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

[improbablenotimpossible]

I believe we should count it as five.

[goldenmaniac]

Agreed.

[He goes to the southern door and gives it a try]

[foundationmods]

[It opens....but, uh.

How close are wheatley and ruler to you?]

[literalidiotball]

[He's close to Ruler, so...]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He's at the table]

[foundationmods]

[...oh dear.

Because there's a pitch black pit right at the door, and Takumi has just stepped into it.

Here's hoping you can grab the ledge, Takumi!]

[goldenmaniac]

[He yelps and twists and tries to grab-!! ]

[literalidiotball]

OH NO!

[Wheatley's rushing to the door. Hopefully Takumi isn't dead when he gets there!!! PLZ GRAB THE LEDGE AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[Ruler drops the flower and bolts forward, practically sliding before dropping down to grab at Takumi to pull him up]

Hold on!

[literalidiotball]

[Oh thank god, Wheatley's not gonna get in Ruler's way... Because he tripped and fell on his face.

Good job, robot.]

[goldenmaniac]

[Takumi clings to Ruler as he's pulled up]

A...ah... g-guess it was "1"...

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He'll allowed it, and even gives Takumi a tight squeeze once they've both been pulled to safety, his shoulders shaking]

I am such an idiot. I should have realized it was too obvious of an answer.

[literalidiotball]

Ow... Right...

[Wheatley's just gonna... Slowly get up... Diagnostics look good enough to him, just has to get to his feet.]

[goldenmaniac]

Wheatley, are you okay??

[He lets Ruler go, but looks up at him sternly]

Mistakes happen... you're not giving up, right?

[Talking about this puzzle. Sure. He totally is]

[improbablenotimpossible]

I'm not.

[God Takumi probably heard how hard Ruler's heart was hammering during that brief hug]

I need to sharpen my senses - I've been relying too much on things that isn't just my own wits until now.

[literalidiotball]

I'm fine! I'm fine. Just... Using legs is harder than it looks.

[He's up! He's up! Good. Wheatley is on his feet, and Takumi is not dead. All is right with the world.]

I don't really plan on giving up now! I mean, the door locked behind us. So we kind of have to.

[He gives the pit door a nervous glance.] Though maybe it might be smarter if we looked before we go through door number one?!

[goldenmaniac]

Good.

[He sure did, though his was just as bad if not worse]

And... yeah, let's check this time, heh.

[improbablenotimpossible]

Right. It is the only other answer that would make sense.

[foundationmods]

[Thankfully, as they pick it - the door clicks, and reveals another room.

...However, this one is very different.

There is a...small brasier on a table? with two poles on each side, connecting together and looking like something needs to be hung on it.

Nearby, there are all kinds of bells, all of them looking like they could be hung from that miniature brasier and poles.

In front of them, beyond the table, is another door.]

[literalidiotball]

Uh...

[Wheatley just stares at all the bells.]

[goldenmaniac]

"Hang the sinner to the gallows"

How can a bell be a sinner?

[improbablenotimpossible]

It could be metaphorical? Sometimes bells are rung at executions, to excommunicate a sinner, or chase away evil spirits.

[literalidiotball]

Hm... Which bell though?

[He walks up and picks up two random bells. He rings one, then the other.]

Huh.

[goldenmaniac]

The steps after this one talk about the gallows too... so there might be more to it.

"On the fifth night, gather what remains and return to the gallows.
On the sixth night, let the sins ring loud and clear with the smoke."

Sins 'ringing'

[improbablenotimpossible]

And we're likely going to need to light the braiser during this. The bell with the cord is a ship's bell, and unlikely to be the one, two of them appear to be cowbells...