Cobalt continued to struggle, desperately attempting to stave off the pit of unconsciousness. But he knew it was a fight he couldn't win. The fire seemed to burn unbearably hot, and his mask was suddenly stifling him. It took all his willpower not to tear the mask off there and then. He half-heard Jane's voice above the roaring in his ears, but he couldn't make out her words, and it simply be some creation of his fevered mind. Grimacing, he slipped into the darkness, slumping as he finally passed out.

He seemed to wake with a start. In an instant, he realised the chair was gone. Not only the chair, but the Billiards room, and the very manor house itself. He cried out, as he realised that he was hanging off the edge of a cliff! He scrambled for grip, but he couldn't pull himself up, he could only cling desperately, his fingertips the only thing saving him from death. The air seemed suffocating, and every breath was a ragged gasp. The harsh barks of rabid dogs seemed to come from every direction, below and above him all at once.

His mind still reeling, struggling to understand this reality, Cobalt looked up, and cried out again, his voice lost in the roar all around him. Against the dark sky above him, standing over him as he clung to the cliff, there was a dark figure silhouetted. The figure was little more than a shadow, only darkness where any features should be, but Cobalt had never been more terrified. He was sure that this figure was doom, an angel of death that had descended to punish him for his sins. This was surely his end!

Mauve felt a heaviness pressing down on her. She struggled to keep her eyes open as she slumped back against the billiards table more and more. She could vaguely hear the servant girl's words of seeming concern. Her voice was almost punctuated by the eerie sound of the door to the room clicking shut over the crackling of the fire. Don't fall asleep. Don't fall asleep, she told herself. Something was amiss, and she knew it. But unfortunately her body had other intentions.

Slumping back over the billiards table, she was quickly enveloped in the darkness of unconsciousness. Thrusted into a new world, she felt pain explode through her. She glanced downwards with a gasp, to see blood gushing from a stab wound in her stomach. Staggering backwards, she tried in vain to stifle the bleeding with her hands, but the crimson red blood only seeped between her porcelain fingers. Her dark blue eyes came up sharply to see a dark figure lunging at her. She weakly tried to fight the figure off, but the floor was slick with her own blood and her body was growing weaker by the second from the sheer blood loss. This was most assuredly turning into an absolute nightmare.

"Of course, Penance will do just fine," she said with another smile, before glancing over at the man who had managed to get himself injured. She was about to respond to what Moss had asked of her, when the other woman came out of the Breakfast Room carrying linens for the injury. Well, they were better than nothing she supposed, bandages of a sort would have been preferred, but if it was all that they had, then it was all that they had. Anything would do at this point, or it seemed that way.

She was a bit curious as to who this woman was, and turned to look at her. "And who might you be if you don't mind me asking?" she asked her with a smile, before turning to look back more of at the one that needed help. This was probably the most entertaining party that she'd ever been too, or at least the most exciting. First one woman was sent flying from her seat on the ride over, and now another person had been injured. Part of her wondered if this was obviously going to be a reoccurring theme of sorts, but she'd just have to wait and see.

The persona standing above her on the balcony hadn't responded to her and her brow quirked beneath her mask. Maybe she hadn't spoken loudly enough previously. Her voice had been rather meek, the room was rather large, and the man was standing a good fifteen or twenty feet above her. It was very possible for her to not have been heard so that was why he didn't respond. She would try again. Clearing her throat she tried to project her voice a bit more this time and give a slight wave before she spoke. A visual aide if you will. "Pardon, good evening. May I?" This time her voice was clearer and more direct as she pointed over towards the piano.

The man took note of her this time and stepped closer to the rail. Looking down at her and then letting his eyes follow to where she was pointing he nodded. "Yes, of course, be my guest," he said in a shy voice.

There was a smile that came to her lips as she nodded. "Thank you," she said in a kind voice before turning and walking as quickly as her short legs could carry her without having to run. Placing her case on the top of the piano bench and then the satchel on top of that she took a seat at the faded keys and ran her fingers over them. She didn't play right then, could she play even if she wanted to? Reaching up she scratched under her chin and huffed a bit. "This thing is getting uncomfortable," she muttered under her breath.

"Ha, I am the man for that job," Titian said with a bit of a laugh. He could play bouncer for his little blonde bombshell if she wanted him to, it could be rather fun and he was enjoying himself. He wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon. Titian followed the man who was calling himself Dr. Swamp into the music room, taking a quick look around and noting just how crowded it was. No wonder the man was telling people to get out and it seemed at least one of them wasn't listening. Yeah, the professor was correct, they would need a man to move people at this rate.

Standing over by the piano he started counting people. "One, two, three, four, five, six," he said counting off Plum, Rave, Moss, Penance, Swamp, and Himself. "Incoming seven," he added pointing back to the door he came through since he was sure that Walnut would be following behind him. "And the making of a pie," he also added pointing to the bird. "To those that are deaf..." he started motioning to the doors for them to leave. "To those that are blind, follow the smell of bacon and get the hell out." Then he cracked his fingers. "To those that are dumb, I'll just toss you if the doctor points to you. So, once more, everybody move!"

Ah here to see the show? Plum took a liking to Moss helpful as he was directing yet another to help Plum. Rave Returned with napkins abound, indeed a gathered crowd of of kindly folk. Another name worn upon a mask, to mask what was already masked by mask. An identity not their own, as a mirror was sure to reflect, all here were not true guests, and thus were all suspect. To Rave's question Plum shook his head and as he was about to open his mouth to reply, another bird appeared. Twas the presumed doctor sent for and fetched, and now to answer the man demand's. A flutter of fingers sent the raven to fly to the other side of the room, pointed with a finger the spot it should perch.

"Oh thank god, it's a doctor. Can you fix me?"

And that which was very strange. No hint of rhyme or peppering of poetry from the raven's lips. A straightforward answer, to the doctor it seemed who thought the stanzas were some sort of problem. Or did it mean the lack of it now suggests a greater disease? Never was there an established baseline for this patient, and such an impromptu examination without a full history would muddled the accuracy of the assessment. Although of course this was a masqueraded ball. So perhaps the good doctor knew his patients well by their feet, as Plum stuck it out almost daintly at the other bird-faced man as if waiting for a glass slipper.

Blush found it odd that she was brought up here with no intended purpose. She assumed the man would have explained his reasoning. Was she to wait for him to tell her or was she allowed to roam free up here? "I don't suppose I'm allowed to walk around up here? Are there any rooms forbidden like downstairs? I mean, I can't be expected to sit here for the duration. Surely there must be something to do up here."

Though Blush found herself feeling a bit more powerful. She felt herself pump up a bit, knowing that the Queen herself had not set foot where she had. Though that did beg the question. Why? Was it because the owner of the home felt it wasn't worthy of the Queen, or was it because he had something to hide? These were questions indeed and, as she said, tonight was full of surprises. She was eager to be free of the leash and to explore. Something had to be up here.

My my, what a world we live in. Things are happening but what? Oh my, many things are now happening behind the scenes and only a select few know what is going on in their little part of this world. Or they will soon enough. What do the rest know? Well over in the music room it seems that the doctor known as Swamp is trying to clear the place out so he can tend to the wounded man and a much larger Titian has taken on the roll of bouncer if people won't move themselves. I wonder how well it will go over that even the wounded man ignored what was asked of the doctor to get the bird out of the room and only had it fly to another part. Does anyone have a Black Bird Pie recipe on hand?

The four men have yet to leave the Trophy room, standing there and talking quietly amongst themselves. In the Joyous corridor, it seemed that Tact had had enough of playing fetching boy and wandered off, walking into the Gaming Room and closing the door behind him as he went. So many closed doors. What could be happening behind them? Oh, if you only knew. Anyone have a crystal ball?

Down in the Central Hall, Jasper remained, turning his head as he heard foot steps. Quick ones, coming down the stairs. It seemed the Lord of the Manor was making an appearance, with a red faced Oliver behind him. The man came down and he and Jasper began exchanging a few quiet words with each other as Oliver stood there a few steps up and back from them as to give them space. His hands clasped behind his back as he waited word of what was expected of him next or to return to his post if nothing more was needed.

More and more people were arriving at the room where the injured Plum was located at. She was frankly amazed that so many suddenly were displaying even some degree of concern when just a little while ago, most didn't seem to care or gather much enthusiasm to help. She saw the guy who was speaking as a doctor as he barked orders for the place to be cleared of people. Well that was fine she supposed. Rave nodded as she hurried to walk over to the doctor to hand him what she procured.” These are clean linens that could be used as bandage. I grabbed these in a hurry, but if more are required I will go grab a few more...” She added as she had finished her task.

Rave looked at Penance, she was distracted, but after a moment realized what she had to say.” Prima Rave, Milady. And how should I address you?” She asked, wanting to learn for sure how to call the woman. Well it wasn't a critical need, but it was going to be a good thing to know.

“No need to be as forceful and menacing... right? I'm leaving...” She asked Titian and started heading for the doorway of the Breakfast room again. It was time to leave the people here to do their thing. She didn't really like the brute thinking man's well way of acting right now. He didn't seem too bad, but yeah. She briefly noted that Plum stopped rhyming. With that curiosity noted, she walked back into the Breakfast room.

She sighed once the door closed behind her and started walking again, heading for the Grand Vestibule. It was time to go see where this Masquerade will properly take place. Presumably the big Ballroom was further in the mansion. Rave guessed it was time to head there.

"Thank you, Doctor," Walnut said graciously, pleased that her offer of aid had been accepted. She noted the man's cane for a moment and was amused by the possibilities of it for a moment. And even more splendidly, her dear friend Titian was happy to guard the door. It would be moderately annoying if the room turned out to have a secondary exit, but perhaps it could be locked or something in order to secure the poor soul's privacy. She entered the room after Titian, concealing a slight smirk at his forcefulness.

Oh yes, she was certain this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

There was the irritating man in question, resting on the couch. Where was the wound? Or what trouble was it that had befallen him? She entertained for a moment that perhaps it was some malady of the mind - that would not be unthought of in this company. Perhaps he was ailing due to warts in an unmentioned area? No, it was clearly a wound. The talk of one of the women in the room confirmed as much and Walnut was glad to see her quickly leave.

"Shall we begin, Doctor?" Walnut asked, assuming the others would leave quickly enough due to Titian's threats.

Cobalt clenched his eyes shut, crying out again as he felt his grip beginning to slip. And then suddenly, it was all gone. The barking faded away, the wind died, and the air cleared. Now, there was faint music, and the scent of fresh spring flowers in the air. And he wasn't clinging anymore, he was simply standing, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes. He wasn't trapped in that hellscape, but he also certainly wasn't in the Billiards Room of Shadowell Manor anymore.

He heard a ring of laughter behind him, and turned to see an angel. Or at least, she looked like an angel. Flowing golden hair, dazzling emerald eyes, and a sky-blue dress that clung to every curve, she was the most beautiful woman that Cobalt had ever seen. She smiled shyly, and blushed as Cobalt's mouth fell open. He tried to speak, but he couldn't find his voice. Something about the vision in front of him was totally entrancing.

In an instant, he knew what it was. She was innocence, she was every young woman he'd seen, blushing in the corner as she caught Cobalt's eye across the ballroom. Her face seemed to shift, like mist, flickering through the faces of the women who had crossed Cobalt's path, before settling on one, half-formed. He knew the dark blue eyes that looked back at him at once, but he didn't know the face. Not yet. Cobalt smiled as the woman took a step towards him, a smirk crossing her face.

The Doctor felt more than a touch of annoyance as the vast majority of the persons in the Music Room initially decided that staying put was preferable to giving he and the patient some space and privacy. He sighed, curious as to whether he could put this entire scene behind him and return to the petite musician with whom he was conversing just earlier. He cracked the barest of smiles underneath his mask as the boisterous Mr. Titian decided to assist in the clearing of the room of those nonessential to the examination and potential treatment. His first impression of the man was not favorable, admittedly, though this exchange did erase an ounce or two of reservation. Additionally, he seemed attached to the young lady who had offered her service to him. Likely a package deal, those two.

No matter. As the good Doctor waited with declining patience for the room to become less inhabited, he gave the surroundings a cursory inspection. Knowing what one was dealing with, and what they had in the immediate vicinity was paramount were the situation to fall to further emergency. His eyes settled upon two things - the bird on the other side of the room, and the fireplace, both of which he regarded intently. When the voice of Professor Walnut drew his attention, Dr. Swamp responded with cool, controlled inflection as he leaned heavily upon his stout stick, "Indeed, Professor. I should hope to inspect his general physiology for anything which may cause secondary effects prior to treating the wound itself, in case other treatment is necessary before it is knit. We shall begin the moment we have the room secure. And Plum?" he added, focusing his attention to the afflicted, "Satisfied doctors make for satisfied patients. The bird, sir."

Crossing to the end of the room, Creme quietly stepped into the Lunar Ballroom, and quickly looked for a place on the side to stand and wait. She drew breath, and stepped to the left of the door, a bout halfway between the entrance and the leftmost point the the room, along the perimeter. Giving a yawn, her eyes were quickly drawn to Amaranthine, who looked like she might be about to play for them. Creme could certainly do with some music right about now, especially if it would draw attention away from herself once people started to arrive. She would keep an eye on the door however, hoping to soon have Blush rejoin her.

Realizing that she was in a ballroom, Creme made a worried, "Hmm" at the realization that she may, for whatever reason, be expected to dance. That was a skill that was well outside her wheelhouse, and she hoped, somehow, she might avoid that. The last thing she'd want is to make a fool of herself in front of all the people that were sure to be in attendance. This reaffirmed her choice to stay out of the way in the closest thing to a corner she could possible find in a round room. Out of sight, out of mind, was her motto, and she intended to live it to the fullest for the foreseeable future.

And the nightmare only seemed to get worse. Mauve could feel the sting of a blade rapidly slashing across her outstretched arm as her other hand fumbled to grab any sort of weapon on her person. Her hands were slick with her own blood, but by some miracle she managed to grasp the hilt of her dagger as the dark figure continued his onslaught. Unfortunately, just as she unsheathed it, the dark figure sliced her hand, causing her to drop it with a hiss of pain.

Nevertheless, the look in her dark blue eyes was defiant. She refused to show fear. "Bite m--" her proclamation was cut short as a scream was ripped from her lungs. The ground seemed to be ripped out from underneath her, and she felt herself rapidly falling. She grasped at air before it made contact with something. She found herself now dangling precariously off of the face of a cliff. Her fingers were barely hanging onto the edge of the precipice. She could hear the sounds of dogs barking echoing around her. Her head swam as the sheer blood loss was quickly catching up to her. Eight fingers. Six fingers. Five fingers holding her up. And then none.

Captain Moss looked at everyone in the room, seeing that the proper doctor was now in, seeing the man with the cane from earlier was walking into the room. He started to back up from the group, looking at Titian for a moment and nodded slightly, before looking at Rave and Penance as well. He looked towards Plum and gave the man a slight nod it looked like he wasn't saying anything in his usual sing songy voice from earlier. "See you later. C'mon lets go and give them some space then shall we?" He said, as he started to turn and get out of the room rather quickly and headed back into the Breakfast Room. He didn't really want to disturb the doctors while they tended to Plum's foot.

Captain Moss entered the Breakfast room and leaned back against the wall, and sighed a little bit he didn't really know what to think of what was going on right now. Captain Moss then moved over towards the table and then grabbed a bit more of cheese off of the table, taking another bite out of it. Moss decided to was the best to stay out of the room, and he didn't want to end up getting thrown out of the room by Titian either as well.

Amaranthine looked over towards the door and spotted Creme come into the room. The woman was as small as she was from the looks of things. Dressed in a long gown that covered far more than what Amaranthine's clothing did but the reverse could be said about the woman's mask. It didn't cover her features near as much as Amaranthine's mask did. Looking at the woman she smiled a bit. "I do wish I had chosen a lighter one," she said in passing to the woman and pointed at Creme's mask and then her own. It was kind enough conversation before her eyes went upwards and she motioned towards the man standing up on the balcony.

If she could have ducked away or kept her face turned enough from just one in the room Amaranthine might have just removed her mask for a moment but she was not going to risk it now that there was another. Swallowing she sat down behind the piano and waited. Then she seemed to have a bit of an idea and motioned for the girl to come over to her if she would. "Um, thing about a piano when it plays in a room like this. It drowns out most conversation," she said in passing before lifting up key cover and placing her fingers on the ivory. "One would have to be right next to me to even hear what I said," she added before she began to play a simple tune. It was soft for now and only would be heard by those in the Ballroom and the Starry Saloon right then.

Titan looked over at the man who was "injured" and crossed his arms over his chest as he took a wide stance. "And people say I ain't bright," he said with a grin on his lips as the bird was perched still in the room even after the man with the cane said to get rid of it. Titian looked over at the woman speaking to him, Rave, and chuckled. "Yeah, sometime's it's just fun." Granted he had his reasons but he was enjoying himself even if he didn't. She left the room so it wasn't like he had to push the issue with her, so he didn't need to keep being forceful with her, yet.

Walnut came in and went to go help Swamp, seemed they were ready to start but Swamp was waiting on the whole bird thing. Would the man actually get rid of it this time? If not, he would probably have to try to catch the damn thing. Moss, who had been in the way left the room as well. That was two out. Only one left that didn't need to be there, well who didn't fly on their own, was Penance but she hadn't seemed to be trying to cause any issue. He waited to see what she would do as he looked around the room. His eye perking a bit when he looked over at the fire but he didn't say anything. Just stood there with a grin on his face.

Clear out, clear out you louts. The general tone of the time, the doctor needed a clearing, and there hence appearing, a titan of a man ready oust them all. The gathered crowd was to disperse, as the crowds thinned, away they went First Rave, then Moss. The other woman, Penance was it that she stated, remained in the room thus far. Yet there came in attendance another begoggled and blue dressed, in her theater blues for the doctor's scrub nurse? Dealing with the doctor however came to an impasse, Plum did not trust his bird to be too far from his sight in this manor. Not while they were uninvited guests, and not while Mauve still roamed the halls. And certainly not while the meatheaded man jokingly made a reference to making a humble pie out of his friend. No, certainly not the bird would stay, infection or otherwise be damned.

And though a whistle rang through unrhyming lips, trying to get his bird's attention, it seemed Bram took its own fate into its own talons. Flying over to the Joyous Corridor adjourning through the open door on the far side of the room, the raven left Plum to the mercy of a mad doctor and his nurse. Either out of a twisted sense of loyalty to its master to leave, or more than likely since it could not understand Swamp: something else distracting it. Either way it seemed as fate would have it, the good doctor got his wish and now his operating theatre was clear, save for Penance wasn't it?


"There, it is done. I shall have to discipline it later, I see..."

Penance rolled her eyes slightly at the way Swamp addressed not only her, but everyone else in the room. Sure, they could be considered crowding, but there was no need to be rude after all. Not to mention there was still quite a bit of room in the area, so why did he find the need to just kick them all out of the room. The best she could do with that would be to move on with it, and looked at Swamp, "Seems like you have the situation under control, see you later then," she said simply as she exited the room, heading into the Breakfast Room.

Turning to look at Prima Rave, she gave the woman a kind smile, "I am Sister Penance, thought that is a bit of a mouthful to say, so just Penance will be fine," she said simply. This was certainly an interesting thing, but now she was debating about what it is that she should do at this moment. There was the idea of going to the ballroom of sorts or something, as the one man had suggested while she had been in the Grand Vestibule before. That was certainly an idea, but now she was curious as to what the others were going to do.

Blush followed the woman into the next room, what seemed grander than the previous room (and the color scheme far more appealing to the eye). At least the master of this home had some taste. "Well I would not bother with the linens anyway, love. No need for it. Though you do speak a good point. I would very much like to freshen up after recent events." She quickly scanned the room, piecing what she could together.

She was looking forward to exploring this floor unaccompanied. Though she would not have minded in the least if someone like Creme was with her or that other delectable specimen she had not introduced herself to, but beggars could not be choosers in that regard. She would have to go at it alone. Though the woman did answer more of her questions than maybe she was intending to.

The second floor bared looking into. But later.