[IC] Misc. Open Post

[curriculum_fictae]

For various overflow, misc. threads that don't fit on the comms they're for, etc.

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[curriculum_fictae]

[ UM

That’s - that’s very unsettling! He’s not sure he likes it?? But the tiles aren’t really letting him go back and.

And, well. He just slowly starts following the tiles, because why not. ]

God, I really hope this isn’t a bad idea. It’s probably a bad idea.

[hijoperdido]

[It is completely fine and nothing to worry about, as the tiles and the wood panels he walks on lead him upstairs. The only light here being a door set aside, in its own alcove away from everyone else. There's the faint glowing outline on the door of a person with an hourglass, and the name "Bruno".

But just as soon as it's legible, there's the creak of another panel opening close by. A painting that's partially pulled from the wall.

And a shadow that moved behind one of the larger potted plants. Is someone watching him?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Bruno? Does he know a Bruno? He doesn’t remember any of the statements involving a Bruno …

He jolts at that creak, though, and whirls. The painting? What? he creeps a bit closer. ]

Is. Is someone there.

[hijoperdido]

[The immediate response is a small bit of wind blowing, creaking the frame's hinges.

And then the tiny sounds of tiny feet scurrying. A couple of small rats carrying different small food items to the hole behind the painting as Martin gets closer.]

Deje!

[It's... Not coming from the painting. Close by though.]

You should- [Clearing of the throat before a much spookier, if theatrical, voice gets put on.] You should not venture to the ...The Seeecret Door.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Rats, huh. That’s kind of a bonus? They look like cute rats.

The voice though. That makes him jolt with a yelp. ]

The. The what. Who are you? Where am I?

[hijoperdido]

[They are the cutest rats.

Not to be confused with the honestly fairly filthy man hiding behind the potted plant.]

Yoouuu are definitely somewhere you should not be, there is no celebration happening in Casita tonight, you should definitely not be here, nope.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah. That’s.

Martin just sort of looks past the plant at the weird man hiding there. ]

Well, I’m sorry. I will happily go home if I can find my way, but I don’t think I’m from this area.

[hijoperdido]

Uuhhh no you are not. You are really, really not.

[He moves, still trying to stay in the shadows, but bits of color can be seen - the dark black-graying-curls, the green ruana draping down low to his feet.]

Do you not know how you got here?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That -

UH. Martin just stares for a moment? Rubs at his eyes. CLEARLY, it’s not Jon, and yet it’s firing off every familiar instinct he’s got. ]

N-no, ah. I just. Woke up outside?

[hijoperdido]

[The shuffling stops. But maybe Martin will be a little too familiar with the feeling of eyes boring down onto him.]

You. You mean, you just... literally woke up outside?

No, no no not possible, that's not possible.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, I am aware of how impossible it is, but I am sorry to say it’s what happened.

[ He inches closer, trying to get a closer look at those Eyes. ]

[hijoperdido]

[The man is doing his level best staying in the shadows, but even his eyes reflect the light here and there - a pair of very natural, very human green eyes watching him closely.]

No, you don't- I mean, you really don't understand, this valley's hidden. No one can get in, been that way for almost fifty years. So if you're here, just poof, then that means you got through somehow, found a break in the magic, the-

Oh no. [Nooo no no no. A dark hand reaches for Martin's wrist, aiming to tug him closer to the painting-door.] You need to come with me.

[curriculum_fictae]

What -

[ Okay, he’s definitely tugged along. He’s a big guy but he is not resisting? Just DEEPLY confused. ]

Magic? What magic? Where are we going?

[hijoperdido]

We are going somewhere we can talk.

[Sure, Dolores could hear them. But she's a little distracted elsewhere. No, it's clear now this is a short Columbian man, malnourished and eyes carrying some heavy baggage. He pulls Martin in through the tunnel entrance and closes the painting door behind him.]

Go - Go that way, we'll talk when we get there.

[curriculum_fictae]

O-okay, okay! All right!

[ He would be more suspicious if this man weren’t so obviously sad? A sad Eye man?? God.

He heads in through the painting, then, and stands for a moment behind the house walls. Then … slowly, carefully, heads the way Bruno said he should. ]

[hijoperdido]

[He gives the painting-back and side walls quick knocks before continuing behind him.]

It hasn't reached Casita just yet, but- Oh it will. It will, I saw it so there's no real stopping that, but I didn't think it'd be enough at the start to bring a whole person from outside, that's - I can't even figure that one out.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin just. Stares a bit at that little ritual. ]

What? What hasn’t reached Casita yet?

[hijoperdido]

The cracks. [Like it's the most obvious thing.

Around a few turns until Martin has definitely lost track of his direction and it opens to a small room with old, neglected furniture and so many more rats.

The man is in full view now, short, wiry with longer black curls and eyes that don't seem to focus while he paces and gestures with his hands talking.]

I knew it was coming, just never knew when but I should've guessed since she's been getting older, so it was only a matter of time. But you being here is a crack in the magic, which means it's going to happen soon.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin just sort of stumbles along, then, until he gets to that room and …

Oh. There is something DEEPLY familiar about this. Especially with this man in front of him looking the way he does. (Is it wrong that he kind of likes this look? This is a dream, right?) ]

Cracks. Okay. In - what magic, exactly.

[hijoperdido]

[Almost like if Jonah had allowed his hair to grow properly, not let it bother him.

But no, the man here is Not Jonah. He's just pacing circles, letting the rats jump onto and off of him, occasionally reaching to pet one here and there.]

In the encanto! The whole valley, the pueblo. This whole place is protected by magic. But they don't know, I didn't let Abuela see it, so they have no way to know it's coming.

[He makes some tchah tchah tchah noises in his teeth before stopping. Looking at Martin. Then looking at the rats.]

What d'you think, you think he's part of it? Or something else, maybe? Seems harmless enough.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ At least the rats seem friendly? Martin tentatively offers a hand to one of them.

And. You know. Stares at Bruno. ]

Are you. Are you talking to the rats?

[hijoperdido]

[The rat does sniff at the offered hand before jumping to climb up Martin's arm.]

Uh. Yeah? Who else would I be talking to?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Cute. Martin reaches down to pet its little head. ]

I mean, most people where I come from don’t talk to rats. Or talk about magic at all.

[hijoperdido]

Well, then your place didn't have a miracle.

Or me. So.

[curriculum_fictae]

… We are definitely a place without miracles. Yes. That is 100% true.

[ Martin sighs a bit and leans on the back of that threadbare armchair. ]

Who are you, anyway?