First Reply The Haunting

[Valery Noble]

The Mansion

​

Outfit: Vampire Costume
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Jenn Kryze Irwin Vuull

"I wasn't scared," She said with a defensive huff, even though she knew he was mostly teasing her. He was just able to do it in a way that made her pout, huff and argue against it. "Just worried that someone might be freezing out there." Or worse, that someone was out there waiting to cause trouble. The blizzard was already quite a problem, so having anybody or anything add to it would not be a great thing right now.

Valery then walked over to the bed and plopped down right on top of him, on purpose, to pin his arms down against the bed. She grinned, leaned in for a kiss, then sat back up while she kept him underneath her. "Who is scared now, huh?" she teased before she plopped down beside him for cuddles.

Her hand slowly began to move up along his chest, and her eyes searched for his, "Why don't we have a bit of fun- oh what the!" She screamed as the sound of glass shattering in the bathroom caught her off guard. The door was closed, and the two couldn't see what was there.

"...love?"

...
Meanwhile, Jenn had found herself some privacy and the atmosphere felt nice and quiet. Downstairs, it had been crowded with people until they started making their way up to their own rooms. But now, she could think about her worries alone, and figure out what was going on without being bothered.

At least, she'd have hoped.

As soon as she looked back up from washing her hands, and her eyes settled on the mirror above the sink, she'd see something. A reflection from the mirror that was behind her in the main Hotel room — something was staring at her, but it wouldn't linger if she turned around.

...
Irwin would find similar peace inside his own room, but unlike the others, he was more interested in catching up on some much-needed sleep. He prepared the room, and after getting comfortable in bed, found himself with plenty of peace to start slowly falling asleep.

But after a while, he'd find himself awake again, as the sound of rapid footsteps in the hallway of the room caught his attention. It sounded almost like an animal, or perhaps a child running through the room with bare feet over carpet. If he were to turn around, he'd notice that the door of his room was no longer locked.

It was just barely open, with a small crack of light from the hallway shining into his room.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

LOCATION: The Mansion, Jenn's Room
Objective: Rest up for the night.
Equipment: .... uuuuh-
Tags: [ Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Irwin Vuull ]

Calm down. You've trained for this. Just... remember what Damsy told you. Deep breaths.

Nobody in the mansion had seen her gills just yet: they were barely perceptible in the first place, after all, and she surely would have heard a comment or two about them. All she had to do was to... find a scarf and wrap it around her neck loosely enough. It would be uncomfortable, but she could always breathe through her nose as humans did if it came down to it.

The water washed away the slime from her hands, and the moisture gave her a greater degree of control over herself. Closing her eyes, the Ersansyr focused inward, concentrating on her form... and, with a gasp, she felt the webbing retracted into her fingers. The crisis was averted, and so she opened her eyes once more, stopped the flow of water, and went to dry her hands with a towel.

That was when her gaze turned towards the mirror.

The Mandalorian inhaled sharply, frozen in place. Reaching out for her belt, she found neither holster nor blaster, a reminder of just how ill-equipped she was to deal with... anything. Not that she expected blaster fire to send whatever that thing was right back to where it came from, but, then again, fear had a way to make her act on instinct. Looking back down towards the sink, her eyes sought something she could use as a weapon - anything. Anything to give her the confidence to turn around and face the reflection with something more than-

Oh. There was a better solution.

It only took a moment for her to shift again, and this time, she did so willingly. The webbing returned, as did the cracking of bones as fingers turned to claws- and, armed with something giving her a touch more confidence, the Ersansyr spun around, ready to meet the apparition with her claws-

Only to be met with... nothing.

Jenn knew better than to dismiss what she had seen, walking on over to her winter coat- fully intending to go and get the comms code given to her by Valery, which she'd put in one of her pockets.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Demons."

Kahlil nodded once as he looked to the bathroom with a frown. Only a demon would get in the way of Valery like that. He frowned, looked to the door, then rather casually just reached out with the Force to pull said door open. Whoever it was that was making a ruckus in there was about to learn why they don't get in the way of the Noble's private time. Though, as the door swung open, there was nothing save for the shattered mirror within.

The Jedi took a deep breath.

"Hotel's haunted."

Valery Noble | Irwin Vuull | Jenn Kryze

 

[Irwin Vuull]

Tags: Jenn Kryze | Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble
Weapons: Blaster

Irwin rolled in his bed, a crack of light shined into his closed eyes. Opening them he noticed his door was barely opened. The sound of pattering feet on carpet startled him enough to make him a more alert. Sitting up in bed he looked around the dark room not able to see much of anything. Reaching for his blaster he took it and primed it.

Except for a little light emanating from the door, the room was shrouded in darkness. Sitting up then hopping out of bed Irwin walked towards the door and opened it all the way to let more light in, in his groggy state he didn't even think to flip the light switch. Still he understood that a locked door being opened couldn't be some sort of house pets doing.

He aimed his blaster where ever he was looking. The bathroom door was open so he peered in but saw nothing, though he didn't check behind the shower curtain as he just refused to. He elected that closing the door would be the wisest option as he didn't know how to clear rooms. He was trained in self defense just not military urban tactics.

The chair in the back corner looked like it had someone in it, they appeared to be moving and breathing. It seemed as if they were leaning forward just a little and turning their head to stare at Irwin but seemingly vanished when he blinked. Irwin chalked it up to his tired state, the new threat that could be in his room, and the shadows playing tricks on him.

Walking around the room he spotted nothing out of the ordinary, though it was dark out and he couldn't really see the corners. That left one place to check, under the bed. Walking over to his bed, he bent down, aiming a blaster at the sheets. He then moved his hand to them and pulled it up, ready for any surprises.

 

[Valery Noble]

The Mansion

​

Outfit: Vampire Costume
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Jenn Kryze Irwin Vuull

Valery inched just a little closer to her husband while she remained seated in bed, and held her hands around the arm that supported him to sit up as well. With the one hand she allowed him to use, he flung the door open, but there was nothing. Just a cracked mirror and even more questions. "Really? Now you believe it?" Valery grumbled something and stepped out of bed to walk over to the bathroom. She was on bare feet, and there was glass on the floor, so she walked carefully and headed inside to take a better look.

But as soon as she entered, the door behind her slammed shut, and both Nobles could hear the click of it locking. Valery, startled by the sudden sound, turned around and banged on the door, but whatever was causing all of this didn't seem to appreciate it. Like she was lifted up by the wind, Valery was flung back and crashed against the wall, shattering several tiles in the process, before she slumped down against the ground.

"Ugh..." she groaned, luckily unharmed beyond some bruises, but the world was spinning for her.

...
Jenn, who had been targeted her own way, managed to reach for her comms but when she sent out the signal, there was just static. The signal in the mansion was strong, and she should have easily been able to reach Valery even if she wasn't wearing her comms unit. But no matter who she'd try to contact, there was nothing.

As if she was in a world of her own.

Then, heavy footsteps appeared further down the hallway outside her room. They were slow, but getting closer and closer, and the Force was sending her a warning.

Something was coming.

...
After his own first encounter, Irwin pulled open the sheets and saw... nothing. But before he could feel any sense of relief, he'd be caught off-guard by a loud screech directly behind him. A ghostly woman dressed in a nightgown was screaming with her jaws unnaturally far apart, while the lights in the room flickered.

A second later, and the entire room was cast in darkness, while her figure disappeared.

But he still wouldn't quite feel alone.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

LOCATION: The Mansion, Jenn's Room
Objective: Survive the Mansion's haunting!
Equipment: Has claws and is not afraid to use them!
Tags: [ Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Irwin Vuull ]

Jenn had... somewhat hoped her claws would bring her a measure of confidence. She had something to defend herself with, at least: nothing quite like a proper weapon, but it might just do in a pinch. Assuming the terrifying apparitions could be felled by conventional means. The Nobles would know what to do, right? Right. This whole... supernatural nonsense was their area of expertise, or at least she somewhat hoped it was. Oh, what she would give for a Mandokarla at her side right about now!

Or a shotgun. They feel nice and comforting to hold when you're scared shitless and want to blow something to chunks.

Looking around her room in a panic, the Ersansyr wasted no time at all in barricading the door before those footsteps could reach it, dragging whatever furniture she could find over to block the door: coffee table, chair, coat hanger, anything that was on hand! With her comms spitting static, there was only one person she could truly depend on, and that was herself.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stood up as Valery did, glancing around the room for a brief moment before looking after her as she went to investigate the bathroom. The Force changed, though. He blinked, raising a hand almost immediately. And yet, too slow. "Val!" The door slammed shut, and he heard the crash. There was another as the door was ripped from it's hinges and sent across the room, though not by some demon.

Kahlil rushed into the room, uncaring of the broken glass as he sprinted towards Valery's side.

"Hey, stay conscious. You alright?" Thankfully she didn't look too harmed, but there was a flash of a memory he'd rather not linger on that filled him with the needless worry in his voice.

Valery Noble | Jenn Kryze | Irwin Vuull

 

[Irwin Vuull]

Tags: Jenn Kryze | Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble
Weapons: Blaster

When Irwin pulled the sheet up to reveal the underside of his bed he jumped a in anticipation of something being there. Though upon seeing nothing he had a relieving sigh that was quickly ended by the sound of screaming from behind him. Turning abruptly he saw the ghostly visage of a woman. Her jaw seemed to slowly open to an unnatural degree. The lights were flickering and it seemed like it would never end.

Irwin pulled his blaster up as quickly as possible and fired one round at her, it passing through her and hitting into the hallways leaving a scar on the wall. He thought it had worked as the woman disappeared a moment later. Deciding not to be in a dark room while any of this was happening he bolted out the door standing in the hallway wearing his night clothes.

"What was that!?" He yelled completely surprised by the situation at hand. He couldn't find a rationale for what it was, someone playing tricks on him? That would make sense but it all seemed too natural for it to be fake. For now he just went with the place being haunted and to not corner himself.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted movement turning to face it with his blaster though there was nothing there. Only an animal head of some kind mounted on the wall was in the direction of the movement. Stepping closer to peer at it he thought it best to keep a little distance, though when he was within arms reach it blinked. This startled Irwin enough to cause him to stumble and fall down. The head twisted to the side to peer at him with an eye and started laughing at him.

This startled Irwin as he definitely had not expected it, though it seemed mocking him for falling over. Deciding not to stick around and ask, Irwin stumbled to his feet and took off.

 

[Valery Noble]

The Mansion

​

Outfit: Vampire Costume
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Jenn Kryze Irwin Vuull

Still a bit dazed from the impact, Valery managed to look up, and watched the door being ripped out from its hinges by her husband. She wanted to warn him about the glass when he rushed over, but before she could mutter a word, he was crouched down by her side. She offered him a smile, and wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him close and lean on him for support to get back up to her feet.

"I'm okay," she assured him with a soft smile. Valery then looked him in the eyes and brought a hand up against his cheek, hoping it would make the worry fade away for now. She was okay, and they were going to handle this problem together. "Can you help me get back up to my feet?" She asked, and hopefully with his assistance, she pulled herself back up to stand.

"We should try to see if others are also being targeted. We can defend ourselves but some people here..." she worried that others would have gotten hurt.

...
One step at a time, the footfalls were getting closer to Jenn's door, forcing her to barricade it quickly. By the time she had finished up, the figure outside her door came to a stop, the door handle rattled but remained locked, and a long silence followed. The lights within her room were starting to flicker, and with how eerily quiet it was, she could hear her own heartbeat.

Bang.

The door shook and the lights flickered even more intensely, before another Bang followed, and another, and another. Whatever was out there started pounding on her door, until eventually the light bulbs exploded and Jenn was cast in darkness. The banging stopped just as abruptly as it had started, and a cold breeze seemed to flow inside her room.

Her comms made a sound — there was signal again.

...
After being scared out of his room, Irwin took off down the Hotel hallway, but it almost felt like an entirely different place than it was before. It was darker, colder, and inanimate objects seemed to almost feel alive, much like that deer head. And no matter how hard he screamed or how much noise his blaster and running made, nobody else seemed to respond. Nobody came out of their room to check.

It was just him, but where was he?

Eventually, Irwin would spot a door at the end of the hallway that shouldn't have been there. Just earlier tonight, the stairs had been there to bring him up to this level. Now there was only a red door with no light on the other side.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

LOCATION: The Mansion, Jenn's Room
Objective: Survive the Mansion's haunting!
Equipment: Has claws and is not afraid to use them!
Tags: [ Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Irwin Vuull ]

Inhaling sharply as the steps stopped by her door, the Mandalorian held her breath as tense silence hung over the room for a fleeting moment... and then, whatever was on the other side sought to open the door. The handle rattled, but the door remained locked nonetheless: and, for a moment, it felt as if she had managed to achieve victory, no matter how slight it may be, against the- well, against whatever beings were currently haunting the Mansion. Demons, ghosts, wraiths, she could always argue the jargon with Valery and Kahlil later-

Bang.

Oh, son of a-

The triumphant silence she had found herself basking in was interrupted by the sudden reminder that she was, in fact, not out of the woods just yet. Whatever monstrosity sought entry into her room, it must have been furious, seeing how it just kept on banging - hard enough to make the door shake. Jenn felt nothing but dread. Could it take such a repeated assault for much longer? Were the hinges resilient enough to handle so much banging? The flickering of the light only added to her rising panic, until-

"KARKING HELL!" screamed the Ersansyr as the light bulbs exploded, leaving her in darkness.

Left to scramble around in the dark, the smith palmed around blindly, looking for her comms frantically. And when she finally did, fear filtered through her voice as she called for aid, her voice well and truly frantic.

"Chit - Valery, Kahlil, Irwin, anyone hear me in there?!"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He helped her to her feet, nodding once. That he could do, helping her stand up and be ready for where they need to go. Which was to gather everyone up. He certainly agreed that they shouldn't be alone. Whatever was here, be it person, beast, or spirit; was making trouble. "Don't rush yourself. You did just hit your head. But we'll check on them. Anyone you wanna look into first, love?"

Valery Noble | Jenn Kryze | Irwin Vuull

 

[Irwin Vuull]

Tags: Jenn Kryze | Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble
Weapons: Blaster

Irwin kept running from the laughing animal mount that never seemed to get quieter, its head would twist and reel in awkward positions cackling at him. He turned to look back at it, still being able to see it, though upon turning back to his route there was a wall, and he slammed into it. This caused him to fall to the ground in a dazed state.

Sitting there for a few seconds he eventually noticed that the laughing had stopped, returning the hallway to silence. Irwin rubbed his head and looked down the hall at the animal head, it stood in the original position unmoving or blinking. It seemed to be just a normal animal head once again.

Slowly getting to his feet he looked at what he crashed into, a red door stood there where the stairs once were. Looking at it, there appeared to be no light emanating from its base or sides. He decided to try some of the other doors. Grabbing onto the handle of one he opened it peering inside. There was nothing in there, it was supposed to be a guest room but it was completely devoid of furniture or even a window. This was the same for all the other rooms around him.

It appeared as he only had one way to go, though fear gripped him as he neared the door. It left him with an uneasy feeling knowing that this door was probably bait. Still, he had no other options to go. All rooms were completely empty and this was the only odd one out. Reaching down he grabbed the handle, his blaster raised, but shaking. He slowly opened the door as wide as it could go and stood at the edge looking inside.

 

[Valery Noble]

The Mansion

​

Outfit: Vampire Costume
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Jenn Kryze Irwin Vuull

"You get a concussion and want to go after a Sith outpost, but I shouldn't rush myself?" Valery looked at him with narrowed eyes at first, but quickly began to grin at him. "I'll be careful, love. I promise," she said before she pulled herself up on him to give him a quick kiss. Their fun plans for the night had been ruined, so she was going to take her little moments. Especially now, after he had ripped apart a heavy wooden door to help her out.

"Let's start with-"

"Chit - Valery, Kahlil, Irwin, anyone hear me in there?!"

While Irwin Vuull would only hear static, Valery could hear the voice over her comms back in the main room. She rushed over, picked it up and opened the channel, <Jenn? Get to the lobby right away. There's something going on here,> she told the redhead before looking back over at Kahlil, who she had left behind in the bathroom. "Babe, let's put on some more clothes and head down. I've only heard from Jenn, but it's a good start." But while Valery began to get changed into some more appropriate clothes for walking around, Kahlil would hear and feel something.

It started as a whisper paired with a cold breeze, but he'd soon feel a weight on his shoulder. Something was pulling on his very being, and within that bathroom, the pull felt stronger.

"...love? You coming?" She asked with a tilt of her head, before she opened the door and readied herself to head down with him.

...
After opening several doors to find that the rooms on his level were no more, Irwin finally decided to take his chances and head over to the red door that almost seemed to call out to him. There was no other way. Opening it, he found himself staring into pure darkness, with only the fog that lingered over the ground being visible to him.

It obscured his own feet to his eyes, and felt a little cold.

Then, from up ahead in the distance, he'd softly hear a tune playing, and the further he walked, the louder it would get. He wasn't alone, wherever he was.

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

LOCATION: The Mansion, Jenn's Room
Objective: Link up with the Nobles
Equipment: Has claws and is not afraid to use them!
Tags: [ Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Irwin Vuull ]

Jenn awaited a response anxiously, oh-so very afraid of hearing nothing but static, reminded that she was, either through equipment malfunction or a result of the... supernatural entities inhabiting the Mansion. If she was alone, then she would have to figure a way out on her own, a way to fight back or survive until the storm's end-

<Jenn? Get to the lobby right away. There's something going on here,>

This was exactly what she needed. Direction and purpose granted to her by someone far better equipped to understand and deal with the situation. Not so different from receiving her orders, one might say - a thought that brought an odd sense of comfort to her, more than anything else. Orders from a Jedi? Maybe in another life, another galaxy... but she trusted the Grandmaster enough for her response to be practically immediate.

<Solid copy, making my way over now!>

And with that, the Ersansyr stumbled about in the darkness, palming blindly until her scaled, clawed hands grabbed the objects she had shoved in front of the door, tossing them to the side with wild abandon as she reached out for the handle to swing it open- and if it resisted her, the Mandalorian would not hesitate to make a liberal application of her considerable strength. Damn the cold air in the room, damn the darkness, and damn any obstacle, she was no foundling, damnit!

With the door either swung open or kicked open, the Kayatr'ade looked left, then right, as if seeking other guests- or better yet, the Nobles. Meeting in the lobby? Yeah, sure... meeting before the loopy Mansion could play its next move? That would be better.

Am I seriously starting to think of this place as a sentient thing trying to mess with me?

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stared blankly ahead. The pressure, the feeling in his mind, soul. Soul? He blinked for a brief moment before looking to Valery, smiled faintly before nodding. Right. There was trouble here. He cleared his throat before rather swiftly moving after her, though still with the weight on his shoulders. "Right, lets catch up with the others."

Valery Noble | Jenn Kryze | Irwin Vuull

 

[Irwin Vuull]

Tags: Jenn Kryze | Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble
Weapons: Blaster

Irwin stood at the door looking out into it, the faint sound of music caught his ear and tried seeing it from where he was standing. Realizing there was no where else to go he looked down the hallway at the animal head again. Despite it not changing he thought it was smiling a little. Though this was just his thoughts creating illusions on his mind.

Walking into it, the door seemed to close behind him, this startled him causing him to look back at it. There was nothing where the door stood. An empty space. The music seemed to entrap him as it was the only place he could think about walking to. Moving towards it, the noise got louder as he approached.

 

[Valery Noble]

The Mansion

​

Outfit: Vampire Costume
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Jenn Kryze Irwin Vuull

"...babe?" Valery frowned and looked rather concerned when he was staring blankly ahead of himself. She walked closer, took his hand and looked him in the eyes until he seemed to snap out of it. There was even a smile, and she met it with one of her own. But as she did, Kahlil would just feel that pressure again, and this time it was aggressive. It gave him an urge he had never felt towards his wife before.

An urge to strangle and kill.

Do it.​

End her.​

Set us free.

For now, he snapped out of that, and Valery pulled him along, still worried but focused on finding Jenn for now. The two Nobles made their way downstairs soon after, and she was quick to spot the Mandalorian, this time with weapons ready. The lobby was completely empty otherwise, with most guests likely being in their rooms to get some sleep. Or, well, if their own experience was anything to go by...

"Hey Jenn, over here!" Valery called out and rushed over. "Seems like you've seen a lot too, huh?"

...
Realizing he was stuck wherever he was, Irwin pushed forward and followed the sound of music. There was nothing else he could see or hear, so there seemed to be no other choice. After about 5 minutes of walking, he'd finally spot the source — an old wooden shed with many of its wooden planks damaged or rotten away.

A red light was shining out from inside, and on its 2nd floor balcony, sat a skeleton playing its harp. The music picked up as he grew closer, reaching its crescendo as he approached the doorway. Once he was close enough, the music stopped and he'd feel as if he was being watched from every direction.

"Your body is ours."​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

LOCATION: The Mansion, Main Lobby
Objective: Link up with the Nobles
Equipment: Has claws and is not afraid to use them!
Tags: [ Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Irwin Vuull ]

Jenn... was certainly quite a sight to behold.

When she turned to face Valery, the being that stood before her was not quite the half-frozen friend she had been helping to warm up. Scales covered her hands, her fingers turned into truly vicious claws linked together by webbing- and of course, her enthralling, luminescent eyes betrayed her nature as an alluring creature, a being of utter beauty and temptation crafted by alchemy. And when she gave the two Nobles a smile, her lips parted just enough to show off her chompers, more befitting of an undersea predator than a strikingly beautiful woman like herself.

But, for all of those odd (and, quite frankly, unnerving) traits, she was still undeniably... Jenn. The same Mandalorian who called Valery a dear friend, and spoke with truth in her heart at all times. Seemingly unaware of just how much she had shifted, the Ersansyr rushed on over to meet the Jedi in the lobby, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.

"Valery! It's so good to see you - this place is an accursed madhouse! Ka'ra, but I'm starting to think I'm not going to be of much help against those... things. Are the two of you safe? More scare than harm done?"

Was she confident that a pair of Jedi Masters could handle themselves when it came to the supernatural? Undoubtedly, yes, but then again, she was a fish out of water, and perhaps they were too, for all she knew.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Nope."

Kahlil glared towards where he could feel the presence coming from. He could feel the pressure, how it was affecting him. But to have it threaten his wife was a hard pass for him. He raised a hand, letting the Light of the Force burn out in a cleansing way until the pressure was simply gone before he looked again towards Valery. Thankfully they at least made it to Jem, so he shook his head.

"No, feels like possession if I had to take a guess. Be mindful they don't try to take you over."

Valery Noble | Jenn Kryze | Irwin Vuull

 

[Irwin Vuull]

Tags: Jenn Kryze | Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble
Weapons: Blaster

(My interpretation of the music, click right above it to play)​

Irwin walked through the darkness. To him it seemed like forever since he started moving, all he could do was go to the ever increasing sound of the music. He happened upon a large shed. It was old and decrepit with an ominous red glow coming from inside. Walking around it, Irwin couldn't find anything, still the emptiness of this void he was in.

Looking through a crack in the boards he spotted a skeleton playing a harp. It had a white hue coming off of it, contrasting with the red emanating from the building. Even though it had no eyelids it seemed as if its eyes were closed while it played the harp, it was an angelic tune that brought a sense of ease despite the circumstance.

Walking towards the entrance he opened the door, the skeleton stopped and looked towards him. Under its cloak he could see its mouth slowly open and the hue around it changed to red. It screamed at him:

"Your body is ours."​

Irwin slammed the door closed and ran off in the opposite direction as fast as he could. It didn't matter where he ended up, all of his instincts told him that if he stayed there he would die.