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And Then There
Chatterbox: Pudding's Place
And Then There
And Then There Were None: A Ski Lodge Based on The Book
You sit in that new cocoon pod hanging from your ceiling that you got over the holidays, a blanket wrapped around your figure, and a book in hand. After a long day of school, sports practice, and a stack of unforgiving homework, the only thing that you want to do is read your comfort book wrapped in a blanket, accompanied by a mug of steaming hot tea. Cradled in your hands is a tattered and worn copy of And Then There Were None by the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christie. The old, wrinkled pages crinkle between your fingertips while you read about the ten people trapped on an estate, all accused of murder, while they are picked off one by one, until, well, there were none.
You’re about halfway through when you realize your margin writings and highlights from previous reads have disappeared. The words you almost know by heart have faded, replaced by new words that seem vaguely familiar.
Dear Reader, it begins.
It’s the middle of January. The only “break” that’s longer than a three day weekend won’t happen until the end of March. You’re exhausted, fed up with school and other things, and you just want to take a week-long nap. What if I told you I had the solution to all of your problems?
Well, I don’t have to *just* tell you. I do, in fact, have the solution to all of your problems.
Wonderful, exhausted reader, you have been cordially invited to Narracott Estate, a countryside estate accompanied by so many amenities, you’ll wish to never leave. The temperature adapts to your preferred body temperature wherever you go, allowing you to feel as if summer is not actually six months away, more like it is waiting for you on your doorstep. There is a large saltwater lake, perfect for swimming and boating, or just lounging about in the sun. On the border of the property, leading in about an acre, is a forest filled with thousands of different types of trees, good for exploring and scavenging. Inside the large lake house, there are eleven formal bed chambers, which can be fit any amount of beds for you and your companions. There is also a servant’s chamber, an industrial-sized kitchen, a formal dining room fit for royalty, a casual dining room for when you’re just feeling like sitting around with food, a large casual sitting room (also known as “the commons” where most days will begin), a massive library filled with books to pass your time, and many other fascinating rooms and amenities to keep you busy during your stay. The entire property is located on a 25 acre plot, full of grass, flowers, and plenty of wildlife, a perfect 2-week long getaway for the exhausted person in need of a break from reality.
So, you in?
If you would like to join me and my wonderful staff at the majestic Narracott Estate, please fill out the form attached by Sunday, January 23rd. Keep in mind there are only ten spots for CBers, with up to three spaces for companions for each CBer. Our estate is already in high demand, so be sure to make your reservations quickly!
Hope to see you there my dear CBer.
—Elizabeth Narracott
P.S. If you choose to attend, you will be picked up at your residence at 8AM the day after submissions are closed.
You look at your book confused, but also intrigued. It would be wonderful indeed to leave school work behind, but why you? Why did this letter show up in your book, and this book specifically? If you were reading something else would it still have shown up? Eventually, the questions floating around in your head become too complicated to even comprehend, so you turn the page to continue reading. The letter fades and is replaced by the original words and a single sheet of crisp white paper; the form you’re supposed to fill out. You take out the form and scan it quickly. What’s the harm in joining? The voice in your mind tells you. It *would* be nice to get away, and you’ve always loved Ski Lodges. Assuming this is a Ski Lodge of course. (It is.)
Then, you impulsively decide that traveling to Narracott is something you 100% want to do. You pick up a pen and use the book as a flat surface. With every word you ink into the paper, little do you know, you’ve begin to seal your own fate.
You finish filling in the form and as soon as you dot your last period, the words disappear, replaced with fourteen simple words.
Thank you for joining. We can’t wait to welcome you to our lovely estate.
You smile, knowing that, in just a short while, school will be the last thing on your mind.
But soon enough, there will be nothing on your mind.
~~~
Name:
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?:
Age, or approximate age:
Gender/Pronouns (if you use multiple pronouns, please provide me an example on how to use them in my writing):
Companion(s) [Please fill out a separate sheet for each additional member you are bringing]:
Detailed appearance (if it is not detailed enough, you lose your rights to the popcorn :))
Detailed personality (see above):
Luggage:
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff):
Favorite food:
Choose a whole number (can be negative):
Detailed opinion on record players:
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color:
Allergies (can be real or fake):
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here):
~~~
Hello CBers! Elizabeth Narracott here. As I mentioned earlier, I will be accepting ten CBers with up to three companions each to my estate. It would be lovely if you could have your submissions in by Sunday, January 23rd, so I can begin to write on Monday. I cannot wait for you to visit the Estate! It sure is lovely here.
You are welcome to guess my identity. Actually, guessing my identity is very much encouraged :). I am a fairly “older” CBer now, I guess, if that is helpful at all.
And finally, this is an And Then There Were None themed Ski Lodge, if I hadn’t made that clear before. After all, Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery, I might as well honor her. Can’t wait to read the submissions (if there are any, heh). :)
With Much Love,
Elizabeth Narracott.
P.S. Admins. Elizabeth Narracott is a purely fictional name and has no connection to who I am outside of the Chatterbox. If you could, please leave the full name in the name box, as I believe that it adds to the effect I am hoping for. Thank you!
submitted by Elizabeth N., age Ski Lodge!, Narracott Estate
(January 19, 2022 - 8:13 pm)
(January 19, 2022 - 8:13 pm)
(January 22, 2022 - 3:29 pm)
Name: Jaybells
Entity: CBer
Appeared age: Young teen
Gender/Pronouns: She/her, female (but tomboyish)
Companion(s): N/A
Detailed appearance: Fair skin, eyes that change constantly colour, candy-floss-pink-and-blue hair, nible/flexible frame, average height, earrings and a locket-pendant necklace. Usually wearing a more serious expression, and will not reveal any surprise, fear, annoyance, etc. under any circumstances.
Detailed personality: Fairly serious but not above giving some snark, very observant and interested in mysteries, tends to go off on her own, is usually pretty nice/thoughtful(this WILL change if you've slighted her and it's likely you're on your own if that is the case), pretty practical and likes to mull over issues. Slightly mysterious, especially about her own past, tends to be on the quieter side, admires skill(even if it's used for 'bad' causes).
Luggage: A litre of pineapple juice, some extra clothes, some extra hair-bands, a throwing knife or two *whistles very unsuspiciously*, a notebook + sketch pad, a pencil casewith every art supply you'd ever need in it, a bow and a quiver of arrows, then an ace-bandage/brace and some plasters for emergencies.
Method of killing: HYPOTHETICALLY, of course... I suppose, something between poisoning, stabbing or shooting with an arrow.
Favorite food: Macarons or sushi
Choose a whole number: -2
Detailed opinion on record players: Intrigued? Considers them very useful...
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: Purple, muy bien, es fabulouso! Very regal and pleasing to the eyes. On the other hand, sharp-yellow sticks out too much and just doesn't 'taste' good. The look is too tangy and sour.
Allergies: N/A
Other Information: Pescatarian, wears contacts... And I think that's all.
(January 22, 2022 - 4:34 pm)
Thank you for your submission, Jaybells. It has been processed and accepted.
(January 22, 2022 - 6:39 pm)
This looks cool, although I've never read And Then There Were None. I probably should...
Name: Wren
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: CBer
Age, or approximate age: 13
Gender/Pronouns (if you use multiple pronouns, please provide me an example on how to use them in my writing): female/she/her
Companion(s) [Please fill out a separate sheet for each additional member you are bringing]: n/a
Detailed appearance (if it is not detailed enough, you lose your rights to the popcorn :)) short, with dark brown hair in a pixie cut, hazel eyes, pale tan skin. I usually wear darker colors & my glasses (red and gold). And my nails are painted black.
Detailed personality (see above): I'm usually on the quieter/shyer side, but I can be talkative if engaged in conversation, especially if it's about something I'm interested in (books/reading/writing/art/music, mostly). I almost never approach strangers of my own accord. I'm most comfortable when I'm alone, although I do like spending time with close friends/family, and I think I'm fairly empathetic.
Luggage: essentials, sketchbook, The Fellowship of the Ring with a bookmark in the middle, tablet & earbuds, pencils, notebook.
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): Morals aside, I'd probably use something subtle and hard to track, like suffocation/poison.
Favorite food: Pizza or sushi.
Choose a whole number (can be negative): -12
Detailed opinion on record players: Well. I don't own one, but I think they're interesting and slightly nostalgic (which doesn't make any sense, because I've never used one, but the fact stands.)
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: My favorite color is orange-yellow (like turmeric), because it's cheerful but more subdued than straight yellow. I also like black and blue-gray. My least favorite color is fluorescent orange. It's too bright and loud and artificial-looking.
Allergies (can be real or fake): n/a
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): You aren't Jaybells, are you?
(January 23, 2022 - 2:57 pm)
Thank you for your submission, Wren. It has been processed and accepted.
And no, I'm not Jaybells.
(January 23, 2022 - 5:38 pm)
Haha, the timing was sorta impeccable, especially since I just recently mentioned loving Christie's works, particularly And Then There Were None.
It's definitely a masterpiece of literature and mystery; what can I say?~
(January 23, 2022 - 7:45 pm)
This looks fun :)
Name: Shining Star (Star)
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: CBer
Age, or approximate age: 13
Gender/Pronouns (if you use multiple pronouns, please provide me an example on how to use them in my writing): she/her
Companion(s) [Please fill out a separate sheet for each additional member you are bringing]: I think I'll come on my own this time...the others are all in v---"NO WAY SLUSHY IS COMING!"
SIGH. SLUSHY IS MY AE. HE'S A CAT.
Detailed appearance (if it is not detailed enough, you lose your rights to the popcorn :)): I have wavy-curly brown hair with streaks of blond, gold, and copper. My eyes are light brown and I have a good amount of freckles, but not as many as Anne Shirley. My hands have long fingers and everyone says they're very elegant. I like baggy clothing, so that's what I wear, usually patterned.
Detailed personality (see above): I used to be quiet but nowadays, it's only if I'm around other kids. I'm pretty good with adults, though, and I love little kids. I LOVE writing, drawing, and reading, and animals. I am usually agreeable, but I have a stubborn streak and dislike being told what to do (comes from my mom's side, even though my mom is, like, the least stubborn person on the planet).
Luggage: SOCKS, baggy clothing of all types, writing/drawing materials, and lots of good books!
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): Eek. Not for me. BUT I do kill off characters in my books. So I guess I'd do an elaborate plan in which I either got them alone in a dark and spooky place with a knife, or drop a cave on them.
Favorite food: PANCAKES (not the Cber)
Choose a whole number (can be negative): 0
Detailed opinion on record players: They're pretty cool. I love that little "scritch scritch" they make as they go round and round and the slightly scratchy quality of the music. We used to have one but it broke, and sometimes I miss hearing "John Denver and the Muppets" blasted from its speakers.
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: I love the color brown. it's the color of tree bark, of soil, of chocolate; of creaky floorboards under your feet; of autumn, one of my favorite times of year; of brown paper bags as my cat plays in them...
I don't really have a least favorite color--I love them all. A color that I don't use very often is neon green. It just seems fake. but I don't hate it.
Allergies (can be real or fake): I have some but I'll just make one up: LETTUCE, and it isn't superbad
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): I make friends easily.
--Star
(January 23, 2022 - 5:27 pm)
Thank you for your submission, Shining Star. It has been processed and accepted.
(January 23, 2022 - 6:22 pm)
(January 23, 2022 - 8:48 pm)
Seeing as I only have one spot left, I am going to delay the submission deadline until tomorrow evening, since I would like to have a full list on 10 CBers in order to follow the story line.
(January 23, 2022 - 8:53 pm)
Name: Morning
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: CBer
Age, or approximate age: 14
Gender/Pronouns (if you use multiple pronouns, please provide me an example on how to use them in my writing): Female, she/her
Companion(s) [Please fill out a separate sheet for each additional member you are bringing]: None
Detailed appearance (if it is not detailed enough, you lose your rights to the popcorn :)) We always put appearances in sheets, even when the writers completely ignore them and it doesn't matter to the story. I'm definitely guilty of this as well, however, so I won't complain. I have brown hair that goes through phases of different waviness and is usually held back in a half ponytail, blue-grey-green eyes, and glasses. I like wearing sweaters and my favorite ones are green and heavy. I also like wearing tshirts associated with musical theatre. My favorite shoes are heavy brown boots that make me about an inch taller than my already tall frame makes me.
Detailed personality (see above): Quiet personality, but I have a loud voice when I am talking. I'm not very good at whispering. I'm very much a bookworm (my favorite is the Princess Bride), theatre geek (Les Mis superiority), and band nerd (I play the flute). Since this is imaginary, let's pretend I have more talent and confidence that I actually do, and burst out in show tunes periodically. I would probably choose one or two people with similar interests to stick next to and not talk to anyone else unless spoken to first.
Luggage: The obvious essential clothes, some books (if the author wants me to be reading, choose whatever seems like it might be fun for the story) my phone and earbuds. Ooh, I think a long trenchcoat! And two notebooks and several pens and pencils in a case. And candy, mostly chocolate and sour candy. All of this is in a very pretty backpack that the author can describe at will if need be. And, since this is a ski lodge, how about a purple and silver fountain pen that can expand into a dagger? There's no harm in that, right?
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): Hmmm... maybe knocked unconscious with a book and then drowned or stabbed.
Favorite food: Chocolate or goat cheese
Choose a whole number (can be negative): 2
Detailed opinion on record players: They are very pretty, the music that comes out of them is special and unique, they are bulky, getting ahold of good records can be difficult and expensive.
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: My favorite colors are forest green and dark, velvety violet. My least favorite is probably army green, because it makes me rather sick.
Allergies (can be real or fake): I am allergic to poison. It kills me.
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): If phone calls are allowed, I would like to call my very dear friend Abcde.
(January 23, 2022 - 10:06 pm)
Thank you for your submission, Morning. It has been processed and accepted
(January 23, 2022 - 11:58 pm)
Oh, look, a ski lodge. I haven't joined one of these in a while. And Then There Were None was a really good read, too. Good idea!
Name: NerdFace; Nerd
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: CBer
Age, or approximate age: 15
Gender/Pronouns: she/her/hers
Companion(s): I'll bring Dallas and Stella
Detailed appearance: Short, chin-length gold-brown hair; blue-grey eyes; thick black glasses that frame my eyes; sharp features; curvy with no muscle definitition except for my legs; tall-ish (5'8); pale white skin; freckles across my nose and cheeks; small, nimble hands; small feet; commonly wearing flare jeans or rolled mom jeans, button-up shirts, sweater vests, beanies, and black combat boots.
Detailed personality: mostly extroverted, but can get shy and closed off around other people; sarcastic; observant; quiet unless spoken to or if I have something to say; laid-back; can be really lazy at times; doesn't like to be alone; gets scared easily; likes to knit; has a short temper sometimes, especially with Dallas; friendly; and doesn't trust easily.
Luggage: anything i would ever need plus suspicious murder weapons and weird books and stuff obviously. and its all in a black duffle bag because that's how i roll
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): in a really really obvious way, but i would go a good girls guide to murder book three on the body :) or with knitting needles
Favorite food: sour patch kids, cheesecake, or frozen berries
Choose a whole number (can be negative): 34
Detailed opinion on record players: um, they're really weird and irrelevent but vinyl is pretty cool
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: green is the supierior color because why not and burnt orange is disgusting because it just is.
Allergies (can be real or fake): Penicillin, which is some sort of medication that i don't really know about, and seafood :( none of them lethal, but penicillin is pretty bad reaction
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): I'll submit Dallas and Stella tomorrow!
(January 23, 2022 - 11:57 pm)
Name: <Stella>
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: <Alter Ego>
Age, or approximate age: <16>
Gender/Pronouns: <Genderfae; alternate between she/her and they/them please!>
Companion(s): <I am a companion>
Detailed appearance: <Suntanned skin; bright purple hair that falls down my back in pristine beach waves, parted in the middle; pale grey eyes; purple rimmed glasses; multiple piercings, a few on the ears, two on my nose, one on my eyebrow, and one on my lip; short (5'2); thin; no muscular build; wears typical 90s style clothing, such as cuffed jeans and a belt, combat boots, popular band t-shirts, etc.>
Detailed personality: <um, I don't really know how to describe myself, so Nerd'll do it> okay, I got this: the mom friend; cares a lot about everyone, even if she doesn't know them; introverted but has social stamina; doesn't like confrontation or bad things happening; gets nervous easily; constantly worried; literally acts like a mom to me and Dallas; super kind hearted; never wants people to be upset or unhappy; pacifist; southern. There we go, happy? <Indeed>
Luggage: <Normal luggage stuff perhaps. Pretend I have creativity in this category>
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): <This is completely hypothetical of course, because I would never do something like murdering another person, but perhaps I would throw them off a balcony into a body of water>
Favorite food: <Peach Pie!>
Choose a whole number (can be negative): <-52>
Detailed opinion on record players: <Personally, I think that record players are super cool, they sound a lot better than normal music for some reason and it just goes with my vintage vibe. They are a bit obsolete, which means that the vinyl and the player itself is a bit expensive, so that's the only downside to a record player. Otherwise, they're quite facsinating.>
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: <My favorite color is purple, obviously, seeing as I've gone so far as to dye my own hair purple. It feels very royal in any shade and reminds me of the beginning of springtime when the lilacs and the lavenders start to bloom.> <My least favorite color is lime green, and the only reason for that is I believe it clashes really bad with the best color in the world, so I like to stay away from it.>
Allergies (can be real or fake): I am really allergic to walnuts! Like I have an epipen and everything!
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): Nothing to write here!
---
Finally! My turn!
Name: Dallas
CBer, Alter Ego, or CAPTCHA?: Alter Ego, thank you very much
Age, or approximate age: 14
Gender/Pronouns: Male; he/him
Companion(s): I wanted to bring Qwinn, but Nerd said no. >:(
Detailed appearance: Sandy blonde hair that hangs over my eyes; piercing green eyes; lots of freckles across my face; tall-ish for my age (5'10); lanky; muscular; can usually be found in some sort of sports attire and is that one kid who always wears shorts; addicted to his black beanie
Detailed personality: Amazing, awesome, and the best AE you will ever meet.
<No. Dallas, we've been over this, you aren't the—>
Don't finish that sentence if you want to see tomorrow, I promise you. Let me fill this out.
Dallas is certainly self-absorbed; loves to talk about himself; cares mostly about himself; is very reckless; likes to destroy things; takes pleasure in other people's downfall; spontaneous; definitely extroverted; atheletic; early bird; bold and confident; isn't afriad to speak his mind; is basically the opposite of Stella; and is in a really long lasting fight with Abcde, Morning's AE, so any mentions of her would set off weird things.
Did someone mention Abcde? I'm so much better than Abcde, you wouldn't believe it. Can I tell you the—
Okay, shush.
Luggage: There's a lot of things I stuffed in this bag and I don't really know what. Creative liberty, I guess. Have fun.
If you were to have killed someone, what method would you have used? (Ex: Poisoning, They “accidentally” fall off a cliff): Something extremely brutal. Promise I haven't actually murdered anyone.
...
...
I think...
Favorite food: PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA
Choose a whole number (can be negative): 11
Detailed opinion on record players: Don't know what they are, but it sounds fun to destroy.
Detailed opinion on your favorite and least favorite color: My favorite color is red. It is my favorite color becuase it represents the Toronto Raptors NBA team which is my favorite basketball team. It also is the color of the 49ers which is my favorite football team. Also, it looks really good on me, so I have that advantage. My least favorite color is also red. I dislike it because it is Abcde's favorite color, so I automatically have to hate it, but it is SO COOL.
Allergies (can be real or fake): I have no allergies! I am immune to sickness and unbreakable.
That's not true, since you're a part of me you automatically have a torn ligament in your knee. Sorry, bud.
But unlike you, I can run! Haha.
Not funny.
Other Information I Should Know (P.S. Anything you want included and relative to your person in my Ski Lodge, you should put that here): I am the best Alter Ego to ever exist.
*Sigh* I'm going to post now...
Have fun, can't wait for y'all to get home!
Oh, dear Adrian, we all know that is the biggest lie you've conjured up in a while.
Oops, you got me there, heh—
I'M POSTING NOW
(January 25, 2022 - 8:35 pm)
Oh, wow. I guess I have all submissions filled. NerdFace, please fill out your form and submit it my tomorrow evening, but I'll begin to write the part. I'll post the first one Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on my schedule! Thank you to all who have submitted!
(January 24, 2022 - 12:01 am)