TWG 100th Anniversary: Dinner and a Show

[Monika]

It is now Day 5.  Day 5ends in 24 hours, at 9:00 PM CST on February 28, regardless of when the actual update arrives.
http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=9869.msg395204#msg395204
TWG 100: Dinner and a Show

Wolf team- as a team, the wolves may choose one player to kill each night.  Wins at parity.
1. Master Wolf- Each night, can send a PM to the host with the name of target player.  If that player is still alive, the Master Wolf receives a PM with the color of that player.  The Master wolf is seered green.
"I smell you... Your fear..."
2. Wolf Cohort- Has no special powers.  Is seered red.
"Fresh BLOOD!"
3. Wolf Cohort- Has no special powers.  Is seered red.
"Fresh BLOOD!"
4. Needy Wolf- If the needy wolf is the last wolf alive, the wolf team loses their wolf kill.  Is seered red.
"I smell... you?"

Human team- wins when all threats to the team are dead.
5. Seer- Each night, may send a PM to the host with the name of target player.  If that player is alive, receives a PM with the color of that player.  Is seered blue.
"No-one and no-wolf will get past me."
6. Brutal Human- If the brutal human is wolfkilled, one wolf at random is killed as well.  Is not told they are the Brutal Human.  Is seered blue.
"Whatever it takes."
7. One-shot Reviver- Once per game, during a night phase, may send the host a PM with the name of a player.  If that player is dead, they will be revived at the beginning of the following night phase.  Is seered blue.
"I'm here for you."
8. Miller- is seered red.  Is not told they're the Miller.
"I'm doing things my way.  Step aside."
9. Traitor- counts for human numbers, but wins with the wolves.  Is seered red.
"You'll all see soon enough..."
10. Sayori- is told she's a normal human.  Is seered Monika.
"There are rainclouds... and they won't go away."
11. Vanilla Human- is seered green.
"Something's wrong."
12. Vanilla Human- is seered green.
"Something's wrong."
13. Vanilla Human- is seered green.
"Something's wrong."
14. Vanilla Human- is seered green.
"Something's wrong."
15. Vanilla Human- is seered green.
"Something's wrong."
16. Khajiit- Begins the game with every item, but cannot use them.  Once each night (except for Night 1), may distribute a single item to target player by sending a PM to the host with that player's name.
"Khajiit has wares, if you have coin."

Third Party- counts for numbers of neither team.
17. M̦̣͓̀ ̟̖Ò̦̦͖͔͖̜ ̡̱̲͓̞͔͖Ǹ͎̳̳͍͖̟ ̜̥̭͕̤ͅI̱͉̥ ̭̪K͇͕̺̭͞ ̫̹̘͇͍A̩̪͢- wins when it's just Monika.  Can't be wolf-killed.  Each night, may send the host a PM with the name of target player.  If that player is alive, becomes marked. Marked players are privately told they have been marked.  When the number of living marked players becomes greater than or equal to the number of living unmarked players, Monika may send a PM to the host containing the word "boom" to have all living marked players die.  Is seered literally every color except for red, purple, green, and blue.If wolves would win while Monika is still alive, Monika and the wolves both win.
"...What's the point when none of it is even real?"

Items:
Candlestick
Revolver
Rope
Lead Pipe
Knife
Wrench

When a player dies, their role will be revealed.

Players:

1. davy
2. ThatHiddenCharacter
3. BrainyLucario
4. SuperMarina
5. TheZeldaPianist
6. Dudeman
7. BlackDragonSlayer
8. MaestroUGC
9. Trasdegi
10. raeko
11. E. Gadd Industries
12. MasterSuperFan
13. Lkjhgfdsa_77
14. Bubbles
15. FireArrow
16. Charu

Substitute: Maelstrom

It is now Twilight Phase.  Players are not allowed to post during Twilight Phase.  Twilight Phase ends when Role PMs have gone out and all players have confirmed their roles.  Twilight Phase will last roughly anywhere from 6 hours to 30 hours, depending on how well everything goes.

Prologue

It was a dark and stormy night.
"Seriously?  That's it.  I'm taking over."
"What?  What's wrong with that?"
"Dude.  It's a complete joke.  It's been a meme since the 1800's."
"But I like it!"
"It doesn't matter what you like, it matters what they like."
"They?"
"Never mind- just give me the quill."
I shoved myself aside and grabbed the quill from my hand.  "Ahh..."  I lowered the quill to the parchment and began to write:
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.
"Woahwoahwoahwoah.  You just shoved him aside for that,  and now you're quoting Orwell?  Double standard much?"
"I don't need to justify myself to you."
"Yes you do- I am you."
"Hmph.  Fine.  How about this?"  I turned again to face the parchment.  Dipping the quill in the well, I once again filled the parchment with neat, even handwriting.
There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
"NO!  NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
I turned back to me and sighed.  "What now?"  I questioned.
Just then, I stepped out of the shadows.
"Why not come up with something new?  You know, original?  I'm sure they don't want to read something they've heard a hundred times in school alone."
I suddenly perked up from where I had been pouting after I had been shoved aside by myself.  "Who's they?"
"NEVER MIND!" I shouted in unison.
I turned back to look at myself.
"Maybe you're right.  Let's put our heads together.  With the amount of work we've put into this, we may as well get the beginning as good as the rest of it."
I blinked.  Everyone was gone.  I looked around at the cramped wooden attic-space with just a lumpy, mildewy mattress and a writing-desk, kept illuminated by the baleful flicker of a wax candle.  I sighed to myself.  It wasn't pretty, but it was necessary.
I turned again to the parchment paper.  I took a deep breath.  I thought.  I prayed.  I wrestled with myself.  I had to get this perfect.  It was the only way I would finally get it all back.  Everything I had.  Everything I deserved.  Everything I lost.  Feeling the rage building up in me, my hands shaking, I brought the quill toward the parchment.  I finally knew what to write.

[close]

Chapter 1

   Daniel scratched his head quizzically.  He, of all people, had received an invitation to this Dinner and a Show everyone had been talking about?  The stocky teen looked around.  Surely, this was a mistake.  But no, the telegram had his (and his brother's) name on it.  How curious!  He could feel excitement beginning to swell in him.  No more would he be Daniel Sharpe, that other twin, he would be Daniel Sharpe, French exchange student!  Daniel Sharpe, intelligent man!  This was his chance to distinguish himself.  He just had to hide the invitation from his brother.  He swept the thin blonde hair out of his eyes.  His mind began to race with all the possible ways to keep his brother out of this.  Muttering to himself, he trundled up the road toward his home on the hill.
***
   Tyler Henry Cormaci paid close attention to his note.  It... wasn't what he expected, but at least he had been invited. He wondered if anyone he knew would be at the village.
***
Rachel Scarlett von Karma sat in the dimly lit chamber musing.  The source of her attention was a handwritten letter on the desk before her, begging for her help.  It was from an old friend of hers, one she wished she had never heard from again.  Still...  Thinking about him, even now, was bittersweet.  Should she take the bait?  For clearly, this was bait.  Not necessarily for her, but she was clever.  Rachel knew when a trap was being set.  For she had set many herself.  Many traps indeed...
***
 Baron Miguel Antonio Del Rey, Captain of the USS Cleaver and Scourge of the East Sea, was a proud man, to be sure.  So it was to nobody's surprise when he received an invitation from a distinguished character inviting him to some silly little dinner.  Still, a free feast was a free feast, and there would surely be plenty of women there just dying to be at his side.
"Lieutenant!  What are our coordinates?"  He questioned.
He was talking to another man who had a similar aura of confidence about him.  That man was Lt. Kenji Higashi, First Lieutenant of the USS Cleaver, and an old friend of Miguel's.
"Be calm, my friend.  We will arive soon enough."
Miguel Del Ray let out a short laugh.  "My dear man, you know me too well!  One day you'll know me better than I know myself!  Why, you may even become the captain of this fair vessel."
"That would be nothing short of a miracle, sir."
***
When Skyler Brasher checked the mail that day, he wasn't expecting to receive his greatest wish.  Nor did he realize it was his greatest wish.  All he saw was a plain telegram inviting him to a Dinner and a Show.  He adjusted his glasses, looking closer.  Something about this note seemed... off.  He dismissed his concerns, stuffed the note in his pocket, and left for school.
***
Hunger.  Anger.  Fear.  He knew these all too well.  He hated those who did not know these feelings as he did.  So when he saw people getting invited to a free dinner, he knew what he needed to do.  A sane man would keep these impulses under control.  Tarin Zapin was not a sane man.
***
Natalie Marina Brady's house had been turned upside down.  "Where is it... where is it?"  She muttered frantically.  Her naturally curly brown hair bounced up and down as she rushed from room to room, tearing cushions off couches and scattering papers across tables.  There was no way the invitation could be right.  It had to be around here somewhere...
***
Olivier Martinez was living life and loving it.  The French actor was in the peak of his career, and everyone in Paris knew who he was.  Still, it caught him off guard when he received a curious invitation in the mail.  Coupled with a liner pass to travel to America.  Apparently there was some prestigious Dinner and a Show happening on the east coast that needed his presence to succeed.  It was raising awareness for a strange disease that quite frankly did not sound real.  He was planning on attending anyway, as the travel had already been paid for.  He might even find romance overseas...
***
My name is Travis de Gillett.  I have evidence that something terrible is about to happen in my town, but nobody will listen to me.  The only chance I have at exposing the truth is at the Dinner and a Show happening this weekend.  To get in, I needed an invitation, but those were in limited supply.  So I forged one.  Sure, I may not be on the guest list, but if I have the invitation they will let me in.  They must let me in.
***
Michael Buble was curious by nature.  Perhaps it was this very curiosity that granted him an invitation to the Dinner and a Show.  According to this telegram, he was an outstanding citizen.  He had never felt outstanding, but he supposed he could see why one would think so.  He knew basically everyone in town by name.  He knew everyone's daily routes.  The town seemed so predictable to him.  He had been watching it for so long that nothing surprised him.  Nothing until this, that is.
***
The sun was starting to set.  Michael Buble, Gerik Paull, and Zachary and Daniel Sharpe were up to no good.  Although, to say such a thing would be unfair to poor Daniel, who was a little hesitant with the plan.
"Guys, I'm not sure this is such a good idea.  I mean, it's just a lame soiree!  We don't need to steal invitations from random neighbors."
His twin brother Zachary turned to him.  "You were the one who said he wished he had an invitation in the first place."
"Yeah, but like..." Daniel hesitated.  He had to be careful about what he said.  He hadn't told his brother that both of them were invited, but... should he?  Surely that was a better alternative to whatever crazy scheme Gerik was coming up with now.
Michael interrupted.  "Guys, I hate to break up your little sibling rivalry, but it's now or never."
He pointed toward a young couple, leaving their home with merriment in their steps.  "They're out for the night, we're in for the night."
Gerik smiled.  "Bingo."  The young athlete vaulted over the fence from which the four of them were hiding themselves.   Michael followed him over.
Zachary started over the fence, then paused.  "Maybe you should just stay here."
"Fine.  Get yourself in trouble, and see if I care."
"Why are you always like this?"
"Why are you always like this?
"Ugh.  Alright, just go home."  Zachary finished sliding over the fence and dashed across the field to an open window that Gerik had muscled open moments ago.
Daniel watched closely, his hand unconsciously reaching to his pocket to affirm that the invitation was still there.
Wordlessly, he turned his back to the house and marched back toward his own.

[close]

Chapter 2

"Mr. Gardiner, I trust you found your journey here pleasant?"
Addison Gardiner looked down at the man addressing him.  "I did, thank you.  May I set my coat somewhere?"
"Oh, certainly.  Follow me."
The short man with a combover led Mr. Gardiner across a great hall with marble flooring to a coatroom off to one corner.  "None of the other guests will be arriving for some time, so feel free to explore the manor as you wish."
"Thank you," Mr. Gardiner responded.  He let his gaze wander across the hall.  A wooden staircase with smooth banisters occupied the far end of the hall.  Beneath the stairs was a double set of doorways leading into, from what he could see, a library.  On the opposite side of the hall from the coatrack was a white door with a polished handle.  He gently pushed on the door and it swung inward.  An enormous oak dining table with 16 matching chairs, places set, occupied the entire room.  Beyond the table was a swinging door.  He assumed behind it would be the kitchen.
He backed out of the dining room and started up the stairs.  A hallway at the top of the stairs forced him to make a choice and he continued to the left past a row of plain doors.  At the end of the hall was another door.  He pulled the handle and peered inside.  A bedroom.  A vanity and a dresser occupied the wall opposite the door.  To one side lay a four-poster bed.  Very well, he would stay here.  Suddenly, he heard a scraping sound from the hallway.  Thinking quickly, he grabbed a candlestick from the vanity and headed back into the hallway.
"Ah!  Mikey, it's just you.  Goodness, but this place is a bit cheerless, innit?"
"Oh yes, I'm sorry.  I brought your luggage up, Mr. Gardiner.  I take it you'll be staying in this room then?"
"Well, I suppose so."
"Do be careful, I hear that one is haunted," he remarked, giving a roguish wink.
"Hm, yes, quite," Addison replied absentmindedly.  "Well, I've got studies to attend to.  So, if you don't mind..."  He left the dismissal hanging in the air.
Mikey nodded.  "Yes.  I've got things I must attend to myself.  This place will be quite lively soon!"  Humming, he started back through the hallway and down the stairs.
What an odd man, Addison thought to himself.  How did he know...  He couldn't possibly...
***
Zachary poured a cup of cold water on Daniel's face.
"Hey.  Get up.  This is important."
Daniel winced at the shock and groaned.  "What do you want?  I was sleeping, and it's gotta be like 3 AM."
"You know those invitations we stole from that home?"
"Don't remind me."
"Well, check it out."
Zachary led Daniel to the kitchen, where Michael and Gerik were waiting.
"Look at this," whispered Gerik, gesturing to the invitations.
Unamused, Daniel waltzed over to the table and read the invitations.  His eyes widened with shock.
"What the he-"
"Do you have any clue why they're like that?" Michael interrupted.
"I-I've never seen anything like this," Daniel stammered.  "You stole these invitations, and yet... They have your names on them?!"
***
Natalie was at the breaking point.  Her house was in a poor state, and her frantic search had only confirmed what the note had seemed to suggest.  Somehow, they had taken it, and she wasn't going to get it back unless she went to that stupid Dinner and a Show thing.
***
Skyler was feverishly flipping through pages of multiple books, trying to remember...  Why did that telegram seem so familiar?  Something about the writing style was out of place, as if it had been written by multiple people.  He felt like he had seen that before, somewhere.  The night went on as Skyler continued reading at an inhuman pace, digesting information faster than seemingly was possible.  He knew he wasn't going crazy, but he just didn't have the access to what he needed.  Maybe the Dinner would clear things up...
***
Tyler sighed.  Somehow he had let Sayori convince him into taking her with him to the Dinner.  It was a long enough trip without her constantly chattering.  He glanced sidelong at her.  Sure enough, on and on she went.  Did she know how to do anything but talk?  He silently chided himself for thinking like that.  Sayori was a nice gal, just a bit... enthusiastic.  There is worse company, he decided, as he listened to Sayori now ranting about the difference between brown-eyed susans and daisies.
***
As the shadows of night enveloped the town, a storm began to roll in, as if foreshadowing the unpredictable events awaiting those unfortunate few who had been invited to the Don Manor...
***
Rachel was the last one to arrive at the manor.  The rain was coming down heavily now, and her skirt was getting drenched.  She pounded on the knocker and the man with the combover invited her in.
"Thank you," she managed, shivering from the cold.  A large fireplace was warming up the hall, where over a dozen people were socializing, drinking, or admiring the paintings on the walls.  "This is quite the party," she commented.  She turned to look at the man with the combover.  He was nowhere in sight.  Strange, she thought to herself.  Well, I'm here now, so I might as well make the most of it.  She gracefully waltzed over to a group of people and introduced herself.
***
A crackling sound quickly ended any discussion.  A loud voice rang  out, grainy and clearly unprofessional.  "Greetings, everyone.  I apologize that I cannot be here in person, but as many of you know, I am quite the busy individual.  Fortunately, I should be able to make it to the Dinner and a Show tomorrow.  Now, you all know why you are here, but first I'd like to make a note of who all arrived.  You see, I had a few issues with the guest list, and it seems not everyone has made it yet...
"If you could calmly and orderly introduce yourself to my butler and to each other, we'll have all of this sorted out in no time!"

Silence.
The man with the combover stood next to the fireplace.  "Well, you heard the master.  Everyone please introduce yourself!  ...Ah, perhaps we should move into the dining room.  Champagne, anyone?"
As everyone got settled in the dining room, each sitting in one of the 16 chairs, they began to introduce themselves, beginning with a strange catlike creature standing upright.
"You may call Khajiit... Khajiit," he said smiling, showing off a row of sharp teeth.  "Khajiit is here on request of employer.  That is all."
"My name is Zachary Sharpe, and this is my little bro-"
"No!  Stop."  A young man identical to Zachary stood up.  "I'm Daniel Sharpe, and we're twins, he said, glaring at Zachary.  "I'm studying here to become an astronomer!"
Zachary sighed and the twins sat down.
A redheaded woman twirling her hair spoke up.  "My name is Rachel Scarlett von Karma.  Pleased to meet you all."  She said that in a tone that made it very clear she was not in fact pleased to meet them all.
"Is nobody gonna question the fact that there's a cat-man in this room?  Cause I think it's weird.  Anyway, my name is Monika Candelaria.  Nice to meet you!"  Monika curtsied.
"I am Olivier Martinez," a man with a thick Paris accent said.  "Please, if it suits you, simply call me Olimar.  You may know me from several French films."
Natalie gasped, then covered her mouth with her hands.  "Sorry!" she squeaked.  "I thought you looked familiar.  Sorry...  I'm Natalie Brady."  Embarrased, she sunk down low in her seat.
"I'm Michael Buble.  I'm a songwriter.  I haven't seen any real success yet, but I feel like I'm close.  Good to meet ya."
Two men simultaneously stood up.  "Allow me to introduce you to the one and only Baron Miguel Antonio Del Rey, Captain of the USS Cleaver and Scourge of the East Sea.  While he prefers you call him by his full title, you may call him Captain Del Rey or simply Captain."
"The great man who introduced me is my compatriot, First Lieutenant Kenji Higashi.  Please show him the respect he deserves."
"But I don't mind if you simply call me Kenji!"
A tall, attractive man spoke up.  "I am Travis de Gillett.  I'm one of the townspeople here, and I'm fairly well-known among them."
Someone laughed.  "Yeah, but not in a good way!"  Everyone turned to look at the man who had interrupted.  "Oh, sorry.  Well, I'm Tyler Henry.  I'm directly descended from the Cormaci royals who settled here a long time ago.  I make my living off the ocean shore."
"Wow, Tyler, I barely recognized you!" a young woman laughed.  "I'm Sayori Ishizuka.  Usually his hair is all sweaty from the sea salt and hard work, but he cleans up nice!  Look at that curly hair!"
"M...my name is Skyler Brasher.  I'm not really anyone special, but recently I've been studying paranormal activity as a hobby."
An older man perked up.  "My name is Addison Gardiner.  I'm here on the owner's request.  That's all you need to know about me.  Feel free to talk to me any time, especially you, young man."
"My name is Gerik Paull.  I do football, basketball, and baseball.  I've got scholarships waiting for me in any of those.  I just really like athletics and being athletic."  He shrugged and sat down.
"Well, everyone's introduced themselves.  Who are we missing?"
The butler pulled out a folded note.  Reading it, he nodded individually at each person sitting down.  "Ah, yes.  It appears we are missing one... Mike Scott."
Suddenly, there was a loud bang.  Several people jumped up to their feet, startled.
"My apologies everyone!  That's just the door.  No need to panic."
Everyone followed the butler back into the hall, where the banging continued frantically.
The butler opened the door.  It would be more accurate to say the butler tried, then the howling maelstrom outside did the rest of the work.  A frail old man fell in through the doorway, shivering.  "I-i-i-i m-m-made it..." he stammered.
"Poor man, let's get you to your feet.  You must be Mike Scott?"
"Mike... S-s-s-scott..."  The man pulled out a crumpled note from his pocket.  "Y-yes, Mike Scott.  That's m-m-me," he said, before his eyes closed and he slumped further into the butler's arms.
"Oh, dear me," the butler tutted.  "Let's get him a warm bed and some tea, shall we?  He'll be right as rain soon enough."
***
Rachel tiptoed down the stairs and knocked on the door.  It opened a crack, and a feline eye stared at her through it.  "Yes?"
"Listen.  I don't trust you one bit.  I want to know what exactly you're doing here."
"Well, why did you not say so earlier?  Come.  Khajiit will show you."  He opened the door all the way to reveal a bedroom not unlike Rachel's own.  However, this one had a strange table with glass boxes on it.
"I sell these, for your coin.  You see anything you like?" Khajiit purred.
Rachel's eyes wandered over the objects.  Some of them seemed quite valuable, such as a silver dagger.  Others were commonplace or otherwise seemed odd.  Shaking her head, she said, "Maybe later.  Good luck with... your exchanges."  She slowly walked back towards the door and walked upstairs.
Natalie lifted her head from the crack in the floorboards.  "Oh, I wonder what he has down there.  Maybe he has my...  No, that seems quite dubious.  I'd better forget about it.  It's late.  Besides, he doesn't seem malicious.  Not the type to steal from a damsel, anyway."  Natalie climbed into her bed, pulling the thick covers up to her chin.  She soon slipped off into sleep.
***
The sound of a tinny bell woke Skyler from his sleep.  He groggily rubbed his eyes, then flung himself out of bed.  Pulling on some trousers, he opened his door.  The butler!
"Your breakfast is ready, everyone.  Hop to, my master has an important announcement to make for your benefit!"  He announced.
Skyler met Addison at the foot of the staircase.
"Skyler, was it?  Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Oh, yeah..."
"Listen, you didn't hear any activity last night, did you?"
"Nah, I was unconscious pretty quick.  Why?"
"Oh, never mind...  Let's just enjoy breakfast.  I've got something to show you afterwards."
As Skyler sat at the table, he noticed an extra chair had been brought up to one end.  He recalled the events of the previous night, Mike coming in late.  Poor guy.
Soon everyone was seated and eating.  Out of the corner of his eye, Skyler saw Mike Scott shoveling huge amounts of food into his mouth at a time, barely pausing to breathe.  Interesting guy, he thought.  He turned back to his own plate.  Sausage, eggs, toast, and most importantly, bacon!  He chewed on the bacon, tearing it apart.  Delicious.
***
Rachel ate quietly, concerned.  Something here was wrong, she could tell.  She had expected something to happen last night, but everything seemed accounted for.  And there was something off about this... Mike Scott.  Rachel could see why everyone was here, except for him.  A question.  She smiled to herself.  Maybe he did fit in.  After all, what was all this entire charade except one question after another?

[close]

[Monika]

Chapter 3

Breakfast was winding down, and many guests were leaning back, chatting to their neighbors.  Addison continued eating at a slow and steady pace.  He enjoyed good food, no doubt.  The only other person still eating at any significant pace was Mike Scott.  Something about the man seemed unusual to him, as if he didn't quite belong here.  Addison glanced around.  He didn't care much for most of these guests.  However, the youngest one fascinated him.  He was aware that not everything was as it seemed.  Addison nodded.  He had made up his mind.
Suddenly, the loud, crackly voice spoke once again.  "I hope you all have had your fill.  Anyway, I do apologize for deceiving you like this, but you are all shortly going to die.  Have a nice weekend!  Ahahahahahaha!"
Everyone stopped moving.
In a split second, pandemonium.
Dishes started flying through the air, chairs tipping back and forth, and everyone made a mad rush for the doors.
Olivier reached the doors first, pounding on them in frustration.  "They won't budge!"  He cried.
Rachel looked up in the air.  "Mikey, why are you doing this?"
Silence.
"Oh, but what on earth makes you think I'm who you think I am?  Did I ever say so?  Did we ever say so?"
Stamping her foot in frustration, Rachel turned to the other guests.  "Does anyone have a clue what is going on here?  Surely he's just joking?"
Addison cleared his throat.  "I believe I know what's going on.  For years, I have suspected the Don Manor is a hotbed of paranormal activity-"
At this, Skyler fidgeted.  Addison turned to him.  "Yes, it's no mistake that you too were invited to this death trap."
"Anyway, it's clear to me now that this is no joke.  The spirit dimension is very real and very dangerous.  I suspect we will not be able to leave until whatever is haunting this place is put to rest."
Michael interrupted.  "So, what, we're like Ghostbusters now?"
Olivier stared quizically at him.  "Ghostbusters?"
"Never mind, it's after your time."
"As the days pass, the ghosts' influence- for I believe it is not just one- will grow stronger," Addison continued.  "I suspect they'll be able to interact with the corporeal dimension within the week."
Zachary interrupted.  "That seems awfully convenient.  They can't do anything right now, but later they can?  What do you know about this, old man?  You were the first one here.  How do we know you're not just pulling something?"
Just like that, all sense was lost and the shouting match began.  Not many seemed to be willing to accept the explanation Mr. Gardiner was giving.
At the top of his voice, Miguel Del Rey shouted, "Mr. Gardiner is not lying!  We must give the spirits what they want!  If we comply, they will surely let us go!"
"Wait a minute, everyone STOP!"  Sayori looked around.  "Where's Monika?  She was at the breakfast, but I don't see her here..."
Rachel frowned.  "That's concerning."
"Guys!  I'm right here!"  Monika came running up the stairs.  "Sorry!  After breakfast I started exploring the mansion.  There's a lot of neato stuff here!"
"Monika, listen-"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard.  We're all about to die.  You guys need to lighten up!"  She ran up the staircase and disappeared along the hallway.
"That was... more concerning," Rachel said.
***
"Listen, you two.  I think you're right.  We have to figure out what the ghosts want.  I'm more important than anyone here, and..." Rachel paused.  "Well, let's just say I'm... needed elsewhere.  I think the three of us could make it out of here if we worked together."
Miguel nodded his head.  "I think you are right, Ms. von Karma.  Kenji and I will gladly assist you."
The three of them sat huddled in the middle of Rachel's bedchamber.  Suddenly, the door opened and the frail old man fell in.
"P-please," he sobbed.  "Take me with you, I'm sorry... so, so sorry..."
"Mike?  What do you mean?"  Rachel asked.
"I'm... not Mike Scott."
He recounted his tale.  He was a beggar by the name of Tarin Zapin, and he had heard word of the Dinner and a Show.  He was thinking with his stomach.  He had seen the real Mike Scott walk by with an invitation in his hand, and he...
"I'm so, so sorry..."  He repeated.  "Please, I have to get out of here!  I know what I did was wrong... I just wanted some food..."
Rachel sighed.  "Miguel, what do you think?"
Kenji spoke up.  "The poor man does not deserve the fate intended by our captors.  Yes, what he did was wrong.  I don't think he's in his right mind."
Miguel nodded.  "Let's face it.  To get out of here, we're all going to have to make choices that, shall we say, lo lamentaremos?  Four is not much more than three."
"Oh, thank you!  Bless you all!"
Miguel turned to Tarin.  "If you want to get out of here, you must pull yourself together.  First of all, nobody must know of our pact.  Do not breathe a word of what we said here, understand?"
Tarin gulped, nodding.  "I understand.  I've been hungry for so long, it's been ages since I could think this clearly."
***
Addison and Skyler sat in front of the desk, poring over notes.  "Nothing here I'm seeing is standing out to me, unfortunately," Skyler finally said, leaning back.
"Well, that's to be expected.  Your own notes are quite advanced for such a youngster," Addison replied.
"Heh.  Thanks, I think."
"Anyway, here's what I've got so far.  You are familiar, of course, with the plane I like to call the Spirit Dimension, adjacent to our own Corporeal Dimension.  They intersect at a single point in space-time, allowing the Spirit Dimension to interact with the Corporeal Dimension.  This is why all living things have a spirit, and why, when they die, they are able to leave the corporeal world.  We see this as a living thing dies.  Its mass changes.  It gets lighter."
Skyler nodded.  "Yup, I've been able to figure that much out on my own."
"Sometimes, this separation doesn't work correctly.  My own studies have led me to believe one's physical occupancy in space-time is what causes the anomalies.  The Don Manor is a large-scale example of this.  What we're seeing is increased activity caused by a realignment of objects far beyond our understanding.  Keep in mind all of these is pure conjecture, but I'm not usually wrong!
"It seems they are temporarily able to communicate with us through technology in the mansion.  This is why the voice seemed to be recorded.  As Ms. von Karma showed, it is quite possible to communicate with them while they do so with us.  We won't be able to leave, I fear, until the spirits are put to rest.  Does all this make sense?"
Skyler nodded more emphatically.  "I think you're right.  I hadn't thought of the location thing, but that makes sense based on my research."
"For now, I suggest we do whatever the ghosts tell us, but try to reason with them where we can.  Are we agreed?"
"Agreed."
***
"Attention guests!  You have 24 hours to offer our first sacrifice!  Wahahahahaha!"
"Sacrifice?"  Travis asked.  "What do they mean?"
Miguel scowled.  "Clearly we must choose who dies first."
"Or we can just like, not?"  Monika giggled.  "Why should we play this game?"
Kenji and Rachel exchanged glances.  Kenji cleared his throat.  "Well, perhaps there is a way for us to get out of here sooner rather than later."
"I still say this is some kind of prank," Zachary muttered.  Gerik raised an eyebrow.  Leaning in close, he whispered, "Don't you remember the invitations?  Something unnatural is happening.  Stop being stubborn."
Daniel rolled his eyes.  Michael gently shoved Daniel.  "You should be nicer to your brother."
"He's such a wad sometimes."
"That's what brothers are for."
Daniel opened his mouth wide and mimed gagging.
"Real mature."
Olivier stood on a chair.  "It looks like we don't have much choice no matter which way you slice it.  I want to thank you all for keeping a level head, but I don't think we're going to get out of here if we don't listen to the voice.  It pains me to say so, but I believe this is survival of the fittest.  I suggest we give them Mike Scott.  The man is nearly dead anyway!"
Mike started to panic.  "N-no, no!  Please don't give me to the monsters!  I can't!"
Kenji nodded.  "You don't know what Mike here has been through.  How can you say such a thing?"
"Well, do you have any better options?"
Kenji paused.  "What about you?  You haven't really been helping.  You're too self-obsessed to even care about anyone else getting out of here."
Olivier sneered.  "I'm trying to help the people who deserve to get out of here.  Mike doesn't even belong here.  The rest of us are at least somewhat distinguished."
"That's true..."  Rachel admitted.  "But I still feel bad about condemning a man who can barely walk for himself."
"I agree with Rachel," Miguel said.  "We do not hardly know this man's past accomplishments.  Perhaps he once was as great as I am."
Olivier sighed.  "Fine.  Do it your way.  Clearly you've already got something planned, have you not?"
Rachel shifted uncomfortably.  "...No?  What makes you say that?  Well, never mind.  What's important is we figure out a democratic way to choose who they take.  Did I really just say that?  My gosh, we're sacrificing a living human being."
Addison cleared his throat.  "If I may, I believe the spirits responsible for this will not rest until they get what they want.  Their influence may even extend beyond the Don Manor.  As much as I wish none of this had happened to any of you, we can't change what is done.  We must make the sacrifice.  That being said, I believe I am knowledgeable enough to, erm, stick around for a while, shall we say?  And my young friend Skyler here has been a boon.  I suggest we look elsewhere for the first noble sacrifice."
Several people nodded.
Olivier once again took the spotlight.  "So are we all agreed?  We'll leave it to a public vote later tonight."
Khajiit grinned.  "Khajiit will see you all later."
***
"We approve of the route you have taken and await your sacrifice!"
Olivier cleared his throat.  "Well, we're all here.  Let's make this quick and efficient.  I don't want to prolong things any more than we have to."
Tyler smirked.  "Right, you feel so bad for whoever's getting taken."
Olivier glared at him.  "Just tell us who you're voting for."
Tyler glared back.  "Olimar."
Olivier rolled his eyes.  "Next?"
"Khajiit."
"Rachel von Karma."
"Rachel von Karma."
"Olimar."
"Khajiit."
"Olimar."
"Mike Scott."
"Zachary."
"What?! Gah.  Daniel."
"Mike Scott."
"Khajiit."
"Natalie Brady."
"Tyler Henry."
"Monika Candelaria."
"Miguel Del Rey."
"Khajiit..."
Khajiit's catlike eyes widened as Michael spoke his name, barely above a whisper.
"NO!  Khajiit is innocent of this crime!"
The voice flared to life.  "We accept your decision.  Now, lock him in the dining room!  HAHAHAHAHA!"
Everyone rushed out of the dining room and barricaded the door as Khajiit tried in vain to brute-force his way through.  "NO!  NOO!"  He screamed.  Olivier closed his eyes, grimacing.  "NO!"
The wind picked up and slowly drowned out Khajiit's feral screams.  Growing fiercer and fiercer, the howling gale rattled the doors against the backs of those holding it.  Reaching an earsplitting scream, the wind blew the doors open, flinging everyone out into the hall.  Landing on his backside, Michael could see the dining room.  The table had been overturned and chairs were scattered all over.  But there was no sign of the cat-man.
Khajiit had been... taken.

[close]

Chapter 4

Skyler went to bed with a heavy heart that night.  Not only had the ghosts taken someone, he hadn't even tried to stop it.  He wanted to tell himself that there was nothing he could have done, but he still felt guilty.  He hadn't voted to sacrifice Khajiit, but what if the person he did offer had been the one?  Would their blood have been on his hands?  Trying in vain to fall asleep, he crept out of his bed and knocked on Addison's door.
"Addison, I think I have an idea."
***
Rachel, Miguel, Mike, and Kenji were in Khajiit's room, examining the wares he had left behind.
"Seriously, some of this stuff is junk.  A lead pipe?  Worthless!" Mike gleefully tossed it towards a corner.  When the pipe hit the ground, it made a strange sound.  Cocking his head, Mike investigated the lead pipe.  He tapped it on the wall.  He could hear something moving.  Suddenly, part of the wall broke away and slid aside.
"Guys...  Secret passageways!"
Rachel looked thoughtful.  "We could do a lot with this..."
"What are we waiting for?  Let us investigate!"  Miguel said firmly.
***
Tyler sat in his room quietly.  The realization of what happened today had finally hit him.  He couldn't do this anymore.  He had to get out of here.  Suddenly, he heard a shuffling noise.  Whispering.  A tap.  Coming from... the wall?  He walked to the source of the noise.  He gently pressed on random locations in the wall until he felt something give slightly.  He gave a strong shove and jumped back as a portion of the wall swung aside, revealing a small tunnel.  Poking his head in, he was just in time to see someone disappearing around a corner.
"Hey!"  He shouted.  He barreled down the tunnel and rounded the corner.  He saw Miguel and Kenji.  "Stop!"
They turned around and Miguel whispered to him.  "Wait a minute, wait a minute.  Do not tell anybody about these hallways, yes?  We are using them to influence who we send away.  Let us make a deal.  You keep quiet about our actions, and we will let you come with us when we are able to escape.  Agreed?"
Tyler considered.  At this point, he wasn't sure what to think.  "...Fine.  Whatever.  I just want to get out of here.  But I won't be held accountable for your actions, alright?"
Kenji smiled.  "Fair enough.  We understand how this is.  But we are simply taking initiative."
Mike walked up from further down the tunnel, lead pipe in hand.  "Oh, great.  We've been had."
"Don't worry- he will keep quiet.  And if he doesn't..."  Miguel smiled at Tyler.  "Well, we can worry about that later, yes?"
Tyler gulped.
***
Daniel was leaning back in his chair, tossing a ball up and catching it.  For some reason, the whole insanity of the situation was easy for him to digest.  That left his mind clear to consider his options.  He had already tried all the windows and external doors in the mansion.  He had looked for secret passages in the library.  He had spent a lot of time there.  What made things worse, he felt responsible to stay as long as his brother was here.  Oh, how he hated his brother.  From the get-go, Zachary had always tried to take credit for everything.  And Zachary now was acting like Daniel was the one who had been so terrible all these years.  Daniel shook his head, clearing his thoughts.  He needed to focus on what was important.
"What's the way out?"  He whispered to himself.
He didn't hear the footsteps creeping toward his chair.
He didn't hear the sound of the dagger sliding against a belt.
He didn't hear the whistle of its razor-thin edge as it flew toward his back.
He didn't hear the soft voice whispering, "Sorry."
He only felt it.

[close]

Chapter 5

Khajiit woke with a start.  His heart pounding, he started gasping for air.  He was in a tiny attic-space, on his back on a mattress.  In the far corner was a desk.  A man occupied the chair.  The man turned abruptly.  He stood up from the chair and ran over to Khajiit.  Placing a cold hand on Khajiit's chest, he quietly whispered, "Breathe.  Slowly.  Calm."  Khajiit felt his body relaxing, beating to a slower rhythm.
"Where... where is Khajiit?"  He asked weakly.
The mysterious man smiled at him.  "All will be revealed- in time.  For now, sleep."
Khajiit's surroundings faded to black.
***
Tyler stood in the hall, trying desperately to not attract attention to himself.  Hard to do when you're over six-and-a-half feet tall. This was his fault.  He couldn't say anything now, though.  He flicked his eyes nervously toward where Miguel and Kenji stood upright, staring straight at him.  He gulped.  Still, looking at Miguel and Kenji was better than looking at the sight that laid before him.
Daniel's stiff corpse lay on the marble floor.  Zachary knelt next to his brother, tears steadily dripping from his eyes.  Nobody spoke.  Finally, Zachary looked up at the guests.
"I'll kill whoever did this.  I'll kill whoever is forcing us to play this stupid game.  I hate you all!"  He ran up the main stairway and disappeared.  Michael and Gerik exchanged glances, then followed.
Olivier cleared his throat, clearly looking uncomfortable.  "So... what are we doing with the body?"  He asked.
Rachel glared at him.
"What?"
***
Addison sighed.  He and Skyler had been hard at work all morning reading through notes and plugging various scenarios into equations.  It just didn't add up- both literally and metaphorically.  No matter what he tried, he was clearly missing some variable.  He looked over at the boy.  What a prodigy!  He simply did not know how to give up.  Addison was sure he had no chance of making it out of here without Skyler.
A knock on the door pulled Addison from his thoughts.  It was Natalie.
"Umm, we're doing our thing again..."  She trailed off.  The room was a mess.  Papers were scattered all around, covered an entire wall, held in place by pins.  Neither Skyler nor Addison had slept that night.
"Well, everyone expects you both especially to show up.  And... there's other stuff going on too.  You might want to come down."
The three of them left the room and headed down to the dining hall.  Zachary stood on the table, holding a dagger in his hand.
Clearly he wasn't planning on using it, as everyone already present simply stood, waiting for him to speak.
"Oh, good.  Everyone's here."
He looked around, eyes watering.
"This is the dagger that pierced my brother's back.  And I found it... in Michael Buble's room."
Thirteen pairs of eyes swiveled toward Michael.
He scoffed.  "I don't believe it!  Zachary, we're friends!"
Rachel pursed her lips.  "I'm sorry, Michael.  But that just doesn't seem likely."
His eyes widened.  "Gerik?"
Gerik tilted his head from side to side, considering.  "I guess a setup is possible."
Michael's voice had a pleading tone.  "Of course I was set up!"
Addison looked Michael in the eye.  "Time to vote, murderer."
Thirteen pairs of eyes swiveled back toward Addison.
"Michael Buble."
"Michael Buble."
"Rachel von Karma."
"Addison Gardiner."
Addison cocked his head.  Kenji was staring dead at him.
"Addison Gardiner."
"Addison Gardiner."
"Michael Buble."
"Tyler Henry Cormaci."
"Michael Buble."
"Hmm... Zachary Sharpe."
"Zachary Sharpe."
"Addison Gardiner."
Rachel took a deep breath.
"Michael Buble."
The voice flared to life.  "We accept your sacrifice!"
Knowing what would happen, the guests once again made a mad rush for the doors.  Michael made no move to follow.  His eyes were devoid of emotion.
Standing out in the hall, Gerik watched, tears in his eyes, waiting for the wind to pick up.
It didn't.
Instead, there was a warm glow, which gradually reached an unearthly brightness before winking into nonexistence.  Like Khajiit before him, Michael was nowhere to be seen.

[close]

Chapter 6

Tyler's head hurt.
Something was wrong.  He couldn't remember last night at all.  Just trying to think about it made his head hurt.  He gingerly squeezed his temples between his forefinger and thumb, grimacing.  Why couldn't he remember?
He sat on the edge of his bed.  Was this the work of the ghosts?  When he thought about the past few days, it seemed so surreal.  In the space of 48 hours his entire world had been turned upside down.  Another 24 hours had gone by in a flash.  The last thing he remembered was...  Michael disappearing.  Gerik still seemed awfully distraught over it.  He wondered if those two had been close.
Suddenly, he heard a knock on his door.  A piece of paper slid under the crack.  He gingerly stepped toward the door and picked up the note.
   "My good friend tyler;
   Of all the people from the village who are trapped here, i am glad you're among us.  Nobody else I know is as courageous.  Knowing you're a cormaci gives me hope that you will lead us out of this death trap.
   -Always look on the bright side!"[/size]
Tyler narrowed his eyes.  There was something wrong with this note.  First of all, he didn't know anyone from the village.  Second of all, this person's handwriting was really sloppy, seemingly intentionally.  The weird lack of capitalization on the first "I" and the "c" in Cormaci also confused him.  Shoving the mystery note in his pocket, he wriggled into a striped sweater and stepped out into the hall.
Half-tripping down the stairs, he made his way to the dining room.  Everyone else was already there.
Addison was already giving a speech.
"...when the 16 of us first got here, we didn't really know what to expect.  But thanks to Skyler's help, I'm certain of it now.  In roughly two days, the night of the autumn equinox is a full moon.  I believe by then the spirits will lose all influence on the corporeal plane, with one caveat- if we fail to follow their instructions, they will almost certainly become entirely malevolent.
"That leaves us with just two more sacrifices to make.  I know you're all worried about the coven among us, which seems to be going about making their own calls.  For now, let's focus on disbanding this coven.  We are lucky indeed that nothing seemed to happen last night, but I would not like to take chances."
"Well then, should we start our vote?  Might as well get it over with."  Rachel sighed.
General mutters of agreement.  There was a weird tension of trust and mistrust in the air.
"Addison Gardiner."
"Miguel del Rey."
"Miguel del Rey."
"Rachel von Karma."
"Addison Gardiner."
"Zachary Sharpe."
"Zachary Sharpe."
"Zachary Sharpe."
"Zachary Sharpe."
"Zachary Sharpe."
Zachary looked dumbfounded.  "Is this a conspiracy?  Do you really think I would have killed my own brother?"
Gerik glared at him.  "You voted for Michael, too.  I'm guessing I'm next, right?  Zachary Sharpe."
"Well, that's exactly half, so we have no need to make any more votes."
Zachary's face contorted trying to cycle through all the emotions he was feeling.  Finally, he broke down and started sobbing.  "Fine.  Maybe I'll see my brother again, you monsters."
Clearly uncomfortable, Addison ushered everyone out of the dining room.  "Once we've made a choice, I don't think the ghosts will let us change it.  I feel bad for poor Zachary, but this is democracy."  He shook his head.  "When will this end?"
Zachary's crying continued.  Addison took a pocketwatch out of his suitcoat.  "He should be taken by now.  I wonder what's going on?"
He opened the door a crack.  He could hear Zachary, but couldn't see him.  Interesting, he thought.  I couldn't have predicted that.
He turned to the uncomfortable guests in the hall.  "Well, Zachary is gone.  The sobbing seems to be a tactic by the spirits to get under our skin.  I would suggest getting used to it."
***
Zachary buried his head into his knees.  He was curled up in the attic with his back to the wall.
"I'm sorry, Zachary, I really am.  I never meant for any of this to happen."
"WHY ISN'T HE HERE?!"
"Listen- there's a lot going on here that even I don't understand.  Once you've calmed down sufficiently, you, me, Michael, and the cat-man will talk, all right?"
Zachary continued to cry.  "I always knew he was going to be the successful one... I was so jealous of him.  Now he doesn't get the chance he deserves."
Mikey frowned.  "Try to get some rest.  Maybe you'll feel better tomorrow.  In the meantime, just think about what's been going on and be ready to tell me everything you feel comfortable sharing.  For now, just don't sweat it, all right?  I know you've been through a lot."
He turned back to the desk.  "They've all been through a lot," he muttered under his breath.  "And I was wrong- it wasn't them.  It never was."

[close]

END OF PART ONE

Chapter 7

Addison wrote furiously in his journal.  He had discovered the error.  He knew now why it didn't make sense.  He needed to share this immediately.  Standing up abruptly, his chair fell to the ground with a loud crash.  He dabbed at his forehead with a kerchief.  I can't believe I was so blind...
He crept into the hallway, journal in one hand, revolver in the other.  He couldn't afford to not be protected.  Reaching Skyler's room, he gently knocked.  "Skyler?"  he whispered.  "Something has gone terribly wrong."
No answer.
He frowned.  Maybe Skyler had gone downstairs?  It seemed unlikely, but he tiptoed down the main staircase anyway.  He made his way into the basement and turned the corner, only to bump into...
"OH!"  shouted Natalie.
"Oh, my.  I apologize."  Addison said.  "What are you doing wandering the halls at this time of night?"
"I could ask you the same thing," said Natalie.
"Fair point.  Tell you what, you tell me if you've seen Skyler around lately and I'll leave you to your business, hm?"
"Sorry, I haven't seen him.  There was someone poking around the dining hall, though.  Do you think that was him?"
Addison frowned.  "Perhaps," he said.
Addison took the stairs two at a time and bulldozed his way into the dining room.
"You!"  He cried.
BANG!
Addison's eyes grew wide.  As he felt his legs going numb, he aimed the revolver and let loose six rounds.  Four of them missed.
Two of them sank into the chest of the assailant, blossoming into cherry-red spots as they fell to the ground.  Addison gasped.  He could feel his life leaving on his breath.  It hurt so much.  He felt terribly sorry that he hadn't gotten to Skyler in time.  It was his last thought.
***
Monika stood in the shadows.
"This is all pretty silly, isn't it?"  she said.  "I mean, to their point of view, they're dying.  We like to pretend they're dying too, but it's not real."
She smiled.  "What's real is all of you.  You're trying really hard, or maybe not so hard.  Ehehehe!  But you get the luxury of being able to separate the game from reality."
"Mikey was trying his hardest, but he just isn't good enough.  It was actually pretty funny.  He knew that not everyone knew who I was, but he put me in his game on a whim.  It ended up being a bad idea for him~"
"Now, I don't want to seem weird, or creepy, but I would like to see this game played with a little more pizzaz, you know?  I did a debate club once.  We never played TWG, but I've been reading through other games on the forum.  It seems like fun."
Monika sighed.  "I wish there was some way to get the point through to you.  Anyway, I have to go now.  I'm going to be taking charge of this game pretty soon, so I need to prepare.  Don't worry though!"  She laughed innocently.  "I have plenty of help, so it's going to turn out real good, just for you!"

[close]

Chapter 8

Mikey sighed.  The attic was starting to get really crowded.  The cat-man alone was taking up far too much space.  Fortunately, Mikey had finally finished what he was working on.
"Alright everyone.  Listen up.  This is something I like to call a 'Blue Pill'.  Bonus points if you get the reference.  Now, it's pretty complicated with how it works, but the long and short of it is someone holding it should be able to teleport back to the corporeal plane.  All that remains is to decide who to send back."
He eyed the prisoners.  A bunch of teenagers and Khajiit.
Mikey frowned.  "Well, I've decided.  Khajiit, take this.  Close your eyes, count to seven, and good luck!"
Khajiit stepped forward.  His paws dwarfed Mikey's hands.  "Khajiit will go," he purred.  A blue ring appeared around Khajiit.  It began to expand until a blue beam shot out from the ground, enveloping Khajiit in light.  The light collapsed in on itself and Khajiit was gone.
"I hope that worked, heh."
***
The dining room was in a state of uproar as the guests were arguing with each other about the day's sacrifice.  With so many gone, tempers were flaring and some had simply given up.  Skyler was right there yelling at Tyler for being so stupid when he noticed something.  Or rather, the lack of something.
"Everyone, quiet!!!"  he yelled.  Everyone looked at him, puzzled.  "Where is Monika?"
"Now that I think about it, she hasn't been to any of the meetings, has she?"
"Could Zachary have been right?  Was this all a prank by Monika?"
"That doesn't explain people up and disappearing, though..."
"And if it was a prank, people have died!"
"We need to find Monika.  NOW."
Skyler marched to the doors.
"I won't let you do that!"  the voice shouted.
"It's that thing again..."  Skyler muttered.  "ARE YOU SERIOUS?  WE STILL HAVE TO PLAY THIS DUMB GAME OF YOURS?  I KNOW IT'S YOU, MONIKA!"
"Eheheheh, you clearly know little.  Give us what we desire.  Or we will take it!  Wouldn't that be fun!"
"I WILL KILL YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU LOVE, STUPID VOICE!"
No response.  Skyler sighed.  "We've got no choice."
"Wait," Tyler suddenly said.  "I'll go.  No need to vote.
"I... I was there.  For one of the murders.  But...  I did nothing.  I was scared.  The murderer was Mike Scott.  That is all."
Tyler stood up on the table, began to float, rising up and up, and disappeared in a quick flash.
***
"Wow, do these stories get worse and worse, or what?  Either someone started writing for Mikey around Night 3 or he's slipping.  Don't worry, it's almost my turn.  You've all been doing a great job of being entertaining.  That being said...
"I'm still going to shake things up tomorrow.  Just to keep it interesting.  Really, you've all been doing great.  I wish I could tell you more, but I want to keep it a surprise~
"I'll see you tomorrow!  Ehehehe~"

[close]

[FireArrow]

I am truly excited for the delicous food being served tonight.

[Bubbles]

mm i gotta stretch out my twg muscles, its been a while!!

[Dudeman]

Mmm, mmm, mmm, indubitably.

[ThatHiddenCharacter]

I've never been invited to a dinner party! This is exciting!

[SuperMarina]

Time for Fat Tuesday part deux.

[BlackDragonSlayer]

This game is going to be awesome but also hectic but also stressful but also ??

I'm so not ready, I'm ready

[Monika]

Chapter 1

   Daniel scratched his head quizzically.  He, of all people, had received an invitation to this Dinner and a Show everyone had been talking about?  The stocky teen looked around.  Surely, this was a mistake.  But no, the telegram had his (and his brother's) name on it.  How curious!  He could feel excitement beginning to swell in him.  No more would he be Daniel Sharpe, that other twin, he would be Daniel Sharpe, French exchange student!  Daniel Sharpe, intelligent man!  This was his chance to distinguish himself.  He just had to hide the invitation from his brother.  He swept the thin blonde hair out of his eyes.  His mind began to race with all the possible ways to keep his brother out of this.  Muttering to himself, he trundled up the road toward his home on the hill.
***
   Sayori Ishizuka didn't know why everyone hated her.  It was simply something that was, like how the farmers always planted beans after corn, or how the moon was always fullest at night.  It wasn't something she could control.  She had often wondered if everyone was naturally irritable, or if something about her made people that way.  She would hate it for other people's anger to be her fault.  Nonetheless, she went about her own business and was friendly to everyone.
"Hello there, Tyler!  What are you reading?" Sayori inquired.
The man hastily stood up from the overturned bucket he had been sitting on, shoving a note into his pocket.  Tyler Henry Cormaci (he was proud of his name, which had quite a history) was quite tall, standing nearly six feet-ten inches, with a bit of a potbelly.  His dark hair was plastered across his forehead with sweat.
"Eh?  Sayori.  What do you want?"  He snapped.  Sayori grinned.  "I'm just here to say hi!  Also, I wanted to see if you got an invitation to that thing going on this weekend."
"Ah, yeah... that thing.  I believe I was invited, matter of fact.  Took me quite by surprise, me just being a fisherman and all."
"Great!  I got invited too!  We should go together!" Sayori practically shouted in Tylers's face.
Tyler frowned.  "I don't know if that's a good idea... In fact, I'm not even sure if I'm going yet," he said cautiously.
"Come on- like you said yourself, you're just a fisherman.  You've got nothing better to do on the weekend," Sayori replied.
Tyler sighed.  "Listen," he began.  "There's a lot of folks in this town who frankly don't like you.  I'm not one of them, but I'm not too keen about you either.  Plus, I get a bad feeling about this sudden Dinner and a Show.  Since when do commoners get invited to the Don Mansion?  If you ask me, the whole thing is shady to no end."
"You're being superstitious, you big fisherman.  What's going on that day?  Red sky at morning, sailor takes warning?  Is that the mantra you live by?  Come on, Tyler Cormaci, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!  You can't tell me you're  not the least bit curious."
"Hmmph.  Don't say my name like that.  Well, I'm not making any promises, but I am itching to know why exactly this is happening."
"YES!  I knew you wouldn't be able to resist!"
"HEY!  That's not a yes!"
His protests fell on deaf ears, as Sayori was already racing away to whatever arbitrary task she had determined needed to be done.
***
Rachel Scarlett von Karma sat in the dimly lit chamber musing.  The source of her attention was a handwritten letter on the desk before her, begging for her help.  It was from an old friend of hers, one she wished she had never heard from again.  Still...  Thinking about him, even now, was bittersweet.  Should she take the bait?  For clearly, this was bait.  Not necessarily for her, but she was clever.  Rachel knew when a trap was being set.  For she had set many herself.  Many traps indeed...
***
 Baron Miguel Antonio Del Rey, Captain of the USS Cleaver and Scourge of the East Sea, was a proud man, to be sure.  So it was to nobody's surprise when he received an invitation from a distinguished character inviting him to some silly little dinner.  Still, a free feast was a free feast, and there would surely be plenty of women there just dying to be at his side.
"Lieutenant!  What are our coordinates?"  He questioned.
He was talking to another man who had a similar aura of confidence about him.  That man was Lt. Kenji Higashi, First Lieutenant of the USS Cleaver, and an old friend of Miguel's.
"Be calm, my friend.  We will arive soon enough."
Miguel Del Ray let out a short laugh.  "My dear man, you know me too well!  One day you'll know me better than I know myself!  Why, you may even become the captain of this fair vessel."
"That would be nothing short of a miracle, sir."
***
When Skyler Brasher checked the mail that day, he wasn't expecting to receive his greatest wish.  Nor did he realize it was his greatest wish.  All he saw was a plain telegram inviting him to a Dinner and a Show.  He adjusted his glasses, looking closer.  Something about this note seemed... off.  He dismissed his concerns, stuffed the note in his pocket, and left for school.
***
Hunger.  Anger.  Fear.  He knew these all too well.  He hated those who did not know these feelings as he did.  So when he saw people getting invited to a free dinner, he knew what he needed to do.  A sane man would keep these impulses under control.  Tarin Zapin was not a sane man.
***
Natalie Marina Brady's house had been turned upside down.  "Where is it... where is it?"  She muttered frantically.  Her naturally curly brown hair bounced up and down as she rushed from room to room, tearing cushions off couches and scattering papers across tables.  There was no way the invitation could be right.  It had to be around here somewhere...
***
Olivier Martinez was living life and loving it.  The French actor was in the peak of his career, and everyone in Paris knew who he was.  Still, it caught him off guard when he received a curious invitation in the mail.  Coupled with a liner pass to travel to America.  Apparently there was some prestigious Dinner and a Show happening on the east coast that needed his presence to succeed.  It was raising awareness for a strange disease that quite frankly did not sound real.  He was planning on attending anyway, as the travel had already been paid for.  He might even find romance overseas...
***
My name is Travis de Gillett.  I have evidence that something terrible is about to happen in my town, but nobody will listen to me.  The only chance I have at exposing the truth is at the Dinner and a Show happening this weekend.  To get in, I needed an invitation, but those were in limited supply.  So I forged one.  Sure, I may not be on the guest list, but if I have the invitation they will let me in.  They must let me in.
***
Michael Buble was curious by nature.  Perhaps it was this very curiosity that granted him an invitation to the Dinner and a Show.  According to this telegram, he was an outstanding citizen.  He had never felt outstanding, but he supposed he could see why one would think so.  He knew basically everyone in town by name.  He knew everyone's daily routes.  The town seemed so predictable to him.  He had been watching it for so long that nothing surprised him.  Nothing until this, that is.
***
The sun was starting to set.  Michael Buble, Gerik Paull, and Zachary and Daniel Sharpe were up to no good.  Although, to say such a thing would be unfair to poor Daniel, who was a little hesitant with the plan.
"Guys, I'm not sure this is such a good idea.  I mean, it's just a lame soiree!  We don't need to steal invitations from random neighbors."
His twin brother Zachary turned to him.  "You were the one who said he wished he had an invitation in the first place."
"Yeah, but like..." Daniel hesitated.  He had to be careful about what he said.  He hadn't told his brother that both of them were invited, but... should he?  Surely that was a better alternative to whatever crazy scheme Gerik was coming up with now.
Michael interrupted.  "Guys, I hate to break up your little sibling rivalry, but it's now or never."
He pointed toward a young couple, leaving their home with merriment in their steps.  "They're out for the night, we're in for the night."
Gerik smiled.  "Bingo."  The young athlete vaulted over the fence from which the four of them were hiding themselves.   Michael followed him over.
Zachary started over the fence, then paused.  "Maybe you should just stay here."
"Fine.  Get yourself in trouble, and see if I care."
"Why are you always like this?"
"Why are you always like this?
"Ugh.  Alright, just go home."  Zachary finished sliding over the fence and dashed across the field to an open window that Gerik had muscled open moments ago.
Daniel watched closely, his hand unconsciously reaching to his pocket to affirm that the invitation was still there.
Wordlessly, he turned his back to the house and marched back toward his own.

[close]

It is now Night 1.  Night 1 ends in 24 hours, at 9:00 PM CST on February 16, regardless of when the actual update arrives.

[BrainyLucario]

Here's to a good game everyone!

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Ḥ̮̖̘̞̆̾̅̽̽̿̈̎͝͞ȩ̱̱͚͚͙̲͔̳͕̽̄̄̍̂̍̓͞r̡̠̥̤̲̰̼͍̒̒̑̀̀̋͘͘͢͠ͅe͈̹͓̗͚͑́́͊̃͞'̙̻͙̄̏̅̍͗̃͢͜ş̶̠̼͔̲̱͎̤̀͂̆́͘͢ ą̶̧̬̘̥̜̰̹͖̈̾͐͌́͐̂̚͡ ĉ̶͈͇͖͈̜̦̊̊̎̏͗͋̚͝u̴̢̦̮̗̙̭͙͖̦̜̐͊̇̔̓͗ţ̳͕̼͕̮̩̪͉͋̓̎̔͗̎e͔̞͓͙͑̄̾̈́̄̅͟͞ p̷̢̢͚̜̱̰̣̌͂̊̏̕͟ĭ̢͕̘͉̘͈͙̀̑̂͋͐͌͑c̛͙̲͍̣̰̻̻̬̳̙̄̓̿͋͡t̛͇̤͕̊͂́̋̉͑̆͢͜͝ͅͅu̸͕̮͙̰͛̈̈̽͐́̄̾͟͟ͅr̢̳̯̟̣̘̓̇̒̐͐͛͒ͅẽ̷̙̝̗̦̳͍̈̊̽̅̆̕͟͜͡͠ ȍ̸̧̺̗̻̯͎̌̂͑̾̇͐̍f̣͉̜̙͔͔̳̉̃̃͋̇͑̿̕͠ Y͕̼̗̝͉͍̫̥͚͌͊̀̃͋̒̒͘͡ͅű̷̧̬̺͚͓̣͊̍̆̐͘̕͞͡r̶̛͎̻̙̞̖̽͂̅̉͌̕͡į͓̯͓͗̈́͆̄́̑̄̉̃́͢ f̡̛̠̮̰͈̦̌̈́͐̌̽͞͝o̡͇͈̠͈̹̠̳̓̓̓̀̋͘̕͞r̢̹͖͖̞̟͐͒́̿̏̈̉̍͛ y̡̜̤̪̻̤̭̅́́͋̃͠o̧̡͍̼̗͈̽͌͗̊́͂͛͜͠͞u̶̩̲̙̞͉̟̐̈́͆̑͘͡͠ g̰͇̫̦̳̺͌̑̒̄̍̿̈̉͠ų̷̡̨̖̫̥̰̱̉̑̎̾̈́y̢̰̰̗͓̦͒̇̄̑͐̀̐s̡̪̮̞͉͖͇̖͇͌̈́̃̿̈̿̔͢͞͝

Spoiler

[close]

[TheZeldaPianist275]

I was informed there would be food.  Wildly disappointed so far.

[E. Gadd Industries]

BREADSTICKS OR RIOT also I'm here wooo

[SuperMarina]

This isn't the signups, shadowkirby

[Dudeman]

get fuckin' HYPE

[ThatHiddenCharacter]

Wait, what food are we having exactly? I should probably mention I'm allergic to nuts, shellfish, pineapples, chicken, eggs, pineapples, gluten, dairy, peppers, pineapples, and pineapples.