You enter the living room again, to catch your breath before proceeding to the playroom. That feeling of something being different washes over you again, but you're still unable to immediately put your finger on what's changed. The colors in here seem even more faded than before, and, now that you think about it, the entryway seemed more dull too.
KLAIR
Hey, Bai. Why is stuff different in here?
BAI
The House has been running low on power for a few centuries now. I'm guessing that hunting you four is taking up quite a bit of it! This may mean Emmeryn's possession and subsequent killing of Le-
KLAIR
Okay! Cool to know, thanks!
You cut them off with some loud coughing and glance at your friends. They don't seem to have heard Bai, thankfully.
LEON
...I feel bad for Rochelle.
BONNIE
Gee, Leon. I thought we weren't here to care about the ghosts.
LEON
Alright, asshole. I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me tonight. Everything's pissing me off. But Rochelle's... having absent parents and running away from home, that kinda hit a bit close to home for me, I guess.
KLAIR
Really?
LEON
Yeah. Remember that summer in 7th grade, when I allegedly visited my grandparents? I had run away from home instead. I wanted to see if my mom would... I don't know, I was a stupid kid.
BONNIE
I don't know. I related a lot to Lydia, too. I mean, that's my nightmare scenario. I don't know what I'd do if... if I had to handle what she went through.
ISSAC
Nick's whole shebang was a nightmare situation for me, too, in a way. It was really uncomfortable, having to go through the basement.
LEON
What was Nick's story?
ISSAC
Uh, had to be there, man.
KLAIR
That is kind of weird. Bai? Do you know if that's intentional or something?
BAI
The inner mechanisms of the House that determines key piece holders is unknown to me, though I know they were chosen to guard their pieces long before you four stumbled in!
KLAIR
Cool. Just wanted to be prepared if the next ghost was going to drag me through the dirt.
ISSAC
What would it even get you for? Your life is, like, perfect.
KLAIR
Other than living in a racist and transphobic society, yeah, I guess it is.
ISSAC
Oh. Sorry.
KLAIR
I'm just giving you shit, Issac. Relax.
LEON
Nah, I'm backing you up here, Klair. Issac loves to be racist.
ISSAC
Do I?
LEON
Yes, my lovely little colonizer boyfriend. Love you!
Leon boops Issac's nose.
ISSAC
I hate you guys. I never know if you're serious or not.
You and Leon share a little laugh at Issac's expense.
KLAIR
Yeah, but you're right, Issac. I can't think of anything like that.
BONNIE
Maybe this weird set of coincidences will continue, and we're about to find out something really deep about you, Klair.
ISSAC
That'd be pretty funny.
BONNIE
I don't know if I'd describe anything in this place as funny...
LEON
Well, whatever it is, it's waiting for us. Let's go.