starhuevalley | Mingle post: Haunted House Maze

Mingle post: Haunted House Maze

What: Sebastian opens a haunted-house maze
When: Open for the entire month of October 1 to 31, but the post is open forever. Open in the late afternoons to late nights, the haunted house is closed after midnight. If you visit the house after 9pm, the lights of the house will shut off and the house is completely dark, but flashlights will be given to guests.
Other information: Just put in your subject title if you're OTA or if you want to lock it if you have parties/CR involved in mind! There are convenient NPCs on the premises to serve as actors or security guards. Please don't injure or kill them, they are residents and locals from that valley Sebastian hired to maintain the house and as the manager, he protects them. Otherwise, feel free to accidentally break any props or furniture while on the property, but Sebastian will immediately replace them. More info and house layout on the ooc comm if you have questions to ask!

Video
"Good evening and greetings everyone. I am Sebastian, the butler of the Phantomhive Household. On the behalf of the Earl Phantomhive, I want to announce that we officially open a haunted house to celebrate this month's festivities. There's a fee for admissions so visit us during opening hours. If you have any questions, feel free to ask my staff on the premise or ask me any questions you may have. All are invited and welcome."

Action
The haunted house is a classic Victorian house, a small size manor that is located on a hill where everyone can see the decorations of pumpkins and ghouls being placed on the frontyard. A steep cobblestone step leads up toward the house. The signs outside on the front to make it look ominous and scary with stoney ridgeback gargoyles guarding the front gate.

The house is not really haunted, but Sebastian sure decorates and designed it to look that way. At the front desk, the clerk on duty handed out maps and everyone is given a map of the house's layout upon entry and the map shows the emergency exit signs. If the guests visit after 9pm, the house is completely dark and flashlights will be given to guests.

The house has four levels and the property is categorized into five zones: The first floor, the second floor, the third floor, and the fourth floor which happens to be the attic. The fifth zone is the hedge maze garden which is located in the backyard and is connected to one of the exits.

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[OPEN]

[Of course he was there to see what had become of his idea. And he has to admit that Sebastian has, as usual, outdone himself. He never really doubted him, even with the changes they'd both gone through by being on other worlds.

What he sees is what he's most used to. The house looks a great deal like one back in England, which he instinctively knows means there's plenty of rooms to get lost in or get frightened. He's actually a little worried that some people really might get lost for a long period here.

At least Sebastian probably knows the layout perfectly if they need to search for anyone.]

[CLOSED TO SOMAKEMELAUGH AND NOFAKES]

[He knows Halloween is Undertaker's favorite holiday, and with his brother back from the dead, it all seems too perfect. Even if he and his twin are off to a rocky start, they're still brothers, and they're all family. A bit of time together really can't hurt.

And it's a better way for them to spend time together than anything he'd have thought up. Which is to say, he wouldn't have been able to come up with anything even vaguely interesting.

Once they're all there, he's already gotten flashlights for all three of them, although he imagines he and Undertaker will be more comfortable with them than his brother, coming straight from England.]

[Ah, flashlights. He vaguely remembers those, having had almost nothing to do with them in his time in London or out of it. But he does know their purpose and he does know the Earls had made plans to go to this event. As much as he loves this holiday, it feels slightly soiled now that he's attending an event even partly hosted by the one thing that could destroy half of his remaining family. Couldn't the damned demon have picked a different holiday to ruin?]

[Despite it all, he appears with a smile, per his norm, and a set of robes and boots fitting what he had once been, looking about the place as if he could properly see it.]

So, this is it, is it?

[Leanne was still scared of humans and just about anything that wasn't a Laguz. But still, she was now married to a human.... One who seems to enjoy marking up her neck. She was exploring this place called a hunted house and then what Ciel predicted happened. She managed to get completely and utterly lost in the house.

She somehow found herself trapped in a room and gotten tangled up in sheets, to the point where her mouth was covered. She looks over towards the door and just has... The worlds most pathetic and hopeful expression. Please let someone find her and soon. She wants out of here.]

[He hadn't really planned to be going through the house when everything closed down for the night but he is trying to be more responsible. A little less the pampered Earl of Phantomhive and more a productive member of the community and his family. After all, he doesn't have the strength or the resources to contribute in other ways, morale will have to work in place of it.

He's not sure what kind of system Sebastian has in place to check the house to be sure it's clear but he goes room by room, leaving the doors open when he's done so he knows what's been checked and what hasn't.

Before long, he comes on Leanne's room and flicks on the lights without expecting much. Nobody had reported anyone missing yet- at least, he hadn't heard about it. It could have been that Sebastian was trying to let him enjoy time with his little family.

It isn't hard to spot her when he comes in, blinking in surprise for only a moment before moving quickly to her side and starting to untangle the sheets. Uncovering her mouth first, of course.]

Are you alright?

[This... This was both pathetic and embarrassing. She will have to make sure not to let her husband know about this for fear of teasing.

Emerald eyes blink at the sight of such a little nestling coming to her aide. Leanne just goes to blush quite a bit as her mouth was uncovered first before her wings were untangled from the sheets.]

Yes... Yes, I am. Thank you.

[So much blushing from her own embarrassment and at easily she gotten tangled.]

I must apologize for looking so unseemly right now. I am in your debt for freeing me.

[Oh! Wings! He wasn't expecting wings, and can't help a small step back in surprise. She won't see any fear from him, at least. It's purely surprise and it's brief, the young noble regaining his bearings to shake his head.]

You don't owe me any debts. I know I wouldn't want to be stuck in here all night.

[Leanne blinks as he steps back and goes to hold her wings in an submissive position, in order to make herself look non threatening. She was glad that he didnt have any fear and she will try to keep it like that. She goes to let outban embarressed giggle and nods her head.]

Thank you all the same. Something frightened me and the next thing I knew... I was like how you found me.

Edited 2018-10-15 22:16 (UTC)

[His cheeks color a little, thinking he's made her feel awkward. And silently berating himself for such ungentlemanly conduct.]

I'm not all that surprised, plenty of things could happen when you're frightened. Let's be glad it was something so harmless as being tangled up. A haunted house might be a bit much in the future though, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would hate to see you hurt.

It was the demon's surprise for Astre and the haunted house was made perfectly to be scary and to entertain guest with the best thrills. Though from the demon's point of view, the thrills are too cheap by the demon's standards. Sebastian noticed that Astre brought the Undertaker and his twin brother to the haunted house as a group, but that was to be expected as they're housemates and being the butler and servant, he sees them on a frequent basis.

When they checked in at the front desk, he made a bow to the both of them, still playing the host. "Good evening. I hope all of you enjoy yourselves tonight. It's completely dark inside, so please use the flashlight to find your way through the darkness."

Though he glared a little at the older twin and the Undertaker. The demon loyalty follows his true Master, the younger. While he trusts nothing will go wrong as long the Undertaker goes with them together inside, being the chaperone, the little one and the Undertaker still don't quite trust the demon...and the mistrust is mutual, but for Astre sake, the demon decided to play along for appearances and smile warmly, being friendly...for now.

"Please, enjoy yourselves, and if anything goes wrong, there are designated exits if it gets too intense."

They may have been cheap but the fact that the haunted house would be fun was most important. And, sometimes, cheap and cheesy thrills turned out to be some of the best. Not that Astre would really know, Sebastian had usually handled Halloween festivities in England. And his part had been small, usually giving candy to the children of the estate and just generally hosting the event.

It was probably out of place, at least to what Sebastian was used to, but the teen smiled up at him in response, holding the lit flashlight under his chin like he'd seen some kids in Riverview do around Halloween. Mixed with the hooded sweater he'd picked up, he hoped he made a moderately spooky sight.

"Thank you, Sebastian. For putting all this together." It felt a litter easier now, talking with him, with all the fears he'd held about the contract seals removal and his soul when he'd arrived. At least, now that he knew Sebastian wasn't going to eat him immediately.

"I'm sure it'll be a hit!"

The demon only nodded, "Yes my Lord." Of course, that's his usual phrase to confirm approval. He was behind the front desk, managing the staff and keeping track who checked in and who checked out.

His expression reveal nothing when Astre disappeared behind the door with the group, other than being hard at work and being a professional and still working. Still, it was a test of trust when he's gone with them. Without the contract seal, he won't be able to sense him at a far distance unless Astre is close by his side. But at this point, they had a discussion and reached an agreement on the condition of their bond.

It was after closing time, that Sebastian and his staff works together to clean the rooms and shut-down for the day. No one can be dismissed until the premises is clear of guests.

Before Astre can go home, Sebastian met up with him in the lobby, "Young Master, would you like to help me closing the house?" After all, the house might be more interesting and more fun after closing time, and perhaps quiet now that the guests are gone, and tonight's show is finished.

Edited 2018-10-15 21:05 (UTC)

He stopped, looking back to Sebastian before giving a little nod. And then took a moment to promise Undertaker and his twin that he'd be home soon. After all, how long could it take? He didn't think many people would be lingering in the house. He hadn't really be in a position to keep track of numbers of visitors though. And Sebastian was efficient usually anyway, so he'd make up for whatever slow pace Astre set.

"Gladly, Sebastian. It's the least I could do, after all, since you put everything together." And it wouldn't be scary this time like when he'd gone through with his family. A definite benefit there.

After he closed down the house, Sebastian will walk by his side and escort on the road to make sure he gets home safely, especially when it's really dark outside at night.

The house is completely different during closing time. With the lights on, it's easy to see the props, the paints of blood and gore on the walls and floor, and the spooky décor in each room and how it was set up specifically to look terrifying. The lights reveal the set and the furniture. The house is no longer scary with the lights on, but it's easy to see it's all set up as part of the act.

"It's easy to do. Just check very room and make sure they're empty, and if you find someone, lead them back to the lobby. Leave the clean up to me and the staff. If you need help, just give me a call on the phone."

Overall, Sebastian did...find it fun to set up everything, considering it was a tradition back at the manor that Ciel is a host and Sebastian the servant did the rest.

Astre tucked his hands into his pocket, much more at ease now than he had been after their arrival. And with all the props and tricks revealed when the house is lit up, any lingering anxiety from exploring the haunted house melted away.

"I can handle that. Are you sure you don't need help cleaning though? It doesn't entirely feel right to just leave it to everyone else." And he'd done his fair share of chores in Riverview and since arriving here. Anything to make life easier for the lot of them, especially with the house here being smaller than anything he's ever lived in before.

At least this was a little more interesting than in England though. With the exception of all the traditions that the other servants had suggested mixing into the event.

With the lights on, the house is revealed for Astre to view and tour. Everything else is an artistic trick, carefully painted and decorated. "Don't worry about it, my Lord. I'm pretty sure everyone else is capable of the clean up. I hired them after all. Just check the rooms once or twice if you have to." But he can see Astre wanted to be useful and helpful.

The butler enjoyed upkeeping the Phantomhive tradition, if not for the aesthetics. At least, his Young Master shall now be known for his reputation in fun and games for the locals to learn.

Grinning, the demon did nudge Astre to have fun while he works. "The house is empty now." So it's less scary. And the staff who plays the monsters behave normally as they doubled their jobs as the clean up crew. "Feel free to explore and have a look around. I will allow you to stay up late even though it's way past your bedtime."

Usually Sebastian is strict in maintaining schedule and curfews...but for now, he's being pretty lenient and laidback even for being the butler.

Oh, he had absolutely no doubts about the capability of those Sebastian had hired. The demon always had been thorough, even if the manor staff sometimes left one wanting. They were, at least, all very skilled in their primary task of protecting him and his household.

When he found himself being nudged, he couldn't help a little grin and a faint chuckle. "You must realize by now that Undertaker and I have stayed up late a few times." Although, Undertaker tended to be just as careful about Astre's health and making sure he slept enough. Especially after he had made himself sick once already, in Riverview, by denying himself sleep.

He'd gotten an earful for that and he didn't recount the incident to Sebastian. Another scolding for the precious year wasn't high on his list of wants.

"What would you suggest I see?"

It seems the Undertaker has grown to be quite a guardian, despite there's a difference between the reaper and the demon in terms of core abilities. "I did. Staying up later past your bedtime...I suppose that means you had grown up."

With the butler around, he will make sure Astre will sleep on time. The demon is only learning how fragile humans can be, especially with human's weakness to disease and illnesses as the demon is immune to such fragilities, especially Astre's condition concerning his allergies and asthma.

At his question, the demon turned to look at the stairs, where the lights light up the stairs and up in the halls on the second floor. "Start anywhere you like. Though if you want to help with the linens and sweeping, you may check if there is anyone is in need of assistance on the second floor where the bedrooms are and check the empty bedrooms up there. That would be a start."

They were very different. And it had been odd, adjusting to how Undertaker had looked after him compared to how Sebastian had. He'd managed though, more quickly than he'd have thought, but the nightmares that had returned when his memories had left him trying to find company to ease the terror. And Undertaker had been all he had. And he'd never objected to looking out for him.

"I have had an extra year. A little more now though, I suppose." Not quite grown up but he'd grown more than he had been. He'd learned to cook, but that had become a necessity. Sort of. Undertaker had been appalled to find Ciel eating instant meals or take-out, when he'd moved into his apartment. He hadn't wanted to ask anyone for help or give any hints that he couldn't manage on his own.

"I could do that, I'm sure." A pause, and curious: "What are you going to do?"

The butler is aware that whatever happened in Riverview, the Undertaker has his guardian since his absence and assist Astre in his place. Being a demon at his core, Sebastian isn't the one who can be of any help concerning Astre's nightmares, being during his entire time of serving him, Sebastian entire existence and his ties to the contract was one of the reasons why his nightmare kept recurring.

With Sebastian around and living in the countryside, he hopes Astre eats less of the processed, junk food and focus on the healthier foods that the valley has to offer when cooked right. It wouldn't make him any more appetizing. Souls are what they ate for one lifetime and he'll be damned if Astre tastes like instant ramen noodles or like greasy foods available, so the demon would be equally appalled but for a different reason.

"I'll check the rest of the house." Before Astre went up the stairs. "You'll be all right. The lights are on now and the staff are not monsters. They're the residents of the valley who wears makeup and costume, so that was all." As Sebastian is confident with the lights on, no one gets lost. "If you get lost, just come back downstairs and meet me and wait for me in the lobby."

He wouldn't lie and say that Sebastian hadn't contributed to some of his earlier nightmares. Or that removing his eye hadn't brought them back, his fear of the demons ire pushing to the front of his thoughts when he'd arrived in Starhue.

Astre might have argued though that sometimes greasy food or instant ramen was worth the lack of nutritional value. It was simply good for the soul, and he would realize the irony in that. A bit like the sweets he tried to indulge in a little too often.

"Alright." And then a cheeky little grin. "I'll try not to get too lost. You did a good job on all of this, I wouldn't be surprised to find a few tricks and surprises left over that no one found."

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Mingle post: Haunted House Maze

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