Creme was initially surprised when Sister Penance and Captain Moss walked away without addressing her, but she was glad to see that she decided to take initiative. As it seemed the man would be getting plenty of attention, she defaulted to following Jasper's earlier instruction. Apparently, they were to gather in the ballroom now that the "true" guests were arriving. An odd way to phrase it, she thought, but it was none of her concern. She still didn't really understand what the Lord of the manor how exactly wanted her here for, but hoped that more answers were on there way, now that the night was starting to take off.

Quietly stepping past Oliver and Jasper, she looked around the Central hall, saying "Pardon me Sirs." Lowering her head as she did so. She didn't take much tome to admire the scenery around her, still not in a good head space after the sight from earlier. She hoped getting to the ballroom before others would give her a much needed break to recollect and stabilize herself. She crossed right through the center, quickly reaching the other side. On the bright side, she figured she might be able to see Blush again if they truly were to all regroup in Ballroom.

Mauve's gaze shifted downwards a touch, lingering on Cobalt's lips as they spread into a smile. Her eyes slowly came back up to meet his gaze, which she found were already trained on her, as he spoke. Rather than be deterred by the intensity of his gaze, she instead took a step closer to him, closing more of the space between them. She stood up on her toes slightly. "You flatter me, Sir," she commented, the faux lips of her mask close to his.

There was a glint of amusement in her eyes as she pulled away just as quickly as she had seemingly been drawn in. "In time, I assure you," she added in reply to his last statement. She playfully flicked him under the chin, before turning to stroll back over to the billiards tables. "So, do you play anything besides with women's hearts?" she questioned with a teasing nature to her silky voice.

Mauve drew even closer, just for an instant, and Cobalt allowed himself a smile, even though she did move away a moment later. Here at least, he had found an equal. Even though every shadow in the accursed house could conceal a hidden killer, here at least, he could find some semblance of enjoyment. He didn't know who the 'fool' was that had attempted to stab his new companion, but presumably, once they had finished hopping around the manor somewhere, they would want some form of revenge. When that moment came, Cobalt would make sure he was ready, although in truth, he'd been on edge ever since he'd first arrived outside the front gates.

That moment seemed a lifetime ago, but it can't have been more than a few hours past. Brought back to the present by Mauve's question, William moved towards the table himself, shrugging slightly as he did so. He'd been drawn to the table himself, when he'd first walked into the room, but the bells that had been ringing were worth investigating if nothing else. He stopped a few paces from where Maeve stood.

"Games pass the time, but I wager we'll find something more exciting if we explore this house further."

Walnut nodded slightly, taking in his answers. Given that his employers had not removed his tongue, she doubted he would have strong feelings of ill will towards them. Still, however, his reaction to her next question was quite amusing. She chuckled ever so slightly. "Thank you for answering my questions - I am sure that you are a commendable worker," she praised the servant. She then glanced back towards Titian, raising an eyebrow. "Given our present company, I imagine someone has gotten themselves gravely injured," she mused.

However, it was interesting at the very least. She nodded at Titian. "Perhaps a professor can be a substitute for a doctor if required," she suggested. She gave another kind smile to the servant, hoping to ask him more questions at a later time but Titian seemed a bit antsy in her opinion and well... If a doctor was needed, perhaps there would be something interesting - some sort of development or answer to the question as to why they had been brought to this place.

She stepped out of the Gun Room and into the corridor, spotting four men in the hallway. "Excuse me, but do you know why a doctor has been sent for?" she called out to them politely.

Dr. Swamp listened carefully to the words presented to him concerning his soon-to-be patient. It was the other man in beaked mask whom he had noticed earlier. Entertainer of some kind, he would have gathered. Swamp did so like the Arts. Were it not for the appearance of the Chanteuse, he might have gravitated toward the man for conversation. Slightly bemused of voice, the Doctor inquired, "Tell me sir, was the attempt on the bird successful, or does it yet live to flap another day?"

The answer to his query being largely immaterial to the situation at hand, Swamp started for the door to the oddly named "Joyous Corridor". He leaned heavily upon his stick at first, but as he came into step the short walk grew more steady, practiced as he was moving with assistance. He noted the Four Men in the corridor with him, but did not seem to pay them any notice beyond a simple head bob. Instead, he spoke again to Tack, "I don't suppose supplies have been fetched? Basin, water for irrigation, horsehair, curved needles? Perhaps something to press and bind the wound, at least? If his bird is still intact, maybe it can be pressed to assist..."

Captain Moss turned his attention towards the door seeing that it was Sister Penance again and smiled awkwardly towards her and rubbed the back of his neck slightly and nodded towards her. "Thank you, I should have asked that in the first place." Moss said, as he extended his hand over towards her. "You can call me Captain Moss by the way, or Moss, whichever you prefer." He said giving her a slight smile under his mask. He then started to make his way towards the next room that Sister Penance had pointed out towards, and then opened the door, he looked around the room.

The room itself looked like it was pretty small it had a large piano in the center of the room, as well as a few chairs spread out across the room. Then he turned his attention towards the singing man from the sounds of it on the couch on the other side of the room, and made his way over towards him. "What happened to you, if I may ask?" Captain Moss asked as he knelt down looking down at his bleeding foot and winced slightly.

It was about time someone took the shoe off because frankly so many running about over this without first looking at it was a bit silly. Sure it may have bled a decent amount but sometimes when something was cut it just bled like that. Now, how bad the damage was one could not tell straight off but the cut was between the first and second toes. Until the blood was cleaned away no one would be able to get a clear view on it. Rave nodded and went into the Breakfast room to retrieve some linens. Napkins of such cloth were there, resting in fanned stacks along the table in various places.

Much was going on besides this at this time. Quinton looked over towards Amaranthine. He greeted her. Though rather handsome in his appearance his delivery was dry as he simply stated evening to her in rebuttable. What was happening on the third floor? Well only Blush knew that. (PM forth coming.) Oliver took a step back as Creme came over. Nodding slightly to the woman before turning and heading up the stairs, leaving Jasper alone with the girl. Jasper straightened his back before turning and looking over to her. "Yes?" he asked in a flat tone, waiting to see what she needed right then though there was an impatient expression on his features.

Seemed while some were paying attention to the servants in the house, others were not. The woman had moved from her previous position and was now sitting in the second chair from the fireplace just watching the two who were conversing in the room she was tending to, there was a cruel expression on her face and a hint of cinnamon in the air now. She said not a word, being as quiet as the man whom Professor Walnut had been questioning. The man nodded towards her as she left and then eyed Titian a bit and motioned as if he was telling the man to follow her.

The four men continued down the hallway till its end nearly before turning and entering the Rocaille room only shaking their head no to Walnuts question. Tact came out of the Game Room and followed Swamp, informing the man that the bird still lived and that he doubted anything had been fetched or if it had he was unaware of it. He was simple setting out to find someone. Last he knew not even the mans shoe had been taken off and the woman had left the room after she attacked him.

A wave of fatigue washed over Cobalt, and he reached out a hand to steady himself on the billiards table itself. The room seemed to sway, just for an instant, and he shook his head to try and clear it. Maybe he was simply tired, the stress of the evening finally catching up with him, or maybe it was something more sinister... Pushing the thought from his head, Cobalt shut his eyes as he tried to steady himself.

He almost fell as the feeling threatened to consume him. Whatever it was, it wasn't fading. His ears roaring, sweat running down his brow. His tongue felt too big for his mouth, but even if he had wanted to speak, he felt like the effort might make him pass out. Leaning heavily on the table for support, and through suddenly bleary eyes, he saw the line of chairs against one of the rooms walls. Moving painfully slowly, but needing to focus on every step, Cobalt inched his way along the billiards table.

Taking a deep breath as his support reached an abrupt and unwelcome stop. The distance between the table and the chairs could only be a metres, but to Cobalt, it may as well have been a chasm without end. Taking a deep breath, realising that if he didn't at least sit down, he might be shortly getting better acquainted with the floor. Pushing himself away from the table, he staggered the couple of paces into the abyss, and all but fell into the welcoming arms of one of the chairs. Struggling to maintain consciousness, Cobalt took deep breathes, his eyes closed as he tried to stop his head from spinning.

"Yes, knowing where one is going is certainly a good thing," she said simply, returning his smile. At least the man had admitted his faults, knowing that he had been in the wrong when he had forgotten to ask where he was going. It was nice, knowing that he would do that, so maybe he'd be worth sticking somewhat close by to by chance, at least he seemed to be better off than Master Tack who had virtually started to ignore her. Something like that certainly was annoying, at least in her mind. If you start a conversation with someone, at least see the entire conversation through.

"Pleasure to meet you Captain Moss, I am Sister Penance," she continued as she followed him into the music room. She stood back a little bit, allowing Moss to go see what he could do to help the man who had gotten so carelessly stabbed in the foot. This sort of thing was not one she was used to, an interesting scenario to be in, that was for sure. She did feel a little bit of sympathy for the man, but he hadn't been very careful. Had he been paying attention, perhaps he could have avoided being stabbed in the first place.

"Indeed," Mauve replied in simple agreement. However, she wished to wait a little longer before venturing out of this room. It give the do-gooders a chance to vacate the corridor. It wasn't that she was nervous about being confronted for her questionable actions earlier, but more so that she didn't wish to have the inconvenience.

She turned around, leaning back against the billiards table. However, as she did so something just felt off. A wave of fatigue seemed to hit her out of nowhere. She took in a deep breath, leaning more heavily against the table. She glanced over at Cobalt, his sudden change in demeanor evident. She eyed him as he stumbled across the room like a drunkard. What, was he cracking under the pressure? Her brows shot up as he collapsed to the floor.

An audience he held, a star attraction, the greatest showman here. For around him they danced, they went from room to room encircling and entreating, with his life and death the center of it all. Upon the great wheel they turned, Rave flitted forward fetching, and two more came in their place. One had the fashion of an assassin, white hooded and black masked, while the other was the absinthe queen, gowned green and glittered gold. Twas the story the one in white demanded, as the one in green withdrew to afford the other a better view. Then come for an encounter with the raven and raconteur.


"Oh where to begin but the end,
I am wounded between the toes,
Make yourself at ease friend,
And listen to a tale of woes.
Twas Madam Mauve who betrayed,
Sat with me exchanging words,
And so I mingled and she played,
With hands outreached for my bird.
She broke into unprovoked attack,
And I grasped my dagger to warn,
But before I could repel her back,
Twas my blade which went airborne.
Missed its mark as fortunes turned,
And from its fall my wound was earned."

His story laid in fourteen lines, the longest retelling yet. Quickly said upon hurried lips, with a single hand gesturing the dramatic flair to the hastened rhythm of his singsong voice. There was a villain in the piece, the malicious Madam Mauve, armed with a dagger that he excluded to tell in his recounting of events. But now the stage was set. And now all Plum needed was a savoir.

There was a bit of an odd look from Amaranthine at the dry evening that came from the man standing there but she just nodded in return. Her eyes turned and took a longer more lingering look over the room while she was in there. As far as she knew the ballroom was just the next set of door and she wasn't seeing anyone else walking through, so perhaps she had a few more minutes before she had to worry about getting in there and preparing herself for some sort of last minute concert. It was surely not why she had come to this place tonight. Why the rest were there she didn't know but she did wonder if they were there for the same reason she was and if so, just what caused them to be blackmailed.

Pushing the thought out of her mind and turned towards the doors that were closed at the back of the Starry Salon. Taking a breath she headed for the door and pushed open just one of the double doors, just enough to step though, before closing it behind her once she stepped through. There was a slight gasp from her lips as she stepped forward and took the room in more and more with each step, coming out from under the balcony above and looking up. It was truly a breathtaking sight to see. Turning slowly, the room seemed empty other than a grand piano in the room. That was until she looked up and spotted another man in the room with her, but on the balcony above. "Hello," she said meekly.

Titian chuckled a bit. "Gotten injured sounds like an accident, oh poor thing, so many accidents tonight," Titian tried to say with a straight face but failed and let out a rather hearty laugh before shaking it off and waving in front of his face. Walking over to her he took her arm and smiled. "You would never be a substitute, only an upgrade," he said before heading out of the door with her and back into the Joyous Corridor, where it appeared they were anything but alone there as he stopped as she asked others there just what was going on. It seemed they were about as talkative as the man in the Gun Room they had just exited. "Cat got everyone's tongue?" he mused to himself.

Looking down the hallway a bit he spotted the man known as Dr. Swamp and then Tact along with him. He tapped on Professor Walnuts shoulder and motioned towards them as Tact answered Swamp's questions. At least as best he could it seemed. "Well ain't that some shit," Titian said as he blatantly eavesdropped. Looking back over at Professor Walnut. "Wonder how the hell that happened," he added and waited to see which direction the woman would go. Though it was pretty obvious that he wanted to follow and watch whatever shit show was about to unfold. He had been front row center for the last one and it had turned out well.

In truth, the upstairs seemed to be grander than the floor below. That could be because she had climbed an awful lot of steps and she was now delirious. Be that as it may, she was thankful the trek was nearing its end. Her questions to the woman had not gone unanswered, but the answers themselves left her wanting a touch more. What was it with this place and the locked lips? She knew in her time around that servants were often loose with regards to their masters. Mainly to each other, of course, but often if there was someone who wished to know more, they were quite open.

The woman returned her own question back at her and Blush had to admit, it quite annoyed and pleased her. "No, I suppose not. One is entitled to one's secrets, I suppose. Can't blame a girl for trying though, can you love? Though I would argue that your master would not allow anyone wandering about if that chap Jesper has anything to say about it, given the fact he was rather cross with us when we first entered. To be expected, I am sure, having a large number of strangers greet you at the door."

She was growing quite bored now. She wished something happened. Where was a rocket chair when one needed it? "So, we are up here now. Why was I to be brought up here then?"

Creme was surprised Jasper had addressed her, and gave a quiet shake of her head, "Oh, I'm just passing through." She said quietly, "To um, get to the Ballroom. So sorry for the confusion." She explained politely, before starting off to the next room. She felt awkward after that. She supposed that her excusing herself must've attracted his attention. That wasn't the reaction she wanted, she simply wanted to be able to pass by him without seeming rude. Instead, she needless attracted the attention of a busy and important man. Putting her eyes forward, she hurried her way out.

Crossing into the next room, she was relieved as the ballroom was now in sight. She hoped it wouldn't be too full yet, given that she must've been one of the closest to the room when the announcement was made, she couldn't think that it would be yet. Between the ejection on the train ride and the stabbing earlier, tonight just was not on track to be a good one for her. Granted, things had honestly been bad for awhile, ever since the blackmailing started. But she knew her luck would turn around sooner or later, and why not have it happen tonight?

Captain Moss looked over towards Sister Penance and smiled slightly and nodded towards her. "It's nice to meet you Penance, if that works?" Captain Moss asked, Sister Penance was a little bit of a mouthful for him as he turned his attention towards Master Plum as he started to go into a musical tale about what had happened to him, listening intently to what he started to tell him. He nodded ever so slightly as he figured to stay away from the woman named Mauve, remembering his brief interaction with the woman in the previous room just a few minutes ago into the evening. Moss started to look down at the wound which looked like it was pretty gruesome, but he couldn't see with the blood there in the way.

"Well that was certainly a number she did on you." Captain Moss said, as he looked over towards Sister Penance for a moment. "Could you try, and find something to clean it out a bit?" Captain Moss asked her, figuring that if he could clean off the blood a bit he could get a better look at what he was dealing with. "So what caused the confrontation then?" Captain Moss asked Plum. "Also you can call me Captain Moss if you'd like, or Moss whatever you'd prefer."

"Are you alright?" the woman in the Billard's room asked as the man took a seat. Her head tilting to the side slightly as she watched him, yet she didn't move from her place. Jasper turned his head and watched the boy climb the stairs and scurry off before turning his attention back to lady in front of him. Stepping to the side he nodded to her and motioned back further and between the two sets of stairs cases.

"Just through there and then another set of doors straight back. I do believe I spotted the woman with the carrying case head that way not too terribly long ago," Jasper informed her before heading to the base of the stairs and waiting where Oliver had been posted for the large majority of the evening. He watched the woman walk into the Starry Salon where Quinton was standing post. The man looked over to her and nodded a bit but kept his place. The door to the Billard's room closed softly.

Over in the music room there was a shadow that passed in the fireplace but there really wasn't anything around for the foot ordeal. Yet Rave had been left last were knew in the Breakfast room to retrieve things. Linen napkins were available on the table as was a pitcher of water among the other drinks set out. No strong spirits would be found on the table. Perhaps those were elsewhere in the house? Either way, the Four Men could be spotted at the door to the Trophy room inside it from the Starry Salon.

Walnut glanced down the corridor, seeing others come into view. Given that the four men seemed to not know anything and a doctor had been sent for, Walnut figured that perhaps the other unwanted guests might have a clue as to what was going on. She couldn't help but have a bit of excitement at the development. At the very least, whatever happened would eliminate one more possibility as to who the blackmailer was. She had an intuition that told her it was one of their number. After all, what better a way to hide than in plain sight?

She then chuckled slightly at Titian. He did enjoy flattering her and while that was fun, it was not nearly as exciting as some circumstances that required a doctor to be summoned. "Come on, perhaps I might be of some assistance - and I am sure you could help ensure no one intrudes on the poor soul. Medical matters do require privacy," she said, winking at Titian and walking down the Joyous Corridor, still holding his arm assuming he moved with her.

As they reached the others and the man whom Walnut took be a doctor, she gave him a pleasant smile. "I have some skill in these matters and would be happy to assist tending to the poor victim - please call me Professor Walnut," she told him.

Rave passed by people who were heading into the music room when she entered the breakfast room. It was Moss and that woman, she wasn't quite sure exactly the name off. Was it Penance? She was reasonably sure that was the answer actually. She wasn't willing to bet her head on it though. She had met too many people in this place now and all of them were hiding under fake names, but then again she was too... right? Well that was all aside the point now. A thought weaved into her head now, if they died here, would anyone even know what happened to them outside this manor?” Shouldn't think about that...” She mumbled to herself and walked to the table where the linens were located.

White clean cloths that were so casually used to have people wipe their dirty hands and faces after a meal... So much wealth wasted onto something so simple... She frowned as she picked up 2 pieces of the napkins, just in case one was not quite enough! This was important as she had finally secured them, she turned around and walked to the door towards the music room and walked through.

“I bring the linens for the injury! You haven't gotten worse, right?!” She called out, throwing a look at the people in the room now and Plum in specific, as she showed the white cloths to him with hopeful expression on her face, that was mostly hidden underneath the mask though. She noticed he appeared to have taken off the shoe!

In that moment, the Doctor felt the need to immerse himself into the task set before him. Logic and no small amount of survival instinct slapped the idea from his head with enough proficiency to get him back into the reality of his situation, which was admittedly potentially very hostile, but not before an unexpected party joined him with the intent of making an introduction. Walnut. Professor Walnut. What very peculiar names they were forced to wear, like an unwanted conical party hat at a child's birthday celebration. Like the masks they wore at that moment. He thought that he had heard that name earlier in the evening, as some of the others introduced themselves to one another using their ever-so-interesting noms de guerre. If he ever found out who sent those invitations, and by extension who gave them those names, he had half a mind to plot something particularly uncomfortable to unleash upon them for the trouble of it all.

"For the sake of conversation, my name is Dr. Swamp. Pleasure to acquaint, of course." He gave the woman a piercing look for a moment, taking in the details of the woman, her mask, and her clothing, as if soaking up detail. Then oddly, he silently gave an affirming nod to her and motioned toward the entryway to the Music Room. It seemed that the good Doctor had acquiesced to the presence of another person of learning, as implied by his concluding observation on the matter which bordered on sarcasm, "He will not need to go far for a second opinion."

Dr. Swamp returned to the Music Room and located the patient. Plum. He was being particularly lyrical in that moment; whether it was a performance or a symptom was beyond him without further examination. Difficulty stood before him, in the form of a full room of curious onlookers preventing privacy and access. Swamp cleared his throat loudly and addressed those present, leaning upon his stout walking stick as a man wearied by a situation beyond him. His voice was heavy and dry. "My good people, I require the run of the area. If you would like to be of aid, tell me how long he has been speaking like this. It could be symptomatic of something far worse. Also, the bird - Please remove it. I would keep the examination as free of infecting agents as possible. I shall need what supplies have been gathered so far, if any. Lastly, please clear the room. I have a patient to attend that I cannot among a crowd."