4 Apr 2025, 02:18
Stage 26: Basement Whispers
Stage 26: Basement Whispers
You follow the fair, thankful that you will finally have your answers. They would lead you away from the great hall, down the shifting stairs and into the below. Yes, past the Hufflepuff basement into the dungeons. A dark, and secretive place that was more rumor than truth.
The shadows moved oddly, longer than they should be, stretching toward you like they knew something you didn’t.
They would continue on. Past the stone archway that was supposed to be sealed. Down to the dungeons that hadn't been used since before your time.
You follow. Something tells you it would be worse if you didn’t.
The air grows cold as stone sigh beneath your feet. The only warning this old castle could give you. Along the walls, torches that have not burned in decades. Ahead, to whatever forgotten place the pair were taking you, you would see a faint glow ahead, like candlelight seen through fog. You step into a circular room.
Covered in dust. Dried flowers hang in bunches from the ceiling. Shelves filled with porcelain dolls and melted wax line the walls. In the center: a child’s tea table, set for three.
Then the children that led you here stop. They turn. One older and taller than the other with a long, drawn face. Next to him a shorter, stockier child. In unison the pair reach for their face and pull from the angle of their jaw.
A fleshy mask.
Beneath, a stitched mouth, thread dangling loose at one corner. Button eyes that were too dark.
A chair scrapes back behind you. Another ghost has appeared—his jaw slack, thread curling out of his empty mouth.
"You came just like we did," one finally whispers, voice echoing like it was spoken through water.
"You’re special," says another, circling. "So curious. So kind."
"And kindness, you see, is a thread. So easy to pull."
A laugh that isn’t right fills the air, too many voices at once, stitched together.
"You should’ve stayed in bed."
The door slams shut.
The pair that led you here wordlessly ghost through the wall, but you are far from alone here in the dungeons. You're a part of the game now.
Laying on the floor of the basement, one might find, if they have not already, Steven (if you have a Steven in your inventory). Steven looked like he was placed against the wall, as if they were sitting in wait. On their lap, the label intended for you. No sender of course, just a simple message: kid, you're going places as well as your name in a neat, cursive font. (If you do not have the Steven doll in your inventory, then they are not there.)
This thread is open to players that have the Twinkle/Steven Doll in their inventory. Simply post in this thread, choose a path and carry on. Let's see where this adventure takes you. This thread has an abbreviated word count - 50 words minimum.
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The shadows moved oddly, longer than they should be, stretching toward you like they knew something you didn’t.
They would continue on. Past the stone archway that was supposed to be sealed. Down to the dungeons that hadn't been used since before your time.
You follow. Something tells you it would be worse if you didn’t.
The air grows cold as stone sigh beneath your feet. The only warning this old castle could give you. Along the walls, torches that have not burned in decades. Ahead, to whatever forgotten place the pair were taking you, you would see a faint glow ahead, like candlelight seen through fog. You step into a circular room.
Covered in dust. Dried flowers hang in bunches from the ceiling. Shelves filled with porcelain dolls and melted wax line the walls. In the center: a child’s tea table, set for three.
Then the children that led you here stop. They turn. One older and taller than the other with a long, drawn face. Next to him a shorter, stockier child. In unison the pair reach for their face and pull from the angle of their jaw.
A fleshy mask.
Beneath, a stitched mouth, thread dangling loose at one corner. Button eyes that were too dark.
A chair scrapes back behind you. Another ghost has appeared—his jaw slack, thread curling out of his empty mouth.
"You came just like we did," one finally whispers, voice echoing like it was spoken through water.
"You’re special," says another, circling. "So curious. So kind."
"And kindness, you see, is a thread. So easy to pull."
A laugh that isn’t right fills the air, too many voices at once, stitched together.
"You should’ve stayed in bed."
The door slams shut.
The pair that led you here wordlessly ghost through the wall, but you are far from alone here in the dungeons. You're a part of the game now.
Laying on the floor of the basement, one might find, if they have not already, Steven (if you have a Steven in your inventory). Steven looked like he was placed against the wall, as if they were sitting in wait. On their lap, the label intended for you. No sender of course, just a simple message: kid, you're going places as well as your name in a neat, cursive font. (If you do not have the Steven doll in your inventory, then they are not there.)
Note: Others may enter this room. If they do, the door never seems to open for you, but they seem to phase into the room. The scene repeats for them as it did for you, the only difference being your presence. Feel free to interface with these late entries and see what you can learn from them.
New Adventure Hook starts April 19
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.