arsgoetia | [Game 20] Mianythoth's Mansion

You're led inside, the gates shutting behind you with a particularly resounding clang.

The interior is gorgeous, with white walls and marbled floors, gold gilt on every ornamented surface. For those who are overly sensitive to such things, it may be a slight affront as the interior is very Rococo, in contrast to the Gothic exterior. But it's still really nice.

The high, arched ceilings that pick up every sound perfectly—sorry, superhearers, the acoustics are amazing.

You are quickly shuffled off to the right, through a gold-gilted door to a slightly-less-opulent-but-still-disgustingly-rich-looking area. The redcap seems to pass some sort of security to lead through here—though it's hard to say if it's meant to keep someone in or out. Once through this door, you pass doors to rooms along the hall—a few are open and you can see that inside are medium-sized bedrooms, comfortable and well-decorated. Others are closed, as if the occupants are currently inside.

You are ushered into the door at the end. Inside is a very large, circular sitting room, with plenty of cushions and seats, a piano set up in the center next to a softly burbling pool of water. Musical instruments are displayed on accessible racks and hooks around the walls. There's also a small library of books, CDs, and vinyl in one corner, alongside a sleek black speaker system.

A set of glass doors leads outside to an enclosed area that looks to all the world like a pleasure garden, with more cushioned seats, a swing, and fountains. Several people are out there—fairies and humanoid alike—apparently oblivious to the cold weather. There are more people inside as well—probably about seven in all.

The Eastern end of the room is just completely dominated by an enormous set of doors, about twenty feet high, and twice as wide.

"Please, wait here," says the redcap(tain). "We will inform Lord Mianythoth of your arrival." All of the guards depart and leave you to your own devices—at least, for now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's fine. You're not wrong to be angry.

I mean, yeah, it was justified.

There isn't a way to address this that doesn't end with us yelling at each other, so maybe we should put it on hold.

[looks annoyed again]

Oh, sure. Whatever.

Kieran...

It's just kind of annoying that you've been critiquing everything Maon says and telling other people he only has bad ideas, but as soon as there's any idea of using a skill to try to attract interest you shoot him down then volunteer yourself, like he and I and others don't care about you just as much.

That wasn't at all what that was about.

[BUT HE SEES WHY IT CAME OUT WRONG]

Maon's been uneasy about this music hoarding dragon since he first heard about it, and he hasn't said anything because he just doesn't say things. And maybe I'm wrong, but I think he's been playing with the idea of being bait since we got here, and I... I just want him safe.

[he rubs at his face, annoyed]

I thought he had a better chance of rescuing me than I of rescuing him, if it came to that. He knows the rules better than anyone.

I appreciate that, Fon, and thanks. It does make me feel better because that defo did not come across at the time. Though a bunch of that I feel is something you should tell him, not me?