Haven't you seen a spindle before?

[paradisamods]

And haven't you seen how dull and dreary the castle seems of late? The white walls seem almost grey and the marble floors have lost their shine. Even the chandeliers seem made of grimy glass. Perhaps that drowsy spell has even the mighty castle in its grasp. What a thought!

But today the sleepers have risen, all of them feeling an indelible call to shuffle and stumble toward the Insolitus. There is something most precious to them hiding behind that named door, and they would do all they can to protect it. Their eyes may be closed shut, their movements hindered by sleep, but they are keenly aware of anyone seeking to harm their most beloved treasure.

Voices of many sleepers, all of them monotonous, speak in unison:

“ You should have let sleeping dogs lie. ”
LINKS: OUTSIDE THE DOOR | TALK TO THE ENEMY | FIGHT THE ENEMY (Keep this to one thread!) | Start your own as you please!

Comments

[dgaf]

[ There are many sleepers more intent than Effy on protecting that door. Or so it seems.

All she does is sit with one shoulder leaning against the wall near the entrance, dark messy hair obscuring much of her face. Any bruises are gone by now, though the bandaged part of her arm might sometimes peek out from the sleeves of her leather jacket. As deep in slumber as she might seem, anyone unfortunate enough to come too close would see her extending one leg all of a sudden to trip them or to swiftly grab them with a deathly grip. ]

[deadlybanker]

[This one had been followed. Not for any special reason, Giovanni had just spotted her sleepwalking her way through the castle and had fallen into step behind her eventually leading him to this odd door. He did not approach right away, preferring for a moment to stand back and survey the scene, but when she took up her position and took no further action he did move nearer to her side.]

What of this place has drawn you here, signora?

[Giovanni surveyed the lady's face, but did not expect an answer. None of the others had been able to speak sensibly.
Shall he see for himself then? The Assassin reached out for the handle of the door.]

[dgaf]

[ Even with her eyes shut, she grabs for his wrist as soon as he reaches a hand toward the door, holding on with all the might of a slight teenage girl. Her expression seems angry somehow. Confused.

What does he want from her? Why does he mean to take Freddie from her? ]

Leave us alone.

[deadlybanker]

[The muscles of his arm tensed as he hand fell on his wrist preventing the strange door from being touched. He could perhaps wrench his arm away but he chose not to, not just yet. ]

You and the others are protecting this door, what is on the other side of it?

[dgaf]

[ The question takes her back, because she was so sure before that she had something behind that door that none else must even see. Freddie is her first thought. It frightens her that she doesn't know why she must protect him in the first place, is he in danger?

Her head droops forward, her hair obscuring her face, but her grip grows tighter. She doesn't know. She's so afraid. ]

It's none of your business, yeah? Go away.

[deadlybanker]

[He was pushing it to stand his ground, though he did so with the full knowledge this could become more violent. Some one had died by the hand of one of these sleepwalkers...]

If I do not go?

[dgaf]

[ Effy is only a slight teenage girl, though appearances can certainly be deceiving. In other people's cases at least. She keeps her grip on his arm. ]

If you promise not to hurt him. Please.

[deadlybanker]

[He spoke softly hoping the gentile tone would help soothe her hidden fears.]

I did not come here intending to hurt anyone. Please believe me, I mean only to help if I can.

[dgaf]

[ Somehow she just seems even more troubled by this, holding on tighter. ]

Maybe you don't. But you might. I don't mean to hurt him either-- but look.

[deadlybanker]

Signora, please...

[He pulled his arm away not with enough force to wrench it from her hands but with enough to give her the idea he wished for it freed. ]

There is something dangerous occurring here, I have to see what might be done to stop it.

[dgaf]

[ She does withdraw her hand, jerking her arm back as if his touch burns. In her mind, she couldn't understand how he could have moved so fast when she didn't see him moving. Her eyes are closed. ]

Then don't leave me. I wouldn't know what to do.

[deadlybanker]

I can not. I must see what is beyond that door.

[But he reached out to her before leaving to place a hand on her shoulder, just a comforting squeeze of his hand on her arm to reassure her. ]

Remain here with the others. You will be safe here.