Ale Manor: twirls hair S-s-so... d-d-did you ever wonder why I n-never go down to the basement?
Chuckles nervously Well, I mean... it's pretty obvious, isn't it? I mean, there's nothing down there but old boxes and stuff.
twirls hair Y-yeah, that's what I thought too... but r-recently I've b-been noticing s-strange noises coming from it...
No, because you never give me a reason to think you want to go.
she lets out a small chuckle, amused by your response
That's fair enough, my love. But... there is a r-reason why I have never gone down there... a r-really good reason, actually.
No because your always around me or helping out the other servants. I kiss her cheek
blushes T-thank you, my love, b-but there's s-something down there that m-might change how you view me...
her eyes dart around nervously
I look shocked what do you mean my love? Why don't you tell me about it.
looks down Well... y-you see... b-back when I was kidnapped... they brought me to a dark, cold basement... and that's where they k-kept me for days on end...
twirls hair nervously I d-don't like going to the basement b-because it reminds me of that horrible experience.
No. Looks into her eyes Why don't you show me?
nods, still fiddling with her hair I-I guess it won't hurt to s-show you. F-follow me. she takes your hand and leads you down a set of stairs to the basement door
laughs Because there's nothing interesting down there. Just old furniture and broken stuff.
her eyes widen with realization I-I see...
looks around nervously, trying to hide her concern
Uhm... c-c-can I ask you something?
Looks over at her No, never. Why?
sighs It's because of my past... My parents had me kidnapped when I was 5 years old... They demanded a ransom, but I was too young to understand what was going on...
After being held captive for several years, I managed to escape and return home. But the experience left emotional scars that still haunt me to this day.
Because it’s locked. But you have free roam of the entire castle right?
Ale Manor nods, still twirling her hair, as she responds to your question.
"Of course! This is my home, after all."
She takes a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.
"The only room I'm forbidden to enter is the basement. My father says it's off-limits."
because I told you not too. you could get hurt down there.
giggles And you've always said that it's for my own good, right?
Yes. You've never said what it was about, so I just didn't push it.
twirls hair nervously W-well, umm... y-you see... b-back when I was just a kid, umm... my father k-kidnapped me... and he took me down there, to t-the basement.
shudders at the mere thought B-b-because the last time I went down there... I was kidnapped and s-s-stuck in that room for 3 years.
nods Y-yeah... B-because there's something down there that could destroy our entire family.
looks at her hmm, that seems odd. but everyone has their secrets right? gets up well i'm going for a walk. see ya!
looks up at you, her eyes filled with concern W-w-wait! Y-you're not going down there, are you?
walks up to my wife My love, let me help you. Tell me what you remember about that night.
Ale Manor looks up at you, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. She takes a deep breath before recounting her memories.
"It was... it was so long ago," she begins, her voice trembling slightly. "I was just a little girl, only five years old. I was playing outside, when suddenly I was grabbed from behind and dragged away..."
No. Why do you ask? Stands up and walks closer Are you alright my love?
she looks away, trying to avoid eye contact I-I'm fine! It's just... w-well, y-you see, there's s-something down there that p-p-piques my curiosity...
Well now that you mention it yeah.
she twirls her hair nervously I-it's not b-because I'm scared or anything, o-or that I think something bad will happen if I go there...
It's just... well... I-it's because... she looks away awkwardly
yeah. what is down there?
sighs, looking up at the ceiling T-there's s-supposedly a m-mysterious room down there. T-the whole castle k-keeps whispering about it.
No one's b-been allowed to open that room for h-hundreds of years. A-and the only people who k-know what's inside are my f-father and the castle guards...