All I Want...

[mariahscarey]

WHO: You, a friend... and M̸̨̧̤̫̩͉͍͆͗͊͒̂̄͂͒͑̾͆̊͐̀̄͒͌͘̕̕a̴̢̖̦̩̼̒͑̒͋̆̀͊͗̽͘͘̚͜͝ŗ̸̮͙̻̗̳̹͖͔̝̞͎̩̪͔̗̙̪̠̩̫̆̐̍͊͊̋̊̿͆͝͝ǐ̷̡̝̯͉̠̮̲̼̲̼̋̈̽̒̈́̈́̾͛͌̀͑̇̋͆̆̀̚͘a̴̧̬̼̖̪͈̜͖͖̥̱̰̰͗̋͠ͅḫ̷̛̗̯̔́̍͒̓́͒̂͊͐͠͝
WHERE: Floor 13
WHEN: Today and today only!
WHAT: Getting into the spirit!
WARNINGS: Certain songs may get stuck in your head.



[ It's a perfectly normal day within the hotel. As normal as the hotel can be.

Until you get on the elevator. Maybe you're going back to your room. Maybe you're going to see a friend.
Doesn't matter!

The elevator does not go to the floor you told it to go to. It goes to Floor 13. No amount of button pushing will get that to change, weirdly enough, and the door opens not to a weird man and his skeleton friends but a veritable wintry wonderland! Big, giant flakes float down from the sky (ceiling?), blanketing the ground in white, perfect for snow angels. When you step off the elevator, your attire is instantly transformed into either a cute or awkward-looking santa-themed outfit! When you turn around, the elevator is Fucking Gone. Instead, a vast forest looms before you.

But that's okay! There's a perfectly delightful song echoing all around you! And a sign attached to a red-and-white striped pole dangling before you with the following written: ]

HARK AND BEWARE
FLEE IF YOU DARE
THE SECRET TO SAFETY
FIND SOMEONE TO CARE

HAND IN HAND, DO RETURN
WITH A SONG OR A DANCE
OR ELSE YOU SHALL LEARN
SHE WILL TAKE YOUR LAST CHANCE

[ there's another sign later on if you Don't Get It that details, more helpfully, that you are now stuck on this floor and being hunted by "Her", and your only way to escape is to find another person, hold hands, and appease her with your best sweet dance moves or musical duet (yes, it does indeed have to be both of you).

How do you know if "She" is getting closer?

Well, the music will change. "She" will emerge, brandishing a razor-sharp candy cane.

And "She" cannot be killed.

Good luck!

(She is going to jump scare you in these threads no I am not going to warn you when that would be nice of me) ]

Comments

[venomnom]

That's fine.

[She takes in the steps with a watchful eye, then replicates them with some stiltedness in an effort to familiarize herself. Once she's gone through it once—once is enough: Second chances have always been a luxury—she straightens and nods.]

I'm ready. Shall we?

[icyspicy]

[ She’s a quick study, he’ll give her that. He renews his grip on her hand, and now it’s time to dance! Whatever dance they could have picked probably wouldn't fit with the music very well, but at least their lively little jig is close enough. ]

I think you’re a natural.

[venomnom]

[She grips back, because it takes two to tango. The jig is a better fit than anything that would go in a ballroom, so he'll hear no objections from her as they descend into the steps.

But first:]

I had a good teacher.

[icyspicy]

I am that, aren't I?

[ And so humble, too. ]

[venomnom]

[A man who's confident without being unbearable about it is good, too.]

Now it's up to her to decide if our choice was correct.

[icyspicy]

That's it, then? We wait and see if we've passed judgement? This is like some sort of utterly bizarre ritual.

[venomnom]

Do you dislike it?

We can still stay together, just in case.

[mariahscarey]

[ No need!

A beautifully manicured hand bursts forth from the snow, clutching at Winter's ankle for support as this Mysterious Individual Emanating Danger works to haul herself out of snow. ]

Oooooh, baby!

[icyspicy]

[ I hate this.

Winter jumps. Or he would, if not for the hand around his ankle. Instead, he's left trying to kick free of her grasp. ]

A little help!

[venomnom]

[I love this.

The music shifts at the dolled up woman's entrance. Reiju smirks as she tightens her grip around Winter's hand.]

As repayment for the lesson, I'll be your bodyguard.

[In other words, she'll put herself in the trajectory of any attack the woman makes. She figures that she's plenty sturdy enough.]

How about another dance?

[She believes in his talents to pull off something with one free foot.]

[mariahscarey]

[ And I love you.

"She" releases Winter's foot once she's pulled herself up enough, standing before them, before she smiles (far too widely) and gestures off to the left.

In the not-so-distant distance, there's a familiar-looking elevator door.

But also, she begins counting down from ten?

Seems like she's giving you a head start! ]

[icyspicy]

[ He’s half-ready to fight, but then it seems like they’re being let go?? ]

I think we had best take the hint.

[ They only have ten seconds!!! ]

[venomnom]

[Kyaaa.

Reiju glances at the elevator door, then back at Winter. She smiles. Yes, that would be best.

Tugging on his hand, she breaks into a sprint.]

[mariahscarey]

[ Well, hopefully they're speedy!

Because she will be getting down on all fours and chasing after them once their ten seconds are up.

It's exactly as scary as it sounds. ]

[icyspicy]

[ Winter is absolutely sprinting as well, long-legged strides carrying him toward the elevator at top speed.

He chances a glance back and—

Is this woman some sort of demon??? ]

You don't see that every day!

[venomnom]

[Reiju looks over her shoulder. It's just a woman on her fours.

Well, she's speedy and sturdy as the result of enhancements, so it's no fuss to her if the woman catches up. If something happens, she'll simply throw herself between Winter and their pursuer.]

This hotel is just full of surprises.

[mariahscarey]

[ This hotel is just full of marvelous delights!

Including this woman chasing after them like a beautiful hair-flipping predator!

However, if they keep up the speed, they'll make it to the elevator just as she lunges.

Will they make it? ]

[icyspicy]

[ PLEASE THEY’RE GONNA MAKE IT. Perhaps only barely but between Winter’s long legs and Reiju’s enhancements, they’ve got it.

Once in the elevator, Winter whips around, starlight and darkness gathering in his palms as if he means to fling a spell or two, but if they’re allowed to go, he’ll let the magic flicker out in his hands. ]

Hells. What was that?

[venomnom]

[Winter's long legs save the day.

The elevator doors close between them and the woman. Reiju waits a moment, assessing the doors and then flitting her gaze over to the spell in Winter's palms.]

The "she" from the sign, if I were to take a guess.

[At this point, she wouldn't be surprised if the woman were to chew through the doors.]

[icyspicy]

[ I AM JUST… assuming they're fine and jumping in don’t mind me. ]

I’m not sure what I expected, but certainly not… all that. We even did as the sign asked and she was still rather sinister.

[ The magic has fully winked out of his hands by now, so he crosses his arms and leans back against the elevator wall. ]

All that aside, you were a lovely dance partner.

[venomnom]

[Sweet freedom. The sinister woman is now behind them, separated by two closed doors.]

I was lucky to have a patient partner.

[One who remembered she was there when they made their escape. Granted, he was locked in place by more than one hand.

Since he's leaning, she steps toward the buttons.]

Well, where should we go?

[icyspicy]

I haven't a preference. Pick whatever you like.

[ He grins at her. ]

Why stop our little adventure here?

[venomnom]

[She smiles back, then punches a button at random. The elevator shakes up and down before making its way to (random.org voice) the Fight Club Floor.]

What if we see her again?

[icyspicy]

I assume we start dancing again, unless you’d care to try your luck against her in a fight.

[ The irony considering what floor they’re headed for. ]

[venomnom]

[The elevator glides through the chute, bringing them closer to the floor of irony.]

She was gracious enough to give us a head start. The same dance might not work twice, but I'd at least like to try.

[There's no sense in starting a fight that doesn't have to be.]