Arson!!

Mister Valden, are you in there?! Emily told me she hasn’t seen you all day! And— there’s an alarming amount of cats running around!..

You didn’t turn into one… did you? It couldn’t be!

*there’s some scrambling noises outside the door— and a very agitated meow*

"Hello?" Edgar's voice is clearly annoyed, especially as the knocking continues. Then, of course, he listens to what Emma is saying. "A day isn't that long... and no, of course I didn't—" He grumbles, before opening the door, though a "Agh— Maple, I know someone's there, don't leave, I don't want to have to find you—" can be heard.

“ So cute!! “

[ In an instant, Edgar was pushed back in his room with Emma reaching above his newly catified ears. ]

“ A story? Is it this you’ve been keeping to yourself? Mister Valden, this is too precious to keep secret! If this is, the real you like Mister Diruse, Emma will support you! “

Still, as Emma fawned over the kitten, he fell into a soft smile. "Yes, she is. She nuzzles into my open hand quite often, and goodness knows she has crawled onto my chest when I go to bed. She's definitely one of the more social of the group..."

It did not take long for Edgar to process the gesture, and to flinch in response, which led to Maple clawing him in a desperate attempt to hold on before fleeing into Edgar's room. Somewhere in the pillow maze. His expression, while very tense, and leaning into something even more angry than the typical annoyance, had a tinge of fear, with wide eyes and with a wavering voice, cat ears laying back flat.

Perhaps the gardener had gotten ahead of herself.

The mixture of excitement from the new furry companions and the painter's smile had led her to forget about the temperment of the man before her- much less, the unspoken rules when interacting with him.

" Mister Valden... " she starts, but her mouth closes shortly after, making her fall quiet. She takes a meager step backward. Noticing his darted eyes, she averts her own, leading her gaze down towards the new cut on the painter's arm.

"..." She didn't mean to. Nobody means to. He... he's scared, he wants to believe her, he wants to yell at her to go away and shut her out. He wants the screaming inside his head to stop. Most of all, he wants to not feel like he is in danger.

Emma's voice turns quieter, and Edgar is given a moment of quiet, of examining himself. He slowly covers the new injury with a hand, processing the new red, the new pain that slowly filters in, even if it is much less than the pain of the initial moment. He knows he'll say he's fine. He knows better than to think he is. His eyes are averted, cast to the floor.

This hesitance, this wariness- all of those signs formed together a general story that didn't need to be said. It was clear the man was acting on fear, not anger. Could it do with his past? Or a bad match?

Emma doesn't expect Edgar to speak further, nor does she wait for him to justify his terror.

" Mister Valden, may you look over here? "

The gardener takes off her glove and spreads out her fingers. It was a lackluster reveal, for there was nothing to behold within her palm. Just a plain, delicate hand- one that she extended towards the other to show, not touch.

" To do anything out of the ordinary, one might need a tool. I carry nothing of those sorts... "

It seemed as if nothing she said was relaxing the painter. Was simple promises of not doing it again enough?

" Rest assured, all Emma wanted was to pet you because your ears looked so cute! And.. Emma thought, it would be most enjoyable. Even the most tense kittens seemed to relish it. "

She explained, though her voice started to waver with sadness the longer she spoke.

" ... I.. got too ahead. I once also had a scary encounter with a person with sudden .. movements too. - "

A long pause. Her throat seems to tighten up at the thought, and for a moment, the gardener's eyes seems to be elsewhere. When her eyes widen, it seems that shes back- and she wakes to see the wound now deliberately covered by Edgar's hand.

One would need a tool. He wanted to believe it. He knew it was right, he knew there were many things hands alone could not manage. And yet, why did he so vividly recall those that slid over his own, those that kept themselves suffocatingly close in lessons past? It wasn't rational and yet, those hands so much larger than his at the time still seemed to graze icy fingers against him.

Something seemed dampened within Edgar as he responded, eyes downcast. "...Right."

She... was simply excited. He supposed that with a change like that, a reaction like that could be expected. That is a thing often done with cats, so the reasoning lines up.

The gardener knew the same fear, too, didn't she? With the wavering of her voice, Edgar forced himself to look up, the change in her focus all too visible, just like how the past drags him down, just like how those damned portraits' voices never seem to quiet. Concentrating on the present moment when the past is ever close behind is annoyingly difficult.

Emma's eyes widen as she brings herself back, and speaks once more. Edgar nods, though hardly enthusiastic: more so the nod of social obligation. He didn't cover it up well enough, did he? The unease of having to bring up the incident to another was churning within him, and yet, he most certainly didn't have what was needed to properly treat something like that. "That would... be for the best."

A riiiiiiip sound emanates from somewhere below him, and he searches for the source as he adjusts his beret, preparing to head out. Within short order, his eyes lock with the culprit.

Yes. Locking eyes with the culprit, it seems that Opal didn't seem the least bit regretful.

.

Despite the lingering fear and hesitance Emma could sense on Edgar, she was nontheless happier. He was in the condition to reply; and though his eyes were glazed and she lamented the fact she had no right to wipe them, at least they held some semblance of life.

Once the painter brought attention to the escapees, Emma urgently rushed to put her gloves back on in hopes to scoop the troublemakers back to the room- alas... Edgar was truly the priority here! And it seems that he's only spiraling from the stress!

" Mister Valden, don't fret! It's best we head to the infirmary. Once Emily makes sure your alright, then- Emma will help you find your kitties! "

She quickly blocked the sight between him and Opal.

" In your condition, your arm isn't suited for chases. Anymore worrying will only worsen this scene! "

Though she supposes neither of them knew the severity of the kitten's scratch left on Edgar's arm. One thing was very visible, and that was the crimson: there was enough of it that it could seep through his clothing. Emma grimaced at the thought of blood splattered on the manor walls- or worse, on the cat's fur! Despite how minor, it would cause a panic for the rest of the residents... And surely, not a tasty treat for the next cat that bathed itself.

She frowned. She was sure this wasn't enough for him to go with her whims- maybe it would even serve him worse. The other has proven himself to be very independent, but that was bad when it meant his thoughts! Emma had no idea what Edgar was thinking and it wasn't like she could exactly pull him towards the infirmary either, given how this was all caused by such touch. So instead, she desperately placed her hands together in a state much like a prayer.

" The sooner we go, the less time your kitties will have to wander. So please... Mister Valden, please.. don't worry Emma more. "

--- Meanwhile in the hunter's corridor... ---

[ The gardener smiled and took a few steps closer to admire the pose before her. It was like meeting an idol!- Not that she saw his plays. But still, this hunter didn’t seem so scary… ]

Unlike most hunters, Liam seemed to be far friendlier. He towered over her, but yet, it didn’t feel like he was oppressing her space, even the sun seemed to shine favourably on him. Emma was a veteran at the manor, and Liam was definitely less accustomed to the manor than she was. At least he seems to be doing well.

“Oh? Is that so? Well, I hope most of the talk was favourable.”

Being famous came with its drawbacks, both in life and death. Liam learnt not to ponder too long on what others might say behind his back.

“ My name is Emma Woods, the gardener! I couldn’t catch what you said earlier, but you are quite considerate, Mr… “

[ Her smile falters for a second as she glances around for a way to bypass this obstacle. ]

“ Mr. Star! “ [ She gleams, looking proud. ]

“ Emma heard someone say otherwise, that Mr. Star could be quite the… ‘impatient’..? ‘Impulsive’? ‘Angry’? “

[ her words grow uncertain as she lists them. ]

At his newly acquired “nickname”, Liam smiled initially amusement, a stifled chuckle emerging from his lips. “Mr Star? Well, I believe it’s a nice nickname.”

At Emma’s next words, Liam blinked in confusion, or disbelief. A disappointed “Oh…” left his lips…

—Yikes! It wasn’t too late for her to run- a pallet was nearby, surely Liam wouldn’t be able to catch u-

“Ahaha, I can’t… think of anyone I could’ve offended… but I’m glad you think otherwise.” He scratched the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly in response. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much.”

Liam knew his words were a lie, he could conceive of one person who would’ve spoken of him in such foul light.

[ No- don't think like that! ]

" Should I be scared? "

[ The gardener blinks up at Liam before she sets her palm against his cane. She stares at it for a bit. ]

" It's scary to think about you attacking us... But, you haven't done anything like that! Emma hates it when people lie. That's why Emma was so happy to meet you, now for sure-! I'm sure, we can prove the rest of them wrong Mister Star! "

[ She takes out a small communicator. ]

“Oh, no. I don’t want you to be scared, I’m terribly sorry.”

Liam’s gaze quietly focused on Emma’s hand. Hopefully it was a sign that she wasn’t as scared as he had thought.

“Ah… I see. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m glad that you’re so understanding, Miss Woods.” His hand gently went to his chin, cupping it as he spoke, thinking through his words.

Prove the others wrong? Liam truly hoped that he could do so… what if they just ran off, like Emma almost did?

-------- TIMESKIP ---------

" La la laa ~ " [ The Gardener sang, skipping along the grass with much glee. It was her mission now to guide the Fallen Star to one of her teammates at the middle cipher. - Oh! But this one was a tough one! ]

[ She halts and turns around to face the hunter. Both her hands quickly shot out in front of her- as if to say "freeze!", then she runs away. As she turns the corner on one of the walls, a disgruntled voice shouts soon after. ] " Hrm? Do what? "

[ Hushed whispers emit, but the hunter can only make out the more deeper of the voices. ] " I'm not interested. Hey get away from me!- Oof!- "

…Byyyy the sound of the other survivor, this may be a little harder.

At the sight of the prospector, he offered a friendly wave and a smile. Of course, this wasn’t reciprocated.

“Well… I think a nice change of pace would be good for me, for one. I hope you can understand. If it bothers you, I could stand by the side?”

" Mister Campbell, thank you. But, don't you feel like Mister Star would have attacked by now if he didn't intend to be our friend? "

[ This was met with silence. ]

[ The Gardener went to the Fallen Star's side after seeing him looking a bit lonely. With a sigh, she crouches and circles around him in hopes to show the other to relax, just a little. ] " ... "

[ A fuzzy shock spread throughout the hunter's chest. Upon inspection, it seems a magnet was now connected to his person, one that matches the polarity of the thrower himself. It was clear the distance that they currently stood had been marked given how the attraction was strong enough to be visible between them. Any step closer and he'd be launched into the air. ]

" Change of pace, huh. The name is Norton Campbell. "

[ The Prospector introduced, tipping his hat up to get a better look at the hunter. He seems to stare at Liam up and down. ]

" You one of those famous entertainers? "

[ She stood up and dusted off the dirt from her pants. ]

He was so focused on looking at Emma, that he hadn’t noticed Norton aiming a magnet, and throwing it squarely at Liam. It attached quickly onto Liam, and radiated a soft vibration, the magnet’s weak attempt to repel a weak field. Of course, such a field would only be weak at this distance.

“Oh well, I guess this magnet is fine.”

Of course, this did mean he had to keep his distance from the Prospector. He wondered how his magnets worked as so, for Norton too must have a magnet for that to happen… Did he have a big magnet, just strapped on his chest? Maybe he could ask him later…

“Pleased to meet you, Norton. I’m Liam Hubert.”

" Get along.. Yeah sure. "

He bore a slightly amused grin after watching the famous star bow before him, but even that was disrupted as a fit of coughs erupted out of him. " Koff- Koff--! " --

The prospector flicked a hand off towards the two before grabbing onto the cipher machine for support. A couple more heaves -- before his fit died down. He cleared his throat and grumbled..

" Alright. Introductions over, that should be enough. "

" You can tell, yeah? I'm not in the condition for... chatting. Go bother some other guy. "

The gardener gently tugged the Fallen Star's cape, hoping to grab his attention. She turned around and crouched to open her toolbox, beckoning the hunter to come down to the ground with her.

In her toolbox, unbeknownst to Norton's eyes, was a...

LOAF OF BREAD!

" He's a grumpy one... Hehe.. Perhaps Mister Campbell is just hungry? Why don't you try giving him a snack to ease his mind! "

[ The gardener smiled and took a few steps closer to admire the pose before her. It was like meeting an idol!- Not that she saw his plays. But still, this hunter didn’t seem so scary… ]

Unlike most hunters, Liam seemed to be far friendlier. He towered over her, but yet, it didn’t feel like he was oppressing her space, even the sun seemed to shine favourably on him. Emma was a veteran at the manor, and Liam was definitely less accustomed to the manor than she was. At least he seems to be doing well.

“Oh? Is that so? Well, I hope most of the talk was favourable.”

Being famous came with its drawbacks, both in life and death. Liam learnt not to ponder too long on what others might say behind his back.

“ My name is Emma Woods, the gardener! I couldn’t catch what you said earlier, but you are quite considerate, Mr… “

[ Her smile falters for a second as she glances around for a way to bypass this obstacle. ]

“ Mr. Star! “ [ She gleams, looking proud. ]

“ Emma heard someone say otherwise, that Mr. Star could be quite the… ‘impatient’..? ‘Impulsive’? ‘Angry’? “

[ her words grow uncertain as she lists them. ]

At his newly acquired “nickname”, Liam smiled initially amusement, a stifled chuckle emerging from his lips. “Mr Star? Well, I believe it’s a nice nickname.”

At Emma’s next words, Liam blinked in confusion, or disbelief. A disappointed “Oh…” left his lips…

—Yikes! It wasn’t too late for her to run- a pallet was nearby, surely Liam wouldn’t be able to catch u-

“Ahaha, I can’t… think of anyone I could’ve offended… but I’m glad you think otherwise.” He scratched the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly in response. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much.”

Liam knew his words were a lie, he could conceive of one person who would’ve spoken of him in such foul light.

[ No- don't think like that! ]

" Should I be scared? "

[ The gardener blinks up at Liam before she sets her palm against his cane. She stares at it for a bit. ]

" It's scary to think about you attacking us... But, you haven't done anything like that! Emma hates it when people lie. That's why Emma was so happy to meet you, now for sure-! I'm sure, we can prove the rest of them wrong Mister Star! "

[ She takes out a small communicator. ]

“Oh, no. I don’t want you to be scared, I’m terribly sorry.”

Liam’s gaze quietly focused on Emma’s hand. Hopefully it was a sign that she wasn’t as scared as he had thought.

“Ah… I see. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m glad that you’re so understanding, Miss Woods.” His hand gently went to his chin, cupping it as he spoke, thinking through his words.

Prove the others wrong? Liam truly hoped that he could do so… what if they just ran off, like Emma almost did?

-------- TIMESKIP ---------

" La la laa ~ " [ The Gardener sang, skipping along the grass with much glee. It was her mission now to guide the Fallen Star to one of her teammates at the middle cipher. - Oh! But this one was a tough one! ]

[ She halts and turns around to face the hunter. Both her hands quickly shot out in front of her- as if to say "freeze!", then she runs away. As she turns the corner on one of the walls, a disgruntled voice shouts soon after. ] " Hrm? Do what? "

[ Hushed whispers emit, but the hunter can only make out the more deeper of the voices. ] " I'm not interested. Hey get away from me!- Oof!- "

…Byyyy the sound of the other survivor, this may be a little harder.

At the sight of the prospector, he offered a friendly wave and a smile. Of course, this wasn’t reciprocated.

“Well… I think a nice change of pace would be good for me, for one. I hope you can understand. If it bothers you, I could stand by the side?”

" Mister Campbell, thank you. But, don't you feel like Mister Star would have attacked by now if he didn't intend to be our friend? "

[ This was met with silence. ]

[ The Gardener went to the Fallen Star's side after seeing him looking a bit lonely. With a sigh, she crouches and circles around him in hopes to show the other to relax, just a little. ] " ... "

[ A fuzzy shock spread throughout the hunter's chest. Upon inspection, it seems a magnet was now connected to his person, one that matches the polarity of the thrower himself. It was clear the distance that they currently stood had been marked given how the attraction was strong enough to be visible between them. Any step closer and he'd be launched into the air. ]

" Change of pace, huh. The name is Norton Campbell. "

[ The Prospector introduced, tipping his hat up to get a better look at the hunter. He seems to stare at Liam up and down. ]

" You one of those famous entertainers? "

[ She stood up and dusted off the dirt from her pants. ]

Mister Valden, are you in there?! Emily told me she hasn’t seen you all day! And— there’s an alarming amount of cats running around!..

You didn’t turn into one… did you? It couldn’t be!

*there’s some scrambling noises outside the door— and a very agitated meow*

"Hello?" Edgar's voice is clearly annoyed, especially as the knocking continues. Then, of course, he listens to what Emma is saying. "A day isn't that long... and no, of course I didn't—" He grumbles, before opening the door, though a "Agh— Maple, I know someone's there, don't leave, I don't want to have to find you—" can be heard.

“ So cute!! “

[ In an instant, Edgar was pushed back in his room with Emma reaching above his newly catified ears. ]

“ A story? Is it this you’ve been keeping to yourself? Mister Valden, this is too precious to keep secret! If this is, the real you like Mister Diruse, Emma will support you! “

Still, as Emma fawned over the kitten, he fell into a soft smile. "Yes, she is. She nuzzles into my open hand quite often, and goodness knows she has crawled onto my chest when I go to bed. She's definitely one of the more social of the group..."

It did not take long for Edgar to process the gesture, and to flinch in response, which led to Maple clawing him in a desperate attempt to hold on before fleeing into Edgar's room. Somewhere in the pillow maze. His expression, while very tense, and leaning into something even more angry than the typical annoyance, had a tinge of fear, with wide eyes and with a wavering voice, cat ears laying back flat.

Perhaps the gardener had gotten ahead of herself.

The mixture of excitement from the new furry companions and the painter's smile had led her to forget about the temperment of the man before her- much less, the unspoken rules when interacting with him.

" Mister Valden... " she starts, but her mouth closes shortly after, making her fall quiet. She takes a meager step backward. Noticing his darted eyes, she averts her own, leading her gaze down towards the new cut on the painter's arm.

"..." She didn't mean to. Nobody means to. He... he's scared, he wants to believe her, he wants to yell at her to go away and shut her out. He wants the screaming inside his head to stop. Most of all, he wants to not feel like he is in danger.

Emma's voice turns quieter, and Edgar is given a moment of quiet, of examining himself. He slowly covers the new injury with a hand, processing the new red, the new pain that slowly filters in, even if it is much less than the pain of the initial moment. He knows he'll say he's fine. He knows better than to think he is. His eyes are averted, cast to the floor.

This hesitance, this wariness- all of those signs formed together a general story that didn't need to be said. It was clear the man was acting on fear, not anger. Could it do with his past? Or a bad match?

Emma doesn't expect Edgar to speak further, nor does she wait for him to justify his terror.

" Mister Valden, may you look over here? "

The gardener takes off her glove and spreads out her fingers. It was a lackluster reveal, for there was nothing to behold within her palm. Just a plain, delicate hand- one that she extended towards the other to show, not touch.

" To do anything out of the ordinary, one might need a tool. I carry nothing of those sorts... "

It seemed as if nothing she said was relaxing the painter. Was simple promises of not doing it again enough?

" Rest assured, all Emma wanted was to pet you because your ears looked so cute! And.. Emma thought, it would be most enjoyable. Even the most tense kittens seemed to relish it. "

She explained, though her voice started to waver with sadness the longer she spoke.

" ... I.. got too ahead. I once also had a scary encounter with a person with sudden .. movements too. - "

A long pause. Her throat seems to tighten up at the thought, and for a moment, the gardener's eyes seems to be elsewhere. When her eyes widen, it seems that shes back- and she wakes to see the wound now deliberately covered by Edgar's hand.

[ The gardener smiled and took a few steps closer to admire the pose before her. It was like meeting an idol!- Not that she saw his plays. But still, this hunter didn’t seem so scary… ]

Unlike most hunters, Liam seemed to be far friendlier. He towered over her, but yet, it didn’t feel like he was oppressing her space, even the sun seemed to shine favourably on him. Emma was a veteran at the manor, and Liam was definitely less accustomed to the manor than she was. At least he seems to be doing well.

“Oh? Is that so? Well, I hope most of the talk was favourable.”

Being famous came with its drawbacks, both in life and death. Liam learnt not to ponder too long on what others might say behind his back.

“ My name is Emma Woods, the gardener! I couldn’t catch what you said earlier, but you are quite considerate, Mr… “

[ Her smile falters for a second as she glances around for a way to bypass this obstacle. ]

“ Mr. Star! “ [ She gleams, looking proud. ]

“ Emma heard someone say otherwise, that Mr. Star could be quite the… ‘impatient’..? ‘Impulsive’? ‘Angry’? “

[ her words grow uncertain as she lists them. ]

At his newly acquired “nickname”, Liam smiled initially amusement, a stifled chuckle emerging from his lips. “Mr Star? Well, I believe it’s a nice nickname.”

At Emma’s next words, Liam blinked in confusion, or disbelief. A disappointed “Oh…” left his lips…

—Yikes! It wasn’t too late for her to run- a pallet was nearby, surely Liam wouldn’t be able to catch u-

“Ahaha, I can’t… think of anyone I could’ve offended… but I’m glad you think otherwise.” He scratched the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly in response. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much.”

Liam knew his words were a lie, he could conceive of one person who would’ve spoken of him in such foul light.

[ No- don't think like that! ]

" Should I be scared? "

[ The gardener blinks up at Liam before she sets her palm against his cane. She stares at it for a bit. ]

" It's scary to think about you attacking us... But, you haven't done anything like that! Emma hates it when people lie. That's why Emma was so happy to meet you, now for sure-! I'm sure, we can prove the rest of them wrong Mister Star! "

[ She takes out a small communicator. ]

“Oh, no. I don’t want you to be scared, I’m terribly sorry.”

Liam’s gaze quietly focused on Emma’s hand. Hopefully it was a sign that she wasn’t as scared as he had thought.

“Ah… I see. I understand where you’re coming from. I’m glad that you’re so understanding, Miss Woods.” His hand gently went to his chin, cupping it as he spoke, thinking through his words.

Prove the others wrong? Liam truly hoped that he could do so… what if they just ran off, like Emma almost did?

-------- TIMESKIP ---------

" La la laa ~ " [ The Gardener sang, skipping along the grass with much glee. It was her mission now to guide the Fallen Star to one of her teammates at the middle cipher. - Oh! But this one was a tough one! ]

[ She halts and turns around to face the hunter. Both her hands quickly shot out in front of her- as if to say "freeze!", then she runs away. As she turns the corner on one of the walls, a disgruntled voice shouts soon after. ] " Hrm? Do what? "

[ Hushed whispers emit, but the hunter can only make out the more deeper of the voices. ] " I'm not interested. Hey get away from me!- Oof!- "

bro listens to me when i say down.

w

hen i say quiet.