Estylwen

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

Nice snipe. That ties up a good loose end too.

Iris Ascendis

Ciara Ventura

Wingram Clinic
@Nanaya

---

Ciara eavesdropped on the scraps of news whispered as she stood there at the receptionist’s desk. The most recent events in her life, mainly the insane opening ceremony, having to duel to survive, and fighting her teacher, caused it to be easy to forget there was a life beyond these walls.

The serial killer stood out to her the most. At least it wasn't a thief. But she couldn't help but think if her apartment in Vaal Shakta was safe.

With a click of her tongue, Ciara tuned her wavering focus to the receptionist.

“Place your Adapa against the book, please.”

Well-practiced speech. Most of it went over her head, as she was simply in no condition to move much, nevermind string logical parts of sentences together.

Blame the blood loss.

Ciara blinked slowly, before she reached into her mind. “Adapa?”

“Yes, miss?”

“Do as they say.”

The Adapa, distinguished from all the rest with its red leaf hidden in its pages, appeared in front of her. As it pressed against the receptionists book, many things happened all at once.

Ciara felt a ripping sensation in her mind.

The sensation was so strong, so dizzying, that she nearly failed to notice the floor zoom in towards her as she fell.

The ringing in her ears as she swooned.

A hand shot out, catching herself on the edge of the desk as her head thought of meeting the floor more intimately.

The bandage of the arm holding the desk immediately darkened, the movement splitting open the wound and nullifying the first-aid. Drops of blood dripped on the floor.

Ciara, wheezing, got back to her feet, the Adapa disappearing into thin air as the receptionist got the information they needed. She examined the bandage, a sharp suck of air as she felt the sting of the spear wound.

“Maybe… I can be seen sooner rather than later?”

What Did They Do To Us? A supernatural escape RP!!

Interested, this reminds me of SCP a bit.

Hider

Dried out, red eyes stared blankly at the clock. The seconds ticked over to exact midnight, and the clock gave a soft chime.

Chime. Chime. Chime.

Scratching on the walls. Scuttling along the halls. Shadows twisting and turning. Layla could feel it. Like an itch that had to be stabbed to be finished. Her curse had come back in full force.

And she would be facing it alone.

Lip trembling, Layla bowed her head, and waited. One breath. Two breaths. Three. Then, she felt a gloved hand on her chin, coaxing her eyes up.

“Dearie, you look dreadful.”

Red eyes, devoid of humanity, stared down at her. The center figure wore a black mask, the one on the right had a glowing red smile, and the one on the left sneered, face a pasty, stitched white.

The center figure spoke again, his voice a deep croon. “Did you miss us?”

The one with a red smile snapped sharply at the taller one. “Why do you play with it? Let's take what we came here for, now that it is gone.”

Layla knew what the red smiling one, Bahlok, referred to. The late Void Heart… Instinctively, her face scrunched up, her exhaustion giving way to silent, cold tears welling up.

“Just kill me.” Came the small whisper.

All three apparitions turned and stared down at her in confusion.

“Come again?” Chirped the smallest of the three with the white face, Bahlaas.

“Just kill me already!” Layla snapped, her cracked voice pitched in fervor. “I have nothing to live for, and no desire to be in this world. So take what you want and let me die.”

A long pause. Then the black masked figure, Kipnu, gave a dark chuckle.

“This is sweet. She wants to join her companion.”

Layla glared angrily. “Don't say a word about him!”

That elicited another sickly jovial chortle from the apparitions. Kipnu shrugged. “Like we care. Now, we came here for a very special reaso-”

Layla stuck her arms out, revealing skin marred with bite scars. “Take, and end me. I don't want to live anymore.”

Kipnu chortled. “Silly girl, you think we care if you want to live or die? We decide your fate, not you. And we want your blood.”

“Then take it! I don't care! Just…”

There was a pause. Kipnu glanced at the other apparitions before narrowing an inquisitive stare at Layla.

“Just what?”

“If you won't kill me… I'll kill myself. But to disappear peacefully isn't what I want. I need… revenge.”

A snicker.

“We're not helping you.”

“I'll give you what you want. As many teacup sacrifices as you can handle.”

A shake of the head. “Nah, dearie. Not for you to think you can command us around. No way.”

“But I'll be giving you a steady supply of food to toy with. You like that crap, don't you?”

“Eh, helping you with a murdering rampage? I dunno, I prefer sipping on you and watching you cower in fear.”

“I have another way to convince you.”

Layla pulled out the knife and pressed the tip to her throat in one fell swoop. She glared up at them, daring for them to move.

“What's this, dearie?”

“A promise. I can give you the Teacup sacrifice. Or, I can end your little ‘goldmine’ right here and now.”

“You wouldn't.”

“Watch me, asshole.”

Layla's eyes constricted, and she jabbed the knife a little harder, drawing a line of blood. She tried to increase the pressure, before a gloved hand grasped her wrist, stopping her. Kipnu leaned down towards her, staring at her through the mask.

“That's… that's enough. We'll help you, but only if you promise to give us your blood without a fuss, and humans to eat.”

Layla trembled there, before she nodded.

“Good. Now, be a good girl, and stay still.”

Kipnu pushed his mask to the side, revealing a faceless void with teeth, and he clamped down on Layla's neck as he drew the knife away further.

When will we be starting?

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

Jassssska from like 10 years ago. Yooooooo!!!

Now I'm dying to bring back Aslin.

The Dark Beyond: Adventures in Candyland (Prequel)

Yaaaay, okay!

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

Here's a sheet for the "evil" man House of Cards has caught.

Hider

Bruno.Arno

48 | Bruno Arno | He/him [hr//]"Outta my way, bitch."

Description:

An “evil” man. He's gone through five wives, and is on to his sixth. He's planned all their untimely deaths after forcing and coaxing them to take life insurance. He's been enjoying a life of bliss, gambling his free money away and living it up at the Hearts Club Casino. He treats everyone around him as below him, with an inflated ego that's all ‘me, me, me’ and ‘to hell with you’. A nightmare to his wives during the entire time they are together. If he had a dime for everybody of bad karma he's collected over the years, he'd have doubled his fortune.

Abstraction:

Not applicable. Yet.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

Halloween Festival, Outside of the Haunted House
_{Mentions: @Punished GN, @AtomicEmperor, @Fernstone}

---

Layla nodded calmly at Mr. Devola. Of course she wouldn't say a word. She was the best secret keeper. She had kept her own curse a secret for so long, after all.

A secret that, uh, she was pretty sure Mr. Devola knew about now.

But it was fine. She could trust him.

A glint caught her eye. Layla looked into the crowd, feeling eyes. Different from the golden orbs she had seen for the briefest moment. No, these were more sinister. More… familiar.

A body slipped to the side, and Layla caught a glimpse. Three glaring pairs of eyes, one masked, the rest glinting red. The Riil siblings, watching from afar. Their combined stare was cruel and hateful, creeping over Layla before settling on Edict.

Then, another body passed by, and they disappeared.

Layla had forgotten to breathe, and took a large suck of air. The fear of seeing them hit less, far less. The smile was still genuine and glowing on her face. Mr. Devola was right, this was much better.

But… What got them so worked up, though?

Layla turned her face to the approaching ladies. Britney looked like she had seen a ghost. What had happened? And… where were the drinks?

"But the whole scene was a big bag of NOPE."

Britney

Layla stared in confusion, before Linqian filled in.

”There was bird shit everywhere and Stormy was tryna get into some sexy PRA maid’s pants. You’d have to kill me before I’d drink with them, fucking hell.

Linqian

A giggle escaped Layla's lips. Wow, she was in a good mood. The scene as Linqian described it just sounded funny. It was just like Stormy to fraternize with the enemy. She wouldn't be surprised if he was selling out coven secrets to those blue-lined thugs.

“Well, uh. Sorry you didn't get the drinks you wanted.” She said, an apologetic smile on her face as her eyes passed from Britney, to Sabrina and Linqian.

“We were just… waiting. No one like Vashti came by again so…” Layla said, trying to hide her smirk.

"Haunted House? Maybe get the hell off this island because it's clear Emily's goons are here, and lemme tell you something: that is NOT one tree I want to bark up."

Britney

Layla’s lips pursed in the appearance of pained knowing. She really felt too mellowed out to care too much about some idiots. But Britney was right.

Britney was right.

Wow, it felt weird, but so natural to acknowledge Britney’s rightness.

The 8th Coven wanted beef with them, maybe even tonight. And that, that really wasn't good. No. Britney was hot on their list too. Layla made a face that looked empathetic. Britney was in danger the longer she stayed here.

That was no good. They were friends.

"My house should be empty. My sisters are all out and are either out of town or won't be back until later."

Sabrina

Layla shot up from the bench where her and Mr. Devola had been waiting, fist in the air. “Yeah, I wanna see Sabrina’s house!”

She stared wistfully over the bustle of the festival, before glancing up at Mr. Devola.

“I wanted to see more, but…”

Her eyes flicked to Britney. “You're right. It's actually too risky to be out right now, not with cops and Emily, Vashti, blaaah, on the loose.”

She shrugged, smiling. “Let's get out of here.”

Layla paused, before pulling a bill out of her pocket, offering it to Linqian. “Here's my bid for the second one. Why not~?”

---

Isabella Blackthorn & The House of Cards

The Hearts Club Casino
_{Mentions: @Punished GN}

---

While most of the young scene flocked to Cracker Island for the Halloween Festival, the downtown of St. Portwell held a different scene. Mainly the lit up Hearts Club Casino, and the costumed party-goers inside.

Sitting at one of the busy slot machines, a chubby man dressed as a masquerader, arm candy being his wife, thirty years his junior.

He pulled the handle again as his wife watched on with forced enthusiasm. DING! DING! DING! Casino coins started pouring out of the bottom of the machine as a golden 7-7-7 lit up his screen.

“Whoooo, did'ja see that?” He screamed, shoving his wife out of the way as he started scooping up coins. Then he wiggled his fingers at her.

“Bitch, go buy me another drink. I deserve it after this haul.”

The wife held a sigh, turned heel and melted into the growing crowd ogling his ringing slot machine.

Staff attendants and security started showing up on the scene, as one tapped the chubby man on his shoulder.

“Huh? Put my drink on the table, leave me alone.”

“Sir, we're here to cash you out.” The bodyguard, a built and tall man at over 6 feet, sunglasses over his eyes, stared down at the winner.

The chubby man seemed to sweat a bit, before puffing out his chest. “Thought you'r my wife. You say cash?”

“Yes, sir. If you'll follow-”

The chubby man snapped his fingers impatiently. “Well hurry up, I ain't got all day.”

The bodyguard merely maintained a placid face, and gestured for the winner to follow. He was escorted up the second floor, then the third, where the offices were located. The bodyguard opened a door for him, and a lady dressed in black, brim of her hat over black, curled tresses, stood from her desk.

“Mr. Arno? I'm Miss Blackthorn. Please have a seat.”

---

---

Mafya Müziği | Prod by Pasha Music

---

---

The man sat, a gleeful and greedy grin on his face. “So where's ma money?”

“You'll get what's due to you. You're our winner, after all.” The woman said, writing a quick note on her pad before passing it to the bodyguard who walked in. The bodyguard nodded before taking his station at the closed door.

“We take great pride in our patrons, Mr. Arno. Or should I say Bruno Arno.” Miss Blackthorn spoke, pulling up a file that had sat idly on her desk. She thumbed through it nonchalantly.

“Consistent patronage since we’ve re-opened, and patronage in the old casino before, with over an estimated $500,000 spent in the casino total. Mainly slots, but a few tables too.”

The chubby man, Bruno, slapped his belly loudly, that selfish grin still on his face. “What can I say, I'm a big-time spender!”

Miss Blackthorn merely tilted her head, an unamused look on her face as she flipped to the next place. “Now, let's look at your wife, shall we? Or, your fifth wife, to be exact.”

“What's wrong with that? My wives had weak hearts, er'body knows that.” Bruno said out of the side of his mouth.

“Mhmm.” Miss Blackthorn said, before she continued. “Your first wife died of a heart attack. Your second one, suicide. The third, a car accident. And the fourth, bad medication.”

The man seemed to sweat a bit at this. “You uh, seem to have done your research. Is this what you do with all winners?”

The woman gave Bruno a cold stare. “No, Mr. Arno. Just you.”

It was then the door clicked open, and two more men entered the room. They were dressed slightly different, in dark suits with splashes of red, staring at Bruno like he was prey.

Miss Blackthorn leaned forward. “What I've uncovered doesn't seem to add up, though, Mr. Arno. Maybe you can help me with this. You see, every time someone died, a huge life insurance would be paid out to the sole beneficiary - you. Money that would be gambled away here.”

She narrowed her eyes slyly as she watched the man tremble.

“Tell me, Mr. Arno.” She leaned forward. “What really happened to your wives?”

“Uh. I uh, I-... Uh-!”

Bruno lost it. “You can't prove nothin’. The cases are closed, done and done!”

Miss Blackthorn glanced at her men with a single finger on her cheek - a sign. They moved in, looming over Bruno.

“You seem to think I'm working with the law. Well. I am the law, but not in the way that you think.”

With that, Miss Blackthorn stood up and moved to the door. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back.

“Enjoy yourself while you can, Mr. Arno. I hope everything you've done was worth it.”

As the door closed behind her, there was the frantic shuffling of a desperate man fighting the hands that pinned him down, beat him a few times, cuffed him, put a bag over his head, and dragged him away…

The Dark Beyond

Sounds fun, Lexi! Good luck with that!

Ahh, good things take time. I think Angel's been a bit busy.... 🤔

The Dark Beyond: Adventures in Candyland (Prequel)

@WhiteAngel25 How's your post coming along?

The Dark Beyond

Doing fabulous, Days. You? :>

Aurélie felt like a small child once more, holding her mother’s hand

Everything just kind of goes full circle, doesn't it? Satisfying that Auri is back, even if she's uh, worse for wear.

”So? Maman is my maman now.”

Exactly!

From safety to betrayal. Two very different Nick’s, in Aurélie’s opinion.

Cosy's seen that too, not understanding what the changes in Nick mean. Except with her, Nick wasn't really in control of his body.

With a couple of blinks she managed to keep the welling tears at bay as her newly combined family talked

Awww, Auri don't cry! :<<<

”Funny, usually you like it when I take my time.”

//extreme blushy face

What- Theo!!!?! Where is your mother?!?!?!?!?

Dragon observed his Star with gentle amusement and happiness.

Awwwww- :,)

There were several moments when Dragon had to remind himself to be a gentleman and not want to tear that dress off her form and leave her breathless.

//extreeeeeemely extreme blushy face

Wh-what a second!!!!! o/////o;;;;;;;;;;;

Do not stray too far, just because this is a gala, doesn't mean Hivemind won't try to pull something

Kekekeke-

With what Thierry sacrificed, they would be nuts not to try something tonight

Well, ya know…. //mischievous smirk

Absolute fire post and fire collab, I'm utterly floored. Apologies for the delay, I was just a bit busy here. :>

That brings us to Angel!