around noon \o/

[secondchances]

I was going to say something about this being--uh, being my two year anniversary, but this whole perpetual darkness thing we have going on is sort of distracting.

Not to mention the sounds. Those aren't very nice. Pretty sure it's not just me.

I'd rather be kicking something's butt than whirling around in the dark every time I think I hear something behind me. I'm going to have a heart attack at this rate. Or have an accidentally-punching-someone-in-the-face attack. On that note, it's not a good idea to approach people from behind right now. Are we actually in mortal danger, or is the castle just trying to be cute since it's Friday the 13th? Boo, let's be spooky and--

[And, as if on cue, there's a gasp as Stephanie gets the distinct feeling that someone's gonna grab her from behind. FOR REALS, THIS TIME. Aaaaand there goes the lamp beside her bed. CRASSSSSHHHH.




A sigh.]

I see how it is, Paradisa. Happy freakin' anniversary to you, too.

Comments

[craggyfaced]

You have been here two years?

[secondchances]

[Slightly distracted:]

Yep. Been rounding up the past few months, though today's the actual two year mark.

[craggyfaced]

[gloomily] That is a long time...

...are you all right, my lady?

[secondchances]

To be fair, it's gone by really fast. Why, it feels like just yesterday I was stumbling around in the snow, thinking I was hallucinating a giant castle...

I'm fine. Just trying to not knock over stuff. How about you?

[craggyfaced]

I am assisting in guarding the ballroom.

[There is a slight scrape of metal as he shifts, listening to a sound the journal doesn't quite pick up]

[knightprodigy]

I'll be sure to hold off on the 'many happy returns'. [Because trust him, you don't want that.

[secondchances]

Gotta leave in order to return. Which you're... very aware of. That sounded less lame in my head.

[Dick]

Though, since I've got you here and I don't have anything else I could be doing right now, do you have a moment?

[Since she promised a certain someone that she'd keep the serious talk for after the holidays, and after the holidays it is.]

[knightprodigy]

[Oh Steph.] Don't worry about it.

[Steph]

Sure! [Ominous feeling in 5...4...3...2] What'd you have in mind? [...1]

Dick

[secondchances]

I feel like I should preface this with "don't get mad," so... don't get mad?

[heirdom]

I almost hope this is another "everyone risks dying" week so that we can all get some exercise.

[secondchances]

I'd like to skip out on the risk of dying part, but I'd be down for some good ol' fighting. The suspense...

[heirdom]

That's because if there's no risk of death, it's Stephanie Brown-grade combat.

[secondchances]

Is that supposed to be an insult?

[heloise]

How much you must have learned while you are here, Stephanie.

[ So not thinking about the sun being blotted out. ]

[secondchances]

It's been a very special education.

How are you holding up, Lucrezia?

[heloise]

Very well, thank you.

Would you be needing candles? I have quite a supply of them.

[secondchances]

[There's a soft smack here--that's Steph trying to get her third flashlight to work. Yes, she has three.]

Probably. Flashlights seem to be mysteriously not working properly. That's nice.

[detectivegenius]

Are you okay?

[secondchances]

Peachy. My lamp? Not so much. This is like the fourth one.

Are you getting the lovely paranoid feeling, too?

[detectivegenius]

Like something is always watching you but when you check around, there's nothing there? Yeah.

[secondchances]

Yep, that's the one. I'm almost hoping something pops out so I can relieve some of this tension.

[payback]

Everyone's been here two years, huh?

... Does this kind of thing happen a lot?

[secondchances]

Maybe not everyone, but I don't think I'm alone in having my anniversary this week.

And if by this you mean the castle being creepy? Yeah, I'd say it's a fairly often occurrence...

[payback]

That girl Jilly said she'd been here two years too. How long've most people been here?

And, do you think things will go back to normal soon?

[secondchances]

Some people are going on four years. But the average? No idea. Maybe a year?

[A pause as Steph shoves down the urge to whirl around again.]--yeah, probably. Soon being in the next twelve hours, if it's just messing with us today. You doing okay?