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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Comments

[vogelfrei]

[ So that's the kind of response he gets even in this place, even from somebody who is perfectly in the know about his humble origins. It's neither delightful nor is it disappointing, but it certainly is interesting to hear. ]

Hmm... well, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would agree with you on that assessment. Though if I myself have to choose between the two archetypes, I find myself having some difficulty. It's hard to see myself as a Prince when there are other people in my life who fit the bill so well it puts me to shame.

A knight, risen to his influence through his accomplishments in combat and leadership ability... that is probably closer to my reality. There is no discernible liege I serve, but it's not meant to be a 1:1 fit anyway.

[biyishuangfei]

[ He can absolutely see that. He knows a good amount about McGillis now, after all. ]

It really was so hard to pick too! I mean, yes, it definitely doesn't feel right or meant for you to fit completely solely to either of those things since you're a person at the heart of it. But I was certain in my opinion it'd be easier for me to see which way you'd lean towards.

That just goes to show you we don't all fit neatly into rigid roles, regardless of what is trying to be 'insinuated' here by the things in this place.

[ Or just in general. ]

Anyway, it seems like someone's enjoying his time riding. Does it bring back good memories How? And how long have you been horsing around for?

[vogelfrei]

[ Huaisang says that and yet, in the back of his head McGillis likes slotting people into stories. If not fairy tales than legends of old, epics of heroes. Huaisang makes a decent prince, in those terms, too. ]

It's certainly nostalgic, I haven't really done it since I was a teenager. It was mandatory in school, one of those performative things you are simply meant to know as a member of the elite.

[ Just one he enjoyed a lot more than some of the others. Riding is better than ballroom dancing, in McGillis' book. ]

... and you don't want to know. I'll be sore tomorrow, but the horse and I just can't seem to part.

[ Horse friend gets an affectionate pat on the neck for its efforts. ]

[biyishuangfei]

[ ...despite what Huaisang just said like legit five seconds ago if McGillis communicated that he thought he was like a prince he wouldn't mind at all, nope. ]

I think I understand; everyone back in the Sect had to learn to ride a horse. I didn't do much of it after I got the basics down, but it wasn't too hard.

[ It's up in the air if he can even manage it by himself all over again, though.

He's also a little amused at the other's next words but it's fine by him, really. He doesn't think McGillis has ever been super enthusiastic about something here before. ]

...I'm glad you're really enjoying yourself, though. Maybe you can show me some tricks you can do with the horse for fun?

[vogelfrei]

[ Sorry Huaisang, you closed the door to being called a prince all on your own... ]

You're quick to flatter but in this case you're overestimating my abilities quite generously. I can do a little bit of showjumping but that's all there is.

I could take you for a joyride though. The pastures around the ranch are quite idyllic.

[biyishuangfei]

[ It's fine, what he doesn't know can't hurt him!!

Honestly, though joyriding sounds like it can be fine. Watching the scenes around them as they took in the nice surroundings, and feeling the wind in his hair...being just close by too... ]

I think that's more than enough for me. Just hold on a moment...

[ He's done this before, he can at least get up by himself! ...Except as he reaches up and tries to do that he remembers he might've had help. He still does an attempt (how does horse riding and getting on horses work we just don't know), though it doesn't work so he just reaches up to McGillis. ]

A-Actually, I might need a little help. It's been awhile since I've even gotten up on a horse.

[vogelfrei]

[ To be fair to Huaisang, McGillis also picked a pretty large horse. ]

Allow me to assist. With those robes, you'll probably ride side saddle?

[ Which is entirely fine since McGillis is going to do the actual riding work anyway. He moves backwards on the saddle some, which is uncomfortable or doable. One stirrup is freed for Huaisang to put his foot into and he reaches out his hand to pull him up properly. ]

If you please...

[ Let's try this! ]

[biyishuangfei]

Yes, that would be for the best.

[ Whatever makes this easiest to be honest...

Anyway he waits for the other man to make the adjustments and then he's being pulled up. Luckily that's fairly easy and he doesn't do something silly like tumble right over. Then, he shifts and allows his hands to settle, assuming like the other implied there was no going to be no hard riding here. Though he's prepared to hold on as a precaution as he's not in the front. ]

I think I'm all set?

[vogelfrei]

You should hold on, just in case.

[ He's not saying he doesn't trust your sense of balance but... he doesn't quite trust it. Huaisang's mind seems far more reliable than his body.

He does signal the horse to fall back into a gentle trot then and off they go towards the area around the ranch. ]

Fortunate for us that the weather here is truly always beautiful.

[biyishuangfei]

Oh, alright.

[ His sense of balance is wonderful, thanks!

...

Okay, citation needed because it can be laughable at times. So he'll reach to hold onto McGillis, kind of just wrapping his arms around him after a moment. His eyes lay on their surroundings as they begin to move...and it's nice. Not only just the feel of the ride and the opportunity.

Though he likes Qinghe, when they were doing their horse riding it never was as nice to look at what they have like this. ]

I guess that's one sliver of a point that can be given to this entire place. Well, besides the fact there's an art studio.

But it really is nice not to see all of this on a cold and dreary day.