Week 5

[grimgrinningghosts]

[...So that was a mess. All of it was a mess, and things don't look to be improving any time soon. With tensions at an all-time high and conditions worsened, it seems pretty safe to say that this whole week promises a great deal of foreboding atmosphere.

But, hey, things aren't entirely bad. Just as Randall promised, you're now able to leave the Manor! 

Just don't stay out there for too long. There's still a lot of you, and you just can't afford to lose numbers.

24 guests remain]

[SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY]

[OOC: and don't forget to fill out this week's activity check!]

Comments

[faciliheir]

It's a bit like wishing on stars, except it actually works. [BURN] Except all your wishes have terrible consequences-- the ironic kind, you know?

So, there's a part of me that keeps thinking, for every time I've wished Arrow would stop ruining everybody's fun... Makes you kinda wish you hadn't said some stuff, doesn't it?

[bayoublues]

I've wished on stars before. I got my wish eventually.

[In a really roundabout way, but still. He sounds a little hurt.]

I mean...I guess. I'm generally not one to hold any ill will towards anyone. Except that duck.... [He's too much of a good boy for that.] S'not like you could've expected this thing to have happened, right?

[faciliheir]

And did the star hand it over, or did you actually grant your own wish on our own? [WHY CAN'T MAGIC JUST BE EASY AND DO WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT IT TO DO she hates it]

Oh, I knew he was a goner from the start. Told him as much. I was expecting it to be on purpose, when it finally happened... Though I guess it was on purpose, a little bit. The duck probably would've been happy enough to get any of us.

[bayoublues]

I...um...I guess I did it on my own...And I'm still holdin' out for bein' human....

[CLEARS THROAT] But anyways! I'm sure he just wants to see us all miserable. Can't imagine how such an awful person--er, duck--could exist. Like, he doesn't even have any reason to do any of this!

[faciliheir]

Being evil is its own reward, really.

[... wait well. that's a new part of the story.]

Why would you ever want to be human?

[bayoublues]

[squints a little at that comment but okay]

Well, this was before I ever thought I'd have a chance playin' trumpet in a professional setting. And then someone put the thought into my head that, if I was a human, I'd be able to play to adorin' crowds without scaring 'em.

[He shrugs a little.] Well, I can play to one single crowd without 'em runnin' off, and I figure if I keep playin', I'll make my way to the top. Bein' human would really smooth things over, though.

[faciliheir]

If people can't accept how wicked it is to see a gator play jazz, they don't deserve to see a gator play jazz! [huff!] I'd always dreamed New Orleans would be a more accepting place...

[bayoublues]

Well, you always hear stories 'bout baby-eatin' monster gators livin' in the bayou and such. One bad thing happens 'cus humans don't pay any attention, and all of us end up gettin' a bad rep.

It's been doin' better lately, though...I don't see as many people eatin' gator meat ever since word spread 'bout me performin'.

[faciliheir]

Everybody thinks predatory animals are just mindless killing machines when most of them just wanna be left alone! My friend's big brother spent a whole year trying to get this croc to bite his hand off, but it never even paid him any attention! It just wanted to nap.

[like is she right or what with this completely relatable anecdote]

[bayoublues]

Right? Most predators are too scared of humans and their guns to even come close to 'em. Or they're just too lazy to do anythin' at all.

[He raises and eyebrow and tilts his head to the side.] Bite...his hand off??? [what is it with crocodiles and biting peoples hands off] Why would he ever want to do that?

[faciliheir]

He wanted to be just like his daddy that bad. [ahh, memories] Eventually he gave it up and I think he just... carries a hook with him everywhere? Harry's a nutjob in a whole clan of nutjobs.

[bayoublues]

...Huh. The more I learn about your friends, the...more...concerned I become. [Like, do all of these children have serious emotional baggage from their parents? That'd be ridiculous.]

Is, um, everyone where you come from like this? In regards to followin' in their parents' footsteps or whatnot.

[faciliheir]

Pretty much, yeah. All the parents that actually, y'know, parented, were mostly concerned with making us as much like them as possible. Some just straight-up named the kid after themselves! How are Mal and Jay supposed to find their own way when nobody can even say their names without thinking of their parents?

[and then there's carlos]

The Auradonian kids aren't really like that, from what I've seen. They've all got that "follow your dreams" mindset; they can be whatever they wanna be.

[bayoublues]

That sounds--um--

[Really bad?]

Why were these people ever allowed to become parents in the first place? That's terrible! And then they put all of you on an island by yourself? How are you supposed to learn 'bout, well, not bein' your parents?

[He's just starting to realize this split between evil and good seems to cause more harm than good.]

[faciliheir]

I don't think you can just... not allow that sorta thing. It just kinda happens. [shrugs] I don't think we were ever actually considered in anybody's plans. But, what are people supposed to do when they're stuck someplace for 20 years? Sit and twiddle their thumbs?

[bayoublues]

Fair, fair. [He can't exactly relate--alligator moms are present for most of their kids' adolescence.

He lets out a sigh, fiddling with the keys on his trumpet.] Oh...by the way, how's the songwriting goin'? Y'know, for Ariel? Made any progress since we last talked?

[faciliheir]

I think it's going fine! I should have it done in time for our date--

[beat]

Oh. That's. That's supposed to be today... [SHE KINDA. FORGOT.]

[bayoublues]

Oh.

Oh, noooooooo.

[UHHHHHHHHHHH WHAT DO]

What else you gotta finish up? How much time do you have?!

[faciliheir]

I don't remember! I already got the presents I'm gonna give... Is she gonna expect me to kiss her or something? I never even held hands before her!