Chatterbox: Pudding's Place

At dusk you open your bedroom curtains, marvelling at the fading sunset over the slushy February snow. Usually the wetness and muddiness of the winter landscape would bother you, but tonight it seems… lovely--almost magical. As a cloud floats away, revealing the full moon, you sigh and curl up under the covers, but you can’t take your eyes off the window. The nightscape is enchanting. A dark cloud covers the moon once again, but as it’s briefly illuminated you realize it isn’t dark at all, but pink. You pause to wonder why a sunset cloud should bother you, and remember that the sun had left the sky ages ago. Your unfocused eyes look back to the window, but the cloud is gone. As you’re persuading yourself it was your imagination, something taps at the window. It’s a snowy owl, holding an envelope. Without a second thought, you jump out of bed to let it in, convinced it’s your Hogwarts letter at last. But as you snatch it up and the owl flies away, you notice it’s addressed to you in pink ink, not green, and sealed with a strange heart design instead of the telltale crest. Inside, you find a crisp, parchment letter and a silver key. The letter reads:

Dearest Chatterboxer,

You and thirteen lucky others have been selected to depart on a lovely vacation at Amor Lodge, a romantic skiing getaway in the snowiest of majestic mountains. Included are free meals, free snacks, free ski rentals, and yes, free white chocolate drizzled popcorn. Enclosed is your silver key, which is your ticket to virtually everything, so don’t lose it!

Amor lodge is not responsible for any injuries, heartbreaks, loss of limbs, deaths, or betrayals of any kind. Please take into consideration that while the other thirteen vacationers may be lucky, it most certainly doesn’t mean you are.

Only a packing list is required. Limit one Alter Ego OR Captcha OR Viktor Krum miniature per guest. Departure will commence on February the fourteenth.

We hope to see you next week!

With Love,

The Amor Lodge Staff

P.S. If you accept, fold along the dotted lines and toss out the window. If you don’t… never mind.


You shake your head, fold the letter into the indicated paper airplane, and toss it out the window uncertainly. A distinct pop sounds and a box of complementary candy hearts promptly appears in your hands. Oddly not in the least disconcerted, you run off to pack.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

A classic ski lodge just in time for Valentine’s Day! Do you accept? Or do you value your life— Ah, did I say that? I mean... nevermind. No charrie sheet required, just a packing list (if you want) and only one AE or Captcha please. I’ll start next week, assuming all 14 slots are filled (slots do not include companions) Enjoy! 

submitted by Amor Lodge Staff, The Mountains
(February 6, 2019 - 10:56 pm)

You haven’t? They’re pretty cool. You have to yawn a lot sometimes, though, to pop your ears when the air pressure changes. 

submitted by Viola?, age Secret, Secret
(February 17, 2019 - 11:17 am)

HA my suitcase. And Cedric Diggory. HA. This is great.

submitted by Leafpool, age No, not a cat
(February 17, 2019 - 1:47 pm)

Darn it! I wanted to join this.

submitted by Jwyn, age 14, The Realm of Creativity
(February 15, 2019 - 3:25 pm)

The Sugarbowl has spoken. Four fates are sealed *evil laugh*

 

I apologize for the rushed transport, and also that I’m terrible at writing dialogue. I’d love to hear theories, input, notebook entries, whatever, though there isn’t much yet to go on.

 

Day 1 Part 2 

 

—— 

It wasn’t long before the sun began to rise and they were rapidly approaching the mountains. Despite the hour, everyone was vividly awake.

Gracia, Rogue Wildling and Leo were having friendly discussion of their favorite books. Nihil, who sat with them, had once again disappeared in the direction of the snack bar with Rogue’s key. General Waffleson and Agent Winter were chatting lightly about what they wanted to do that day.

“Snowboarding sounds fun,” Winter mused, “but it seems to require a lot more balance than a skateboard.”

“Yeah,” replied Waffleson vaguely. He glanced out the window. “I wonder when we’ll get there.”

Beside them, Soren was staring contentedly out the window and Viola? was doodling aimlessly in her sketchbook.

Presently the attendant picked up the intercom.

“All passengers please remain in your seats and secure your safety belts. We will be landing shortly.” He then walked back through the front door. There was a buzz of excitement as the aircraft descended and finally landed on a secluded runway. When it had come to a complete stop, the intercom buzzed that it was safe to disembark. The CBers and CBeings gathered their luggage (Vyolette and Satin helped Leafpool with hers), and moved swiftly down the stairway that now projected from the jet, laden as the were. They shivered as an icy wind whipped the snowy mountainside. Barren trees glittered with ice. Evergreens were laced daintily with snow. An owl hooted somewhere in the dense winter woods before them. They looked up the mountain, trying to catch a glimpse of the lodge.

“Where is it?” Kitten asked nobody in particular.

“Nearby,” said a soft voice. An auburn-haired young woman in a long, faux-fur-lined pink coat stepped out of a clump of trees. She watched them curiously.

“Who are you?” Ella Starburst asked curiously..

“Oh, nobody,” The girl said mysteriously, “Only your host.” She smiled serenely at them. “You may call me Rose.” She watched them curiously another moment They were silent. “Follow me.” She abruptly beckoned and walked cheerily down a wide pathway the Chatterboxers hadn’t noticed before. They followed.

As they walked, large, white flakes began to fall, completing the majestic scene that several made a mental note to draw. Although the snow was quite heavy, they began to notice that the pathway remained clear and dry. Not a speck of snow could be seen on the clearly marked trail.

Leo tried to kick snow onto the path, but as soon as it hit, it immediately disappeared. “Fascinating,” he muttered.

Presently the company came upon a wide clearing. In the center stood an immense hotel building, apparently made out of wood. Hundreds of windows accented the many decorative log balconies. Smoke drifted from several chimneys atop the snow-covered roof. Large, grand glass double doors stood proudly within the central gable. Rose marched up to them and they swung open on cue. The visitors followed her into a lobby, full of luxurious sofas, armchairs, and small antique coffee tables. Lush oriental rugs were spread about the floor, and a cheery fire was burning in the fireplace.

“Welcome to Amor Lodge! Please make yourselves comfortable.” Rose gestured to the sitting area. She pulled a string that hung from the ceiling, and hidden speakers began playing Mozart.

Bewildered, the guests sunk into the sofas and gradually more subdued chatting ensued. Cake and Agatha, who were shivering, curled up by the fire. Rose sat on a nearby armchair and began doodling on an IPad.

“Miss Rosetta?” A tall young man in a deep crimson suit entered and swept over to Rose.

“Yes?” Rose replied with a slightly amused look.

“The rooms are prepared, and the meal is ready.”

“Thank you, Mister Jameson. And for the eighty-billionth time, James, call me Rose.”

The young man nodded hastily and left the room, seemingly flushed. Rose stood up, and at once the chattering Chatterboxers ceased to chat.

Rose clapped her hands together. “So,” she said, loudly so that it echoed off the walls, “shall we go to your rooms?” There was a delayed murmur of assent, unheard by Rose, who was already leading the way.

——

submitted by Day 1 Part 2!, Miss Rosetta, ALS
(February 16, 2019 - 12:34 pm)

Oh no! *clutches suitcase nervously* What if it's me...or maybe I'm the murderer...hm. 

I swear I know this writing style, but I couldn't place it. In any case, I love this! 

submitted by Leafpool, age No, not a cat
(February 17, 2019 - 1:49 pm)

Um, my only guess - and I'm probably wrong - is Vyolette. Could that be you?

Journal Entry, Day 1:

And we have arrived at the lodge! Nothing too mysterious yet, besides the snow-not-falling-on-the-path bit, but that's simple magic, nothing to be concerned about. I begin to wonder if, perhaps, this lodge is not as dangerous as one might expect.

Cake has a very important message to pass to me, she says. It is... ogbb. Fascinating. 

submitted by Kitten, Pondering
(February 20, 2019 - 12:47 pm)

Thank you for the journal entry, Kitten. Are you guessing that I am Vyolette, or that Vyolette is the murderer?

submitted by Miss Rosetta, The Mountains
(February 22, 2019 - 2:16 pm)

Ooh boy... *waits in increasing anticipation for the next installment* 

@Kitten- haha, I can definitely say with finality that I'm not Rose. XD I'm only a guest/character in her story. I've tried doing my own Ski Lodge before but... *shakes head* it didn't work out. 

submitted by Vyolette
(February 22, 2019 - 12:07 pm)

I was guessing that you were Vyolette, though she has confirmed that that is not the case.

I don't know how I could have guessed the murderer, seeing as no one has died yet... or have they? *tries to come up with an accurate emoji to put here and fails*

Okay, are you... Spiffycat/Jithkeeper? 

submitted by Kitten, Pondering
(February 22, 2019 - 7:44 pm)

I believe an emoticon would summarize the situation more accurately, and I believe this is the one you need

O-O'

Or maybe something a bit more refined

(O^O')

Or maybe even

(•^0')

Depending on how frantically confused you're feeling.

Reply soon and you'll get a free 'gentleperson with an eyeglass' emoticon

(•-O;)

submitted by Emoticon dealer
(February 23, 2019 - 1:33 am)

*Bursts out laughing* I love those emoticons.

submitted by Leafpool, age No, not a cat
(February 23, 2019 - 12:15 pm)

*bursts out laughing*

What's the ' at the end for? I'm really bad at interpreting emoticons, if you couldn't tell. 

submitted by Kitten, Pondering
(February 23, 2019 - 4:31 pm)

It signifies a bead of sweat. Had it been a , it would have been a teardrop. Like so

O^O,

A : on either side is used for freckles.

:OvO:

And, to add earrings to your emotiface, use (. and .) on their respective sides.

(.OvO.)

Would you like to use some? 

submitted by Emoticon dealer
(February 23, 2019 - 7:46 pm)

Yes, I'll have the O-O', please.

(the comma isn't part of the emoticon shown above, just to clarify...) 

submitted by Kitten, Pondering
(February 23, 2019 - 8:30 pm)

That'll be one compliment paid to the person of your choice, please. It's currency around these parts. For short, I'll call it Com.

Oh and also there's a special, for each emoticon you purchase (with Com) you get a free 'mustachioed person' emoticon

:3)

submitted by Emoticon dealer
(February 23, 2019 - 11:33 pm)