ROUND 5 WATCHING POST

[foundationmods]

Everyone who was there in some shape or form for the meeting on March 1st gets a notice that soon, the location where they'll have to go to watch what happened in the Winchester Incident will be made available for them. Frisk requests a list of those going to see what happened, but doesn't seem to discourage high numbers.

And shortly before the 30th, those that signed up will finally get a name and place - The Hayes Mansion, only a little bit away by drive from the Winchester House. As they drive, the more magically inclined might be able to sense a powerful barrier emanating from the direction the Winchester House is located, though they'll be unable to see anything.

Arriving there, they'll find that any and all other guests have been removed from the Hotel resort, and there's a sign on the door saying that it is Closed for major renovation and fumigation, which would explain the outfits you were given to be 'seen' walking into the place with, as well as all the vans and 'containers' you were told to put your belongings into.

Once inside, a helpful staff member directs you to put the costumes into a specific bin for collection- unless, of course, you would like to keep wearing them - and then another directs you to the front desk, where a pleasant, yet authoritative man is waiting.

Comments

[excavated]

[well, while Silver decides to ask

what exactly is the dropped bowl of food? what does it smell like? GIVE ME THE CURSED FOOD LORE, ESKI]

[foundationmods]

[The Staff member looks up - Syaoran will actually recognize him as the Chef from the last couple of times he's been in here to stress cook.

The food looks like a collection of stewed meat, browned bones, and vegetables, and a brownish liquid is being quietly mopped up. With a quick glance, he addresses Silver-]

Please don’t bother yourself sir - I have it under control.

[Then he notices the other, and gives a slight, polite smile.]

Oh, have you come to prepare a meal again? Once I am finished here, I'll happily move out of your way.

[iblistriggered]

Aww man... that looks like a delicious soup stock. What happened for it to fall over...?

[either way, he psychically collects the liquid into a ball that would make one Giovanni Potage proud] Want me to put it in the sink?

[excavated]

Not right now, but I'll probably come back a little later.

[he smiles as Silver does his thing, taking stock of the food that spilled over]

But yes, could you give us the details as to what happened? I'm honestly a little curious.

[and you know what they say about curiosity and cats]

[foundationmods]

[As Silver gathers up the soup, the Chef watches it - carefully, almost as if he can't look away. Even when they continue talking, he keeps his eyes on it.]

Ah… thank you, dear Guest. That would be fine.

And... I’m not sure. The pot simply tipped over - there have been accidents like that for a little while now.

But nothing we can’t handle, so please don’t worry yourselves.

[iblistriggered]

Of course! You're being really kind to us by letting us stay here and take care of this nasty Winchester business, so...

[he places the soup-ball in the sink and then lets it go. Such a shame... it smells really good!]

A little while... longer than we've been staying here?

[excavated]

It simply tipped over. . .

[since this is the chef, he must have noticed it happen in front of his eyes; no proper cook stops looking at his food]

So either a ghost or maybe someone pretending to be one - I didn't feel any magic or spiritual pings, though. Unless it doesn't linger when they're not around, whatever did this.

[he doesn't know, nor does he want to assume]

Do you know the frequency of these accidents and when they tend to occur?

[foundationmods]

[Once the stock is disposed of, the Chef seems to finally snap out of his trance, looking at the two of them and nodding.]

I can’t say for sure. It started after you and the other Guests came to stay with us, in the last few weeks. But it certainly has become more regular recently…

[He thinks for a moment.]

As for when it seems to be during our peak service hours. I’m normally busy in here during that time, so I don’t usually see the other events in person.

[Other events like what just happened in other places of the Mansion, of course.]

[iblistriggered]

Peak service hours... [he looks at Syaoran, frowning] Like something trying to get attention, maybe?

[excavated]

That's possible...

If they can't be seen by normal means then maybe this is their way of grabbing attention.

[hums a little bit]

By peak service hours, you're talking about around breakfast, lunch and dinner - right?

[ACTUALLY WHAT IC TIME IS IT NOW, IS IT CLOSE TO IC DINNER TIME]

Also if it happens frequent enough here - would it be possible to ask what kind of food was served whenever it happened? And if there were occurrences when it didn't happen during those peak service hours, what you guys were serving?

[foundationmods]

[It’s close to dinner time- likely the stock was prep for it.]

Meal times, yes. Before and after are when we’re most busy taking care of our Guests after all.

[He smiles slightly - so very happy to serve!]

… I can’t say there were any specific meals, though? Usually they happen when I’m busy with something or another.

[iblistriggered]

Oh, so when you're not looking? Hmm.. I... oh.

[thats when his phone dings! And Syaoran's, too. He looks at it...] S'cuse me for a sec....

[excavated]

[he's also going to quickly check his phone and answer but try to keep his expression neutral]

... Busy?

With cooking, or something else?

[foundationmods]

Cooking and food preparation, yes. I run the kitchen, so I’m rarely idle.

[He seems so proud, almost puffing up with pride.]

Busy hands are happy hands, after all.

[iblistriggered]

[Silver looks at his phone every now and then, but hums thoughtfully]

So, uh... what do you do when you aren't cooking, Chef?

[but at the same time... he reaches out to Moriarty through their connection;]

Do you feel anything off about him...?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He's there, of course - in spiritual form, by Silver's side.]

Hm...there is something I've noticed, though I'm not a Caster so I can't particularly say if he feels off, of course.

[...]

But he's showing Far more personality than the average Staff member of these kind of living houses, wouldn't you say?

[iblistriggered]

[it's a nice security blanket. He's gotten used to it!!]

More personality... Yeah. I think you're right.

[He quickly uses his phone to send Syaoran a DM that says as much]

[excavated]

[got it!

won't say anything back instead just nodding and... I guess we're doing this.

PINGS: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.

since Syaoran's been in here before, several things -

1) does the cook ping differently now than he does the last few times he's seen the cook?
2) if he tries to do any spiritual/ghost or magical senses completely focused on the cook instead of the room as a whole, will he get anything?
3) ........see #2, but with the soup. i'm so sorry.]

[foundationmods]

When I’m not cooking…?

[He seems confused - this is certainly starting to sound less like friendly Guest conversation and more aimed at him. He frowns softly.]

I don’t really understand…

[He’s so focused on this odd question that he doesn’t notice all the phone texting - and it becomes clear why when Syaoran focuses on him.

Buried under the normal energy of the Hayes staff, is a familiar spiritual energy Syaoran has seen on the tapes before.

It’s Sissel’s.]

[iblistriggered]

[Silver reads Syaoran's message, and his quills stand on end. He clears his throat. And maybe this is dumb... but... he has to try. He gets ready to throw up his shield if need be]

Ah... are you... you're not part of this place are you? Is your name.... Sissel?

1/2

[foundationmods]

[He jerks as if hit, his eyes suddenly starting to over fill with tears]

No… I’m not-

[But his protests are ruined when his body starts to flicker and warp into a new but somehow familiar form-]

2/2

[ghostricked]

[The now middle-aged man backs up like Silver is about to attack him]

I'm...

No. Stop it! Stop asking me about that person!

[iblistriggered]

[he gasps a little, then backs up, hands up and palms out]

I-it's alright...! I'm sorry! I.... Please, we know what happened... We want to help!

[Silver breaks out another trick he's been practicing -- projecting emotions. After the miasma forced him to feel so badly those weeks ago, he's practiced turning it around, coaxing out emotions in others. He tries to exude as much calming energy as possible, without being too intrusive. Like a gentle breeze.

But he's also looking at Syaoran and Moriarty because fuck fuck fuck what now]

[excavated]

Yes - that's all we want to do. [he does prepare his magical energy in case of a fight, but... uh. since Syaoran can sense things: he's going to try to reach out his senses to check - does this middle aged man have any pings of miasma? he's experienced it before and knows its pings from before, so he's ready to call for help if they need to get that out of Sissel]

[ghostricked]

[It was impossible to feel before but as the man gets more and more upset it seems that familiar corruption is making itself known from deep down in his soul.

Sissel's eyes are pleading, but there's a flash of anger and despair there too.]

What... ha... it feels like that song...

[WWX's flute song. He laughs bitterly]

Why do you care? Why can't you just leave things alone- that's what you're good at, isn't it?

[He spits those words out like a curse. Maybe literally, as a curl of dark mist escapes his mouth]