Thundercat

The Midnight Train to Nowhere

I *sniff* don't *sniff* wanna *sniff* GOOOOOOOO!!

jk bye.

Lantern

Mokley, is Arin cleared to continue inside the little house

Lantern

I loved that post, Mokley.

I vote Gold Team as new team name, also does this make Arin solo now? Lol.

A Murderer's Game

Present :D

Lantern

The mass number of tree's seemed to now be coming towards a clearing, which Arin couldn't help but feel thankful for, probably because it made the darkness feel a lot less dense than it actually was. As he walked further into the clearing, Arin couldn't help but realize how relatively calm he suddenly was. Sure, he was anxious to confirm the deaths of Randold, Anise and Hania, but it was a different kind of anxious, he was more eager than anything.

It was odd, he couldn't help but feel like the panic attack he experienced whilst waking up had happened to a completely different person. He was scared for his life less than half an hour ago, but as time pressed on he began adjusting to the fact that he was no longer in Mayloom. Free from judgement, he no longer dreaded the thought of his family and friends punishing him for his dark and grim thoughts. Instead of suppressing the powerful desires he could allow them to flourish to their full potential. The more he came to realize this, the less guilty he felt for having such a dark mind. It was a slow process allowing his sinful mind to take over, but a process that had already begun nonetheless.

The sound of water splashing and the owl's hooting had snapped the boy back into reality. He had been daydreaming again. His eyes blinked rapidly as they surveyed the area before him. They laid on the red lantern just in time to watch as it's color altered to a light purple, and Arin couldn't help but admire the sight before him. Staring at the purple light his peripheral vision had picked up the stone in the ground before him, engraved with runes just like the metal surface back at the lantern tree.

His panic attack at the tree kept him from investigating the carvings further, so he couldn't tell if those were the same as the ones before him. He did however, notice that they were in much better shape. He wasn't too familiar with masonry or stone-working so it was difficult to tell whether or not somebody tended to the stone periodically.

A path formed before him, and Arin felt compelled to walk along it, he almost felt drawn to it. As he followed up a small hill, his pace slowed and he began to proceed with caution as the lantern turned blue and a small hut came into view. There was no denying the lanterns color change made Arin feel slightly blue, for reasons unbeknownst to him he had grown fond of the red light.

He recalled earlier, when the color first changed from blue to red and the fireflies appeared. As the memory played in his head the boy turned around to see if his company had vanished. Both the fireflies and owl were out of his sight. Part of him could feel the fireflies presence, another part felt the owl's unnatural gaze. For some reason he didn't bother to question why they stopped following him, and merely assumed it was due to the lanterns color.

It was odd, and almost ironic. The presence of the owl and the fireflies comforted Arin, who despised and considered life a pointless illusion. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that these creatures served some type of purpose, which essentially, gave their lives purpose. He gripped the lantern tightly, admiring the idea before asking himself

"Does my life have any purpose?"

He didn't ponder the thought for long. Not now. There was still a house to explore. Every part of him prayed there was somebody waiting inside.

Arin approached the front door, holding the lantern high as he observed even more runes. He thought back to when Hania brushed her hands on the runes, causing the metal surface to slide everyone directly towards the great beast that was before them. It was too early too decide whether all the runes brought about evil creatures or unfortunate events, even so he avoided touching the runes. Just for now. His eyes observed the rest of the little hut, eventually landing on the window.

It seemed to be the only way to look inside without opening the door. Carefully he crept over, making sure not to crush the flowers below him. If the resident happened to not be home, he didn't want to make it obvious somebody had been at the front door. Doing so would ruin the element of surprise. The lantern swung slightly as Arin examined the inside of the house. He had to squint at times just to make out all of the trinkets and oddities in the room. If not for the candlelight, he probably wouldn't be able to see anything.

And then, Arin saw it. He felt his stomach turn inside out as he caught sight of his very own pair of tailoring scissors, laying before him on a cluttered table. Confusion and excitement jolted through his body. Arin pressed his face against the glass as he gently placed his hand on the window, the sound of metal on glass could be heard as the thimble on his index finger tapped the window.

Slowly he realized that whoever lived in the little house before him could potentially be the very person that kidnapped him from Mayloom. What truly made Arin feel sick to his stomach was the fact that they had also taken it upon themselves to steal his scissors as well. Out of all the tailoring supplies, they grabbed that particular pair of scissors. The idea that his family and friends had somehow discovered his thoughts resurfaced. Yet again he felt like being plopped in the middle of this forest was a punishment. His eagerness from before once more turned to anxiety.

However, some things still didn't make sense. If Arin was being punished, why place him in the forest? Not to mention there were three other people he had never seen in his life, as well as all the runes and carvings. The enormous beast that almost devoured them, even the lantern itself, it all didn't add up. The people of Mayloom would never go this far to seek justice, the town itself was so dull that they didn't even need to seek justice because no heinous crimes were ever committed.

Whatever the case may be, Arin had many questions, and whoever lived in the little house before him had to have the answers. He pulled himself away from the window and positioned himself squarely in front of the door. With his right hand he held the lantern up just below his neck, enough to illuminate both his face and whoever may come to the door. Arin made a fist with his left hand and took a deep breath before knocking. The thimble on his finger made contact with the door exactly three times.

Knock...knock...knock

"Hello?" His tone was gentle and soft. He waited briefly, then knocked three times once more.

Knock...knock...knock

"Is anyone here? Please come to the door. I've just been attacked by a beast and seek shelter.....Hello?"

Arin's eyes were planted firmly on the door. The waiting continued, he wanted to confirm the house was empty before breaking in.

The Midnight Train to Nowhere

Fox the Overlord said we're packing up once the chapter ends, but I mean it seems like everyone's already setting up at Iwaku. Except for Ryver boo.

Silly Ryver boo.

Lantern

Mokley said on a cluttered table that took up half the room -- a pair of familiar-looking scissors.

Woo-hoo! The tailor scissors of death have returned! *rubs paws fiendishly*

inb4 Yurei is probably still waiting for Lord Argen to show up :( poor hag

Lantern

drewccapp said
Something different? :O I'm afraid of change.*shivers*

Hahahahaha

Also, I approve of your new avatar :3

The Midnight Train to Nowhere

Haha a boy band where the majority of members are female ._.

I feel like there is some way to incorporate the fact that they all have bright hair. How about the three musketeers

also yessss music yassssss i dump music now

move ya bodeh

The Midnight Train to Nowhere

Toby's eyes didn't move from the table. Not when Ace chuckled, telling him he wouldn't understand. Not when Leila asked the very questions he had spent months avoiding. Not even when Ise or Numair thanked him for speaking up. The cheerful tea party mood was long gone, along with his appetite. He poked at the golden turkey on his plate with a fork as one by one his friends began to fall into the hooded figures ranks.

C said "If you forget everything you'll turn into a bunny guard."

The words tumbled around in Toby's head for a little bit, his eyes darting to each of his friends studying their reactions, some seemed to be taking it in a little harder than others. Toby wanted to laugh at C's words. Or chuckle, or grin or smirk or something. It sounded like something his grandma would tell him if he didn't keep up with his dental hygiene every night.

"Remember to brush and floss every night twice a night! If ya don't, you'll grow up with rabbits teeth,"

Still no laughter. The boy knew how grim the situation was. Were his memories fading? Probably. Then again he was the absent-minded type, constantly living in the moment rather than sitting and pondering, like he was being forced to do now. The thing Toby cherished most about Nowhere was how occupied he always was. There was no time to sit around, thinking or worrying about the future. Maybe he didn't laugh at C's bunny statement because somewhere in his gigantic heart he cherished his own life and didn't want to become a bunny. But, what exactly was there for him to cherish?

He tried to think of what waited for him back home, but it was a fruitless effort. Maybe he had already forgotten it, which meant it probably wasn't too precious to begin with. Toby continued to poke at his food, his eyes grew weary from negative thoughts and feeligns. Both Ace and Riley voiced their opinions already. He couldn't help but wonder what Niran was thinking.

And as if on cue

Niran said What do you think Tobs?

The boy turned to Niran, his eyes no doubt revealed how desperate he was for a distraction.

Niran said I don't mind giving them a chance.. I just don't buy the whole bunny guard story........Actually, it's kinda believable. Like one of those amnesia plot twist in mangas. Only difference is that we'll turn into something cute.

Only difference is that we'll turn into something cute

His weary expression disappeared. Toby gave a lighthearted laugh. "I don't read mangas, but i've seen a bunch of plot twists in movies. They are usually not cute, from my own experience. I bet Japan comes up with some pretty weird plot twist though!" The distraction didn't last long. Ace had started negotiating and Niran chimed in. He placed his elbow back on the table, leaning against it he twirled his hair once more, occupying his thoughts with Japanese manga until thankfully Niran started talking about pie.

"Crocket-pie?? Crokeet piiie, Ran! That pie sounds like gibberish! I wonder if it tastes good though....I'm all for cooking lessons!" Toby declared with joy. He met Niran's hug by practically shoving his face into his chest and squeezed tightly, a big dumb smile plastered on his face. He could've stayed there for the remainder of the tea party, if Ise hadn't spoken up.

Ise said You know, we'll do our best so you don't forget. That's why we're all here. You're friends Iro and Mado were sent to stay in Nowhere after they go sick, right? Well, something bad happened to them and a few nobodies found out...that's why we're here. We're here to help you humans, but it's an offer and you are free to decline

Toby relinquished his hug, his eyes fell onto his plate and remained there. I'm not forgetting anything. I just choose not to think of it is all.

Then Harper spoke.

Harper said Okay, I'm staying and...we're all going home together.

"Whoa," Toby muttered "Deja Vu" His memories may have been fading, but there was no forgetting the countless times he had dreaded hearing the words "Going home" It was never for a bad reason though. It was a childish fear. He couldn't help but recall sprinting all over the local playground on a summer afternoon. His vigorous mind and body could keep him going for hours upon hours without end until finally his mother said aloud the same phrase in almost the same tone at the same time, every time

"Toby! It's three o'clock, we're going home now."

His time in Nowhere was much like those summer afternoons. Now it was time to go home, back to reality. The feeling in his stomach that accompanied this realization wasn't pleasant at all. The boy wanted to cloud his thoughts with rainbows and sunshine but it was impossible at the moment. The day had started with such a bang and already he wanted it to come to an end. It felt like they had participated in the hoverboard competition yesterday.

Gary said Hey C, I’m going to eat in the kitchen, okay? Don’t worry, I’ll clean up,

"Eh? What!" suddenly Gary loaded up on food and ran off. Why did she get to just up an leave from the discussion? Well apparently they were all on the same team now, so he had just as much right to leave as she did. Toby rose to his feet, his eyes laid on C as he spoke,

"Me too! I uh, suffer from a condition thing. I, um, I have to eat indoors, or I get sick. It was totally a thing back in the real world. Okay," the platter of cookies he bickered over had pretty much remained untouched since he placed it on the table. The boy scooped it up and made for the hobbit hole, desperate to escape and forget the whole tea party.