dead hearts are everywhere

[goodforsomething]

[Stan arrives at the chapel early. It doesn't take long to re-create his ghost summoning setup from yesterday; he left all the materials stowed under one of the middle pews, where the hymnals should have been. He sets it up exactly as it was, right down to the angles of the candles. Honestly he suspects the mirror was the only really important part, but he's not about to risk technical difficulties. Not tonight.

The rest of it was all gathered up earlier: there's some coffee, to ward against people falling asleep outside the rooms, and a lot of extra notebooks and pens taken from the storage room. He didn't tell anybody what to bring, after all, or what to expect. Secrets are easier for one person to keep, even if only for a day. Some of the rest might have gotten excited, the Kingmaker might have gotten curious, and then what?

As the meeting time draws near, he tears a page from one of the notebooks, scribbles his little symbol and a message on it, and slides it in front of the mirror.]

You there?

[To the others, he turns with a grin. In a voice somewhere between a gravelly whisper and his Mr. Mystery act, he says:]

Thanks for comin'. Our friends on the other side have been waitin' for us.

Comments

[cherryblooded]

Was wondering about that. Where is it?

[goodforsomething]

There's a hidden room on the second floor, behind some wall panel. Slides to the side.

I think we oughta go check it out pretty soon. He's probably seen us lookin' for hidden rooms already - we need to get in there before he realizes we're close.

[cherryblooded]

We've wasted so much time already. There's no point in waiting any longer.

[goodforsomething]

How do you feel about tomorrow night? I don't think all of us should go - if he's still in there it'll probably go south real fast. He'll see us comin'.

[cherryblooded]

Don't mind attending. Bring a weapon, or not?

[goodforsomething]

Definitely. Never hurts bein' armed.

[cherryblooded]

Good, I'll finally have a use for some of the junk I've been getting.

[He's up to his ears in weapons by now.]

[goodforsomething]

I figure best case scenario, we somehow catch him by surprise and just beat the hell out of him.

[cherryblooded]

Worst case scenario, it's suddenly against a rule and we explode.

[goodforsomething]

Let's just walk in one at a time. Leavin' a few seconds for the first guy to explode.

[cherryblooded]

Sounds like a good plan for everybody but the first guy.

[goodforsomething]

I'll do it. My idea, my problem.

[cherryblooded]

...If you insist.

[He's not going to argue too hard here.]

[goodforsomething]

[Good.]

I mean, I'm gonna haunt the hell outta all of you! But I was gonna do that anyway!

[cherryblooded]

We appreciate your noble sacrifice.

[At least they sorta know how to set this up now so he can properly haunt.]

[goodforsomething]

That's all I ask!

[Literally all he has ever asked.

Well, never mind it.]

[cherryblooded]

...All the same, try not to explode if you can help it. I prefer you in one piece.

[isafraid]

[raised brows]

You're kidding me!

[goodforsomething]

You got me! That's just the Kingmaker's closet. Full of sweater vests!

[isafraid]

[goodforsomething]

[penduli]

There's nothing wrong with sweater vests.

[ Local Nerd Defends Sweater Vest Honor ]

[isafraid]

Not one bit!

[Have you noticed his ensemble!?]

[goodforsomething]

Iiiiiii dunno, my brother used to wear 'em all the time. They're pretty nerdy.

[But like. With love? Maybe? Not for the Kingmaker but it's okay for people Stan likes]

[isafraid]

[Shrug!]

Nothing wrong with keeping warm!