#oc darkworld

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

Mike finally gets up and looks at the Fun Gang. "I'm going back to make popcorn, if you guys would like some."

Susie doesn't even think and says "Heck yeah! Let's get some, Kris! Come on, Ralsei!"

Ralsei smiles and follows.

As the Fun Gang go up the stairs, Kris looks over at Ralsei and asks "Is your smile genuine?"

Ralsei glances around. "Yes...? No...? Kind of both. I'm happy that Susie is happy, but I am nervous. This place... it's not part of The Prophesy. I don't know everything. Sure, Mr Puffy told me a lot, but I'm not sure if he was being honest, I want to believe that he was, but there's always doubt in the unknown. He didn't tell me who made the fountain!"

Susie stops and kneels down, overhearing everything. "Ralsei. Calm down. You saw how small this Dark World is. We will close it before you know it, and everyone here can come to Castle Town, right?"

Ralsei takes a few deep breaths, leaning in and giving Susie a hug. "They will all be able to come. After we get popcorn... we should try to convince the barkeeper, Buck, to let us go through... t-The Realm Of The Discarded.... apparently t-there's a Shadow Crystal there, guarded by one of the only few here willing to fight...."

Susie was surprised by Ralsei's hug, but pats him on the back, not really sure what else to do.

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

After the Fun Gang enjoyed their popcorn, they decided to head back to the main area to form a plan.

"We should probably get that Shadow Crystal out of the way." Susie says, licking the popcorn out of her teeth

"Venom Crackshot is the code?" Kris questions

"That's what Mr Puffy said to me, yes." Ralsei nods, sitting down on a beanbag chair.

"He told you????" Susie glares at Raslei

"Yes, just in case nobody else does. We should tell him before we go fight whoever 'her' is." Ralsei says, clearly a little stressed

"'her'...." Susie grumbles, clearly having some bad memories flash back up

Kris gives a thumbs up.

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

Ralsei, don't hide too much from Kris and Susie. Especially Susie.

"I-I know. I still want them to have fun here..." Ralsei stutters

Buck brings Ralsei some tea. "Here, on the house." he nods. "You look like you need some."

Ralsei silently drinks it.

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

for the fun gang: do you see anything you want to explore?

"We can explore everywhere! This place is small, apparently!" Susie points at a map on the wall

"Storage." Kris answers

"I've seen everywhere here while waiting for Kris and Susie..." Ralsei answers, looking around

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

I feel like Kris and Susie should be allowed to see the bar, just not get any alcohol from it.

"Nothing is stopping them?" Mr Puffy says, tilting his head

"The Shopkeeper Kneado said that I was too young." Kris says

"They can go down to the speakeasy if they want. It's Buck who decides what they can and can't have." Mr Puffy answers, shaking his head.

"[Heck] yeah! Kris, let's get some juice!" Susie says, grabbing Kris and dragging them down the stairs.

Ralsei sighs, and looks at Mr Puffy. "How long are you going to delay this?" he questions

"They need to face her eventually, and the only way to find her is through either my room or giving Buck the code 'Venom Crackshot'. I'd prefer they not see who I really am till the end. I am fragile, after all." Mr Puffy responds, not aware that the askers can still hear. "I'm lucky to have dodged Susie's swing."

"You'll all make it to Castle Town, safe and sound." Ralsei nods. "You'll be safe there, Flicker."

"Please save using my real name..." Mr Puffy responds. "Especially where the Pippins from the board games can hear. They never keep secrets."

"You said the secret code aloud, though?" Ralsei questions

"The lighteners are going to have to figure it out some way." Mr Puffy reasons.

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

Kris notices a save point has spawned, and reaches out and saves. They pause, clearly the soul got a choice option and is trying to decide.

Ralsei taps Kris's shoulder. "I think we should practice... I don't want to get too hurt..."

Kris looks genuinely surprised for Ralsei to be the one making a choice for them; normally it's Susie who does that. He must be serious. "...ok."

The Fun Gang, Mr Puffy, and ILOVEYOU (she decided she wanted to help) leave the supply room, waving to Dinosaur, who is too big to fit through the door.

After Mike and the shopkeepers were told to help the gang practice, they all went out front.

Mr Puffy projects the training dummy again, focusing more and making the hologram be able to be hit with attacks.

The training begins! Mike is eager to use his attacks, and makes them only deal 1 damage per hit. The Shopkeepers only have one attack each.

The practice goes on for about an hour, till Kris says they're confident that they can dodge all the attacks.

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

Kris, Susie, where does this Dark World take place, exactly? If you know?

-🟢

Susie was caught off guard, suddenly hearing a voice out of nowhere, and pulls out her axe defensively "Why would you want to know!? Where are you?"

Kris replies "In some guy's storage shed outside of Hometown."

[the-dark-comfort-zone]

After what feels like weeks, Susie and Kris finally arrive. Ralsei was, thankfully, on the lookout the whole time, and ushers them inside.