Betrayal at House on the Hill

[angelcage]

[ You sleep, the ground cold beneath your cheek. The ground is hard as stone, cold marble beneath a fine layer of dust that doesn't come anywhere near acting as a cushion. The dust stirs with your breathing.


>> Wake up ]

Comments

[dendarii]

Then what are the rats for?

[court_chesster]

They're rats. They live here.

[dendarii]

Yes, but they seem to be listening to you.

[court_chesster]

It's not like I'm ordering them around. They asked for my help.

[dendarii]

... They asked? For your help? In doing what?

[court_chesster]

I dunno, some kind of ritual here in the basement.

They were just cute little rats. I don't see why you had to go and kill all of them.

[dendarii]

They were trying to kill us. Quite forcefully, I might add.

[court_chesster]

I mean, they're wild animals. You probably just scared them.

[dendarii]

There's a bit more to it than that.

[court_chesster]

...No, I guess you're right. I just feel like this whole situation's gotten out of hand, y'know?

[dendarii]

Mm. I'd say so.

Can you tell me what it is you're trying to do? Truly trying to do here...?

[court_chesster]

[What is he trying to do here...?]

I want to leave this place.

[dendarii]

... As do I. Very dearly.

If you leave - will we all go with you?

[court_chesster]

I'm not going to stop you.

[dendarii]

The same for us, I'd say. We all want to get out of here safely.

[court_chesster]

I just need to get the last rat upstairs to finish the ritual and then we can all go. It won't bite anyone as long as I'm holding it.

[dendarii]

...

[ There's silence from the other side of the door. Miles is thinking hard about this. ]

[court_chesster]

I'm an animal tamer. The clown suit is part of my act; I work with a partner and I'm the comic relief, you know? I think that's why they trust me.

[dendarii]

And they ... told you that his ritual would work?

[court_chesster]

Yes. I've already started it.

[A pause whether he debates whether the truth is too stupid to tell.]

...It summoned cheese.

[dendarii]

...

Er - what? Seriously?

[court_chesster]

Gouda. I can show you the wax if you don't believe me.

[dendarii]

... All right. What the hell. Show me, then.

[court_chesster]

I would love to, but the second I step out of this room, she's gonna try to separate me from my head.

[dendarii]

Crack the door then. I'll stand in the way.