With Michael's help, you both return to Mr. Craw's office. Knocking politely, you are both welcomed inside.
"A double visit! Surprises all around today."
Michael, you let him know that you've finished the shopping list, and you hand him back the silverware.
"Perfect! Thank you so much. You have no idea how much these are precious to our family."
As for Kyle, you inform him of why you're here.
"Ah yes, my secretary informed me I'd be having you over. What can I help you with? Oh and Michael, feel free to take the afternoon off... I don't know if your friend would like company or not however..."
Another update, it looks like I misjudged the quantity of work on my last week of school. My final paper is due in Monday, and I'll be back either on that day or Tuesday.
Again, my apologies for the delays. End of semester takes precedence unfortunately.
As you explore the clutter, nothing seems to catch your eye. Junk, used objects, old curios... and then you spot something. A small silver watch on a chain. It's half buried in an urn with the label "Knick-knacks: 5$ each".
The man returns with a small wooden box.
"Well, here's the silverware. Mr. Craw has some very fine taste."
Kyle:
You finish getting ready and while away a few hours.
You guess that Mr. Craw should be free now and you call back. The secretary lets you know that Mr. Craw is in and you're welcome to stop by the lodge.
Your mother pauses for a good minute before answering.
"Kyle, are you alright out there? Are you by yourself... where are you staying?"
You answer her queries, noticing she visibly hasn't mentioned her late husband.
"Kyle, I want you to come home. As soon as you can. We'll... we'll make arrangements from here ok sweetie?"
Michael:
After taking care of the group, Randall meets back up with you.
"Very well done young padawan." He smiles at his own joke.
"See, there's nothing to worry about working here, it's all easy stuff. Now I'm on shift this week for the front desk but you've got some odd jobs alright?"
He takes out a list and hands it to you.
"It's short but it's relatively important. The first part's mostly groceries and supply shopping in town."
You look down at the first item:
Cutlery - Jules Courser - Pick up at Courser's Antiques before noon.
"We reimburse the gas don't worry. If you have any questions, you know where I am and feel free to call the hotel's front desk."
I just finished Silent Hill 4 (having played the previous 3) and am just waiting for s+#~ to hit the fan here XD. I'm not sure if it's going to be a subtle change or a sudden wham like you might find in Don't Hug Me I'm Scared.
Whelp I just HAD to go look DHMIS. Worth it.
It'll probably be a subtle change if I can pull it off well enough, with definitely a moment that'll signal the "changing of the seasons" so to speak.
Yeah it's understandable that it's hard to get back into, but most of the next bits should be fairly slow/easy, at least on my end. I expect telling people and the funeral itself to eat up the next like, 15 of my posts.
How would you imagine your mom reacting to all this? I can roleplay the phone conversation but I'm not sure how to play her.
The father of the family (you assume) drops his luggage with a sigh of relief.
"Who knew vacations were such a work out huh?" A huge smile light up the man's face. You'd guess he was in his fifties but he had a lot of energy emanating from him.
"We've got a room reserved for us... 401. There's just me, my wife Hannah and our two kids, Denise and Kevin. They're very well behaved don't worry. I'm Patrick."
Hannah gives Patrick a playful shove and Kevin gives his dad a look that is positively screaming please don't embarrass me.
You check the reservations and sure enough it's all in order, and prepaid by VISA a week ago.
You fish out the keys and hand it to the couple.
Patrick gives you a smile and asks, "We've got some heavy bags with us... would it bother you much to help us lift the load to the room? How about I pay you a beer afterwards? Maybe you can even help me get to know the place!"
Kyle:
The phone rings a few times before it's picked up.
"Yes hello?"
Your mother's voice echoes across the line.
"Hi, Mom? It's Kyle. There's... there's something I need to tell you."
A pause on the other end.
"Sure Kyle, what's wrong?"
Your tone of voice must have carried through your words.
Going to start back up quietly, let's see what happens next! Good to be back!
I'm still planning on getting this back in gear, just finding it hard to jump back into it. I do confess a lack of inspiration at the moment, but I think I'll have this sorted out soon.
Sorry for the no-show, my supposed reading week got quite hectic and now school has started again. I need to finish up a few things and then we're back.
I am promising that I am in no way dropping this adventure, I like it too much.
So sorry for the delays, I had everything written up and then when I cleared my computer for space, it logged me out of all my sites. Problem is, I use a variety of temp emails and I could not as hell remember what this one was.
But I finally found my document where I keep the list so I'm back! Expect an update later tonight!
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.
"Well put son. And if you've come to Shady Grove to learn from your mistakes, well you've come to the right place."
He smiles.
"How about we start you off easy tomorrow? We'll have you tag along with Randall and see what a day at the Hotel is like. In the meantime, if you ever need food, just ask Diane in the kitchens. As for anything else, Randall knows just about everything I do. If it's serious, I'm usually here in my office."
He rises to shake your hand.
"On that note, welcome to the family so to speak."
As the meeting comes to a close and you exit the office you overhear the phone ring on Dennis's desk.
"Hunter's Bay Lodge, Mr. Craw speaking... uh huh... yes of course... Look... no, I'm aware... Henry, it ain't nobody's fault but mine."
He sees you still lingering, gives you a reassuring nod.
"Ok Henry. I'll see you around."
He puts the phone down and looks up.
"Seems we've misbooked an Italian tour group. Apparently they're up in arms about where we've set them up. Guess who's got to go sort it all out hunh?"
He escorts you out of the office, locks it, and waves you goodbye.
Kyle
Spoiler:
"Don't you worry Miss, I heard everything was already taken care of. James was on top of things when it came to money I heard. Now it's late, quite late. Do you have a place to go for the night? If not, I can always call a cab to the Lodge just out of the town. I've heard it's very nice. My condolences Miss Delacroix."
You're left alone for a spell, and suddenly you feel the poke of the paper envelope in your pocket. Taking it out now, you sit down on a nearby metal chair and read it.
The letter is lengthy... dense and thick of little anecdotes, kind words attempting to explain the situation, reassurances that all would be well in the end... all written by James.
Near the end, he goes into detail on the current financial situation. He's left you an inheritance, including the house. There's options for just about everything, meaning even if you decide not to stay you can sell off the property.
There is a clause stating that a package is to be received by a certain Mr. Dennis Craw, apparently a businessman in the area. A meeting is to be set up by telephone, for which the number is provided.
If you need anything, there's money put aside for you in the house. I stored it in your former room in the toybox. It should be enough for you to have no difficulties for a while.
Lastly, the letter ends with the following:
There's a lot I wish we could have talked about. Don't spend your time in tears Little Sparrow. Everything's going to be alright. After all, it ain't nobody's fault but mine. Be strong. We all love you up here in heaven.
- Dad
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.
Spoiler:
Two figures stand beneath an old elm tree. Rain begins to fall obscuring their faces.
"Is it time then?" the first figure asks.
The other simply holds up a hand, shaking his head no.
The two of them, seen from the back, gaze out... showing Shady Grove below, slowly vanishing as rainclouds blow in, obscuring the skies and light.
A crackle of lightning lights up the sky for a second... and the figures are gone.
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.
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."
Michael, you get a good nap and wake up a few hours later feeling refreshed.
There's a note slipped under your door, written on hotel stationary.
Hey there buddy,
You looked pretty tired so I figured I should give you time to rest and recuperate.
When you wake up, mind swinging by my office on the ground floor? I want to meet my new employee face to face.
- Dennis Craw
Looks like the boss wants to see you.
Kyle
Spoiler:
The receptionist nurse stutters an answer.
"I... Yes, I'm sorry, one moment."
She checks her computer quickly and then pauses.
"I imagine you must be Kyle?" She seems very saddened all of sudden. "I'll page Dr. Llayne right away. He should be here in a few minutes."
She presses a button on her phone and gives you what must be her attempt at a reassuring smile.
A few minutes later, a tall young man walks in, visibly a man of authority. He walks over to where you were sitting.
"Mrs. Delacroix? If you could come with me for a moments." He says this kindly and warmly.
You follow him into a small waiting room. He gestures for you to sit down and he does as well.
"I imagine you were aware that your father had cancer. He'd been here numerous time over the past few months, and was getting all the help and treatment he could get. Recently though he begun losing the fight. He was brought in three days ago in a critical condition."
He glances down for a moment, catching a breath.
"Your father passed away yesterday morning in his sleep. I want to reassure you that he wasn't alone. He had friends there beside him until the end."
At this point, the words begin to drone off, lost in the realization of what was happening. It seemed like an eternity passed.
You're brought back to earth as Dr. Llayne slides an envelope towards you.
"Your father left this for you a few hours before he passed away. James asked me to give it to you when you arrived."
He wipes a small tear from the corner of his eye.
"I... My condolences. James was a good friend of mine too."
He stands up.
"You may stay here for as long as you need. I need to... to get back to work. If you need me, just ask a nurse. Again, Mrs. Delacroix, my condolences."
He leaves the room quietly.
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.
Hey Kyle, nor worries. I'm up in Montreal and we're all well aware of what's hitting your area.
No need for rolls for now. I will indicate when you can roll one or when the real nitty gritty begins. Things like "I look around for something specific", "I research a particular towns-person" or "I attempt to make a cure for this lethal poison coursing through my veins"... :D
It's very free for all as to when to end/continue. I will always respond with leads and pushes when necessary. We're all working on a story together in a sense.
You head back to the car, pick up your bags and then begin unpacking along with Randall's help. An hour later, you're just about done.
"Here. A welcome gift of sorts."
Randall hands you a small plastic badge. On it you can read "Michael Riter - Authorized Visitor" as well as a symbol: A silver tree within the confines of a golden moon.
"I know you're a bit far from home and all now, but I reckon you'd appreciate this. It's a pass for Shady Grove's Historical Society. You know, the library, archives, courthouse, museums... I didn't know if you liked this kind of thing but I figured may as well right?"
Kyle
Spoiler:
There's no note in the kitchen... but the phone's recorded message begins playing as you check anyways.
... Yes hi, this is Dr. Llayne at Shady Grove Public Hospital. I was asked to leave this message at the request of James Delacroix for his daughter Kyle. If you could please drop by the Hospital as soon as you can, I'm afraid we have certain... matters to discuss with you. You can also reach me at 541-031-2154... it's my personal number... beeeeeep.
No one answers. You climb the stairs and the noise becomes louder, thumping from somewhere within the master bedroom. You peer into it and luckily, it's just one of the windows... it must have been badly shut and now its thudding loudly now and again.
You do notice that your father's drawers are all open. A lot of clothes seem to be missing too.
Michael
Spoiler:
"Hey man! Glad you could make it!"
Randall gets up from his bed where he was lounging listening to music on an iPod. He gets up, shakes your hand warmly.
"My dad's really grateful for you coming all the way here. We've been short staffed for quite a bit now."
He gestures for you to follow.
"So here you go, you get room 231 right here. How about you get your stuff set up. You're not on shift until tomorrow anyways. I'll help you out if that's alright with you."
No it's fine, there's no reason to hide anything unless I mention it. I just separate them so you have an easier time finding your section. You're free to read each others stories.
You can see into the dining room and the den. It's eerily dark inside, all the lights are closed.
"Dad? you call out.
Two things then catch your eye (and ears)...
First, the light on the phone receiver is blinking. A missed call perhaps? Second, a low thumping sound can be heard from upstairs now.
Michael
Spoiler:
You give her one last goodbye wave as you turn out the driveway. You follow the gas station employee's directions and you easily find the small road leading to Hunter's Bay Lodge.
The road winds up the side of the cliff-face and you catch a glimpse of the hotel.
You check the text you received from your friend the day before.
When you get here, just check in at the front desk. If I'm not there, I might either be in my room, Room 214. If not, look around for some staff alright?
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?
On another note, whenever you're ready to proceed at any point of the campaign, just indicate with a MO at the end of your posts. It stands for Moving On and it shows me that you're ready to jump forward. I'd hate to cut into inter character roleplay since that's the whole gist of the adventure.
I am a full time University student and part time worker at a Gaming Hobby Store. I never expect an amount of posts. 1/24 hours has always been fine with me.
Take it relaxed when you need to. We're having fun and we're just three, meaning there's no big rush.
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."
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?
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?
