[14]

[savethedarkness]

[Filtered away from the murderers or those who would aid them]

I hate to say it, but we've lost three people, now. The bodies should be kept in a manner similar to those who were killed on the Event Horizon.

York: would you be willing to lend us use of those cryogenic chambers in the basement?

What have people uncovered so far? We should have all our information in one place for ease of access. It shouldn't be too difficult since all we can bloody well do is write.

♔ seize || but you won't be heard

[ensorceler]

( FILTERED FROM THE MURDERERS AND ACCOMPLICES; )

[ The handwriting is small and flourished but legible, especially with certain old spelling being aided by the journal's lovely powers of translation. ]

My friends and fellow travelers, we may yet have a chance in ending this massacre if we should only shut the door to our panic and open a new one to hope and faith. God has seen to it that we would know of our own strengths, should we only acknowledge His is what guides us. He hears you even in silence. We will soon have time to properly handle the honored dead, as soon as this foe has met justice.

Much knowledge has been shared, though the aid of the story spinner August Booth and Dairine Callahan, and further conference with Mark Hunter and Dora Diniro. Here is the full poem as currently known to us:

"Can't even shout, can't even cry,
The Gentlemen are coming by.
Looking in windows, knocking on doors,
They need to take seven and they might take yours.
Can't call to mom, can't say a word,
You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard."

[ Followed is a collection of drawings re-drawn by Nora to showcase the tale of the Gentlemen stealing voices and hearts, and the girl's scream killing them. ]

We know that there will be seven deaths if we do naught, for they have tormented kingdoms before. They spirit away our voices so that they may do as they will and we shall be helpless in our newfound solitude, for they hunt at night while we rest out heads. Weapons may not bring them harm, but there is a supposed solution.

The "true voice" of a princess shall strike them dead. Mean it true princess or not, I should think a safe preference for all of the ladies to let their cries by heard best as they may, and should one voice of a siren be enough, evil will tremble and flee.

The trick, then, is to learn of how to retrieve our speech. There has been a suggestion, from one who claims knowledge of witchcraft and curses, and he would say that "True Love's Kiss" breaks all curses in his realm. He would say the love of dear family is just as potent, and I would dare agree, no matter the differing natures. I bid you to do all you can, but pray you use discretion in the knowledge you do gain, genial ladies. There is no proof this will bring back our voices, but it is what I must say and for you to do what you will.

There must also be other suggestions, should this not be the cure for this kingdom. People of Cair Paradisa, the power of your faith and determination must be as one if you are to prove that not only can Man can resist the Devil because of God's grace, but that Woman has a cry of war buried in her heart rather than her breath. There is a key. Find it. Find it.

God bless you all, the denizens who have mine own love and fealty,
Anne Boleyn

( EDITED IN LATER; )

There has been news of a box, a handspan's length to the side, at most, with iron studs and detailing. With such talks that a physical source is needed to conduct such witchcraft, then it is like it holds our true voices, and so now we know best what to seek.

I would also know where The Gentlemen's "minion" has been held, in haste. Can he speak? If not, then as Mistress Everdeen has so said, our only option is to release it and then follow in the greatest stealth. This is not a cause for all to join with blind heart, but with skills that match their character.

General Windrunner, Mistress Everdeen, and "Batgirl". So you have been summoned, with reverent humility for your grace and our cause.

[Twenty Four -Right Through The Eye]

[the_effect_she_has]

( Filtered away from The Gentlemen, and all who would aid them. Written. )

32 - Soldier - Written

[radiantwingedone]

[ It’s a bit of pen tapping to the journal, aimlessly, before anything else is written. Although his handwriting is terrible - cramped in odd places and too spaced in others. ]

One. Nightmares of fears. Two. Silence and heart thefts.

[ He could phrase that differently. He doesn’t particularly care to, though. ]

Anyone else find theirs to be quite so

[ Exciting? Traumatizing?

It leaves off here. Anyone who pays attention to magic might find there’s a great deal being used in the kitchen. It dies down to what might be considered ‘normal’ for Duke to use. Then any sense of magic being used, or being there, in the kitchen fades away.

Gentlemen hit again. ]

((OOC: There's probably a charred minion or two, and one probably has odd looking sword stuck in it))

FINALE

[mighttakeyours]

[The Gentlemen have claimed their fourth victim. Thus far they have paced themselves rather slowly, but they're starting to notice the residents beginning to rally together. They no longer have the leisure of being so choosy. If they want to collect their seven hearts, they'll need to be quicker about it or they will continue to lose their henchmen. And good help is so hard to find.

But first, they must deliver this heart to their hideout. They would hate for anything to happen to it.

The Gentlemen can be seen gliding along the path from the castle and heading toward town. What remaining minions they have with them hobble behind them. They pay no mind to anyone around them. The heart takes priority until it is safe and secure in the clock tower they have claimed for themselves.

Residents may attempt to trail them... if they dare.]

[written/action]- I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

[his_nemesis]

Excuse me? My name is Harry Potter and I believe I am quite lost within this castle. I have just arrived and to be truthful, I have no idea how I came to be here. Ron? Hermione? If you can here this, I'm sitting at the top of a grand staircase within the castle. If by some chance, I Apparated here without meaning to, then I don't know what has happened. [He was now scratching furiously into the journal given to him. It was parchment and he was worried and rather lost. He wasn't going to ask questions as to how it came into his being. He felt like he was holding some kind of magic parchment. Not unlike the Marauder's Map.]

If anyone is seeing this or hearing this, I would appreciate some help. What is this castle and where am I? This isn't Hogwarts, I know that much. [He bit the top of his quill, sucking on it in thought. Why did these sort of things happen to him and no one else? The last thing he remembered was sitting and talking to Ron and Hermione within his godfather's home at Grimmauld Place.]

If anyone can help, I will be most grateful.

#006 - Written

[allthelinks]

[Sooj has been cooped up in the library with about half the rest of the castle, and the combination of fear, boredom, and that ever-present helplessness is starting to reach vast levels of irritating. Without his voice, he can't summon his Persona, and with no decent weapon, he can't even fight hand to hand. It's so very infuriating.]

I'm beginning to understand why everyone warned me why this place is not to be trusted when I first arrived.

[The letters are a little terse and harshly written. That's frustration for you.]

Three dead, and if that poem is to believed, four more will die? What is the point of this entire exercise except to drive us all up the wall with fear? Does anyone understand how this castle works?