Places to Chat
Ski Lodge -
Chatterbox: Pudding's Place
Ski Lodge -
Ski Lodge - Chatterbox - Underwater Base
The six sectors of the Chatterbox are heaped with snow, and the sounds are muted by a thick fog as you make your way home to your house at Pudding's Place. You've been partying away in Down to Earth, but the night is growing old and your eyes are blurry with exhaustion.
Your keys jingle in your pocket as you trudge along. You wonder if perhaps you oughtn't to have drank quite so much wine at the party. You have a massive headache.
You pause, puzzled. Did you pass your house? You don't see the friendly glow of its windows. You turn around. Did you miss the street?
Your head begins to clear as adrenaline pumps through your veins. You begin to be quite nervous. The fog thickens still more and your damp clothes cling to your skin. Shivering, you turn in a circle.
"Hello?" you call into the fog.
Silence.
Just then, there is a fluttering noise to your left. You turn with a slight jump and see, to your terror, some sort of dragon flying towards you.
It's a dragon alright. Straight out of Kyngdom. You stare at it, letting out a stunned noise of shock. It releases a spurt of flame and lands on your shoulder. It is only about the size of a large bat.
It turns and hands you a letter, sealed with the standard rose-sticker. Then it flies away, leaving you staring after it. The fog begins to thin, and you can see the lights of Pudding's Place ahead of you--the massive building of the Regular Art Thread right ahead of you. Relieved, you hurry home and settled in. Once you've had dinner and showered and are settled into bed, you take out the letter.
It's addressed to you, from someone called "Archna Spook".
You slowly peel it open.
Dear CBer,
It is my utmost pleasure to invite you to spend a month at out underwater base in Inkwell. We will spend our days scuba-diving and exploring ancient sunken wrecks. All meals and lodging will be provided. You may bring up to three companions.
We hope you will join us! It will be such fun. Of course, you must abide by our Disclaimer:
We are not responsible for any injuries or deaths that may occur.
Of course, we do not expect any trouble.
Regards, and hoping to see you soon,
Archna Spook
______________________________________________________________________
So, hope you enjoy this! Here's the form:
Name:
CBer, AE, or CAPTCHA:
Age:
Pronouns:
Personality:
Appearance:
Strengths/skills:
Weaknesses/shortcomings:
What do you think about the ocean?:
Packing List:
Have you scuba-dived in real life?:
How would you describe yourself in five words?
How would your best friend describe you in one word?
Other:
Have fun! We will accept up to 15 CBers, not counting any companions. See you soon! P.S. Submissions will end on February 16th, 2022. The ski-lodge will begin on the 19th, assuming I can write that fast. You will be informed if the date is pushed back.
--Archna Spook
submitted by Archna Spook, age Ski-Lodge
(February 8, 2022 - 9:35 pm)
(February 8, 2022 - 9:35 pm)
I'll reserve! This sounds awesome!!!
P.S. Bella says drgwn! I guess she heard about the dragon and will be watching the story play out from a safe distance, then. :/
(February 8, 2022 - 10:21 pm)
(February 8, 2022 - 11:43 pm)
Reserving for me and two AEs!
(February 9, 2022 - 10:03 am)
(February 9, 2022 - 10:51 am)
Name: Wildfire
CBer, AE, or CAPTCHA: AE
Age: more or less 16
Pronouns: usually fae/faer, sometimes she/her or he/him
Personality: chaotic, loyal, charismatic, manipulative
Appearance: see attached pic
Strengths/skills: shapeshifting
Weaknesses/shortcomings: doesn't mind lying/deception,
What do you think about the ocean?: intriguiing lets explore!!!!!!
Packing List: snacks, daggers, garrote wire, kinetic waterproof watch
Have you scuba-dived in real life?: no
How would you describe yourself in five words? enjoys mischief, shapeshifter, draws badly
How would your best friend describe you in one word? unpredictable
Other: I''m a shapeshifter, below are my preferred forms. If shapeshifting is too OP for your ski lodge, limit it too gender characteristics, e.g. hair, figure, etc.
Drawn by Wren.
(February 9, 2022 - 12:05 pm)
Is it alright if I send some AEs but not myself?
(February 9, 2022 - 3:00 pm)
Yup
(February 9, 2022 - 11:06 pm)
Name: Moriko (Riko)
CBer, AE, or CAPTCHA: AE
Age: 13
Pronouns: she/her
Personality: Confident & skilled. Loves language, gaming, feeling accomplished, camping, learning.... she's really good at organization, planning and socializing.
Appearance: Shoulder-length dark thick brown hair, green eyes, pale skin
Strengths/skills: Gaming, language, very smart, very confident, fun to be around, drawing, writing
Weaknesses/shortcomings: Can be bossy or arrogant
What do you think about the ocean?: She LOVES it.
Packing List: Clothes, money, sketchbook, notebook, books, laptop
Have you scuba-dived in real life?:No
How would you describe yourself in five words? Smart, confident, skilled, bossy, organized
How would your best friend describe you in one word?Put-together
Other:
(February 10, 2022 - 9:39 am)
This looks epic! Reserving one spot for myself and one for one of my AEs! :D
(February 10, 2022 - 5:49 pm)
OKie!
(February 12, 2022 - 4:42 pm)
Hey, sorry it took me so long to fill these out...
Name: pangolin
CBer, AE, or CAPTCHA: CBer
Age: 12, but I look a bit older
Pronouns: She/they, or fae/faer, whichever is easiest to write :)
Personality: I am thoughtful, logical, and quiet, and a self-declared nerd. I am socially awkward, weird, and, admittedly, a bit eccentric. I am an outcast, and am often alone, but rarely lonely. I am often found daydreaming about going on an adventure, writing, drawing, reading, or spending way too much time on school assignments. My number 1 method of procrastination is looking through NASA's 3D exoplanet simulation. I am adventurous, mischevious at times, creative, quick-witted, and have a slighty dark sense of humor.
Appearance: I am slightly taller than average, and have slightly tanned skin and freckles. Thick wavy mid-length red hair just past my collarbone. I have dark eyelashes that frame my slightly narrowed eyes. My eyes are strange- they can be different colors depending on the lighting. They are naturally a blue-green but can appear blue-gray, green, or even purple. For this I will be wearing a Hamilton hoodie, dark skinny jeans with a brown belt, black hightop converse, and rainbow stripped socks.
Strengths/skills: Noticing things. I'm very quiet and observant, and am very aware of my surroundings. I'm also intelligent and I'm good at thinking logically, and know a lot of random facts about history. I'm know practically all of the lyrics to Hamilton and will often make refrences to it. I'm strong and a fast runner, but don't have great stamina.
Weaknesses/shortcomings: I'm very socially anxious, and have trouble starting conversations. As previously stated, I don't have great stamina.
What do you think about the ocean?: Well, the ocean goes hand in hand with sandy beaches, and I really don't like sand. I've grown up going to beaches with rough scratchy sand and I know I probably sound like Anakin Skywalker right now but honestly he's right. But setting sand aside, oceans really intrigue me. There's just so much that hasn't been explored. I've always wondered what hidden secrets lurk in its watery depths?
Packing List: Essentials, a camera, a solar-powered cellphone, a bathing suit, my sketchbook, pencils & pens, a stack of books, a journal, a short sword with Celtic engravings, a dagger, and a bow and poison-tipped arrows.
Have you scuba-dived in real life?: No, but I've always wanted to.
How would you describe yourself in five words?: Introverted, nerdy, intelligent, organized, determined
How would your best friend describe you in one word?: Ambitious
Other: n/a
Name: Barnacle
CBer, AE, or CAPTCHA: AE
Age: Somewhere from 14 to 16
Pronouns: Male, he/him
Personality: Mischievous, chaotic, doesn't think before doing, slightly demonic and evil
Appearance: pangolin can't make up their mind about this. Right now I have shaggy dirty-blonde hair that's about chin-length, pale ice-blue eyes, light skin and freckles. I'll be wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, and brown boots.
Strengths/skills: I'm very talented at pulling pranks and being annoying (if you count that as a strength. I do, but pangolin doesn't). I'm also somewhat athletic.
Weaknesses/shortcomings: Doesn't think before doing, chaotic, annoying.
What do you think about the ocean?: It's great. My name is somewhat inspired by the ocean, and I have to give credit where credit's due. Plus, throwing sand at pangolin is very entertaining. They'll scream and then chase me around the beach and threaten to delete me from the CB (but she never will because I was her first AE...too many sentimental attachments *grins evilly*)
Packing List: I'll be bringing essentials, a journal, a flashlight, matches and a lantern a coil of rope, and a Swiss Army Knife
Have you scuba-dived in real life?: No. pangolin won't let me.
How would you describe yourself in five words?: Mischievous, chaotic, loves pranking people
How would your best friend describe you in one word?: A pain
Other: n/a
(February 15, 2022 - 4:54 pm)
Everybody! Please submit your forms!
(February 15, 2022 - 5:23 pm)
(February 16, 2022 - 5:42 pm)
So those who did not submit their forms will be included in the story as I imagine them. If you'd like to be removed from the story, or submit your form once it's begun, that's fine. Or, if I'm using the wrong pronouns, let me know. I'm happy to change!
DAY 0 – PART ONE
The CBers were picked up on the appointed date by several coaches pulled by white horses, one for each CBer.
Jaybells was asleep in the back seat of her carriage, a sketchbook forgotten in her hands. It had been a long journey, and she was exhausted.
Wildfire wrote out the multiplication table to pass the time. Riko asked the footman if she could pet the horses, and received no response.
Darkling struck up a conversation with the footman. Red Starlight hummed a song. Barnacle dozed. Pangolin whistled a tune.
The carriages pulled up at last in front of a white dome-looking building. The footmen got out one by one and helped the CBers and co. out. Everyone walked around a bit and stretched their legs.
The lead footman assured them that their host would soon be arriving, if they would just wait a short time; and then he got into his carriage, along with the others, and drove away, leaving the CBers alone.
The ocean was quite near. The large white dome was built about 50 yards away from a steep cliff that overlooked the sea.
Wildfire walked over and looked down at the ocean.
“It’s beautiful,” she remarked.
“And very far down,” said Jaybells, joining her.
A steep concrete stairway descended down the cliff, ending at a sandy beach below. Jaybells wondered what wonders might be found there, but she dared not go.
They waited there, playing tic-tac-toe, for half-an-hour. No-one appeared, and Jaybells at last declared her fraustration.
“I am just about fed up,” she announced. “No—I am fed up! If Archna Spook wanted us to come, she should have been prompt. If she doesn’t show up now, I
M leaving.”
“I’ve been here the entire time,” said a voice.
They all turned to see a woman in her mid-thirties emerging from a door in the white dome. She had long black hair and wore a gray veil and dress. She now removed the veil and made a little bow to the CBers.
“I was simply seeing how long it took for someone to snap. A pleasure to meet you; I am Archna Spook.”
There was a moment of silence, and then the CBers began to murmur their greetings.
“Let us waste no time in getting to your lodgings,” said Archna. “Follow me.”
They obeyed, following her down to the beach. There, they climbed into a small submarine, which she then maneuvered out into the bay.
“Our facilities are rather deep,” she told them as they puttered along. “We can only get there by sub.”
After about half an hour, the CBers looked out the window and stared in amazement. Below was a great underwater facility; large, and similar to what a factory would look like in the surface world, only with no windows.
They drifted into an airlock and the water drained away. The CBers climbed out of the aubmarine, looking about at the small room, which was cramped and smelled of fish. Riko tapped on the wall, looking curious at the hollow clang it made.
Archna led them up a narrow metal staircase `and they emerged into a hall. On the wall was posted a huge bulliten board, with a schedule posted on it, and room assignments, which were as follows:
Room 1: Jaybells and Wildfire
Room 2: Moriko and Barnacle
Room 3: Darkling and Pangolin
Room 4: Red Starlight
Archna made a grand gesture with her hands. “Welcome to the Chatterbox Underwater Facility, CBers! Today you will get settled in, and activities will begin tomorrow. Thank you for coming.”
The CBers dispersed.
Wildfire settled down on her bunk, the bottom one (as Jaybells immedietly claimed the top) and began to draw. Jaybells disappeared into the bathroom to shower after their journey. In the next bedroom, Barnacle and Riko argued over the bunks and then settled down to read. In Room 3, Darkling and Pangolin talked about shared interests while they unpacked, and Red Starlight sketched and hummed.
The CBers were certainly settling in. But in one mind there stirred a darkness; a shadow. Their reason for coming here at all. Their reason, an evil, twisted hunger. That sweet, that bitter reason.
I will get revenge for what they did to me.
Alive: 9
Dead: 0
Suspects: None
(February 18, 2022 - 8:31 pm)
How come all of these things are horror themed? I'm only 11!
(March 6, 2022 - 6:42 pm)