♛ ▌1 0 0 D A Y S ❣

↓T R I A L ✖ E I G H T↓​

【 C H E R N O】​

​

​

❝What if you are the important piece? What if you are the one to save them all? What if your death results in the death of others? Have you paused to think about how your actions--even your death--would hurt the others? How many people will miss you if you're gone, Cherno? How many people will give up? How many people will be left alone? Selfish. Please leave the temple now.❞​

↓T R I A L ✖E I G H T↓​

【M A R I N A】​

​

❝Typical. Please leave the temple now.❞​

​

​

↓T R I A L ✖E I G H T↓​

【B E N】​

​

❝I see...When you return to the gameboard, you will have to take care of your 'card'. I hope that is alright with you. Please leave the temple now.❞​

​

​

STATS​

Spoiler

【 M A R I N A】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: FAILED​

TRIAL FOUR: FAILED​

TRIAL FIVE: FAILED​

TRIAL SIX: FAILED​

TRIAL SEVEN: FAILED​

TRIAL EIGHT: FAILED​

​

【B E N】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: PASSED​

TRIAL FOUR:PASSED​

TRIAL FIVE: PASSED​

TRIAL SIX: PASSED​

TRIAL SEVEN: PASSED​

TRIAL EIGHT: PASSED​

​

【C H E R N O】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: PASSED​

TRIAL FOUR: FAILED​

TRIAL FIVE: FAILED​

TRIAL SIX: FAILED​

TRIAL SEVEN: PASSED​

TRIAL EIGHT: FAILED​

 

Cherno left the temple, a smile on his face.

He walked out onto the beach.
Oh ... was there someone waiting for him? He moved closer.
Off in the distance, he saw two other figures.
... Was it the others? They were alive! Perfect! Cherno sighed happily. At least those two had the chance of getting past this place.

 

[ tumblr /// mood: relieved ]​

​

Ben stepped down the stairs leading out of the temple. The sky had become nght-dark, and torches lined the path away from the temple. He noticed two other figures as he approached the beach where they had started. Were they Marina and Cherno? He let out sigh of relief. They were still okay, at least for the time being.​

 

​

Tumblr |Mood | Music​

Bronagh really could not think of anything, but tried hard to. Her facial expression showed it slightly, but not to the extent it was bugging her. Instead of something typical, she found herself asking a very similar question to the one she had just asked the boy Ryan.​

"What is something you want to do before you die, hypothetically speaking? Do you wish to go to a different country? Find a new hobby? Learn how to do something?" Bronagh pulled out her little notebook and said, "I figured..." She looked at the people who were in the room, but they were not paying any attention and she spoke again, "Everyone in this game, we all have the potential to be gone... I figure now... we've got time to wrap things up. I want to fulfill as many people's dreams as possible... even if I cannot fulfill my own."​

 

↓T R I A L ✖ N I N E↓​

​

​

❝Hello, everyone. Thank you for playing.❞​

​

||| Crestatia stands by the shore. She seems more cheerful than usual, and not very intimidating at all. Analynne is knelt down beside her, occupying herself with some broken seashells. She approaches Ben and her eyes glow with pride. Her lips press against his forehead tenderly and she rests a hand on his shoulder. ​

​

​

❝Congratulations, Ben. I am proud of you, and I have a gift for you. It comes with a price.❞ ​

​

||| She reaches into the pocket of her velvety cloak and holds out a small, clear orb. ​

​

❝I am willing to give one of you the temporary power of DECLARATION. Ben. You can chose to live and leave this island with your card, discarding this power along with Cherno and Marina...Or you can allow one of these two to live, instead. They will return to the gameboard with the power to DECLARE. You, your card and the unchosen will pass away -- unable to return. It is entirely up to you.❞​

STATS​

Spoiler

【 M A R I N A】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: FAILED​

TRIAL FOUR: FAILED​

TRIAL FIVE: FAILED​

TRIAL SIX: FAILED​

TRIAL SEVEN: FAILED​

TRIAL EIGHT: FAILED​

TRIAL NINE: ...​

​

【B E N】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: PASSED​

TRIAL FOUR:PASSED​

TRIAL FIVE: PASSED​

TRIAL SIX: PASSED​

TRIAL SEVEN: PASSED​

TRIAL EIGHT: PASSED​

TRIAL NINE: ...​

​

【C H E R N O】​

​

TRIAL ONE: FAILED​

TRIAL TWO: FAILED​

TRIAL THREE: PASSED​

TRIAL FOUR: FAILED​

TRIAL FIVE: FAILED​

TRIAL SIX: FAILED​

TRIAL SEVEN: PASSED​

TRIAL EIGHT: FAILED​

TRIAL NINE: ... ​

 

​

{tumblr • Psychosis-Normal • Mood- awed}​

{OOC: quickly losing my mind• Wearing • Day 25.1 Monday December 24th}​

[/url]Harley started talking about how fun this would be the moment they began to walk away together. She glanced back over her shoulder to get one last look at Altair before disappearing out of sight. "Who are you gonna buy gifts for?" he asked. She had only thought about it a little and the list wasn't long. Heidi had still yet to check and see how much the old man sent her. Maybe she could get some nicer things for the few people she did have in mind.

"I'm not really sure. You and Altair probably. And Casey..." and Anthony.

"I think I might get something for Anthony," he told Heidi as the two of them got into his car, "I wonder what the kid would have liked . . ."

She nodded. Heidi was glad Harley said that. She felt the same way. It was nice to know she wasn't the only one sad to see him go. "Y-yeah. I think he would have liked that."

They drove relatively in silence. Warm air blasted Heidi's face from the vents was Christmas music played in the speakers. She stared out the window absently, watching the snowflakes fall. It was just a light flurry now, but by the time they would leave the mall, things would probably have picked up. She nodded off during the short trip, her cheek resting against the cool glass of the window. The feel and sound of the car shutting down woke her from her nappish-daze.

"It's easy to get lost in this mall." He explained as the two of them left the car and made their way through the parking lot and towards one of the six main entrances, "Make sure you stay close to me." He then said with a smile.

Heidi subconsciously latched onto Harley's arm. She had been doing that with people a lot lately. She hoped he didn't mind. It was the best way for her to stay close without getting lost.

"Where would you like to go first?" he asked her.

The mall was bigger than any she had seen before, including in the movies. Those were pretty much the only times she saw malls. Stacey never took her and she was too young to remember as a child. It had four flours, the whole place had an upside down boat feet to it, and was filled with what she could only assume were thousands of people. They walked passed an ice skating ring and she couldn't help but stop and stare. Heidi had never gone ice skating before. She pulled her eyes away from the rink and back up at Harley. She really didn't know, but her brown eyes sparkled with anticipation, regardless. "I... I don't know. I've never been shopping before and this place is..." Her mouth made and oh shape and she breathed out the word wow.

 

[ tumblr /// mood: resolved ]​

​

Ben gazed down at the orb. Sacrifice the power to save himself, or sacrifice himself to give someone else the power? Which would he choose. He didn't know what DECLARATION entailed, but Crestatia's words gave him the sense that it was serious. What should he do? What was the right thing to do? Ben breathed deeply, considering his options. Yes, that would be the best thing to do.​

​

Ben walked over to Cherno, placing the orb in his hands. "Cherno." He smiled. "This is the first time I've spoken to you. But I trust that you can use this power well, whatever it is." He looked down at the sandy beach. "If we never get back, give my regards to Olivia." And hope that the police don't find her, for whatever reason she's afraid of them. He walked over to stand next to Marina. If we're in luck, you won't have to.​

 

↓T R I A L ✖ T E N↓​

​

​

❝Well, then...Come along.❞​

​

||| Crestatia kicks Analynne lightly with her shoe and the girl stands up, clearly irritated. They wait for Ben and Marina to step away from Cherno. ​

​

❝Congratulations. Be careful...One last thing, Cherno...❞​

​

​

_E N D;​

​

 

​

After a good distance walking, Altair soon reached his destination and entered the huge mall. "Urrgg entering a mall at Christmas Eve....oh how I do loathe the rush" Altair said with a groan as he walked on. He had absolutely no idea why anybody would even want him to come here and he had absolutely no idea why he even followed the damn suspicious text. Letting out another groan Altair shook his head and walked on but then immediately froze upon what he saw up ahead. His eye began to immediately twitch and words could not escape the dumbfound teen's mouth "y-you" Altair muttered.

 

​

[ T U M B L R • OBSERVATION SUBJECTS • L A T E S T ]​

[ OOC : WOO, THE MALL ]​

[ DAY : 25 - 1/3 ] • [ DECEMBER 24, 2012 ] ​

[ YOU • ME • NAMES • LINKS • HATRED ] • [ MOOD : CHEERFUL ]​

[/url]

I N xM Y xC R O W N , I xA M xK I N G .
D O N ' T xM E S S xW I T H xM E .

xxxxxxxxxx They had started walking around and when Harley had told her that it was easy to get lost, she linked her small arm in his, and it made him smile.

Watching her go through the expressions of wonder, Harley thought she looked a lot like a little girl, seeing a place so big for the first time. She seemed to stare at the skating rink for the longest time, and he wondered if she had ever been skating before. He wasn't a pro or anything, but unlike most people, he could stay on his own to feet without having to feel the harsh, hard cold of the ice. Maybe they would go today, if she wanted.

" I . . . I don't know. " She said in a slightly nervous voice, honestly, " I've never been shopping before, and this place is . . . " At the grand view, her mouth went into a round O and Harley laughed.

He then looked around at the numerous people who filled the mall with their last-minute shopping and thought that, on their first visit, the place could seem a little intimidating. He remembered that one instance he was here with one of his aunts when he was young . . . At the memory, he shuddered.

Where to go first, hmm . . . Well, the Hallmark Gift Shop was always a good place to start, so he began to lead Heidi in that direction, easily maneuvering in between the tons of people that were there. Occasionally, he would see a flash of recognition from a person that they passed; most of them were girls, but there were a few boys that had gone to Bellhurst with him.

Upon arriving at the Hallmark shop where various cards, trinkets, snow globes, and other fine gifts could be bought, a small teenage girl welcomed them and batted her eyelashes at Harley. He pretty much ignored her, but before they two could completely move past her, she said " If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. " She seemed to emphasize the fact that she was willing to help as she gave him a wink, but when Harley moved to let her see that his arm was attached to Heidi's, she blushed and looked away.

Annoying girls . . .

Harley looked around at the various little items and smiled upon looking at the necklaces; there was a wide assortment of infinity jewelry. He was tempted to secretly smuggle some from Heidi's sight upon thinking she might like this, and it meaning behind it, but then he wondered if she liked jewelry much at all. Even then, maybe he would still buy it for her.

" See anything you like? " he asked her upon seeing that she was looking around.

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Spoiler: x

​

 

[/url]

Marina began to realize just how truly bad things were when she saw the familiar purple-haired demoness awaiting them at the beach. There was another one there too, picking at seashells in the sand. That was always a fun time as a child, running up and down the shore pulling little treasures from the granulated earth. She smiled at the memory, but only briefly. Crestatia's presence could mean nothing good. ❝Hello, everyone. Thank you for playing.❞ She greeted them. Did this provide her with the necessary level of entertainment for the day? She seems more cheerful than usual, and not very intimidating at all. She approaches Ben and her eyes glow with pride. Her lips press against his forehead tenderly and she rests a hand on his shoulder. ​

​

Marina had not returned her pleasantries. She was tired of doing so. The day was far too taxing and she just wanted to go home. Crestatia seemed satisfied with Benjamin's performance, but made no attempt to do any similar action with Cherno or herself. ❝Congratulations, Ben. I am proud of you, and I have a gift for you. It comes with a price.❞ What had he done during the trials? Benjamin was the only one that had won. Her heart sank, not that she could not tell during the trial, but it still hurt to know the truth. She reaches into the pocket of her velvety cloak and holds out a small, clear orb.​

​

❝I am willing to give one of you the temporary power of DECLARATION. Ben. You can chose to live and leave this island with your card, discarding this power along with Cherno and Marina...Or you can allow one of these two to live, instead. They will return to the gameboard with the power to DECLARE. You, your card and the unchosen will pass away -- unable to return. It is entirely up to you.❞​

Her blue eyes widened in shock. That choice-- her face did not falter. She wanted Benjamin to make the right one, regardless of how she felt. Her chest ached and tears began to prick at her eyes, but there was no way she would break down yet; not until Benjamin made his decision. Time seemed to tick by for an eternity while they waited and he thought over the option. What would she have done? Marina mulled it over, and eventually came to one resolute decision. Benjamin must have too. At the moment she decided, he opened his mouth. This was it.

Ben walked over to Cherno, placing the orb in his hands. "Cherno." He smiled. "This is the first time I've spoken to you. But I trust that you can use this power well, whatever it is." He looked down at the sandy beach. "If we never get back, give my regards to Olivia." He walked over to stand next to Marina.

Marina gave him a sad, welcoming smile, and a tight hug. She held no animosity towards him. Benjamin, she had always liked him, it was a shame he would not get to continue on. He made a wise decision, giving it to Cherno. She would have done the same. If she could have, Marina would have handed it to the both of them; save the boys. He was the veteran in this game, not that it meant much. He did, however, experience far more than they. It was only right to let him continue on for he had already endured so much. He deserved to win. She left her arm resting on Ben's shoulders, holding him close to her. A sad, all knowing smile, moved slowly in Cherno's direction. She gave him a nod and tears slowly began to stain her creamy cheeks. They had a touch of pink to them now, and her dirty bangs fell into her face. The silk undergown clung tightly to her body, covered with sweat and jungle debris.

❝Well, then...Come along.❞ Crestatia said, kicking the other girl with her foot. She stood and began to follow, clearly annoyed. Who was she?

Marina gave Cherno a pat on the shoulder and then trailed her fingers down his jaw line. "Good luck," she wished him and proceeded to wipe away her own tears before turning to follow Crestatia and the girl. It was time for them to say goodbye, for them to die.

❝Congratulations. Be careful...One last thing, Cherno...❞​

She wondered what that last bit was, but only for a minute. It did not matter anymore. She would not live to find out. Marina entwined her fingers with Ben's, giving his hand a good squeeze for safe measure. It was time to go now. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes. For a split second, she thought of the other students on the list that she new. Her mind lingered a little longer on Dylan, then shook the thought. "Goodbye Benjamin." she whispered before finally exhaling. At least the beach of this island was not so bad a place to spend her final minutes. Marina opened her eyes, gave him a kiss on the cheek, a satisfied smile, and then began to step forward. This was okay. Winning was the farthest thing from her mind. She only wished to help more. Marina hoped that the little bit she had done, was enough for now. She thought of Anthony. What would become of him? Hopefully, he would be all right.

She sighed softly.

​

Marina Sario, is dead.​

 

​

Tumblr |Mood | Music​

She had luckily gotten enough time between her last comment to be able to retract her thoughts. Was she seriously trying to be the happiness here when she was so full of sadness? She wasn't fucking Santa Claus. There is a difference between teaching an 8 year old boy with little life experience how to fish and fulfilling the wish of someone in their adolescent years.​

"Ignore me... I am a writer, I say what comes to mind as it comes to mind."​

67% of the time.​

Bronagh didn't try to change the conversation this time, rather she leaned forward a bit and put her elbows on her thighs. Just thinking. Thinking about how much it hurt when she put her elbows on her thighs.​

 

[ tumblr /// mood: satisfied ]​

​

"Goodbye, Benjamin." Ben felt Marina's soft lips touch his cheek before pulling away. With a smile, Marina walked forward towards Crestatia, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.​

​

Marina was gone. Ben bit back his tears. There was no sense crying over her. She wouldn't want it, and he would soon share the same fate. He walked over to Cherno and grabbed his free hand, gripping it firmly.​

​

"I wish we didn't have to meet like this," he murmured. All that work just for this. What a cruel trick of Fate. "Perhaps we'll see each other again some day." He had never been much of a believer, but in this world of demons and game boards, anything could happen, right? He placed his hand on Cherno's shoulder and moved his face close enough to to whisper into Cherno's ear.​

​

Ben thought back to the events of the past week or so. Speaking with Marina, the pizza party, seeing Olivia, the body-switching, the snakes. All of it seemed to have happened in an instant. He supposed to could have done more to stay alive. It was too late now, though. "Remember this, Cherno:" he whispered, "Audentis Crestatia iuvat."​

​

Ben pulled himself back, a sad smile forming on his face. He turned around and began to walk back to where he had stood before. After his face was out of sight, he felt warm tears running down his cheeks. This was how it ended, huh? The words of an ancient poet rang in his his ears:​

​

Ventum ad supremum est.​

​

...Yeah. So it has.​

​

Benjamin Ross is dead.​

 

Nate was currently spending his morning browsing different site on the internet. It was something he did whenever he wasn't eating breakfast or gone somewhere. Currently he was a news site where he saw some interesting piece of new. Helicopter Crash in Coy City? Wonder how ended up in the hospital. Socialization wasn't one of his strong points, even his mother would often tell him that he needed to get off the computer and meet some real people. In fact, those where the last words form her he heard before the accident. "I suppose I can go take a look." He a moment to log off his computer and put it up. He knew all too well that he wouldn't be able to use any of these things there. Fortunate for him, as he left, he checked his pocket to make sure his phone was there. As long as it was in his pocket, whether it was on or not, he would be fine.

 

​

In the middle of the mall there stood a small house, covered with fake snow. Poles that looked like candy canes stood all around the area and decorations flooded the area. Kids and their parents flocked around, waiting to visit the man that sat on his throne in front of the house. The king known as Santa was awaiting their requests and it was the task of all little kids to ask the old man what they wanted. Nothing was wrong in this picture, in fact it was a wondrous scene, but in the eyes of the silver haired teen he knew that things could not be so pleasant. Not when the one that played Santa was the very old man that he lived with…

Standing with the parents that stood by the small fence that surrounded the area of Christmas joy, Altair just stood there as his eye twitched. Nothing seemed wrong at the moment, but he couldn’t trust it for long, and then it happened…

 

​

[ ◦ ♥ ◦ ♠ ◦ ♣ ◦ ♦ ◦ ]​

A last wish? It was an interesting thought.

"No it's okay, I don't mind answering. Hm...really, all I wish to do is protect my brother and ensure that he is happy. There's really nothing I want for myself."

After speaking she stood, looking down at her watch. "And I apologize, but speaking of the boy I really must go and buy his present before it gets too late. It's been nice talking to you, I hope to see you tomorrow."

A slight bow of the head was given before she walked off, returning to the first floor and hailing a cab once outside. It took her to the mall which she began to wander, thoughts of gifts following through her mind.

 

While browsing tumblr a bit more, Allison found that the boy had replied to him and started a series of messages that tumblr messed up. However it was very enjoyable to just sit back and do normal things again, like browse the internet and talk to this Elliot person. He seemed like a really funny uptight kind of person. She was kind of glad that he wasn't part of this crazy game. However when she browsed more of his tumblr, Allison realized her mistake. The list that he and some other mystic? girl had been talking about had to have been the e-mail. Her mind flashed back to the party and the strange girl that announced her entrance. So they were both part of this. Though it was strange that he had paid her a visit, if she was some kind of fortune teller, if he was so opposed to that kind of thing. Allison felt embarrassed by her response, no doubt he'd probably question her about it and then find out that she was also part of this crazy game. Poor guy, his faith in science and logic must be so shaken up by now. She wondered how he had fared the past couple days, since he must've been bodyswapped too.

 

​

“Hey look at the fatass!”

“Hey old man don’t hurt yourself”

Childish snickering came from nearby and Altair’s attention turned a bunch of idiotic teens obviously trying to make fun of the old man. True the old man looked weak and fat, but that was supposed to be a part of the costume. The parents were annoyed and Altair just facepalmed “you idiots, why the hell did you have to say that" Altair muttered.

Hearing the words of the ignorant teens, Santa immediately picked up the child on his lap and placed him down. “Weak…you say? Fat?” Santa began to say as he suddenly stood up from his throne and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms “So you say Santa is weak and fat eh?” Santa said glancing towards the foolish teens.

“Oh god damn don’t do it you old man” Altair whispered desperatly as his eye twitched. All his hope in the old man was turning to dust.

Immediately Santa suddenly took off the shirt he was wearing and stood there totally shirtless. The foolish teens stood dumbfound as they saw the ripped Santa stand before them. “So want me to show you how weak I am?” Santa said cracking his knuckles. Like scared little girls the teens ran away in fear. With a hearty laugh Santa began to flex his muscles.

And so Altair’s jaw dropped as he stood there dumbstruck. It wasn’t the shirtless old man that brought him to this state, but the fact that there wasn’t even a single complaint at all. The kids and even the parents were all cheering at the muscular Santa.

His body couldn’t take the anger and more, and soon enough it exploded “YOU DAMN OLD MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN PUT ON A FRIGGIN SHIRT” Altair yelled as he hopped over the fence.

Noticing the silver haired teen making his appearance, Santa immediately raised his eyebrow and laughed happily “HOHOHOHO look kids it my assistant Altair, the derpy elf” Santa said happily as the kids cheered happily.

“D-Derpy Elf…y-you bast….I..umm…mean you dumb dumb?” Altair retorted only to pause in mid-sentence due to the presence of little kids. “I AM NOT YOUR ELF SO JUST PUT ON A SHIRT” Altair yelled.

“Yeah false alarm kids, derpy is not this bad” Santa said with a grin.

At this point Altair’s anger got the best of him “YOU BAST- OWWWWW WHAT THE HEL- OWWWW STOP THAT” Altair yelled as a force suddenly his head. Rubbing his head he immediately noticed just what hit him.

“Bad kids should not be so rude” Santa said. In the old man’s hand was a huge candy cane pole that was used to hit the teen. He merely stood there with his cheeky grin as he watched Altair, as if taunting the teen.

“Y-YOUUUUU” Altair yelled as he grabbed a nearby candy cane poll and wacked it straight at Santa. Santa immediately blocked it and a battle soon commenced. The giant candy canes both clashed, attempting to wound the opposing wielder and stand in supremacy. It was a heated battle and even the security guards could only stand there in disbelief. Eventually Altair managed to knock Santa’s weapon out of his hands but then it happened. A sudden mob of small bodies immediately tackled him down and little feet began to kick the fallen Altair.

“That’s right children! Punish the naughty villain!” Santa yelled as the kids continued to kick the poor teen. The kicks wouldn’t have been so back for Altair, but the teen swore some of the adults joined in the kickfest. Santa merely placed on his shirt and sat on his throne, watching the mayhem that he created.

Spoiler: A True Mastermind

​

 

​

{ TUMBLR • ACQUAINTANCES • MOST RECENT • WEARING }​

{ OOC : YOU KNOW, IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS, LOOKING FOR MASKS.}​

{ DAY : 25 - 2/3 } • { DECEMBER 24, 2012 }​

{ YOU • ME • NAMES • LINKS • DISDAIN } • { MOOD : THOUGHTFUL / ANNOYED}​

[/url]xxxxxxxx ❝ Have yourself a merry little Christmas . . .
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Keep your mind from Death . . .
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx From now on, our troubles are only beginning.❞

P L E A S E , xC A L L xM E xQ U I N T U S .​

O R xQ U I N , xI F xY O U xP R E F E R .​

xxxxxxxxxx After his last message to her, Kallisti saw no point in messaging Cherno Plume. It was set, they would return to Coy City tomorrow, on Christmas. For what reason he wanted, she didn't know, but she had been considering going to see her father. Perhaps her mother. Perhaps Madeline. They would be laid to rest in the same cemetery, wouldn't they?

New Years, hmm . . .

How long after that night, though? Not very, she felt. Could it depend on her actions? What actions would shorten her life? Suicide, obviously; killing people? Helping people? Atoning for Kal's misstep?

Kal, that idiot . . . Then again, it wasn't as if she had worked to regain the memories that she had lost. She could not fully blame him. She wondered if Crestatia knew of Kal - and if she did, what did she think of him? Him . . . A male personality in a female body, how strange. Her imaginary friend from childhood was Kal, his name. He was a boy, or she had thought he was. Considering all things, she thought he had abandoned her when she was young, when the slew of touches came.

He had returned to her a few times, but she thought it was merely her imagination playing tricks on her, especially as she aged. And then, this game began. Why then, though? He had started out as a disembodied voice, one of no reason while she tried to have reason.

" Hello! " Came a sing-song voice, and Kallisti looked up to see a person wearing a mask, " Are you okay? I saw you sitting here by yourself, looking down. I thought I would check on you! " What a strange mask the person was wearing . . . A fox?

Kallisti stood from the bench, irritated at her being watched by someone, " I am fine. " She replied curtly, stuffing her hands in her pockets and walking away from the person.

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