eswareinmal | Level 5: Things that are all too common [Orb / GHB 15]

Hey guys! Did you know that there's a basement to Hero House?!

[[The background is pretty dark, the glow of something just to the side making it so Bakura can be seen, but not much else]]

I found the door to it in the kitchen, it was shut up pretty tight and since it's a trap down to get down here, it was pretty easy to miss! Looks like there's a pantry down here, though I'm sure everything's old and rotted by now. Sure smells that way! [[Yet he's so very very cheerful]] Looks like it runs the length of the house too! I'm going to go--

[[He pauses, turning to look behind him and moment in silence before turning back to the orb]] Thought I heard something.. though I guess if anyone's upstairs it would--

[[There's a suddenly strange sound like a wind that can be heard quite loudly through the orb as Bakura gives a small exclamation, the image going crazy as if the orb was knocked into, showing the ceiling above, then the dim stone walls, then nothing at all as everything goes black.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you.

[While he is gone, Liara scans the room with her light, looking for any sign on why the body was left there. She focuses especially on the wall that had been blocked up. When Bakura returns, though, she is looking at the skeleton again.]

Our friend was just dumped here. Look at the arms, the angle of the head. Whoever left him here didn't take any time to make sure there was peace here. Whatever reason for sealing this room, it wasn't respect for the dead. This isn't a hallowed tomb for some dear family member. It's a convenient grave.

[She sounds disgusted by that. Even if the work of her lifetime was entering tombs, disturbing the past, she still carried a deep respect for what...for who...she studied. Situations like this disturbed her.]

If they killed her to support the building, why do so in a fully furnished room? And if they cared enough to give an entire room to the dead, why dump the body and leave? This doesn't make sense.

[She took the sheet and laid it over the body.]

I do not know if there are any words that a local would say over the dead. Have you heard of anything?

[[he shakes his head]] Not of what they do here.. but... one moment!

[[and he vanishes back out into the dark. It's a few minutes before he returns with a stick of incense and a bowl of rice. Carefully setting the bowl down, he places the incense in it and lights it before putting his hands together and closing his eyes in silent prayer.

A soft faint glow builds around him as the air in the room becomes lighter, even as the heavy sent of the incense begins to permeate it.]]

[Liara is kneeling, eyes closed, when he comes back. She watches as he sets things up, and bows her head when he begins to pray for this person.]

[[After a long moment, the light and magic fades, Bakura's eyes opening, looking a little distant for a moment]]

I'm sure the monks will know what this world does... but for now...

[She is quiet for a moment.]

What do you believe happens to a spirit after death?

[[There's a distant look in the young man's eyes at that question, and a faint, almost wistful smile.]]

It depends on the spirit, really. Some of them stick around, either having something unfinished or not realizing that they've died, or even just wanting to watch over those who are still living. Others move on to the next life.

[She considers the body in silence for a moment.]

Do you think this one has moved on?

[[There is a very long pause]]

I guess... that would depend how he died.... but the room doesn't feel haunted, I don't think?

Why did you say the King gave this house to you?

I'd asked him for one for everybody, and he said this one'd been abandoned for a long while. He made a joke about it taking a heroic effort to bring it back to it's former glory too...

It certainly isn't well maintained.

[She rises to her feet and crosses her arms.]

I'm wondering why. Especially with this room.

...you think he may have known about this? Or that this is why it was abandoned?

I'm saying there is a reason we found a body in a sealed room, and a reason this place was left alone.

Maybe they are related.

[She shook her head a little.]

But it doesn't matter now. We should send for someone who can take care of the remains.

[[nods, carefully climbing over the pile in the makeshift doorway]] I'll go get one of the monks.

Bakura, I...

[She clasped her hands in front of her, looking back at the bed.]

I'm going to stay here. For a while, anyway.

[[He pauses a moment, before giving a warm smile and nodding.]]

Thank you. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

I'll be right back.

[She nods, rubbing her arms.]

I wasn't doing anything important, anyway, and I don't mind staying for a little while. Better than being alone again, I'd think.

[[Bakura nods before ducking back out into the basement. His ball of light splits as he does so, one staying behind to keep the room illuminated, the other following him out.

It will take a bit of time, but he will be back, with a trio of monks in tow as well as supplies for the careful removal of the body; much cloth, herbs and a stretcher. ]]

[Liara is still in the room, but standing against a wall across from the bed, arms crossed and eyes closed. She doesn't even look up until everyone gets to hole in the wall.]

[[Bakura stands aside as the monks climb into the room and start going to work. One lights a small thing of incense as the other two start trying to figure out the best way to wrap the remains without them coming apart. Once he's sure he's not going to knock into anyone, Bakura tiptoes around to stand near Liara.]]

...are you all right...?

[She nodded.]

Yes.

They have it taken care of now, if you want to step out. He's in good hands now.

[She didn't say anything, just leaned back against the wall, watching.]

Level 5: Things that are all too common [Orb / GHB 15]

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action | Belatedly, I realize this should have been in the rumors, but... welp. Time.

Action | Alas

Action

Action

Action

Action