[hider=Castle Basement Exploration Flashback][center][h1][color=red]FLASHBACK[/color][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/w4pSrnt.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/kB85XWM.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/OFxjWuw.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/sP4ufNm.jpeg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/OFxjWuw.png[/img] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEteyAxs89E[/youtube] [img]https://i.imgur.com/OFxjWuw.png[/img] [h3][color=slateblue]Members of Collaboration:[/color] [color=#00F8FE]C[/color][color=#07EDF6]a[/color][color=#0FE3EE]l[/color][color=#17D8E6]l[/color][color=#1FCEDE]u[/color][color=#27C3D7]m[/color][color=#2FB9CF],[/color] [color=#3EA4BF]A[/color][color=#4699B8]r[/color][color=#4E8FB0]i[/color][color=#5684A8]e[/color][color=#5D7AA0]l[/color][color=#656F98]l[/color][color=#6D6591]a[/color][color=#755A89],[/color] [color=#854579]K[/color][color=#8C3B72]a[/color][color=#923E74]l[/color][color=#974277]l[/color][color=#9D467A]i[/color][color=#A24A7D]o[/color][color=#A84E80]p[/color][color=#AD5283]e[/color][color=#B35685],[/color] [color=#BE5E8B]A[/color][color=#C3628E]n[/color][color=#C86691]a[/color][color=#CE6A94]s[/color][color=#D36E96]t[/color][color=#D97299]a[/color][color=#DE769C]s[/color][color=#E47A9F]i[/color][color=#E97EA2]a[/color] [color=slateblue]Time:[/color] [color=#00F8FE]E[/color][color=#0FE3EE]v[/color][color=#1FCEDE]e[/color][color=#2FB9CF]n[/color][color=#3EA4BF]i[/color][color=#4E8FB0]n[/color][color=#5E7AA0]g[/color] [color=#7D5081]o[/color][color=#8D3B72]f[/color] [color=#A24A7D]S[/color][color=#AD5283]o[/color][color=#B85A88]l[/color][color=#C3628E]a[/color] [color=#D97299]2[/color][color=#E47A9F]9[/color] [/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/OFxjWuw.png[/img][/center] [color=lightgray] Anastasia stood at the top of the narrow stone staircase, the flickering torchlight casting golden shadows across her cheekbones. She paused, fingers curled around the railing, listening. Beneath them, the echo of hushed voices and the dull clatter of crates and buckets signaled life in the basement: servants darting between the rooms, moving a little faster than usual, glancing a little too often over their shoulders. [color=ef82a5]“Alright, everyone,”[/color] she murmured, her voice low, [color=ef82a5]“the place is alive today..”[/color] Her eyes flicked to a maid crossing the corridor below, shoulders tense.[color=ef82a5]“With everything going on, everyone’s on edge. And if you look suspicious or creepy, well, it may get back to my father. Or worse... the guards.”[/color] [color=00F8FE]“Luckily, we are a collection of the kingdom’s most beautiful faces, not a chance that any of us look [i]creepy.[/i]”[/color] Callum interjected, his attempt at being nonchalant undercut by his nervous fidgeting. She giggled then leaned against the banister. [color=ef82a5]“We might have to split up to cover more ground.”[/color] A sly smile played at her lips, though it didn’t quite touch her eyes. Then she added, like an afterthought, [color=ef82a5]“If anything tries to kill you—do scream. I’ll come running…Probably. As long as it’s not a zombie.”[/color] She winked. [color=ef82a5]“...Anyway I think we should have some with me, then some with Callum, as they’re less likely to question our presence.”[/color] [color=00F8FE]“Good point,”[/color] He nodded his agreement with Ana, proud of how seriously she was taking tonight’s mission. [color=00F8FE]“Riona and I found a secret room in the castle once before. There were clues that led to a puzzle, so we might need to comb through some of this basement to find what we are looking for.”[/color] He added, splitting up seemed the best way to handle that, which made him extra thankful for more people. He’d hate to be wandering around the creepy basement alone. Kalliope let her gaze linger on Anastasia a beat longer than necessary, her eyes sharp and calculating as if measuring just how much danger the princess could actually handle. The sly smile and the “don’t die unless it’s a zombie” warning did little to convince her. With a slow, knowing smirk, she finally spoke, voice low and dripping with amused superiority, [color=#8D3B72]"Splitting up sounds thrilling, especially since I’m pretty sure if things go sideways, I’ll be the one saving you all."[/color] Her eyes flicked pointedly to Anastasia, then softened for a moment as they landed on Callum’s nervous fidgeting. She placed a gentle reassuring hand on his shoulder as if to say “it’s going to be okay, I’ll make sure of it.” Ari’s green eyes flicked to Kali as she casually reassured Callum, touching him with what appeared to be a sort of affection. Her eyes narrowed on the woman as she continued to spit out rude comments towards Annie. [color=#8D3B72]"Don’t get me wrong, princess, but I’ve got a feeling your ‘running to help’ might turn into more of a ‘screaming for help.’ Luckily for you, I’m quite good at answering those calls."[/color] She crossed her arms, her stance casual but unmistakably confident. [color=#8D3B72]"Personally? I’d rather stick close to Callum. He’s the only one I actually trust won’t leave me to whatever horrors lurk in this basement."[/color] She let that hang a moment before shrugging, voice playful but conceding. [color=#8D3B72]"But hey, it’s your call. I’m flexible–just don’t blame me when I show up to save your sorry asses."[/color] Clearing her throat, Ari linked her arm around Annie's and looked at Kali, her eyes narrowed as the petite barefooted woman slightly puffed her chest up. [color=slateblue] “You’re absolutely right, I too would leave you to whatever horrors are lurking in this basement after the way you spoke to my friend, who is also Cal's sister, might I add. Callum might have patience for rudeness, but I don’t. [/color] She looked at Annie, offering her a smile [color=slateblue] “Ani and I will be perfectly fine. Come on Ani…”[/color] She gave her a slight tug to lead her down the stairs, looking at Kali as they moved. [color=slateblue]” Just… try not to trip over your ego on the way down. These floors are terribly uneven.”[/color] she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her attention turned to Callum as her expression faltered slightly, worried more about him than anyone. [color=slateblue] “Stay safe…”[/color] she said rather softly, her eyes unbreaking from Callum so he knew her words were directed to him before offering him a genuine soft smile. [color=00F8FE]“You too,”[/color] Cal returned the smile. Anastasia gave a small gasp, her hand fluttering dramatically over her chest as she looked back at Kalliope with wide, offended eyes. [color=ef82a5]“Come on, Kalliope!”[/color] she protested with a pout. [color=ef82a5]“I’d never leave anyone to basement horrors: zombies or not! I may scream a little, yes, but I do it while running toward the danger. [i]It's called multitasking.[/i]”[/color] [color=00F8FE]“Like a ferocious warrior bellowing into battle.”[/color] Callum added and very seriously gestured towards Ana while nodding at Kali. [color=00F8FE]“Zombies won’t stand a chance.”[/color] As she stepped back, she addressed the group again, her tone more grounded. [color=ef82a5]“Meet upstairs in an hour. If anyone’s missing. We come back down swinging.”[/color] [/color] [/hider]