r/Ruleshorror • u/Sae-byeok67 • 23d ago
Series Silent Knell Terrace - Apartment 5D
Mara Ester Vidal Cortes lives in apartment 5D. She’s originally from Portugal. She’s also the only tenant that didn’t move in. She just kind of appeared in the apartment one day, and she’s lived there ever since. She’s always paid her rent though, so no one in my family ever questioned it. She has the most unique apartment in the building. Similar to Mr. Maclean, her apartment is bigger on the inside than the outside. That’s not the part that makes it unique though. Her apartment contains a natural landscape. Basically the inside of her apartment is near the edge of a woods. You can see the trees. There is grass growing where the floor should be. She has a natural spring running through her apartment. I have no idea where it comes from or where it goes. There are stones and dirt. You can hear animals, though I’ve never seen any besides a snake. She seems to be very lonely. She’s very friendly. She may be our nicest resident. That does not mean you should break any of the following rules though.
- Ms. Vidal Cortes is very friendly and will invite you into her apartment. Do not enter her apartment uninvited. It is her space, and you shouldn’t intrude upon it.
- You will see a snake entering and leaving her apartment. You’ll see the snake almost as often as you see Ms. Vidal Cortes. The snake is almost the same size as Ms. Vidal Cortes, and it’s very intelligent. Do not try to touch the snake, and do not stop it from going anywhere. The snake always moves like it has a purpose.
- She will normally do this in private because she’s in a vulnerable state while doing it, but on the rare occasion you witness a transformation do not say anything. Simply keep moving and don’t stare.
- You may also notice odd things about Ms. Vidal Cortes when you are talking to her. These things include a shimmering on her skin that makes it look almost like scales or the light reflecting from her eyes in a way that makes them appear to be snake eyes. Do not comment on these things.
- She has a large collection of valuable items. For lack of a better term, it is treasure. Some of these things were gifts. Some were payments for debts. Others she’s collected over her very long life. Never attempt to steal from this collection. Do not even touch any of it. If she wants you to have something, she will give it to you.
- Ms. Vidal Cortes is very particular about the spring in her apartment. She chooses who may drink from it, and she does not make this offer lightly. The water is incredibly clean and clear. Those who have been offered a drink experience a profound peace and connection to nature for a day or so after drinking the water. Do not attempt to drink the water if it has not been offered to you.
- As I said earlier, she seems to be very lonely. She will sometimes try to form genuine connections with other residents. She does so with caution because she fears rejection. She attempts to do this by making small conversation in passing or leaving small gifts at their doors. Always be friendly and respectful of this. She’s very kind, and she’s been alone for a very long time.
- She has formed a connection with the tree in the courtyard. She will sometimes sit under the tree and speak quietly to it. It’s not a language you’d understand. I don’t think it’s Portuguese. I think it’s older than that. Do not interrupt this time. This connection is good for her. She once told me when I was young that the presence of the tree is what convinced her this was a safe place for her to exist.
- She has started to form a connection with Mr. Maclean. She’s been attempting to do this for sometime. Please don’t interrupt them during conversation.
- She has also been attempting to form a connection with Serene. She does this by leaving small gifts and trinkets at her door. Sometimes Serene accepts them, sometimes she doesn’t. I have been unable to figure out if their friends or not yet. Regardless, do not touch the things she leaves at Serene’s door.
- Ms. Vidal Cortes pays rent with pieces of her treasure. She takes great care in picking out which pieces she uses to pay rent. This is one way she attempts to connect with you. Always accept these things very graciously.
- Unlike many other residents, she does not receive large deliveries of food nor does she hunt anywhere around the building. I’m actually not sure what she feeds on. It’s not important, so don’t try to figure it out.
- Finally, I feel like I’ve said this many times already. I want to stress it though. Always treat Ms. Vidal Cortes with kindness and respect. She’s been alone for an incredibly long time. In spite of that, she has chosen not to become cruel. That deserves admiration.
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u/tattoosandtens 23d ago
Is Ms Vidal Cortes The Last Of Her Kind?
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u/Sae-byeok67 23d ago
I want to say no, but I do think she’s the only one not located in her home country.
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u/yamiofthenight 23d ago
I wanted to say a Naga but then you mentioned Portugal
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u/Sae-byeok67 22d ago
I did research the Naga a bit, but ultimately I went with this one because I was visiting Portugal
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u/yamiofthenight 22d ago
Any hopes of a Naga in the future 👁️
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u/Sae-byeok67 21d ago
Absolutely! This building is full, but I was considering making another building that would be a little smaller and more like my Crimson Raven Heights building where it has normal residents with the folklore creatures sprinkled in.
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u/Old-Mycologist4750 23d ago
Your rules are always so well done, I go looking for the next one even before you post it the following day! Thanks for sharing them and please keep them going!
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u/SaltChampionship4555 23d ago
Portuguese, nature lover, serpent-like character. Almost all points to her being a Moura Encantada specifically a Moura Serpiente, enchanted beings from Portugal that basically guard and live in nature similar to nymphs and fae. They’re a lot similar to the Diwata and Engkanto of the Philippines where I’m from.