Chapter 2 - Mysterious Happenings

Sep 10, 2023 2:11 pm
Group Scene
-- Early Monday Morning Summary--
If you're pressed for time, here are the key moments of the events at school.
[ +- ] Summary of Morning Events
[ +- ] Isabella "Izzy" Eriksson

-- Early Monday Morning Details--
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Tanya and Robbie bump into each other outside the school gates. In a matter of seconds of meeting, a group of popular girls led by Isabella "Izzy" Eriksson, the undisputed queen bee of the school, swarms around Tanya and Robbie. Their presence is unmistakable, and it's clear that Izzy thrives on the power her popularity affords her.

This morning’s group of bullies is made up of Izzy, two of her friends, and Emilia.

Izzy’s eyes gleam with mischief as she surveys Tanya and Robbie. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the farm giant and the bookworm," she taunts with a smirk. She turns to Emilia, a sly grin on her face. "I heard a rumor," she says in a low, mocking tone, "that our dear giant here has been collecting worms in her backpack. Isn't that just the most disgusting thing you've ever heard?"

Laughter erupts from Izzy's followers, except for Emilia, who manages an uncomfortable smile. In an unexpected turn of events, Izzy grabs a small container from one of her laughing friends. "Here's something for your collection, girls," she announces with a wicked glint in her eye, ready to throw the container.
https://i.imgur.com/j2EVllB.jpg
But before she can launch it a ball suddenly sails through the air and hits Emilia squarely in the back. The force of impact sends her stumbling forward, and she collides with Izzy. In the chaos that ensues, the container meant for Tanya and Robbie is flung backward, its contents, a mix of worms and dirt, scattering onto Izzy and her two laughing friends.

Izzy's scream cuts through the commotion, drawing the attention of Mr. Andersson, one of the teachers. He hurries toward the group with a clear expression that his patience is already worn thin.

The teacher, visibly flustered, scans the group and declares that everyone not covered in dirt: Emilia, Robbie, and Tanya will remain after school. He refuses to listen to arguments. Emilia turns to Izzy for support, but Izzy simple shrugs her shoulders and walks away.
Sep 10, 2023 2:12 pm
-- Monday After School --
Your scene begins as Robbie, Tanya, and Emilia leave school late after having stayed behind for Mr. Andersson. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows on Kungsberga as they walk toward the quiet path that leads from the school grounds. The area is empty of everyone except these three.
OOC:
What are characters doing as they leave? Staying close, keeping distant, arguing, silent, looking around, fidgeting, heading to the hideout, going home,etc…?
Sep 10, 2023 2:28 pm
Robbie spends the day angry and upset over the incident in the morning. She hadn't done anything wrong, only stupid Izzy insulted her and Tanya as always. And why would Robbie collect worms and bring them to school anyway? People already call her weird enough without her actually doing weird stuff. And of course, over the course of the day, Robbie already heard rumors starting to float around that she had brought a can of worms and dumped it over Izzy's head, which (while it would be totally deserved) is a complete lie of course.

During detention, she sticks close to Tanya and mostly ignores Emilia, annoyed that she was hanging out with Izzy in the first place, but then towards the end, when they're all let out, she walks over to Emilia and mumbles awkwardly, avoiding directly looking at her, "Y'know, I know that Izzy and her friends are way cooler than Tanya and I, but at least we wouldn't have ditched our friends like that. Maybe you should get nicer friends."
The dream would of course be if Emilia wanted to be Robbie's friend, but she knows that's never going to happen. But at least Emilia should know that she doesn't need to hang out with the mean bullies all the time.
Sep 10, 2023 2:55 pm
Tanya has been upset about the extra time waste that the detention meant, and doubly annoyed as she was not allowed to read during it, as she had to reflect on her shortcomings.

Now, walking with Robbie and Emilia, she nods in agreement, adding in her bookish tone, "Definitely. The irony of it is, of course, that the box of worms that Izzy and her hens wanted to use on us, didn't only backfire: it is also the perfect description for their group, don't you think?"

She glances at Emilia, "next time you see them, please propose an official club name change, will you?" she says, trying to see if she can make her laugh. She has found that on many occasions a little humor can go a long way to defuse antagonistic situations.

She got to know Emilia a little bit, after the Hideout Incident. How the heck Emilia found their access to the secret rooms, is still baffling her. So far Emilia has been keeping the secret as they had mutually agreed, which goes in her favor.
Last edited September 10, 2023 4:15 pm
Sep 10, 2023 7:05 pm
It's had stung. Getting in trouble for Izzy's stunt. for Izzy letting it happen. Voices in Emilia's head try to reason with it. It's not like they could have stood up for her without explaining they were all in on it. Though it had been Izzy's idea. In the end it was the teachers fault for assuming things.

As the detention ends she rapidly pack up, wanting to rush out without confrontation but is caught by Robbie before she can. She just looks away . 'She didn't ditch.. have just got in trouble as well.' She fidgets with her bag strap as they walk. Why was she even talking to her. Trying to be nice. It was what always confused her about Robbie. Everyone else they were mean o just avoided them and she ..didn't. It was confusing.

She stifles a laugh at the worms comment. It was fitting. But she'd found it safe to be included in their number. rather than outside it She couldn't exactly going agreeing wih it. 'Yeah..I don;t think that'll go down well for some reason. ' She mumbles, clearly uncomfortable with being alone with the pari after what had just transpired. And everything else previously.
Sep 10, 2023 8:23 pm
Robbie chuckles at her friend's comment. "Box of worms," she says with a smile as they get out of the school building. "That's really funny."
They walk off school grounds together and, to keep the silence from growing awkward, Robbie decides to ask, "Will you get in trouble with your parents because of detention? I don't think mine will be mad, but I'm a bit nervous."
Sep 11, 2023 6:46 am
"Depends if my Mom is home or not. She'd notice I'm later than usual. Third degree most likely will follow," she shrugs.

"If my dad's home he won't know the difference, and I'm not gonna volunteer the information, that's for sure."

"How about you?" she asks Emily, "surely they won't be mad at their fairytale princess?"
Sep 11, 2023 6:52 am
Robbie shakes her head. "Nah, her mom is really cool. No way Emilia will get in trouble."
Last edited September 11, 2023 6:52 am
Sep 11, 2023 12:29 pm
Emilia tries not to let out a bitter laugh. Her Mum wouldn't be back yet, if she was going to be back at all. She wouldn't even know whose was late.

As Robbie mentions her Mum she throws her a look. What did she know about her.

'They' ll actually believe me when I tell them I had nothing to do with it. Maybe even speak to school. That teacher should be worried.

She doubted her Mum would even have the time to go to the school. Best just not bother her with it.
Sep 11, 2023 12:41 pm
"I think Mr. Andersson meant well," Robbie says when Emilia mentions that he should be worried. "We shouldn't be getting him in trouble for any misunderstanding." Tyra doesn't seem like the kind of woman who would make anyone trouble at school, but Emilia probably knows her better, so Robbie isn't about to argue.

She looks down at her shoes for a moment as they're walking. She actually likes this group. Tanya is kind of her best friend, even though she always has her nose buried in books. And Emilia is actually kind of nice, even though she often tries to hide it. So she suggests, "Maybe we can all hang out a bit one day. I have to get home to do my chores, but we could go to the arcade. Or play some game in our secret spot! I could bring Monopoly."
Sep 11, 2023 1:05 pm
She widens her eyes at Robbie - an effect further magnified by her lenses- with a silent expression that means you're inviting HER??

Then she feels committed to say something, and comes out with a weak, "yeah. That could be nice."
Her body language doesn't help, though, as she cannot restrain a little shrug.
Sep 11, 2023 2:28 pm
Pigeon

As the group continues along the path, they unexpectedly come across the worm container from the morning's incident. Evidently, someone must have retrieved it after it was dropped earlier. Perhaps it had served as part of another prank later in the day. Did Mr. Andersson have to endure another worm-related incident?

While standing near the container, an unusual sound catches their attention from the side of the path a little way off. It's the sound of mechanical excited voices. "Jackpot, worms! worms! worms!" the voices chant.

Curiosity piqued, they look over and discover four pigeons near the scattered worm contents. Two pigeons appear to be in the midst of a fierce dispute over a worm, while another one playfully dances around the feuding pair. The fourth pigeon, however, seems to be gazing in the opposite direction, away from the kids. Strangely, the dancing pigeon appears to be the one talking.

As it continues to move around, the dancing pigeon cheerfully exclaims, "I LOVE WORMS." The pigeon that was previously looking away interjects with a hushed tone, "Be quiet. Look over there, it's something shiny. If you make too much noise, it will run away."
Sep 11, 2023 2:33 pm
Dr_B says:
an effect further magnified by her lenses
OOC:
This is a such a great detail.
Sep 11, 2023 4:04 pm
A look of surprise crosses Emilia's face before it rapidly becomes one of suspicion.

'My friend just tried to dump worms all over you why would...' She starts before coming to at halt spotting the can again. She looks slightly confused before shaking her head to clear it. Coincidence.

Then the birds start talking. A stunned look crosses her face, as the mechanical voices continues before she's shakes her head once more. Nope this wasn't happening. She had to get a grip and not look crazy in front of these two. If rumours spread she'd be in the firing line herself.
Sep 11, 2023 4:09 pm
Robbie doesn't get a chance to answer Emilia's half-spoken question before they're all distracted by the weirdness going on. "Did that bird just talk?" she asks, hoping she doesn't sound like an absolute lunatic. She bends down, keeping distance so as to not scare the birds. "Hey, friend pigeon!" she says in a friendly tone. "Can you understand me?"

Okay, now she definitely sounds like an absolute lunatic.
Sep 11, 2023 4:14 pm
Pigeon
The pigeons, particularly the dancing one who had been speaking, react in a rather unexpected and surreal manner. The dancing pigeon momentarily stops its happy jig, tilts its head in Robbie's direction, and chirps out, "Talk? Talk!"

The other pigeons seem equally puzzled, with one pausing its squabble over the worm and the other glancing back at the shiny object with a twitchy beak.

As for understanding Robbie, it's unclear whether the pigeons grasp her words or are simply mimicking sounds they've heard. However, their unexpected reactions add an extra layer of intrigue to the bizarre encounter.
Sep 11, 2023 4:22 pm
She looks in fascination at the talking birds... and slowly stops, crouching down to observe this better.
To the other girls, she whispers, "Yes... I hear them too..."

Without making a move so not to scare the birds off, her eyes scan the details of their heads, plumage, legs... in search of something that could explain this uncanny thing. They must be wearing a small loudspeaker, and some idiot is transmitting the speech to it...
Last edited September 11, 2023 4:50 pm
Sep 11, 2023 4:56 pm
From this distance Tanya does not see any clues that explains the sounds. For all intents and purposes, it appears that the birds are indeed talking.

The birds are now definitely aware of the three kids, and although they continue their previous actions, they stop occasionally and look back at them. At one point, Tanya is fairly confident that one looked directly at her and then whispered something to another bird.
OOC:
Question for group? Do you want me to make suggestions of possible skills or actions to make at key points in the story? Or do you prefer for me to simply present the situation without suggestions?
Sep 11, 2023 6:00 pm
OOC:
Very useful answer i know but a mix of both. Sometimes can be fun to try different approaches if there are ones, but if only going to be one thing to do, then it can be nice to know.
'..wait so.. am I not going crazy or are we all... why are you talking to them?!' Emilia blinks as the other make it clear they can also hear the bird, before looking surprise as as Robbie bends down to them. 'If they can talk we have no idea what else they can do?'

Despite her words her curiousty begins to get the better or her and she looks to see if she can spot the shiny thing one mentioned. '
Sep 11, 2023 6:29 pm
Emilia notices what appears to be an ordinary handheld mirror, albeit broken, near the birds. The shiny object upon which the bird is fixated is a piece of that mirror.
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