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The Black Letter
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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)
Dang it! I'm too late. :(
(September 20, 2018 - 6:50 am)
I hope I’m not too late!!?? :?
name: moonlightelf
gender: female
cber or AE: cber
appearance: tall for my age, very tan, wavy golden-brown hair with a pink streak, hazel eyes, long legs and arms. Very joyful. Usually wears skinny jeans and a comfy T-shirt.
perceived age: 13
skills: strong, very good marksman and rock climber, good singer, really good at persuasion
worst fear(s): being all alone, creepy dolls
personality: joyful, funny, but also can be serious, loves cats, smart
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? No. Is that a 1??
how did you open the letter?: after meticulously memorizing every detail, I carefully unstuck the wax seal and peeled the flap open.
trunk packing list: flashlight, extra batteries, LOTS of chocolate, matches, i pod and earbuds, underwear :) 3 books, and a pai of jeans and T-shirt
(September 20, 2018 - 12:04 pm)
And how did I forget my packing list! Here goes:
A stack of books, a bubble wand and bubbles, a ridiculously large amount of journals and pencils, my collection of Japanese erasers, some of them half worn away from use, pouches of something mysterious, and necessities, candy, and throwing stars, and a mysterious floating orb (it can multiply).
(September 20, 2018 - 7:00 pm)
A pleasure to meet another calm leader like myself. *Bows swiftly* *Smiles ever so slightly*
(September 21, 2018 - 12:42 am)
Forgot to mention other fears--
Heights, places any smaller than a closet, sudden noises, sudden touch.
(September 21, 2018 - 12:12 pm)
Oh! You can do a zero? Okay, I'm a zero in breaking under pressure.
(September 21, 2018 - 3:03 pm)
Name: Fireburst
Gender: F
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Fiery red wavy hair, bright blue eyes like... really bright blue. Maybe aquamarine, except sort of crystalline. Average height, pale skin. Loose, casual clothing. Rainbow ankle socks can be sometimes seen over my shoes. I sometimes have flames in my hands.
Perceived Age: 15
Skills: I have fire powers, and, uh, I know how to ride a bike?
Worst fear(s): Maybe something like falling?
Personality: ISFJ, likes being in charge (and is fairly good at it too) but sometimes panics in danger, will take every possible opportunity to make a reference to something.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Probably 10.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 7
How did you open the letter?: Tore around the seal
Trunk Packing List: Computer with every book, movie, and video game ever on it.
Name: Byann
Gender: M
CBer or Æ: Æ
Appearance: A bright red dragon. He also has a human form, but I can’t figure out what he looks like then, so feel free to make stuff up if you have him in human form.
Percieved Age: 14?
Skills:Getting out of things...?
Worst fear(s): That one day I’ll catch him and abandon him somewhere.
Personality: He is very loyal to me, as in he is kind, gentle, and obedient around me, and also that he obeys all my orders. But he feels a strong pull to cause mayhem, so when he can get away with it (as in, when I am away and there is someone else to blame for any wreckage) he will break things and rampage and possibly blow something up.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 5
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 3
How did you open the letter?: Tore at it until the seal came off.
Trunk Packing List: N/A.
(September 22, 2018 - 10:30 am)
Hold the phone. Soren, is that you???
(September 23, 2018 - 9:14 am)
Nope, it's not me. Hmm...
(September 23, 2018 - 9:37 am)
MAYBE I'M NOT LATE *types sheet furiously*
Name: Alizarine
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: I have light skin, dark brown eyes, and dark brown hair. My hair has one red streak and is tied into a messy bun with two white feathers sticking out. I wear a scarlet tshirt, dark brown leggings, a fancy unbuttoned white jacket, and plain red shoes. Sometimes I wear a very dark red (almost brown) cloak with a gold clasp.
Percieved Age: Young teen
Skills: Sketching things, observing things, naming things, and suspecting things
Worst fear(s): Painful death, getting lost, and eye injuries
Personality: Usually businesslike but more than willing to be nonsensical if it fits within the current circumstances. Appreciates elegance, loud people, large words, and books.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Eight
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: Four
How did you open the letter?: I used a letter opener to scrape off the wax seal without damaging it, then opened the envelope normally with the letter opener. Then I put the wax seal into my Shoebox of Items.
Trunk Packing List:
-A few pairs of leggings for wearing under the provided clothes, which will probably consist of ball gowns, which are inconvenient for climbing things in
-Toothbrush
-Giant bag of kettle corn
-My red cloak
-A dagger
-Some post-it notes
-A few pencils
-My Shoebox of Items
I hope I'm not too late. If I am, please ignore my submission. *bows in apology*
(September 23, 2018 - 1:53 pm)
Agent Winter blinked sleepily.
Where am I?
Her mind was usually sharp, but it felt so dull…
and…
slow…
She snapped awake.
No falling alseep, she admonished herself, sitting up. The air felt heavy and the smell of old clothing lingered like a morning mist. Somewhere the strains of a faint aria could be heard drifting through the floors..
Now how did I get here?
Vague memories of a tiny boat in a stormy sea slipped in and out of Agent Winter’s consciousness. Her mind grasped at the wisps of an idea. Was it a dream? Somehow, the taste of sea spray on her tongue seemed a little bit too familiar for the thoughts to have been pure figments of her psyche.
Well, there would be time for that later. For now, she needed to find out where she was. It looked to be about eight or maybe nine, judging by the light streaming in through the stained glass windows. As Agent Winter stood up to get a better look out the window her nose was hit with a whiff of seaweed stench.
No, certainly not a dream.
She brushed herself off and took a deep breath. There had been a letter, of course. And a trunk. And hadn’t Night gotten one, too? Was she here?
A quick glance around the room confirmed that it was empty save four a four poster, two doors and an armoire.
Charming.
At least it would be quick and easy to check everything out. A gaze out the looming windows revealed that she was at least four stories up. But the view nearly took her breath away. Rolling emerald hills with distant cliffs, the endless ocean crashing ominously against them. To the left, a small wood with evergreens that looked nearly blue. And a sky even more endless than the indigo waters.
She shut the drapes abruptly and strode over to the first of the two doors. It was unlocked, which came as a surprise until she realized that it was just a closet. But her things were in here, unpacked from the chest (which was, coincidentally, nowhere to be found). That was a relief, at least. The other door was locked.
Agent Winter bit her lip and advanced on the armoire. The doors thrust open with a bang and a figure came hurdling out.
“YAH!” Agent Winter leaped backwards
“Boo-“ the figure, which turned out to be a tall, thin, girl with long hair, started giggling hysterically. “Oh- your face!”
“Uh-“ Agent Winter smiled warily at her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry about that. I couldn’t resist! You were asleep, and I wasn’t-“ she cut her scentence off in the middle and produced her hand with a flourish. Agent Winter shook it gingerly, “I’m Viola?, by the way.” She curtsied tastefully.
“I’m Agent Winter, nice to meet you,” Agent Winter replied, her composure only down for a moment. “Do you know why we’re here?”
“Nope, but isn’t the view nice?”
“Well yes, but don’t you think we should look around? You know, investigate? Maybe find a way out?”
“Oh sure, I just thought it would be safer to wait for some company.” She took a step towards the door.
“I forgot. The doors locked.” Agent Winter said, biting her lip. She had been looking forward to exploring. Viola? smiled at Agent Winter and dangled a brass skeleton key on a little chain.
“Where’d you get that?”
“It was in the armoire.”
“Oh.”
Viola? unlocked the door and the two entered the hall together. It was very long, and lined with mahogany doors like the one that the girls had just exited.
“It’s very long,” Viola? noted.
(September 23, 2018 - 8:39 pm)
Eeeee! This is so cool! I'm excited. Can you tell? :3
Also, can I add one thing to SG's worst fears? I think xe's afraid of being held in low esteem.
(September 24, 2018 - 7:17 am)
This is so cool! And the illustration's of ME! SQUEE! XD I love how you wrote this, it's seriously amazing! And your art is awesome!
(September 24, 2018 - 8:46 am)
The writing's just so good, and the illustration... Wow. I'm amazed--keep up the good work!
(September 24, 2018 - 10:56 am)
Yay! It begins!!!
(September 24, 2018 - 11:18 am)