CHAPTER 6

[faentasy]

CHAPTER 6

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The dead now outnumber the living.

There's only one area that stayed a mystery until now. A new path revealed itself, leading to another town, surrounded by sturdy stone walls. Even from some distance away you can see the tower, rising high towards the skies. The path that leads to the city turns into gold before long, and the sky itself seems to take a beautiful tone, like it's painted with watercolors. It's such a peaceful-looking town, welcoming you with open gates. It must be nice to have another urban setting, after living in the same place for so long.

But no matter what you find it doesn't change the situation you're in. Now that your numbers are dwindling that's impossible to forget.

The story is nearing its end. There still are a handful of pages left. What will they bring?

[[Welcome to Week 6! Feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. However, please try to keep investigations to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday! You can also privately contact Hamelin at your leisure.

In addition, a reminder that any Murder Proposals for this week are due by Tuesday 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST; this is the last week for murder proposals as week 7 is endgame. Also, please note the shop's discount on magnifying glasses! ]]

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[biqe]

I know.

[ He sighs. ]

I'm sorry; I know I'm even more of a burden than usual here.

[mirrite]

You're not.

[His voice is rough; pained, almost. It isn't that Phil is more of a burden, it's that there's an entirely new emotional layer to their relationship now that he's still trying to figure out how to navigate.]

You may be a lot of things, but a burden isn't one of them.

[biqe]

I'm not saying you resent me for it, but there's no question that I always make things difficult for you.

[mirrite]

[Now he falls silent. Objectively, that's true-- he can't deny that much. If it weren't for Phil... if he'd taken him up on any of his numerous offers to release him so that he could live freely, his life would be far, far easier, no question. That much is a fact that can't be argued.

He closes his eyes and inhales, biting his lip.]

... man. You really know how to hit a guy where it hurts.

[biqe]

[ Oh. ]

That... wasn't my intention.

[ ...And yet it sort of just proves his point. ]

[mirrite]

I know.

But no matter how many times you offer to free me, I'm always gonna say no. There's no question about that part, either.

[biqe]

[ ...Nods. He knows that too. ]

[mirrite]

[He sighs.]

You were trying to get up to the top, right?

[biqe]

Well, that was the idea.

[mirrite]

Mmm.

[He leans his head down for a moment to press his forehead lightly to Phil's in a quiet, affectionate gesture.

... and then he just slides his arms beneath him to scoop him up and stand. One princess carry, coming right up.]

I carry you up to the top and you take your medicine when we get there. Deal?

[biqe]

Ah-!

[ Another thing to add on to his "probably should have expected that" list. ]

That's fine, but— i-is this really all right on stairs? I'm going to throw off your balance.

[mirrite]

[One eyebrow goes up.]

You're not that heavy.

[Which is not a good thing!! But.]

Just make sure to hang on and don't move too much and it should be fine.

[biqe]

A-all right.

[ He will hold on tight, then!! And try very hard not to do anything that will throw off his center of gravity. ]

[mirrite]

[You're good, Phil!

... on the not moving part, at least. But as he keeps going, he's rapidly becoming more and more aware of just how much this place has messed with his usual strength, because wow, this is a lot more tiring than he'd anticipated...]

[biqe]

[ Yeah, it's... kind of clear that we're slowing down a little here... ]

We can always take a break...

[mirrite]

At this point, I think if I put you down, it's gonna be a lot harder to pick you back up again...

[Sob. It's fine, he will persevere...!]

[biqe]

W-well, if you're sure...

[mirrite]

Would I have offered to carry you in the first place if I weren't?

[Please, Phil, you know how stubborn he can be. And it can't be that much more until they're at the top!

... right?]

[biqe]

[ uh

WELL THEY'LL GET THERE EVENTUALLY, PROBABLY ]

[mirrite]

[PROBABLY...

Boy, he's absolutely exhausted when they finally do hit the observatory, though. Oh the irony of him thinking not too long ago that Phil is too light and needs to eat more...]

[biqe]

[ God, that really was quite a trip... If Marcus wants to sit down in that chair and recover for a bit, Phil will take the opportunity to stand up and stretch... being carried like that really isn't ideal for long trips for either party involved, even if he undoubtedly got the better end of the deal himself. ]

You're sure you're all right?

[mirrite]

[Marcus will just wave him off like it's no big deal, but he will indeed be taking a seat in that chair for the time being. He's used to this sort of thing, he's fine! But also a little bit worn out.]

Yeah, as soon as I catch my breath. And since we're here, now you gotta hold up your end of the deal too.

[Don't mind him fixing Phil with an expectant look as he says this...]

[biqe]

Ah— yes, that's right.

[ All right, all right... he'll get his bottle of medicine out of his pocket, shake a pill out into his hand, pop it in his mouth and swallow. He doesn't love doing this without water, but he'll (probably) live. ]

[mirrite]

[Good. He'll definitely breathe a bit easier once Phil has done that, though he's keeping a watchful eye on him just in case.]

You need to sit down too, or did you get plenty of rest while I did all of the work?

[He's teasing.]

[biqe]

[ He's not wrong, though... ]

The latter. Anyway, it's good to stretch a little after all that.