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 Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:05 pm
TASK: DAY 1
Lyzzi was delighted to receive a gift. The thought was enough to keep her happy, even if there was nothing inside the bag that was gifted to her. She nodded, agreeing to the request; she had a feeling that it would be difficult to decline the request of a goddess, anyway. Scissors in hand, she waved goodbye to the goddess before stepping into the thin opening. When her eyes adjusted, she frowned; there were three gates here, and instructions didn't include which gate to enter-
She froze, her eyes on the gate to her right; it scared her, like it might come alive and swallow her whole if she were to go through it. The gate in the middle was no better, making her feel uneasy. The first gate though... The first gate felt welcoming, almost like it was inviting her in. She shook off her uncertainty, taking in a deep breath, and smiling at the smiling pumpkin on her way in.
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:53 pm
It was like returning home.
Lyzzi wasn't sure why, but the moment she walked through the gates, she had calmed down, a smile playing on her lips. She imagined rolls of smiling, glowing pumpkins greeting her as she moved forward, down the corridor in search of the crate that the goddess was talking about. It didn't take her long to find a field of brightly glowing pumpkins, and since there was nowhere else to go, she moved through it, smiling at each pumpkin face she passed.
The field of pumpkins led her to a field of flowers, each one softly glowing orange. She made her way to the middle, having spotted something protuding out of the ground. As she neared it, she realized that it was not a crate, but what looked like a tombstone, the words on it reading 'Here lies...' Whatever came next was covered by the flowers growing in front of it as well as some dried flowers that had been placed on the tombstone, and she moved forward, gently pushing them aside so she could read.
"... Bones?" She frowned, wondering if this was some kind of a joke; of course there would be bones at a grave! Bodies turn into bones after they've been buried a long ti-
Pausing, she held her breath, leaning towards the tombstone with her eyes closed as she tried to focus on just using her ears. She had heard the faint sound of a beating heart, but how could there be a beating heart where someone was laid to rest?
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
She wasn't mistaken. It was barely audible at first, but after hearing it for the first time, she could hear it clearly - there was a heart underneath the grave. If she could get to it, she would be able to complete the task given to her by the goddess... Carefully, she pushed away the flowers on top of the grave, and begun to dig until she saw a glowing orange heart. Since it was quicker to use her hands instead of the pair of scissors, she pushed the dirt and flowers away until she could reach in--
"I'm Bones, little missy! No need to be scared of old Bones... Come over! Let me tell you a story about the old Master... Rescued me from a street gang who was taking advantage of us hardworking, tireless undead as goons."
The person speaking was beaming; his skin was rotten in a few places, and there wasn't a lot of hair on his head, but he wasn't difficult to look at. In fact, despite his appearance, there was something about him that put the little girl - pale pink hair, a pair of small black horns atop her head - at ease, allowing her to trust him completely. Unconsciously, she moved towards him until she was standing right in front of him, her hands on his lap as she looked up.
"After the Bogeys busted them, us goons were left with nothing. Not that we had much to start, being lowest of the low," He continued, picking her up so that she could sit on his lap, "Your father though? Not the same as other Bogeys. Made sure we got aid, recommended us for some jobs. Me? I followed him around, asked to work for him. Kept rejecting me, he did! Said that his family didn't need no servant!"
"But you're here! What happened?"
"Aye, old Bones is a true undead. Relentless! I approached your mother, I did. Told her that I would do anything, and the Madam took me in to drive the carriage and make deliveries," He laughed, "Imagine your father's face when he came home and I was there, greeting him! The Madam cleaned me up, gave me new clothes to wear and a place to rest my head until I could afford my own. Old Bones here never felt so warm inside, you know. Like my undead heart came to life and was jumping around in my chest!"
--pulling out the beating heart. As she clasped it in her hands and lifted it out, it stopped moving, and she saw that its once orange glow turned yellow when she carefully lowered it into her bag...
For reasons unknown to herself, her eyes were now moist with tears.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:04 am
Lyzzi wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, and then moved away from the grave, walking in the direction of the way she came. This time, she was not greeted by smiling pumpkins. Instead, the further away she was from the field of flowers and the grave, the more she felt a sense of dread; the goddess had asked her for this heart, so she must be doing the right thing, right?
The floor was now wet with something sticky, and she couldn't walk faster in fear of slipping and falling, even if she wanted to run and get out as fast as she could. As she reached a corner, she rounded it, expecting to see the exit at the end. All she saw, however, was a wall. A dead end.
She was sure that she hadn't taken a wrong turn; the way to the grave was straightforward, so she had expected the way back to be the same. Behind her, she thought she heard something, and quickly turned around, the pair of scissors extended in one hand, her other hand clutching the bag with the heart inside to her chest... But there was nobody there.
She must be hearing things, she reassured herself before taking off again. As she walked, she realized that the floor was no longer just wet; instead, there was now water licking at her ankles. Her knees. Her thighs.
She was shaking inside, but she kept moving, eager to get out. Eager to get away from the voice she thought she heard - Please give it back, it said. She knew what it was referring to, and at first, she had looked back once in a while in order to prove to herself that there was nobody there. That it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.
The water was up to her waist. Her chest. Her neck. There was no way she could move forward anymore, not if the water kept rising. Then, she heard it again, the dreaded voice. It sounded closer this time, too close - Please give me back my-
She shuddered, and quickly turned around, expecting to see nothing there like before. Instead, a pair of glassy grey eyes stared back.
-my heart.
She felt strong hands on her shoulders, pushing her down into the water. She struggled, but it was no use. She could feel herself slipping away, the darkness closing in on her, threatening to extinguish her existence. As she stared up into those grey eyes, the name 'Bones' suddenly resurfaced in her mind. Why? If that heart belonged to Bones, there was no way he would hurt her to get it back because he was her... He was her...
"-friend," She smiled sheepishly, raising a finger and placing it against her lips, "So as my friend, keep this a secret from mother, alright?"
"Well, missy," Bones laughed, slapping his knee in amusement, "I might be your friend, but I am a friend of your mother too. And she trusts me to be an elder to you. A role model. Besides, old Bones here is too wise to be in a situation where I get caught between two ghouls... You haven't even told me your request yet."
She paused, hesitating for a bit before sighing, "Well... You were a close family friend for many years, so I'm sure you know about my father." She saw him flinch; it was subtle, but she had already prepared herself for this, and was watching out for any signs of weaknesses. It was a touchy subject that her mother avoided all the time, and while Bones used to tell her all about her father, he hadn't said a word about his work since his passing when she was still a small scareling.
"I know what you're going to ask, missy, but I really don't know nothing," He replied, shaking his head. He moved forward, a smile on his lips, "Why don't I send you back home-"
"You know something! I'm sure you do!" She had raised her voice and taken a step away, agitated with the fact that nobody was willing to tell her anything; she recently found out that her mother had told her lies pertaining to the circumstances surrounding her father's death, but even after she was exposed, her mother told her nothing. She might not have known her father very well, being very young when he passed away, but as his daughter, she felt that she deserved to know the truth. Without knowing when, tears had started to pool in her eyes, trickling down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," He had sighed, shoulders slumping as he took another step towards her, pulling her into a hug, petting her hair to comfort her, "I'm sure the Madam will tell you when you're old enough. You're attending High School soon, aye? When you graduate, I'm sure the Madam will tell you more. Old Bones will talk to her for you when the time comes."
"... Alright," She returned the hug, letting herself be comforted, "Thank you, Bones... You're like the grandpa-friend-brother I never had."
"That's a lengthy title there, missy."
She wanted to scream.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:20 am
Lyzzi suddenly became aware of the pair of scissors clutched in her hand. Trembling, she thrust it upwards at the face that was staring back at her, and let it go. She was kicking and flailing, her own screams drowning out the shriek from the figure as they removed their hold on her shoulders, and vanished.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry- She chanted in her mind, as if that could make everything better. As if a simple apology would fix everything.
The water was gone along with the figure, and she found herself curled up on her side on the wet ground, fingers clutching the bag and the heart inside to her chest, protecting it with her whole body. She coughed so hard that her whole body shook as she regurgitated the water she had swallowed from nearly being drowned. Water was trickling from her nose and eyes, but she wasn't sure if it was because of the water that she swallowed or because she was crying. She'll come back for them... Come back for Bones when she's a goddess. When she has the power of blessings, and to give blessings. Until then...
She was trembling when she got to her feet, one hand against the wall as she moved towards where light was filtering in through a door. As she made her way out, she couldn't resist turning her head in order to look behind her one final time.
And he was there on the other end of the corridor, staring back with malicious intent, the pair of scissors clenched in one hand.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:45 am
TASK: DAY 2
Lyzzi listened to the Goddess speak with bated breath, suddenly anxious and nervous about what she meant by face your Fear. Those were ominous words, and she was so sure that there was no need to worry about such things here... After all, the Goddess of Protection had them build a wall! A wall that would be able to withstand anything and everything bad... Probably. Maybe. Most likely.
She took the dagger with a wary look; she did not want to solve this mystery. Some questions are better off unanswered, after all...
"Please, I-"
It was as if the Goddess wasn't even listening to her speak. She went on to talk about fending for oneself, about tackling challenges, and sacrifice; words that only served to intensify her anxiety. When the dagger begun to rust, Lyzzi almost dropped it in surprise, looking up with a balefully when she was told that she was ready to leave.
She didn't feel ready at all...
... She stirred in her sleep, yawning as she raised her arms up to stretch them before opening her eyes. Blinking a few times before squinting, her eyes trying to adjust to the sudden brightness, she realized how cold and uncomfortable she was. With a groan, she pushed herself up, her hand coming into contact with the cold metal surface of her bed-
Wait, when did she fall asleep?
The realization jolted her awake, and she quickly hopped off the bed - which she promptly found out was actually a table. The only obvious exit was a door in front of her, and while she was hesitant, she saw no other options but to move forward. Once she was out in the hallway, she took a few tentative steps. Somewhere, she heard the sound of a door being slammed shut, and quickly looked back - but the door she came through was still open.
Taking several deep breaths, she cautiously proceeded onward, down the seemingly endless corridor - she could see what looked like an exit on the other end, and she was eager to get out. This place gave her the creeps. Made her paranoid that something was going to ha-
She froze, and then turned around; she had heard a noise. She was sure she heard a noise. There was a noise. But there was nobody there behind her. Just an open door. It was just her mind playing tricks on her... She spun around again, eyes widened; no, she was sure she heard it that time!
And there it was. Staring. Staring. Staring.
"NO," Lyzzi yelled when it started to move towards her, as if that could somehow stop its advance. Pushing against the side of the wall to propel her forward, she broke into a run.
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:29 am
Lyzzi stumbled forward as she tried the door, only to realize that it would not open. The number pad beside the door must be what's separating her from freedom, and she punched in random numbers. Behind her, she could feel the figure approaching, closing the distance between them, coming for her.
Wouldn't you like to disappear...?
She twitched, and with shaky hands, tried to open the door again.
You would rather run away than to face it... Coward.-------
[Distance: 35]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:30 am
There was nowhere else to run. As sure as Lyzzi was about that fact, she couldn't help looking around, her eyes searching for another way out. For a miracle. Instead, she spotted a piece of paper to her left; there were some letters and numbers on it, but it wasn't going to help her escape.
[Distance: 30]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:31 am
There must be another way out, there must be another way out. She searched the walls, hands pressed against it, trying to find some kind of a secret switch. She turned around to moved towards the wall on the other side of the corridor, catching a glimpse of the ever nearing figure out of a corner of her eye-
"Hello? Bones?"
"Oh! Missy, how strange it is for you to call me up!"
She laid down on her tummy, and pulled her pillow close as she closed her eyes; she could see the undead's gentle, smiling face, a twinkle in his eye. There were some things she didn't feel comfortable talking to her mother about, and for those things, she could always trust Bones to be there for her.
"Yeah..." She replied with a strangled laugh, twirling a lock of pink hair around a finger; she just needed to talk to someone who's a constant in her life, "Bones, were you ever in love?"
"When did you become interested in old Bone's love life?" He laughed, "Aye, I had many a lover when I was a strapping young man... But none that worked out, or I wouldn't still be a bachelor at my age, aye?"
"Did you love every one of them?"
There was a long pause on the other side of the line, and when he didn't reply, she got worried that she might had asked a sensitive question. Or maybe the line got cut for some reaso-
"Aye. At the time, I did," He finally responded, and from the tone he was using, she could sense sadness. Regret. Perhaps a little bit of wistfulness, "What is this about, missy?"
"... Bones, I..." Her vision had started to become blurry from all the tears welled up in her eyes, "I thought I did, but-"
She inhaled deeply; her knees felt weak, and she had to use the wall as support in order to keep herself upright. The taunts in the background were getting louder. The source, closer.
Missy--------------------
-stop struggling------------------------
-let me help you----------------------------
-out of your misery.---------------------------------
[Distance: 25]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:32 am
Lyzzi pushed the doors again, using the weight of her body to try to force it open. It stood firm, however, and reality finally sunk in - she was trapped. Like an animal, awaiting her fate.
Student Council------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although she knew it from the start, she had been denying it.
-losing twice in a roll----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She thought that if she were to try hard enough, then there would be some sort of a good outcome for her. A reward.
-what a hopeless person.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She let go of that tiny ray of hope she had been clinging onto.
[Distance: 20]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:33 am
Lyzzi's attention turned to the piece of paper she had seen earlier; her body might had given up, but her mind hadn't. Maybe... That paper is a clue. The key to unlocking the way out. A puzzle piece.
She glanced at the approaching creature, and started to look around for another piece of the puzzle.
[Distance: 15]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:34 am
It was her last chance. The figure was too close for comfort now. She could almost hear its breathing, feel its hands upon her. Lyzzi looked around the corridor, searching for something, anything...
There was a horse carriage parked outside the train station, and a man in a hooded coat standing by it, talking to the eponies strapped to the carriage. As she stepped out of the station, luggage in tow, she called out to him and waved. He turned around, waving both arms in the air, "Welcome home, Missy!"
Jogging towards her, he pulled his hood down to reveal the face she knew so well-
-blank and silent and just a few feet away.
[Distance: 10]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:34 am
Lyzzi couldn't find any other piece of paper; there was only the one with the letters and numbers on them. Willing to try anything, she punched in the numbers she saw on it, only to get an error.
Oh. Of course it's an error. What was she thinking? She laughed bitterly to herself, back against the door as the figure's approach.
[Distance: 5]
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Dragain rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:38 am
The figure was almost here. Out of the corner of her eye, Lyzzi spotted the piece of paper again... What's the use of it? She had never felt so trapped, stuck here with a door that wouldn't open, and something that was out to hunt her down.
"B-Bones, please... Stop..."
[Distance: 0]
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:58 pm
She screamed in frustration as she threw her body against the door; she remembered there being a dagger. She remembered that the Goddess had handed her one before she left - to defend herself with, right? Where is it? Where is it? Where is-
You can't keep a relationship----------------------
She started to frantically punch random numbers into the number pad.
-such a failure of a friend-----------------------------------
Balling her hands into fists, she started pounding on the door; if there was someone on the other side.
-and a ghoulfriend----------------------------------------------------------
Please.
-what a failure of a person--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please...
-you should just disappear--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please...!
------------nobody will remember or miss you anyway.
"Please, somebody. Help me," She whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks as she leaned against the door, trying to make herself as small as possible. Her knees buckled with fear, and she dropped to the ground, sobbing so hard that her petite body shuddered with every sob. She didn't want things to end this way. There were a lot of things she still wanted to do, a lot of things she needed to find; her heart still longed for things she couldn't quite comprehend yet. She wanted to be remember. She... That's what she wants. To be valued. To be part of something.
There, there-
The figure was upon her now. Towering over her. She couldn't read its expression. What does it want? One hand reached out to touch her head, almost like it was patting her head in order to comfort her, and she tried to flinch, only to find that her body were no longer obeying her. She laid there against the door, helpless as it reached out towards her with its other hand. When it withdrew its hand again, she heard the distinct thumping sound of a beating heart... Her beating heart.
-this hurts only once.
Its voice sounded mockingly soothing as it looked at the heart in its hand. Although Lizzy wanted to tell it to stop, her mouth refused to open. Using a pair of rusted scissors, it stole her heart away from her; all she heard was a loud snip before she felt the pain. However, as excruciating as it was, the pain did not last long; what hurt more was her inability to do anything but watch as it walked away with her still beating heart.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:24 am
TASK: DAY 3
Perhaps it was because Lyzzi had started out with this Goddess' blessing, but she felt... More comfortable around her. She returned the Goddess' smile before turning the cookies down; she already took one on the first day they met, although she kept it with her for a long time before she ate it because she couldn't bear to devour it. She should leave some for the others!
Love.
The word made Lyzzi shiver, and she clutched her hands over her chest instinctively; she could still feel the dull ache of having her heart removed from her body. Why would such a wonderful word and emotion remind her of such a dreadful incident...?
Her smile faltered as she looked past the Goddess, to the open gates behind her. She was unwilling to go through anything that might cause her pain again, but couldn't bring herself to turn the Goddess down; after all, a Goddess candidate would need to be strong! And this includes being strong mentally too, she was sure.
Inhaling deeply and then exhaling, she forced herself to smile as brightly as she could before making her way through the gates to be a participant of the tea party beyond.
In the mood for something happy, she had ignored the blue jar completely, reaching for the pink one instead; besides, there was something about the color pink that made her think fondly of it. Noticing a "Drink Me" tag on it, she hesitated for a moment before following the written instructions, gulping down the jar's contents.
While she had expected something horrible to happen, the opposite happened - she felt enveloped by warmth, like someone had wrapped her in a soft, fluffy blanket on a cold day... She closed her eyes, and stumbled forward, catching herself just in time to open her eyes and see that the table was spinning, spinning. And when it finally stopped, she realized that it was now covered with various delicious looking snacks.
Looking between the cakes and the cookies, she eventually decided on the latter. Instead of intensifying that warm feeling inside her, the cookie seemed to dull it, but to a comfortable level. She smiled, and decided to get something to drink in order to wash the cookie down. Immediately, she was attracted to the bright pink tea cup, and did not hesitate to finish its contents.
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