( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

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Day 25? - Wherever it fits

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Seems someone had a visitor in the late hours of the night or pre-dawn hours of the early morning. The next time a breeze blows through King's window, it will be accompanied by the light metallic sounds of tiny chimes. Though whatever he has for curtains obscure the noisemaker from view unless he's really looking for it.]

Re: Day 25? - Wherever it fits

[puzzlekeeper]

[ . . . ???

Good . . . morning . . . ??

He paces the window a few times trying to find it, until he eventually pushes a panel all the way open to peer outside. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[There's a lotus wind chime fluttering just outside the window. Obviously someone attached it from the outside.

And amidst the string of tiny golden lotuses, there is a white envelope swaying in the breeze. It has no distinguishing features outside of the word:

King

Penned with gold ink in the exact center.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Confusion intensifies, but also a weird little fluttering feeling in his stomach.

Carefully reaching up to pluck the envelope off the chime and open it, taking a seat in the open window. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[In the envelope, he will find three things:

Two puzzle pieces

A business card of white card stock with nothing printed on it except Game Start

One Duel Monsters card with a handwritten message underneath the card text:

Next clue location: The institution where one would work if they had the abilities of your unit swap.

]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He looks through each piece, a grin slowly forming as he pockets the Duel Monsters card. ]

Getting bored, Intensity? Looking for a new game?

[ A low chuckle ]

I accept.

[ He summons Slifer just beyond the windowsill and leaps onto its back.

TO THE HOSPITAL. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Yeah. He's looking for a new game. Something. like. that.

As King approaches Intensity's office, he'll see that the laser grid has been repaired. And very recently by the looks of it. Not even a day old.

And of course, it doesn't activate as King continues farther down the hallway]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Walking down this hallway is kind of nostalgic, actually. A trip down memory lane.

Remember when they would never go back to one another's dorms? When a sterile hospital room was the best it got, a dozen lit candles or no?

He smiles a little to himself as he makes his way to Intensity's office. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It's also been cleaned recently. No more melted x-ray machines or stacks of papers from before he got an office.

There is another envelope on the bedside table, with King's name written in the same golden ink.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Cautiously, as he steps inside: ]

Intensity?

[ No response, of course. He peers around properly once he enters, noting the changes. And lack of any obvious boobytraps.

His eyes eventually trail over to the bed (nostalgia!) and he closes the distance to open the next envelope ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[No one is here. Just the gentle hum of Intensity getting all of this on surveillance cameras.

But the next envelope has much of the same:

Three puzzle pieces

A business card with the printed image of a senet board

And Harpie's Feather Duster with the following message:

Next clue location: The place where you were first beaten at your own game.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ His cheeks redden a little at the card.

It's a shame if Intensity doesn't have cameras or something set up in here. ]

Honestly . . .

[ Huffs a bit -- at the reminder of losing a senet game, too -- and calls Slifer back. It looks like they're headed to the amusement park. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[This early in the morning, the park is quiet and void of people. In fact, most of the rides aren't even running at this time. Except well---

The Ferris Wheel.

Which seems to be clipping along at a steady pace despite the fact that there are no passengers aboard.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Because of course it is.

Slifer swoops down low, hovering just beyond the arc of the Ferris Wheel. It holds steady there while King peers into the carriages like he could tell which one they rode in just from looking (he can't) ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Not to worry, King. As if sensing his presence, the Ferris wheel will slow to a complete stop. And on the topmost carriage, it's clear that something white is resting on one of the seats.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Smiling a little to himself. ]

Of course.

[ Slifer glides over and stops just in front of the carriage door, so King can pull it open and step inside.

He seats himself opposite the envelope and opens it. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[There are another three puzzle pieces.

A card that should be very familiar to King.

But no note. No text scribbled on the card to indicate the next location.

Just a square of red silk padding the envelope that is warm to the touch.]

[puzzlekeeper]

. . .

[ He brings the silk square up to his lips for a moment, savoring the warmth of it. ]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ And then he stands, summoning Slifer back.

He has a cathedral to get to. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[The doors to the cathedral are wide open when they arrive, and every single one of the candles have been re-lit.

Certainly, this is 0% surprising to King]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ If only he'd know how much return he'd get on those candles when he summoned a demon with them all that time ago. But there was truly no way to foresee this.

He steps inside quietly, eyes darting around the cathedral. The square of silk still clutched in one hand. ]

Intensity . . . ?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It doesn't seem like anyone else is in the cathedral besides King. At least, not at the moment anyway.

Between the pews, the red fabric has been refurbished and replaced. Still warmed by FiN magic, it leads all the way up to the altar where there is also red fabric draped. A variety of golden roses also lines the edges of the altar. If touched, they are made of pliant metal that won't cut skin (unless one really wants to try). And several golden rose petals are scattered around one frame that is the perfect size to assemble the gathered puzzles pieces.

And lastly, one more white envelope is placed in the currently empty center of the frame.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ This is getting increasingly elaborate for a typical game, isn't it . . . ?

He stoops down to pick up one of the golden roses, twirling it between his fingers.

(He's definitely keeping these, for the record.)

He turns his attention back to the task at hand, though -- placing the rose next to the puzzle frame and picking up the last envelope. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It sure is something. Whatever this is.

Inside the envelope is:

The final puzzle piece

One very familiar card. First edition, not that it matters as much here in Imeeji

]

[[The final puzzle when assembled]]

1/

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He puts the puzzle together in record time -- of course he does -- and peers down at the message curiously-- ]