Halloween - Open

[suitsahero]

((OOC: Since a few people mentioned this, I thought I'd write one starter and whoever wants can tag in. This is one of my favorite sorts of set-ups so I don't think I'll get tired of playing it over and over if that's how this shakes out. I've tried to leave a variety of actual starting states or reasons to be there open as well.))

Getting up to the castle on purpose is difficult.

It's difficult to get to the bustling town at the base of the mountain. Transport is spotty at the best of times, mountain passes obscured by snow and ice most of the time. It's doable in the spring and summer, but the town is almost completely isolated in the fall and winter. Plenty of people make the journey, though, to enjoy the vistas, the peace and quiet through the winters, or just the ability to eke out a simple living, far from other stresses. The town is something of a tourist destination, both for those reasons and to climb a separate peak from the one with the castle on it. People go missing in the snows most years, but it's not considered dangerous beyond that, and everyone is warned extensively not to go wandering outside of the known routes or without a guide.

Nature is beautiful, but also deadly. It is nothing to be overly concerned about, beyond making sure people know how to be safe.

The people who actually live in the town are a bit superstitious, though, as only people living in relative isolation and in tension with a hostile environment can be. Which provides the next obstacle to getting up the mountain to the castle: no one is willing to take you. Stories vary on what lives up in the castle depending on who you talk to. A monster, a magician, an evil spirit, or just a strange artist who wants to be left alone. No one seems to agree on what is up in the tower, but everyone agrees that you don't go up there, you don't bother whoever, or whatever, it is. People don't come back or maybe people do come back but they're different, strange, don't remember things, or maybe no one has ever been up there at all.

And then, if you happen to still be painfully curious, particularly when you can clearly see lights moving through the castle in the evenings, the way up to the castle is also treacherous, requires skill and luck just to follow the unkept trail through the snow and rocks and trees, the way turned steep and winding through disuse. And the villagers also say there are wolves, though you've never seen any.

On the other hand, it is remarkably easy to find the castle on accident.

Nothing about it is magically easier, but if you throw safety to the wind, if your tent is ripped open by falling snows or you lose a trail you're supposed to be on, suddenly difficult and dangerous obstacles become your means of survival and climbing up to the castle doesn't seem like a journey to be embarked upon with caution but a last, desperate act of someone who doesn't want to freeze to death in the snows. Surely whatever is waiting there is better than that. Surely.

And what of those who fail? Who go out into the wilds only to succumb to the elements?

Well, no eyes and ears can be everywhere, but some few who do have their journeys set to end in the most final way possible might find themselves waking in a warm bed, instead, fire blazing merrily in a hearth. Are you lucky to have survived or not? Only time will tell...

Comments

[likeyouknow]

Pahja's favorite saying, ever since she was small enough to have one, has always been 'curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back'. It let her explore, question, and yes -- get into trouble. Normally she can handle it; as well-read as she is. And, when knowledge fails, she's been known to stash a knife away in her dress, or use a cane that just so happens to hide a sword.

One can never be too careful, after all.

Which is why when no one offers to take her up to the castle, it doesn't give Pahja any pause. Sure, they all make it sound vaguely threatening and mysterious but that just makes her want to go see what's up there even more. Pahja packs just enough food for the journey, wraps herself up in furs, and sets out on what she knows can only be an adventure.

It goes poorly.

Not that it's her fault, exactly, but she did underestimate the time and energy required to get there, and the waterproofness of her furs and the warmth of the lining of her boots and she is soaked and tired and the sunset, instead of being beautiful, seems more like a threat than anything else. And there's wolves. When the last light fades from the sky and the true cold sets in, that stings instead of smothers. It nips at her tail, her ears, too cold to shiver.

She doesn't notice the change at first, that suddenly she can wedge herself into the crevice of rocks to keep the wind from stinging if they're at the right angle, that the fallen trees provide both handgrips and a ladder over steep drops. And the castle, just ahead, seems far more inviting with every second.

Not that Pahja makes it, as the snow comes harder and blankets her, blinds her. She is so close, she thinks, wedging herself between a boulder and a tree, curling up as much as she can with her face turned away from the wind -- the castle still looming up in her vision. She just... needs a nap, just a little nap, and then she'll be okay, she can finish it when she wakes up.

Which makes where she wakes rather confusing. Not in snow -- thankfully -- but in a warm bed, her clothes set to dry near the fire. Whatever -- whoever -- had grabbed her did, at least, leave her smallclothes on; not that Pahja cares much for decency at this point -- the choice probably helped save all of her fingers and toes. Which she does still have, counting them being her first priority.

The second -- Pahja slips out of bed, feet landing softly on the stone, grabbing a nightgown left out by the side of it. "Hello?" she offers to the air, casting a look around before moving to the door, hand going for the doorknob. "On the bright side, it looks like I made it after all."

For there's only one place she could be.

[suitsahero]

There's a cozy pair of slippers by the bed as well, if she wants them, everything designed to be warm, comfortable. The stone floors are covered by warm, soft rugs wherever possible, the thick curtains blocking out light and chill both. She has to go further than she might be expecting to find anyone, but when she does, it's a handsome man in well-tailored clothing who seems to be at work in some kind of study, but who looks up with surprise as she passes,

"Oh! You're awake sooner than I was expecting," he rises immediately, setting the work aside and coming around the table. "Are you feeling better?"

He looks as though he might not be feeling well himself, a paleness to his skin that typically comes from being confined indoors through sickness, but if there's an illness here, he is the spryest person she's ever seen with one.

[likeyouknow]

It feels homey, in a strange way. Pahja walks -- feet slipped -- slowly, trying to take it all in. It's strange she can't tell what time it is, for every window seems to be covered completely, and she knows she'd seen lights in the windows of the place at night. Maybe whoever owns it is just a night owl?

She's seen weirder, really.

What she doesn't expect is her host, and she's immediately taken back by him. Some old, crusty old man is what she'd been assuming and this man is anything but. Well, maybe sick from the lack of color, but otherwise he's -- handsome? And well dressed besides.

Pahja bites back the urge to giggle, and nods. "Quite, thank you." A small smile, as she runs a hand through her hair. "I-- I really didn't mean to intrude." A pause. "Well, I suppose I did, but not by nearly dying in the snow."

[suitsahero]

"It's quite alright. I don't get visitors often," his smile is contagious, wide and genuine, though he doesn't show his teeth with it, "The mountain's a bit treacherous this time of year. You're lucky my servants found you in time. Are you hungry?" there's barely a break between the thoughts, "I doubt there's anything of any consequence prepared already, but we can at least get you something warm to drink and something simple to eat."

It's completely incongruous, how nice this man seems, compared with all of the nightmare stories she's heard.

[likeyouknow]

Should she be concerned? Probably, but the thought doesn't even occur to her past 'well maybe he's just so sick people tend to stay away'. There's no other real explanation for how pale he is, but he's spry and nice -- extremely nice -- and she can defend herself if he decides to do anything untoward. Or get within coughing range.

Pahja smiles back, helpless to do anything but. "I can't imagine why," she quips, feeling warmth flood her that only has to do with the interior decoration and the fire. "Please give them my most heartfelt thanks." Her sincerity plain, even as her stomach growls in response to his question. "Oh, please, anything would be fine -- I think I lost my supplies somewhere outside."

She at least has the decency to look a little embarrassed.

[suitsahero]

"Come then, follow me. We'll see what's available for you," he'll lead her down to the kitchens and all but install her in front of a large cooking fire there, banked now but still warm. There very clearly are servants, she maybe even catches sight of one or two bustling here and there as they go, but it seems like a very small number for such a large castle, which is likely why it's the man of the house himself who sees to finding her some bread and cheese and a gorgeous midwinter orange, as well as a large mug of something steaming and spiced smelling,

"If you'd like to take it to the parlor, we certainly can," he says as he hands over the selection of food, "but I thought you might prefer expediency over ambiance."

[likeyouknow]

She follows, watching him and their surroundings by turn -- beyond the windows it seems to be pretty, well. Normal. Sort of, she was sure the castle would have to have a larger staff and that, maybe, her host shouldn't be ushering her around like he is, nor grabbing some food. Pahja opens her mouth to question that, but then she catches a whiff of the drink, the color of the orange, and throws it all out the window in delight.

"Here's fine, really." She says, before tearing into the bread and cheese. "I hate to intrude more than I already have, you're really too kind," she continues between mouthfuls. It then occurs to her, just as she's about to take a drink, that she'd completely failed to be polite and proper to him in return.

"Sorry, um. Pahja Nyancoya. Explorer, adventurer, nearly someone's next museum novelty." A gesture around her, with the hand that's holding the mug before she remembers and takes a long, pleased sniff of the drink. "What is this? And, if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

[suitsahero]

"Haurchefant Greystone," he introduces himself smoothly and with a bow that seems charming in it's archaicness, as though he were a lord at court somewhere, "And it would be a tragedy, indeed, for you to have ended so," his lips curl just a bit, "though you are lovely as any work of art, I think I prefer you laughing over frozen." He quips, clever and flirting.

"And that is a kind of spiced chocolate. There's a bit of brandy in there too. It's a cold weather drink meant to stave off the chill in this region. It's more bitter than sweet," he warns, when she goes next to drink it, "though most don't find it unpleasantly so."

[likeyouknow]

It's all very archaic and absolutely charming -- she manages to stifle another giggle but not her smile. And certainly not her blush when he starts to lay it on thick. It's ridiculous, really, but that's part of why she's finding it so charming. "We've only just met! Are you sure that's not rather forward?" It's not a no, stop, however. She can't even be bothered to be scandalized properly. "It is a pleasure, Greystone. Or do you prefer Haurchefant?"

Bitter? Pahja takes a cautionary sip, only to look delighted. "It's downright heavenly is what it is." She takes another, longer drink of it, ears and tail perking up as the warmth hits and spreads through her. "I confess that I'm not sure how to repay you for your kindness, and I haven't even been awake more than an hour or so."

[suitsahero]

"Hmm, is it? I find that I have gone so long without company, I no longer full know how to comport myself. I pray that you'll tell me, should I do anything undesired," there's something about the way that he says that that's flirtatious all on his own, but he does at least sound serious about that. "And just Haurchefant, please. You are my guest, there's no need to stand on formalities."

"I believe I'll find your company repayment enough. It's been some time since I've had anyone other than the servants to talk to. Perhaps some stories as well, once you're more recovered."

All of this would seem completely fine and normal. A sickly lord, locked away in a castle in the cold with some small servants to look after him. But then why all the stories? Surely she couldn't be the only person to have actually met Haurchefant. Surely the village wasn't that afraid of a handsome young man who must spend most of his time abed to have a complexion like that. There's something else going on here, it's just a question of who is the one lying or keeping secrets.

[likeyouknow]

It eats at the back of her mind, it does! He's very handsome, surely someone would have mentioned that, and same with regards to his sickness -- wouldn't he need a doctor to visit regularly? She's curious, and a part of her is itching to explore the castle fully once she's been left alone. Maybe travel back down to the village and ask around once she's more recovered.

(Getting back, however, might prove to be a challenge if getting here was anything to go by.)

Still. He's smiling at her, flirting with her, and she's just giddy enough from the drink and the fact she's not dead to think 'well, what harm could there be' and enjoy it. "You can be certain of that. Of course," her lips turn up into her own flirtatious grin, "you need not attempt to compose yourself just yet."

After all, he simply wants her company. That's easy enough to give, even in a strange, dark but comfortable place like the castle. "That's all?" It seems too good to be true, too simple. Again the feeling at her neck, a sense of something off. She shrugs it off -- if him needing company gives her time to explore, so be it. And it's not that he's bad company, either. "I've got more than my fair share of stories. Do you all live up here, alone?"

[suitsahero]

"Hah! Then perhaps I will choose not to. I hear it's to some women's preference anyway-- dashing young roguish sorts and all of that. A little bit of mystery, hm?" he says like he's not already a walking mystery, a strange young man in a castle in the woods. But it's playful, teasing, picking up the delightful, gentle mood of everything right now.

It makes teasing at her words easy enough to not take seriously,

"Would being in my debt be better? Manual labor, perhaps?" he laughs softly, "Or perhaps you are one of those maidens who prefers their stories a little more... licentious, and you were hoping for a much different solution?" he waggles his eyebrows at her, but it's so over the top it's not even really flirting anymore, however much it might actually plant the idea in her head...

"No, no, your stories will do," he waves off the moment before, lightly, "It isn't as though I would truly ask for repayment for saving someone's life and it was my servants who found you anyway, not I."

[likeyouknow]

The flirting is just so exaggerated it puts her more at ease than anything else -- surely someone both so brazen and so unserious couldn't possibly mean any harm. Pahja laughs at that, waving a hand to playfully discourage him without being serious about it. "A mysterious gentleman who offers to bed the charming heroine within short order at that! Scandalous, what will they say?"

She's enough of a dreamer, a little self indulgent, to find the idea not wholly unappealing. But she also knows that it's unlikely to come to pass, and is content to simply flirt back. "I can be convincing, you know," after all, she's dressed only in the nightgown he'd left out. But his request makes her nod in agreement.

"That doesn't make you any less responsible for taking me in," Pahja says -- she doesn't want him to think she's ungrateful, after all. "If you've got somewhere more comfortable, perhaps we can start-- but if you're fine here, and don't mind me eating..."

[suitsahero]

"'They' don't have to know," he flirts right back, "and if you wish to do some convincing, you should know I'm easily convinced," his tone is warmer, a bit deeper as he says it. It sounds just as earnest as he's been about anything else. He offers his arm a moment later, though, more courtly, grinning less like someone flirting and more just like someone living life to the absolute fullest, like he can't think of somewhere else he'd rather be right now,

"But I'd ask you to at least wait and get some food in you before attempting to seduce me. Come, we can take things back to one of the sitting rooms," he picks up the small tray of food with one hand, leaving the mug in hers.

[likeyouknow]

She should be concerned, says the very small part of her that isn't charmed by Haurchefant. No one spoke of someone up here, no one seemed to want to talk of the place at all except to warn people away. And with someone as welcoming, as full of a sort of warm appreciation for life as he is, why would they think that?

But then he offers her his arm, and Pahja takes it without hesitation. What harm could come from that, anyway? It isn't like she was letting herself be led off to bed a bare hour or so into knowing him. "Very well then, lead the way good ser." She says, warm and friendly. "While I think of some sort of tale -- I don't suppose you have any preferences for what you'd like to hear?"

While he captures most of her attention, part of her is still looking around the castle, marveling at the decor and the fact that no light is allowed through the windows she knows are there. Mayhap she simply slept the day away, or perhaps he wishes to keep the cold at bay as much as possible.

Still-- something to think about.