welcome to mayfield: day 3

[mayfield_mods]

[Those who wake up in the town on the third day will soon notice that something's definitely off. The cracks in the sky are appearing more frequently and lasting for minutes at a time, and there's a strange white fog drifting over the clouds.

For those who've just arrived, welcome to our new little town! We're sure you're glad to see your missing friends again; nothing to worry about here, they've just been too busy enjoying the upgraded carnival to go back home. Any bleeding limbs or serious wounds you may spot are obviously just a sign of how much fun they've been having.]

OOC: If your character damages or affects the carnival or town in a noticeable and normally permanent way, please comment here.

Comments

[ex_seventh238]

[She shakes her head with a soft and reassuring smile, pulling away a bit though she is still hunched over by Rapunzel's side, sitting on her folded knees against the floor. No words are needed to understand the unspoken 'it's okay', but... she's likely going to need to start writing again, isn't she? Losing speech is really inconvenient during these days...]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Thank you, then. This is comfy...

[She tilts her head at Ciel curiously, though.]

Are you... You know, alright?

[ex_seventh238]

[She'll nod at the question, though at that, she'll also withdraw a small notepad tucked away into the sleeve of her habit. Taking out a piece of detached paper sandwiched away between some of the pages, she then unfolds it open and hands it to show Rapunzel a pre-written note:

I can't speak. I know this is inconvenient, I'm sorry.

While Rapunzel goes over that, Ciel'll dock off the pen tucked behind her ear and get on writing something else inside the notepad. A moment later:

I'm very much okay otherwise. Thank you for your concern, but please focus on yourself. If you're tired, rest as much as you can. The church will be watched over.

Better be snoozing here than exploring Mayfield and getting injured, alright...]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

...Oh!

[Rapunzel nods as she reads, but isn't done yet. She's curious, always, endlessly.]

Have you always been mute? Or... Did something happen? Do you need help?

[ex_seventh238]

[She gives a small exhale, but keeps her relaxed and easy demeanor. Panic beckons panic, so calm beckons calm. Setting the atmosphere to mold a situation is a useful skill to have: in a way, it almost allows one to shape a context however they like. So skipping over the gory details of how she lost her tongue at the food stand to prove the exact point that nothing there should be eaten:

I haven't, but don't worry, this shouldn't last. Writing takes more time, but it's no chore. What about you, miss? Would you like help with anything, also?]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[Rapunzel gives a little nod as she reads.]

I hope it doesn't. And I'm fine.

[She pauses, then reaches over and hugs Ciel. It's... Silly to do, but she is an affectionate person, and she feels bad. Besides, she's been so nice, giving her the blanket and asking after her.]

[ex_seventh238]

[She blinks once, mildly surprised by the sudden display of affection. ...But things have been trying since coming here, haven't they? So... holding back a soft chuckle, she'll return the embrace and give the smaller girl a light pat on the head. Hang in there... It'll be okay.

She'll pull away once Rapunzel does. There are a few things she want to write down now, but what matters most at the moment is the girl's morale.]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[It's a while before she pulls away, but eventually she does, smiling sheepishly.]

Thank you... I needed that.

[ex_seventh238]

[Fine by her, they've got time. With that done though, she won't bother standing back up, settling to sit by Rapunzel as she writes her next note.

There's no need to thank me for that. Things are difficult right now, but it shouldn't last. Please try hanging in there, miss. Are you on your own?

She gives a vaguely helpless small smile of her own at the first part. They have no idea what may happen later, but for what a few words are worth now... That, and she stands by that no one should wander around by themselves in this particular incarnation of Mayfield. Does she have someone she stays close to through this mess, at all?]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

I hope it doesn't last, at least.

[She's becoming less sure with each passing moment... While nothing could crush Rapunzel's spirit, there are things -- like this place -- that can overshadow it, and even leaving won't fix everything. She knows she'll have to adjust and heal when they get out.

If they get out.]

I'm with a friend, thank you. What about you?

[ex_seventh238]

[She gives a small shake of her head, hand moving to jot down her reply.

They never do. It was the same with Westport, over two years ago. I wasn't in Mayfield back then, but I can say with experience that with time, all this will definitely subside. Everyone here is in this together too, so stay strong.

That's good to hear. If you plan to head out in the morning, please stay together with them at least and don't end up on your own. A lot of friends and good acquaintances of mine ended up here too, hence I'll be trying to keep an eye out for them. This place hasn't sealed our abilities, so what little I can do may be of help later.

She hands the note back, her demeanor gentle but still steady and confident. Does she really know if things will end up okay? ...There are never any absolutes. But can she try keeping up morale even at the cost of a possible lie? She'd sure go for it, no questions asked.]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[Rapunzel nods. There's some relief in that, at least.]

That's good to know; thank you. And I will. I'm glad you have people here, too.

...I'm Rapunzel, by the way.

[Did she say that already? She can't tell; tired and scared and confused.]

[ex_seventh238]

[She nods.

My name is Ciel. The circumstances could be better, but it's nice to meet you nevertheless, miss Rapunzel. It'll be okay here, so try to sleep and get some energy back for later. Are you having trouble with that?

It's not something she's in any habit of doing, but... If the other person is more or less a regular human, she can hypnotize them with her Mystic Eyes to lull them into a dreamless sleep. It's not much, but it'll force the body to recuperate by knocking out the consciousness, at least. Contemplating on doing that now, depending on the blonde girl's answer...]

[hairflyingheartpounding]

[Rapunzel smiles softly and somewhat hesitantly, but shakes her head.]

No, I'm getting there. Thank you, Ciel.

[ex_seventh238]

[She shaker her head. One sec...

You don't have to thank me for that. Please relax and rest for now, then. It'll be okay, miss Rapunzel.

She's counting on the younger girl to look back up at her once she's done reading the note. She usually suggests with words, but with being unable to talk currently, getting the idea of the message through text will do as substitute. Subtly, the focus in her eyes will grow dull as the color gradually turns a shade paler.

Relax, and sleep.

That's the command. Even if it ends up not being as effective as Ciel might've liked, it should still be enough to have Rapunzel asleep within the next 10 minutes. Just making sure she DOES recover her strength resting; the last thing anyone needs is to be plagued with nightmares while they're out!]