simply live out your lives until the end of your stay. It matters not to us which you choose.

[ The same calmness as always. It's very eerie, how much fun they seem to be having. ]

[pervet]

What's the matter, never killed anyone before?

[ He's snickering. ]

[semperperatus]

...This is a joke, right?

[Someone else had to ask that, right?]

[diabolusinmusica]

I assure you it is not.

[At least they seem serious about it. In an eerily pleasant way.]

[chaseastar]

Why bother doing this at all? What's wrong with you two?

[What the heck, man.]

[chiarodiluna]

Survive and you may find out why you're here. But there is a reason. It simply isn't the time to tell you. Why not enjoy the dance until that time?

[ He'll make a grand, sweeping bow to her, even taking off his hat to do so. ]

[preciouspearlie]

Uh... 'cuse me? Murder? How bout no! I ain't down with this!

[Sounds fake anyway.]

[justpure]

I'm afraid we don't have a choice.

[Is that a human squid? Interesting.]

Kill or be killed, survive as long as you can. That is our fate now.

[justpure]

[He called it. This is, in fact, a killing game.]

[He may as well ask them for details. After all, he does have experience with these matters.]

Forgive me if I'm being too blunt, but you pulled me from a similar game and I think I should compare notes.

Is there a set number of survivors you're aiming for? Also, how do you plan to handle the punishments here?

[chiarodiluna]

The number of survivors is off-limits and only known to us. I hope you don't mind. As for punishments... That depends on the severity of the rule-breaking. Simple vandalism may simply receive a light punishment, whereas attempting to kill one of the hosts will have you, ah, joining me in one last dance.

[fashionable_yapping]

[She'd been in a rather bad mood all day, and done much throwing and yelling. Now she's stewing at the explanation. She likes killing, no, she loves it, but doing so for others' entertainment rankles. She does it for her own stake, damnit!]

What's to stop us from just killing you?

[carnageandclass]

[Unlike most of their group, Camilla doesn't immediately scream or shout about how wrong this entire setup is. Of course it is that much is certain but she keeps that air of calm despite being worried. Or reliving a part she did not want to go back to.]

So it's a game you propose? Quite elaborate for the setting.

[holmesapprentice]

[ Well, this sure is a wonderful clusterfuck to be walking into, now isn't it? Of course, his face turns pale for a flicker of a second before his face goes back into an easy state of neutrality, of deep thought as the gears start to move.

He doesn't advocate murder, naturally, but a lot of people have voiced their thoughts on the matter and he... isn't going to be repetitive as he listens to a lot of this.

But he might as well voice his personal question. ]

Hey, how did you get the information on those things-- the ones with the photos and information about all of us?

[backspacing]

[So that's what this all is? Some kind of game to these two people?

Red has had enough of games like this.

She doesn't respond verbally, but she shakes her head in a firm 'no.' No, she has no questions. The others are doing a good job of asking for her. And no, she's not going to participate. Not in the capacity that these people expect of her, at least. They have nothing to offer that would make her do it anyway.]

[octoshy]

Umm... no thanks, I think I just wanna go home now, please.

[raygunner]

A criminal trial, followed by "an eye for an eye" punishment... What a twisted game you've dragged us all into, Van-san, Memori-san.

[voltrounds]

Yeah, I've got a lot of questions. What's wrong with you two? Where are we? What happened to the others? Where's my stuff?

[steelmagnolias]

[Ren has said very little in all of this, mostly because he was trying to follow what the hell everyone else was even talking about.

Still, there's one thing that's kind of audible as he mumbles under his breath:]

I need a fucking smoke.