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

[literalidiotball]

Uh... Which bell are we talking about again?

[He's holding the cowbell and the bell with the cord loop.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He will take the ornate bell]

Step back.

[Ruler warns, only hanging the bell once Wheatley and Takumi aren't immediately next to him]

[goldenmaniac]

The old one. Come on.

[ He will protecc good robot]

[foundationmods]

[As he hangs it, it knocks against the bars, making a dull clonk sound.

From the door behind the table, a click can be heard.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He exhales softly, slowly pulling his hands away]

[literalidiotball]

...

Well. That could have been worse.

[He's gonna take that leftover bell here... So now he has all the bells that were not hung.]

[goldenmaniac]

Want a bag to put those in, Wheatley?

...and I hope you don't judge me if I'm a little nervous about opening this one...

[literalidiotball]

Oh, definitely.

[Hoping they all fit.]

After that last room I don't blame ya. Coulda died back there.

[goldenmaniac]

Yeah...

[He takes off one of his hip bags, transferring his knickknacks to the other one, and latches it around Wheatley's 'waist']

There we go!

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He steps back and follows after]

Let's see what else is in store for us.

[foundationmods]

[When they open the door...

An intense burning smell comes from it.

Stepping inside, it's clear to see why.

Everything in the room is burnt, from plastic slag to paper ashes. In the center of the room, there is a circular space that has been spared from the apparent blaze that took place in this room at one time.

It is a piece of cotton, some ether, a lighter, and a small wooden mallet.]

[literalidiotball]

. . . Ooooh.

We were supposed to gather those things in the center...

[He looks at his new bag. The bells are useless.]

[goldenmaniac]

[Takumi fiddles with his goggle straps]

Let's take the bells anyways. Never know.

... though... wow, what happened here? It smells awful...

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He covers his nose - god that smell is horrible]

I think this is the 'gather what remains' is what hasn't been burned... ah! Careful! That's Ether, it's extremely volatile.

[Actually...]

I think I'll hold onto these.

[literalidiotball]

Good idea. I'll just... Take the kid and lead him out.

[Just awkwardly grabs Takumi and leaves the burnt place.]

[goldenmaniac]

Eh?

[Takumi doesn't resist. Here we go]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He'll scoop up the unburned items and will return to the bell room]

I believe this is what we're suppose to be creating smoke with.

[literalidiotball]

Yeah... They do look flammable... What did the step after that say again?

[goldenmaniac]

"On the sixth night, let the sins ring loud and clear with the smoke."

So light the fire, then ring the bell... probably with the mallet. I dunno if it needs the full 108 rings. That'd be a little much.

[literalidiotball]

Okay, we got that down...

And then after that it was "leave the holy land entirely" so... I guess we light the fire, ring the bell, and RUN.

[improbablenotimpossible]

Probably not, but we will see.

[He starts to light up the brazier, and once he sees smoke, he starts to ring the bell with the mallet]

[foundationmods]

[As he rings it, at first it sounds...dull.

Like hitting wood.

But as the smoke turns into fire....

a beautiful bell tone rings out, as the bell is heated.

What happens next is almost instantanious.

First, There is a loud rumbling from outside, near the statues.

Secondly....the room they are in suddenly bursts into flames on the corners, the door they originally came from swinging open.

Huh. Looks like wheatley was right three times.]

[literalidiotball]

Thanks!

[He puts the bells on the table for a sec to fumble with the zipper.]

You know, I always kept telling the scientists, "this body should have pockets." And they all tell me that's a stupid idea. And it's not, I mean, I gotta have a place to put things in! So this is an improvement, clearly.

[He got it open, now to put the bells in and zip it up.]

.... There.

And- Obviously you probably need your bags, so maybe you could tell me what store you got these ones at? If we ever get out of here alive?

[goldenmaniac]

Oh, of course! We can get whatever color you like.

[literalidiotball]

Thanks! I'm gonna owe you one for this!

[All "smiles" until they get to the fire room.]