Northwest

Game Master Starlit

NORTHWEST EPISODE 1
PILOT - Ain't Nobody's Fault But Mine

FADE IN:

EXT. ROUTE 99 - DAY

Seated behind the wheel of his old FORD F100 we see MICHAEL RITER and KYLE DELACROIX in the passenger seat next to him. The backseats and trunk are piled high with both of their belongings. KYLE holds MICHAEL's highway map and is indicating something.

MICHAEL nods. He turns the radio back up.

Radio Music

The music continues playing as the camera pans up, revealing the two are driving down ROUTE 99 through the state of OREGON, amid forests, rivers, valleys and mountains. They turn off the highway, towards the town of SHADY GROVE.

Camera View

As the music slowly begins to fade, a large owl swoops past the camera.

FADE OUT

===

INTRO

Shady Grove (Intro)

===

The both of you continue driving for at least an hour, following smaller and smaller roads until you eventually reach the indicator for Shady Grove. As you turn right to follow the mountain road towards your destination, you catch a glimpse of a police car parked across the road on the other side of the road, slightly in the grass. The windows are tinted so you aren't able to see inside.

Probably checking for speeders.

The road here goes through a heavily forested area and twenty minutes later you emerge at your destination: Shady Grove. Though the map doesn't indicate it, your destination is the Hunter's Bay Lodge. Luckily, you spot a gas station just up the street.

Perhaps someone there knows how to get there.

===

So, here we are at last. I hope you don't mind me beginning us off with a little TV Show script styling. I only plan to use it to begin and end "Episodes" so to speak. I will continue to provide imagery and soundtrack though as this adventure is largely based on shows such as Twin Peaks and games such as Alan Wake.

The idea behind the Episodes is simply akin to adventures. Each Episode is essentially an objective and as we move throughout the Seasons, we'll simply progress further and further. It's thematic, nothing more.

I will be providing a detailed Campaign Section where I will keep a running track of where you are, important events and information as well as people and places.

Thoughts so far on styling, ideas, comments, critiques? On posting, once a day is fine but if you catch me online chances are we may be able to post quick dialogues. I'm open to the idea of figuring out another way to have discussions so as to not clog up game time. In previous games, I've found that sometimes you want a good discussion with an NPC and a quick trip to a chatroom figures more out in 5 minutes than in a week of forum text. I always save these discussions and put up the transcript on the forums as well. In any case, here's to NORTHWEST!

Digging the Pilot vibe, it feels really appropriate. Super super excited for this game!

Seeing Shady Grove come into view, Kyle folds up the map and places it on the dashboard. She glances down behind where it was to see the tabby cat sleeping on her lap. She smiles, and scratches under his chin. "Someone has been very well behaved this trip." She coos, feeling him start to purr, without opening his eyes. She looks out the window, breathing a heavy sigh. "Well. We're here." she says lamely, as much to herself as Michael.

Looking across the car at him, it crosses her mind that he, too, had been well behaved. There were plenty of guys that wouldn't have kept any amount of distance, no matter how distraught she seemed. And it wasn't as if he couldn't overpower her. But he hadn't made any kind of move. Grateful as she was, she had to admit that she still hadn't figured him out. 'Though,' she reminds herself. 'It isn't as if you really tried.'

She stares up at the looming mountains as they near the gas station, thinking of how strange it was to be back, and wondering what her father would say when she got home. 'Home?' she asks herself. She hadn't lived there for more than a decade, but already she felt herself regressing. Even though they had kept in touch over the years, she hadn't seen him for... She thought back. Eight years, now? But she was already feeling like his little girl again, ready to run into his arms when she saw him.

She shakes her head, thinking of how strange time was, and how it could feel so long and so short all at once. And she wonders how much she had really changed, and how much "home" would have in her absence.

Some quick things I forgot to mention. The Hunter Bay Lodge would have been a new addition to town, not one Kyle would have been aware of. Also, I assume Kyle will be looking to head to either her dad's house or the hospital. Let me know and we'll work together to make this work. I assume she is not aware her father has passed away?

If he has died while I was en route, I'm imagining that we were likely places that I didn't have a phone signal. So, yeah, she won't know. She'll probably head to the house, first, find it deserted, and go to the hospital?

Works for me. I'll assume Michael drops you off at your house before heading out to the hotel then. From there, we'll need to see how you fit into the general story. There's going to be the funeral and Michael will be one of the only people you know here. I'll have a hook or two to get you to stay in Shady Grove. Michael will already be working at the hotel so that's his reason. Any thoughts on the inclusion of soundtrack pieces?

Okay, before anything, I do want to note that I absolutely love the mood you set up. Everything from the visuals to the music (the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack is running through my head right now). I am also a huge supporter of how you set up everything into 'episodes of sorts. Right off the bat, that makes me even more excited to cooperate. That being said, I should get on to my first post.

Upon seeing the town for the first time, Michael gives out a small sigh of relief, slowing down and taking a second to rub his tired eyes. "Well, here we are," he repeats, starting to pull into the gas station. "I need to fill up before we keep on going. Maybe someone here could give us directions..."

Noticing Kyle's glance towards him, he gives her a bland half-smile and focuses on the his surroundings once more. "I think I'll drop you off at your father's place first, but then I should go find the hotel. I was expected yesterday, but that flat tire cost us a few hours." He cocks his head, wondering what she must be feeling right now. If I had wanted to visit my dying father, would anyone have put up with me for this long? The small smile returns, but this time directed at no one in particular. Probably not, but to be honest, it didn't make any sense to leave Kyle behind. She wasn't a burden and since she lived in this town years ago, she could probably give him a few pointers about the locals. It was a win-win situation... minus the sick father.

Parking at the gas station, he looks around the unfamiliar landscape for any distinguishing landmarks or even... people. Back in Jersey, he was used to cars flying all over the place, tall buildings, maybe even a police siren. Here? It was deathly silent to his ears. It was certainly unfamiliar... but perhaps not in a bad way. This was a fresh start after all. No angry threats, no one stalking him home... a fresh start.

Frowning at the lack of apparent service at the gas station, he turns to Kyle. "Is this stop abandoned? There's usually someone to pour the gas into the car."

Looking around, you can see a small dust coated sign in the window: "Self-Service, Pay Inside First."

No one else can be seen around at the moment.

Michael sighs and grabs his wallet. "Stay here if you want, I'll go pay for the gas." With that, he climbs out the car, shutting the door behind him. Stretching out his legs and back, Michael takes a moment to breath in the fresh air before heading on inside.

The inside of Gas & Go is relatively compact. A young disinterested young man sits behind counter thumbing through a magazine. A few rows of chips, snacks, soda and odds and ends fill the rest of the place besides a door leading to a restroom.

The man looks up from his magazine.

"Gas?"

On innocuous things like these I'll go with GM roleplay if you are all ok with this.

You nod

You pay the man and he gives you the ok for filling up as well as the instructions.

"The gas pump's a little crooked, you'll need to work it a bit."

He pauses as you ask directions.

"First time in Shady Grove I reckon. The Hunter's Bay Lodge isn't too far out of town. Follow Main Street as far as you can go before hitting the river than simply follow that going left. You'll see a turn off sign about a mile out. Can't miss it."

I totally dig the soundtrack, and that timeline idea works for me. I have a few ideas for things that can keep Kyle in town, most of which will come up at the funeral.

Kyle nods at the plan, anxious to get to her father's place. When Michael mentions the flat tire, she forces a smile, still embarrassed by how useless she had been during that entire situation. But they'd gotten through it, and made it, and she felt relief for that, at least.

She's feeling so much more relaxed now, that she actually laughs lightly at Michael's confusion. "It's a small town," she replies.

Watching Michael go into the shop, she shakes her head with a smile. Moving the cat off her lap briefly, she places him on the seat and steps out of the truck. Stretching her legs and back a bit, she walks an appropriate amount of distance away from both the truck and the gas pumps, and lights a cigarette. Breathing out smoke and looking towards the mountains, she thinks about how beautiful it is here. She just wished it were under different circumstances.

Now armed with the information needed to find his destination, Michael gives the man a brief nod and steps outside, straightening his jacket. The man seemed kind, if not a bit too relaxed at his job, something that Michael was quite unfamiliar with. Things in this town certainly were different than back in the city.

Walking over to Kyle, he stands beside her as she smokes, just resisting the urge to pull out a cigarette hisself. I quit damnit. I don't need to smoke anymore. But that was a lie. He needed to more than ever. After being run out of his job, the urge had built up inside of him, and more than once he almost broke his promise to himself, just to indulge in one cigarette.

Shaking away the thought, he turns his head to Kyle. "So, it's been a while since you were last here, eh? Has this place changed much since tou last visited?"

She nods slowly, chewing on her lip for a second before speaking, cigarette burning between her fingers. "It's strange. You go back somewhere that you've imagined a thousand times, that you haven't seen in years, and it looks familiar but so different." She looks from the mountains back to Michael. "It's like looking at a photo of a childhood friend while seeing them in front of, you know? You can see all the years of change, but there's something that you still recognise as if it never changed at all." Shaking her head, she takes another puff of her cigarette before stomping it out under her boot. "I'm probably not making any sense."

Michael nods in understanding. "Yeah, I get what you mean. It's a strange feeling to be honest... I suppose that's why I never headed back to Perth Amboy after I left for college. My mom is still there, but it would be too odd heading back there after all this time." Grateful for the stamped out cigarette, Michael takes a moment to take in his surroundings. "This is all new for me... old for you but new for me. It's like bookends, you know?"

He walks towards the car. "Come on. Let me bring you to your dad."

Kyle cocks her head, thinking that Perth Amboy wasn't far at all from where they'd been, and that it was strange not to make so short a trip at all in the intervening years. She found herself wondering, not for the first time, exactly what Michael's deal was. But anything she thought about saying was dispelled when he described them as bookends and began walking towards the car. The comparison made her smile, and she the idea of seeing her father again was giving her anxiety. Michael's curious background was lost in a million other thoughts. Hopping back into the truck, she moves Copernicus back onto her lap. He looks up at her with a yawn and a small meow, and she scratches behind his ears. "I know, baby. We're almost there. It'll be over soon."

I'm good with moving on whenever Michael is. Certainly there's more we can talk about.

I think we should move on and let the information we learn about each other flow naturally from later conversations. I am sure we will have quite a bit of time to do this, after all.

The both of you set off down Main Street, Kyle indicating directions as best she can. You eventually wind up in front of her house.

Kyle, your dad's car is still in the driveway.

Would you like me to describe the house or you?

Sure! Feel free to describe as much as you want, always. I like your vision of the world.

I definitely don't mind the world building. This kind of thing makes you care about the world, you know?

The small cottage house is well kept, some weeds sprouting here and there but you can tell whoever lives here does a good job keeping the place (at least the lawn) in good condition.

However, the windows are all covered in drapes and it looks like maybe no one's home.

Kyle, you step outside Michael's car and head towards the house.

Michael, are you waiting a bit or driving off? Do the both of you have a cellphone? Have you exchanged numbers?

I believe that by this point we definitely would have exchanged phone numbers. As for driving off...

As we pull up to the cottage, Michael looks outside and nods in appreciation at the folk beauty of the house. "It looks quite... homely." Stretching out somewhat, he looks over at Kyle. "So will you be fine from here, or did you want me to wait for you?"

Definitely on numbers.

Kyle smiles at Michael, looking for the first time genuinely pleased. Her smile is like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, as this incredible weight has lifted from her. All her worry, and yet she got here perfectly fine, and in time. "I'll be fine. I would like to invite you in, but I know that you're running late for your own arrangements. And besides, we have a lot of catching up to do."

Because she's still a bit anxious, Kyle's excitement turns into a kind of nervous giddy. She looks like she wants to run in a million directions all at once, but takes a second to calm herself down. "But you know where I'll be, now, and you have my number, so don't be a stranger. We'll insist having you over for dinner soon. And a Delacroix doesn't take no for an answer."

She smiles again, scooping up Copernicus in her arms and unloading her bags from the truck onto the ground, with a very 'Who cares I'll grab these later' sort of attitude. Waving with one hand, while the other cradles her cat, she shouts out. "Thank you for everything, Michael."

Reaching into a pocket, she pulls out the key her father had mailed her after she'd insisted on coming to visit. Taking a deep breath, she begins walking towards the house, remembering how wild the grass was in her youth, and how the two of them had planted a garden together. She'd been awful at taking care of plants. 'People are usually easier.' She thinks with a smile, walking up towards the door.

Watching as Kyle unloads her things, Michael gives a smile of his own. "You take care of yourself Kyle. I'll be headed to the hotel now and you should find me there, well, at least until I could settle down and buy my own place. Who knows, with enough work, I may even own that hotel one day." He gives a small chuckle, but in truth he was only half joking.

With that he starts up the car once more. "In all seriousness though, bringing you all this wag was really no problem. It would have gaken a real jerk to say no to you, and besides, I'm sure you would have done the same for me." As he pulls out of the driveway, Michael givesone last wave goodbye and drives off in the direction of the inn, wishing to waste no more time here.

I just realized that with a PBP, GMing for two characters in two separate places becomes infinitely easier.

I certainly had thought of that.

Kyle

Michael

Michael takes a view of the hotel, whistling at the view in spite of himself. The scene was certainly impressive and more fantastical than the city. So I'm going to be working here, eh? This might not be so bad after all...

finding a parking spot close to the hotel, Michael gets out his car but leaves his bags inside, making sure to lock up tight. Dusting off his jacket, he begins a stroll up to the reception area and steps inside, looking around for his friend. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

What is this friend's name?

Your friend's name was left ambiguous in case you wanted to choose it. How about Randall? I like that name.

Michael
The entrance hall is empty except for a family, and judging by their gear, they're about to either go fishing or canoeing.

That house is gorgeous. Since Kyle's dad has died, do you think I can buy it when it goes on the market? Even though it means moving out West. :P

Almost immediately, Kyle puts Copernicus on the floor, knowing how he didn't like to be held. In typical cat fashion, he begins rapidly exploring the new location, sniffing everything in sight. Kyle herself moves towards the phone, but at hearing the sound from upstairs, she cocks her head quizzically. "Dad?" she calls out again.

Slowly and hesitantly, feeling as though she's intruding or trespassing, Kyle moves over to the foot of the stairs. "Dad? You up there?" Telling herself that she's being silly, she begins walking up the stairs.

Frowning for just a second, Michael quickly repaints a smile on his face once he sees the family. Giving them a pleasant nod, he strides out of the reception area and looks at his phone once again. Well maybe he's in his room. With that he looks about the hotel, trying to find his way to the correct room.

The winding hallways of the hotel seem like a maze, but eventually Michael is able to find his way to the correct door. Popping a piece of gum in his mouth, Michael takes a deep breath and raps his hand across the door. "Randall? Randall are you in there?"

Kyle

Michael

Michael returns the handshake and gives a warm smile. "No need to thank me Randall, I'm just glad I could help after all these years. I still remember when your dad helped me out when I needed to pay off my student loans, and as far as I am concerned, a Riter always pays his debts."

He follows Randall to the room and looks around. It wasn't anything luxurious but... at least he would be able to sleep here without angry investors pounding on his windows or trying to break in... It was, Michael thought, relative safety. "I'm just going to head downstairs and get my bag. I should be back in a jiffy."

"Of course." Kyle sighs, closing her eyes and squeezing the bridge of her nose for a second, before going over and closing the window correctly. 'Strange.' She mutters, looking at the open drawers. Unable to shake the feeling that she's being invasive, she lets herself out of the bedroom, and pauses in the hallway for a moment before closing the door.

Walking back down the stairs, she heads to the answering machine to see what message awaits. She also checks the kitchen for any kind of note. "He knew I was coming." She says with a frown, wondering where he could be.

Michael

Kyle

Midway through the message, Kyle's heart has already begun to hammer so much so that she was having trouble hearing it. She tries to take a deep breath, telling herself that he's probably fine, but she has to grab the counter to stop the room from spinning. 'Come on, focus. Pull it together,' she orders herself. She considers calling the doctor, but realises anything that they'd say, she'd prefer to hear in person. And she wanted to see her father. 'Okay, then. First thing. I've gotta get over there.'

She begins searching around the kitchen for the keys to her father's car, hoping like hell that it's an automatic and she'll actually be able to drive it.

You find your father's keys in a bowl in the kitchen. You're in luck... it is an automatic. (Feel free to choose the car.)

You have a vague recollection of how to get to the hospital, well enough to make your way there without any issues.

You pull up, albeit quickly, into the Hospital parking.

Michael gives a broad smile and motions for a hug. "Randall, you shouldn't have!" No, really, you shouldn't have. Didn't they have a color that didn't clash with my suits? "This will definitely give me something to do on my free time. Get to know the town, you know? If I'm going to be staying here, I ought to know about this place, eh?"

Leaving his clothing in the bag for now, Michael drops on the bed and closes his eyes. "God, I've been driving for hours. I'm just glad I'm here and Kyle's finally with her dad."

Kyle races through the automatic doors before they've even fully opened. She can only imagine how she looks - exhausted from driving for days, greasy and disheveled - as she walks rapidly up to Reception, speaking even faster than she's moving. "Hi, yes, I'm looking for James Delacroix's room. Or Dr. Llayne. Preferably both."

Michael

Kyle

Sorry that Kyle's getting the big drama at the moment Michael, but don't worry you have a nice big section coming right up.

Michael yawns and stands up, refreshed after his pleasant nap. Quickly running into the bathroom to make sure he was looking neat (and to gargle mouthwash) he tries his best to pick a neat suit and rush out the door, making sure to bring down his key card. Jogging down the stairs, he finds the office and knocks once.

"Hello sir?" He calls from outside. "It is Michael Riter... you wanted to meet me sir?"

As the doctor spoke about what had happened, it took everything Kyle had not to scream. When he spoke of it being only yesterday, she wanted to call Michael and holler at him for not getting here fast enough, though she knew it wasn't his fault. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have gotten here at all. The mention of her father being surrounded by friends made her want to grab Dr. Llayne and shake him. 'Sure, Doc', she'd say, 'But friends weren't his daughter, and you should know the difference'.

In the end, she simply stares numbly. She clutches the envelope in her hand, afraid to open it, and stares at it as the doctor continues to talk. It's only after he has stood up and begun to leave that she comes back to herself. She leaps up and chases him out of the room. "Doctor Llayne! I need.. I need to see him. Now."

Michael
Going to try not spoilering for now.

"Yes come in, come in!"

You open the door and find yourself within Mr. Craw's office. The man himself is seated at his desk, wearing a big smile.

"Sit down, sit down. So you must be Michael. I'm glad you accepted the position let me say. It's nice to have some brain among the brawn at last. I'm Mr. Craw but you can call me Dennis or Denny. I've run this hotel for the past five years now. I enjoy all manner of outdoor sports and I'm a voracious reader. Also, I'm an absolute shit with technology. You wouldn't happen to be good with them by any chance?"

Kyle

Doctor Llayne turns around.

"James has already been moved for funeral preparations. I imagine you could visit of course, but it is getting late."

He writes the address on a piece of paper and hands it to you.

"Again, if you ever need anything, do not hesitate."

Kyle forces a smile. "Thanks."

'Why do people find it necessary to say that?' She wonders as she walks away. 'What could I possibly need right now that anyone could actually manage?' Shaking her head, she glances at the address, and starts making her way towards the exit. Kyle found herself alone, on the West Coast, in a place that she hadn't been in more than a decade, thinking that anything she needed now, she'd get herself.

'It isn't the first time you've felt alone.' She reminds herself. But it's different this time. She feels hollowed out, as if there's a chasm where her lungs and stomach should be. As if there's a hole where her heart had been.

And suddenly, more than ever, it feels even more important that she sees him, even though she can't say why. Intellectually, she does not doubt Llayne, but it is still something that she does not want to accept. Every time she tries to swallow, it feels like choking down a pill that's too large. It's too big of a truth.

She shakes her head as she steps outside, trying to clear it. She glares at the mountains, and at the sky, and they are unmoved. 'Llayne's right', she realises. 'It is getting late'. But they'd let her in.

They had to.

Michael gives a small smile and takes a seat as instructed. "It certainly is a pleasure to meet you sir." He offers his hand in extension for a shake. Assuming he gets one, Michael then straightens out his jacket and takes a deep breath. "I do have to thank you for this opportunity. It is uh... great to experience new things."

Avoiding the topic of Jersey, he focuses his mind to other things. "I can do whatever is necessary around here sir. It's really no problem. Technology help, working with customers, numbers, anything." He flashes a smile. "I just want to do whatever I can to give back."

Kyle

You ask around and find the directions you need. You make your way to the funeral parlour and are quickly ushered in albeit the time. The funerary director gives you a sad smile but offers to show you downstairs, albeit remarking that it'd be better to wait for a better time.

You're brought before your father's body. He has already been prepared, and is dressed up in a set of nice clothes.

Michael

"That sounds great to me then."

He pauses for a moment.

"But tell me. What do you expect to get out of a job like this? What is it you're looking for out here in Shady Grove?"

He says this with an odd twist of the mouth, almost as if he's waiting for a particular answer.

Michael blinks as if taken aback by the question. "I- I uh..." He stops, licking his lips. So, the old man knows about what happened... I suppose its only natural that he researched me... If he knows, it doesn't make very much sense to lie; that would only get me in trouble.

Looking the man in the eyes, he takes a deep breath and continues. I suppose I'm lookimg for a fresh start, sir. I'm not sure how much you were told about the situation in Jersey, but I can tell you that sort of thing is behind me. I made a few risky gambles in hopes that everything would work out in the end, but it backfired. As of right now, I'm looking for a path where I can't possibly take that sort of risk again... or at least I could learn from my mistakes in a hopes that I will never make them again."

"Thanks." Kyle says. Looking at him, she thinks about how much he changed through the years. But he still looked like she remembered. Albeit a bit older. Even then, he was still so young.

Feeling uncomfortable by the funeral director's presence, she asks "When is the funeral?" before the gravity of the situation sets in. She turns to the man, "I... I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing. Is there something for me to take care of? Do I owe you money?"

She realises she's beginning to babble and takes a breath, running a hand across her face and brushing back her bangs. "I'm sorry, this is just all so sudden. He was supposed to have more time."

Outro Soundtrack

Michael

Kyle

Episode 1 closes at this point. Michael has gotten to his work, and Kyle has received news of her father's death. From here, the paths open up. Michael will begin his work at the Lodge while Kyle sees to a future meeting as well as dealing with the inheritance.

When you've read your parts, read below.

Before reading the letter, Kyle had hoped that she would be able to put it off. Even having seen her father's body, even knowing that she would be burying him soon, what she knew would really make it feel like he was gone was hearing his final words, reading the last things that he would ever say to her. She wanted to put it off, to carry the envelope around, because she knew that as soon as she opened it, and read those words, that he would be gone, and they would be all that she would have left.

She would have liked to wait, to keep the mystery of his last word's alive. But there were too many unknowns, too many things that she knew she would need to take care of.

Sitting in the funeral parlour, Kyle thinks about the nature of possibilities, and how all the decisions that you make in life affect the options that you have. And that all of a sudden, they can be taken away from you. And all those potential things you could be, or do, are gone in a flash.

Reading and rereading the letter, Kyle realises that for the first time, she has options. Too many options. More than she knows what to do with. She never planned on a house in Shady Grove, but now she had one. She shakes her head, thinking that it all feels like too much to handle.

Her eyes drift down towards the end of the letter again, and she smiles, her eyes welling up with tears. 'Little Sparrow' she says softly, thinking that she hadn't heard him call her that in years, but that she could imagine him saying it as if he were still there with her.

And it occurs to Kyle, sitting there on a bench in a darkened room, that she had been wrong. Knowing his last words didn't mean he was gone. They meant, more than ever, that he was still with her.

She stands up, walking back over to the body, and wipes her eyes, aware that her makeup has been running. "I'm sure I look a right mess." She says with a mixture of a sob and a chuckle. "But I don't figure you'd mind. There's a lot that I wish we could have talked about, too. But I won't hold it against you, if you won't hold it against me. I know you tried to hang on, and I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner."

There were so many things to say, but she couldn't find the words. "I'll take care of things, now, and I'll see you again one day. I love you, Dad."

Kyle leans forward, kissing her father on the forehead as he had done for her many times, and straightening up as tears roll down her face. She smiles down at him, sad that he was taken, but grateful for the times that they had together. It's a struggle for her to walk away, but she does it eventually, heading for her new used car and her new used house and the uncertainty of tomorrow.

Waking up early for work the next morning, Michael goes through his usual morning routine; shower under the steaming hot water, brushing his teeth, and then eating a cereal bar. Nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it sort of reminded him of the days he was working out West. Putting his best sports jacket on, he takes a moment to admire the view outside of his window.

Kyle was right in many ways about this place. He'd only been a short while and it already seemed like home; hell, it was going to be home for as long as he was concerned. As a city boy, he couldn't help but admire the beauty of the waterfall pouring down on the lake below, with masses of water forming a beautiful white foam on the otherwise crystal clear surface. That was something you would never see in Jersey.

Finally leaving his room, Michael makes his way to Randall's room, though making sure to carve a path out that avoided the angry Italian family's room. Sliding a stick of mint flavored gum into his mouth, he quickly knocks on the door. "Hey Randall, bud? I'm not sure if you're up yet, but I'm about ready fro you to show me the ropes."

After Kyle's post I almost feel bad for not adding more

NORTHWEST EPISODE 2
EVERY STORM RUNS OUT OF RAIN

Soundtrack

The rains fall incessantly. It's been hours since they've let up and it seems like nothing can stop this deluge.

Michael, you wake up in your room at the Lodge. The view is superb, albeit the storm clouds and showers hide much of the distance.

Kyle, you slept at your dad's house. The morning comes as a bad dream... the events of yesterday fresh and painful.

But to both of you, there's a sense of tranquility. It's as if a weight has been taken off your chest and despite the weather, you feel as if it's a new beginning for the both of you.

Michael
Randall, aware of the situation, spends the day showing you the ropes. The simple things like managing the cash registers, reservations, phones, general tasks, etc.

"At least we won't need to go clean outside."

The both of you are heading towards the front desk when a family walks in, bags in hand.

"Want to give this one a try?"

Kyle
You spend the morning taking it all in. You receive a call from the Doctor, informing you that the funeral will be tomorrow, and if that there's anything you need you can always call him at the hospital or on his private phone. He also asks if you have anyone you know in town in case there's trouble.

Sorry for the delays. At this point, I'm intending that this episode will cover Kyle's father's funeral and Michael's first days on the job. Throughout these events, the both of you will come into contact with something a little off. Whether you've realized it or not, there's been some odd things already in town.

Michael gives his friend a nod. "Of course. Here we go." As the family gets closer, he gives them a wide smile. "Hello and welcome to the Hunter's Bay Lodge! My name is Michael, and I will be your assistant for today; how may I help you?"

Holding the smile was more difficult than Michael thought. He had held a phony smile for people before, but in those instances had him leading them -and their wallets- right into his clutches. Smiling while serving someone else was... odd.

Kyle smiles sadly, remembering how much her father had liked the rain. It felt so fitting, and she'd rather it now than at the funeral. Frowning, she realises how much is still left to be done, and how much of it is unpleasant.

As Copernicus makes himself at home exploring the house, Kyle tries to do the same. She begins to go room to room, familiarising herself with where things are. Her father being in the hospital meant that most of what was in the fridge had gone bad, and she realised she'd need to buy some things.

[i]'One thing at a time.'[/i She reminds herself. She knows she should start with what she feels she can handle, and work up, but she's never been the kind of person to shy away from difficult things. Besides, it was already almost noon back East. She picks up the phone and dials. "Hi, Mom? It's Kyle. There's... there's something I need to tell you."