week one afterparty ★ where is this warmth going? when it's tomorrow, it'll vanish

[excavated]

The day had ended on a rather solemn note, with not just one innocent dead, but two.

Both the Great Detective, Erika Furudo and the magical girl known as Cure Aqua, Karen Minazuki were killed in cold blood, and all that was left behind was a pool of blood that acknowledged their deaths. And yet, in spite of that, they had to move forward... 🗈

Of course, in spite of the lingering feeling that hung in the air, the possible suspicion that would probably stick through them for the rest of their stay here, if not for the rest of their lives.

Being used to death, he knew very well the sting of having blood on your own hands. He understood too well the consequences. But he didn't want people to simply just blame themselves for something that wasn't entirely their fault.

Which is why after a while, he goes on ahead to search people out to tell them that if they would prefer not to be alone, they can come to the dining room and that there will be food. For those who stay in their rooms, however, they'll find a neatly handwritten letter:

To the one who might read this:

We're dealing with a difficult time and I know that because of this turn of events, that people might start to distrust one another and even make the decision to not face the future. But I don't want to hide and run away from our present; I want all of us to face the reality and change the future so that it isn't a sad one. I'm certain that the two that we lost would not want that from us, either.

Feel free to meet me in the dining room if you wish to mourn, or if you'd wish to not face all of this alone. Nobody deserves to be alone on a day like this. Food will be provided. Don't force yourself to come, though.

- Syaoran

Set up in the dining area are a lot of various comfort foods - a lot of soup based dishes, kebabs, hot pots, you name it. Even if the times are difficult, especially with the results, at the very least there's a small glimmer hope, right...?

Comments

[goldenmaniac]

Right...

[He starts going down, slowly and carefully in case of traps]

[literalidiotball]

Pfft, yeah. You don't have to be Sherlock fo figure that out....

[He has no idea who Ruler really is, but he's following behind and doing his best to keep the light steady.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[There was a smaller laugh, more to himself that sounds a touch bitter. He heads down, using his cane to feel the floor in front of them]

[foundationmods]

[There's no traps, thankfully.

As they head down, there's a lightswitch on the wall near the stairwell - which will turn on the rest of the lights in the area.

What faces them are...some oddly spaced out doors. To the west, there are three. To the east, there's one, and to the north, there are two.]

[goldenmaniac]

More puzzle, you think?

[literalidiotball]

Huh... Looks like it. Either that or the architects didn't know what they are thinking.

[He turns off the flashlight once it is no longer needed.]

Alright, which door...

[improbablenotimpossible]

"On the first night... kill the one who is alone."

[Ruler calls out, seeming to be reciting]

East would be my suggestion, if we're taking 'night' to mean stops or rooms.

[goldenmaniac]

That's what I was thinking too. And it'd fit with the logic of the first part. Translate the hints to literal actions.

[literalidiotball]

Uh... Yes! Right! That is clearly what we're supposed to do.

[He has no idea what he's doing.]

Lead the way!

[foundationmods]

[As they touch the handle of the eastern door, it unlocks with a click...and they step through to...!

...Another room.

This time, there are 4 doors. One north, one east, one south, and one west.

They have no markings on them.]

[goldenmaniac]

"Strike the head once, and kill."

Any ideas?

[literalidiotball]

Uh.....

I think we have to take down the door in front of us, right?

[improbablenotimpossible]

Or North. As that is how you tend to orient yourself before...

striking, knocking? I think you might be onto something Wheatley.

[goldenmaniac]

...

[Knock?]

[foundationmods]

[There's a click.

Go through?]

[literalidiotball]

[He was right again! This is the second time it happened and he's feeling validated already!]

Yes! Wonderful! Knew that would do the trick!

Let's go in!

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He'll follow after, recalling the next line]

[foundationmods]

[The moment all of them step into this room, the door behind them shuts and locks.

There is a table in the center, with a single flower on it.

On each of the doors is a number.

North - 1
South - 5
East - 7
West - 9]

[goldenmaniac]

Oh, like in the garden I think? Maybe petals?

[literalidiotball]

[Wheatley startles at the sound of the lock.]

Oi! Ah... Yeah, let's hope it's petals and not a death trap, since I think I heard the door lock just now.

[Are they in danger?]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He glances over at the door warily before gently picking up the flower to closely examine it]

It does appear to have five petals, but they are conjoined... Hm. I think on closer look, while they are joined together, they would not be viewed as a 'single petal'.

[goldenmaniac]

Oh... we should be drawing a map as we go too. So we don't get turned around.

[He has his hip bags thankfully so he sits to do so.]

[literalidiotball]

Uh... Right. Did anyone grab a pencil and paper before we walked in here?

[improbablenotimpossible]

I'm afraid I have been caught off guard here. But I do recall our path up to this point.

[goldenmaniac]

I have some, don't worry. Bag of Holding.

[The hip bags are full of Stuff]

We can mark things if we need to, too.