Chapter 5 Home is where the Heart is (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

[ranger]

Rikke held it out at arms length forcing more of the light into the room. The seeming brightness caused the tornado to fluctuate wildly. Emboldened by this she moved closer till at last the violent winds died down causing the papers to flutter down to earth. Sadly there were a jumbled mess but she was able to peice enough together to find out that Experiment three was a test on animal enhancement. An attempt to make a faster,stronger wardog for a client. There where also hints about experiment four doing better but no other documents supported that. However she did find a map of the servant corridors. Indeed it seemed to connect all the old campus buildings besides the private housing. It also contained a map of her current floor. There where two more labs left as well as a lounge for staff and bathrooms that she had yet to see.

 

[Ubberific]

It worked! Rikke beamed herself a bright smile, as she'd rush closer and collect the notes all of which seemed in surprisingly decent condition, even if potentially hinting at their old age(?). Still among these were the precious maps the rogue needed so much and even a details of exactly what atleast a few of these 'experiments' were! Guard dogs? Rikke furrowed her brow, looking through the papers. As indeed these seemed to show that this place was some sort of alchemy lab on animals? While it was far from the horrors the rogues thoughts considered... The girl couldn't help, but think back to the massive claw marks near the stairs and the ghostly echoes she had seen.

Then this unknown assailant... was it one of the dogs? It had to be! Yet the sheer thought of a dog leaving such massive claw marks was nothing short of surreal and terrifying! Just how extensive and how insane were these modifiacations? The very thought spurring a subtle gulp from the rogue, as she'd stand up. Besides these there seemed to be a few other labs? 'Number 4 was doing better, eh?' the thought crossed the beautys mind as she'd leave the detailing papers there and took the maps with her! Before she left, she'd need to find these two other labs and find out what went on... or what went wrong in them!

 

[ranger]

Conveniently the labs she had passed already were labeled already on her map. She only needed to find the Secure Experiment Lab, and the Experimental treatment Wing. Flipping threw her maps she had gathered her heart sank. The experimental treatment wing was below her was on the floor below her. Secure Experiment Lab was above. Almost thinking about the floor below brought back horrid memories of the voices. Looking threw the notes again and totally not delaying exploring the rest of the creepy haunted ruin Rikke came across a tid bit of information she overlooked before. The experimental wing had only 1 occupant at the time of the accident. Sadly no name was given but she was female, and brought in for an abnormal growth in her pelvic region.

 

[Ubberific]

Rikkes face certainly shed a few shades as she read that one of the labs... was likely in the haunting whirlpool below! Something that gave the rogue utter goosebumps of even considering, even in her far more steeled resolve state! P-Perhaps she'd come back with better equipment... later? Y-yes! Absolutely! That was the reason, she'd save that expedition for later! The rogue gave her a sage nod of pure poor excuse... Yet this other lab was far more easy to reach 'Secure Experiment'?

While normally the rogue would still consider it related to the hounds she read about, one of the documents also seemed to mention human volunteers? Were these experiments with nature also done with humans?! That detail spurring a subtle gulp from the rogue.. as perhaps for now it was best not to consider the worst, who knows maybe the war-beast sort of ordeals were indeed only focused on beasts.. hopefully... Still whatever the case, any further answered lied bel--- above. Only above. As Rikke packed up the maps and stashed them inside her pockets, only to grab her lamp and continue onwards! Seemed her next goal was on what just may prove to be the third of the three underground areas!

 

[ranger]

Leaving the office the whirlwind did not return. Sadly however she did see the repeat of the previous and by no doubt in her mind murder. Leaving the tragedy behind she moved to the stairs that led up. Before ascending she looked at the marks again. The claw marks where large but not very deep. Unable to gain much more info from such an old site she moved up the creaking stairs. She reached the top of them with no issue and while she couldn't yet see outside she could feel fresh air enter the floor some place. Here it also became more evident that what ever happened to this place dealt with a lot of fire.

The state of the halls where also quite rough. Debris chocked the path at ever turn but with some careful steps and action she only managed to rip her uniform three times before she came to doors that read secure lab. Two heavy iron doors seemed wrent from the inside as if struck by mighty blows. peaking in Rikke saw cells. Thankfully nothing seemed to have remained in them having either escaped or been utterly consumed. Stepping she heard the crunch of glass under shoe. Looking down the remains of a dozen light crystals lay scattered at her feet. It seemed an abnormal amount to be present in one specific location. Looking over the room Rikke found a chart that had survived the destruction. Specimen Four. Male formally human. Exposed to corruptible demon influence. Alchemical treatment unable to remove demonic taint. Subject is aggressive and dangerous. Note our alcemical treatments seemed to have made his condition worse. Specimen four now has two large claws on his hands with signs of more growing. Have stopped all treatments, after subjects two and three died.

 

[Ubberific]

Fire damage? Well if there was any possible doubt whether this place was the old building, it was certainly shunned aside... Even if the terrible truth of the old academy conducting major experiments on creatures was difficult to ignore now. Still fire damaged walls or not, the gentle breeze of fresh air proved nothing short of a long-sought delight! As clearly finally the rogue was nearing the surface... Yet thinking back, did this mean she had fallen for three stories straight... suddenly that slope the girl had slid along certainly proved quite the lifesaver!

Still for now the rogues goal had shifted away from purely escaping to investigating the ruins! Yet it was a goal that did spur the rogue to slip through a few tighter passes and debris, each one hardly being keen on the girls uniform leaving it in a worse off state than it was before! Yet truthfully, between the fungi accents, ashes and mud... The uniform was doomed from the start! So much that somehow the rogue thought showing up without it would yield less ire and wrath from her maid than this!--- Though first things first!

As indeed double checking her map, Rikke had arrived! Her light raised up the girl turned her gaze upwards only to meet the massive bashed out door infront! The sight spurring a gulp from the rogue as she stepped closer... only to illuminate the cells within? Cells... were these akin to prisoner or patient? All the while why was there THIS much glass here? No.. not glass? Crystal shards? Atleast they seemed to match the coloring of the magical items. Still thankfully there did not appear to be anyone here... not that the rogue expected anyone beyong the occasional rat to still linger around here.

'Specimen four?' as indeed seemed this place was trying to treat some sort of demonic corruption? Yet judging by these very same pages whatever they were doing had backfired horrendously? Large claws, aggressive... was there anything else? Anything about its weakness or vulnerabilities? What of the deceased subjects 2 and 3? Were these also attempts to cure someone of corruption... or to use the corrupted states for something else?

 

[ranger]

Moonlight filtered threw a whole in the roof giving off some better light illuminating the isolation cells. They did indeed seem to be meant to keep their subjects in, however they seemed less like prison cells as they where far larger. It seemed more inline with dangerous sick people than just dangerous people. As what ever clouds cleared away in the sky let more light into the clearly defunct ceiling she could see the remains of wheeled beds. A glimmer of broken glass caught her eye and caused her to move over to its sparkling surface. Looking it over she found a pyramid shaped crystal with a small brass plague that read. Jericho foundation award for outstanding research. Rikke looked around this object was out of place and didn't belong here. It was also singed and coated with smoke from the fire. It was like an award or some such. She had no clue as to why it was here.

 

[Ubberific]

Outstanding research? Jericho? So this place was owned by the name all the way back then? Or at the least these mysterious quarters. Rikke picked up the small crystal after looking it over looked to perhaps stash it away, as it almost felt wrong to leave the 'Award' here. Still with that the rogue looked through the room again, her thoughts running through everything she had learned about the puzzling structure--- only for her eyes to catch something that otherwise should've proved instantly noticeable!

Moonlight? Light?! Rikkes eyes widened as she looked to the gaps and even up through them, as finally it wasn't just the air that confirmed she was near the surface she could finally see the light again! The girl had yet to appreciate the silvery beams as much as she did at that moment, as with a bright smile and the award in hand she'd look to rush and find the exit or a means to climb up! Fresh air and freedom was just one step upwards away!---

Yet just as the rogue made her way past the tighter squeezes and passages of the ruin... an echo of a memory suddenly spurred the rogues exit to an utter halt! A female with a 'wierd growth'? R-Rikke had encountered such a figure... not once, but twice in the academy! The memory did instill some red in the beautys cheeks, but more importantly could the white-clad overseer of the Jericho corruption project... be the very same female mentioned in these documents?!

The girl paused at the sudden revelation as indeed everything could fit... Though the document had not listed any name or beared any picture of the female! Nothing beyond the fact that she was likely treated in the 'Experimental treatment wing'... the one on third floor below! Rikke winced as she'd look to the moons light and then the stairway, memories of the whirlwind of ghosts still all too fresh in her mind--- Yet would she learn this woman name or see a picture of her, the mysterious figure that ruled over the Jericho gatherings would be revealed! One of the main head she had to cut off would finally be cleared!--- A-and so far the ghosts proved little more than echoes and just visual, it was scary true... yet was the rogue in any real danger? Bitting on her lower lip Rikke paused and tightened her hold on her lamp, as even if she'd regret going down here... she'd regret more not trekking back to investigate this lead! She had the map, she'd take so little time afterall! As even if reluctantly soon enough the rogues light descended down the stairs all the way to the dark depths below once again!

 

[ranger]

Rikke had stopped right in front of a slopped collapse. Warm beckoning air scented with flowers wafted to her banishing some of the murk and musk of the ruin below. Glittering beams of moonlight pierced the wayward clouds that occasionally drifted over the starry sky. She felt her jaw set and her hand tighten on the lamp she held. She couldn't leave it be. Turning away from her escape route she moved back into the dark only to have a light breeze seem to buffet her gently and almost a whisper from a nearly forgotten voice telling her to go for it. With a map in hand Rikke made short work of her route and soon found herself on the bottom floor once more. However this time she had strong bright light and while the tease of voice echoed in the dark they seemed to flee from the bright presence. Her steps echoed out as she walked to the unexplored corridor she had fled from before. Soon she was rewarded with individual rooms lining the halls. Most of these where utter ruins fire having done a remarkable deed in ruining them. It seemed she would find no answers here until she came to one room that seemed to resist her light. Much like the whirlwind this wall of darkness sputtered and hiss at Rikke's presence. The wall of darkness would not give even as Rikke approached it with her light it would buckles but not break.

 

[Ubberific]

At this point, Rikke was just about set to give the lamp the most thankful of hugs! As its brilliant light seemed to nothing short of keep the twisted haunting at bay!.. even if the memory of her frightful run still kept the girls heartbeat just a tad more rapid, her sense all the more on edge! Still with the map in one hand and the lamp in the other, the beauty continued moving onwards her footsteps likely echoing out throughout the empty floor and deep into the pitch blackness beyond!

Still with steadied breath soon enough Rikke reached her goal and unlike the last laboratory, one that proved as calm as the rest of the ruins... this place had the supernatural influence in flux once again! Yet this time seemingly far more potently than the whirlwind of the office upstairs! Though even if such a sight proved troublesome, it at the same time proved all the more reassuring! Whatever lied in that resistant darkness either did not want to be found or held a potentially crucial piece of this tragic places mystery! As taking a deep breath and bracing herself, Rikke stepped closer and extended her light to try and disperse the dark!

 

[ranger]

Rikke pressed forward knowing full well that her light would banish the darkness. It seemed to work the dark whispers retreated from her presence falling ever deeper into the room, until much like a soapy bubble it seemed to burst around Rikke with a ear piercing shriek! Wincing at the sudden cry RIkke opened up her eyes to only see a swirl of shadows around her held at bay by her lamp. Like endless rain on a green house the darkness flowed off the light leaving Rikke a safe bubble.

The room as she saw it was a mess of blankets and items tossed about. A small chalkboard still bore some writing. Looking it over she found her first clue.

Annabell Jericho
Age: 14
Treatment: Alchemical compound four.

A nearby folder caught Rikke's eye. In it a simple set of documents regarding her health and the examiners notes.
"Subject claims that the growth is natural that she had never been exposed to any magical creatures or demons. Her parents claim that she was born a healthy normal girl. Im not sure who is lying or if the parents are saving face. Subject's enhancement was discovered while attending school. Apparently the other girls have been merciless in their teasing. We should be sure to have some psychological help and treatment available. It seems Doctor Winter will head up her treatment." Rikke flipped threw a few more pages finding a list of treatment. All seemed to be alchemical mixes of some sort. No mention of mental treatment were present.

Rikke set the documents down and turned and suddenly gasped at a near perfect replica of her, though she wore the old style uniform of the maids. She was translucent and smaller of figure than Rikke but her face was almost a mirror match. Rikke watched as her doppelganger moved to the bed and knelt down. She fiddled with the straps that where no longer there before turning around suddenly. She seemed to gasp suddenly before a large dark stain began to spread on her chest. Looking down she fell to her knees and fell sideways fading into blue nothing again. This was followed by another ear piercing cry. This one was seemingly of despair and grief.

 

[Ubberific]

'Annabelle Jericho...' Rikkes eyes widened at the surname of the 'subject' that was treated down here, before indeed some of the papers gave her a far cleared picture of exactly what the girl had gone through! Albeit it was unknown exactly what the 'mutation' was, page upon page seemed to hint at various alchemical remedies, each more advanced and ambitious than the other... all of them seeking to 'help' the girl, yet at the same time, this had to have been terrifying to the girl but not a single entry of comfort or emotion aid. Not even one entry? 'Idiot...' the rogue frowned lightly, as it seemed Jericho in his search for a means to 'fix' his daughter all but abbandoned her to science.

Rikke sighed deeply, as she placed away the pages only for when next the girl turned--- for her to nothing short of freeze in place as there it was... a ghost that nothing short of mimic'ed her! Well atleast by her face! The girl blinked in genuine surprise as all the ghosts up till now, showed tragic events of the staff that had died her a long time ago... Why was this ghosts taking on her appearance? Still it proved nothing short of chilling to see 'herself' killed then and there. Spurring the heroine to look away, as unlike the others the ghosts down here seemed to have a 'voice'.

"I'm sorry... I don't think I can help any of you. Not yet." Rikke spoke up moreso to herself than anyone else, only to begin moving out of this accursed and despairing ruin! At the very least, she had a name now... Annabelle! The girls fate just may be a key the rogue might have to use someday!

 

[ranger]

Turning away RIkke was confronted with a horrible writhing shadow in a vaguely human shape trying to force its way into the sphere of light she found her self in. Sparking against the bubble its snarled at her unable to get any closer. "SHE IS MINE YOU CANNOT HAVE HER!" Shadow person banged himself against the sphere of light snarling all the while as it forced him away time and time again. Eventually the shape seemed to cry out one more time before catching on fire and dashing off into the swirling blackness.

Having enough of that Rikke soon found herself running back up the stairs to the safety of the pale moonlight. Once more she found herself near the exit the soft chirp of crickets echoing threw the night the horrors of below seeming trapped there. While no doubt none of the spirts could harm her they did frighten her greatly. Looking back to the yawning darkness she pondered if that mystery was worth solving.

 

[Ubberific]

W-what... the... heck? Rikke absolutely needed a moment after the event occured, as she was previously nothing short of frozen stiff, afterall the ghost literally trying to bash through the safety of the light, screaming and yelling throughout... had to have been the absolutely worst moment the beauty experience in years, if not ever! In other words, 'having enough of that' would absolute shy away from the getting the heck out reality that rushed through the beautys senses and mind!

As not staying even a moment more in this horrid place the beauty rushed back out and straight to the very top! Exhaling deeply as she finally was back to relative safety! G-Gods.... Suddenly the rogue grew a whole new appreciation for exorcists and priests or priestesses who deal with this aspect of darkness! Words utterly failed to describe exactly how relieved the girl was finally seeing moonlight... Never. Again. "Phew..." right at the very least she now had a name: Anna Jericho, as well as more information about what had gone on in the academy of old! Still... she had to get back to her actual duties now, how this information would play out in the events to come remained unknown... but the beauty likely hardly had the time to investigate (or had the want to after the yelling ghost literally tearing at her bauble to get her!), as would she disappear for too long worry and suspicions would quickly fall onto her!

It was time to find the exit out of this place and find a way back!

 

[ranger]

Rikke soon found her way out and soon stood in the light of the moon. The night insects sang loudly and the lights of the campus seemed to glow in the distance. Rikke found herself a fair distance from Mr. Steel's cabin. Gazing up at the moon she guess it to be about 11pm and frowned. She had been gone awhile. Of course how long of that was her being passed out she had no idea. Still as she headed back her heart calmed and her mind slowed as she went over what she had found, and it wasn't long before she was back insight of the dorms. There a familiar figure waited on one of the nearby benches that lined the various walkways. Catching sight of Rkke the girl ran up aghast at her appearance and the furious. "What did you do!" She looked RIkke over. Grabbing Rikke by the arm she began to lead her to the servant entrance. "I swear you are trying to get me expelled! Did you go fine the most dirty thing on campus to roll around on?!"

If Rikke didn't stop her she would soon find herself dragged threw a small maze of corridors and stairs till she was back at her room stripped and dumped into a tube in a huff.

 

[Ubberific]

Her journey through the ruins all, but complete Rikke didn't even need to find the true entrance to the rather ruined top floor... as just passing by one of the rooms revealed its roof had all but collapsed providing a stable and ample ramp to--- The rogue heart nothing short of skipped a beat!-- to the gently moonlight illuminated night outside! As indeed after all the stale air, ghosts and darkness Rikke nothing short of sprinted up the ramp and took the most delighted breath of true fresh air! Finally.. she was out! "Phaaaa~" the beauty cutely smiled to herself and only then look around exactly where she'd end up! Afterall considering the ruin nature and what lied inside it couldn't possibly be easy to find!--- Yet then again thinking through most if not all the students in the University, exactly how likely the rich and pompous girls would risk heading down to a musty old ruin?

Still whatever the case, Rikke did her best to memorize this 'entrance' to the ruin, before with a smile rushing onwards through the night and back to her room! All the while dodging most eyes not to see her utterly torn and dirty uniform! M-Maybe noone really noticed her disappearance? The thought crossed the beautys mind as she'd snicker hopefully only to feel an overwhelming presence loom over her, a pressure so fierce it made the girl almost curl up in fright... and worse yet... it was close by and right next to her!... 'What... did you do!' "Oh~ H-Hey Cheryl. I can explain!" Rikke felt a cold bead of sweat roll down her face--- only for her to be nothing short of whisked right away, right to her room and plomped into a super soapy and warm tub!

Albeit would Cheryl stay and help the rogue wash her hair or back, with her returned... Rikke certainly owed the girl an explanation and with their mutual trust, the heroine used the chance to explain... well moreso share with the maid all that she had seen! Perhaps allowing the maid to raise questions the rogues mind just flatout missed! Even if potentially the sheer fact of ghosts existing and literally right nearby could be seen a tad... impossible to those without much exposure to the adventures beyond the city walls!

 

[ranger]

Cheryl listened to the whole tale or as so much as Rikke shared. No doubt embellishing her heroics as was her style. During the whole story her maid cleaned and pampered and washed her with no hesitation. Of course Rikke couldn't see her lips tremble at the mention of ghosts. Still after it was all said and done and Cheryl added some more scented water to the bath the woman sat down next to the tub with Rikke. "I had no idea such terrible things lived in the ruins. Those poor girls stuck there forever and that poor maid trying to help her mistress get out, only to be killed. Poor thing. I wonder if she was tying to help get her out due to the fire." She seemed to sigh and look a little sad.

"Well at least you are all right and safe. I'm glad the school no longer dabbles with such strange things." For the moment silence fell between the two until her mood seemed to perk back up. "Also with your uniform ruined I will have to make you a new one as it seemed you didn't bring another or have money on hand to buy one. Its gonna take all day tomorrow, so I can't keep you out of trouble with the school. Head into to town in the morning. I will need a few things I cannot get here and sense its your own fault for getting your uniform ruined. There is a small shop that services the school just hand them a list I will have for you and they will get what I need." Her tone carried a certain command to it that would brook no argument. She would indeed make a very good head maid someday to some lucky house.

Once dry and out of the tube Rikke was lead to her bed where Cheryl dressed her in a light nightgown. On a nearby table Rikke's evidence and small collection form the ruin sat on a table carefully arranged. The fire was burning in the hearth with what remained of RIkke's old uniform. It seemed Cheryl had found nothing worth saving besides the rather audacious undergarments the rogue seemed to favor. Once she hit the soft down mattress she found herself into a deep sleep. She awoke with dawn slightly streaming threw her parted curtains and a fresh breakfast ready for her on the table. Cheryl sadly was no where to be found just yet but Rikke could hear something in the bathroom. A set of her street cloths where layed out for and ontop of them was her day pass and list from Cheryl.

 

[Ubberific]

'No longer dabbles...' yet the unknown creatures appearance outside, just might hint that it was indeed completely not the case! Still, that was a suspicion the rogue best kept to herself, lest such knowledge would place a seed of fear in the maids heart! "Oh.. W-well.. yeah.. the clothes didn't really like the musty ruin at all." the beauty ducked down sheepishly, yet it seemed the issue was relatively light as after a bit of soap, warm water and even a few oils, whatever muck the beauty had managed to brush by was nowhere to be seen, as she was back to her utterly pristine self once again "Mmm--haa~!" the rogue stretched as she slipped out of the baths, before indeed with Cheryls help soon enough after a VERY eventful night the beauty finally could catch some shut-eye... Thankfully the ghosts and apparitions, as well as memories of them stayed below ground and out of sight... out of mind.

Well then! Time for a new day! Rikke wasted little time to slip out of bed with a triumphant bright smile, the warm bath nothing short of acting as the perfect nudge to utterly sweep the beauty to a long nights rest she so needed! Though seemed just like in the old days, the girl had slept in a fair bit... by the time she awoke, all her clothes were set including the promised day pass to leave the University! One day... Rikke picked up the paper as she looked it over - one day. It was the timeframe the beauty was allowed to slip out without raising alarm and during that time, she needed to find out what the creature outside was and if the group fighting it was indeed her companions!

The sooner she left, the more time she'd have to complete all this! As with no time to waste Rikke soon enough fixed her hair (as much as its wild flowing nature truly needed or allowed), freshened up with some cool water and got dressed! Cozy thigh-high black socks, stylish boots, short-shorts and a white finely tailored shirt! Albeit Emilia did argue these clothes didn't quite befit a royal, the rogue did argue down that someone with enough wealth wouldn't have to worry about what they wear! As the beauty indeed looking at the mirror snickered slyly as she fixed her clothes lightly and unbuttoned the few top strained buttons! A far increased sexual appeal, that Rikke could only acknowledge with a sly wink! Yet it was paramount Cheryl didn't see her like this! As indeed the beauty only neared the door and partly opened it to call out to the maid that she was leaving, before heading out!

It was time to finally see the nearby town she had only glanced at from the windows!

 

[ranger]

Thankfully the campus seemed empty today and the rogue was able to pass the gate with out issue. Though while the guard did eye her while confirming her pass he said nothing and let the rogue go. Of course she didn't charter a carriage, after all that would mean going into the administration office. Dressed as she was it would undoubtedly cause trouble. Thankfully the walk to the town was not too difficult the road had a cobbled surface and despite the occasional road apple were clean of filth. The sun was still rising to noon and while indeed the rogue had slept late she it was rather relative compared to the class scheduled she had to maintain. It was hardly a quarter past ten before she came into the town proper. The early morning market was still buzzing with activity and everything seemed peaceful and uneventful.

Some of the townsfolk seemed to eye her with a bit of disdain and a few even hid their children's faces and turned them away. However she did catch a few more lecherous stares. From what she recalled the market was the prominent district in the city. It sat on the main road that ran right threw town. The more affluent and well to area's of the city pretty much built up around it. But from experience Rikke knew that where there is money, someone trying to gain it unlawfully are close.

 

[Ubberific]

Ooh~ Back to the old far more dusty roads and dirty towns! Rikke smiled brightly as she walked down the towns pathways, the absolute contrast of the utterly pristine school and here proving almost nostalgic in a way! As indeed all around... disgruntled housewives gave her stink eye, the children giving her a bright wave, before oddly enough being shooed away by the locals... and even those that didn't disapprove the beautys appearance, seemed to go on the opposite spectrum of approving almost too much what with the sheer hungering sparks as they eyed the gorgeous traveler full-length with clearly lecherous intent?! W-wait... why did she miss this again?

Though it was just a passing moment and a passing thought, as Rikke could only snicker it away and look upon the bustling town properly! Still first things first, the beauty had to drop off Cheryls requested supplies... and perhaps as the local tailor about 'strange sightings' around town! Two birds with one stone!