Post by monaco on Sept 30, 2012 0:47:02 GMT -6
She had somehow made it to the third floor.
Ciel had no idea how she had managed to accomplish this feat. She wasn’t overly brave or courageous, but she was known for being level-headed and her ability to remain calm. Yet her paranoia had grown throughout the duration of her continuous stay in the Manor. Any noise or movement from the corner of her eye struck a nerve inside her. The only thing she had for comfort was her flashlight, which had been on for quite a long period of time. Ciel had lost track exactly how long. Her best estimate was several hours. She absentmindedly wondered if the battery would fail anytime soon, which would cause her only source of light to dim and fade away.
She was weary, but far from being defeated. Ciel had her impetus and she would obtain what she was seeking; even if it led to her death. She was determined to learn everything she could about the Baudeau Manor – from its bloody history, dark secrets and the unsettling feeling that continued to form and thrive in the pit of stomach.
The floors creaked, seemingly mocking her terror as she gingerly made her way down the hallway. Each step resounded loudly in her ears with a low thud. Deep breaths. She was losing to the illusions and tricks of the Manor. And Ciel wouldn't allow that.
Finally, after another minute of walking, she entered the nearest room to her. She couldn’t bear to be in that hallway anymore. Anywhere else would suffice.
After a brief moment of blissful silence in her new surroundings, the strange sounds became audible once again. For now, Ciel did her best to ignore them. It was difficult, to say in the least. She would have thought that she’d have been accustomed to the irritating noises which seemed to never cease, but she wasn’t. No matter how hard she attempted to block them out and concentrate on something else, it was futile. Nothing worked.
Instead of immediately getting to work and starting her extensive reading of the records left by unfortunate others in the past, Ciel nearly collapsed into the seat closest to her. Her feet ached from her constant walking around the Manor. She needed to rest her exhausted limbs. Just a minute, she begged silently. The flashlight lay askew in her lap, still faithfully shining a bright beacon into the bleak darkness of the study. Her eyes fluttered shut.
It was ironic, she thought to herself. How desperately she clung to that simple flashlight and its comforting ray of hope. It was false security, but it was the only thing she had. And yet, she closed her eyes to rest – welcoming the darkness she fearfully penetrated only a brief time before. It was amusing; almost laughable. She had the faintest trace of a smile on her dry lips and chuckled to herself, her eyes closed and still resting. Then Ciel wondered, Am I going insane?
“Probably,” she murmured aloud. Ciel knew all too well what occurred when humans (and even nations) were deprived of the sun’s natural light for too long. It wasn’t good. Perhaps she should try and see if the door would open one more time for her. She doubted it.
Ciel opened her eyes again after her brief moment of solace, and she realized everything was completely black. But why? Her flashlight was still working perfectly last time she had checked. She flicked the switch on and off to test whether it was working or not, and there was no change from the murky darkness.
Perfect, she thought to herself, quickly growing irritated and even more paranoid she didn't have her light source. She was left alone in the dark, susceptible to any form of attack. She could die at any moment, unable to defend herself as her skin was sliced open. She quickly pushed the more violent thoughts away, but they remained in her mind; dormant, waiting.Just perfect.
Now, what could she do? Her flashlight was apparently dead, and she was unable to move from her place in the dusty study. Maybe she could try to move towards the door, having a sense where it would be, but she knew that wasn't a good idea. Anything was liable to happen without her being able to see. Her best bet would most likely be to wait for another Nation to stumble across her -- but were the chances of that happening? Especially with the way how time flowed in the Manor. It wasn't normal, and for a moment, she feared she may be trapped forever.
Quickly, she pushed the thought away. After a moment of considering her options, Ciel came to the decision that she would simply wait for approximately and hour, and if no one arrived, she would venture into the halls herself. She had no choice, otherwise; she absolutely refused to rot in the Manor's study, but would be cautious to the extreme without a source of light.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
And so, she began to count.
To be entirely clear -- I modified this thread to fit Monaco's drawing in the lottery event. When she closed her eyes, she became blind for some reason or another, and simply doesn't realize it.
Ciel had no idea how she had managed to accomplish this feat. She wasn’t overly brave or courageous, but she was known for being level-headed and her ability to remain calm. Yet her paranoia had grown throughout the duration of her continuous stay in the Manor. Any noise or movement from the corner of her eye struck a nerve inside her. The only thing she had for comfort was her flashlight, which had been on for quite a long period of time. Ciel had lost track exactly how long. Her best estimate was several hours. She absentmindedly wondered if the battery would fail anytime soon, which would cause her only source of light to dim and fade away.
She was weary, but far from being defeated. Ciel had her impetus and she would obtain what she was seeking; even if it led to her death. She was determined to learn everything she could about the Baudeau Manor – from its bloody history, dark secrets and the unsettling feeling that continued to form and thrive in the pit of stomach.
The floors creaked, seemingly mocking her terror as she gingerly made her way down the hallway. Each step resounded loudly in her ears with a low thud. Deep breaths. She was losing to the illusions and tricks of the Manor. And Ciel wouldn't allow that.
Finally, after another minute of walking, she entered the nearest room to her. She couldn’t bear to be in that hallway anymore. Anywhere else would suffice.
After a brief moment of blissful silence in her new surroundings, the strange sounds became audible once again. For now, Ciel did her best to ignore them. It was difficult, to say in the least. She would have thought that she’d have been accustomed to the irritating noises which seemed to never cease, but she wasn’t. No matter how hard she attempted to block them out and concentrate on something else, it was futile. Nothing worked.
Instead of immediately getting to work and starting her extensive reading of the records left by unfortunate others in the past, Ciel nearly collapsed into the seat closest to her. Her feet ached from her constant walking around the Manor. She needed to rest her exhausted limbs. Just a minute, she begged silently. The flashlight lay askew in her lap, still faithfully shining a bright beacon into the bleak darkness of the study. Her eyes fluttered shut.
It was ironic, she thought to herself. How desperately she clung to that simple flashlight and its comforting ray of hope. It was false security, but it was the only thing she had. And yet, she closed her eyes to rest – welcoming the darkness she fearfully penetrated only a brief time before. It was amusing; almost laughable. She had the faintest trace of a smile on her dry lips and chuckled to herself, her eyes closed and still resting. Then Ciel wondered, Am I going insane?
“Probably,” she murmured aloud. Ciel knew all too well what occurred when humans (and even nations) were deprived of the sun’s natural light for too long. It wasn’t good. Perhaps she should try and see if the door would open one more time for her. She doubted it.
Ciel opened her eyes again after her brief moment of solace, and she realized everything was completely black. But why? Her flashlight was still working perfectly last time she had checked. She flicked the switch on and off to test whether it was working or not, and there was no change from the murky darkness.
Perfect, she thought to herself, quickly growing irritated and even more paranoid she didn't have her light source. She was left alone in the dark, susceptible to any form of attack. She could die at any moment, unable to defend herself as her skin was sliced open. She quickly pushed the more violent thoughts away, but they remained in her mind; dormant, waiting.Just perfect.
Now, what could she do? Her flashlight was apparently dead, and she was unable to move from her place in the dusty study. Maybe she could try to move towards the door, having a sense where it would be, but she knew that wasn't a good idea. Anything was liable to happen without her being able to see. Her best bet would most likely be to wait for another Nation to stumble across her -- but were the chances of that happening? Especially with the way how time flowed in the Manor. It wasn't normal, and for a moment, she feared she may be trapped forever.
Quickly, she pushed the thought away. After a moment of considering her options, Ciel came to the decision that she would simply wait for approximately and hour, and if no one arrived, she would venture into the halls herself. She had no choice, otherwise; she absolutely refused to rot in the Manor's study, but would be cautious to the extreme without a source of light.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
And so, she began to count.
---
To be entirely clear -- I modified this thread to fit Monaco's drawing in the lottery event. When she closed her eyes, she became blind for some reason or another, and simply doesn't realize it.