Player Plot - Haunted House 2 - The Moogle Test of Courage

[not_most_days]

Characters: Moogles and Heroes who signed up. Latecomers welcome for a brief time
Where: An old run down shrine north of Aqures Ixen
When: October 20th
Summary: Mysterious letters have gone out, inviting moogles to come take part in a test of courage, and inviting Heroes to come and be the monsters for it.
Warning: 2SPOOKY It’s too late a skeleton is inside you

Throughout the month letters were arriving in mailboxes, though it was never clear who actually did the deliveries. This was further complicated by the fact that the letters addressed to the Heroes who received them were all requesting a level of secrecy from them for the sake of making this event go off without a hitch. The letters that came to the moogles on the other hand only spoke of a challenge, and a promise of prizes and glory to the bravest of moogles, if they could prove themselves. The letters were simply signed Kutan. No letters sent back to them would be replied to.

The Heroes were encouraged to show up early on the 20th, while the moogles were told to come at sundown.

Comments

Hero Mingle

[not_most_days]

Kutan was nowhere in sight, but all supplies within reason that were requested could be found in the shrine, as well as a few seemingly picked out at Kutan’s own judgement. They were certainly prepared for a fun night of haunting. A note is left on a table, in the same hand paw as the letters they all received.

Thank you all for coming, kupo. I’m sure this will be a night you all remember, but if your fellow moogles are indeed brave they may find the courage to better support you in your coming battles. I wish them well and I look forward to seeing them later, kupo. Don’t worry, I will watch over them and I promise they won’t get hurt.

If any moogles decide that they wish to put their courage to a second and harsher test, please direct them to the cave behind the shrine, but first let’s have them brave their way here, kupo.

Kupo,
Kutan

Moogle Mingle

[not_most_days]

From the base of the forest below the shrine one could just see its old roof rising up. It was a fair distance away, but it seemed that the lights were lit. Someone had definitely prepared all of this for the brave little adventurers. But who? That mysterious Kutan? Clearly they had help.

The torii gate that signified the entrance to the shrine area wasn’t that far away, but the moogles had been directed to this small caretaker’s shed, far enough away that the gate wasn’t quite in view and certainly not in earshot. The shed was empty save for some gardening supplies, lanterns, a note, and a bowl of candy.

My fellow Moogles,
Thank you all for coming tonight. I know not many perform the Test of Courage anymore, but it’s an older way of celebrating the Night of Thirteen Moogles, kupo. Thank you for coming to take part in an old tradition and I hope you have a frightfully fun evening.

Please split yourselves up into groups of no more than 3 or 4, and please give each other time before each group leaves. While there is strength in numbers, it’s important to show your own courage tonight and not simply hide behind that of others, kupo! I have faith you all will find your way. Keep your ears open and your poms vigilant. There is a secret to be uncovered here tonight, and if you do perhaps you can make your own mark in the trials to come for your Heroes, kupo.

See you soon,

Kutan

Pen-Pen and Shinji

[iknowtheconsequences]

After his declaration to the Heroes at the Sage's meeting, Shinji is more determined than ever to face down his fears. Or, at least, he felt pretty determined when he left the house. By the time he gets to the shed, he is his usual shaky self again. The hat he usually steals from Kaji was left at home, but he is hanging on with both paws to a good luck charm that he was presented with. It is a small keychain with a bell on it (taken from the school bag of Shinji's namesake).

Pen-Pen, on the other hand, is acting cool and relaxed, already helping himself to some of the candy. He thinks he's just here for moral support, which Shinji reiterates. "You- you'd better not go far, kupo." "Qwak!"

Duster | OTA

[mindofathief]

Duster unwrapped the cloth protecting the paper-mâché zombie mask and set it on the break room table. He has spend the past week painting blood on his torn outfit, creating the mask, and finding the right markers to color his exposed skin. Tamekichi was no help. The Moogle decided that haunted houses weren't work the time of cool, suave postal workers like him and left his Hero to his own devices. Duster, who had no clue how to do arts and crafts. Duster, who had wanted to come as a bedsheet ghost before convinced otherwise.

But they were right. Ghosts weren't that scary. Some where nice and partied all night with wine and rotten food. This was supposed to be a test of courage, not a test of hospitality.

At the very least, his limp helped sell the image of a zombie. He tests it out, wearing the mask and exaggerating his hobbling as he wanders from one edge of the room to the other. All was good, things were going to be good.

...Until he pulled off the mask five minutes later breathing heavily, his face flushed.

Ophelia

[bloodypast]

Ophelia, given the books she read and stories from her relatives, didn't think she'd be too scared. She was looking forward to the test of courage anyways, for the fun it offered. Still, her paws were wringing in her scarf in excitement as she looked for familiar faces, or any younger moogles she could help provide a stable presence for.

[has_been_faking]

Ed decided to go with makeup over a mask, wearing a suit and hat he's properly worn down to look like he came fresh from the grave. Now that he sees Duster huffing and puffing, he'd glad he went this route, no matter how much of a pain it was to get the makeup looking right.

Making sure no moogles were coming, he walked up to Duster, grinning while trying to look sympathetic.

"You doing alright there?"

[mindofathief]

"Y-yeah..." He panted a few more times before he pushed himself off his knees. "I think I should've made bigger breathing holes."

He ran his thumb over the nose of the mask. Dried paper and glue stuck out everywhere on that part of the mask, and Duster let it me. Zombies were supposed to look ugly. Unfortunately, some of the material was blocking the small holes he pierced.

Lydia | OTA

[deadlyvu]

Lydia never had really decided on what costume she'd have or role she'd play in the moogle test of courage. She supposed, really, she could just 'float and be scary' so to speak. Certainly between her Vampire Job, and her own history of pranking, she could add to the excitement.

As it is, she's gone rather monochromatic and classic in her look. Ready, between her lack of shadow and her utter silence, to help playfully frighten their companions.

Betel-Po

[deadlyvu]

Betel-Po is off to the side, arms crossed and pom hanging at a slight angle over his shaggy fur. He's freshly dyed stripes in the rest of his fur, and is muttering to himself. Determined to not be scared, because he knows better. It's just gonna be a bunch of pranks, kupo. Not gonna get the better of him!

[OOC:SOMEONE is susceptible to jump scares, and trying to be brave and psyche himself up.]

Lita Kino - OTA

[got_talent]

Whew! It's getting hot in here.

[The big scary demon pops off its horned head, tucking it loosely under one padded muscular arm. The fluffy white mane hangs down to the ground as Lita brushes the sweat from her brow and punches a fist against her hip, smiling. She's in a pretty good mood so far. All she has to do is pop out and wave her hands in the air with some growling noises, and that should be enough.]

[Still...]

Hey, the Moogles do know what this is all about, don't they? If they think we're just trying to scare them because we think it's funny, this seems kinda mean.

[ninjainviolet]

Like his Hero, Corrine had developed a habit of sneaking up on others--whether they were Moogle or not. He didn't do it all the time, however. Doing so would have ruined the specialness of the surprise if people began to expect it from him. No, he only saved it for special occasions.

And this was a special occasion.

Moving quietly above Betel-Po, he suddenly dropped down in front of him, wearing a mask and shouting one word.

"BOO!"

[has_been_faking]

"Ah, typical mistake. Or I'm assuming. I mean, I have no idea how to make a good mask, so I'd probably overlook something like that too."

Ed felt around his jacket until he found what pocket he had a pen hiding in, and hands it over to Duster.

"Here. It's not much, but you might be able to poke bigger holes in it with that. Not going to be able to scare any if you can't breath in there, right?"

[mindofathief]

A nod of thanks, and Duster spread his fingers on the inside of the mask to provide support as he shifted the tip of the pen around the nose. When he found the exact hole he made, he pushed the pen in slowly in the hopes that it didn't tear up the entire nose. A zombie with busted nostrils only looked scary if it didn't have old newspapers falling out of it.

The head of the pen slid through, breaking up the glued paper around the nostrils. This should be good, Duster thought.

"Thanks," he said as he held out the pen with one hand and put the mask to his face with the other.

[rialynn]

"Whoa, you okay there?" Rialynn's costume still made her easily recognizable to those who knew her. White ragged clothes dappled with gray paint in the creases adorned her, like a tattered ballroom gown. Her hair and face were both powdered white, so that the ivory color even clung to her lashes.

It wouldn't be obvious until she started singing eerily at the Moogles, but she'd opted to go for banshee. Jumping out and scaring the Moogles up close just seemed way too mean, and she'd already advised Kunia not to participate in this. She was such a kind and sweet little thing, it would have broken Rialynn's heart to frighten her even for the sake of a holiday.

But for Duster to get winded that quickly didn't seem to bode well. She put a hand on his shoulder to steady him, her pale brow wrinkled with concern. "Is it the mask? I can do your makeup for you if you'd prefer that."

[mindofathief]

"Y..." Duster wheezed before opting to nod. He held his mask up, laying it horizontally so better take a look at the nose holes.

Just as he thought, they were too small. He was essentially covering his mouth and nose.

"No, you don't have to do that. I spent a week on this mask, but..." He held it out for Rialynn to check. "It looks like the breathing holes got covered up."

Re: Pen-Pen and Shinji

[not_most_days]

Bonnie was excited. This was going to be a fun outing. She wasn't sure who this Kutan was, but she was ready and willing to show just how brave she was. Spotting Shinji and his companion she flutters right over to the pair.

"Oh man! This is so exciting, kupo! Are you ready? I wonder what kind of spooky things we'll see, kupo."

Re: Ophelia

[neverfirstclass]

While the other moogles mingled and chattered and tried to put on a brave face, it seemed there was one ruder moogle who brought a book along with him. Sitting on a stool near the candy table Mako was making a show of ignoring everyone else as he kept is nose buried in his reading, his pom showing over it.

Did he really show up just to make a display of not being interested?

[rialynn]

"You made this yourself?" Rialynn's pale eyebrows shot up. She looked at the mask again, really studying it this time. "Duster, this is really good. I would have thought it was something a craftsman would sell in his shop!"

She dropped to one knee, rolling up the tattered hem of her costume to draw a small throwing knife from the inside cuff of her boot, and passed it to Duster. "Here, will this help? Maybe you can widen the holes a little with the tip."

Hopefully he didn't plan on using this mask to scare her to death after the trial of courage for the Moogles, because she was pretty sure she would have fallen for it in a frantic heartbeat.

[has_been_faking]

He nodded as he put the pen back in his jacket. He looked around at the currently empty woods.

"Not a problem. Though I realize, maybe we're not in so much of a rush after all. Do you think the moogles were too scared to try, or just can't take this seriously? My guess is the latter. Er, except in Mogrissa's case. She'd be the former."

Ed's own moogle helper was more than a little on the shy side. He wasn't sure she even got up the courage to show up to the event at all.

Re: Ophelia

[bloodypast]

Ophelia knew who Mako was, as they'd interacted occasionally, but he had never seemed the most social of moogles. Quite a contrast to his own Hero, Cloud. (Then again, Spencer was a contrast to Sephiroth, and she was a contrast to Vincent, never mind Sohma...so perhaps it was a trend.)

Fluttering over, her pom visible over the top of the book as she smiled. "Did you really come here and just plan to read during all of it, Mako kupo?" Teasing, her tone welcoming and playful.

[deadlyvu]

Betel-Po would, MUCH later, maintain that it was not a yell or cry of fear. Nope, TOTALLY a battle-cry! Nevertheless, the sudden surprise had him yelling "KUPO!" in startlement. Paws coming up as he jumped, and looked ready to fight even if his eyes were wide and he'd been scared.

[mindofathief]

"What?" Duster leaned back, a crooked smile forming on his face. "I just followed the instructions the craftsman gave me, that's all." It was a mess, though mostly unintentional. If this were meant to be anything other than a decaying zombie, Rialynn would not have complimented it so.

Masterwork or not, he accepted the knife. Stabbing a hole was easy with something so sharp. He held the mask horizontally, closing one eye to better aim the knife.

"Hidden weapons are pretty good in a fight. You know how to throw knives?"

[mindofathief]

He shrugged, fingers on both hands spread out along the sides of the mask to hold it up without touching the paint job. "Tamekichi said he had better things to do. Maybe he was scared, but he's the kind of Moogle who cares about his image. He probably thought no one would take him seriously if he came."

Re: Ophelia

[neverfirstclass]

Mako made a bit of a display of ignoring Ophelia for a moment before looking up over the top of his book. With a soft sigh he rested his arms along the rim of the cover, looking at her over his glasses with a bit of an annoyed look.

"Cloud said I should come out here, kupo. I'd rather have just spent the evening in. I've never really been a fan of this holiday, kupo." Smartypants moogle thinks he has nothing to prove.

Re: Ophelia

[bloodypast]

"Even if you're not a fan of the holiday kupo," Ophelia wouldn't blame any Hero's companion for not liking this holiday. "It's nice to come out and be social outside of a crisis, isn't it?"