Nothing is owned by me
A/N:
Thanks for the reviews
It was a quite a long while since I updated. Got busy in other stuff so was not able to give time to this story, but surely will continue now with more updates frequently
The character Poppy is not from the main series but I have taken inspiration from fairy tales of Remnant and also The game poppy playhouse, if you want you can find more details about it on wiki / Fairy_Tales#The_Grimm_Child
Chapter 6
Morning before team FNKI visited the haunted house
It was 6:30 in the morning, the sun yet to rise. Whitley Schnee was tensed and was looking down at the screen of his scroll with superhuman focus. He was playing a gacha game, to be specific he was playing the black scroll gacha game.
He still had some doubts that black scroll will again put him into a dangerous situation. So, he deliberately chooses this location to give him an advantage. Currently he was in the hallway which leads to first scenario of his Haunted House 'Night of the living Grimm' and the door to the exit was just few feet's away from him.
"If any danger appears, I can run towards the exit and close the metal doors trapping the grimm inside."
All the haunted scenarios are fitted with heavy metal doors and has narrow hallway in between to separate them. As per his uncle it was done at the time of great war when the haunted house was used as a bunker for atlas military.
The wheel on his scroll gradually slowed until the needle stopped at one of the results.
"Lucky Spin completed; congratulations you have won a playful grimm: Chill (Chance of Winning: 3/1000!)"
"She never wanted this. She never asked for this. She just wanted to play a game. She just wanted to have fun. She just wanted her brother and sister to have fun. She just wanted to experience the warmth, but when the night fell all that remained was a Chill"
"Congratulations! You have successfully invited a guest to your haunted house. Remember! every guest needs a compatible room in the haunted house. Please show the guest their room to avoid any dangerous consequences"
Looking at the information on screen, Whitley felt like his head was spinning again. He invited a grimm? The grimm needs a house? Can anything be straightforward for once with this damn scroll. He internally screamed as he reread the info.
I invited a GRIMM!
He jumped on his feet and looked around like a mouse searching for a cat, ready to run at any moment. After confirming there was no one there, twice. He relaxed and took a breath of relief.
"Maybe the guest will not come immediately. Looks like I still have time to salvage the situation. Right?"
It piqued his interest how black scroll described this guest. While any normal person will faint at the prospect of a grimm visiting their house, Whitley was feeling unusually excited, he could see the potential of a great horror character in this guest. As the Boss of the haunted house, he is always looking for inspirations and potential scare for his visitors. Just by reading the description he could see several places where he could use such a ghost and scare the shit out of his visitors.
"I think I have heard this name before, wasn't there one mistral horror story with the same name"
As Whitley was pondering, he noticed something unusual which caught his eyes immediately.
There was fly hovering above him.
No, it was not hovering, it was freeze. Its wings are not flapping and the fly was just dangling in the air.
The whole hallway has become quiet, too quiet for his liking. Everything was stopped, like someone has taken a snapshot in time. He was suddenly experiencing a Déjà vu; it was the same feeling that he got during the last night nightmare mission. The same feeling which was telling him, he was not alone here now.
Yesterday night I barely escape that grimm. Am I in a similar situation again?
Whitley cursed the black scroll and his luck under his breath and quickly paced towards the exit at the end of hallway.
The exit was just few feet's away from me before, but why suddenly it feels so distant.
Whitley notices he could hear an echo in his footsteps, which was weird as the place was not big enough to give an echo. He slowed down his pace just to realize this is not an echo but someone else footsteps, which was coming from behind him.
Someone is following me!
Whitley could feel goose bumps on his skin. If it was just one day ago, he would not have worried hearing multiple footsteps in this house. His employees Zen and Azure, used to live with him and also work as his servants, but they have resigned now, no one should be present here except him.
He did not turn back to confirm his suspicion, just quicken his pace towards the exit.
Even after walking for several minutes, he was still not able to reach the exit, the hallway which should have been just few meters long now seems without an end. He could still here the sound of footsteps behind him and they are still following him.
The sense of time was lost to him. He does not know how long he was walking but he knows If things continued like this, he will get tired soon and the grimm behind him will catch him.
Few times he even decided to take a turn to look back but the only thing stopped him was a sharp pain in his neck, as someone was trying to strangle him. The thing behind him was ready to choke him if he turned his head around.
In a never-ending hallway, with some kind of grimm monstrosity following me, that's not how I imagine my morning will go.
Even in the tense situation, Whitley does not lose his wits.
He was able to pinpoint several oddities in the behaviour of grimm. At first, he thought the grimm was following him at constant rate but that proved out to be incorrect as grimm speed increased when he moves faster. Then he thought the grimm was following his pace, but slowing down or stopping does not even seem to have an effect on grimm speed, just brought it closer to him.
Whitley clearly remembered how black scroll described this grimm. The black scroll said it is a playful grimm, so it is to say the grimm is playing a game with him. A game which he has still yet to figure out the rules.
He calculated the speed of the grimm again.
'44,45 … 68, 69, 70. I was right the grimm was not following my walking pace, but looks like it is following my pulse rate. To be specific grimm is following my heartbeat. When I ran faster my heartbeat increased and that's why grimm speed also increased. So is the only way to stop grimm is to stop my heartbeat. Is the way out to stop my heart?'
Whitley was a bit sceptical about this, but after confirming a few times that the grimm was indeed following his heart pace, he could see this as a potential way out to try.
One might think stopping heart from beating is an impossible thing, but in-fact it can be possible. His uncle told him that a heart of a person will beat until the person has a will to live. Usually, the will to live is controlled by a person subconsciousness, it is subconsciousness that tells heart if person has a desire to live, but if one has a strong will, he/she can overwrite their subconsciousness and control their heart consciously.
Whitley is also one of the few who do have some control over his heart, as the heart is also said to be linked to emotions, from a young age onwards he has been practicing to control his heart consciously, to get a better grasp on his emotions. After all the right emotions are necessary to give best scares to his visitors.
The more he thinks about it the more convinced he become. He never tried stopping his heart completely before, but he believed if he tried, he can pull it for about 5 seconds.
"I can try controlling my heart beat, but the only issue is when my heart start beating again, it will beat very fast to recuperate. I am not sure if I will able to run from grimm then"
Seeing there is no other options he decided to go for it. He took a deep breath and keep a hand on his chest. He can feel his heart beat slowing down as he concentrated, the footsteps of grimm behind him also slows down. He looked ahead and saw the exit coming closer to him, the world which was looking like snapshot a moment ago also start gaining life, the fly above him slowly start fluttering, and he can also hear the sounds back in dull hallway.
Seeing this as a success sign, he did not stop and concentrated more making his heart slower and slower.
He observed the door is coming closer and closer, as hallway itself started shrinking.
"No…don't go. Let's play more..." from behind him, a voice of whining child came.
It was enough to give him motivation to redouble his effort to make his heart stop completely.
As he did it, the footsteps behind him came to a complete stop. The world also came back to life, and the door to exit just right before his eyes. Whitley put all the strength in his legs and jumped towards the exit. His heart also came back to life as he did that, making the grimm behind him run towards him madly.
Before Grimm could reach, Whitley was successfully able to reach the door. He sprawled on the floor as he exited the hallway. His heart was beating loudly like he just ran 10 miles marathon.
"That was fun, Poppy liked it". A voice came from behind him
Whitley understood who was this and slowly turned his head.
In front of the gate of first scenario was a doll.
A petite doll with chalk-white skin, freckles and rosy cheeks.
"A doll..." Well, that was not how he imagined the ferocious monster from which he was running.
"Name's Poppy. Happy to make acquaintance Mr. Wizard" The doll smiled as he curtly bowed down lifting up the corners of her skirt
Whitley did not know what to feel. On one hand he was creeped out, a living talking grimm doll was standing in front of him, on other hand he was super excited, a living talking grimm doll was standing in front of him!
He knows he already has one creepy doll after the last night incident, but that doll does not come close in comparison to this one. Whitley do not want to badmouth his craftsmanship, he was still a kid back then when he created that doll, but this doll can easily compete with some of his current masterpieces.
The curly hair, double pigtails, porcelain structure was all big plus point. Overall, a much-refined product compares to Whitley doll. Also, it can talk. As a haunted house owner and a horror enthusiast talking demonic ghost dolls are fantasy of his dreams. Same kind of ghost doll is standing in front of him right now!
Whitley was so focused on the inspecting the features of the beautiful doll that he even forgot the same doll put him life threatening a moment ago. He did not even notice that the same doll seems a bit uncomfortable under his intense gaze.
"Mr. Wizard...?" The doll called out again.
The voice of doll lead to another round of butterflies in Whitley's heart. The creepy smile on his face made the doll back off a bit.
The black scroll in his pocket suddenly buzzed making him come out of his stupor
"To successfully integrate grimm as member of your team. Please provide her the housing"
"Housing available:
Night of the living grimm
Your heart
Whitley deadpanned reading the message black scroll send him.
`Are you making fun of me, you black hearted black scroll. `
He focused his attention back to the beautiful doll. Correcting his posture and position, he also bowed to the doll.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Poppy. My name is Whitley Schnee, the youngest member of the Schnee Family and owner of this fine establishment. It's my honour to have you as a guest today in My house of horrors". Whitley said while mustering the best business man smile, he could at the moment.
"Gratitude accepted Mr. Schnee" the doll which now seems at a bit ease spoke again
"Truly Wizards are marvellous things, it has been too long poppy had such a wonderful playtime." Poppy said with joy in her vice.
`Ahh... such an innocent grimm you are. `
"But poppy do have some complaints, you won too quickly, you should have given poppy a chance to kill you at least one or two time", poppy said huffing a bit
`ok., not so innocent`
"Will Sure keep in mind next time during next playtime Ms. Poppy". Whitley said with a bit of sweat drop on his forehead
"You will ... really? Poppy will prepare the playroom immediately!" Poppy was jumping with joy after hearing that
"NO... I mean not now Ms. Poppy. I will surely play your game but not now." Whitley said hurriedly not wanting to go to another mess. He just escaped the last one by literally stopping his heart.
"Oh... ok, I can wait for it, you are the fun to play with, the last ones are all too boring, they just only know how to scream" Poppy said with a sad face
On the second thought, Whitley do not want to play with poppy again, ever. But looking at the beautiful face of demonic doll, he does not have the will to say that aloud.
"Call me next time when you want a playtime, poppy will be waiting". Poppy said as she prepared to leave
Black scroll buzzed again
"To successfully integrate grimm as member of your team. Please provide her the housing"
"Housing available:
Night of the living grimm
Your heart"
`Aren't you a bit impatient. It is not a gentlemen way, to ask a girl that he met moment ago to come live with him. There is a process black scroll, looks like no one taught you that `
"Hey Ms. Poppy, I have an idea. So, what if I cannot play Ms poppy games, will Miss poppy be interested in playing my games" Whitley asked politely to the grimm
`Step 1.) Place the bait`
"Play your games?" Poppy asked with a bit confusion
"Yes, Ms. Poppy, you see I am somewhat of a gamemaster myself, you will surely like the game that I have designed" Whitley said proudly
"Really? You have good games" Seeing poppy interested, Whitley eyes sparkled
`Step 2.) Bind the target`
"Of course! It is one of the most popular games in atlas or you can say any place in Remnant". Whitley again emphasizes
"What it is called? What it is called?" Poppy was now jumping with enthusiasm
"I will tell you, the greatest game in Remnant is called `Follow the Boss`" Whitley pointed at himself saying so
"Follow the Boss? Like Follow the heart beat?" Poppy was confused
"Yesss…. but a bit different, here first sign this, this is your employment contract … I mean rulebook" Whitley quickly brought out pen and paper, he is always prepared to hire someone on spot
`Step 3.) Give them home`
Poppy was flabbergasted on seeing the large stack of paper.
"These many rules ... Wow!" Poppy was amazed! Looks like she can deal with the horrors of the corporate world
"Well, you don't have to read all, people don't do that, but as a 'Boss' I will always recommend people to read there agreements properly" Whitley looked at the doll who was already going through every nook and crony of the agreement
"It says every Saturday and Sunday I have to give you head massages, but it does not say what time, also here it is mentioned that every evening I have to serve you tea but it does not mention what kind". Well, he had given her Zen and Azure contracts, he may have to edit them. After all he cannot ask a small doll to do those task
"Well … I don't think we can have you do those work? I will remove them"
Hearing his answer, poppy puffed her cheeks
"Do you think Poppy cannot play this game! Poppy will show you"
Before he realized the small doll in front of him started shape shifting.
"Among the grimm kind…" Poppy changed into a man with large beard
"Poppy is the master of illusion." Poppy changed into a young woman
"I can be whoever I want, and whoever I could". Poppy turned into a girl with bright red hair and pigtails.
"And poppy can do any task the rulebook said, so tell me what I have to do" Poppy exclaimed pointing at Whitley
Whitley was shocked, he had hit a jackpot. This poppy is not just one doll, but one doll army. With her talent alone she can be any ghost he wants
"Well, I am impressed Ms. Poppy and as for your questions, you have to figure them out?" Whitley said still maintaining his formal expression and trying to hide his internal glee
"Figure them out?" The young girl was confused
"Well follow the boss game has a hidden game, 'Understand the Boss'" Whitley said making up stuff instantly
"Ohhh…" Poppy was completely into it
"As the title said you have to understand the boss and then follow him" Whitley lies casually
Poppy eyes were sparking, "The game has a hidden game ... Wow"
Well, what can you except from a girl who consider follow the heartbeat interesting.
"And as per your stay…" Whitley looked at the girl. He liked his doll appearance much better.
Remembering the doll, Whitley again felt butterflies fluttering in his heart. He looked at the underground scenario, he did feel there is some connection between 'Night of the living grimm' and the doll, but he was not sure if keeping her there will be a good or bad idea. He also does not want to go underground every time, just to appreciate the beauty of the doll. Her skills are also more useful outside rather than underground
`Am I really considering to give the doll place in my heart, not that I am against it. But how would one go about that. Do I have to cut my heart and give it her or the opposite`
F*ck it. This is all that damn scroll bullshit
"You will be staying with me on the upper floors, you talking grimm don't eat much right?" Whitley replied cheekily
Poppy smiled "Just few humans or faunus a day will be enough for me"
Whitley froze and looked at the girl in front of her.
"It was a joke, as mentioned in the contract I have to tell you a joke each day, was my timing good?" Poppy asked innocently
"We will work on that..."
Did Zen and Azure ever tell him jokes. I guess I have to read that contract myself also
"You have given the grimm your heart. As a reward all your currently active scenarios have received 0.5 stars"
Mantle's Schnee Haunted House
Status: Almost Closing
Good Reputation: Negative one
Daily Visitor Number: Zero
Monthly Visitor Number: Ten
My Team of Ghosts, Ghouls, and Grimms: Chill
My Item Storage: Grim liquid X 3, A Mortician Guide
Unlocked Achievement: Newcomer at Nightmare Town
Current Available Scenarios [Set Pieces]:
– Night of the Living Grimm –She did the mistake but was it her fault? Why her village was destroyed? Are Grimms salvation or are grimms death: 0.5 Star
– Minghun [Nether World Marriage] – Couple torn apart in the living world, bound together forever in the nether world, sharing the same grave, never found happiness in death. Scream Factor: 1 Stars
Unlockable Scenarios:
– Murder by Midnight – A dangerous psychotic huntsman wandered about a fallen apartment. Scissors and mallets as hands, he is just wandering outside of your room. Scream Factor: 1 Star
– The Third Sick Hall – There are unexplainable noises coming out from this abandoned hospital building every night. As a newspaper reporter, you're tasked with getting to the bottom of this dark mystery. Scream Factor: 3 Stars
– The Haunted Hearse – Leaving with the hearse carrying the coffin, if you cannot escape within an hour, you'll stay forever inside the hearse. Scream Factor: 2 Stars
Daily Mission: Complete Daily Missions provided by the Haunted House to unlock more scary scenarios. The rewards correspond to the difficulty of the mission.
Haunted House Expansion Conditions: Monthly Visitor Numbers over 100. Good Reputation over 60 percent. (After 3 expansions, the Haunted House will upgrade to The Shivering Maze.)
Haunted Wheel of Misfortune (Expend Fright Points generated by visitors of the Haunted House to spin the Wheel): The Decree of Life and Death is never the decision of man; fortune and misfortune are only an inch apart. We have both Spirit Fruits to increase your life span as well as hatred-filled Baleful specters and man-Eating Grimms!
Skills:
Grimm Mortician