{Le Château du Seul.}

Hmph. I attempted writing this as a story in itself, but it turned out to be quite the challenge. I just couldn't get it right, and realized how much fun it really is to roleplay it out, since we're all so wonderful!

I wonder if anyone will post ... I fell bad that I just let it go ... : (

Anyways, since this is all kind of jumbled, and I'm too lazy to read back, and we're all kind of everywhere trying to escape and run, Mercy shall just be laying low, and we'll fit outselves back together like the pieces of a puzzle soon enough!
- - -
Mercy:
How long did they have, really? How long would it be before they burst into the Chateau to slaughter her friends in cold blood? Her family. But Mercy knew that somehow - somehow - there had to be a way to save them all.

Why couldn't she be like Isabelle? Beautiful and clever. She needed cunning right this instance, to conjure up a plan to save her family, if not herself. "But if I were gone, this would be easier, right?" She croaked weakly, her fingers brushing against her velvet curtains.

How she longer to escape, to feel the wind rushing against her face, to feel freedom ... escape ... empty. Her finger traced the gold-painted window panes, before pushing it open.


"If you were gone, things would be easier." Mercy mumbled to herself, placing a bare foot on the edge of the open window. She yanked herself up, toes feeling towards the edge ... To be free ... to leave ... emptiness ... She wanted it all. She wanted to be engulfed by darkness. She didn't want to think - she wanted to know nothing, to be nothing. She was just a nuisance, a weakling.

"Jump." She murmured to herself, closing her eyes, her tears ceasing. A deep breath. Inch closer ... closer .... She just had to jump, and everything would be okay.
- - -
I realize that it is crappy, but at least you can all get back into the groove with what I have provided. Actually, I've provided nothing but a horrible post, but you are all amazing, so you'll figure something out i'm sure! ; )

Mikael

I sat quietly in the carriage i shared with Joshua and Isabelle. Joshua's leg looked a little better, thanks to a clean, some new stitches and some planks, fashioned to allow him to walk without a crutch.
"So these Lumous Lupine characters, who are they exactly?" Asked Joshua, absent mindedly playing with Isabella's hair.
"The Lumous Lupine are much a kin to us. They were created and then forgotten. They are band of warriors supposedly descended from the vikings. They worship an ancient and beastial god that resembles what we today would call a werewolf. The ritual to join there brotherhood involves the killing and skinning of a wolf. Urban legend has it that they can truly become the wolf although i believes this is simply superstition."
"They may be right. After all we exist do we not?" Asked Isabella breaking her journey long silence and scowl.

*I just about died when I saw that this had updated. Skull - I'd rather not leave Mercy to jump out of the window - Hows abouts the carriage not be moving quite yet?

Isabelle

Isabelle rolled her eyes. All of her body was frozen with tenseness. She was regretting more and more the decision to go to Paris. For Isabelle, it would be a return to the life she had hated, to the life which she had done everything possible to escape from.

But now it was time for Isabelle to return.

Isabelle shot up. "Mercy," she breathed.

"Pardon?" asked Mikael. Isabelle shot him an icy glare, but Joshua seemed to realize what Isabelle was thinking. He began to try to get out of the carriage. Isabelle beat him to it, hopping out of the vehicle.

Isabelle turned to Joshua as she made her way back toward the Chateau. "I'll talk to her," Isabelle called. "Don't worry."

Once Isabelle had arrived at the grand front doors, she pushed them open. Isabelle looked around the entrance way that she had come to know and love. The Chateau seemed dead now. She had called it her home for nearly a year now, but the magic was gone. Isabelle had well enough resigned herself to a return to her former life. At least for the moment, anyway. Isabelle had no intention of staying for any amount of permanence in Paris.

Isabelle climbed the stairs to Mercy's room. As she opened her door, a breeze hit Isabelle in the face. Isabelle froze; something was not right.

Isabelle gasped as she saw what was wrong. Mercy was standing at the edge of the window, ready to jump. Isabelle rushed forward to grab fist-fulls of her skirt and pull her back. Mercy fell back without much resistance. Frantically, Isabelle pushed Mercy to sit on her bed.

"Isabelle?" Mercy seemed to barely realize Isabelle was standing in front of her. Isabelle watched her carefully. Mercy was crying, but a dull look had grown in her eyes that Isabelle had never known to be there.

"Mercy!" Isabelle cried. "What were you thinking?"

"This is all my fault," mumbled Mercy.

"What is?"

Mercy, for the first time, looked Isabelle in the eye. "The Chateau, and everything we have, will be destroyed. Because of me."

Isabelle narrowed her eyes in confusion. She didn't say anything. ow could Mercy have blamed the previous night's events on herself? Isabelle decided not to ask. She would ask Mercy later, but not now, not while Mercy was so obviously upset.

"Mercy, we have a way out."

Mercy looked at Isabelle. "How?"

Isabelle took a deep breath. "We are going to have to leave the Chateau. I have connections in Paris, and we have made a join decision that Paris would be the best place to go."

Isabelle painfully could feel the gap between her and Mercy. They had never been good friends, but Isabelle wondered whether that had been a mistake on Isabelle's part. Isabelle had changed immensely over the past few hours. Perhaps it was time to start anew.

"Will you come with us, Mercy?"

**I hope I got the characterization right - Let me know if I didn't.

Um - has this little created side plot of mine ruined the storybook? Because the last thing I want this to do is totally die - And I feel guilty.

Or maybe all I need is to bring this back to the front page.

**Sorry, I just haven't been on in months! I didn't even notice it got brought back to the front page either, and I was just looking back at how awesome this storybook really was when I noticed there was newer posts. xDD

And you haven't killed it.

But I want to make sure I get everything right before I make a post. So we are leaving to Paris because we are all scared. Sounds great. Dreamwalker is willing to come back with William too. Quick question though, are Constance and Gabriel coming too? What about Hiram and Hester?

So... yeah... I really want this to continue . William misses everyone and everyone better miss William -_- xD.

Thanks all! This storybook has really become something special.

I think that should Constance or Gabriel voice wishes to come as well, then no one really could say anything against it. As to Hiram and Hester, as members of the Chateau crowd, they definately have a ticket to Paris.

I'm so glad my sub-plot was well received.

**I actually think Hiram and Hester should stay behind, because that was like their home, and because they found love with each other, they needed nothing else. They felt like they had lived their lives. We could make an epic good-bye post. And at one point I think we should return to the Chateau just to find them still there, happy as ever.

And I believe Constance should come because Constance is going to act like an antagonist through the whole story. I am not so sure about Gabriel. It is up to LaReina is she wants to maintain that character. I think it would be best if he didn't come along though because it wouldn't work so very well with Mercy.

Constance

She stood outside the fortress gates looking at Gabriel directly in the eyes. She knew she had to leave with these people to France, there was no other choice in the matter. How else was she going to be able to make sure their existences were no longer. Though Gabriel was different. Gabriel only made them confused and scared. Gabriel was an idiot, he was the weakest link, which had to be removed.

She gripped the briefcase in her hand a little bit tighter as she began talking. "Gabriel, I am going to Paris with the rest of the mutants. I would think it best if you stayed back here, and took care of Hester and Hiram while I am gone." Constance smiled coldly.

"Understandable, miss Constance," he said, looking a bit confused.

"It is not an order yet, but I think it would be best if we had someone her, to... keep an eye on things." Constance looked back at the large carriage and the smaller one being pulled up beside it, the one to carry the rest of their luggage. To think, going to Paris, a place where they will be even more exposed to the reality and harshness of the humans. And they were monsters truly, though why they wished to go to Paris was beyond her. She glimpsed the unruly black-haired girl enter back into the castle. Constance didn't like Isabelle, and knew when she had the chance, she would kill that one first. The sun was shining almost too brightly and the skies were almost too blue. "What a beautiful day for travelling." she hissed under her breath.

Joshua

Joshua sat there uncomfortably in the carriage staring at the window, sitting opposite of the man who had shot his knee. They had made him keep that leg up on the other seat, to prevent him from bending it too far and making it hurt even more. It was true, his leg didn't hurt, it was frankly numb. And the position he was in, was undoubtedly uncomfortable. He sighed, looking out the window at Constance standing there talking to Gabriel. Oh how much he just wished she wouldn't be coming.

Paris was an odd idea certainly. He had only been there once, and only for a few hours, in the dead of night, waltzing the streets warily, seeing the beauty for his own eyes. It seemed hard to imagine the city in the daylight with the steady bustle of people in the squares and markets. He wished to be a part of those many people, but knew, he would never be able to hence his condition. He would always leave in darkened coaches and visit at night.

"I hope you know I am sorry about this whole thing," Mikael said, obviously looking at him, eyes probably a dark watery black like the rest of them. "In Paris, I will get my own personal physician to take a look at your knee."

Joshua didn't even look at him. "Aye, that would be splendid," Joshua said coldly, keeping his gaze out the window. But this time he was trying to memorize every detail of this place, this place which he had called home for what seemed like forever. He looked at the lake, and remembered his night time strolls, relishing the feeling of the sand between his toes. He remembered the garden in which on some days he spent hours working on, tending to the flowers with Hester. And then he remembered his old attic room, something that he would surely miss. That was his getaway, his place where he could reflect on the life he was given, where he could not always hide himself with a mask.

"I think I am going to go for a walk by the lake. I won't be far. Just come and get me before we leave." Joshua, painfully lowered his leg and swung the door open of the carriage. He stumbled out of it with his crutches, and started steadily to the small lake. He stood under one of the trees, the same one which Tash had fallen out of, but that seemed like ages ago, on a night that was to clear.

The wind blew gently, and Joshua turned to look over and saw the gentle moon flowers growing together, not open, waiting for the moon to return. He smiled. That was another thing he would miss.

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Anyone can come talk to him if you want. And I read through the whole storybook today reminiscing, and the moon flowers were from a very pivotal post about Joshua. They aren't just random.

~Incognito

**Wonderful, Incognito. I completely agree with everything you have said. Also - LaReina - I am just going to assume that Mercy would rather join us in our jaunt to Paris then stay at the Chateau.

Isabelle

Isabelle and Mercy walked down to the Chateau's entrance in silence. She purposefully did not pursue conversation with Mercy; both young women were saying goodbye to the Chateau in their own way. Isabelle wouldn't dare interrupt Mercy's thoughts.

They made their way down the grand staircase that lead into the ballroom. Hester and Hiram stood at the foot of the stairs. They glanced up toward Mercy and Isabelle at the sound of their footsteps. Isabelle and Mercy stopped in front of them. Isabelle met Hester's eyes briefly, but looked away quickly. Isabelle and Hester had never been on the best of terms.

"You aren't coming with us, are you?" asked Mercy quietly, her voice surprisingly clear. Isabelle glanced up at them. Hiram shook his head.

"This is our home. We cannot abandon it."

Isabelle's eyes stung suddenly. She wanted to shout that the Chateau was her home, too, and that she would never leave it. But Isabelle knew her time in the Chateau had run out, and that the greatest honor she could give the mansion would be to leave gracefully.

There were a few moments of silence between the four, but then Hester made a gentle motion to signal that Mercy and Isabelle had best be off. Mercy and Isabelle did just that, retreating slowly out onto the Chateau's front lawn. Isabelle looked toward the awaiting carriages. Isabelle could see a small feminine figure with shining auburn hair standing outside the carriages, apparently conversing with Mikael. Something twinged deep within Isabelle. So Constance was coming with them.

Isabelle couldn't be too irritated; she was far too numb for that. As Mercy and Isabelle reached the carriages, Constance met Isabelle's' eyes briefly. Isabelle gave her a chill look back, but then helped Mercy lift her luggage into the second carriage. Isabelle turned to climb in the carriage, but noticed a glaring absence.

"Where's Joshua?" she asked Mikael sharply. Mikael glanced at Isabelle.

"He's by the lake. Told me to get him before we leave - "

"I'll go," said Isabelle quickly. It would give her an excuse to walk across the grounds one more time.

Soon Isabelle could see Joshua's form. He was standing absolutely still, gazing out across the lake's smooth surface. Isabelle walked up behind him.

"Seems strange, doesn't it?" Isabelle said quietly. "Leaving the Chateau, I mean?"

**Oh! And I just had a thought - for the sake of time, let's assume any of the other characters who may want to post in the future are coming to Paris as well. Just... Suppose people like Tash are already in the carriage or... something.

Just a thought.

*Mm, dont know how to enter this one... xD. I've been lost ever since Tash made his disappearance. Maybe William will sneak in at some point in time. I shall be searching for an opening, but till then, I will ninja *

Joshua

"Seems strange, doesn't it?" Isabelle said quietly. "Leaving the Chateau, I mean?"

Joshua stood stock still, leaning expertly on his left crutch. Indeed, it was incredibly stange for him, but he was used to wandering, he was used to leaving places which he knew he could of called home. But this time, this departure seemed to be the hardest for him. He had picked one of the small moon flowers, and had tucked it into the pocket of his jacket.

"It hard to imagine, that we are going to be leaving this all behind. After everything, the Chateau still stands."

"But I believe it is for the best, we have to have a new start," she spoke, and he smiled at these words, though he didn't believe them true. It had seemed like his time at the Chateau had just begun and he loved this place. He wished he could stay in these halls, stay in his attic room, be where he could actually be happy. But that was not possible, as it was not possible to erase the happenings of the night before from ever happening. Glancing over at Isabelle, he felt an unsetting feeling of the emotion he has promised her that didn't exist.

"I am going to miss this place," he spoke, his eyes closed bathing in the warm, sunlight.

"As I believe we all will."

"But I promise to return, someday. I know I will."

----------------

~Incognito

**Hmm. I think I've got a way to bring William in, Dreamwalker. I'll just need to "assume" that he was in the carriage with the rest of 'em. I apologize if I am a little rusty with his characterization. Tell me if I made a mistake.

Isabelle

"But I promise to return, someday. I know I will."

Isabelle opened her mouth to say something, but was cut short. Isabelle had no idea what the future held for her. Isabelle wished she could say with the same certainty as Joshua that someday she would return to the Chateau. But Isabelle couldn't. She simply didn't know.

Isabelle and Joshua turned at the sound of footsteps trudging through the grass. It was William.

"Mikael is getting impatient," William said cautiously, his eyes flickering from Joshua to Isabelle. "And says we should leave soon."

"Of course," said Joshua from behind Isabelle. Isabelle's breath caught in her throat. She must have paled as well, because William looked at her nervously.

"Are you well?"

Isabelle forced a smile on. "Fine," she said quickly. "I - Well. We'd best be going, shouldn't we?"


**Sorry for the somewhat rushed feeling in the post. I think we need to get to Paris in this post or the next, just to get the story moving again.

Mikael

Joshua and Isabelle left the carriage, leaving me with little company i wished to speak to. I would be travelling to Paris with these people and attempting to keep them safe, but that thought was tinted with the fact it was my fault they were having to run. Because of my foolish arrogance, they now had to leave there homes behind.
"William, could you please go and find Isabelle and Joshua. The sooner we leave the better." Without a word he deftly stepped from the carriage and strode off.
I huddled down into my corner of the carriage and thought over the events of the last few days. As intriguing as it all was, i was more interested in Joshua's mysterious sister. I had been transfixed with her ever since her grand entrance.
Perhaps in Paris i could attempt to win her favour.

Joshua

"I guess we should," he smiled weakly, then turned making sure his mask was properly on his face. And so the three of them started making their way to the carraige, Joshua hobbling along on his crutches, and William flashing quick glances at him and Isabelle. Joshua noticed this, but he kept his head held high. There was nothing left between Isabelle and him. Nothing like that should ever happen.

They made their way sombrely to the carraige, and as they were all getting in, Joshua looked back at the Chateau once more. Constance was walking their way, a small smile on her face, and Gabriel stood back at the entrance shoulders hunched. But his attention didn't stay with them for long, because emerging we Hiram and Hester, smiling at them, Hiram holding Hester close, a bitter smile on her face.

And so they were leaving their safe haven for once and for all. There was no going back.

Constance reached the carraige and swept infront of Joshua, and with a cutive smile got on, "Isn't this the fine adventure, my dearest brother."

"Aye, as it might seem," he said in a lowered tone.

"Just like the good old times," she popped her head out of the door. "You know, I missed you right. I wasn't even sure if you were alive still."

"I am as good as dead." He said and made his way into the carraige where he said by the door, leg carefully pulled up onto the seat across from him, and he closed the door with one last glance at Hiram and Hester. Looking into the carraige he looked at the rest of them, all looking weary, but there was a difference than last night, they all had hope in their eyes.

He saw Isabelle knock at the coachman's window, and with a whiny from the horses, they started their move, leaving the Chateau.

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Garbage post guys, but if you want to have any conversation in the coach, go ahead, or we can just start off pulling up to Isabelle's place in Paris.

~Incognito

Thank you all for pulling me in . Much obliged!

William

The seat had been rather uncomfortable, although not intended to be, as he had made it so. Crunching his body as far as he could into the small space between himself and the side of the carriage as he possibly could in a mad attempt at pushing himself even farther away from the girl beside him.

Mercy sat with her hands in her lap, staring distantly at the wood panel along the low roof of the carriage, the person to her right being one who had scared him even still. Mikael. Unfortunately, Joshua's leg was situated along the bench as well, right next to Mikael, forcing Mercy to come closer to the left side. William panicked.

All he knew was that he was going to stay as far as physically possible from Mercy which seemed clearly the best choice even in his own eyes. The person who sat directly across from him was Tash, his eyes glaring down at his shoes in a rather peevish manner, Constance and Isabelle sitting in between the two feuding men.

All in all, the tension rode high leaving William as uncomfortable and anxious as he had ever been, the wall becoming a small sanctitude of freedom.

No matter how uncomfortable it was.