#pythonissam despair

[pythonissam-despair]

・゜۵ “I wonder if I've been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland ۵ ゜．

W̴̩͌E̸̳͐L̵̢̀C̴̜͑O̵̺͐M̴̰̓E̸͍̚ ̷͉͐ T̷̤̐O̷̡̿  ̷̩͆Ẇ̵̳O̴̖̽N̴̙͝D̸͈̋È̷̺R̶̩͠L̸͙̓A̵̘̽N̵̻̏D̵̘̄

》Atsushi Teshigawa - SHSL Composer [written by Los/Iris]

》Eleanor Ahn-Keating - SHSL True Crime Podcaster [written by Lovely]

》Elisabet Loveland - SHSL Medieval Healer [written by Luc]

》Fuyu - SHSL Tokushu Seiso [written by Aura]

》Hisa Watanabe - SHSL Lucky Student [written by Ko]

》Izumi Meihara - SHSL Ghost Hunter [written by Asia]

》J4CK4L - SHSL Deepfake Producer [written by Anya]

》Katrine Fischer - SHSL Movie Actress [written by Halo]

》Kosuke Nakamura - SHSL Urban Biologist [written by Jules]

》Masami Yoshinaga - Reserve Course [written by Teagan]

》Masumi Yuhara - SHSL Cyber Vigilante [written by Ali]

》Meili - SHSL Pianist [written by Melody]

》Mimori Hirano - SHSL Jell-O Artist [written by Capi]

》Moriko Sawashiro - SHSL Rock Painter [written by Anomalie]

》Nana Catlett - SHSL Merchant [written by Luci]

》Nene Anami - SHSL Cryobiologist [written by Rynn/Binny]

》Selene - SHSL Silk Aerialist [written by Lila]

》Toki Hikami - SHSL Programmer [written by Mints]

》Yukio Hayashi - SHSL Recipe Blogger [written by Emily]

》Yukitori - SHSL Live Streamer [written by Chai]

・゜۵ You fall further and further down the rabbit hole... where will it lead? ۵ ゜

[Art by Mints and Los! Thank you!]   

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Witch Hunt 6:   Mímir, The Fortuity Witch

[ Design and Art by Melody! ]

—

Mímir, The Fortuity Witch, with a deceitful, all-knowing, and vitriolic nature. Ruler of the sky, he bolsters his feathers with a deafening cry laced with hints of the Hierophant’s once human voice, now broken with emotion. 

It serves as a rallying cry to fellow creatures of the forest, of whom raise their heads and reveal possession of additional eyes as well. Each turns to face you and the remaining students, and in the light of the moon, you know now there is nothing left to do but fight.

[pythonissam-despair]

[HD: x ]

Victim: Elisabet Loveland, Nana Catlett

Motive: Phantom Fears [Greatest Fears]

Cause of Death: Spinal Trauma {Atlanto-occipital dislocation},  Exsanguination

Time of Death: 7:00AM, 7:15 AM

Time of Discovery Announcement: 8:26 AM

Body Discoverers:

Masami

Masumi

Atsushi

[ TIME REMAINING: 3 HOURS ]

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Dead by Daylight | Chapter 1

The scent of sugar fills the room, but you notice there’s a hint of something else. Something more sinister. Unease settles into your body, like cold fingers crawling across your skin. Once your anxiety settles, you spot a figure, along with a familiar black jacket.

And then you see it. 

[ Art by Capi ]

Mimori Hirano, lying on the kitchen floor, with a bouquet of red blooming from her side. Her coat is stained, and the tiles underneath grow slick with blood as it pools more and more. Upon her face, a look of sheer terror buries its way into your mind. 

But then you notice… she’s moving. Her chest is rising sporadically, sucking air through explosive gasps. Tears spill from her eyes that are burning with pain. Tiny grunts and strained sobs cut through the silence that gripped you all. 

She’s still alive, but she’s bleeding badly.

[pythonissam-despair]

[HD: x ]

Victim: Toki Hikami

Motive: Warped Desires [Wish Adjustments]

Cause of Death: Hypothermia

Time of Death: 2:43 AM

Time of Discovery Announcement: 8:13 AM

Body Discoverers:

Nene Anami

Yukio Hayashi

Moriko Sawashiro

[ TIME REMAINING: 3 HOURS ]

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Come One, Come All | Chapter 4 Motive 4.1

The day after Hisa’s departure from Wonderland, things have carried on as they normally have. To your knowledge, the SHSL Second-Best’s corpse hasn’t been spotted on the grounds or has come back bloodied and bruised -- so maybe the Powers’ promise did ring true.

Regardless, it’s about noon when Chuubey messages the group chat.

[ There has been a new development in the energy fields. I recommend we all gather in the Tower Plaza. ]

By now, you realized that this was a code for the start of another horrible, horrible motive. While you were technically given the option not to show up, ignorance was hardly bliss in this scenario.

Finishing whatever you were doing beforehand, you join the herd as you make your way outside the Tower.

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Fresh Air | Chapter Three End

The night following the ruined talent show and the loss of two (possibly three...?) people is filled with heavy melancholy. Ruminating on what could have gone wrong and how you plan to move forward with Kosuke’s unexpected death sits like a weight on your chest. Most return to their dorms late that night while they take time to escape the noxious gases that suffocate the upper story. 

It’s only in the morning that you all receive a notification from your Rosepads, bright and early.

“Apologies for the wait. The newest area available to you was outside rather than in the Tower, so I needed to adjust accordingly.”

“I’m not equipped with the late Kosuke’s quirk, so it was an experimental process. Here you go, though.”

You watch the map icons glow with a new notification. Opening it, you realize that you’re looking at the layout of a magnificent garden.

“The Rose Gardens are to the West of the tower. The Sixth Story should also be cleared now, though be wary if any gas lingers. It won’t kill you, but it’s probably uncomfortable.”

While their words from last night weren’t of much comfort, there’s no subtle taunts being thrown your way. Is it possible even Chuubey is tired of this place...?

Somehow, that’s doubtful.

[ Chapter Three End ]

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Witch Hunt 4:  Hyde, The Chlorinated Witch

[ Sketch and concept by Jules, Lines by Los, and Coloring by Mints! ]

Hyde is the Chlorinated witch, with a savage nature. A 13-foot feline figure, parts of his body glow and pulse with radioactive energy. Hyde’s face is obscured by a gas mask with a cracked lens, covering everything aside from a maw of razor sharp teeth. Around his neck is a collar attached to a heavy ball and chain, which restricts the Witch escaping his labyrinth. Fittingly, he wears the ragged ensemble of a prisoner. 

Attached to his back is a tank of some corrosive, yellow-green chemical slime.  The tank is attached to the Witch’s main weapon: a slime gun that fires bullets at a rapid pace.

Stalking the alleyways between buildings, anyone Hyde catches sight of is a threat to terminate… or prey to be caught. Nowhere is safe amongst the night life of the city. But, since his human inhibitions no longer hold him back, he can finally enjoy the thrill of the hunt. 

[pythonissam-despair]

[HD: x ]

Victim: Mimori Hirano

Motive: Hanahaki Disease [Loved Ones]

Cause of Death: ???

Time of Death: 6:17 PM

Time of Discovery Announcement: 6:18 PM

Body Discoverers:

Atsushi Teshigawara

Eleanor Ahn-Keating

Elisabet Loveland

Fuyu

Hisa Watanabe

J4CK4L

Katrine Fischer

Kosuke Nakamura

Masami Yoshinaga

Masumi Yuhara

Meili

Moriko Sawashiro

Nana Catlett

Nene Anami

Yukio Hayashi

Haruki Kitamura

Chuubey

Kalmia

Lilith

[ TIME REMAINING: 3 HOURS ]

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Falling so slow... | Chapter 3 Motive 3.2

With building dread, you all gather back at the Tower Plaza. Some of you clutch the fallen petal in your hand, while others shift nervously at this new development. It dawns on all of you that your condition is shared, which can only mean…

“Oddly enough, Wonderland acted without letting me find time to warn you. Hm… My apologies that I was not informed of the alteration sooner.”

Rather than waiting for you on top of the bulletin board as usual, the Moon Rabbit slows to a more measured gait as they approach the group. Could they have been caught off guard as well…? They take the time to slip through the noticeably smaller crowd and sit themselves at the front.

“Seeing as you all have already started to feel the effects, I suppose I don’t have to explain from the beginning, hm….?” they tilt their head, “You all were woken up the same way, it seems.”

Chuubey gives you all a moment to reexamine the petals you have, as well as the others’. Looking around, you all see different colors and shapes in each of your palms.

“While I have gathered that Hanahaki Disease has somehow found its way into a subsection of human pop culture, I am not certain all of you have heard of it. As you all can see, it’s more than fiction.”

The more isolated members of the group sense Chuubey’s gaze upon them for a moment.

“For those of you who don’t know, Hanahaki Disease is a magical affliction typically believed among humans to be caused by unrequited love. It’s rather uncommon, but there have been Magi who have contracted this in the past as a result of careless wishes. However, as you all are experiencing, its effects are not quite the same…”

“Rather than being the result of unrequited love, the bonds you all share with your favorite people are what have been targeted by the powers that be in this realm.”

For a moment you’re all distracted by the soft glow coming from your palms. Looking down, you notice the petal you expelled is now hovering and swathed in a golden light. You’re compelled to grab it and, for a few seconds, you receive a vision.

A best friend, a sibling, a parent, a mentor- one of the people most important to you appears in your mind’s eye. As they go about their day, you see them stiffen and begin to cough. While the pain they seem to experience is similar to the one you felt, they fail to couch up any flower petals of their own. Maybe someone comes to check on them, maybe they don’t, but the vision fades before you can see the outcome.

All you know is that one person special to you is in pain.

Chuubey allows everyone a moment to process their vision before continuing.

“...Maybe there’s some comfort in knowing that, as a result of your current state, you will not be able to die from the Hanahaki Disease. However, the same cannot be said for your loved ones…”

You’re not sure if the pain settling in your chest is an indicator of another coughing fit or more dread.

“Until a murder has occurred or your Loved One succumbs to the effects of your disease, you all will periodically expel flowers in painful coughing fits. You may feel a constant weight in your chest and have sore throats, but until either of those events occur, you all will be… relatively safe.” the Incubator pauses momentarily, “Hm… I hear tea is good for that last effect. You may want to indulge in that until this passes.”

It’s impossible to tell if their unhelpful addition is an attempt to aid your dilemma or to mock it. Regardless, you follow their line of sight up to the glowing Bulletin Board. It reads: Hanahaki Disease.

“Hm, well…. There is not much else to report aside from that. I suppose you all should… continue on with your business…? I have some of my own to attend to.”

Chuubey turns back and begins to plod away, swishing their tail side to side. Before they leave you to your own devices though, they look back.

“Now may be the time to evaluate what you find more valuable: the life of a peer or the life of whoever this disease has targeted. I can’t quite call you all strangers anymore, now can I…?”

With that final note, Chuubey turns back and takes their leave. Somehow, the weight of the petal in your hand feels greater than before.

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Leaves from the vine | Chapter 3 Motive 3.1

It’s been a few days since the passing of Toki and Yukitori, though it hardly feels like that. Wonderland Tower had settled back into uneasy silence after Leoncavallo’s defeat, the deafening circus music contrasting with what was surely the current calm before the storm. 

Before anyone could get comfortable, another motive would make itself known in the early hours of the morning. Wonderland was intent on making you kill each other, after all. 

A restless night’s sleep wasn’t something uncommon since the Killing Game had begun. While mental discomfort could usually be the cause, or the wounds from a recent Witch fight, a new source of comfort arose: for some reason, you just kept coughing throughout the night. The tickle in your throat is faint at first, but when the morning sun creeps through your dorm window, it feels like sandpaper. 

[ cw; emetophobia ]

Hands braced on the bathroom sink, clearing your throat yields no results. As you stare at your reflection, the tickle in your throat is suddenly an itch, then a burning feeling as coughs wrack your body. Shoulders shake for a few moments, and your throat burns as something brushes your lips. With shaking hands, your fingers grasp something fragile and smooth. 

A flower petal, wet with drops of your own blood.

At your side you feel your Rosepad buzz with a message from Chuubey to gather in the Town Plaza. You collect yourself and waste no time heading out.

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Toppled Scales | CH.2 Trial Start

By the time everyone makes it up you find the Moon Rabbit has been patiently waiting for you. The miasma blocking your path previously is already dissipating as they turn around. 

“Pardon me for not waiting. I simply wanted to streamline matters... Drawing it out seems worse, hm...?”

While they weren’t wrong, anything that came out of their mouth only raised your ire. Maybe they sense this as they waste little time beginning to hop up the stairs for themself.

“Well...? Come on. You as well, Haruki.”

[ WONDERLAND TOWER LVL 4: UNLOCKED ]

Trial Room Two

Like the last trial room you had entered, the set up seems nearly identical to its state prior to transformation.However, instead of one crumbled podium, there are now three piles of rubble sat before you. The clocks and name plaques for Izumi and Toki have fallen into complete disrepair, though Izumi’s stand looks singed on top of it. The flower statues that once decorated Toki’s podium are left balanced perfectly on a golden scale.

It takes less time for everyone to find their places, though your most recent addition is seemingly without one. Chuubey notes this by pointing at Selene’s stand.

“That one is the most manageable to station at... It’ll have to do. If you wouldn’t mind?”

Once that matter is settled, the Incubator addresses you all once again.

“Nothing much has changed since our last session of this, so I think it’s best if I leave you to it. While you found all of the evidence collectively, no one group gathered all of the information. Enlightening each other on the basics may do more for you later... but that’s up to you.”

With their speech out of the way, Chuubey offers the floor to all of you!

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Of Scales and Lemon Drops | Ch.2 Body Discovery Announcement

It’s not long before you’re all guided to the Training Field, leading into the Infirmary. Upon a glance, everything is as it should be. The beds and cabinets sit orderly as ever and maintain their cleanliness that you would hope out of a medical facility. It’s the presence of Chuubey near the entrance to the Solarium that reminds you of the last time you were gathered like this.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping watch. You all can take a look for yourselves before we continue. There’s not nearly as much blood this time.”

‘This time’, ‘last time’... you’re only reminded that this has happened again. Steeling yourselves, you open the doors to the Sunlit Solarium. It’s there that you see it…

A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED

[ Sketch by Mints, Line and Color by Los! ]

A gentle, warm glow washes through the small windows on the walls. Pushing inside, you’re embraced in a soft light that would be comforting if not for the sight before you.

It’s impossible to miss Toki Hikami sitting slumped in one of the wicker chairs at the center of the room. Clothed in their Magus form, the only real indication something is wrong comes in their stilled chest, blue fingers, and the trickle of blood rolling from their temple. Maybe if you didn’t know any better, you would think they had fallen asleep peacefully… if only. White roses and the faint smell of herbs mix to create a peaceful juxtaposition to your classmate’s dead body. However despite the condition they’re in, you already know it’s far too late.

Moriko stands with their back to you all and lets out a quiet sound of frustration, of futility. They had stumbled toward the body as if in a trance, reaching out with their fingers and their mind to prove to themself that Toki is really, truly dead, that there isn't some last thing they can do while the others arrive. Flee, investigate, punish, die, disappear- The cycle is unending, isn't it?

But there isn't an excuse to isolate themself this time. No excuse to run away. 

They look back to the group as you make your way inside. As their hair whips back to cover their eyes, for a brief moment the expression visible in them is just...confused.

Toki Hikami is gone.

[pythonissam-despair]

"You... might wanna be careful, you know? This isn’t something that’s easy to understand but... Maybe try this? You know, if you want. You’re the ones who make these choices.”

Ever since making your contract, you never got the impression of more than one of them existing in a single place at a time. While normally a blur of black and white fur, you had started to notice them around the academy following your Soul Gem Contract. 

Who knew Chuubey needed a helper?

[Sketch by Mints and Line/Color by Los!] [Template from SPDUDE18 on DeviantArt]

♢  ♢  ♢  ♢  ♢  ♢

Hello, hello to everyone! With the extension giving everyone some more breathing room, we decided it was time to finally introduce you to Minibey, who is one of the faces you’ll be encountering during PD! 

While not the Incubator you all made your contracts with, they tend to hang around the academy and help out the plethora of Magi students; almost obtaining a mascot status among their ranks. While a bit of an odd ball even with their status as an Incubator, they’re here for the students all the same!

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Welcome to the Game | Labyrinth Discovery CH.2

With the motive weighing heavily on the everyone’s shoulders, a few hours had managed to pass with relative peace. What many have turned their attention to instead are the mysteries beyond Cheshire’s Pass. With Bridget defeated yet again, more powerful Witches with their claws deeply sunk into their territorial claims are there to greet brave adventurers.

It’s the group of Yukitori, Nene, Moriko, Fuyu, and Yukio that come stumbling out with something more than just Grief Seeds and Grief Fragments...

With them stands a tall young man with dyed hair in a charming knight’s outfit. He looks around warily as he transitions into his civilian form to watch the party. Nene’s the first to speak up after offering Moriko a much needed shoulder following the tiring ordeal.

"... Um, is everyone doing alright after that? Haruki-san, do you recognize this place at all?"

Looking around the crossing, the man named Haruki runs a hand through his hair... 

"Nnno...? I don't think so..."

"So, uhm. You got a place to stay?" Yukio asks Haruki.

“It might be safer if you come back with us, at least for now. Um, unless you know a way back!"

"I don't..." Pausing he just shakes his head. "Uh... yeah. Sure."

Yukitori, watching this, chimes in.

"New friend! Rad!"

But as the party starts walking, they’re barely given a moment to breathe or a chance to get far... Looking up, they notice Chuubey is sitting on a perch above the group, staring at the new guest.

"I wasn't expecting more company. Is this another soul who has wandered in unable to leave? Or were they here before you? No matter, it makes no difference to me. Whether they know this or not, they're stuck here with the rest of us.”

“Welcome to the game, Haruki. I'll be letting everyone else know shortly."

And with that Chuubey jumps from their perch and walks into the mist. Minutes later, everyone’s Rosepads ring with a new notification.

[Hello everyone. While there's no body to be found today, or extra push to kill I'd like to remind everyone that the only way to leave is to accumulate grief through murder.]

[With that said... it seems we have a new player in this game. Welcome Haruki Kitamura.]

[NPC DISCOVERED: Haruki Kitamura, former SHSL Bassist]

[pythonissam-despair]

❧ Warped Desires | Ch.2 Motive 2.2

Like the last time you were here, Chuubey could be found patiently waiting at the top of the ancient notice board. Around you are the sea of familiar faces that you have grown accustomed to by this point. Though, obviously, the group is a little smaller than last time. Anxious murmurs hover in a hush over the Tower Plaza with the anticipation of further news.

Even if you held to optimism, calling this group together never seemed to bode well.

Once you’ve taken your place beside the rest of your peers, the Incubator moves right into their announcement.

“I see many of you have taken to exploring beyond Cheshire’s Pass. I wonder, was it what you were expecting? From what I can tell, some of you appear to have gotten in a little over your heads.” There’s a thoughtful silence as they scan the crowd, tutting softly.

“After your experiences with the Witch Rosmerta and the others, I wonder how quickly you all will give into this next temptation.”

Absolutely nobody likes the sound of that. The Incubator at least recognizes this as they begin running their paw over their ears while they start habitually cleaning themself.

“You all have learned by now that nothing is free with humans or incubators. Just like you all came to learn when you gave up your souls for your greatest desires, there is always something more you could want. Wonderland is no different.”

The board beneath the moon rabbit fills with that pink energy seen the last time you all were summoned. Currently, the image is of a Soul Gem.

“While I don’t consider it our fault that some of you are dissatisfied with the state of your contracts, the powers that be seem to have some understanding of these regrets. While it is impossible to significantly alter your wishes with what magic you all possess, the culminated despair of the fallen may be able to sweeten the deal a bit more.”

A thought bubble materializes with a question mark within it.

“Like the sharing of secrets, this motivation is simplistic when it comes to human ambition. For the price of at least one other life, you may be provided the opportunity to alter your wishes, minimally, or make a smaller one alongside it. What this can mean for all of you will be different, but heightening the effects of your initial wish by some degree or adding on a smaller stipulation may make some difference.”

Chuubey comes to stand from their perch and wanders to the far edge of the bulletin board, looking through each person individually. As they do so the words ‘Warped Desires’ comes into view.

“Naturally there are many limitations to such a scenario. Any loss of human life, memories, or standing caused by your original contract cannot be undone. While Magic is a powerful tool, many of you understand that no amount of Magic can let anyone permanently escape from death or erasure.”

Yukio catches the rabbit staring directly at him for a few moments.

“You may be able to soften the blow a little by altering the memories of yourself or some humans, but the dead and forgotten cannot be returned to life.”

“What theoretically could be done with this ‘minor wish’ would depend on your creativity and ability to complete a murder. Wishing for some moderate financial boon for your families back home or seeking a hint to the whereabouts of someone you have been in search of for a long time are things that could be granted. Ultimately, these are desires you would be willing to kill for to achieve. Rather than self-sacrifice, you will be asked to steal the hopes of another to fuel this change.”

As usual, it was difficult to find anything to say in objection to these new conditions. While the incubator claimed to be no more than the bearer of bad news, it was hard not to imagine them taking some satisfaction in this. Incubators couldn’t feel joy, evidently, but their neutrality was as foreign to you all as ever.

In the least, they had finished their speech and you find them floating back to the brick plaza.

“That’s all I have to report at the moment. I recommend you all think carefully about any decisions you intend to make. After the pattern that was established some days ago, I wouldn’t wait around too long. If any of you are to act, I’m sure you wish to be the one to reap the rewards.”

With a polite bow, Chuubey casually makes their way back towards Wonderland Tower. In comparison to the last motive, this one seemed easier to conquer. Surely there were some ‘bad eggs’ among you, but no one would give into such selfish desires…

At least, you hope nobody will.