week 0 - day 1

[productions]

murder manor week zero



saturday

[Saturday begins much like Friday, with no further answers provided, and no means of escape. However, at 3 PM on Saturday, the old grandfather clock in the foyer begins to chime. From the foyer, the ballroom doors stand open, and the room is bright with sunshine. Soft, dreamy music plays from a radio inside.

Inside the ballroom, what seems to be a magnificent party is laid out. There is a buffet table laden with finger foods - vegetables and dips, finger sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and cheeses. Next to the table are glasses filled with wine, champagne, or juice. Most of the room is empty, with room to stand and talk, although towards the windows looking out on the courtyard are six tables with five place settings each, set for a larger meal.

And then there's a seventh table, at the back of the room, on which are thirty small notebooks. Inside, the notebooks appear to be some sort of album, with each page containing a picture of and information about your fellow guests.

After everyone has filed in, the doors shut and lock behind the final guest; the doors to the courtyard close as well. You'll have some time to talk amongst yourself, for it will be another hour of dining before anyone else appears]

This is an open mingle log for the welcome feast. Please tag one another. There will be NPC interaction in the post later in the day.

Setting
Information Cards

Comments

[godwhisperer]

[He absolutely tries to muster up the words to explain that they aren't mere hamsters and these are dreadful fluffy fireworks, but he is just too flustered by compliments about them, so he just turns red.]

Th...thank you...

[teenspirit]

[ His reaction is strangely endearing, too. Or that's what she'd think if she weren't distracted by hamsters. ]

That one's so roly-poly! And that one's tough-looking! Ooh!

[godwhisperer]

Yes, yes. You are right to recognize his strength. You look upon none other than my "Steel Red Elephant" Maga-G. His power as a warrior is unmatched amongst his kin.

[He's so proud of his little fluff balls he has forgotten everything but showing them off.]

The one you call roly-poly is the Invading Black Dragon, Cham-P. His large size are indicative of all those of his tribe. Do not underestimate him; his girth is matched by a keen intelligence.

[teenspirit]

[ She brings her fingertips close as if tempted to touch the hamsters, but withdraws her hands. ]

Hee hee... and that one's all sleepy-weepy! And the last one... what a darling little girl!

[godwhisperer]

Those two are "Mirage Silver Falcon" Jum-P and "Star Destroyer Grey Fox" Sun-D.

[He turns red when she begins to reach out to touch one of them; both out of his own nervousness and his protectiveness. Not everyone understands how to handle animals like them, and he wouldn't want someone to scare them or get themselves bitten and get angry with them.

But it pleases him that she seems to understand who they are. She doesn't just notice them as interchangeable cute animals, but recognizes their individual personalities. The type of person who can do that is less likely to be the type of person who would handle them poorly.]

Hrrm. If you would like to hold one, you may. Sun-D is amenable to being held so long as you do not attempt to restrain her in any way and do not presume to startle her with sudden movements.

[teenspirit]

[ Sonia's eyes sparkle. ] Ah, really? I may?! Aha! Mama said I could never have anything smaller than the guard dogs... She said they would become lost too easily within the palace! Hee hee. But I always liked the idea of having little tiny friends...

[ She holds her hands out gently towards Gundam's, laying them flat; she doesn't touch his hands with her own, but hers come close enough that they form a bridge with a tiny gap between their fingers. It would be small enough for a hamster to step over. ]

[godwhisperer]

[He's so flustered right now it's sort of amazing he's able to function or form words. But he keeps his hands still and lets Sun-D crawl across. She's wiggling her nose curiously; he's skilled enough to know the moods of the hamsters and to know she was currently feeling most curious and receptive to attention. In general, they're very comfortable with being handled for hamsters.]

For most of their kind, too large a space would become dangerous...though they do not need more than a spacious enclosure and the opportunity to explore outside under supervision. So...so it would be manageable...

These ones may roam more freely, as they will understand how to return to me.

[teenspirit]

[ She doesn't move to clasp the hamster or jostle it; she just keeps her hands flat and still, like a platform, and giggles at the feeling of tiny hamster claws against her palms. ]

Hamsters can be... called back? Oh! I didn't know they were clever! I thought that was rats...

[godwhisperer]

Rats do indeed possess great intelligence, but these creatures may as well.

[There's not much chance ordinary hamsters could do the things Gundam's do, but in all likelihood he's just bred unusually smart hamsters.]

However, rats are used to living among their kin and possess loyalty. These fearsome beasts have not such a compromising nature. They fight cruelly, even among their own blood, and feel no remorse nor regret. Yet their loyalty can be earned even so...

[teenspirit]

[ Sonia's expression falters a little, and she looks up at Gundam with her huge shoujo manga Disney princess eyes. ]

Ah? Is it true that they eat their babies?

[godwhisperer]

Ahahaha! Yes.

[What were you expecting, he's really proud of his evil little hams.]

Even their own young are not safe from their fearsome appetite! Of course, it is possible to prevent with certain precautions, but that wicked nature lives in each of their hearts.

[teenspirit]

[ Sonia looks like she can't decide if that's awesome or horrifying. ]

P-poor babies! Isn't that sad!

[godwhisperer]

[That's how he feels, too. It's cool that his hamsters are such little murder machines, but he wouldn't let anything happen to the babies himself.]

It is preventable. The mother and infants must be kept separate while they grow, but so long as the mother is healthy and free of stress, cannibalism will not occur.

[teenspirit]

Oh! So it's just like with people! [ Nodding like she suddenly understands and like what she just said isn't completely bizarre and wrong. ]

[godwhisperer]

Ah...yes?

[He really isn't the person with a decent handle on people, but that sounds sort of off to him.]

They devour one another only when they grow threatened or agitated, you see.

[teenspirit]

Yes, just like people! [ Nodding again to confirm this Totally True Fact. She smiles down at the hamster. ] They have so much in common with us! They are like our little furry brothers.

[godwhisperer]

No.

[The hamster twitches her nose back up at her. Gundam, on the other hand, looks bothered.]

No, you are gravely mistaken. They are not at all like humans.

[teenspirit]

...Huh? [ stares at him ]

[godwhisperer]

They...

[It's sort of hard for him to explain, which is the point. He can effortlessly communicate with animals, but the way humans communicate and react is much more difficult. And much more terrifying, too.]

You see, it would be a mistake to project human emotions and thoughts upon them. Their natures, the way they form bonds, the way they communicate is all so distinct. This is why it is often difficult for humans and beasts to understand one another, as humans choose to project onto them emotions they would never have and neglect to understand them as beasts.

Even if there are things they cannot do...they must be appreciated for what they are. They...truly know loyalty, they do not profess to judge another beyond the sincerity of one's actions, they may choose to display strength, but they do not take pleasure in being cruel...

[teenspirit]

[ Gundaaaaaaam ]

But those things are what make humans an advanced species, are they not? As for for loyalty... Perhaps an animal feels it instinctively, but there is something to be said for earning trust...

[godwhisperer]

You speak to me of earning trust?

[He'll hold out his hand, which has Cham-P in it.]

Look how he sits in my palm! Do you not know the many species who will attempt to prey upon his kind? I am not his kin, and he has no reason to trust me, nor when he was born would he have. But he has learned to accept me, indeed, to become gentle and not bite or flee when handled, despite all he has to fear, all his instinct to dread those larger than he. And he will never turn against those he has come to trust without reason, for the notion of betrayal would never enter his mind. That trust...that is loyalty, and it is a notion of which humankind of incapable, so fickle are humans' regard for one another and so eager to betray.

[teenspirit]

[ She's giving him a strange look. ]

'Incapable'? Is that not a very pessimistic... and untrue assessment?

[godwhisperer]

It is the truth. It is the price paid for what qualities humans believe to be "exceptional."

[He sort of sneers when he says the word.]

The darkness that belies their hearts...it cannot be helped or changed. Even earnest intentions are bound to result in betrayal or pain. That is simply...

[teenspirit]

...It's simply a lie, Tarou-san. [ She finishes his sentence for him. ] In this situation of survival, I cannot fault any person for being defensive. But no one is born with darkness in their heart. The strongest leaders, the dynasties which lasted the longest... They were built on the bonds of people who trusted enough to work together.

[godwhisperer]

It is not a lie.

[He looks a little unsure what to say to any of this.]

It is...a fine sentiment, but merely that. But my Sun-D will display this loyalty to me. Come, Sun-D!