Tanuchan

Glad to hear about that I haven't been around much either... both busy and without regular internet connection

Vene: I'm currently having some trouble to deal with IRL, but do poke me whenever you see me! The only problem is that I might not have regular internet access for some time yet

*looks at the bouncing bloody-thirsty kitty* *takes a couple steps back and hides under a table* *tucks in nose and tail to avoid being spotted* *ahem* Woot also for the fixed net! I would love to play and I would be almost ready to play... but I am not sure when I will have easy internet access (I'm overseas and still trying to find a place to stay more or less permanently for the next year). But if by the time you start the game I feel I can at least keep one post per phase, I'll be in! Mith says almost the same We'll get back to you when you open sign-up!

Thank you Mynx for the post! I'm sorry for not being able to deal with the end of the game, but RL caught me more or less unawares and I will not have time to think of writing for a few days... and for what matters, I might not be able to access internet for some days also. Nothing bad, just moving away for some months to deal with PhD research! Will be back as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Mynx has kindly agreed to wrap-up the game on my behalf! *hugs all and poofs*

Day phase is on for the next 48 hours. Good luck!! Apt Toys (not so) happy customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Seer, first kill Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO villager, second lynching Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee villager, second kill Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Wolf, third lynching Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Baner, third kill

A small shadow scurried between the feet of the scared customers and employees, careful to avoid being trampled. Careful careful... nonono.... don't panic, they are clumsy... EEEEPSQUeak... but they could look where they go... EEPEepEpeepSQUEAKEEP... there, under the shelf... phew... A rodent's nose peeked out from its hiding place, twitching and identifying the few people he was interested on. The scents had small differences, but enough for him to know who he wanted to follow... he knew so far that he had always been in the wrong place at the right time... or the right place at the wrong time... or some combination of places and times that did not allow him to actually see or smell any of the kills. But he knew he could! Small... small and fast and calm... yes, calm... nono... do not sQUEAK!... they will hear you... EEEP... hush! Someone looked around, trying to locate the small squeaking sound coming from under the shelves and tables. "Need to call an exterminator... rats in the store!!" Shaking his head, the security man went ahead. Rat! How do you dare to mistake me for a rat! The indignant squeaking was interrrupted by a smell wafting from a portal to the right. Stopping short, the small guinea pig sniffed a couple times more, and then dashed through the portal, into the Water Park section. He didn't quite notice where he was, so intent in the strange smell that was leading him onwards. It was a mix of citrus with wood, and maybe a bit of musk and kerosene... Ooh... a ramp... where does this... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP Something hit him from behind as he reached the top of the ramp, unceremoniously ditching him into the pool where toy swans were swimming. ACKackackeepSQUEAKbblbbbb.... pppptfffft.... Bartleby knew how to swim... but not when he was being sucked by some contraption hidden at the bottom of the pool. And certainly not while a ribbon of plastic was being woven around him as he swirled in the small whirlpool being formed by the suction. He gasped frantically, and only managed to knock two swans out of balance. The water stilled all of a sudden, and after a few seconds a rather big geyser erupted in the center of the pool. The waves came back to the Experimental Special Effects Pool by APT Toys Development Team (as it could be read in the banner above it), and soon someone shrieked about dead rats floating on the water. Seven swans swam placidly around. ========= OOC: Lucky wolf... Bartleby/Blby was the Baner. It is now day phase, and you have around 48 hours to catch the remaining wolf, or else they'll win come next night phase! Good luck! Scorecard at OOC thread.

hmmmmmmmmmmm.... A curled-up wolf scratches her head with her tail after being woken up by a rather enthusiastic necromancer... or would be a Ranger? Alright... I might regret this... but I'm willing to try... where do I sign? Looks suspiciously at the skeletal underling, bare fangs and licks her mouth, and after succeeding in making the bag of bones run for his unlife (or at least physical integrity of his bones), leaves a paw-print on the parchment.

Sorry for the delay... came back from vacations yesterday evening only! Night phase is on for the next 24 hours. Hurry up!! Apt Toys (not so) happy customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Seer, first kill Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO villager, second lynching Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee villager, second kill Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Wolf, third lynching

Jamie had been desperately trying to convince people that Santa wasn't such a good guy after all, but the glares he got had not been promising. Still repeating to anyone in hearing distance that Santa's goodness was just a façade for naive believers, he left the main hall towards the corridors at the back. He looked corridor after corridor, scanning the shelves from bottom to top. He was sure he had seen geese around... maybe at the Baby Toys section. Though he also seemed to remember a videogame where there had been a couple geese on the cover. While he peeked into the displays around him, he hummed the song. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. He actually hated the song. His mom truly loved him, he knew that. He wasn't so sure about dad, but he knew that the song was ridiculous. Why would a person want a partridge in a pear tree? Of course, rich people were weird... they might really have some kind of private zoo in their houses to keep all those freaking gifts. Like in the films. Jamie finally found what he was looking for. With a smile, he climbed on a ladder and started picking the boxes. One... two... three... hey, this pack has three! Less work for us... He dropped the last box to the floor and started climbing down. Unfortunately, the miniature farm on display to the left of the ladder where Jamie was had several toys triggered by motion sensors. And a box falling from the sky seemed to fit what they understood as 'motion', since several of them started working at the same time. A racket of animal sounds startled Jamie, and he almost slipped from the ladder. He looked down, and smiled seeing the farm come to life. He took a step away from the ladder and crouched by the barn -- which reached his knees -- intent on finding out how many animals were coming out from its doors. He could also guess from the wires hidden around it that the barn seemed to act as a power house for the rest of the farm. He didn't see the harverster coming by the hand he had on the floor. Jamie cried in pain as it chewed into his hand, and stood up in a fluid motion, hitting the ladder with his shoulder. The ladder tottered, and knocked down several boxes in the upper shelf. One of them fell heavily on the barn, destroying the roof and exposing its circuitry -- that immediately shorted and set other wires alive. Jamie gasped, tripped on a plow gone haywire, and crashed full-length on the farm where small lightnings involved him. The smell of burnt flesh called the attention of a few clients, and soon there were horrified screams. Around Jamie, oblivious to the twitching body, a small pack of six geese twirled out of control. ~~~~~~ OOC: Good job -- Jamie/Gryphon was a Wolf. It's now Night Phase; specials, please PM me your targets in the next 24 hours. Scorecard at the OOC thread

I'm thinking of posting the lynching either on the 2nd (if we have a couple more votes) or on the 3rd late evening (since I won't be able to be online earlier)...

Hope everybody has had a Merry Christmas with lots of looting! Since there has been no activity at all at the game thread since we last closed the night phase, I'll be giving 48 hours as Day Phase from tonight. So, let's see if we can close day phase on Thursday (27th) at around 10pm EST (time might vary a bit since I'll be out of town). In case there is no activity at all, then I'm thinking about getting the thread back to activity after the New Year -- what do you think?

Ouch.... No worries, Giles. Have a Merry Christmas!

Due to weekend+Christmas, I'll be working with an extended day phase - you'll have 72 hours to vote and try to get a wolf. If by Monday at this same time there are not enough votes (at least 4 out of the 6 remaining players), I'll be extending the phase until Wednesday evening. If you have any trouble keeping up with the game thread this week, please PM me and I'll try to accommodate the timing so that no one misses the fun Apt Toys (not so) happy customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Seer, first kill Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO villager, second lynching Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee villager, second kill

There was no one at the little department right besides the Almost Perfect Toys section but one fidgety person, who looked around nervously and wondered why he had decided he preferred the safety of his usual workroom. Sighing, he shook his head and sat down, trying to put aside the events of the evening and recall his plans for Christmas. A soft clinking sound called his attention. He turned, not too fast, shivering as a draft came. Didn't I close the door? He focused his flashlight on the floor, where there was a small golden ring. Blinking, he picked it carefully; it fit his pinkie. There was an inscription inside, flowing smoothly around the whole circumference of the ring. While he tried to decipher what was written on the ring, another metallic sound came. Jumping in surprise, he looked around frantically trying to locate the source of the sound. A glint under the desk of a workmate called his attention, and on crawling under the desk he found another, bigger golden ring. It fit his medium finger, and had also an inscription -- it read: "Throw me in the fire to find what I say". A third jangling was heard, and he turned to the door. Two big rings lay there, golden as the smaller ones, and interlocked. Puzzled, he got up and walked to the door. Wasn't this open? He spent a moment staring at the rings on the floor, then picked them. It was actually a golden bracelet made of interlocking rings, and it glimmered in the soft light of his flashlight. A soft laugh reached his ears. As he turned, something caught him by the throat. He screamed, but the band constricted him quickly, cutting his scream and his breath in a few seconds. Minutes later, two security men opened the door to the Customer Relations department, having heard the scream. Thomas' glazed eyes stared at them, a golden ring circling his neck so tightly that it had dug into his flesh and almost cut his throat open. ~~~~~~~~ OOC: Thomas/Panther was a villager. It's now Day Phase, and you have until Monday by this same time to place your votes. Due to weekend + Christmas, if there are not enough votes by Monday I might extend this phase until Wednesday! List of players at the OOC thread.

Apt Toys (not so happy) customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Seer, first kill Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO villager, second lynching

Mattie looked at the crowd, still petrified by the accusing glares. He tried to say something, but all he could do was swallow and wet his lips. His mind was a perfect blank, and he wished some of his nannies were around to break the silence. They could talk him to death, always complaining about something he had done, or usually had not done. Death wasn't the best word to remember right then, and Mattie finally had a reaction. He looked at the lovely trains that had got his attention earlier, took the engine car and caressed it. He murmured something about Blaine being a pain but knowing how to die, then turned around and, choosing an alley, trotted away with closed eyes. Mattie had always loved to rush into the unknown when on his parent's farm, though usually that unknown ended up being one of the grooms assigned to keep him safe and away from trouble. But he still remembered the day he had managed to enter the Bird's Cage at the mini-zoo by the lake, and how fun it was to scare them away by laughing out loud and peeking into their hideouts, or stealing the eggs. He managed a smile remembering the caretaker being scolded by his father, who saw no reason at all to drag a kid out of the Cage by the ear just because of excess energy. He still had his eyes closed, even after bumping on several shelves and displays, and scattering toys all around him. He could hear some shouting behind him, but all of a sudden there was an eerily human squawk that seemed to call him. "Come here! Come here!" So he followed that new voice, this time with open eyes to avoid wasting time. Above him, the banner of the Bark & Co. section hung limply from the ceiling. "Come here! Hello!" Mattie stopped. The second calling had come in a slightly different pitch. He looked around, and walking around the shelves he finally found two parrots in thei cage, staring at him and repeating their calling. He grinned, forgetting the angry human calls behind him but remembering very well his adventure in the Bird Cage. He opened the parrot's cage, enticing them out with sweet whispers. He screamed as one of the parrots dug its beak on his hand, drawing blood. Instinctively shaking his hand to get rid of the bird, Mattie knocked off another two cages. The parrot, upset by all the shaking, dug his talons on Mattie's wrist while its panicked mate flapped wings wildly and landed on Mattie's head, using talons to get a hold on it. Blood from Mattie's scalp wounds dripped on his face and eyes, blinding him. He crashed on the floor, screaming loud enough to guide his pursuers to him. A cawing, almost like a laugh, welcomed the first to find Mattie. Perched on his head, a white crow tilted its head, cawing again a greeting. An almost white raven hopped along his body, repeating in a rough voice a word some employee with a wry sense of humor had taught. Nevermore. ~~~~~~~~ OOC: Mattie/Vene was a villager. Specials, you have roughly 24 hours from this time stamp to send me your targets. List of players at OOC thread

Guys, I'm sorry but I've moved today and I'm brain-dead right now... I'll post the lynching tomorrow late afternoon/early evening, hopefully. Meanwhile, please go on and keep your nice RP! Thank you...

Day phase should last 48 hours, but I'm moving on the 19th so I might not be able to post. Please bear with me? Apt Toys (not so happy) customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Seer, first kill

Brian was bored, after spending most of the time in the baby toys aisles -- the only ones close to where Sally was and where she could keep an eye on him. The only reason he did not pout was because that would make his big sister keep looking at him as a baby. So, when the power went off he grinned and, letting his eyes get used to the darkness, darted exactly five aisles away from Sally. He had noticed where his favorite toys were, and had just been waiting for the chance to get there. The darkness didn't bother him, since he loved playing in his darkened room and scare Sally when she entered thinking he was not in there. And besides, he knew either power would come back soon, or people would get emergency lights. That was how things always happened in movies, and he was an expert on them. He didn't notice the time, and pretended not hearing Sally calling his name. He did hear a scream, and that made him stop for a while almost scared. Then he remembered there were toys that screamed just like that, and also remembered the recording he had -- blood-curling screams that had made Sally hysterical one night some months ago, when their parents had travelled and they were left alone at home. He giggled remembering that night, and when the second scream came, echoing somewhere far to his right, he just shrugged and wondered who could tell him where to buy more of those special effects recordings. And how to convince dad to give him the money to buy them. Brian kept walking among the aisles, making sure to always go in the opposite direction of Sally's voice. He didn't want her to come and drag him out as if he were a baby, scared of the dark. He was actually enjoying that hide-and-seek game, and wished he could taunt her sister. That had always made her mad, and she was funnier when really mad. He stopped in front of a big display, and blinked. He could not believe someone would do that -- what manufacturer would be so dumb as to think French hens could be cool toys? But there they were, a big wall in front of him. In all sizes, of all kinds -- baby toys, electronic toys, games... everything picturing French hens was collected there. Brian tried to make out the phrase at the top of one of the shelves, picturing three French hens fighting each other; one was dressed as a ninja, the other as a samurai, and the last one as a pirate. He went as far as reading aloud "Send your true love Three French Hens" when someone laughed. Brian turned, and saw just the shadow of an electric forklift before being crushed by the knocked-over display wall. Moments later, there was another scream -- a mother looking for her child had seen Brian's hand under the pile of toys, and on removing these she had found his mangled, bloodied skull. She immediately passed out. =================== OOC: Lucky wolves... Giles/Brian was the Seer. It's now Day Phase, and you have roughly 48 hours from this time stapm to vote and try to avenge Brian! List of players at the OOC thread.

I have opted to work the "lynchings" into the general "serial killer murder" series, just for the sake of the story. So, although you are still lynching them through your votes, in the posts they will appear as kills related to the "wolves". Check this thread to see exactly who was a wolf kill and who was a lynchee! Also, everything happens during just one night at Apt Toys. RP is free, but please do not change the general night setting Apt Toys (not so happy) customers and employees: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department Apt Toys ex-happy customers and employees: Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper villager, first lynching

Nick staggered out of the "personnel only" door, his ghastly face scaring away more than one small child. He looked at Santa's chair, barely noticing Bartleby trying to talk to a little girl. All he could hear in his mind was Ms. Patridge's scream, and try as he might he could not shut it out. His whimpering called the attention of a number of people, who after a glance just stepped back and made sure they knew exactly where Nick was. Santa frowned at his helper over the head of the little girl he was listening to, and Sally matched that frown from the other side. She was still looking frantically for Brian, and kept glancing at Nick and shuddering at his expression. Nick took some time to register the murmurs around him and notice the wide berth people were giving him. He blinked, turning from one to another only to see frowns and either angry or fearful stares, parents clutching their children to themselves and hiding them from his view. Heart thumping, he tried to say something, to ask for some help or understanding, but all that came out was a gurgling that turned into hysterical laughter in a few seconds. Nick saw two security men circling towards him and, panicking, started to run. He ignored the shouting, the ailes blurring away as he ran blindly. He finally stopped at a dead end, panting, looking around for an exit. Seeing none, he sobbed and turned around, only then realizing that he was hopelessly lost. A soft noise called his attention, a cooing mixed to a Christmas song. He peeked around a shelf, and found himself facing a tall, half-decorated Christmas tree. At its top, two stuffed turtledoves cooed soothingly. He started to draw a deep breath when he heard a soft laugh behind him, and something sharp hit his back. He screamed, stumbling towards the Christmas tree. As he grabbed it trying to recover his balance, it toppled over and crashed loudly to the floor. Nick was found some minutes later, his eyes glazed over and his hair matted with blood. The stuffed turtledoves were now silent, staring at the railing where Nick had hit his head as the tree toppled. ~~~~~~~~ OOC: Mardrax/Nick was a villager. It is now night phase. Specials, you have 24 hours to send me your targets. RP is free at this time - have fun! List of players at the OOC thread. As a note, everything will happen during one full night at the store in spite of my so-called "day" and "night phases"

Since there has been no votes for the first lynching, I'm extending current day phase in 24 hours. If by then there is no lynching, we'll go to night phase without any. Have fun!

No worries, Gryph... it happens Just go on and have fun!!

Game is on! Good luck to everybody! Our players are: Patrick => Santa (alias Michael Short, 47) Mynx => Sally Kellerman, 17, high school cheerleader and part-time employee at Customer Service Giles => Brian, 10, Sally's kid brother Mardrax => Nick Degras, 10, fulltime student and Santa's helper Panther => Thomas Steward, 21, employee Vene => Matthew Jonathan Clarke von Wunscheringen III, Mattie the Third for short, 11, spoiled-rotten-to-the-core-and-then-some son of an extremely wealthy CEO Blby => Bartleby, a guinea pig who works as one of Santa's elves Guinea Pig => Pig, a guinea pig, representative for GP Toys Gryphon => Jamie Baron, 12, whose parent works on the janitorial staff Mithrandin => David Reyes, 18, student, took the job on the store in the seasonal wrapping presents department

Night falls, and all of a sudden the promised snowstorm falls. Lights flicker inside the store, and windows rattle with the wind. Several people look up, while others rush to the exit. Those few who manage to leave the store soon come back in, shouting about the heavy snowstorm and the dreary wind. Murmurs arise, and mix with loud crashings coming from the outside. "Lord, the trees are falling!" One of the employees at the first floor looks through the window, pointing to the trees that surround three sides of the store. "I told them that it was a bad idea to have them planted so near winter... they don't have roots!" mumbles his colleague, shaking her head. "I've always said that the first strong wind would make them fall as kindling..." Then power fails. Darkness brings, at first, just silence. And then, shouts and screams mixed with children's wailings and whimpers. Several minutes of confusion follow, as people try to find out emergency lights and doors. Soon the full situation reveals itself: without power, the elevators and the ground floor automatic doors do not work; emergency doors are found locked, and fallen trees block the back doors. Upon calling the emergency services, it is found out that the snowstorm has intensified and that it will be several hours before the store, at the outskirts of the town, can be reached. Little by little people start calming each other, employees bringing out flashlights and helping with their knowledge of the store. Lost children are found and cared for, while lost parents are nudged towards productive action, helping out where needed. As people finally start sorting things out, a scream is heard from one of the upper floors. Both customers and employees rush towards the sound, stumbling sometimes in scattered boxes along the way. As they reach the corridor, they find a stocking ladder fallen over a rather large Lego display. The unfortunate employee who had been on the ladder, Marion Partridge, gurgles and struggles to speak, her lung pierced by the Lego pear tree she had fallen on. Her feeble efforts soon stop as she loses conscience, but a few people listen to her last words. Someone pushed the ladder. ~~~~~~~~~~ OOC: This was the first NPC kill. It's day phase, and you have roughly 48 hours from this post timestamp to try to find who ruined poor Ms. Partridge's lung. Sign-up for the WW game is closed, but you can still post as a guest writer. Roles will be PM'd within the next five minutes, and the list of players is at the OOC thread.