onceuponacomm | CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

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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[Guess who arrived in an even more ridiculous outfit than usual, is reflecting off all the various lighting as badly as he did in the bar and moreover is wearing what amounts to an unnecessary amount of bling. What is his idea of casino best. What is it. There's glittering bracelets, a necklace, rings; there's even what looks like Christmas lights stolen from the snowy area woven into his braid, not lit up obviously but sparkling amidst everything. Also, he arrived escorting Yuri and Koto, and there's some outfit coordinating going on there so. Good luck, everyone.

When he isn't puttering about making sure the decorations are in place, the self-playing instruments haven't wandered off and started playing Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy or something to creep everyone out instead and the gelato is cool and consistent: Jack can mostly be found haunting the poker table. Is he one of those who doesn't know when to fold? It looks like it, because he's already down to his last chocolate coin before the first game is even over.]

Why is it that I always end up playing this game with people who have really good poker faces... How do they do it? How do they do it?

... Do you think they'll accept some of the chips from the bar...?

[At least it seems like he isn't drinking too much this evening, which may be down to the lower sweet content of the bar or simply because after That One Bar Week we are not repeating that!! Thanks!! But he does hang around the bar a fair amount, and may be requesting unusual drinks for those who somehow lose to him in games...]

Edited 2021-07-08 19:31 (UTC)

[ Coordinating outfits is a yes! She's altered and spiffed up a gown from the boutique with pixie dust, so that when she dies, they can easily find her corpse by the trial of endless glitter. While she isn't as blinged out as Jack, there's still a fair amount! She's decided to go with red and gold there to match his accents. At this point, she's a walking glitter shaker. ]

You can always try, but before that - [ She slides him her chocolate coins from the chocolate river adventure. ] - You may use the rest of mine.

[They are both so fancy tonight, and maybe somebody will find two glittery corpses in the morning? Though truthfully given how bright they both are, it make sit near to impossible to spot all the pixie dust in the combination. It's hard to say whether this is dazzling (Yuri) or just blinding (Jack), but it certainly is something.

Jack blinks at the coins and then laughs a little, looking up at her for confirmation.]

Surely, you're not saying I should curse someone with these, given their probable origin...

[Okay but then what was with bringing the rest to the other party, Jack. Why are you like this. He still palms the coins, though, grinning.]

Perhaps I'll win you back some? Or maybe you'd like to play for them?

[ She hums, a playful sound. What origins? Who knows! ]

I don't know... I so hate to lose. I think you'd have better luck, my lord.

[Miss Yuri Elizabeth is truly mysterious sometimes! But all women must have their mysteries, and those here even more so; a hard-learned lesson for some of us...... Jack, for his part, just grins and makes a light motion for her to join him anyways.

This isn't a terribly fast-paced poker table, after all, and they've plenty of cards and plenty of space to mess around with.]

Then I think you are the one in luck, for there aren't many here easier to defeat than me when it comes to games of chance and cards! And I've no doubt that Miss Yuri would be a formidable opponent, if only she had someone who didn't mind being trounced a few times to warm up...?

How's that, then? Shall I practice with you in exchange for your generosity?

Maybe? I don't understand this game, but it really does look like you're bad at it...

[ So, you know. ]

Ah, in some ways this may be difficult for a beginner to pick up immediately -- there are many hands that must be memorized, but at the same time it is one of the simplest games in terms of the play itself... Shall we see if you can learn it? Perhaps then I'd stand a chance...

[There totally isn't an ulterior motive here?? Totes. Then again, all they're really betting are chocolate coins and maybe random snacks, maybe gelato... Nobody here is betting money or crystals or anything.

The important thing is, apparently, just the experience itself.]

[ Really, Jack? Really??

What are you getting him into!! But no, he's interested, and maybe he asked Yeager before this or somehow this exists in the same timeline, who cares anything goes in RP land let us stretch the suspension of disbelief. ]

Or maybe I'd just beat you so hard you wish you hadn't taught me.

[ He's joking, but he's Ready. ]

But, I'm ready for instructions whenever you are.

Edited 2021-07-09 23:40 (UTC)

[ McGillis has joined the poker world for one round of it and he's considerably better at it than Jack clearly appears to be. The despair amuses him visibly. ]

I don't know, I think you should wager higher next. Your soul, maybe? We're in a high stakes environment after all.

... alternatively, find something else sweeter than chips. I am not that picky.

Mr. Fareed drives a hard bargain -- I think I would need to save this soul of mine for the higher stakes later, and simply take your mercy this time. Somehow, there are many here who are very good at this game...

[Or maybe he's just too terrible??? It might take talent to be quite this bad at whatever he's calling poker here. McGillis gets a smile, gamely summoned up but also challenging(?).]

Shall I wager some of our gelato, then, or have we run out again...

[Minor call-out, but also. Honestly.]

[ Don't judge him, it is good gelato! Are we not here to indulge in vices.... ]

I do have manners, you know?

[ They did not run out, leaving some for others is just good etiquette! ]

So I will graciously accept your portion for a new wager. Nobody shall say I am an unkind opponent.

[Well, as far as vices go it's a pretty cool one--]

Ha-ha, I was not implying you didn't, but you are certainly our most enthusiastic guest.

[That is to say, McGillis might be a polite party animal of some kind, but others are quite a lot more indulgent in terms of finishing things up, and so: the gelato is probably constantly out anyway. No great obstacle when the gelateria is but a couple steps away, but it does make for some hazards with wagering anything.]

I wonder if I should look forward to being kindly defeated... I am finding that a surprising number of us also have this game and others in common.

[At the very least he seems to be rather good at handling cards, though whether that should be praised given his gambling life is anyone's guess.]

CHAPTER 6

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