opal

[soulping]

Comments

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

Hang in there ...

[ Reluctantly tears herself away, checking out the lamp next. ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[Touching the lamp gives you a sense of solace. You’re strong enough to last through your circumstances, even if you doubt it sometimes. If you take it day by day, someday you’ll be somewhere better.]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ … Pats the lamp. ]

You're right, you know. You will be somewhere better.

[ Okay, window, you're next in line for examination. ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[Touching the window gives you an immediate sense of hope rising in your chest. Out there is an entire world that you have yet to see - you’re going to get there someday. You won’t be stuck here forever.]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ It's true. It's good. ]

[ … Almost surprisingly good, given what they're here for. Aoko lingers by the window, hand resting gently against it, for a long minute. Or two. Eventually, though, she pulls herself away again, walking slowly back towards the record player. ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[The same message is still repeating over and over.]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ Looking for some kind of off switch! ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[The off switch doesn't work. Is the record player even connected to a power source?]

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[yes hello I am also here]

What's happening?

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

Oh! Uhm. Hi …

[ AOKO'S BREAKING SHIT ]

I was trying to open the closet door—I think that's where the shadow's lurking, or at least a part of it.

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[Stop breaking shit]

Alright, I'll check it out. Stay behind me.

[TO THE CLOSET]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[You open the closet and the entire room changes. What was neat and orderly a moment ago now looks like a tornado has passed through. All the furniture is now in disarray, strewn all around. A layer of debris and filth is spread over the floor, and messages are scrawled angrily on the walls:

Why was I born?

Why didn’t they love me?

What did I do wrong?

If you look closely, you can see the writing instruments that were used to write the messages not far from where they’re written.

Additionally, you can now see a variety of objects in the closet. There’s a small model of a birthday cake, a doll, some strange kind of gun, a throw pillow that has the word “family" embroidered onto it, a small potion bottle, and… a razor?

You think you can glimpse something else at the back of the closet, but something tells you that these items are important. Perhaps you should look through them?]

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[HE CAN'T SEE SHIT!!!!!]

[but fine he's gonna check them out]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[what does he happen to grab first]

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[The cake]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[The candles on the model of the cake flicker, very much alive and active. As soon as you touch the model, you receive a memory. As the memory progresses, you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop… But when it does, that doesn’t stop it from hurting. You’re so ashamed and embarrassed and angry that it’s hard to speak.]

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[WHAT IS THIS MOTHER!!!!!!]

[lets go of the cake abruptly]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ Natalie :( ]

[ Does anything happen if she touches the writing on the walls? ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[There's an overwhelming feeling of loneliness and anger.]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ The loneliness strikes a chord with her. All of that time spent waiting, playing second fiddle to a lousy, two-bit, no good thief … ]

[ Aoko lets out a sharp puff of a breath, and turns to search the wreckage for something she might be able to write with. ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[If you look closely, you can see the writing instruments that were used to write the messages not far from where they’re written.]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ TAKIN' ONE ]

[ And writing, carefully—

"Why was I born?" gets: "Because everyone is full of potential, and there is a bright future waiting for you."

"Why didn't they love me?" gets: "Some people don't appreciate what they have, or they don't know how to show it. They should learn, because you deserved better. But more importantly than that: you are loved. Don't ever forget that."

"What did I do wrong?" gets: "You did nothing wrong." ]

Re: HOUSE

[justichthys]

[ How else do you stop a record from playing? ]

[ After a moment to consider, she tries to lift the needle. ]

Re: HOUSE

[soulping]

[As soon as you do, it shoots off the player and careens towards the closet, shattering the record and sending the door slightly ajar.]

Re: HOUSE

[ghettobatman]

[TO THE DOOOR]