NIGHT 017: THIRD HOUSE

[allthekeys]

|| FIRST FLOOR || SECOND FLOOR || THREAT DOWN
|| GENERAL The guests will find themselves waking scattered between the birdcages in the Birdcage room. The area is open to the outside, and the outer cage has a thin layer of snow covering the floor. It's chilly, and the bars they find themselves resting upon are not at all forgiving. Thankfully, whoever has placed them here has not seen fit to lock the doors, and they can untangle themselves from their prisons with little fuss or panic. The entry door to the house is solidly closed and locked, making passage to any of the other houses impossible. Those few that have found themselves in this house will find they are cut off from the other house-guests completely, much to their frustrations. As everyone wakes in the Birdcage Room, one of their fellows seems to have changed whilst they slumbered. His transformation already complete, the Art Enthusiast lingers at the edge of the room, near the door. He stands perfectly still for a long time, bizarrely placid face stained with tear tracks, but otherwise calm. In spite of the new location, he seems unperturbed by the lack of art around him-- and instead watches his living companions with a quiet interest and, at times, affection. It does not take long for him to move out of the way of the entrance, but he seems much more passive tonight. He will not attack any who approach him, even if they encroach upon his personal space. Instead he reacts with longing and attempts to communicate. He is far more animated this evening than normal, though his interaction, even with gestures, is still limited. He is particularly drawn to those artistically inclined and those who are close to Don Marks in life. He will approach them more readily and will stay closer to them. He wanders the entirety of the Third House tonight, occasionally pointing out different things in their paths and warning against danger. Occasionally he stops in his journey, however, to let out a low, quiet sob. Anyone who goes off alone will find themselves confronted with a Wraith. These creatures are rather insubstantial at first glance, little more than drifting bundles of bone and white fabric, impossible to touch. They are easy to ignore, as they do not at appear harmful or at all interested in those that move near them. For groups of house-guests, they do little but add another unnerving element to the night -- one that is more than willing to leave them in peace. It is only when a house-guest is alone that they seem to take interest, drifting closer and closer in stages, brushing their bony hands against the living flesh of the guests. Those who come in contact with the Wraiths will find that it feels as though they are being drained of something more vital than blood. It is easy to move away from the creatures, easy to avoid them. A simple sidestep can see the house-guest safely parted from the ghostly creatures, the drain halted with the loss of contact. Make eye contact, however, and a guest will find they are caught -- unable to move away as the creatures drift closer and closer, bony hands pressing insistently against exposed skin, pushing into hair in a twisted parody of intimacy. They will be unable to move as the creatures lean near to them, tasting their breath as they suck it from their bodies. Those caught in the wraith’s gaze will be unable to pull away on their own, despite their best efforts, despite the knowledge that death is nipping at their heels. If left, the house-guest will die, another wraith rising from the corpse. The house-guest will wake after some time has passed, body achy and cold. Those who have been killed by the Wraiths will find that they wake from death with the utter assurance that something is missing, something insubstantial but important. Something they will be unable to identify. Anyone who sleeps alone tonight will find that the Wraiths pose another danger. Sleeping alone will result in them waking to a Wraith leaning over them, fingers hungrily pressing to their faces and lips finding theirs in an icy kiss. It will not lead to their death, though no matter how much they struggle with the creature, they will be unable to escape from it. With each indrawn breath, they will find that more and more of the Wraith vanishes, until nothing is left but the searing cold of the hands holding their head in place and the brush of icy lips and teeth. The moment they inhale for the last time, they will feel the hunger of the Wraith beginning to consume them. The burning need to touch someone, to caress living skin, to draw the life from their bodies. Anyone touching one of those that has been possessed by the Wraiths will find that the living house-guest now possesses the same abilities as the wraiths, and only death will free them from the creature’s grasp. [ Back to top ] || FIRST FLOOR Despite the rather cold beginning, and some less than cheerful company, it seems as though someone has attempted to make tonight’s stay a little more pleasant. In the Professional Kitchen large tureens of hot milk wait for the guests, and the makings for all sorts of fancy sipping chocolate have been laid out for them to choose. Marshmallows at the end of peppermint sticks are very useful for stirring the concoctions, and several sorts of alcohol and cookies have been left for their enjoyment. A welcome, of sorts, perhaps an apology for their imprisonment. It is a fortunate thing that the spread is so fancy, as the guests will soon find that the thought of eating anything plain is simply out of the question. Every meal or beverage partaken of for the guests in the third house must be something extraordinary, no matter how hungry they might find themselves to be. There are brownies, rich and soft and gooey in the center, drizzled with dark chocolate; there’s toffee that’s sticky enough to cling to your fingers but is absolutely delicious to lick off; chocolate mousse and fluffy and light lemon fromage with raspberries, just the thing to take the edge off the heavier cakes and snacks that adorn the table. Pies, cheesecakes, puddings, soufflés; all of them not only baked and cooked to perfection to ensure the best taste the ingredients have to offer but presented meticulously, with powdered sugar on top and as well as bowls of whipped cream flavoured with vanilla close by, some of the black seeds visible in the chilled topping. There’s the red of strawberries and the yellow of lemon everywhere, not to mention blueberries and cherries visible through golden pie crusts; and cakes, plenty of them and all very stylish and rich in flavour, both unusual and homey – ranging from pound cakes to ice cream cakes to cakes topped with lime to add a bit of tang to balance out the sweetness. If any guests would like something lighter, there are cookies with jam and glaze, slices of caramelized fruit, sugary and still warm to touch, like they’re fresh out of the kitchen, ranging from apples to mango; as well as plenty of mixed berries to go with sugar and cream, all dished out beautifully. Then beyond that, there are the drinks. Other than chocolate, there’s coffee; and you can add anything to it - steamed milk, ice cream, whiskey, brandy, and whipped cream are just some examples, but it all adds up wonderfully with the aroma of the beverage which is deep and earthy and has a kick that few kinds of coffee can rival. But the highlight to many of the houseguests will be the alcohol. There’s rum, both white and golden, vodka, gin and various kinds of liquor, and plenty of ways to mix it if you wish; with grapefruit, lime, cranberry, grapefruit and orange juice for starters, and coupled with what fruit and berries you can already find on the table, the possibilities seem endless. There are several more serious-looking drinks as well, less colourful and more smoky, pale or golden, like champagne, whiskey, scotch and bourbon. A crystallized bowl of ice cubes in the center of the table is there if you’d like it, but all alcoholic dreams are chilled and add just the right kind of excitement to the party. Perhaps a bit too much, if you’re not careful. For those who prefer a more traditional local to drink in the Gentleman’s Club has just the thing. A pleasant enough man stands ready at the bar, happy to provide anything the house-guests ask for -- save for, of course, their freedom. Anything can be requested tonight, from the most mundane thing to the most illegal, and the smiling man will happily provide it. The bar is open, and the bar keeper stands ready to serve. This room is a safe room tonight, though the Sirens again spin on the poles, lazily presenting themselves to be admired. They are harmless tonight, and offer no threat to the guests. Some may even start to recognize those that return to see them more than once, offering a playful wink or a blown kiss in their direction. The Perfume Lady sings softly, her intoxicating voice wafting over those gathered, luring any who might try to linger out of some sort of propriety into the room. She, like the others within the bar, is harmless tonight. She will offer no threat to the house-guests who settle to enjoy her company, and the visible cloud around her offers only a nice smell. Those who remain near her for long might find themselves becoming more and more relaxed as the night goes on, a pleasant lethargy that encourages them to remain. For those who linger here, little of the night’s true dangers will reveal themselves. The safety of the bar, and the safety of the company of others, is absolute. The dogs have vanished from outside the Stables, though the horses remain in their stalls. They are restless tonight, stomping their feet and tossing their heads as though alarmed by something within the house. The horse bound outside the stalls seems particularly restless, snorting and rearing, nearly jerking his lead away from the post to which he is bound. His mouth is frothing, sweat standing out clearly on a ghostly body, eyes rolling in clear terror. Whatever has happened, it has clearly upset him, and as the night goes on, he seems more and more likely to pull himself free from his current restraint. [ Back to top ] || SECOND FLOOR The Foul Boy has returned to the halls, though for the night he seems remarkably helpful. Anyone in his presence will find themselves safe from the Wraiths, though they will have to tolerate his company for this needed safety. He is incredibly disrespectful of physical space, creeping closer and closer to the house-guests the longer they remain in his presence. In fact, he seems to crave intimacy -- quick to grab someone’s hand at the smallest opening, or lean to smell hair and rub shoulders. Though disconcerting, he is ultimately harmless, at least so long as the house-guests do not try to push him away. If they do, they will find that he is equally as dangerous as the rest of the ghosts, attacking quickly and without mercy, hands finding their throats and fists flying with the fury of spurned advances. The Hunters loom in the Husk Bedroom, a rather passive threat that seems almost common with the rest of the unpleasantness of the night. They seem rather sleepy, and a few have crept close to the hot spot on the floor as though to bask in the radiant heat. They are rather difficult to be bothered, and will not attack anyone unless first hassled by the reckless guest. Those who enter the Wax Room will find that the heat is a welcome break from the cold, though they must tolerate the resident of the room tonight. The Wax Man seems unusually active tonight, walking around the room and muttering to himself. He gestures from time to time, as though carrying on a conversation with someone only he can see. He will not bother anyone who wishes to shelter in the warmth of the room, and anyone who remains with him will find themselves safe from the Wraith even in sleep. The doll in the Velvet Bedroom is kneeling in the bottom of his prison, fingers searching around edge carefully. He lifts his head if anyone comes near to his cage, indicating the bottom of the case. He seems more than willing to communicate with those who come near to him, in spite of the soundless nature of his current confines. He is very adept at gesturing, and even seems to possess some rudimentary skill in sign language, all accomplished with a certain amount of wry humor. The woman in the Silk Bedroom is sleeping, legs drawn to her chest despite the elaborateness of her costume. She stirs on occasion, a single eye opening to stare at those who try to catch her attention, but seems too tired to move. Anyone entering the Herbal Bedroom will be struck by how nice the entire area smells, though lingering too long to indulge in the scent will find them left with the strange feeling of pinpricks on any exposed skin. The pricks seem to do no harm, aside from the occasional spot of blood. The injuries will not even summon the hellhounds. They will find themselves beginning to feel incredibly warm as more pricks that dance across their skin. A pleasant sort of heaviness settles over them, the chill of the night fading away. They feel content, and rather lethargic, but slowly growing within them is a desire to be touched. Despite the oddness of the feeling, it seems to cause no greater harm. Leaving the room will find the feeling slowly fading away, though the longing for its return might find them wandering back before much time has passed. In the tub of the Bell Bathroom, a quartet of Skinless can be found, two males and two females. The warm water is a murky red, and they moan in agony as they soak their flayed bodies. All four are hostile, and will attempt to overpower anyone who disturbs them. In the Getaway Cabin the Lady In White seems to be waiting for someone. Her hands are resting in her lap, lips curled into a small smile. Anyone who enters the room will find that they do not feel like leaving, and in fact, that she resembles someone they love. For those with a romantic interest, she resembles that person, somehow here and waiting. For those without anyone they love romantically, she best resembles the sort of person they would like to have in their life, regardless of gender or species. She is enchanting, and compelling. Those who enter will find that they draw closer, struck by the absolute certainty that she has been waiting for them. Her touch is gentle but insistent, pulling them down to the bed, drawing them close to her, lips finding theirs in a searing kiss. They will find themselves helpless to resist when she breaks the kiss to trail kisses down their throat, stopping over the vital artery, tiny nips of affection turning into bites. There will be no pain as she drains their lives away. [ Back to top ] || THREAT DOWN 1. Wind Tunnel Hallway 2. The Front Door 3. Sitting Room 4. Leather Study 5. Gentlemen's Lounge 6. Diamond Dining Room 7. Professional Kitchen 8. Stable 9. Locked Door 10. Orchard 11. Hanging Tree 12. Hot Springs 13. Locked Door 1. Red Hallway 2. Herbal Bedroom 3. Costumed Room 4. Bell Bathroom 5. Locked Door 6. Playboy Bedroom 7. Statuary Bedroom 8. Candy Store 9. Stalker Room 10. Satin Room 11. Scented Bathroom 12. Birdcage Room 13. Hedonist Room 14. Carved Parlor 15. Silk Room 16. Get Away Cabin 17. Vanity Bathroom 18. Velvet Bedroom 19. Wax Bedroom 20. Husk Bedroom [ Back to top ]	|| LOCATION SPECIFICS NIGHT 17 MAIN FLOOR ONE: Wind Tunnel Hallway, Front Door, Sitting Room, Leather Study, Gentleman's Lounge, Diamond Dining Room, Professional Kitchen, Stable, Orchard, The Hanging Tree, Hot Springs FLOOR TWO: Red Hallway, Herbal Bedroom, Costumed Room, Bell Bathroom, Fairy Tale Bedroom, Playboy Bedroom, Statuary Bedroom, Candy Store, Stalker Room, Satin Room, Scented Bathroom, Birdcage Room, Hedonist Room, Carved Parlour, Silk Room, Get Away Cabin, Vanity Bathroom, Velvet Room, Wax Bedroom, Husk Bedroom