Well that was a kick in the nuts. Titian grunted slightly as Lord Bardolf spoke more. It seemed that even if it was spring they were going to be stuck there for some time. With it being winter and a storm rolling in, they could be here months. Now, being stuck in one place for months on end was not uncommon in Rutas Mu. It just seemed to be the standard when winter set in but being stuck here, in this place, with these people, with more than one dead already, that could prove to ruin a good time even for Titian. Granted that didn't seem to play on his face. He just seemed to shrug at the idea of being stuck in this place and walked over to a bench and had a seat. It probably wasn't a good idea to stand behind Lord Bardolf anyways, towering over the man, he could give the man a complex.

Stretching out his legs he got comfortable and kept listening. A slow smile creeping on his face as Lord Bardolf asked if they had any ideas. He had some but none of them really involved anything but enjoying himself. Most probably weren't a good idea right then, especially the one he settled on, but hey, it wasn't like he spent a lot of time pondering the ways of Rutas Mu. "Yeah, I got one," he said as he planted his feet on the ground and pushed the bench back until it hit the wall and he leaned back against it getting even more comfortable. "I ain't wearing this fucking thing for days and maybe weeks," he said pointing to his mask. "Fuck THAT!" he said as he reached up and behind his head, unfastening the mask and pulling it off his face as he tilted his head down to the ground. Rubbing his free hand over his face he tossed his mask onto the open spot of the bench next to him before looking up and giving a broad grin at the rest of the people there. "God I hate that fucking thing."

Walnut was listening carefully to the audible conversation in the room, not wanting to miss a mention. It was incredibly annoying that both Swamp and Plum were males. If they took Swamp to be behind the chair accident, then things would be in Walnut's favor - and if they thought it was Plum, then the odds were against her. It was incredibly annoying for her to be placed in a position where she had to hope that the truth would be believed. It was an almost scratchy, itchy sensation to be relying on it and not deception and lies. However, she then had to resist the urge to roll her eyes as they were informed that the bridge was blown.

Walnut allowed herself to be searched, her eyes then going over to the singer. She knew who the woman was. "How the mighty fall from grace," she mumbled slightly, trying not to smirk or laugh too much. There was something funny about seeing Swamp attempting to win over the favor of the chanteuse. At the nudge of the shoulder, Walnut complied, walking forward and following Quinton. She knew that she had made an enemy of Dr. Swamp, but it did not truthfully bother her. She would find a better accomplice than Titian soon enough and make her move.

Situation really wasn't the best as they were getting it. She quirked a brow underneath the mask as the Moss man repeated her question for whatever reason with different words, but the meaning didn't seem to have shifted any. Well not her problem, she returned her gaze to the Lord as he replied to the question regarding how long it would take for the bridge to be repaired. Sadly the answer really wasn't what she had hoped to have recieved. Yeah thinking about it, it wasn't a grand surprise. Even her vague hope that the weather holds good for a few days, it would still be impossible to repair that bridge it seemed.

Rave then observed Moss and Penance talk about chatting with the others present. She wasn't quite sure why that seemed to be the priority for them. Finally her attention was grabbed back to the big man. He seemed like he had an idea of his own. Then suddenly he removed his mask. What he had said, tugged on her mind. It was true, they were stuck together for a long long time and not knowing even the face of the people around you was a concerning thought. If it was only for tonight, to keep the mask on and then leave, never to meet these people again, a mask would be fine, but now situation had changed. Rave then decided to follow suit, it was a good decision or at least she thought so. She reached up to her head and slowly removed the mask. Might as well do it now, hoping this will come as a gesture of honesty." Being masked, in the given situation, wouldn't be right... It's no longer a Masquerade..."

Though what the Lord spoke about a common enemy was a really big issue. As she took off her mask, she wondered what whomever had orchestrated this, had in mind. Thus she tried to jog her mind as hard as she could, to recall any details about hte time when she got the invitation. Maybe there was something of use she could present?

Her eyebrows had locked in a really thinking manner for a good few moments before she finally shook her head." I'm sorry, as hard as I try to recall, nothing of use comes to mind from when I got the invitation." She apologized, feeling slightly bad about this fact.

"Sewing room," mused Dr. Swamp with a grunt, receiving assistance from Amaranthine. He was not accustomed to accepting the aid of another; that much was certain as he somewhat uncomfortably raised his arm to allow for the smaller musician. In fairness to the situation, it was not everyday that he got shot, either. That detail tended to change his outlook on the situation as a whole. In another example of things which did not happen everyday, the Doctor enunciated a simple but well meant "Thank you."

Considering that the large houseman, Quinton, pointed up as he made his room suggestion, Swamp assumed that this was a jaunt that would require the use of stairs. Supporting this assumption, he pointed toward the breakfast room, taking them in the direction of the Central Hall, the only place he recalled seeing a staircase. Impromptu surgery aside, it might be a positive, curiosity-quenching moment to see more of the manor. Dr. Swamp might even try not to bleed all over its expected opluence. No promises. Shifting his walking stick into his other hand to accommodate Amaranthine, Swamp began to make his way in the direction indicated. "I don't suppose that you sew, do you?" he inquired of the Chanteuse. It suddenly occurred to him that his wound was not optimally located for him to treat himself.

Letting the door of the Gun Room swing closed behind him, Cobalt glanced down the by now familiar corridor. Empty. He found himself wondering just how much time had passed since he had followed Mauve into the Billiards Room. Mere minutes, or hours? Long enough to be missed? With no better idea, Cobalt decided to follow Analia's advice, and he moved across the corridor, towards the door opposite the Gun Room. But before he pushed it open, the thought of his previous companion made him hesitate, glancing back towards the door of the Billiards Room.

Cobalt still didn't know what had knocked him out, he still didn't know how he had woken up in the chapel beneath the house, and now that he thought about it, he didn't know what had happened to Mauve. Some part of himself wanted to walk into the Billiards Room, to try and find some clue as to what happened, but he'd been away from the main group for long enough already. Resolving to push on, Cobalt turned back, and pushed open the door before him. Once he had found his feet again, and found out if his absence had even been noticed, then he could begin to concern himself with what had happened to him, and more importantly, who was responsible.

As Maestro walked away from her without providing her an answer, she shrugged dejectedly. The room was currently exploding around her, and she could understand why. She didn't want to be stuck here for weeks. She had her own obligations, and couldn't imagine her absence would be met with understanding. She didn't have anyway to get out of here safely though, not in this kind of weather. Exhaling, she tried to get herself to accept the futility of the situation, but it still frustrated her. Not following after Maestro, she sat in her chair, visibly upset, though she was working on containing that.

Soon, a more immediately worrisome event started to unfold, as people began removing their masks. She shook her head at this, keeping the piece of headgear firmly on her face. She knew that now was not a time for impulsive behavior, even if they were no longer in need of these masks, she'd keep it on until somebody of authority told her to remove it. It just wasn't her way to make this kind of choice on her own, and her instincts told her to keep it on in the first place. For now, she stayed seated, rather afraid of the angry man in the room who started this whole mask removal business.

Captain Moss looked down and sighed it would be a really long time then before they could actually end up leaving this place, or someone or something here may end up killing them. Which was not something he was to thrilled with either as well, and he'd rather leave this place but he also didn't want to die out in the cold. His attention turned back over towards Lord Bardolf, when he said that they had a common enemy which made him wonder if he could trust the owner of this place. And started to think maybe getting in his good graces could maybe be a good thing.

"I think, he or they are blackmailing us." Captain Moss said as he watched Titian and Rave starting to remove their masks, which started to think that maybe he should do the same thing as well. Since they will be there for the next several weeks, to months even as well he took off his mask as well setting it down next to him. "But as for why we are here I don't know." Captain Moss said.

Amaranthine glanced towards Quinton as he pointed up and mentioned a sewing room. She wasn't sure if his offer to help was out of kindness or mockery, one couldn't be sure with his dry delivery. Her eyes went upwards and she gave a nod. Upstairs it was, this meant stairs. ""Yes, very well," she said in a soft voice as she did what she could to aid the Doctor in his strides. They were already in the Breakfast Room, so he was moving alright for then. It was good that she wore dark colors this day, blood against white would have been a glaring sight. Darting eyes went towards the Professor as she spoke. Was she referring to Amaranthine or Swamp? It wasn't clear.

"That must burn, so have ones own fleshed seared by their own actions," she said in the same soft voice she had been speaking in. It was gentle as the words left her lips. "Perhaps it would be wise to bind such wounds to prevent further injury." Turning her attention towards Swamp she nodded. "Of course, but please do wait a moment," she said as she stopped. Juggling her satchel, her instrument case, and Swamp was a task alone, especially for her small stature. The mask was just impeding things even more. They were there for a time it seemed, there was no reason for such facades beyond skin deep any longer.

Reaching up she unlaced the mask from behind her head and pulled it from her face. Her large almond eyes blinked as she tossed the mask into her bag and she brushed her dark hair out of her face. "I have been known to sew a thing or two," she said in passing. She was not skilled but she had in her past. Taking the satchels strap she unbuckled it and slipped the instrument cases handle through it. Refastened she laced the strap over her shoulder and across her chest. Now she had both hands free and nothing bothering her face as she walked. Looking to Dr. Swamp she raised her hands towards his face. "Shall I?" she asked about the mask. If he wanted to keep it that was him. If he wanted to remove it himself, the same. Yet she would aid him if he needed.

Lord Bardolf looked over towards Titian, noting the man was having none of the mask anymore. It seemed others were ready to remove theirs as well though not all as of yet. "Yes, it does seem rather ridiculous to cover ones face if you are to be here for an extended amount of time," Bardolf said as he looked down at the invitations. "Whatever plans I had for a ball this evening has been completely blown to hell and back at this point," he said in a vexed voice. It seemed that there were few thoughts on what was going on. At the mention of the word blackmail, the man looked up and over towards Moss. "Blackmail? Do I dare ask why you are being blackmailed?" he asked before waving off the thought. "You needn't answer that. To each their own, I understand the value of privacy to an extent, though that does make me ask of the rest of you. Are you all here being blackmailed?" he asked as he looked around.

The Maestro looked over from where he was standing with his group. "I'm not," he said frankly and Lord Bardolf nearly rolled his eyes but held them barely in place. "Since it looks like we will not be performing this evening and are as stuck here as the rest of them, what shall you have of us?" he asked and the other three with him seemed to look to the man, wondering what the answer would be.

"Head up to the State Room, we will join slightly for the evening meal," Bardolf said and the men nodded. Making their way out of the room and into the Starry Salon. Pinching the bridge of his nose it was more than obvious that the Lord of the Manor was getting more frustrated about these events. He had the music but no guests. At least not guests he had invited. Now he was stuck in his home with a lot of people he knew nothing of. Granted he could put them out, shove them beyond his gates and leave them to the wolves and the weather but he hadn't. It didn't mean he wouldn't eventually if they caused problems.

Things were quiet elsewhere it seemed. The Rocaille Room and the Trophy Room beyond that linked the Joyous corridor with the Starry Salon and would be quick and easy to traverse. Quinton was in the Breakfast Room with the injured group, as was the silent man Jonas. He stopped as the small woman removed her mask and adjusted her items to better carry them. She could have asked for him to take them but she didn't. "Once you are finished, do catch up," he said in a dry voice before moving to the door way to the Grand Vestibule and standing there waiting. Jonas gave another push towards Walnut and grunted slightly, motioning for her to keep going. Quinton's head turned as he heard the door on the other side of the Grand Vestibule open. It was Jasper, walking through it and closing it behind him once he was inside the room to the far side of the Grand Vestibule. Turning his head he put his attention back on the group.

Titian sat there, rubbing the back of his head where the mask had been held in place, halfway listening to what was going on, halfway in his own little world. One could say he was thinking but then again his eyes didn't seem to relate that he was really doing anything but sitting there. Legs sprawled out before him, back resting against the wall. Dropping his hands into his lap he chuckled a bit. "Well ain't this a shit show," he mused. Granted his voice carried but it wasn't as if he was trying to be heard, or trying not to be heard either. He was just making a comment.

Looking over at Lord Bardolf when he asked Titian nodded slowly with a slight grin. "Shit I am. Why I came. Fucking invite said something about taking care of this shit. I was hoping to get this fuck moment over with but it seems ain't nothing easy. Should have stayed in the pub and got a drink," he said before glancing towards the four men who arrived after him. He watched them leave the room and then turned his attention back over to the man of the house. "I could do with some food though, so a meal sounds good. What happens after that? You got a cot for us? Or should I just find a spot on the floor? Not that it matters, I'm like a dog in that manner. I can pretty much lay down anywhere and get a dirt nap," he said with a bit of a chuckle.

So, it would appear that they would be stuck there for quite some time, which definitely was not something that she'd care too much for. Of course they couldn't leave the manor, that would make things too simple. Now, what were they going to do with the place they were in, and the group that they were with. Moss clearly was going on to Lord Bardolf about being blackmailed, and she wasn't too sure how she felt about him making comments about that out loud right now. Why would anyone openly admit to that sort of thing? It made absolutely no sense in her mind, as to it was strange, and if you admitted it, then people were likely to become suspicious of you.

Then there was the other bit of business that seemed to be going around, and that was the whole business about people removing their masks. She was a little hesitant to do so herself, but there was something else to think about when it came to hat sort of thing. If just about everyone else in the room removed their masks, and she didn't, then wouldn't they have a reason to not trust her? The argument that the others were making to remove their masks did make sense, and she pulled her own mask off. "This mask is getting a bit stuffy anyway, might as well get to know one another better without it," she said simply to the others, more of purposefully ignoring Lord Bardolf's question, since she did not very much want to answer that sort of question.

Blush was intrigued and listened closely to find out more information. However, she could not hear the voices anymore. Perhaps they left to go find this woman they were talking about. Blush was tempted to enter, but she did not want to anger anyone after being put in the good graces of the family. She stepped back only for a short woman to appear through the door and spot her.

The woman was one of the voices for sure, but she couldn't very well be caught eavesdropping. "Oh no, I am sorry love. I was on my way down when I heard voices. I was under the impression the top floors were empty so, naturally, I was curious and wanted to see who it was. I only just got to the door when you came out and gave us both a fright. I truly am sorry and hope I did not cause you any harm."

Blush made her way over to the stairs. "I'll continue on my way then. Glad to know all is well up here." In truth, she hoped the woman would stop her or follow her. She wanted to know who this mystery woman was.

Well things could have been better, but it seemed that at least Lord Bardolf was more inclined to keep them alive and was reasonable for now. Rave was sure should he really wanted to, he could have just made them all killed or just keep them underlock in a basement somewhere by now. None of that had transpired so far, so it seemed for now some degree of hospitality was at play. When the talk went into the blackmailing direction, Rave's expression froze for a moment. She didn't even try to hide it as it was plainly written on her face really. Lying was bad in the end too.

At first she was worried that their host will demand the reasons for their blackmailing, but in the end he stopped that and just asked for confirmation on their reason for being here." Yes." She replied, not hiding that she was blackmailed indeed. Since it had progressed so far there was no point in hiding it and she didn't want to lie if she could help it.

She noted others were taking their masks off too, namely Penance took her off after Moss. As she threw a glance around, aside from the Creme woman, the rest of the group who arrived with those invitations and were in the lunar ballroom were without masks. As the talk went over to dinner, she realized that she was indeed hungry. Been a long journey here and the few brief pieces of fruit and the like in teh breakfast room weren't enough to satisfy her hunger properly." Excuse me, but what would indeed be the arrangement for the duration of our stay? I would like to help in any way and earn my stay if possible." Rave joined in the question along with the big guy, who seemed content with taking a spot on the ground. Well Rave wasn't going to object if that's was indeed the arrangements as long as it wasn't outside in the snow. Admittedly if it was even the simplest of beds, it was going to be the best though.

Cobalt continued his onwards journey uneventfully. The room he stepped into was impressive, there was no doubt of that. A little extravagant for his taste, but still impressive. What was disappointing was the emptiness of the room. Other than Analia, Cobalt was yet to see another living soul, and it was starting to concern him slightly. Had he been gone for so long that he had missed the party altogether? Or was something more nefarious afoot? One guest had already been killed, he'd witnessed that first hand before they had even reached the house, but was that a freak accident, or only the beginning.

Not wanting to linger any longer than he had to, every moment being potentially crucial, he resolved to push on, even if only ghosts were waiting for him. Crossing the room in only a couple of strides, Cobalt grasped the door handle of the next room, and braced himself for what he would find on the other side. A macabre scene of butchery, the other guests fallen upon by the devils of the house? Some staggering clue, waiting to be stumbled upon? Or, even worse, another eerily empty room. Gritting his teeth, Cobalt pushed open the door.

Swamp's actions earlier in the Gaming Room seemed to be a wholly pointless endeavor. He had used the strength of his personality to engage, to negotiate, to threaten - all in the name of protecting the Chanteuse's identity from being publicly outed. Such as it was, with the news of the bridge being out and everyone essentially made prisoner within the manor, he understood the reasoning behind Amaranthine's decision to do away with her mask. It would get in the way after longer than a few hours and become highly irritating. Yes, that description seemed to fit in with the general mood of the hour: Highly Irritating. The situation had changed. Social dynamic were amazingly fluid that way. It was part and parcel with being around other people. The Doctor did take a slim but expected piece of satisfaction when she removed her mask, however. His powers of reasoning and deduction were correct, as he rightly guessed the identity of the Chanteuse earlier that evening.

"I thought as much. It is a pleasure to meet you officially, Miss..." He hesitated, eyes darting about the room. With surer voice, he finalized his previous utterance. "Miss." There was no reason to fully reveal her unless she wished it. Swamp repressed a sigh when she reached for his mask. Instinct had him pull back at first. A kneejerk reaction to being revealed in an unfamiliar and easily dangerous place. But the Chanteuse had crossed that bridge, knowing that hers was a face seen by many. Dr. Swamp was not remotely as public a figure. Quite the opposite. If anyone knew who he was by his face, he would he highly surprised. "Very well." Swamp took much of his weight from Amaranthine and lowered his head to make it easier for her to remove his mask. "At your pleasure, Chanteuse. Then let us hurry along, please."

Walnut heard the soft words from Chanteuse Amaranathine. "Yes, there is considerable pain," she admitted. Those tears from earlier had not been faked or forced - they were genuine. The pain had been tremendous and it continued to be so. In many ways, Walnut was of the opinion that it hurt more after the fact than it had during the actual wounding. "Yet I stand by my actions, even with the pain. The man whom you support and care for... he attacked an already wounded and defenseless man without provocation." It was the truth once more. How strange. She had to tell the truth and attempt to get others to believe it, when she was more accustomed to doing the opposite - selling a lie. Yet as her thoughts flickered towards the horrible sight she had seen after Plum was on the ground... she shuddered a bit in memory. Was he really a man? What had been that horrible thing?

She had to resist the urge to snap and say something scathing as she was given another nudge forward. She stepped forward, through the door and out into the Grand Vestibule once more. It occurred to Walnut that she had essentially gone in what must have been a square or circular pathway. That was good information to know. Not that she was intending to need to escape and lose others in pursuit, but she now knew multiple pathways that would lead to the same destination. That could prove useful later on. And while Amaranathine had taken off her mask, Walnut paused for a moment.

If she wanted them to trust and believe her, then she needed to prove that she had nothing to hide. The petite little thing then took off her own mask.

Cobalt's skin was beginning to itch. He didn't like silence, he didn't like being alone, and he was starting to grow impatient again. When he opened the door into yet another empty room, he almost cried out in despair. Was he doomed to wander an empty house for eternity? Cobalt almost started to wander if he really had woken up from his dream, or if this was just another nightmare conjured up by his fevered brain. But no, he couldn't go around thinking he was still in a dream. With every step his mind cleared more, and he doubted his imagination would have been able to conjure up the underground chapel, or the pale girl that inhabited it for that matter. This was reality, it just wasn't a reality he was enjoying at the moment.

Trying to distract his mind, Cobalt glanced around the room he now stood in. He'd seen rooms like this before in these grand manors, stuffed animals adorning the walls, and glassy eyes looking down at him. It didn't do anything to alleviate the silence. The two bears flanking the fireplace were a nice touch, but if anything the imitation of life only made Cobalt yearn for it more. This room was larger than the last, but Cobalt was a man on a mission, and he crossed it quickly. Behind the next door, he told himself, there would be someone, anyone. If there wasn't, then he didn't know if he could keep ignoring the scratching at the back of his head.

Listening to the lord of the manor speak, Creme's hands drifted up towards her mask .That was exactly the type of authorization she was waiting for. She felt a lot safer going mask-less, especially given that whoever was blackmailing them seemed to not be the lord. Her hands pulled it away from her face, making her appearance apparent for the world to see. She slipped the mask into the purse on her person, and closed it tight. This situation did, however, open the fairly disconcerting question. If Lord Bardolf wasn't responsible for them being here, who was? The question lingered on her mind like a lily pad atop a murky pond.

She assumed, however, that the line of demarcation between the early arrivals and other guests that now would never arrive. She thought it a healthy assumption that they were all being blackmailed. This all seemed to be an odd series of events, but no matter what circumstances had led her here, it seemed she would be here for awhile. Standing up, she decided now might be the time to stretch her legs, and further her knowledge of the place she'd be stuck in. She wanted to maybe see if anybody else wanted to take a look around, but she still didn't want to get close to that loud fellow, so she watched the others in the room, planning to follow if anybody left.

While Amaranthine waited for Dr. Swamp to answer her, she heard Quinton speak up. Telling her to catch up with them as soon as she was done. There was a small nod of understanding from her before she spoke. "Yes, of course," she said in a soft and kind voice. She doubted they were really worried about her, considering her small stature and the amount of things she was carrying. And she doubted even more that they were worried about what Dr. Swamp would do as it seemed that the man was having problems even walking due to the fact he had been shot. Granted from what she had seen thus far he had a hard time walking in general, since he did use a cane and all. It wasn't like it was a fashion statement. Right?

Turning her attention back to Dr. Swamp, she waited for an answer. Her fingers started to curl in, figuring he was going to tell her no but in the end he surprised her and that surprise was worn clearly on her features as her eyes widened a bit. As he lowered his head she reached up gingerly and undid the mask. It took a little time as she didn't know exactly how it was on or if there was any method to secure it that she couldn't clearly see. Finally, she started to lift it away from his face. What was under there? Had he picked one that covered so much of his face because what was under there wasn't pleasant to look at? Was that why he seemed so odd at dealing with her from time to time?

Yet, apparently, at least to her, this was not a face that she thought was ugly as the mask came off. Pulling the mask off and setting it on the table she smiled a bit. "It is very nice to meet you as well Sir," she said with a bit of a nervous chuckle. He was handsome to look at, while not stunning, there was something sharp about his features that pleased her. Yet the smile faded as Walnut spoke. Her head turning sharply. "From what has been said that defenseless man has already caused the death of one, so I doubt it was without provocation," she said quickly before looking back towards Dr. Swamp. "Right?" she asked, needing some sort of confirmation.

Captain Moss thought about saying why he was being blackmailed for, but he decided against it he didn't even trust all of these people yet since he just met them, and they were all together under some shady circumstances as well. He rubbed the back of his neck for a moment as he looked around the room seeing people were taking off their masks. Which was better now seeing who was under them as well, but Moss turned his full attention back towards Lord Bardolf when Titian asked about what their living arrangements are going to be like.

He would of course have to house them somehow, he rubbed the back of his neck a bit as he thought what else was going on here as well, he wasn't going to say anymore than he wanted to anyway. Moss felt like he had said enough now as well, he remained silent for now waiting for a reply from Lord Bardolf, about their living arrangements or if they will end up crashing with anyone for the next several weeks.