screwthatnoise

♥ v2

A cold, delicate hand grabs yours and pulls. It pulls, and it pulls... there's a sense of urgency in this icy grasp, as well as a trace of reluctance. Abruptly the hand let's go, right as your vision fades to black, and for a brief moment, only a brief moment, your senses disappear. There's only the eerie sensation of weightlessness before your feet are settled back on solid ground again.

(please join #echolife! ♪)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Janta is shaking.

"U-um... we need to leave. G-go inside, that's what! We can come out later..."

The stuffed bear suddenly stops. Beyond the fire, on the opposite side of the burning tree from you two, you see a silhouette. Oh, wait, it's that goddamn sadHail. She has her cloak pulled up over her face again, and she's smiling at you softly.

... If you're sure.

[ stuffs Janta back in his pocket and carefully tugs Sion back towards the house ]

[But Sad Hail?]

Hail?

[Being tugged though.]

[ not retreating all the way yet, just '-' safety distance while sion attempts parlay '-' ]

The flame begins to die, and with it the black vapor begins to dissipate, leaving only black ash in its wake on the vibrant grass. It happens so abruptly you would miss it if you blinked.

For a second the cloaked figure is still, watching you two peacefully. But she suddenly reaches into the ground, straight into it, and pulls out a black skull. She snaps off a few of the remaining roots attached to the top of it and dusts off the ashes.

Then she disappears for the second time, smiling.

[ .... what ]

...What just happened?

... Well, we got rid of the tree...

.....Yes but...

And the sad Hail from before picked up a skull and vanished. ... I think we're going to run into her again.

That's what I thought.

... Are you okay to keep going? I think we should go back inside and try to help in there a little.

Yes of course. Are you?

[ nods! ]

I'm okay. Let's go.

[ BACK INSIDE... ]

[Takes Naoto's hand as they walk, quietly.]

[ yep, holding Sion's hand tightly '^' my thing I'll protect it no bad things can happen!!! ]

Inside you go. The dark entry welcomes you two with dark, musty arms.

Not literally, I'm sorry, it's just dark and it still smells like old floorboards.

But you do receive a welcoming voice from someone no other than Zwei.

"My, my, you returned in one piece. I'm so proud!"

[Squeezing Naoto's hand. I'm going to cuddle you so much after this and make you talk because your stress smiles are alarming me.]

[Ignoring Zwei.]

Where to from here?

[ some serious cuddles are in order. pulling out his glowy marble again and looking around ]

We'll probably have to go everywhere eventually... but maybe the ballroom first?

[I'll let you lead you've been here before.]

Alright.

"Not so fast~!"

An icy hand grabs the backs of your shirts.

"Neither of you are going to talk to me? Not even acknowledge me? ♥"

[Wow rude.]

[ H-HEY ]

Yes, Zwei, we know you're here, but we're busy.

[ attempts to pry loose from that hand ]

"Right. Of course! Hahaha, ohhh, you two are pretty 'cute' together! I would hate if you two got... separated. ♪"

The hand abruptly yanks Sion to the wall, in an attempt to pull him through.

[ OH MY GOD NO NO NO GRABBING FOR HIM NO NO NO ]

Sion—

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