Lugubrious

Epithet Erased: Use Your Words

After more than a week in limbo, I've decided that this RP is going to formally begin on Wednesday. It would be unfair to the people who have actively participated and made their chars to keep them waiting, and languishing around will only hurt this RP's chances. So I'll start us off Wednesday. Applications will still be open after it begins.

Overlord: Momento Mori

Please, vats are so unhygienic. The Factory has a singular decontamination pod that's like being in a power washer. Gets the job done.

Graft, Papillary, and Tabula would probably be amazed by normal baths.

Epithet Erased: Use Your Words

@Lugubrious Just reached the end of the first post. Word me up?

@brwntwn

You got it.

For brwntwn

-Hyacinth
-Quizzical
-Pantomime
-Litmus
-Perky

Overlord: Momento Mori

Tabula's Tour: Part 2

The next stop on Tabula's itinerary looked to be a fair bit less stressful. "Bone Butler Quarters," she said aloud. "Overseen by...Mamoru Dracobreaker." Thinking back to the grand meeting in the Final Chapter, the Nightgaunt let the name roll over her tongue as she tried to recall the face it belonged to. "Mamoru..." After a moment an image came to mind. That's right. Pale, sharp, frilly. Though she mostly concealed it, she harbored draconian blood. She worked as a maid, which meant 'female domestic worker'. Graft had said that her job title was 'honorary' in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way, which his other note shed some light on. "Run by Butterfly." So, Mamoru was the sort of boss who was technically in charge but left the responsibilities to others. A good leader delegated, the Director had told her, but a good leader also led by example.

However, Tabula's mind as she made her way to the new location did not linger on Mamoru long. She thought about her rabbit instead. It had been one of of the skeletal butlers who'd given the little guy to her, and since then the fluffy, corpulent creature had been a source of incessant joy. Just petting it filled Tabula with happiness, and watching it bounce around and kick its legs in glee made her heart swell. The air in the Factory hadn't agreed with it, so with a little permission she'd set up a little yard for it in a corner of Zouyu's garden where it could live comfortably and where she could visit often. The hardest part of caring for it had been coming up with a name; Graft ended up helping her there, too. As Tabula neared the Quarters, she wondered if the skeletons might have any more rabbits she could take so that little Lago could have some company.

A well-dressed skeleton greeted her. "Good day," Tabula told it. She felt a little uneasy; it wasn't easy to get a feel for someone with no face. "I'm here to visit?"

The skeleton butler bowed his head. Though not all of the skeletons have been informed of the visitation, they had no reason to question the whims of their masters, superiors, and generally anyone stronger than them. He would lead Tabula to the Bone Butler's Quarters, a location swarming with skeletons moving with such mechanical efficiency that if they had a coat of chrome plating on their bones, they would look almost like a macabre part of Graft's factory. Indeed, inside the quarters themselves were hundreds if not thousands of Skeletons retrieving objects and tools from various work closets for whatever tasks they were needed for: brooms for sweeping, mops for washing, hammers for fixing, or simply putting items away. Tabula would never need to worry about bumping into the skeletons or interrupting their flow as they gave her a wide birth, or alternatively simply stopping their movements until they were clear to move.

Each skeleton looked identical in appearance or attire. They had sharp suits which were cleaned and pressed, there was even a section of the room where there were multiple skeletons working on laundry. That being said while each skeleton looked the same, there were very minor details in terms of bone structure. It wouldn't be too difficult for Tabula to realize some skeletons were taller or smaller than others, some had wide frames, others were thin, a few even had thick bones or skinnier ones. But these could only be caught in glimpses as the skeletons moved endlessly to fulfill their duties. Only one stood out in particular, and it was the skeleton who wore no clothing, with jet black bones and a cybernetic head.

"Welcome to the Bone Butler Quarters, Mistress Tabula. Would you like any refreshments?" As soon as Butterfly said this, three skeletons came over, one with a small table, another with a platter with various juices and teas, and another with a plate of cookies and sweets. Each of these items were acquired from Mamoru's personal kitchen, a small section connected to the Bone Butler Quarters. For obvious reasons none of the skeletons ever have need to use it, so the only reason they would be there is to clean or retrieve anything ordered from them. "These confectioneries pale in comparison to Master Chef Flan, but they are the best that Master Mamoru can create. If anything displeases you we will do everything without our power to correct the error." Tabula could also spot a sectioned off area of the Bone Butler quarters that was filled with some hay, wire fence, and multiple fat rabbits who appear to be in the process of eating or reproducing.

"Oh!" Tabula seemed somewhat taken aback by Butterfly's warm welcome and offering. If anything, she seemed embarrassed to be getting such VIP treatment, making her softhorns wiggle in slight distress. She couldn't possibly refuse his refreshments, and eagerly took a cup apiece of juice and tea to gulp down in quick succession. "Aah! That's so...sweet!" But she hadn't seen anything yet. Biting into a cookie prompted to close her eyes and shudder. "Mmm...I've never had anything this good before!"

Papillary, having received no welcome but helped herself to some tea, stared at the Nightgaunt with her featureless face and no small amount of indignity. "I...my..." she sputtered, "I don't exactly have high cooking levels or any good ingredients in the Factory, now do I?"

Tabula's eyes went wide. "Oh! I'm sorry, Papillary. I didn't mean it like that."

The heart-headed priestess turned her head away, and would have rolled her eyes if she could. Her mood, however, did not dampen Tabula's for long. Tabula inhaled another few cookies with gusto before she realized her indecency and composed herself. Clearing her throat, she said, "Um, these...things are beyond reproach. Please give my compliments to Lady Mamoru."

Her eyes had already wandered several times to the rabbit pen nearby, and in the pause that followed her last statement she ended up breaking away to scamper over to the pen in as dignified a manner as she could. Her eyes shone as she watched the little creatures going about their business. "Awww!" she practically squealed. "I love rabbits!" When she saw a couple in the act of mating, however, she narrowed her brow. "What is that thing those two are doing?"

“They are breeding. These are native creatures of these new lands, who previously were starving and suffering in the wilderness. however because of the safety and food I have been supply them, they feel comfortable to simply eat their fill and procreate, as is the natural inclination of such beasts.” Butterfly explains as he follows Tabula. The other skeleton servants turn to Papillary and offer her their services as well.

“They had began to breed excessively since I had decided to make use of them. These are a few I have chosen to be worthy of companionship for whomever desires them. The others I have either released or given to other sections of the Chateau as fodder.” Butterfly than looked over towards Papillary. Though they were a fair bit of distance away, through one of the other skeletons Butterfly’s voice cold be heard. “Forgive me, I have hardly made proper introductions. I am Butterfly the Bone Daddy. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Mistress Papillary?”

"Oh." Butterfly's explanation made it sound like she should already know what breeding and procreation were. The fact that he, a metal undead, had been able to domesticate these animals in such a short time struck her as impressive. Having spent some time with a biology tome after taking her own rabbit as a pet, Tabula learned that the beasts were as skittish as they were unintelligent. No doubt they would make good fodder for those who needed some, although that word surely carried a different meaning to, say, Zouyu or Kaldorna compared to what it did to Graft. She wondered if he would appreciate her taking them all, keeping the companionable ones while giving him the rest for use as biomass. Sad as that thought was, she knew well the importance of that resource to the Factory.

While she watched and though, Papillary spoke to Butterfly. "I'm just here to keep an eye on Tabula. Make sure she's not a bother." Not a lie, but not the whole truth. Her tone expressed her disillusionment with her assignment, though to say she hated it wouldn't be right either. The trip was a long one and not every destination turned out as interesting as, say, Shadowtower Shrine.

After another few moments Tabula approached Butterfly, her idea arranged in an appropriately businesslike way. Now that she knew his last name, she could also address the head butler more properly. "Mr. Daddy, I'd be happy to take a couple pet rabbits to give Lago company. If there are no other takers, please consider henceforth sending excess rabbits to the Factory for the Director to recycle. I know he would be appreciative." There, a proposition that could benefit all parties involved. Graft would be proud!

Butterfly bowed his head. "I would be honored to give you these rabbits, Mistress Tabula." Some skeletons went to gently retrieve the skeletons. They didn't seem to bothered, even the ones who were in the process of breeding. Their less skittish attitudes was one of the main factors for why Butterfly choose to keep these rabbits. As the skeletons were going to give the rabbits, Butterfly also took out a small cloth sack. Inside contained some dirt with a strange grass growing from it. "By the way, while I was out I also discovered this curious grass. The gentle breeze of the forest enabled the grass to make various musical noises, and thought perhaps it may be worth researching. I'm certain the facilities of the Factory could expand on the grass's ability to create powerful acoustics or other potentially useful devices." He handed the bundle to Papillary.

Soon a group of skeletons would walk into the Bone Butler Quarters looking fairly disheveled, changing out from their dirty equipment and changing into a new pair of worker overalls and pickaxes. This also gave Butterfly another idea to entertain his guests. "Ah, would you like to visit the current mining operation? Mistress Mamoru had discovered a source of a currently unknown magical material near the Chateau. The skeletons have been working nonstop since day one to extract this ore. Perhaps there is something worth learning if you visit it yourself: unfortunately even if I were present, neither me or my fellow Skeletons would have any knowledge on minerals. We simply know what we are suppose to look for and bring all raw materials back to the Chateau for process and division."

So many gifts! Luckily, Tabula could pass the load of whistlegrass to one of her wingclaws and hold it there, leaving her hands free to fill with rabbits a moment later. "Thank you, sir. I'm certain the Director will be able to make good use of your find." With the plants out of the way, she could concentrate on the bunnies. Soft, lazy, and complacent, they were just about perfect.

Papillary pointed out one concern. "We've still got places to go, Tabula. You aren't planning to make the rest of the stops with an armful of rabbits, are you?"

For a moment it looked as though the Nightgaunt was considering it, but she quickly bowed to Papillary's wisdom. "Could I trouble you to have some skeletons bring them to Zouyu's garden?" she asked, wincing. Even if service was the butlers' whole reason for being, she didn't seem to want to impose any extra burden on their bony shoulders. "I have a pen there. They can live there peacefully, and Zouyu isn't allowed to eat them. The Factory air upsets them, you see." It upset her a little too, of course. Even the air of the literally lifeless Bone Butler Quarters tasted like heaven.

Based on that, going into a mine didn't sound like a fantastic option. Besides, the resource Butterfly mention rang a few bells for Tabula. She could take this chance to shed some light on it for him. "Is it amberlyte? Graft is studying it."

Shaking her head, Papillary reminded her, "He said magical. Amberlyte is anti-magical."

"Oh! Sorry..." Tabula said, like she'd dropped something important. "Er...I don't know if I want to look at any mines. But thanks for the offer! If there's anything else, I'd be glad to take a look." After visiting the other locales of the Chateau Tabula felt sure that there must be more to this place than there appeared, so she was angling for a tour.

Once more, the skeletons moved to transport the rabbits to Tabula's desired location. The skeletons have premission to enter the gardens, and a few even were assigned to assist in maintaining it, so there shouldn't be any issues. "Of course, Mistress Tabula. Visiting the mines is of no great importance, merely a chance opportunity to allow you and Mistress Papillary to explore outside of the Chateau. And this Amberlyte... I cannot say I am familiar with it. I've certainly not noticed any particular anti-magical qualities, considering my existence as a magical being, but perhaps that is simply a limitation of my understanding. I'm positive Master Graft can unearth it's true nature with his genius." As Butterfly says this he also has another idea. Honestly, there was only so much he could do to entertain his guests here in the Bone Butler's quarters considering nothing really interesting happens beyond the constant shifting of skeleton butlers. "I shall not take up any more of your time than needed, but perhaps you would like a few servants to accompany you, should you have need of them? The Bone Butlers are not the only undead I can create though they are the most cost-effective for their purpose. I can create more powerful or otherwise appealing creatures, such as elder lichs or Vampire Pages."

The general feeling had been leaning toward wrapping the visit up for a few moments now, but Tabula would not have said anything to suggest that her time would be better spent elsewhere. Her host, however, gave her the out she needed, and she smiled gratefully. "They seem nice, but I'll be fine without them, thanks. I probably should be getting to the next stop, actually. Thanks again for all this courtesy!" The Nightgaunt beamed, uncaring whether or not her calcium-rich compeers acknowledged or returned the sentiment. It seemed like there wasn't anything else to the Bone Butler Quarters, but that hardly meant she would be departing with a negative view of the place. On the contrary, it seemed like Butterfly and his associates were as helpful as they were competent. "You are all doing a great job," Tabula told them. "I'll look forward to seeing you all around." Barring any continuation, then, it was about time to go.

Butterfly bows his head, as did the other skeleton butlers nearby. "Thank you for your time, Mistress Tabula and Mistress Papillary. If there is anything you ever need, do not hesitate to call upon me or my fellow butlers. We are here to serve." Butterfly would remain bowing until the two leave. Once they do, the skeletons immediately return to their duties, even Butterfly. He needed to make a few more undead in preparation for the Chateau's future activities. Stronger ones than the bone butlers.

Epithet Erased: Use Your Words

Well, it's been a little more than a week at this point that the OOC's been up, which is more than most RPs before their IC begins I think, and there are still a number of applications in progress, some for people who haven't made their presence known in the OOC yet.

I'd appreciate a comment or some such from people in that boat. I'm also setting up a Discord server for us to chat if so desired. The link can be found in the OP.

Soul Eater: Apple of Discord

Other than more or less confirming Sloane's suspicions, Judea provided little in the way of help with her answer. Oh well; it'd be unrealistic to expect her to be a sort of walking encyclopedia when it came to witchcraft. As Judea moved farther away from the others Sloane accompanied her, listening with a stern expression. What came next was a strange question, especially consider not just the strength of the meister-blade duos here, but just how many there were. Judea asked if she would do anything if it meant living through this crisis.

It was a good thing Judea gave her the option of not answering straight away, since that was precisely what Sloane did. She kept thinking, her features conflicted, while her meister undressed and then waded out into the flooded grounds as a capybara. Am I willing to do whatever it takes to survive? Sloane asked herself. Well, it went without question that she wanted to live. Dying could be seen as the ultimate failure, to her friends, her family, and herself. An inevitable one, to be sure, but one a wise person could avoid for a long time. But did it meant throwing away everything else? Her morals, her pride? Those closest to her? Fragments of herself? Could Sloane cleave her axeblade through a student or two -or Judea herself- if it meant seeing the next sunrise?

The answer, of which she felt quite certain, was no. She could count many things that she would not give up. Instead, she felt certain that she would fight to the death to defend them. Even though she didn't know the other students that well, and most were dorks, she knew that she would risk her life in their defense. It was just what a good person would do. Still, she would have to consider whatever options that came her way in the course of her extended stay on Malum Island. Sloane felt no particular urge to seek a hero's death.

A look toward the miniature lake confirmed that Judea had slipped out of sight. Around the campsite, the other meisters and weapons were mostly lolling around. Sloane couldn't blame them; they faced an unprecedented and dangerous situation. But some progress needed to be made, so Sloane left the lakeside to her partner and went over to help set up tents.

Overlord: Momento Mori

Tabula's Tour: Part 1

Two pairs of footfalls echoed through the quiet hallway. Tabula fixed her eyes ahead, quietly excited. Only a short distance left now to the first destination on her grand tour of Chateau Gothika. Having seldom heard of its various facilities from either Graft or Papillary, who now accompanied her on this journey of hers, she was eager to see for real the places she’d only imagined. Graft had, of course, arranged an itinerary for her after contacting his various allies, and number one on the list was the domicile of the first person to respond: Shadowtower Shrine.

From the moment she heard it, the name sparked a special interest in her. How could a holy place be juxtaposed with darkness? How could an entire tower exist inside a building? And what would Ashara be like? At the meeting the other day, where all the most powerful and scary people inside the Chateau gathered to receive instruction from that terrifyingly awesome Lord Rodias, she’d listened to each name as it hit the air and tried to assign each to a face. The name Ashara, she remembered, belonged to the fancifully-dressed woman with long white hair and puffs coming from her backside. When she spoke at that conference, she did so in a reserved, polite manner, her countenance the very picture of elegance. Tabula hoped that she could learn from the lady’s example.

She stopped at the Shadowtower’s door, laid a hand against it, and paused. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and knocked.

The door that led into the tower opened, without any sort of resistance, as if Tabula's mere knock was enough to move it. Before the Nightgaunt, and her companion, lay the foot of the shrine, inside an ever ascending structure. The oh-so-infamous stairway, with narrow steps that zig-zagged upwards, without any spots to truly stop and rest on. The pair also noticed the lack of an elevator - something that the creator, Deka_Ribbon, had made sure to exclude. It was the creator's intent that anyone who wanted to visit her shrine would have to put in actual effort to do so.

All the trepidation and anticipation Tabula built up dissipated in a heartbeat as she was confronted by the sight beyond the door. Not an elaborate temple, not a radiant shrine, but a single staircase going up, up, up. On second thought, however, that wasn’t all there was.

Even at this lowest point, Tabula became aware of the gently floating, dancing and wispy ghostlights and small, translucent comet-shaped spirits that sailed around lazily in the air and open areas around both the stairway and the top-most area. It would take a good deal of walking to get up the stairs, unless one decided to fly or levitate themselves up. The structure seemed to follow the principle of a tall rectangular pillar, with the staircase wrapping around it and a plateau at the peak, whereupon the actual shrine rested. There was, however, something else of note - or rather, someone else.

A young fox-girl, similar to Ashara but with short, golden blonde hair in a bob-cut and red eyes, and only three tails which were as golden-furred as her hair, was walking down the staircase. She was dressed in the white kimono and red hakama that were traditional for shrine maidens, and the garb that everyone at the Shadowtower Shrine wore, except for Ashara. As she descended the last step, reaching the doorway where Tabula and Papillary stood, the girl bowed respectfully and gave a friendly smile.

"Greetings, Lady Papillary, and you must be Lady Tabula?" She said and asked with warm and friendly words. "I'm Mikoto, Lord Graft told us you would be visiting. Please, follow me." She explained, motioning for the two to walk with her up the stairs.

At a loss for what to do, Tabula copied the gesture, bowing back to Mikoto. “Hello. That’s me,” she told the little girl, noticing her animal features. A common thread among the Shrine’s denizens, maybe? When Mikoto beckoned her upward, the attendant’s tone genial and inviting, Tabula complied straightaway. It looked like a long way up, but after all her training the Nightgaunt knew she could handle it. As she glanced upward, though, she fluttered her wings. Were she not being politely escorted, now would be a good time to make use of them--if only she could. Alas, she had no idea how to fly, nor any winged comrades to learn from. So, she resigned herself to an extended climb, hardly able to wait to see what lay at the top.

As they walked, Mikoto remained mostly silent, a bit ahead of the guests. Tabula would notice however that despite the inside of the tower lacking anything in the veins of light sources, such as braziers, torches, lamps or magic luminous crystals, there was still something that made it as bright as day. Even though the surroundings looked as though they were dark as a night sky, somehow there was still light radiating from somewhere... Or everywhere?

Regardless, as they walked, some of the slow-floating spirits descended, gently flying sluggish circles around Tabula. Of course, they were mindless creatures, but even something that does not truly think can still be drawn to new or unfamiliar things.

As they came closer to the top however, Tabula would see first the distinctly asian-styled roof of the shrine, slowly growing with each step. The large, red tori gate that stood at the top of the stairs loomed over the climbers, like a gigantic doorway of crimson. Voices could be heard from the top as well, hushed and subtle, but equally full of energy and giddy excitement. It seemed Tabula wasn't alone in looking forward to her visit. As Mikoto climbed the last step, she turned back to her guests.

"Welcome, to Shadowtower Shrine." She said, making a sweeping motion with her hand towards the setting and scene before them.

The sight was rather remarkable. Apart from the three distinctly Japanese-styled buildings, each modeled after a real-world shrine, there was also the fact that the grounds were laid with sleek stone tiles, there seemed to be a small garden - complete with an archaic Japanese bamboo-fountain. There was a rack for laundry and an area with what looked to be slightly dark grass. However, none of these things truly compared to the reception.

Ashara, along with the entire ensemble of the shrine, stood lined up on either side of the path leading towards the main shrine. The cast of beast and spirit-animal girls, each with their tails and ears, dressed in their traditional miko-attire, were positioned with oldest-to-youngest, tallest-to-shortest, with Ashara and Mikoto closest to the stairs. All the girls wore warm faces, and the youngest ones' eyes sparkled with curiosity and interest as they looked at the new arrivals.

In practiced, close-to-perfect synchronized greetings, the entire shrine's populace bowed and spoke, their pitch and voices all slightly different, but overall it was clear they were well disciplined and rehearsed.

"Welcome to the Shadowtower Shrine, honored guests!" They all rang out, in a friendly and genuine way. While the other girls remained bowing, Ashara rose and approached the stairway and tori gate, smiling friendly. Her footsteps jingled lightly with the bells around her ankles, her hands clasped in front of her as she walked with poise and practiced grace. She stopped in front of Tabula, looking the nightgaunt straight in the eyes, a soft and friendly expression upon the fox-demon's face. She tilted her head slightly sideways, and spoke with a voice as smooth as silk.

"Welcome, Lady Tabula. I am Ashara Masamune." She paused, momentarily. "We are very honored to recieve you. Please, come this way and greet my dear girls. I am certain they wish to ask you many things." Ashara invited, making a gentle motion towards the other priestesses, who had now risen from their bows and were standing quietly, looking Tabula's way, each barely able to contain their curiosity about this purple-skinned visitor.

The Nightgaunt was overwhelmed. Even Papillary looked impressed, which was a feat given her facelessness. “Lady?” Tabula breathed, floored by the sheer formality and ceremony of the reception. In her meager white habit she felt like a stain on this perfect, exotic picture. Yet the others seemed so kind and accommodating that she couldn’t possibly shrink away into the shadows. Plus, there stood Ashara herself in all her glory, more gorgeous than anything she’d ever seen. “Oh, thank you! I’m...very honored to meet you all.” she breathed, flustered to the point of blushing by all the attention. Once again she copied the others’ bowing motion, hoping that it was appropriate. Then she hurriedly made to follow Ashara over to the gathering of shrine maidens. Papillary followed at a leisurely pace, content to let Tabula take the stage while she took in the sights. “I’ll answer anything I can!” the demoness said.

Alas, a mistake had been made. As soon as Tabula's words left her lips, she was swarmed! Surrounded on all sides by the animal-eared and animal-tailed priestesses, there was nowhere to run and no way to escape. They all stood around her, eyes sparkling and faces excited - especially those belonging to the youngest, who nearly bounced and bobbed up and down with overabundant eagerness.

"Why're you purple? So pretty!" One of the youngest half-asked, half-exclaimed.
"Can you fly with those wings?" Another asked.
"How did you get your hair so nice and smooth? I'm so jealous!" One of the older girls asked.
"Is that an acolyte's robe? It's so well-made, did Lady Aurora make it for you? So lucky..." Another said.
"Are you Lord Graft and Lady Papillary's daughter?" Someone behind Tabula asked, giggling as they did.
"Why'd you decide to come visit us?" Kyoko, the blue-haired ponytail-rocking fox-girl asked.

At the unsightly and complete collapse of decorum and order, Mikoto could do nothing but sigh and facepalm. Meanwhile, Ashara seemed to be enjoying the commotion, covering her mouth with a hand and laughing softly in a good-natured way. Mikoto turned to Papillary and bowed apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, milady. The girls... They, well, they get excited when someone comes to visit." The blonde explained, somehow hoping against hope that this hadn't made Papillary think of the shrine as a unorganized hive of chittering headless hens. Ashara just giggled softly at this too.

For her part, awash in excitably youngsters, Tabula was overjoyed. The sudden annihilation of formality made the situation a lot less uncomfortable and a lot more manageable. These kids, it turned out, were just kids after all, and she could talk to them like anyone else. “No problem!” she laughed through a wide smile.

Holding up a hand, she raised five fingers. “Well, I’m a Nightgaunt. Sort of like a demon, but also a little alien, whatever that means.” Not too long ago, she’d posed to Graft a question not too dissimilar. She folded her pinky down, signifying one question answered. “I think I can fly, but I don’t know how. Just waving them up and down doesn’t work.” Another finger. “It’s a habit. I’m training to become a paladin! Aurora did make it, but the Director changed it. Said it wasn’t ‘accommodating’ enough.” Next came the hair question. “It’s kind of just like that, but Papillary knows how to do some styling, and the Director makes some hair products.” The next question made her think for a moment, but with so many eager faces and eyes trained on her she couldn’t delay the answer long. “Er...Papillary, not so much. As for the Director...I don’t really know. Lady Light said he was, and she’d know better than me, so I guess so!”

But what did ‘father’ mean, exactly? She’d thought about Light calling Graft that, but it always seemed just a little too awkward to ask about.

The last question needed no such extra consideration. “Well, I wanted to take a break from my training and see the places inside the Chateau. The Director made a list of places to go in order called an ‘itinerary’. So I’ll be going pretty much everywhere.” Tabula looked up and around, still amazed. “But I don’t know how they can all be as incredible as this!”

Whenever Tabula spoke, the girls listened intently, neither interrupting or interjecting. Whenever she gave an answer, they either nodded or smiled broadly. When she answered the last question, the priestesses squealed in joy together, some clasping hands and jumping up and down, others giving one another hi-fives and two of the youngest even going so far as to latch onto Tabula and hug her legs, nuzzling her sides and abdomen. Mikoto sighed and clapped her hands together three times, and even though the clap wasn't particularly loud or forceful, it was enough to calm the excited menagerie down. Their heads turning to their second-oldest-big sister.

"Alright, alright. I know you all have things you want to say and show our guest, but please try and be a little more orderly. You can't all be pulling her arms and legs at the same time." The blonde fox said, holding up a wagging finger while one eye was closed. She sounded like a mother scolding a bunch of rowdy kids.

Meanwhile, Ashara made her way over to Tabula's side and spoke softly.

"Well then, why not ask Lady Tabula if there is something she wants to know? After all, you all got to ask her so much, it is only fair she gets a turn." The white-haired fox said, tails gently swaying to and fro. Turning her head, she smiled sweetly at Tabula. "So then, is there something you would like to know about? About the shrine? Or us maybe?"

Although rendered helpless for a time by the nuzzling, and not exactly helped by Ashara’s smile, Tabula managed to put herself back together. So many new sensations all at once. Her time in the Factory managed to be enjoyable once in a while, but engaging with so many energetic personalities like this was actually fun. “To be honest, I don’t know much of anything. So I’d be happy to hear anything about the shrine or about you all.”

Papillary sighed. She wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Still, there were far worse places to spend some time, and at least she wasn’t back in the Factory being overworked.

"Mikoto, can you go and bring some dumplings and tea for our guests?" Ashara said, to which the other fox nodded and excused herself politely, before walking away along the path towards the shrine proper, her sandal-clad feet tapping gently against the stone tiles. "Now then, if we are to answer your questions, we would be better off seated, yes?" Ashara said, turning to Tabula.

As if given wordless commands, two of the older priestesses unfurled a blanket, with a predominantly white color, though a few floral patterns were woven into it as well, along with red trim and accents along the edges. They placed it down on some of the flat, dark grass a small ways away from the main gate, and Ashara wasted no time waiting around. Walking over to the little picnic-spot, she sat herslf down upon her knees, as she usually did, her haori robe and tails spreading out across the grass beside and behind her as she did.

Some of the younger shrine maidens joined as well, urging Tabula and Papillary to come join them. The older ones however, bowed respectfully and went on their ways - returning to chores and duties of the everyday variety which still needed to be done, guests or no guests. Ashara tookk a lazy glance over the shrine, her girls and then landing her purple eyes on Tabula, studying her for a while before speaking with her soft voice.

"Well then, to answer your question. This shrine was created by our Mistress, Lady Deka_Ribbon, one of the ten Sable Lords." She started. "Everything you see here, from the buildings, the grass, the stairwell you ascended to get here, and even the perpetual night that surrounds us and the spirits and ghostlights that sail above... All of it are Mistress Deka_Ribbon's doing and design." Ashara spoke, almost reverently, and her face had an expression of both admiration and gratitude all across it. It was clear the fox was very fond of both her creator and her creations.

Tabula’s countenance held the same reverence. She knew almost nothing of the Sable Lords, and every time she tried to think about Brushen Penn -the creator of the Factory, Graft, and Papillary- her mind got fuzzy. So she continued to listen at rapt attention.

"We, all those you have met here today, are the children of our Mistress. Each birthed and molded by her hand and will alone."
"Lady Ribbon's amazing!" One of the youngsters chimed in.
"She can do anything! She's so cool!" Another added, nodding vigorously. Ashara simply laughed softly in amusement.
"Yes, she certainly was an amazing woman." Ashara added, though she still smiled, her eyes held a hint of melancholic sadness, as if remembering a bittersweet memory from long ago.

"Hey, hey! Tabby!" One of the girl's suddenly said, pulling at Tabula's wing gently. "Did you know that Lady Ashara was 'spose to be a Chapter Keeper just like Lord Grafty?" She asked, eyes sparkling.

The Nightgaunt shook her head. “I didn’t know. How strange.” She ran a hand through her hair in silence, thinking as she looked about. From the Shrine’s atmosphere to the garb of its attendants, everything seemed cultivated and cultured, but something eluded her. After a moment she started again. “It’s certainly a beautiful area. Lady Deka Underscore Ribbon must have been a visionary. If...I may ask, what exactly is it for? What do you all do?” She glanced about as if a look around would turn up an answer. “For the guild, I mean.”

Ashara put a finger to her chin, as if thinking genuinely thinking about the question very seriously. The young priestesses looked at each other, puzzled and almost confused, before turning their gaze back to Tabula. After a short period of silence, Ashara turned back to look at the Nightgaunt as well.

"Well... Nothing, I suppose?" She answered earnestly and flatly.

Tabula looked vaguely befuddled as she mulled that over. “Hmm…” she said a couple seconds later. “That’s odd. I thought every area of the Chateau contributed something. ‘Every cog has its role to play in the machine’, the Director said. If there’s no purpose for this existing, then why…?”

She was looking at her surroundings again, in all their glory, and something occurred to her. “Oh. Hmm.” Now that she thought about it, it made sense. “Maybe just existing and being beautiful is enough. You said Lady Deka Underscore Ribbon designed it all. Clearly she did it with love and care. That means the Shadowtower Shrine is a work of art, right?” Tabula smiled sheepishly. “...Sorry about my rudeness. I just can’t help but wonder about these things, you know?”

Ashara simply smiled in a way that only she could. When many of her peers and colleagues would have been outraged or become defensive when the very existence of themselves or their domain was questioned, it didn't seem to even phase the fox. Furthermore, as Tabula reasoned and rationalized, Ashara's tails began to sweep back and forth, though only slightly, on the grass behind her.

"That may be." She said, uncommited and vague. "Perhaps you are right, and we are nothing more than beautiful flowers to be gazed upon and enjoyed. Perhaps we are little more than decorations for the Chateau." Ashara looked away for a bit, letting her head and eyes take in the sights of the shrine, the courtyard and the girls going back and forth. She spoke again, as her eyes rested on the approaching Mikoto, who was making way towards them - with a wooden tray in hands. "I cannot say that Lord Graft is wrong, he is a far wiser man than I... Perhaps there is meaning and purpose to all things, but I do not know of it." She turned back to Tabula, smiling friendly. "And to be honest, I am not certain I would want to." She let out a soft, single laugh.

Tabula, solemn of face, said nothing. Papillary continued to.

A moment later, Mikoto had returned and sat herself down as well, on her knees just like Ashara. She had brought a tray, upon which stood a pair of clay mugs and a tea pot, along with a small plate that was absolutely buried under a small hill of delectable-looking dumplings.

"Lady Papillary, Lady Tabula, here you are. Please, enjoy yourselves." The blonde fox said, bowing her head and pouring the tea for the two guests, as well as sliding the plate towards the two.

Graciously accepting the offered food, Tabula enjoyed it immensely. Of course, Papillary could only splash the tea against her head, but she didn't seem unhappy. Both of them, in fact, harbored a new sense of respect for the denizens of Shadowtower Shrine. Not everyone could take such questioning maturely, after all.

The visitors continued to enjoy the Shrine's hospitality, chatting with their hosts, for a good while.

However, the casual and merry chatter came to an abrupt halt, as Mikoto had scooted closer to her mistress and now gently tugged at her sleeve.

"Lady Ashara." She said in a quieter-than-usual voice. Ashara turned her head and looked at her fellow fox, head slightly titled with a confused expression on her face. "Please don't tell me you've forgotten..." The blonde asked, face exasperated as she let out a sigh. Ashara tapped her own cheek, trying her very best to recall what it may have been that she should not have forgotten... It... It did not go so well...

"Remember? Lady Tabula's present?" Mikoto whispered halfheartedly, looking sternly at her supposed superior.
"Ah!" The white-haired one let out, in a mix of surprise and revelation. "Of course! Girls, could you run and fetch 'it' for us?" Ashara requested, looking at the youngsters who had - somehow - managed to steal a dumpling each, without anyone noticing. With cheeks full of the delicious treat - making them look like little squirrels almost - they let a muffled 'Kay~!' out, as they took off running, heading for the shrine.

"We had a little something prepared for you, since this is your first real visit to your family outside the Factory." Ashara said, both her and Mikoto smiling warmly at both Nightgaunt and Flesh Golem. It didn't take long for the pair of noisy kids to come running back, holding something under their arms as they moved in close proximity to each other. Once back at the picnic blanket, they unveiled their prize, with a high-tension 'ta-daa~!'.

Placing it down on the blanket, in front of Tabula, the girls laid a set of clothes. To be more precise, it was the same kind of outfit that Mikoto and the other priestesses were wearing. However, unlike the ones that the shrine maidens of the shrine wore, this one had been altered in the back a bit, to allow wings to be slipped through. It was neither a particularly high-tier or remarkable piece of equipment in terms of statistics or enhancements, but it had been blessed through a communal ritual of all the priestesses at the shrine, giving it a small boost to 'Luck' when worn.

"It might not fit you perfectly, but I am certain Lord Graft and Lady Papillary can help you make any adjustments to it that you need." Ashara said.
"It's not exactly fit for combat or anything, but we thought you might want a little variation in your wardrobe." Mikoto added, her three tails wagging happily. "Plus, this way, you can bring a little bit of the shrine with you wherever you go." She said, the biggest smile she'd had through all the visit now plastered on her face.

Tabula was beaming. In fact, tears welled up in her eyes. "You…" she sputtered. "You're too kind. Surely the Shadowtower must be meant to make people feel special, and beloved. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

Both Ashara and Mikoto, at the same time, placed a hand on both of their guest's shoulders, smiling in a kindhearted and happy manner.

"If you insist on repaying us..." Mikoto started.
"Then promise to come visit us again." Ashara added, winking quickly. "It is rare we get guests, much less ones that are so cute. If you ever feel the need or desire, please come and stay a while, it would brighten our day." The white-haired fox said sincerely.

Tabula blushed furiously.

Mikoto, while enjoying the moment, suddenly stiffened. Her taila went rigid and her ears perked up, as if on alert.

"Oh! Lady Tabula, Lady Papillary, I almost forgot! You had other places to visit today, and here we are, taking so much of your time." The miko apologized. Ashara seemed unconcerned though. "Whenever you wish to leave, please, go behind the shrine and pass through the blue gate there." The blonde instructed.
"Yes, that would be a lot quicker then climbing the stairs all the way back down again." Ashara laughed, cupping her own cheek as she did so.
"The gate will take you straight to the Chateau's entry hall, right in front of the gates to the outside. You might feel a bit... Disoriented, since the teleportation occurs almost seamlessly, but... It's alot faster than walking, that's for sure." Mikoto half-warned, half-explained - still smiling though.

The two youngsters who had been with the older ladies this entire time both pouted now, each of them having moved to sit closer to Tabula and hold onto either of her sleeves. She seemed alarmed

"Tabby has to go?" One asked sadly.
"Already?" The other added, equally sad.
"Come now, Lady Tabula has many places still to visit in the Chateau. It is a big place after all." Ashara said, petting the heads of her tiny, selfish sisters. "We cannot keep her all to ourselves... At least, not right now." Ashara added, a sly and playful smirk on her face, her tails swaying mischievously behind her.
"You..." Mikoto said with another sigh. "Always trying to steal the pretty ones. You know Lord Graft would be furious with you." Mikoto stated, hands on her hips and one eye closed, while the other one looked at Ashara judgmentally.
"Fufu~" Ashara laughed.
"Also, don't you have somewhere to be, Lady Ashara?" Mikoto then said, a not-so-good smile on her face. Ashara's face stopped smiling, and went pale instead. "Well then, while our esteemed High Priestess reflects on the meaning of being on time for important matters, why don't I see you out, Lady Tabula, Lady Papillary?" Mikoto said offhandedly, as if Ashara's plight was none of her concern.

Tabula remained a little on edge, wondering why -and how- Ashara could possibly want to steal her. And how did being cute factor in? Still, she decided not to let it bother her. After such a wonderful visit, she couldn’t fathom not wanting to come again--in fact, she didn’t want to leave. But her all-important itinerary demanded her departure, so departure it would be.

The visitors accompanied Mikoto to the blue gate. Going through it moved them instantly and unceremoniously to the entrance of the Chateau, causing a few seconds’ disorientation but nothing severe. “Wasn’t that wonderful?” Tabula asked her companion.

“It was something, alright.” Evidently Papillary did not share her charge’s jubilation. “Still, don’t get obsessed or anything. Different doesn’t mean better. And you should keep up your guard around that Ashara woman. Good-looking people make others hungry, and that can lead to bad things.”

“I guess…but still, aren’t you a bit grumpy?” Tabula furrowed her brow, trying to study Papillary’s features. “We just got royal treatment in an amazing place. And gifts, too. Are Graft’s experiments just that bad?”

Papillary was glancing sidelong at the outfit given to the Nightgaunt. “You think?”

Naturally, Tabula followed the secretary’s gaze. “...Did you want a present like this, too?”

Crossing her arms, Papillary looked away. “No...I just think it’s funny how you got the priestess gear when you’re becoming a paladin and I’m the actual priestess. I mean, I know why.” She jabbed a thumb toward Tabula’s bust.

“Do you want it?”

“...no.”

“Are you sure?”

“Shut up. Let’s get going already.”

World of Light

With this last post of mine, we've entered downtime. People are free -and encouraged- to go anywhere and interact with anyone they might want to. This includes all accessible areas and NPCs. If you don't know what to do by yourself, try putting combinations of characters together and imagining what might come of their interactions. It's also a time for maintenance, explanation, and relaxation. Let's have some fun!

World of Light

Tora and Poppi

Level 6 Tora - (28/60) EXP and Level 5 Poppi - (36/50) EXP
Location: Devil's Casino, Inkwell Isle
Word Count: 1005

Nero squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them and blinked twice in quick succession. As a devil hunter he'd been through the wringer, tossed around by giant monsters, caught up in whirlwinds of fire and ice, and obliged to fight headache-inducing Blitzes and Chaoses, but still he'd never experienced anything quite like that. The smells of smoke and booze, rare and unpleasant to his senses, helped revive him. He was lying on his stomach halfway beneath a craps table, a stool across one arm and his back, and there was something large and heavy on his head. Grunting, he pushed it off to his right, at which point it began to wiggle.

“Meh meh meh?” the fuzzy, egg-shaped thing said, rolling onto the ground beside Nero. He stared at his new acquaintance as he came to his own senses. “Why everything go funny?”

On Nero's left, a girl with periwinkle-colored pigtails and a maid hat crawled out from beneath a wine-stained tablecloth. She seemed relatively nonplussed. “At this point, Poppi not ask questions.”

To be honest, Nero agreed. “You know,” he said, speaking as if nothing about the situation was wrong. “The fact that this isn't anywhere near the weirdest thing that happened today says a lot.” He pursed his lips at Tora. “You some kind of ball hamster, pal?”

The Nopon shook his head, for all that accomplished on someone with no neck. “Nope. Am Tora!”

With that question answered in a very helpful manner Nero extracted himself from the mess and stood up, giving the odd pair a hand in the process. Poppi gave a polite smile. “Thank you.”

“Don't mention it.” The devil hunter looked around. The casino floor was in a state of remarkable disarray, but the heroes were picking themselves up. Some were even starting to help tidy up. It wasn't long before Nero tracked down the ringleader: the solemn-looking sheriff with the great hound at his side. Also on hand were the Ace Cadet and Linkle, who he'd never seen, as well as Donnie and Death, two companions of his on the harrowing trip through the Dead Zone. And, of course, Bowser. He and the oversized, suspiciously demonic-looking turtle had never met, but he couldn't have missed glimpsing Bowser while at Hammerhead. Bowser wanted to know where in the world he'd ended up at the moment, which represented a fairly common line of inquiry at the moment.

Having recovered from the sudden shift as well as a momentary entrapment beneath the Ace Cadet, the demoness known as Megaera decided to answer it, although not without a strain of irritation in her voice. “Devil's Casino, in the Inkwell Isles. Sitting right in the middle of the western bay. Wasteland to the south, Lominscuttle Town to the north. How did you get here?”

The Houndmaster looked upward, nodding his head. “That inexplicable hole. Some spacial devilry on the part of that charlatan. Despite his departure, it remains agape...we should be able to return from whence we came.” He produced a whistle and gave it a blow. Movement stirred above, and after a moment a number of ropes dropped down into the casino.

Tora, meanwhile, had been thinking. He remembered the enormous map laid out the other day across the dinner table in Peach's Castle—memories made during mealtime, after all, tended to stick with him. “If friends in east bay, but Land of Adventure on west...” Eyebrows raised, he looked up at the others, landing ultimately on Bowser. “That means we on other side of whole map! If hole stay around, that mean we have way to travel huge distance aside from Blazermate teleporter!”

"Masterpon got it backwards," Poppi told him.

It was at that point that the attention casino patrons, who'd all more or less recovered and been muttering in low tones, became keenly felt by the Houndmaster. His whistle had drawn their gaze, and a statement needed to be made. Clearing his throat, he climbed on top of a nearby table and began putting the facts together. Then he started to speak. “People of Inkwell Isle,” he said in a loud voice, “As a keeper of the law I hereby condemn the manager of this establishment, known as Gneidxick, for impersonation, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Furthermore, this space is now juxtaposed to the Land of Adventure by way of this rift. As such the casino will be temporarily shuttered, until such time that the wrongs perpetuated here are put to right. You should return to your various domiciles.”

Slowly, the patrons started to move. None seemed very happy, but nobody planned to challenge the Houndmaster with such an impressive army at his back. Some disappeared or morphed away, but most left through the front door. When it became clear that the lawman's declaration was being respected, he addressed the various heroes and adventurers around him. “As should we. Let us ascend, recuperate, and lay this nonsense to rest.”

The statement sent the whole assembly into motion. Tora and Poppi didn't plan to wait in any lines for their chance to climb up, so the artificial blade simply picked her masterpon up and boosted back into the Land of Adventure. They touched down amid a crowd of onlooking townspeople gathered to watch the situation unfold, and for the first time got a good look at the hole Gneidxick left. While pretty large, it sat squarely in the middle of the guild hall, and there seemed to be plenty of space to go about business as usual. “Wonder how Bowser will get up,” Tora mused aloud, peering doubtfully at the anchored ropes that most would be using to make the ascent.

“Since hole seems permanent, maybe people work together to make some sort of lift,” Poppi suggested.

“Ooh, that sound like fun.” Predictably, Tora's mind already raced to come up with ideas to make the notion a reality. “If we get wheels, cranks, chains, and plenty of wood, Tora could probably make with help of pretty smith sisters.” A moment passed before he caught Poppi's sternly disapproving expression. “...What?”

Results!

Party: @Yankee's Ace Cadet, @DracoLunaris's Bowser, Bowser Jr, and Kamek, @ProPro's Courier 6, [@MULTI__MEDIA_MAN]'s Geralt, @Dawnrider's Hat Kid, @Gentlemanvaultboy's Linkle, @thedman's Michael & Franklin, Lugubrious' Tora & Poppi
Encounter Reward: +13 EXP
Play Yourself Bonus: Bowser, Bowser Jr, Kamek, Hat Kid, Linkle
Play Yourself Reward: +2 EXP
The Play Yourself Bonus was awarded to anyone who took a load off the GM's back by writing out their battle, including the miniboss, and characterizing them correctly

Epithet Erased: Use Your Words

@Lugubrious Yes, please. Thank you.

@GamerXZ

Here you are:

For GamerXZ

-Pontiff
-Rubbish
-Eggbeater
-Tubing
-Filk

@Lugubrious Edits made.

@Rockin Strings

Looks good. Accepted.