Forget all your troubles

[grimgrinningghosts]

[You wake up and instantly realize something is wrong.

There is a vague feeling of dread hanging in the air and, as comfortable as this bed is, there’s just something off about everything, even before you open your eyes. The dread only grows when you open your eyes and realize that you are in a completely unfamiliar room. One that has clearly seen better days at that.

As you explore your room, you will soon find a bedroom key resting on the dresser along with a note]

Welcome, esteemed guest, to our humble abode. We hope that you enjoy your stay in this Phantom Manor, as we expect you to stay with us for a very long time.

Feel free to make yourself at home as you enjoy what this manor has to offer, whether it’s the library, our projection room, or our famous wax museum. We’re sure you will find great joy

However, before you can get too comfortable, we ask you to please come to the portrait gallery at noon so we can discuss your stay here.

We eagerly await to meet you.

-Your Host

[The uncomfortable feeling doesn’t let up as you leave the safety of your bedroom. The manor seems old and decrepit, almost like it would fall over at the slightest breeze. Despite that, anyone who tries to escape will soon realize that the walls are unusually sturdy, and there are no doors that would seemingly lead to the outside world.

Still, at least you’re not alone in this scenario, if the other bedroom doors are any indications. Maybe there are a few more people coming out of their bedrooms too, so you have someone to talk toif you want to try to figure out what's going on. But if the 30 bios in the foyer hall are any indication, whoever has you here did not do this on accident. Whatever you’re here for, it seems like you’re here for a reason.

But hey, what’s the use of being pessimistic about this? Maybe it’s all an innocent situation… right?]

Comments

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Finally.

He'd explored the whole castle, it seems like, and found not only no sign of the Beast, but no sign of Belle, of the villagers, even of that odd, talking furniture. Everyone here is a stranger, and honestly he'd even started to wonder if he was still in the Beast's castle at all.

But there he is.

Gaston's face twists with rage as he catches sight of the hulking creature, and he stalks forward, forgetting, momentarily, that he has no gun to shoot him with, no knife hidden away in his boot. ]

You!

[downtonabbeast]

[Beast's hackles go up immediately and he jerks around to stare down at Gaston, straightening his back to his full height. In the back of his mind he can vaguely remember a thunderous crack of stone and a scream but his memory isn't the most reliable at the moment so he shoves it aside. He has bigger things to concern himself with and unfortunately for Gaston he comes with built-in weapons in the form of teeth, claws and brute strength if need be.]

You.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ As he approaches the Beast, Gaston realizes his mistake. He stops before he can get within reach of those claws, though his furious expression doesn't change. ]

I demand you release me at once.

[downtonabbeast]

Release you? [He doesn't make a move to strike him but still stands tall, his lips pulling back to bare his fangs.] As if I have anything to do with this!

[athleticallyinclined]

Don't lie to me, Beast.

What have you done with the rest of them? Where are they?

[ There would have been some casualties, of course, but surely not everyone could have perished in the battle to take the castle. ]

[downtonabbeast]

I haven't done anything with them! [His fur bristles at that name but he has more important things to concern himself with than that.] I don't even know where we are, let alone where they could be.

[athleticallyinclined]

A likely story.

[ He's not attacking yet, anyway, spurring Gaston's courage. His expression darkens as something else (finally) occurs to him. ]

Where's Belle?

[downtonabbeast]

...So you don't know either. [By this point he's spoken to at least a few of the other prisoners and for better or for worse he's sure of one thing-]

She's not here.

[athleticallyinclined]

Of course I don't! You're the one who kept her prisoner, remember?

[ Don't worry, Beast, Gaston won't ever let you forget it. His eyes narrow. ]

She's not here, or you're just saying she's not here?

[downtonabbeast]

And she left when you tried to have her father committed! [People in glass houses, Gaston.]

She's not here. No one I've spoken to has seen hide nor hair of her and neither have I.

[athleticallyinclined]

Is that what they told you?

[ Never mind that it's true. ]

If she is here. I will find her. And you will pay for this!