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The Black Letter
Chatterbox: Pudding's Place
The Black Letter
The Black Letter
You don’t know where the letter came from. You woke up one morning with a panicked feeling, like you’d just had a nightmare. When you reached to turn on the light, you found a black envelope clutched in your fist.
The envelope was sealed with a wax stamp depicting a dripping candle. You might take a moment to admire it, perhaps you tore around it carefully, or maybe you ripped it down the middle. In the end, the result was only the opening of the envelope. Like so many things, the way that you open an envelope will never matter. The letter inside, however, did matter. At, least to you, and perhaps to me. But does that mean anything either?
You spread the now-wrinkled letter out and flatten the creases. The letter is slightly discolored, embellished with ink drawings of candles of all shapes and sizes. It reads:
Dear Distinguished Acquaintance,
You have been unavoidably invited to a twelve-night ball in the Candelabra Manor. In the height of antique luxury, you will enjoy fully stocked vintage wardrobes, six course nightly banquets, an array of games that will display the full extent of our three hundred and twenty-acre grounds, double bed gothic suites, and a fully stocked armory. You will find a trunk at your door in the morning. You may bring this, and only this, as full as you please with it still closing. Bear in mind that clothing will be provided. It would be reasonable for you to enjoy your stay, but I will not go so far as to say that we “hope” that you will.
Apathetically Yours,
Madame Flambeau
The trunk appears as promised, with a skeleton key lying next to it. Your first thought is to attempt to move the trunk inside, of course, but it stays put in the doorway and refuses to budge. After a moment of deliberation, you decide to pack it where it is. After all, who can pass up a luxury stay in an old, possibly murderous mansion? Finally, when it is as full as you’d like it to be, you start to close it. But then you remember one last little memento that you would like to bring with you. Upon finding the trinket, you find something else much less desirable. A form with the words “Candelabra Manor” and the candle seal emblazoned along the top. But all of the information has been filled out with, as a quick scan reveals, complete and chilling accuracy in midnight blue ink.
You stuff the letter in your pocket decisively and start unpacking the trunk. You’re not going. Oh no, no, no, no you’re not.
But it’s too late.
Form:
Name:
Gender:
CBer or Æ:
Appearance:
Percieved Age:
Skills:
Worst fear(s):
Personality:
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?:
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?:
How did you open the letter?:
Trunk Packing List:
This is, what I believe to be, the first illustrated Ski Lodge. I hope you enjoy it. You may bring up to two members of your party, CBer or Æ.
submitted by Madame Flambeau, Candelabra Manor
(September 14, 2018 - 3:26 pm)
(September 14, 2018 - 3:26 pm)
Whoops, didn't see that last part. Just me and one AE, then.
(September 15, 2018 - 3:27 pm)
*squeaking from rouge's cupped hands* Resering! Imma bring Mor, Izzy, Will, and Harliquin!
ayym
ayyyy
whyyyyy
hehehehehehehehehe
(September 15, 2018 - 5:01 pm)
I am so pleased that you will be coming. My apologies, but there is a limit of two members of any single party.
Thank you
(September 15, 2018 - 7:48 pm)
Name: Jwyn
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Copper wavy shoulder-length hair in messy bun, dark blue eyes, glasses, long indigo cloak, blue black and white striped dress, tall.
Percieved Age: 13
Skills: Origami
Worst fear(s): Isolation
Personality: Optimistic, friendly, artistic, mysterious, introverted.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 7
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 5
How did you open the letter?: Slowly and carefully so that nothing ripped
Trunk Packing List: A week's worth of pineapple juice, Skittles, A notebook and pencil, and my HP wand.
(September 15, 2018 - 6:39 pm)
It isn't actual immortality, it's just that we turn into ghost thingamajigs. I can kill, but neither of is can communicate with the living and sooner or later Nihil usually runs off to her secret place of revival. I just become a ghost dragon, and I eventually stop appearing to people, except if I kill them, which is your choice. *Shrugs* Have fun with me!
(September 16, 2018 - 12:54 am)
The list grows longer...
Five spots remain...
(September 16, 2018 - 7:11 pm)
From: RED TAILED PANDA
To: springflower
Subject: The Black Letter
Hey Cuz, just recieved this (see attatchment). I'm assuming you got something similar?
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Name: red tailed panda (rtp)
Gender: Male
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Jet black hair, almond shaped brown eyes, angular features. I wear jeans and an Avatar hoodie of Aang in the avatar state, bending fire and water. It’s the second result in images when you search “avatar the last airbender hoodies fire.” Average height. Viola did my picturing, but I wear contacts more often than not these days so no glasses.
Percieved Age: 14
Skills: Observing, acting, piano, chess and socializing
Worst fear(s): Being alone. I'm a people person, and I need someone to talk to or else I'll go crazy.
Personality: Extrovert. I like to be involved and often drag Spring Flower with me. I find it easy to get people to open up.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 10
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 2
How did you open the letter?: With a letter opener of course. I have one with my name ingaved in Mandarin.
Trunk Packing List: Aforementioned letter opener, other t-shirts with ATLA stuff on them, an assortment of khakis and jeans, a pair of hiking boots, and an iPad mini stocked with offline games.
From: SPRING FLOWER
To: redtailedpanda
Subject: Re: The Black Letter
Of course. It's a bit early but I think it's safe to say we can start planning our funerals.
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Name: Spring Flower
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Black hair in a braid with a diffrent colored bandanna every day. A green t-shirt with the earth symbol on it from Avatar the last airbender. I also have a my neighbor totoro backback.
Percieved Age: 14
Skills: I like to draw and tend to plants. Might randomly quote Avatar or start singing.
Worst fear(s): Small spaces. Please please please pretty please no caves or closed in crowded areas.
Personality: Amiable, but likely to shy away from large crowds. Happy to just sit in a corner, doodling.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 2
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 8
How did you open the letter?: I carefully broke the seal. It crumbled a bit more than I would have liked.
Trunk Packing List: My sketchbook, a collection of bandannas, pencil case, a pair of gardening gloves, some sweaters in case the mansion gets a bit drafty.
From: RED TAILED PANDA
To: springflower
Subject: Re: The Black Letter
Funerals? Drama queen.
(September 16, 2018 - 7:59 pm)
Okie! then just myself and Izzy!
Name: Darkking
Gender: Male
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: I am almost always surrrounded by shadows that swirl around me, obscuring most people’s vision of me. I have metallic blue hair, porcelain colored skin, eyes so blue that they are almost black with tiny specks of white in them so it looks like they are a starry night sky, long black gloves that go under the sleeves of my navy blue hoodie to his elbows, blue jeans, combat boots, 2 swords on my back, 2 daggers in each boot, 5 daggers on each hip, and a black crown that looks like it is made of shadows bloating above my head. I walk extremely fast and my friends often grab onto my arms in attempt to slow me down, I am also taller than average.
Percieved Age: I look 16 because I'm tall
Skills: I wear gloves because anyone I touch with my bare hands (excluding myself) will turn to dust or stone almost immediately (why I wear gloves). I can shapeshift to have wings on my back but that is the extent of my shapeshifting ability.
Worst fear(s): Heights, accidentially killing my friends
Personality: I seem emotionless to people who don’t know me but around friends I am the most outspoken, funny, happy, joyous, emotionfull person to ever exist. I fell others emotions strongly and tend to subconsciously act like them a bit. If I’m with a brave person I tend to act more daring, if I’m with a witty person I tend to make more observations, etc. If Mor is killed before me I become very gloomy and generally depressed, if I witness a murder my tolerance for living beings in general would decrease untill I become snappish towards everyone and I become completely depressed and unable to enjoy anything.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 6, I can get a group of people together but I prefer not to lead
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 7.6, It seems like I have no pressure on me at all but really I'm destroying myself on the inside with stress and worry
How did you open the letter?: I used a letterknife, because I'm fancy
Trunk Packing List: PPPPORTAL CUBE, books, my bluetooth headphones, my chromebook, my computer, my phone, my ipad, my chargers, ya know, just in case.
~~~
Name: Isabella but she prefers Izzy
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: Æ
Appearance: Wears a neon yellow "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" hoodie that's about 2 sizes too big, jeans, sneakers, and big purple glasses with silver designs(She's so blind without them, it isn't even funny.). Her hair is blond and in a shoulder length bob cut but It's very frizzy(I call her frizzy Izzy sometimes but not often) and her eyes are stormy grey, filled with kindness.
Percieved Age: 15
Skills: She has a photographic memory and she reads so much that if it's a referance then she
Worst fear(s): Not being able to save her friends, being the center of attention
Personality: Happy, ambivert, shyish, nerdy, more nerdy, ultimate nerd.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 8, she can organize a group and come up with plans on the spot but she soesn't like to be in the spotlight *glares at harliquin while he looks away guiltily*
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 3, she is like stone, she will not budge but if she's in the spotlight she will appear to be extremely nervous and scared
How did you open the letter?: Gently tearing it open with her hands
Trunk Packing List: A LIBRARY, sugar, food, more food.
(September 16, 2018 - 10:01 pm)
Are you Alizarine or Viola??
(September 17, 2018 - 7:56 am)
Not me this time.
(September 17, 2018 - 2:27 pm)
Reserved for 2, (me and my AE) if still available!
(September 17, 2018 - 10:21 am)
If there's still space/time, I'd like to reserve for me and my AE.
(September 17, 2018 - 11:02 am)
After both you and Joan B. of Arc (as well as your companions), one spot remains.
Welcome.
(September 17, 2018 - 12:05 pm)
Oh my Claaws yes, so much yes! I simply must be here.
Name: Viola?
Gender: Female
CBer or AE: CBer
Appearance: Tall and thin, with long hair and nails.
Perceived age: Secreteen
Skills: Drawing, climbing, describing things, I guess reading? Creeping people out, maybe. Summoning and controlling sticky notes.
Worst fear(s): Losing everything in the most tragic and painful manner/order possible, death, having no purpose/stability, social embarrassment.
Personality: Fundamentally catlike; adores elegance and desires respect but loves acting silly. Values understanding, enjoyment, and of course, respect. Dramatic, curious, honest, indecisive, avoidant. Always on the lookout for interesting things and opportunities to say something clever or funny.
On a scale of 1-10, how much of a leader are you?: Eh, maybe a 6? I always have the urge to show others the way, but I get frustrated if they don't pay attention, and I don't want to be held to the position.
On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to crack under pressure?: 8 or 9, I think, although it may vary depending on the type of pressure. I try to avoid testing this.
How did you open the letter?: I took this miniature battle axe I have (I considered my rapier-shaped letter opener, but the axe is sharper) and used it to carefully separate the wax from the paper, removing the seal in one piece. Then I opened it the rest of the way normally.
Trunk packing list: One change of my usual clothes (T-shirt, jeans, hiking socks, undergarments), pajamas in case there aren't any (comfortable) nightgowns, assorted jewelry, toiletries, a few novels, my diary, my sketchbook and drawing things, my phone, a flashlight with spare batteries, a small first-aid kit, the miniature battle axe, a whole cucumber (eating time: 30-40 minutes), and popcorn money in case the popcorn isn't free.
Other: Won't eat anything spicy or with sauce.
I am currently dancing around making strange gleeful noises. This sounds awesome.
Hey, Nymph! Sea Glass! Either of you want to come?
Hmm. Sure.
I suppose so.
Oh. Oh dear. I can only take one of you. ...hmm. I'd flip a coin, but I think I have a better idea: I'll fill out forms for both of you, and if Madame Flambeau won't pick, I'll have time to think about it.
Or you could, I don't know, ask us?
Well yeah, but SG is too nice not to defer to you no matter how much xe wants to go, and then if you don't like it both of you will be unhappy.
*blushes*
Fine. But I still want to go.
I know.
Name: Nymph
Gender: Gender-fluid, uses female pronouns
CBer or AE: AE
Appearance: N/A (shapeshifter)
Perceived age: Shapeshifter, but acts roughly 9-13
Skills: Shapeshifting, anything athletic, possibly handling praise
Worst fear(s): Being rendered weak, incapable or powerless, especially in the face of an enemy.
Personality: Bold, antisocial, quick to judge and act. Snarky, aggressive, slow to trust. Arrogant to some degree, not afraid to be different or make enemies. Competitive, hates to lose, and will never back down if sufficiently provoked, which can and has led to conflicts. Volatile, independent, speaks her mind when she speaks at all.
On a scale of 1-10, how much of a leader are you?: 2. She probably could lead if she had the drive, but she's very self-reliant and doesn't care enough to bother.
On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to crack under pressure?: 2.
How did you open the letter?: Just looked once and cracked the seal, casual.
Trunk packing list: A few changes of clothes, snacks. Can shapeshift for the rest.
Other: Speaks in bold italics, queen and caretaker of several forests. Shapeshifting may not always be conscious, so she might survive poison or injury even when knocked out. I don't know how it works. If she put on a dress I gave her and then shrank, the dress would not shrink with her, but she might then step out if its empty folds wearing what appears to be a miniature duplicate of it. Do whatever you like.
Name: Sea Glass
Gender: Aporagender, uses xe/xyr pronouns.
CBer or AE: AE
Appearance: Straight dull blonde hair falling windblown and messy past well-defined shoulders, slightly long face with a sharp chin, androgynous build, aqua eyes. Wears piles of bracelets, mostly handmade, and goes barefoot when possible. Prefers summer clothes in pastel colors.
Perceived age: Maybe 17
Skills: Introspection, apologizing, waiting, walking for long stretches, keeping secrets
Worst fear(s): Excessive and/or undeserved attention, being trapped, being a burden
Personality: Nervous, soft-spoken and polite in a Victorian-influenced way. Lonely but awkward and withdrawn. Sweet, serious, surprisingly mature for a teenager. Moody, has a hard time staying engaged in conversation; can be very poetic and profound, a good writer, but is terrible at speaking in person, and not one for small talk.
On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to crack under pressure?: Around a 9, for sure. Would either panic, unable to think clearly, or retreat into xyrself and cease to respond.
How did you open the letter?: Borrowed the battle axe method, though didn't get it perfect.
Trunk packing list: One change of xyr usual clothes, toiletries, a notebook and pens (writes in code), a roll of bandages, extra bracelets, a book or two,
On a scale of 1-10, how much of a leader are you?: 3. Would never suggest xyrself for such a position, but is a good organizer and would consider everyone. Useless as a commander, however.
Other: Speaks in italics, collects things xe finds on the beach, slowly developing a romance with Celeste.
I meant to submit this last night, but I didn't finish it. Praying there's still room...
(September 17, 2018 - 2:26 pm)
Ack, are there any spots left? If there aren't just disregard this, but if there are, yay!
Name: Quill
Gender: Female
CBer or AE: CBer
Appearance: Long brown hair with the ends dyed purple, either down or in a dutch braid, dark brown eyes, freckles, usually wearing shorts, a t-shirt, a denim jacket, and old converse.
Percieved Age: 13-14 ish
Skills: Creativity and common sense.
Worst Fear(s): Spiders and some heights.
Personality: Creative, bubbly, loves reading, writing, drawing, and acting, bad liar, always up for an adventure. Pretty clumsy, too. Good at making friends.
On a scale of 1-10, how much of a leader are you?: 6
On a scale of 1-10, will you crack under pressure?: 4
How did you open the letter?: Very carefully, trying not to break the seal.
Trunk Packing List: A book or two, a journal, pens, pencils, colored pencils, a pocketknife, and a charm bracelet.
Just let me know if I'm too late!
(September 17, 2018 - 4:09 pm)