madamemidnightwaves

[madamemidnightwaves]

A Life Time Of Work Lost At Sea | MaMi | CHP2 Motive P2 Reaction

[TW: Hand Trauma, Body Horror]

She talked with Akira, she talked with Jun. She spent the rest of the night trying to imagine what it would be like to lose a hand. Anyone could say it wasn’t likely to happen, that there was a one out of eighteen chance it would be her. Still, she tried to imagine it, how much it would hurt and how fast it would be done. Even if she believed the chance was low it was best to try and prepare. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst, her Father’s favourite piece of advice. 

Before she knows it, it’s time to head up to the deck again. The devil talks, but she’s hardly paying attention, once again at her spot at the back of the group. A good vantage point for reaction gauging, but right now she’s still focused on her right hand. It feels strangely heavy, perhaps this uncomfortable feeling is anxiety? No it’s still different from how Ashley described it-

She’s not given a lot of time to think it over, as suddenly her arm is being grabbed. When did the devil get here? She really needed to pay more attention didn’t she. She doesn’t really pull away, doesn’t really move at all either. She stares at the hand wrapped around her with a blank expression. 

She really had tried to imagine what it would be like, how it would feel. If anyone where to ask her later, there would be no way she could describe it. She screamed curse after curse, some words from her mouth aren’t even words at all, at least not that anyone would recognize. Just sounds shoved together in place of words hastily. It’s excruciating, and it feels like it takes an eternity. 

She had spent most of her life on her career. Sunk all her time into perfecting techniques, practicing her mediums, gathering reference material, anything and everything to improve. Anything and everything to make it. She can’t help but regret, at least on some level most levels are just sounding the alarms of pain. She didn’t even get to do the self portraits for the class yet. What a strange regret to have, after all there was so much more she still wanted to do. Oh… Her hand was already gone and she was somewhere new. Strange she didn’t remember moving at all, certainly didn’t know who was here with her. 

She really should be paying more attention, but the throbbing in her wrist makes it a bit hard to focus. 

[madamemidnightwaves]

Once Upon A Midnight Dreary | Motive 2 Part 2

Perhaps some of you truly believe the motive is a bluff. Maybe Carla and Seraphina are right? Surely the Devil wouldn’t go that far? After all it would make her game that much more difficult, that was sound enough logic. Or perhaps you simply feel certain that someone else will take matters into their own hands, that surely before it ever comes down to you, another person will act.

Then again… maybe you’d thought that before, during the last motive. And no one had… the days had kept passing, the secrets kept coming. Would it be like that again? Was everyone hoping that someone else would take the fall?

Whatever the case, whatever has fed reluctance or stayed action, the next day comes and no one sees any sign of death. No bodies lay about to be found, and your classmates all seem to be accounted for if only in passing throughout the daily routines of showers and meals and what have you.

So when the summons come again, devils that you’re sure weren’t on the ship before appearing to guide you all up to the top deck wherever you may be, a sense of dread permeates the air even before you’ve all finished assembling. But even if you thought fleeing would work, there’s nowhere to go. The ship is still sailing, nowhere near land, so hiding places are limited and the devils have already shown they can get past locked doors. 

“I’d say I was disappointed, but I’m actually quite pleased that none of you have acted yet. It really shows you’ve all got plenty of nerve, you know? And you’ll definitely need that to keep our game interesting. Besides if one of you had killed before I had the chance to demonstrate, then that would’ve been no fun.”

Demonstrate. It’s going to happen isn’t it… who will it be? Tension is high throughout the group as you wait for… whatever comes next. Will she call someone forward? Point someone out? Have the other devils drag a member of your group towards her?

You blink… and she’s not standing where she was before. Most of you had already seen how fast she could be when she’d attacked Nao, but perhaps it had faded in your mind, or you’d thought it a trick of the stress in that moment, but no. She’s already among you, much too fast, and the person she seizes is… 

Madame Midnight. Himiko Yamagishi.

[TW: Hand Trauma, Wrist Trauma, Amputation, Torture]

“Don’t worry, darlin’, this’ll only hurt a lot.”

Despite any resistance she may put forth, though it’s possible she’s much too stunned to struggle, the Devil appears to have no difficulty at all in subduing her. There’s a flash of silver, dim light glinting off the blade of a knife produced from wherever the Smiling Devil had been concealing it, Himiko’s right arm is pulled taut, out and away from her, and then…

The worst part is the sound. Not even the screaming, but the dull, wet thunk the knife makes, and the horrible grating noises of sawing. This isn’t possible, it shouldn’t be possible, and yet right before your eyes, with strength as excessively inhuman as her speed, the Devil chops off Madame Midnight’s right hand.

It falls to the deck.

The Devil steps back, splattered with blood, which drips also from the blade of her knife. She looks flushed and pleased, the cat that caught the canary, though one hand is still firmly gripping the base of Himiko’s wrist.

“I’ll just be gettin’ her down to the Scholar now, wouldn’t want her dyin’ of shock or bloodloss. We still have a long ways to go. Besides, I think y’all get the point.”

Just like that they’re gone, both of them, into the ship.

And there’s a severed hand on the freshly bloodied deck.

[madamemidnightwaves]

The Beginning of Understanding | MaMi | CHP2 Motive Reaction

After her chat with Nao along the shore she decided she needed to prepare a bit. She had a mental list of all the people she had yet to talk to, along with a list of those she had before that she wanted to or needed to talk with again. She wrote out a list of possible conversational topics that might work with any classmate. She wrote out a list of specific topics for each classmate. She practiced smiling in the mirror in a way that seemed friendly and inviting, and she practiced making situational humor.

However this used up what little time she hadn’t spent on the shoreline, and they were once again off without her exploring anything at all. A shame, the festival had seemed nice but what can you do in dull shades of grey? The tinge of blue had only just started to re-appear.

The note is slid under the door and she makes her way up to the top deck. She stands in the back, somewhere she can take note of peoples reactions. It would be good to know what sort of mood or vibe is appropriate for anyone she might be talking to later. However her attention is on the Devil soon enough. Maiming, the loss of her talent, her one true love, her livelihood.

She’s not one for fear, hasn’t ever felt scared in her life before. She wouldn’t call the feeling that the motive causes in her fear either. Doesn’t feel like what was described. A nervous feeling, a sense of dread, but not quiet fear. An uncomfortable feeling regardless. She squeezes her right hand between her left. The loss of a limb was a curse for an artist. It was possible to teach your non-dominate hand to work they way your dominate did but it took years of practice. 

Well then, making friends would be a little hard than she thought now but… She wasn’t a quieter, she planned enough to be able to avoid certain topics this was no different. She attempted a smile of reassurance towards her classmates before she left for her room once more. She needed more practice after all.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Escalation | Motive 2

The four days of relative peace since you’d left London, the fact that none of you had even seen the Smiling Devil, was easing a lot of the sense of danger and urgency that had built up back when secrets were being revealed. The strangeness of the Neath and everything in it make it impossible to forget that your circumstances aren’t good, and many of you are still reeling from the aftermath of having your deepest, most personal matters dragged out into the light. But overall there’s been a feeling of… calm, even stagnation, perhaps.

Setting sail again is exasperating, and it’s difficult not to wonder how long you’ll be dragged around this eerie Zee on the Captain’s errands. The festival on Mutton Island was apparently over and closing up anyway, but if you had a chance to sample any of it you may well miss the lighthearted feeling of celebrations. Still, the truly nasty shock comes later that day, after you’re already well underway.

The bell on the ship begins ringing again at nearly a quarter to noon, startling you all, and those of you still in your rooms would notice a piece of paper slid under the door. A note, another summons… Come to the top deck. It’s the same as the ones from before.  Those of you not in your rooms would be surprised by the sudden appearance of a devil- how did they even get on board?- who informs you of where to go. Anyone who shows reluctance will be herded up to the top deck nevertheless, where a familiar, unwelcome face awaits.

“Hey there folks! It sure has been a while, hasn’t it? I won’t ask if y’all missed me, I reckon I already know the answer to that. But I must say… I’m dreadfully disappointed. All this time, and no one’s even tried to commit a murder? I’m startin’ to think none of you want to go home. Not that I’d entirely blame you, I’m sure plenty of you would rather avoid the consequences of your little secrets being made public knowledge.”

[TW: Torture/Maiming Mention, Hand Trauma Mention, Brain Trauma Mention]

“So! Since escape is clearly no longer an attractive enough prospect, I s’pose I’ll just have to give you another reason to start actively participatin’ in our little game. Here it is then, pay close attention. Startin’ tomorrow, if no one has killed of course, I’ll be maiming one of you per day until someone’s committed a murder. I know I know, it sounds rather extreme, but then it seems like y’all really need a powerful push to get you started properly. And just t’be clear, you will be permanently affected by these injuries. We’re talkin’ career endin’ conditions. I can’t imagine it’d be easy for a singer to sing without vocal chords, for example, or an artist to draw without hands… you get the idea. And just in case some of you are thinkin’ “Oh but there’s no way to injure me that’d stop my talent!” I figure I oughta let you know that lobotomy ain’t off the table here.”

This is so much worse, so much more extreme than the secrets. And yet she’s discussing it all in the same pleasant, amused manner that she usually has. Like it’s nothing to her. There’s absolutely nothing in her demeanor to suggest she’s bluffing or kidding…

This is really happening.

“There we are, then, that’s all there is to say for now. I’ll just let y’all process, and start your plannin’, I’m sure. Remember, first one is tomorrow, so if you don’t feel like rollin’ the dice you’d better snap to it. Bye now!” She gives you all a jaunty little wave and strolls, humming cheerfully, into the bowels of the ship.

Leaving you all to consider her threats.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Festival’s End | Mutton Island Depature

It’s been four days since you’ve left the fallen city of London, three since you’ve arrived on Mutton Island.  Perhaps you’ve spent those days enjoying the festival, or perhaps you’ve spent them cooped up in your rooms.  Either way, the days have been relatively peaceful.  No devils to ruin your day, at least.  No second attempt to scare someone into killing.

Early morning, on the fourth day since your arrival on Mutton Island, the peace is broken again, by the loud ringing of the ship’s bell.

Those of you who can be bothered to climb out of bed and look outside your doors to find out what the commotion is see the Captain standing at the end of the corridor.

“Everyone accounted for?  I hope you kids had your fun at the festival, ‘cause the festival’s over and we’re settin’ sail for Pigmote Isle in one hour.”  Well, that didn’t take long.  “Hollands, Nao, you’re with me again.  The rest of ya, go about your business, just don’t leave the ship.”

The Captain strides off again, leaving most of you to your own devices.  After a while, you start to feel that tell-tale sense of motion.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Family Values | MaMi | Chapter 2 | Reaction

[♬♬♬♬]

Thinking she was avoiding all of them would be a fair assumption of her classmates to make, wrong but fair. After the motive had ended Himiko spent almost all of her time in her room, sleeping as per Jasper’s suggestion. She felt exhausted, she felt gross, and she didn’t much feel up to anything. She just needed a short break, strangely enough after all her complaints of the lack of stimulation. She kept up with her art only when Ashley was asleep, and left her room only when necessary. After their summon on the moright of departure she didn’t really see anyone else other than Ashley again for a long while.

She really wasn’t avoiding them. She just needed some time to think and rest. When the boat finally arrived at it’s destination she emerged from her room, dress disheveled and hair in need of a serious combing. She clearly just got up, and yet her make up was fine. Course she slept in it but nobody else needed to know that. She squints out at the lights, the sounds, the people, everything of the new place and-

She turns around and heads back downstairs. She’s not ready to head out just yet. One more day of rest. Just one more day. Grey periods never lasted long, she just had to find the resolve to make them change to a new colour. Blue suited her best.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Land ho! | Mutton Island Arrival

Your second morning out at zee is quieter than the first; no alarm bells to wake you.  Many of you likely consider this an improvement.  But it has been a day and a night, and the Captain did say that you would arrive at your next destination in about a day…

The more curious among you who come to the top deck in the early morning see only lights in the distance.  Then the lights grow closer, brighter, and you can start to see shapes.  Buildings, houses, a marketplace, an entire village on an island with a lonely hill rising up behind.  You get close enough to see smoke rise in spirals from the chimneys, then the Captain and her sparse crew set to work bringing the Selkie into port.

It is a much more reasonable hour when those waiting down below feel the motion of the ship slow to a stop.  The ship’s bell chimes again, this time in two cheery dings rather than a loud, clattering alarm.  The ship is in port, the gangplank is lowered, the island is now free for you to explore.

Before any of you can step onto the dock, however, you see another ship pulling into port.  The lights burn a hot and ominous red, and the brass of the railings gleams.

The Captain scowls at their approach.  “Damn.  Of course we’d be followed.”  She turns to those of you who have gathered on the top deck and makes a sweeping gesture towards the new arrival.  “That is why I couldn’t leave any of you behind in London.  That’s a devil ship.  Even if a few of you tried to hide out, they’d sniff you out and bring you over themselves.  You can imagine what that would be like.”  Apparently she wasn’t kidding when she said that stragglers would be left to the mercy of the devils.

On that sour note, the Captain strides off, presumably to go back to her quarters, leaving you on your own to figure out what to do next.

Gained 1x Route: Mutton Island

[madamemidnightwaves]

The Prodigal Son Returns | EVENT | Hopeless Sea CH2

This day at sea leaves all of you cooped up in the close, functional space of the ship. It’s a big ship, sure, but there’s not exactly an abundance of entertainment options– and with everyone still alive and kicking, it can begin to feel a little crowded.

There are no set meal times, but anyone who finds themselves in the mess at around noon will be greeted by quite an unexpected sight– a new face. They stride into the mess like they own the place, looking around, long braid tossed over their shoulder. Seeing the relatively large group of assembled students, they grin, speaking perfect, unaccented Japanese.

“Sup nerds. Any of you seen my sister?”

[madamemidnightwaves]

Fair Warning | Chapter 2 Start

It’s been twelve full days since the class arrived.  The secrets might still weigh heavily on the minds of some, but the first motive is long over.  Perhaps it was merely a test, and they all passed through it peacefully.  You all go to bed – some sooner, some later – and perhaps you sleep soundly.

Early on the morning of the thirteenth day, you are all awoken by the ringing of bells.  Did someone put an alarm clock in your cabin while you were sleeping?  No, this is almost too loud for even that and it seems to come from everywhere.  It’s the ship’s bell.  After what can only be described as ‘too long’ (but in fact probably wasn’t more than a minute), the ringing mercifully stops.  Then you hear the stomps of boots coming down the stairs and through the corridor.

“EEEEEEVERYONE OUT!”  The cabins might have good soundproofing, but the Captain’s voice carries.  “I need a headcount!  Ya don’t need t’be awake, but ya need t’be where I can see ya!  Anyone left behind gets left to the mercy of the Devils!”

Horrors.  Some of you shuffle out of your doors.  Others may have roommates who are kind enough to hold the door open and let the Captain see inside, and see that yes, you are still there.  The Captain counts you out one by one, only looking satisfied when she’s reached 18.

“We’re due to set sail in less than an hour.  I repeat, we set sail for Mutton Island at exactly 0700 hours and we’ll be arrivin’ there in about a day.  Tie everythin’ down that needs tied down and brace yourselves as you see fit.  If you’re one of my crew, about your duties!  What’re ya doin’ asleep?  If you’re not?  What the feck do I care, just don’t go leavin’ the ship.”

With that, the Captain strides off, presumably to do some last minute preparations before setting off.  You go your separate ways (probably back to bed, for most of you), but surely enough, you soon start to feel an increased sense of motion.

Lost 1x Route: Wolfstack Docks

A twist in your tale!— You are now Zailing the Open Zee!

[madamemidnightwaves]

Coup de Grâce | Motive Pt. 7

It’s hard not to feel exhausted by the seventh day, and yet there’s a positive aspect, isn’t there? No one has died. No one has murdered. With the motive failing to push any of you past the brink, there’s an odd sort of hopeful feeling in the air, despite all the suffering it has caused. Judging by the secrets that were revealed, more than one of you chose to risk having their life ruined over taking someone else’s, and perhaps there’s something admirable in that.

So when you’re all once more gathered on the deck, waiting for the Devil to begin, you feel trepidation, dread, resignation… but perhaps some of you also feel some relief. It’s almost over.

“Quick disclaimer, turns out there’s only gonna be four secrets revealed again today. And we’re startin’ off real light. This ain’t that serious a secret really, but it is ironic that the SHSL Figure Skater doesn’t like his talent. You’d think a lack of passion would affect his performance, but maybe it’s only a matter of time. How boring. No one cares, I’m sure.” She does indeed look pretty disinterested as she flips to the next page. 

“Speakin’ of ironic, funny how Hiroko Fukui teaches self-defense, when she used t’be exactly the sort of bully you’d need to defend yourself from. Almost got herself expelled from school once over how bad she treated other students. I wonder how much it’d really take to bring back that violent temper, ‘Anaki’? Like father like daughter, as the sayin’ goes.”

It’s likely only Anaki knows what that means, but the Devil is smirking as she moves on, leaving scarcely enough of a pause for the statement to settle.

“Atumemhet, or rather, Farid chose to be disowned rather than give up his religion. Real tragic that he’d leave his family behind like that for somethin’ he only believes in due to epileptic seizures, but considerin’ he’s undiagnosed I suppose that’s an easy mistake to make. Might wanna look into treatment for that, if you survive.”

She winks, presumably at Atumemhet, and carries on without missing a beat. 

 “Higanbana Furusawa was kidnapped when she was only ten years old, but as luck would have it she was able to call the police and return home safely when her kidnapper happened to hit his head and drown in the bathtub. That’s quite the fortunate coincidence, isn’t it? Almost too convenient to believe. Miss Furusawa, you were there, why don’t you tell us if it was really an accident?”

The Devil closes her notebook… and tosses it casually over her shoulder, and over the side of the ship, where it sinks into the depths. Unlike the previous announcements she doesn’t leave immediately, but actually spends a few seconds staring almost expectantly at Higanbana. And then she laughs, looking away dismissively.

“Congratulations, y’all cleared the first motive. You’re already doin’ better than the last game. ‘Course, that just means I’m gonna have to up the ante for round two. Don’t be worried kids, after all, I’m not. We’ll be kickin’ into high gear soon enough. And in case you were wonderin’ why two of you get to have their private business remain private… well, you might have to ask them that. Bye for now!”

Finally, she walks away… leaving you all with disturbing words of foreshadowing. For someone who’s motive failed, she seemed worryingly cheerful, as if she really couldn’t care less what you did. 

[madamemidnightwaves]

I Couldn't Love You | MaMi | Chapter 1 | MOTIVE 4/5/6 REACTION

With each new meeting time Madame Midnight could feel her hands shaking more and more. The tremors didn’t stop for awhile afterwards, and started up before the meeting time even came. She stood near the back, shaking hands clasped together in front of herself. Her roommate, the lively artist, the sailor lost at a foreign sea, the cataloguing photographer, and the inquisitive girl from the morning at the monument. All their secrets laid bare for everyone to see.

And now a new day, new secrets to be told. More secrets. Midnights hands shook violently, fingers attempting to twitch out of place in their hold. She glances at the classical singer during the first secret. At the next secret she glances at the nun, biting her lip. The third secret-

When the name Himiko Yamagishi is spoken, she looks distinctly uncomfortable. As though her name made her own skin crawl. Himiko casts her glance to the ground, lip still trapped under her teeth, biting down harshly now. She released her lip and took in a shaky breath to ground herself. She waits for the other secret to be over, keeping pace over her breathing. Another girl’s name out there. Another hidden name revealed.

Himiko, expression still that of someone that had to swallow something unpleasant, bows her head slightly to the class. She excuses herself, somewhat quietly, and makes her ways back to her room. Hands still trembling. 

[madamemidnightwaves]

Penultimate | Motive Pt. 6

With the threat of four secrets to be revealed today, it’s hard not to feel resignation mixed with your repulsion. On the one hand, it’s good that no one has killed yet, surely the fact the motive has continued this long means no one will! But at the same time having to attend these announcements isn’t any fun, and several of you have had secrets revealed that may well have ruined your careers or other aspects of your lives.

And it isn’t over yet.

Your class comes together on the main deck again, each of you braced as much as you can be for whatever is coming next. Who will be the unlucky four today? Does the order even really matter, since the rest of you will be exposed soon enough regardless?

The Devil is already standing and waiting with the notebook in her hands, and as soon as she notes that you’re all present she begins.

”I reckon y’all know well enough what we’re here for by now, so I’ll get right to it.” She flips open the notebook, “Seraphina Nieves blames herself for causing a car accident that took a man’s life, and she ain’t the only one. After all if it weren’t for her, Kazuko Nakano would still have a father. Maybe don’t try crossin’ busy streets by yourself, Miss Nieves, since you can’t see what’s comin’ down the road.”

A brief pause, a new page, a cruel laugh, and the Devil is continuing almost before you’ve finished processing that.

[TW: Child Abuse, Self-Harm] 

“It’s no wonder Banbi Anno fantasizes about being the daughter of the Virgin Mary, considerin’ her actual mother is a nasty abuser. As if that weren’t enough she seems to think self-harming is a good way of practicin’ her religion. I ain’t too sure your father’s gonna agree with that, Miss Anno.”

Very few of you have even spoken to Banbi, but you doubt this is the first impression she would have wanted you to have. The Devil doesn’t seem to care at all by the impact, totally unfazed by the harsh truths she’s sharing, she simply moves on to the next page.

“Madame Midnight, or should I say Himiko Yamagishi, had quite the nasty streak in her youth. It’s a real shame your parents got you that private therapist to curb such behaviour. Course it ain’t unexpected that someone with a talent like hers would be a ‘problem child’. How long ‘til you put someone else in the hospital- or worse- without any counselin’ to keep your Conduct Disorder in line?”

Absolutely callous, totally underhanded. But she isn’t done yet.

“Kaguya Takatori, or rather Eriko Getsuda, genuinely believes she’s a divine moon princess. Which explains her dedication to her aesthetic, and is also why she wears colored contacts and dyes and straightens her hair.”

“Kinda finishin’ on a borin’ note there. Can’t imagine anyone cares much about your delusions, Miss Getsuda. But I s’pose someone had to close us off for the day.” She snaps the notebook shut, slides it back in her pocket.

“Not to worry! There’s plenty more dramatic ones in store, and y’all will get to learn about them tomorrow!” And without the slightest show of interest in the four people whose privacy had just been shredded, the Devil casually walks off, humming an eerie tune lightly to herself.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Double the Fun | Motive Pt. 4

No matter what assurances or rationalizations you told yourself, as the regular time for the secret reveal comes around on the fourth day you feel a chilling, apprehensive dread in your gut. The events of the day before, the callous way Aka-san had been treated, left a heavy impression. Even those of you who are sure you have no terrible secrets may be feeling some concern over what will be said, and how.

It doesn’t take long for you all to be gathered on the deck this time, and the Devil looks no worse for the shots fired the day before. Although she is missing her suit jacket. Maybe it’s out for repairs.

“Looks like y’all’re eager to get started, let’s see what we got for today.” She withdraws the notebook from a pocket in her vest this time, idly flicking through the pages. “Hm… looks like Ashley Graves is luckier than most of you, she doesn’t have many secrets to speak of. It might have been better for her to seek treatment for that anxiety of hers, though. Anxiety attacks in a place like this can leave you awful vulnerable.” The Devil stares at the book thoughtfully for a moment, and sighs, though she never loses her smile, which is eerie in itself.

“Well that’s boring! Might be useful info for anyone lookin’ for a victim, but it’s hardly fun, is it? How about we try for a better one? Seems like none a’ you are in a hurry to kill anyway, and I ain’t too fond of the idea of doin’ this for fifteen more days straight, that’d get tedious, so let’s kick it up a notch. I’ll be releasin’ two secrets a day, startin’ right now.”

Wait, what? She’s already flipping to a new page in her little notebook.

“Here we go, this is much better! Bein’ affiliated with the Yakuza is pretty convenient for you, isn’t it Nao? It means the police turn a blind eye to all your illegal activities, though it probably helps that the two men you put in the hospital when you were sixteen were also criminals. One of them still ain’t regained full use of his arm, in case you hadn’t heard. I reckon once these facts circulate through the media you’ll find yourself brought up on charges after all- or at least sent back to the childcare facility, since legally speakin’ you should still be there.” The Devil finally closes the notebook with a snap and tucks it away again. She clicks her tongue once like a disapproving teacher, though if anything she looks quite pleased, “'Course we all got a chance to see how quick to violence you were yesterday, didn’t we? Such a bad boy. See y’all tomorrow!”

She gives you another cheerful wave and departs the ship, this time without further incident.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Telling The Tale Of The Heart | MAMI | CHAPTER 1 | MOTIVE2/3+EVENT REACTION

The second days secret had been far darker than expected, but the class withstood. She had watched Akira run off with a look of confusion, before excusing herself quietly and heading back to her room. 

But the third day of secrets was a bit more eventful. Summoned once more to the top deck Midnight had chosen to stay near the back, height aside she was feeling rather tired. She was wide awake however when the Devil appears beside Aka-san. She blinked trying to adjust, but she still misses the next movement. Aka-san’s face it bare, for a moment she herself is stunned. A young face, a young boy. 

Her own face was an expression of confusion and concern. Like that of someone that couldn’t really tell what was happening. Aka-san runs off and she is left more perplexed. But there is no time to linger on thoughts of confusion, no Nao is taking action, a fools gambit. How was a human to fight a devil? At first she looks at the scuffle eyes fixed on the action, before quickly looking to the feet of the Devil. She bites her lip, hands wringing together and knees rubbing against each other slightly. Don’t look. She flinches hard at the gunshot, head whipping back up to stare at the new comer. Who? 

But as soon as they arrive the scuffle is over and the Devil takes her leave. As do they, although when she isn’t sure. She runs a hand through her hair, eyes shut tight and expression pained. She took in a breath, pivoted on a heel and left. There was something she needed to do.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Catch These Hands | Event

“Oh hell fucking no!” Nao’s voice cuts through the air and he stomps towards the Devil. “You can’t fucking do that!”

“I think you’ll find I just did.” She responds brightly, and promptly catches the fist that Nao throws in her direction. He looks stunned for a second, but then back to absolutely pissed, and tries to jerk his arm back out of her grip to throw another punch. It doesn’t budge. “Nice try. My turn.”

She slams her other hand into his chest, you think you can hear something snap, Nao chokes, and the Devil is grinning wide and sharp, very sharp, her teeth are fangs, you can see it for certain now, every one of them, like a wolf.

Before anything more can happen, however, a gunshot rings out, then another, deafeningly loud.  The air is filled with the smell of gunpowder and brimstone. The Devil seems to have some newfound holes in both arms, though they leak smoke instead of blood.  An unfamiliar bespectacled blond gentleman storms over, brown jacket billowing behind him, carrying a rifle in one hand and something that looks alarmingly like a grenade in the other.

And suddenly, he is standing between Nao and the Devil, the gun and the bomb in his hands both promising mayhem if the Devil tries to move past him.

“You court trouble, mademoiselle.”  The man’s voice is low, angry, and carries a faint hint of a French accent.

The shots themselves had caused the Devil to jerk back slightly, apparently instinctively letting go of Nao, who dropped to the deck, arms wrapping around himself. But he’s still glaring up at her and honestly, if the blond stranger hadn’t stepped between them, you get the impression he might have tried to go for her again despite the total no sell.

As for the Smiling Devil herself, her smile is still in place, though it’s once again normal and polite as she adjusts her damaged sleeves with no signs of pain. “Hello, Correspondent, lovely of you to make an appearance. I suppose it is only a first offense.” She lightly touches one of the smoking holes in her arm and sighs with something like exasperated amusement. “I was fond a’ this suit though, y’know.”

Without further fuss she turns and walks towards the ramp off of the ship, raising one hand in a little farewell wave, as if to further demonstrate that she wasn’t terribly hindered by the injuries. “I’ll see y’all back here tomorrow! And Correspondent, I’ll be sure ta tell your wife you’re doin’ well.” She vanishes into the crowds on the dock remarkably quickly for someone wearing such a vibrant suit.

“Hey, thank… what the…” Nao has apparently struggled to his feet, and his bespectacled rescuer is nowhere to be seen. “…Okay what is with people just disappearin’ in this place, the fuck, like a lotta goddamn batmans…” He winces slightly, meeting no one’s eyes as he turns to shuffle towards the door into the ship, taking shallow, pained breaths.

[madamemidnightwaves]

Unmasked | Motive Pt. 3

Two secrets revealed, sixteen to go… and soon to be fifteen, if the Devil were true to her word. It may not have been long enough to form a pattern, but none of you are surprised when on the third day of the motive you’re once more summoned or corralled onto the deck of the Selkie. Just as before, the Devil is waiting for you, giving you an uneasy feeling of deja vu. You can imagine, if this continues on, that each announcement will start to blur together, made distinct only by the secret revealed. And whose will it be this time…?

“Y’all’ve caught onto the drill by now, I hope.” She says, already getting out the little black book and flicking through the pages. “So I’ll just get right to it… Akihito Akano hides behind his internet persona, Aka-san, but what is it he’s so desperate to conceal? His parents’ gamblin’ habit, which put them into so much debt he fears they’d take his savings if they knew he had any? Or maybe it’s the birthmark on his face that made him the target of bullies in his past? Hidin’ from your problems don’t make ‘em disappear, Akihito. Why don’t you take that mask off yourself? Might as well, everyone is goin’ to see your face anyhow.”

She tucks her notebook away, smile sickeningly sweet and cheerful, “Actually, why don’t I give you a hand with that?” Without even waiting for the sentence to process, before anything can be said, the Devil is suddenly standing beside Aka-san. She moved so fast, inhumanly fast, blink and you miss it fast. And quick as a striking snake she reaches up and snatches the stop sign mask right off Aka-san’s face, stepping back and holding it away from him.

“Now, why’d you ever wanna hide a face like that?” She says, her words dripping with sarcasm as she carelessly flicks Aka-san’s mask over the side of the ship like a frisbee.

Aka-san freezes the moment he hears his real name, and panic very quickly bubbles within him. Wait, wait, he– he was in the middle of preparing, he wasn’t– he wasn’t ready to–

….Ah? The devil is…

Before he could even register, his mask was gone, in the devil’s hand. He swayed, stumbling backwards as he stared at the devil, eyes wide. It took a few moments for him to register.

[Art by Cee]

“…A…Ah…” Underneath his mask, there’s a shockingly young-looking boy with heavily slanted eyes and… what appears to be a very large bruise over his face. His genius ass had stayed to the back row, meaning everyone was now turned to look at him. His vision was blurring. Everyone could see him. And then she spoke. A face like that… a face like that afacelikethatafacelikethatafacelikeyourparentssmashedawinebottleoveryourhead–

“S…stop… g..give that… give it… back…”, he tries to whimper out, voice so pathetically quiet it’s barely audible. Yet despite his plea, the mask still flies off the boat. Gone. He can feel his brain shut off when he loses sight of it. Everyone’s staring. Everyone’s judging. No… no, he can’t handle this… he can’t-

“S…stop… s-staring at me…!!”, he cries out, weak yet hysterical, and pulling his hood down as he rushes to stumble away, he feels a severe panic rise in his chest. No no no. He… he wanted to make friends. He can’t stop panicking, no matter how much he tries to tell himself they won’t judge.

Someone always does, his mind whispers. Someone always thinks, ‘oh how gross’. Someone always thinks he’s worth less, but of course they’d never say it. Why, that’d be socially unacceptable. But he knows they think it. Everyone does.

He has no idea where he is anymore, yet regardless he finds the darkest possible corner to wheeze and sob in. What a pathetic child he is, even today. Really, when is he going to grow up?

[madamemidnightwaves]

And Your Mind is Moving Low | Motive Pt. 2

None of you are quite sure what to expect on the following day. The Smiling Devil said she’d be revealing secrets once a day, which meant someone else’s was likely about to be announced. And sure enough, sometime around noon, each of you is suddenly approached by strange people with glowing eyes much like hers, who inform you to assemble on the deck. Most of you are unnerved enough to simply follow this instruction, but anyone who attempts to ignore or disobey it will find themselves patiently herded in that direction anyway by the creepy devils. Maybe it’s better to just get it over with.

And once again the Smiling Devil is waiting for you, perched on one of the sides of the boat, winsome smile firmly in place. It’s only when your entire class has crowded onto the deck that she gets on with it.

[TW: Suicide Mention]

“I’m sure none of you wants to linger, so I’ll come right out with it.” She once again withdraws the small black notebook from her coat pocket, although it’s likely only a matter of theatricality when she flips through the pages and stops on one. “Poor Akira Shimeji thinks his biggest secrets are the spots he finds the best mushrooms, and it’s sure his talent’ll be less special once those are revealed. But maybe he’d also care to know that he’s the reason his mother killed herself. She just couldn’t bear the sight of him anymore, or what he reminded her of.”

The Devil snaps the notebook closed once more, never losing her smile, and tucks it away.

“Such a shame. She really hated you, y’know.” The Devil’s eyes are fixed on Akira as she says this, but then leave him as though she’d instantly lost interest, instead moving to pass over the rest of you. “I reckon it goes to show, some of you may think you have nothin’ to hide, but there’s things in your past that even you may not know about which I’m sure you’d prefer stayed that way. Ignorance is bliss, ain’t that how the sayin’ goes? Well, y’all seem like clever kids, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that all ya gotta do to stop this is kill someone. Spare yourselves some sufferin’, why don’t you?”

Once again the Devil departs in no great rush, this time simply walking over and entering the ship- although attempting to follow her would just lead you into an empty hallway.