Estylwen

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

Sounds great! @Days, would you be okay with waiting so Angel can get a post in? Or you can post as well, either works for me.

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

@Qia That sounds great! Love the new pfp, btw!

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

@rabidbacon Thanks for the heads up, looking forward to it!

Backrooms: The Thing that Breathes

C.G.115 -> E.Y.122, The Endless Store

@Squirrel98

---

As Amanda descended down the steps, the air changed from warm and humid, to cool and air conditioned. As she opened the door at the bottom of the steps, she walked into a dimly lit store. Packaged food on shelves, as far as the eye could see. There was no end to the aisles, or the overall darkness.

As Amanda took a few steps forward, the door behind her swung shut. It wouldn't open again. At least, not now.

Amanda had a few options. She could walk to the left, where she could see jams and spreads, or walk to the right, where she could see chips and popcorn. Lastly, she could walk straight ahead, past the aisle, where she could see check out counters. Beyond the counters was natural light shining through automatic doors, but they wouldn't open. On the floor surrounding the doors was a pool of dried blood.

Angelica's distinct voice could be heard over the intercom.

“You're not alone here, my dear. I would keep your wits about you, and keep your eyes open…”

---

C.G.115 -> P.G.116, The Red Button

@Xandrya

---

Michelle's carefulness brought her to the upper staircases, and a door, which she opened to reveal a yellow-ish room. The musty smell of this room was a deep contrast to the humid pool smell of the room behind her.

She would notice the big red button in the center of this room with its vaulted ceiling. Tantalizing. Alluring. Begging to be pressed.

The cracks and crevices in this button told a different story, though. Regents of dried blood on it, beholden of a time where previous strangers had pressed the button, and suffered the consequences.

Beyond the button, the far wall was curved inward. Written in large black paint was the text ‘Spin Here’.

What exactly would happen when and if she hit that foreboding button, though, was any guess.

Zuzu the Ponycorn and the eggbutts sat, appearing lifeless at the foot of the button. Zuzu appeared almost sad, ”Won't you hold me, fragile human?” The eggbutts, likewise, appeared mute, save for a stray giggle here and there.

There was a door to her far left, with an exit sign over it. It was an option if she didn't want to take her chances with the button.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Heehee, she is just a child after all. <3 You're fine.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Tarin, Eagle Inn

@The Otter

---

"How immature. You may get along well with her friend I met earlier today—tall, dark hair, riding on a wolf. Maybe you should ask him your questions?"

Callum

Spirit's eyes narrowed behind his mask, before he let out a short chuckle. ”That little Sparrow? Please, animal whisperers aren't my taste.”

His gaze held Callum's as the boy stepped directly in his path, and looked at the boy curiously. Before he could feel the smile creeping across his hidden face again. ”You really do fancy yourself a hero, don't you, boy?”

He hefted Anabel on his shoulder, and she gave an uncomfortable grunt, before his eyes returned smugly to Callum's. ”Well, if you really think you can sto-”

Before he contorted sharply to the side, ears pricking at the sound of a knife removing itself from the floorboard. The dagger narrowly missed him as it flew on its trajectory. He stared for a moment, before a smug ’Hah!’ left him.

He raised a hand, and little translucent wisps left his fingertips, soaring through the air on curved trajectories. Some aimed for Callum's arms, some his chest, some his ankles. If any were to impact Callum, he would instantly feel Slow magic grind his movement to a near-halt.

”Then let's dance, little hero.” Spirit growled as he took a menacing step forward.

By this time, the patrons in the tavern had hidden themselves under tables and behind the bar, watching on with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

---

Hathforth, Plaza Facing the Pier

@Donut Look Now

---

“Would you like some flowers to talk with you? They would look so lovely in your hair, my lady. I could even braid them in for you! As thanks for helping.”

Arwen

Asteria, as she watched Arwen hold out the flower to her, couldn't help herself. She really couldn't. All the grooming of a noble, and she still had the childish urges graced upon her. And in that moment, she very much desired for flowers to be woven into her hair. She was sure Her Majesty would love it.

Mene, already seeing the infatuation taking over Asteria's eyes, rolled his own before holding her by the shoulder. “Sister, I can see your mind is made up. Deven will stay with you; I'll go on ahead and meet you at the ship. Alright?”

Asteria held her brother's hand for a moment, beaming at him. He wasn't angry with her, to which she was grateful for. “You are so gracious, my brother. I shan't make you wait long, I promise.”

So Mene moved on, his small boyish stature disappearing in the bustle of the pier as he headed to the Battle-Blood Minstrel. Deven, dutiful as ever, stayed close to Asteria's side, keeping a watchful eye on Arwen as he too, entertained the smile on Asteria's little face.

Asteria herself nodded smoothly to Arwen. ”Your flowers are very pretty, Arwen. I would love them in my hair. You think it would look pretty?” She said, smiling, blissfully innocent.

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

It's up! Feel free to have Jay wake up at your leisure, Sporko!

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

@SporkoBug, @Days

---

Buluc howled as he felt claws dig into his arm. Reflexively, he dropped Jay, and she fell into a crumpled heap on the table. With a voice full of rage, Buluc tried to blindly grab Axen with his free hand, trying to squish him, squeeze him.

However, he didn't make it far. Alas, the shot Nova lined up aimed and struck true. An explosion of light centering on Buluc’s eye shot outward. When the dust settled, half of his face had been blown off, and he was gripping his face, shrieking with pain.

Slowly, the shrieks died down, and Buluc began to dissolve. Eventually, he was nothing but a scattering of atoms.

All was quiet.

Before, of course, a slow clap was heard over the speaker. The voice of Von Galloes reverberated through the underground room crisp, deep, and clear.

“My, my, what a show. Even after all this time, you still haven't learned. Anything you cherish, it makes you lose your minds, really. How you chase after it.”

Von Galloes could be seen peering down at them safely from his observatory window high above.

“Say, have you gotten any closer to discovering why this CDE site behaves differently than the rest? Why the CDE here is more… erratic, than normal?”

Von Galloes gave a mocking pout, his voice exaggerated.“What, no progress? Tell me you have at least something? You, Voidlight researcher, you haven't figured this place out yet?”

A laugh. Cold and staccatic.

“A pity. Well, if you were smart enough to find a way up here, perhaps I could help alleviate some of your… well, troubles, for you.”

While Von Galloes spoke, a ding softly resonated through the expanse. The small steel door to the far end slide open, revealing a narrow set of staircases that, indeed, led to the very man who had caused so much suffering to the survivors and the world…

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

I haven't heard anything from Angel, and Lexi is a bit busy, so I'm going to start writing up a post and have it up ideally tomorrow!

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

The out of order post has been successfully hidden!

Edit: The post looks great, @Donut Look Now!