Halloween 2020: Choose Your Spooky Outcome: Chapter 4
For those who’ve missed it: here’s a link to the Choose Your Spooky Outcome Discord
Between the creepy castle, sense of ceremony, and fact that the being in charge just called Victoria by name, your spookiest friend is an obvious choice for a dance partner. If this offers you an opportunity to dance with someone you’ve spent years admiring from a distance, and years more at her side, that’s just a side-benefit to the situation. At least, that’s what you try telling yourself.
“Victoria, may I have this dance?” You extend a hand, which she accepts.
“The real question is, can you handle this dance?” There’s a playful twist in Victoria’s smile, yet the danger never entirely fades alongside it. After this long, you’ve learned that it never will. This is who she is, a truer form than most of the world will ever get to see.
Together, the two of you walk down the stairs from the balcony, Thad and Jim trailing at a distance. The crowd gives you wide berth as you step onto the dance floor, Victoria’s hand clasped in yours. Before there is a chance to discuss what sort of steps you’ll both be doing, the band starts to play.
Instantly, you feel your whole body moving, doing its best to keep time with the rhythm. For a change, it seems Victoria is susceptible to this magic as well, her feet already tapping away. As your hands and hers intertwine, all control leaves your limbs. Both of you are at the mercy of the magical music coursing through your veins.
As one, the two of you begin to dance. The steps are slow at first, your feet steadily circling around Victoria as she draws close then shifts back, just out of reach. Over and over you repeat the movements, until suddenly, you burst forward, into her waiting arms as you transition to a true duet. The two of you move in tandem, one step to another, complimenting each other’s performance, until suddenly Victoria spins away once more. More circling, then another frenzied round dancing together, ending with Victoria spreading her arms and falling backward, only your hands halting her head from smashing against the cold stone floor.
In seconds, she’s back on her feet, spinning away as you follow. Another session of tandem dancing occurs when you catch up, ending with you falling backward into her hands this time. Rather than spin away once more, this time Victoria is waiting for you when you turn back around. One last round, the two of you move together, ending as you dip Victoria deeply, her face toward that of the towering watcher.
Panting, you lift Victoria back to standing as the music fades away. That was an experience unlike anything else, like you were possessed, except nothing in that dance felt alien. Your moves, your feelings, your connection to Victoria, that’s what shaped the performance. And hers as well, presumably.
“A strange dance to see from a Willowbrook.” The watcher speaks now, mask inscrutable as it peers down upon you both. “Trust, affection, even faith, much as you try to hide it. Your father would not approve of such sentiments for mere vassal, yet you offer this one such aid as to accompany him here. A curious choice, on tonight of all nights.”
“My father would indeed see no value in such choices,” Victoria agreed. “But not every Willowbrook operates the same way. He prefers his vassals disposable and easily replaced. However, my grandmother, the former head of the Willowbrook family, espoused a different philosophy. It was her belief that even for those of our station, loyalty cannot flow in one direction. To bring forth the best of any vassal, to demand everything of them, we must be willing to give of ourselves in return. This traveler has served me with loyalty and diligence, he has well-earned the aid I can offer.”
“Your grandmother’s view was far from popular, even in her time,” the watcher informs Victoria.
To that, Victoria gives a grin, one with no trace of playfulness this time. “No, it wasn’t. Which is why the others were so unprepared to face her eventual strength. It was she who put the Willowbrook family at our current position. Her, and those she rallied to her side.”
The watcher stares down, mask framed by that huge, high purple collar. “When you bear your teeth, I see the resemblance. And I am sure that in whatever vaulted position of power she moved onto in her journey, perhaps a vocation of reverence and reverie, your dear Mimi is proud of the strides you’ve made.”
Victoria blinks, eyes moist for a fraction of a moment before she drives such sentiment back, refusing to risk smearing the swirls of purple make-up along her face. As she recovers, the watcher turns to face you, the attention almost suffocating when it lands. “Traveler, you have shared your dance with us, and it is a fine one indeed. Joyful and halting, melancholy and pining, yet not without hope. Tell me one thing, before judgement is passed. Why did you choose the companion clad in the garb of a seer? Why Victoria?”
Ouch, that’s a bit of a heavy question, especially considering the crowd of on-lookers. Deciding this probably isn’t a smart place to lie, you opt to lean on a specific version of truth. “Because from the moment I met her, Victoria has always been semi-impossible. The things she can do, the way she walks through life, and that’s not even counting the magical aspects. I grew up watching my brother win everything by default, without even trying, and that’s not what Victoria has. She works for her power, and wields it well. If there’s anyone I know who can stroll into a situation like this and emerge not only unscathed, but triumphant, it’s her.”
Slowly, inch-by-inch, the watcher nods. “It is fine to see a vassal with proper appreciation and reverence. You spoke no falsehoods, even if your tongue did not probe every truth.” Lifting a single hand, the watcher motions, and from a small door on the side of her throne several attendants walk in carrying purple velvet pillows.
“Traveler, you have met us well and offered entertainment as promised. The Ball of Bones is pleased to offer you aid, yet be warned. Here, even help has it’s dangers. Choose carefully what you will take upon your journey.”
The first attendant lifts their pillow, on it sits an elaborate compass made of pitch black metal, with a golden needle in the center. Looking at it, you’re nearly lost in the lovely depths, anchored only by the watcher’s powerful voice. “A gift of guidance, for one who knows how to follow.”
The second attendant lifts their pillow, this time showing a handheld guillotine, one made from dark wood with a gleaming bright blade. “A gift of failure, for one who wishes to learn.”
Lastly, the final attendant shows their pillow, which proves to be empty. Your eyes lift to the watcher, even as her voice booms. “A gift of advice, for one willing to ask.”
Each attendant stands, waiting, as the eyes and masks of everyone present point in your direction. Looks like you better not waver to long, wouldn’t want their hospitality to run out.
Hey folks, Drew here. As I mentioned, the looks for the choices are changing this year, so I wanted to let you know that the red polls, like you should see below, are the new Dead Ends. Other than appearance, everything else works the same, so choose your votes wisely!