Melpomene’s Tragedy, Thalia’s Comedy / [KILL THE PAST/ END]

*Who killed Strawberry?* Where was he when those words were spoken on the News…? Not where he had wanted to be. As the TV in the changing room echoed those words, one thing was clear for everybody else in the room: They would be in need of a substitute actor, because their own… Well, he was sitting... View More*Who killed Strawberry?* Where was he when those words were spoken on the News…? Not where he had wanted to be. As the TV in the changing room echoed those words, one thing was clear for everybody else in the room: They would be in need of a substitute actor, because their own… Well, he was sitting there, pale face and eyes peeled and stuck on the screen by the upper corner of the wall. “No…” Gray barely whispered; his lips hardly moved as that shaky breath left his muzzle. Every makeup artist working on him at the time had come to a sudden stop too, shifting eyes nervously between the thespian and the TV mounted on the wall. The *clink* *clank* of Samantha’s heels soon echoed through the corridor, she was running and shuffling papers. “Side Show, you’re up!” she instructed some guy far around the corner. “Me!? But I’m supposed to be in the background for scene three—” the stallion protested, alas Samantha tossed the costume over his head. “Did I stutter!?” the agent snapped. Gray swallowed, he shakily stood from the makeup chair. “Samantha…” he called to her with urgency, yet in disbelief. Did he really hear that right!? Strawberry… It could have been anyone…! There couldn’t only be ONE Strawberry in all of Manehattan, right!? No, that was definitely his friend—hell! They were nearly family at this point… it was her face displayed on the screen. Quite a beautiful photograph too… “I know, Gray. Don’t worry about it.” Samantha looked over her shoulder. She caught a glimpse of him. No way he was driving to the hospital like that. Her phone went up against her ears and she was soon yelling into it, “James! I need a cab for Mr. Rivers right now! Better get your ass moving! If I don’t see a cab here in less than 5 minutes--!” She walked off to disappear to the actual stage room. Gray just kind of… stood? There. He could see her moving there past the door’s frame… How she approached the director and they got into a yelling match. ‘Who killed Strawberry… who killed Strawberry… She might not make it through the night…’ those words bounced off of every corner of his mind, like echoes, over and over again. What time is it…? 20:09 PM. ‘She might not make it through the night…’ Gray’s face contorted into an expression of pure despair. The rest was a blur… James the assistant came running to announce that the cab was outside. Samantha actually guided him out of the building and did not leave him alone until he was strapped and into the taxi. She was actually the one who gave the driver instructions, whilst Gray sat at the back, motionless like a doll. Merely wondering whether if Carmine had heard too… The ride itself was nothing particularly remarkable except for the fact that it felt like they were crawling. Every redlight, every cross walk, every other car cutting in line… They were wasting precious minutes! A certain type of road rage overtook Gray, who in turn began to berate the taxi driver, “FASTER, FASTER!” the actor demanded. The driver attributed the attitude to unchecked stardom entitlement. An eyeroll and the odd ‘I don’t get paid enough for this’ comment was all he retorted with. …Despite Gray’s sensation that they were moving at a crawling pace, the clock was marking 20:19 PM when his ride finally came to a stop by the detective’s office. Without knocking, the despaired stallion practically burst through the PI’s office’s door calling for him, “…Carmine!!!” They needed to get moving, and they needed to get moving NOW.

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Like October 22, 2022

Gray Rivers Alto Yuri

That’s right… Berry! The one person they were here for! Gray scattered to his feet however he was able to, stumbling dumbly until he regained his balance! Carmine ran past him, and he followed him like a lost duckling. “C-Carmine, wait! Your leg!” Perhaps it was stupid to worry about something lik... View More

Like October 24, 2022

Carmen Gumshoe

Thankfully, Gray had the experience and the wit to guide them upwards. His leg was hurt, his face felt like it might fall off, but he still needed to press on for Berry’s sake. “Coming!” he called out whilst he began to limp. He wasn’t helpless. Not yet. They each traveled about three flights up,... View More

Like October 24, 2022

Gray Rivers Alto Yuri

“Son of a bitch…!!!” Gray had come charging past the fourth floor’s door only to be abruptly stopped by Hermes’ blades. The psycho had managed to stablish a clear frontier between himself and them. “STOP, Macbeth…!!!” the actor cried out enraged, “She’s innocent, damn it! when will you get it, you f... View More

Like October 24, 2022

Carmen Gumshoe

Carmine was barely hanging on. His lip and nose was busted and his bad leg was crying out from overuse. He needed a break… and he’d earn it as soon as Berry was safe. “Give her back!” Carmine shrieked. The griffon could only chuckle. “Mr. Rivers… are you sure you want to put your beloved through ... View More

Like October 24, 2022

Carmen Gumshoe

The paramedics only lingered to give Trip and Gray enough time to exchange their final words with one another. Regardless of whatever this queen’s coronation was, Carmine definitely wasn’t joining, and Gray more than likely wanted to follow the Gumshoe’s footsteps back downstairs. Despite rapidly sl... View More

Like October 25, 2022

Trip Wire

Gray, as much as he would have loved to join Berry and Trip, was in no hurry to leave Carmine’s side. He himself had sustained a substantial amount of trauma to the head, so, in the end it was best for him to stay back too. That way he could also act as a mediator between the sworn enemies, and beg ... View MoreGray, as much as he would have loved to join Berry and Trip, was in no hurry to leave Carmine’s side. He himself had sustained a substantial amount of trauma to the head, so, in the end it was best for him to stay back too. That way he could also act as a mediator between the sworn enemies, and beg Lilith for mercy on Carmine’s behalf, were the other to make an uncouth comment or remark. ————— Trip kneeled by Hermes and checked… seems like the thespian was out cold. Good! It’d be easier to disarm and restrain him that way. He turned his head to watch Strawberry standing on her own too legs yet remained skeptical. Eyebrows arching when she finally succumbed to her own weight. Oddly enough, he had the gall to laugh. “I don’t think you are aware of just how long you’ve been gone.” He muttered as he rose to his feet, bringing the psycho’s bundled up body over his shoulder like it was a sack of potatoes. He advanced until he was standing in front of Berry at the chair, “Macbeth…? Nah, that’s too complicated. Plus, we already know he likes Alice in Wonderland. Why’d you think I painted your chair blue?” He didn’t offer to help her move around, figuring that it would be more of an insult to do so. Trip simply marched forward and kept a pace that Berry shouldn’t have an issue catching up to. Ahead of them, right outside of the facility was an ambulance waiting for them. It had been emptied out of its classic equipment at Trip’s request. He really did owe Sawbones for this whole thing! Trip tossed the griffon wrapped in chains at the back, then wrapped his head in a dark towel as though he were an animal, then shut the doors. “By the way… I hadn’t had the chance to thank you.” Trip looked over his shoulder and shared a genuinely friendly smile with the other psycho. ————— “…I’ll explain everything.” Trip announced and proceeded to catch Berry up with the latest details of their story. He told her about Psycho Hermes’ true identity, about Four, about April and May… About Domino... He left the detail about Carmine and Gray out though, also avoiding every mention of Mettle and Lorne; he felt that those parts were not up to him to tell, but to her cousin. …What ensued was a pretty unremarkable drive. Trip didn’t wish to reveal to Berry just where he was taking them, but it would have been an easy guess. They were heading towards a place that would most likely be familiar to the blond unicorn: that one lonely alley where everything had started, right by the abandoned Warehouse. “You have a very important role to fill here, Berry.” Trip informed her, winking his eye as he helped her chair out the ambulance. He reached into his duffle bag for a few things that would be necessary for their journey: a black headband, reminiscent of the beloved character she was supposed to play, and also a remote control…? Every button was wrapped in duct tape, except for the power button. Likewise, he positioned the silliest king’s crown over his head. Unbeknownst to Berry, the inside of the warehouse was fully decorated. A mimicry of what Hermes had done with the meat factory for her. A red-carpet led to the very back of the warehouse, the very same one where they had faced off against May Springs. Somehow everything had been cleared except for the burnt marks. The carpet led away into a makeshift stage whose red curtains remained shut. Trip wheeled Berry to the entrance but afterwards he left her to handle herself on her own. “Please take a seat, I have to give our lead actor a little hand…! Hahahaha!” he pat her shoulder twice and disappeared to the back of the ambulance. The diabolic theater was dark inside, and cold… eerily cold. Something… something was off, a heavy putrid smell enveloped everything.

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Like October 25, 2022 Edited

Strawberry "Berry" Cream

Well, that was a long and shocking car ride. Berry genuinely thought she’d only been out a couple days… but to learn she was about for one twelfth of a year… no wonder her body felt so weak and her stomach craved something solid. Something tangible. She didn’t offer much input; her brain was still t... View More

Like October 25, 2022

Trip Wire

“Hah… well, yeah. It was your birthday… a while ago.” Trip was returning, wheeling Psycho Hermes in another wheelchair. The griffon was still tied up though, and his head still covered by the black towel. “It’s the 25th of October, Strawberry.” He frowned, but quickly replaced the grimace with a lig... View More

Like October 25, 2022

Trip Wire

Trip took the compliments and wore them like medals, yes! He had been working hard to achieve this level of detail…! A measly red carpet and red curtains—well, there was more actually! He had to install new lights, he had to… well… he had put a lot of craft and heart in this thing. “Berry, I believ... View MoreTrip took the compliments and wore them like medals, yes! He had been working hard to achieve this level of detail…! A measly red carpet and red curtains—well, there was more actually! He had to install new lights, he had to… well… he had put a lot of craft and heart in this thing. “Berry, I believe that families should stay together…” Trip mentioned now that Hermes was awake, they other pair had to move back, he got behind Berry and dragged her away somewhere by the front row and to the right. Psycho Hermes was left by himself, his chair propped by the entrance’s hall, with a clear path ahead for whatever would be waiting behind the curtain. *Click* Trip actioned the first button in a series of many. One by one, the stage’s lights flipped on to reveal the stage and the figures surrounding Hermes, 2 to each side. “…They’re real.” Trip snorted, his snort quickly turning into a cackle. “Hahahahaha!!!” Oh, they were… they were very real! Number 1… Domino, the Cheshire cat. The fresher of the bunch, dressed up in a purple suit and matching cat ears. Number 2… Snake Eyes, the mad hatter. With his very own real cowboy hat…! Trip had really disliked having to perturb the man’s slumber, but alas… Number 3… The dormouse. Grey pajama suit, matching mouse ears and a funny sleeping hat! Number 5… May, the mad March hare. May was the trickiest to keep together, I mean…! She was not only literally cut in half, but she was also falling apart despite Trip’s efforts to embalm her. Most of her body had to be wrapped in duct tape imitating the brown hare’s hide, with matching ears of course! As if the sight of these diabolic performers weren’t grim enough, held together by hard and soft wiring, clamps, duct tape and pins… Trip pressed another button. Mechanical sounds erupted from within their shells, cracking like bones and tendons. The automatons began their dark march, tracing a direct path towards Hermes, whilst Trip watched in absolute delight. Through uncoordinated, obstinate, and limited movement, they grabbed the thespian by the shoulders, forcing him to stand from the chair he had been wheeled in, and proceeded to drag him, like the bride’s father might walk her down the altar. “Hahaha!!! What do you think!? Am I or am I not the BEST Stage Manager to ever grace the Earth!? Hahahaha!!!” Trip cackled maniacally in a sneering tone. At that point the curtains would pull back, revealing the stage’s center piece. Trip’s proudest work of art. The Red Queen!!!

(BGM I stole from my favorite Sound novel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggn8riHTDqw)

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Like October 25, 2022

Strawberry "Berry" Cream

“What?” Those were mannequins… right? No, if they were, then they’d be much more intact, even if the decrepit eeriness was the point of these twisted machines. They were even… moving? Berry was wheelchair bound, or else she might move further in for a closer inspection. It also was probably for the... View More“What?” Those were mannequins… right? No, if they were, then they’d be much more intact, even if the decrepit eeriness was the point of these twisted machines. They were even… moving? Berry was wheelchair bound, or else she might move further in for a closer inspection. It also was probably for the best that she remained where she was; Trip likely calculated a ‘safe zone’ and being right close to those twisted monstrosities definitely wasn’t within that. “You’re a maniac!” Berry cackled whilst slapping the fattest part of Trip’s arm. “Look at all this! How? How’d you get this together???” Now, it all came down to the psycho’s reaction. The twisted freak and what he might think of a goodbye most disturbing and foul… And when his “family” picked him up, he began to laugh maniacally so. “Ohoho! Oh! Oh this is marvelous! Truly an exit worthy of two twisted, macabre artists such as ourselves!” How could he be mad? This is precisely what he wanted… a death so catastrophically unboring that the only crime would be that so few would hear of the legend, The Psycho Hermes, and his beautiful death. “I must say… my only regret? Not learning how to utilize machinery in such a way. I likely could’ve made a much larger mark on the world.” Berry smirked. “Saying your final words?” “Of course. This is my retirement, after all. Hahahaha… oh, good on you. Good on all of you! You have won, you have beaten me… and thus, I will join my family. In that regard… between showmen like us, I wish only for your good health. It’s the sportly thing to do. Fast recovery, Strawberry.” Even at the end, neither one could hate each other. Berry saw a broken man with no hope of recovery… but, he was given the happiest day of his life as something of an apology for having to put him down. A twisted irony that all could see the joy in. Similarly, Hermes was too impressed by the earlier theatrics to be mad that he lost. Where they saw twisted machinery and cruel, mechanical corpses, he saw cameras flashing, the red carpet, and his family? They were escorting him down the red carpet so he can grab his Oscar. “When you see May in Hell, remind her that she’s still a bitch,” Berry winked. “I’ll do just that,” he chuckled. He had made it to the queen’s edge now, and the cast had essentially let him go a few feet before the entrance. Now, he could fight. He could probably flee… but why? Why would he ruin a night so perfect? He stood and brushed himself off, then walked the remaining feet to the Red Queen’s center. There was only one thing left to do. It was customary for the lead to take a bow. “See you both in Hell. Until you get there, where the Devil steps on your neck and makes you relive all your sins… remember that there was once an actor named… Macbeth.” His final gesture was a flourishing bow, complete with the circular hand motion of a fancy gentleman. What better send off? Berry waved him goodbye and pressed the button she was given.

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Like October 25, 2022

Trip Wire

Trip laughed too, “It’s a special occasion Berry! Out of everybody that has tried to wipe your stain off this wretched reality, Psycho Hermes has come the closest to succeeding! It is only fair…! Hahaha!” he seemed as marveled with his own creation as the rest of them. He proudly posed his hands o... View MoreTrip laughed too, “It’s a special occasion Berry! Out of everybody that has tried to wipe your stain off this wretched reality, Psycho Hermes has come the closest to succeeding! It is only fair…! Hahaha!” he seemed as marveled with his own creation as the rest of them. He proudly posed his hands on his hips and puffed his chest; his grin was from ear to ear as the corpses dragged the Red Queen to meet his destiny. Him and Berry seemed to exchange congratulations and good wishes. Like Hermes said, there was a certain sportsmanship’s sentiment to be shared among all 3 psychos. They had all played their cards now, and the rest was up to the court to decide! The wicked tea party would be ending soon. Trip merely nodded his head in acknowledgement as the actor passed him by. Once the final piece had taken a stand upon the wicked stage, his companions continued their labored artificial journey until they were standing by the iron maiden turned Queen, two to each side. All that was left was for Berry to press the button, and when she did, the maiden’s doors snapped shut emitting an abominable crunch as each spike pierced the actor’s body from every possible angle. Trip was ecstatic, he jolted forward and clapped. “HAHAHA! Yes…!!! That was the one feature that I wasn’t able to test on my own. I have to admit that I was kind of worried about it, Hahahaha!” No, but the engineer was exhilarated and proud of himself. Inexplicably, a short circuit within one of the 4 sparked a small flame. It quickly spread to the one next to it, and from there on to the curtains. “…Ah, you know Berry… it’s actually harder than it looks.” He commented to his loyal companion, bringing a finger up as he began to explain. “Keeping a corpse together is actually a lot harder than to force it to break down.” The flames continued to spread furiously throughout the makeshift theater. Trip had actually expected for something like that to happen, even though it was unplanned! “…Let’s get out of here!” he cringed, took hold of the back of Berry’s chair and turned to wheel her out of there as fast as possible. Looks like Hell wasn’t willing to wait to take Macbeth…!

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Like 1 October 26, 2022

Melpomene’s Tragedy, Thalia’s Comedy / [KILL THE PAST/ END]

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