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

[madeofpine]

Just--

[He was going to say 'climb inside and unlock it' but upon closer examination Basil's probably a bit too big for that. Never mind.]

--uh, break it down.

[...Okay actually that idea was probably worse. Only Louis would possibly be strong enough for that.]

I mean, break the lock...?

[Yeah that one's okay let's go with that idea.]

[not_over_yet]

Hm. I suppose with tools, maybe...

How strong are you? Could you break it?

[madeofpine]

Um... I dunno.

[He tries to think about the extensive list of objects he's lifted in his lifespan and comes up with two. Surely this qualifies him as being strong.]

I've lifted an apple before. And a book.

[impressive, right]

But I've never tried seein' if I could break anything before.

[not_over_yet]

[ ...child. ]

If an apple and a book stand out to you as notable, we'd best not risk it.

[ Wood's a good bit more brittle than flesh after all, and Basil doesn't want the boy accidentally breaking his arms off. ]

[madeofpine]

[Well he bets Basil couldn't lift a book.]

Then I guess we won't be gettin' the door open. Unless you find somebody to break it down.

[not_over_yet]

[ Well, Basil's not going to try breaking the lock either. ]

Mm, bit of an issue, that.

Any recommendations on who here would have the best chance?

[madeofpine]

Well, Louis is a... [it was one of two words that Louis taught him... which one was it...] ...jazz trumpet. [yep. that's the one. nailed it.] And there's the goat, too. They're both pretty big. I dunno if they're strong, though.

[not_over_yet]

[ ...side-eyeing. Ah yes, the ever-helpful trumpet. Of course. ]

I do believe I've met the goat--he tried to get through, but was either unwilling or unable to physically break anything.

As for your "trumpet"... could you describe this fellow? [ Juuust gonna double-check that was a communication issue and not.
not the actually-intended suggestion.

For a good number of reasons really, but most succinctly: "because hope". ]

[madeofpine]

We sorta broke one of the wax thingies when we were flying around. But we didn't try an' fly into any doors.

[Yet. Maybe it'd be worth trying.]

And sure I can! He's green and he's got a tail and a whole lotta teeth. He's real tall, too.

[not_over_yet]

Wax is not what I'd call the sturdiest of materials.

[ It's not a completely bad idea though. Something to bring up the next time he sees the goat, at any rate. ]

Also your friend sounds more like some manner of lizard. [ Wait. Tall by Pinocchio's standards would be... ] An exceptionally large lizard. [ And the emphasis on teeth... ] A crocodile, perhaps?

[ Their fellow captives are described in varying degrees of detail on the walls down in the foyer--and, now knowing that they are, in fact, discussing a person... ] What did you say the fellow's name was? "Louis"? His species might be better defined in one of the write-ups.

[madeofpine]

No, I don't think he said anything about crocodiles. Or lizards.

[Whatever those are.]

But you're probably right! He was tellin' me stuff from the writing in that one room, anyways, so I bet it's written on there.

[not_over_yet]

Perhaps he didn't identify himself fully. Many people don't, and won't realize they've left out important details unless questioned on it.

[ A final, somewhat annoyed glance up at the door; then Basil turns and heads back downstairs. ]

Not much more that can be done here for the moment. I'm off to look over the write-ups again, care to help confirm which one is this Louis fellow's?

[madeofpine]

Uh, right.

[Honestly he'll just defer to Basil's opinion, in this case, since he at least sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He'll also follow a foot or two behind him, letting him lead the way towards the bios. Assuming he knows where he's going.]

Sure, I guess I can do that!

[not_over_yet]

[ Basil might not always know what he's doing, but he always sounds like he does--and isn't that ~what really matters~?

Fortunately Basil does at least know where the bios are. It takes some darting about to check, but there only seems to be one "Louis".

Basil peers up at the accompanying pictures. Between his height and theirs, he doesn't have the best view. ]

Is this the fellow you meant? An "alligator". ...No mention of trumpets, but the word "jazz" does come up.

[madeofpine]

Ohh, I think that's it! He's an alligator and he plays a jazz trumpet. I knew it was one of 'em.

But I don't think his trumpet is here, anyways. Maybe that's why it didn't mention it on there.

[not_over_yet]

[ ...How do you confuse those for each other? They sound nothing alike. ...Children can be so odd at times. Moving on. ]

This Louis--does he strike you as the sort who'd be willing to break something for a good cause?

[ Basil's still uncertain if the winged goat had truly tried his best on that front. ]

[madeofpine]

Probably.

[He doesn't actually know. But he's willing to do a great deal of things for a good cause, or a right one-- he's sure Louis could manage something as simple as breaking stuff for a good cause.]

You'd have to ask him.

[not_over_yet]

I'll keep an eye out for the fellow.

[ He pauses to light his pipe, and then begins to pace as he considers this new information. ...He seems to have instantly forgotten a conversation was still happening. ]