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You’re sitting on
Chatterbox: Pudding's Place
You’re sitting on
You’re sitting on your couch, bored out of your mind. Suddenly, you hear the clatter of the mail slot in your door and the light thud of letters hitting the floor. Slowly, you stand up and trudge over to the front door of your house. You vaguely survey the mail through tired eyes. Only when you bend down to pick it up do you notice anything out of the ordinary: a small package made of a material similar to shimmery silver foil that, despite its size, is quite heavy. You set down the other letters and bring the package over to a table and slice it open with a pair of scissors. Inside is a small, black device that doesn’t look unlike one of those artificial intelligence Alexas. You reach out to touch it and as soon as your fingers graze the black metal, you withdraw your hand as though electrocuted. A small, hologram of a woman has appeared on top of the device, flickering in and out of focus. The woman is short, with dark brown skin and aviator goggles perched in her shoulder-length dark hair. You strain your ears to listen.
“Congratulations, CBer,” the woman says in a cool and slightly melodic voice. “You and nine others have been invited to join the Starry Dragon on a star cruise across the solar system. I am the captain, Andromeda Callisto. If you would like to attend, reply no later than April 30th by filling out the form.”
You furrow your brow, confused. What form? But your question is soon answered as a buzzing sound comes from the device and a piece of paper materializes in front of you. You pick it up, reading the delicate silver letters:
Name:
CBer, AE, CAPTCHA:
Companions (please fill out a form for them as well):
Gender/Pronouns:
Age, or the Age You Appear to Be:
Appearance:
Personality:
Packing List:
Pick a Number:
Other:
“Up to three of your AEs and/or CAPTCHAs are welcome to come,” Andromeda continues. “If you do decide to take part in our star cruise, we will pick you up on May 3rd.” She nods curtly, and with a “bloop” sort of noise, the hologram blinks out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my first time doing a ski lodge! I honestly hope I’ll be able to finish this, unlike all those stories I’ve written....*looks regretfully at my writing notebook*
You’re welcome to guess me, but I don’t think you will >:)
Oh yeah, I would have posted this sooner but I was having serious trouble coming up with a name for the space ship. “The Starry Dragon” is probably the best I’ll come up with.... But if anyone has any better ideas for the name of the ship, I’d love to hear them. :)
@Admins, Castillo is a fake last name! :)
submitted by Andromeda C, age ski lodge!, ski lodge!
(April 8, 2021 - 3:34 pm)
(April 8, 2021 - 3:34 pm)
(April 26, 2021 - 6:30 am)
So excited!!
(April 26, 2021 - 7:07 am)
(April 26, 2021 - 7:07 am)
(April 26, 2021 - 7:09 am)
Day 0, Part 2
While Andromeda and Lyron were flying the spaceship, Aquila Crescent was preparing the cabins that the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs would sleep in. As the owner of the Starry Dragon, she took it upon herself to be the hostess to the people (and in some cases, animals) that had been invited on the cruise. As Aquila unfolded a sleeping bag, she thought when she had first proposed the idea to invite people onto the spaceship. Aquila’s laugh echoed around the cabin. It was a good thing Lyron and Andromeda didn’t know her real motives, or they never would have agreed.
(April 26, 2021 - 10:03 am)
(April 26, 2021 - 10:12 am)
(April 27, 2021 - 6:22 am)
Day 0, Part 3
The blue flames licked the asphalt as the Starry Dragon touched down in an empty lot. It wasn’t Andromeda’s preferred landing spot, but there wasn’t anywhere else in this bustling city.
A staircase folded down from the ship, and a door slid open. Aquila descended down the staircase, her black boots thudding against each step. Besides the boots, she was sporting a thick black jacket, lined pants, and a heavy-duty winter hat. Aquila then proceeded to walk eight blocks to Kitty Cat and Quinn’s house, the first people on the guest list. Apparently, Aquila had forgotten how warm Earth summers could get (she was used to Mars’ below-freezing average temperature), so by the time Aquila arrived at their doorstep, she was sweating, her silvery hair sticking to her forehead- not a great look for the star cruise host.
Luckily, she managed to remain professional. “Hello, Kitty Cat, Quinn. I am Aquila Crescent. I’m here to pick you up for the-”
“Space cruise!” Kitty Cat finished excitedly. They turned and called, “Quinn! Time to go!”
The AE came outside a few moments later, wheeling a navy-blue suitcase behind her. Kitty Cat’s own gray suitcase was sitting on the step next to them. Aquila led Kitty Cat and Quinn back eight blocks through the early-summer heat, vowing to herself that she would change into clothes more fit for Earth temperature before they picked up the next guest on the list.
••••••••••
Well, that’s the last of day 0. I’ll post the first segment of day 1 first thing Monday!
(April 29, 2021 - 7:44 am)
(May 2, 2021 - 6:38 am)
Oh, I forgot to mention: Diary entries, comments, and suspicions are welcome!
••••••••••
Day 1, Part 1
The rest of the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs had been picked up, and Aquila had changed into a white jumpsuit and tied her hair back in a bun. She ushered her last two guests - Zealatom and Lindel - aboard the Starry Dragon. The sliding door shut behind them.
Aquila then led everybody into the main room of the ship, furnished with cushy armchairs, a couch, a coffee table, and various bean bag chairs, all securely fastened to the floor of the ship. All the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs took their preferred spots as Aquila began to speak.
“As you know, I am Aquila Crescent, the owner of the Starry Dragon, the ship you all find yourselves aboard today.” Aquila paused, aware she was talking quickly. She then continued, at a slightly slower pace. “This is the common room, which you may hang out in during the day. In case of emergencies, you will report here.”
There was scattered nodding as the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs showed their understanding.
“I’ll show you the place you’ll be staying, and, once you unpack, we’ll give you a tour of the ship. There are two cabins on the ship, the Sun Cabin and the Moon Cabin. Everyone has been assigned to one of the cabins.” Aquila took a piece of paper out from her pocket. “In the Sun Cabin, we have: Kitty Cat, Winter, Silver Crystal, NiteSkiies, Thorn, Lindel, NerdFace, Adrian, Evan, Tealeaf, Willow, Star Princess, and Lio. In Moon: Quinn, Summer, Autumn, Zealatom, Flowing Willow, Topaz, Leo, Adrian, Evan, Firelily, Feline Fantasy, and Lady Jubilance.”
“Are you sure this is right?” Kitty Cat asked, fingering the moon charm on her choker necklace.
“Atlst weare tgthr,” Autumn murmured, nuzzling her CBer. Summer absentmindedly started stroking her russet-colored fur.
Aquila walked the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs down a hallway. She stopped in front of a door with a silver plaque that read, The Moon Cabin. The appropriate CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs were dropped off, and the rest of the group was led to a nearly identical door, this one labeled The Sun Cabin on a golden plaque. Once the guests were in their cabins, Aquila left to check in with Andromeda and Lyron.
~~~~~
Quinn sat down on her bed - if you could call a sleeping bag a bed - and looked around at her cabin mates. Topaz was unpacking their suitcase on the sleeping bag next to her. On the other side of Quinn, Leo pulled a laptop out of her bag. Summer and Zealatom were chatting a few beds down, while Autumn ran around their feet. Adrian and Firelily had both started reading, and Feline Fantasy was trying to find an outlet to plug in her computer. Flowing Willow had taken a pillow out of her duffel bag and was already fast asleep.
The door opened and Aquila walked in. “Alright, everyone. Let’s go pick up the guests in the Sun Cabin.”
~~~~~
Silver Crystal dragged her ice-blue suitcase over the threshold of the Sun Cabin. Kitty Cat entered behind her. “Hey Silver!”
“Oh, hi Kitty Cat!” Silver Crystal replied. “Look, there’s two empty sleeping bags next to each other. You want to take one?”
“Sure!” Kitty replied, propping up their suitcase next to the sleeping bag. There was an outburst across the room as Lindel grabbed NiteSkiies’ can of spray paint and started coloring the walls a bright red.
The door to the cabin opened and Aquila entered. She coughed meaningfully, seeing the vandalism on the wall, but otherwise said nothing.
“Is everyone settled in their cabin?” There were a few head nods and murmured “yes”es. Aquila smiled. “Brilliant. Let’s get on with the tour.”
The CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs were led through a door into a large room made completely of thick, sturdy glass. The atmosphere in the room was thick and moist, and sweet smells drifted through the air. Plants of all shapes and sizes hung from hooks on the ceiling, sat in pots on the floor, or grew from soil on a table. Special lights were positioned to shine on the crops, allowing them to grow.
“This is our garden,” explained Aquila, “where we get our food. The crops are grown using a greenhouse-like technique as well as several high-tech methods. The plants are maintained by our gardener and cook, my good friend Lacerta Crux. They should be here any minute....”
Mere moments after Aquila said it, the glass door opened and in walked a person - Lacerta - with tanned skin and just-above-shoulder-length dirty-blonde hair. They were wearing a reddish-brown apron.
“Um, hi, everyone,” Lacerta stumbled. “Um, as you know, I’m Lacerta Crux, and, um, I’m the gardener. I also prepare the food you’ll be eating during your stay here.” They smiled timidly.
“Well, now that you’ve seen our garden and met Lacerta, it’s time to meet our wonderful captains.”
The CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs followed Aquila to the cockpit to meet Andromeda and Lyron.
“These are our captains, Andromeda and Lyron. Andromeda’s keeping us on course right now, so Lyron, if you’ll please explain the schedule....”
“Of course.” Lyron turned from the dashboard to face the guests. “So, the first stop will be the moon. Even though it takes about half a week to reach the moon, this ship is enhanced with state-of-the-art technology, so we’ll arrive tomorrow morning. Then we’ll fly to Mars, where our base is. Next is Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon, and finally Pluto. On the return trip, we’ll stop on Mars again before reaching Earth.”
The CBers and AEs murmured excitedly to one another. “Juptr!” Autumn chirped, pulling on a leg of Summer’s jeans with her furry paw.
“Yes, very good, Autumn,” replied Summer, before returning to her conversation with Leo about whether or not there’s other life in the solar system.
Kitty Cat turned to ask what they would be doing on the moon when there was a loud “beep” from Aquila’s pocket. She held up a finger - the one minute sign - and took a device that looked like a credit card, except all black and a bit bigger. She murmured something into it, and then placed the device back into her pocket. “Sorry about that!” she said cheerilly. “Lacerta just told me that it’s time for lunch, so let’s go eat, and then our tour can resume.”
(May 3, 2021 - 8:07 am)
Oooh, this is great!! Wonderful writing <333 I kinda thought I'd be in the Moon room, but the Sun room seems pretty cool as well :) Also, I don't think you've been guessed yet, can you give us a hint (are you a guest at this ski lodge)?? Anywayss, can't wait until the next part of this comes out, love this so far!
(May 3, 2021 - 11:04 am)
Hints...hints...hints.... Gosh I am so bad at coming up with hints. But no, I am not a guest at this ski lodge, and, uh, I have joined the CB less than a year and a half ago. That probably won't narrow it down too much, seeing as a lot of CBers joined recently, but that's the best I can think of right now. If no one guesses me by the end of the ski lodge, I'll reveal myself! :) Also, thanks! That means a lot to me! <3
(May 3, 2021 - 1:09 pm)
*applauds*
This is great so far, Andromeda. Keep up the good work!! :D
(May 3, 2021 - 6:19 pm)
Diary Entry 1:
We arrived at the.. place, and we got assigned cabins. I got put in sun, which surprised me and saddened me a bit. At least Thorn is here so I can comfort him, but I feel so bad for Flowing Willow, alone. The poor little red panda. Anyways, I have to get to lunch. Bye.
(May 3, 2021 - 8:49 pm)
Day 1, Part 2
Aquila showed the guests to the dining hall where three long tables and a large number of chairs were bolted to the floor. The CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs took their seats. Lacerta came around, setting dishes of roasted vegetables, bowls of salads, and plates of colorful fruits on the tables.
The CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs struck up friendly conversations with each other and enjoyed the food. The only problem was when Lacerta had placed a bowl of nuts on the table near Autumn, and she freaked. Luckily, Summer was able to constrain her CAPTCHA and remind her to use her manners.
When lunch was finished, everyone put their food waste into a compost bin, which would then be turned into fertilizer for new plants to grow.
The CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs were then led out of the hall and up a narrow staircase. On the ceiling at the top of the staircase was a trapdoor which Aquila, leading the group, unlatched. The guests filed out onto a wide, circular deck enclosed in a clear, circular glass bubble. “This is the observatory,” explained Aquila. The CBers’ and AEs’ breath fogged up the glass as they watched the breath-taking view of planets and constellations.
“Hey, is that the moon?” NiteSkiies called out, pointing. The CBers, AEs and CAPTCHAs all turned to see the cratered surface of the moon, closer than any of them had before seen. The guests all stared in silence for a bit, before Aquila cleared her throat.
“We should probably get on with the tour.” Some of the CBers and AEs were hesitant to leave, so Aquila added, “You can always come back later.”
~~~~~
After about four hours (because they had taken an hour-and-a-half break for dinner), the CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs collapsed in the ship’s common room. Although they were tired, they buzzed with excitement about the day, and what would happen in the days to come. Aquila interrupted their conversations by saying that they’ve had a long day and that they should get some rest, and everyone willingly obliged.
~~~~~
The murderer, although they were not the murderer yet, opened their eyes. The only noise they could hear was the steady breathing and quiet snores of their cabinmates. The murderer knew that Andromeda and Lyron must be awake, piloting the ship, but they wanted to see the view from the observatory one more time. They slipped from their sleeping bag, twisted the knob of the door, and, trying to keep their footsteps light, snuck into the hallway. They turned left, for that was the way to the observatory. Or was it right? No, it was definitely left. The murderer continued walking, following the twists and turns of a hall. Who knew the layout of a spaceship could be so complicated? The murderer stopped walking as they reached the end of the hallway. There was nothing but a door. They didn’t go through a door to get to the observatory, did they? It was then that the murder realized that they were truly and hopelessly lost. They didn’t even think they could find their way back to their cabin. Ugh! the murderer thought, digging a palm into their head. Why couldn’t they have left well enough alone? They could have gone to see the observatory in the morning, with one of the adults as a guide.
Well, they couldn’t just stay here, the murderer reasoned. What would everyone do when they were found missing in the morning? The murderer decided that their best bet would be to go through the door. For all they knew, Aquila was in there and she could guide them back to their cabin. Summoning up their courage, the murderer turned the knob, which surprisingly opened with ease. Stepping inside, the murderer saw switches and buttons and levers. A tank to pour fuel into. A device that calculated the distance to the nearest planet. A machine that could determine if water was safe to drink. But the thing that caught the murderer’s eye was a metal panel on the wall. From inside came the faint hum of electricity. As if in a trance, the murderer walked over to the panel and pried it off the wall. The metal panel landed with a clatter as it hit the floor. Inside hovered a small yellow ball of energy, throbbing with an electric pulse. It was mesmerizing, and almost otherworldly. The murderer’s eyes glazed over and they reached out to touch it-
Thoughts flooded through the murderer’s head. Thoughts that were not their own. Desperately, the murderer tried to push them out, but it was too late. The temptation was too strong. It felt like someone was drilling into the murderer’s head.
The murder sank to the ground, grasping their head in their hands. The electric humming intensified until there was nothing else. Just the steady buzz of energy-
And then everything went silent and still. The pain ceased, and the murderer opened their eyes. The murderer knew their task. And they were determined to fulfill it.
(May 4, 2021 - 2:29 pm)