[IC] 🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

[Nallore]

Captain Moss

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Location: Lunar Ballroom -> Starry Salon
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Captain Moss looked towards Penance and gave her a slight smile and nodded a little bit, as he followed the rest of the group out into the Starry Salon and looked around the area once more. He spotted one of their group finally catching up but with the mask still on which made him wonder why he would still have it on. But Captain Moss also started to get a little bit suspicious since he was now just appearing after the news of the bridge getting destroyed. But then again it could be one of the servants who did it, or their blackmailer who had decided to do this now. Captain Moss decided to not say anything about it right now since there was still a lot to try and find out why the bridge was destroyed and the weather was pretty bad now as well.

Captain Moss looked towards Lord Bardolf he was pretty curious about the man as well, and the mansion itself as well he gave Cobalt a slight nod before finally asking. "So how long as the manor been here?" Captain Moss decided to ask, to try and get to know their host a little bit more. And He also wanted to try and get on his good side as well to try and get the man to trust him to, he figured making some small talk would be the best way to do that as well.

[Lady Absinthia]

𝕄oving 𝕆n 𝕌p: 2

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Lord Bardolf continued on his way, moving from the Starry Salon into the Central Hallway and towards the stairs. He potted Quinton with several others that seemed to be following them, one of which was injured. He stopped by the bottom right stair case and rose a brow. "Report?" he asked. Quinton stepped forward and whispered against his ear. The lords eyes narrowed a bit. "Another dead?" he grumbled the question and Quinton nodded. Rubbing his temples she shook his head. "Make sure it is cleaned up." Quinton nodded again. "And that one?" he asked motioning towards the now demasked Dr. Swamp.

"Shot sir," Quinton said stepping back from the Lord. The look Bardolf gave him was an obvious questioned expression on his features. "That one," he answered the unasked question as he motioned towards Professor Walnut. "Guns destroyed."

"Take care of matters," Badolf said before moving up the stairs. "And any stragglers." Casting a glance towards Moss. "As long as any can remember," he said to the question of how long the manor had been there. "And my family has been residing here as long," he said. That was not an uncommon thing. Such grand places and buildings were not products of times in recent history. They had been built before the books had gone blank. As much as anyone knew, that was before the storms had come.

Quinton stepped back over to those he was leading as the lord began to ascend the stairs, "we'll wait until they are mostly on their way," he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Edna had left the stair case on the flight down, through the doors that lead to the balcony that over looked the Ballroom, shutting it behind her.

The man in which Blush was speaking to shrugged a bit. "I am sure that Lord Bardolf will be looking into the matter. He isn't exactly known for allowing things to happen on his property without punishment. Though, what help could other's provide us? Even if they had access. Snow has set in and who would dare enter the grounds without an invite?" he asked as he cast a glance her way before continuing up the stairs back to the landing on the next floor.

[Romero]

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Starry Salon -> Central Hall
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt stayed close to the Lord, and he was one of the first to step through the doorway, moving towards the stairway leading upwards. It was there that they encountered another group of guests. It looked like a servant was leading them, and Cobalt recognized all three of the guests, although only from their clothes and general appearance, seeing as they too had apparently decided to remove their masks. A strange sight certainly, a masquerade ball where everyone had apparently decided to remove their masquerades at the first opportunity. Cobalt winced again slightly at the thought of removing his own, some did not only wear a mask because the invitation had called for one.

As the two groups neared each other, Cobalt surveyed the other group. The good doctor seemed to have gotten his wish to be closer to Amaranthine, although he might have been less pleased about the apparent circumstances, leaning on the slight woman for support. The brief conversation between the servant and the Lord answered the question of why, Cobalt's brow rising slightly in surprise beneath his mask. Shot? That certainly shook things up. Not only that, but another of the guests had apparently met their demise. Cobalt may not have been gone for too long, or at least he didn't think he had been, but he had certainly missed a lot.

A thought suddenly crossed Cobalt's mind and he glanced around at the guests now gathered in the room. He counted seven guests between the two groups, including himself. Mauve was not among their number. Could she be the recently deceased? The thought sent a slight shiver down Cobalt's spine. They had been in the same room when he had passed out after all. He had hardly enjoyed waking up with a pounding head in an underground chapel, but had she met an even worse fate? Come to think of it, he had been with the good doctor and Amaranthine just moment before he had passed out. Perhaps if he had lingered with them, it would be him that had been on the receiving end of a gunshot! Cobalt hadn't heeded Jane's warning enough, there seemed to be death and injury waiting around every corner!

The apparent shooter didn't look like much, a short and slender woman, and Cobalt made a note not to judge anyone by their appearance. Besides, if she had already presumably pulled a gun from somewhere within her skirts, who knows what else she could have stashed away? On the other hand, she might be a useful person to know, and she was pretty after all. Not the type that Cobalt would normally be drawn towards, but this was proving to be far from a normal night. Cobalt watched her for a moment, deciding his next move. She intrigued him, if nothing else, and if it wasn't for the sizable servants that seemed intent on watching her every move, he may have even gone over to meet her properly. That introduction, however, would have to wait unfortunately.

[Lady Absinthia]

Mr. Titian

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Starry Salon -> Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Titian looked at Cobalt and noticed that his hand went up and then right back down. He wasn't removing his mask apparently. That seemed odd, everyone else had removed theirs. Him keeping it on would actually draw even more attention to him than if he had taken it off. But hey, it wasn't his problem and if he wanted to wear that thing, more power to him. For all Titian knew the man had a larger scar on his face than Titian had on his own. Maybe it was better for everyone that he kept it on. Walking from the Starry Salon over into the Central Hall, it was where the stair case was, among other things. He caught one more glance of himself in the mirror before finally exiting the Starry Salon fully.

Once in there he kept walking and stopped as he spotted Quinton and some others. Took him a minute but then he realized just who they were. The first one that got his attention was Amaranthine. His brow quirked as he looked at her without her mask. That wasn't what he had expected. Not that he had actually taken the time to expect anything but he was still surprised. She looked tougher than she acted. She looked to be having to help another walk. Oh yeah, Dr. Swamp. Well he looked like he could use some sleep and of course, he wasn't impressed by the mans looks. I mean he wasn't totally unfortunate but he was no Titian. He chuckled some to that thought before finally locating the petite Professor Walnut and he grinned at her. First time he had really been able to see her eyes, they both did and did not fit her face. Made her different, but then again, she had already proved to him, that one couldn't under-estimate her. He gave her a bit of a wink.

Then looked over towards Amaranthine, whom he had spoken with in the hallway earlier. "Want me to carry him up?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

[Sigil]

Dr. Swamp

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 2
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The collection of people gathering in the Central Hall was eye-opening, when Swamp gave it consideration. It seemed an interesting social phenomenon; knowledge of the bridge being destroyed had compelled the unwanted guests (himself included) divest themselves of their masks. It did make sense from a practical point of view, just as much as it made sense to keep them on when the event was more temporary in nature. Swamp wondered who was the first person to come to that conclusion. In the end, that was a detail that didn't matter, given their current situation.

There was much discussion about just that, their current situation. He had his own opinion, which he felt obliged to share aloud to whomever card to listen. "The bridge... is to prevent our escape. This is murder and chicanery. And we are helping whomever is responsible with our individual pettiness." It was probably true. But he realized that he might be perceived as rude, being as the Chanteuse offered him a suggestion he had not addressed first. He nodded grimly to the woman, intoning, "I apologize. Good idea. I could use a few seconds to steady myself." This whole "being shot" thing was fairly new for him. "Safe than sorry, Miss."

The brief pause to allow for others to choose their direction gave him a moment to study the people around him. Then again, it did not take a great deductive mind to see that the man known as Justice Cobalt had opted to keep his own mask on his face. Being as he was the only one so doing this, it rather had the opposite effect to its intended purpose, and made him look more conspicuous than the others. Of course, Swamp knew that he had his reasons. "I would reserve the judgemental stares that some of these people are giving the good Justice. My Lord is a little self-conscious about his extensive facial scarring. It is quite unbecoming to stare so at our betters." He gave a plain smile at Cobalt, "Pay them no mind, My Lord. Jealousy, I am sure."

The matter of Titian, however, was a little different. "The Chanteuse is performing admirably, subject to her own judgement. Though I appreciate." He remembered the last person that Titian "helped". It involved a brief flight and a panoramic view of the grounds before being reduced to uncased sausage stuffing back on the ground. Swamp knew it wasn't his doing. Nevertheless the incident left an impression, albeit in hindsight. He had some trust for Amaranthine. Titian, he was still unsure about. Unless the Chanteuse gave her approval, Swamp was not going to encourage anything.

[Romero]

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt's decision to not follow the example set by the others and shed his mask had clearly not gone un-noticed. But then, he hadn't expected it to. Considering he was the only one in the room who had decided to maintain any sense of anonymity, it was always going to draw some attention. Cobalt had lived his whole life drawing attention, he didn't see any reason to stop now.

Unfortunately, it seemed that the good doctor wasn't as wounded as he had first appeared, or at least not wounded enough to shut his mouth. Cobalt had hardy liked the man when they were competing for the Chanteuse's attention, but that was quickly turning into an active dislike. He was lecturing about pettiness, but Cobalt was sure that Walnut had her reasons for revealing her hand so early and shooting him. That, or she had some personal vendetta against the doctor.

As if he could hear Cobalt's thoughts, the doctor turned his attention towards him, and the other man's tone made Cobalt's skin crawl. He suddenly found himself wishing that Walnut was a better shot. Regardless, the man's words were speculation at best, and nonsense at worst. Clearly Cobalt had done something to ruffle Swamp's feathers, but Cobalt wasn't the type to cower. He held the doctor's gaze, his own face impassive before returning the smile. He let the other man finish before speaking himself.

"You make a good point, doctor. Someone wants to trap us here, and I would hate for pettiness to rear it's ugly head any more than it apparently already has."

[rivaan]

Prima Rave

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Starry Salon. -> Central Hallway
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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As they left the Starry Salon behind and got to the Central Hallway's staircases, she paid a good look on the rest who had joined in with them. Apparently there was indeed someone dead. This concerned her quite a bit since as she could see the only missing person in that group, she was reasonably ready to say it was the Raven fellow. She was really wondering what had transpired there, but her attention was pulled away for a brief moment as the Lord spoke out to answer the question posed by Moss. This was a really ancient place then. She wasn't one to know much details about events that far past. It never came as a priority to know, but this place was magnificent never the less.

Rave didn't exactly have a thing to compare it to that she had personally visited before, but experiences so far suggested it was probably ages ahead of everywhere else. Especially that mechanical thing that brought them over to the main part of the Manor from the entrance. That was just crazy thing to have here? Who had made that? Did they have it from before the time when books went blank? Or was it invented after that? She finally pondered it for a while and decided to try to ask." Excuse me, Lord Bardolf, but 2hat about the engine that brought us to the Manor? Was that always here, like the Estate?"

She then returned her eyes on the ones who had joined them again. The doctor was well injured, but if they were moving him about, it shouldn't be too dangerous. The one who seemed to have shot him is the one who was assisting earlier? This confused Rave a lot, but the professor wasn't being locked away, so it probably was fine? Doc also didn't seem angry? Just what had transpired there, now that was a good question. Still they too had taken masks off. Finally the big guy offered to aid with bringing the doctor around because of hte injury. That made sense, it would be most easy for him. She shuddered at the doctor's statement on their situation." But... if they want to do something, they have to be here with us, right? They should be trapped with us right?" She asked, wondering and confused. Otherwise why trap them?

[Lady Absinthia]

Chanteuse Amaranthine

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Amaranthine glanced over towards Professor Walnut and quirked a brow. "My own experience." It was all she said before turning her attention away from the woman. Whatever people might have known about her public life, no one knew anything about her private life and she wasn't about to change that. Especially not to a person who had just shot the man she was trying to help up the stairs. Or would be once the others were out of the way that was. Though it seemed they would be waiting a tad longer. Her eyes following Quinton as he went to speak to the Lord of the manor. Most of the conversation was whispered but it was made clear that Walnut had just been outed to the rest of the group about shooting Dr. Swamp.

Glancing over at Justice Cobalt, she noted he hadn't removed his mask. She could understand wanting to keep it on. She hadn't exactly been happy about removing her own but considering they were stuck there for an extended amount of time, it would have to come off eventually. If one didn't remove it on their own, chances were in her book the Lord of the Manor would tell him to or it would fall off during sleep. Sleep? What were they going to do about that? She hadn't been in the Ballroom when that was addressed but she wasn't going to now. She just wanted to get Dr. Swamp up to the sewing room so she could get a look at his wound.

Looking back over at Dr. Swamp she shook her head and then looked towards Titian. "I believe we can handle it together, thank you though for the offer," she said in kind but firm voice. Seemed someone had questions to Lord Bardolf, good ones but she didn't like the idea of the person responsible for all this being trapped in here with them.

[FantasyChic]

Debutante Blush

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Location: Second Floor Stair Landing (Going Up)
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Blush had half a mind to remind the man that there were plenty of people out there that would take one look at a grand mansion like this, snowy weather or not, and see it ripe for the picking. Guards and security be damned. Blowing up the bridge, however, well now that was not someone keeping others out. It was keeping them in that was the goal. She was not afraid, of course, far from it. This was, by far, the most exciting thing to happen on this trip. And she saw someone get blasted off from a chair!

She kept her thoughts to herself though. It was best not to trust anyone. “I would like to meet this Lord Bardolf then and quickly. We are essentially sitting ducks here and I do not doubt for one second that tonight’s events will be over. I will not stand around and pretend all is fine and go about being here with someone who is dangerous.” Blush left it at that, not signaling her thoughts otherwise. She was curious about what would happen now.

She was happy to be heading back upstairs though, knowing she did not get to explore it all fully. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be doing much more up here, but just because she could not search the rooms did not mean she wouldn’t be able to obtain information. People were just as handy as a locked drawer or a mysterious bookshelf at providing information. It was only a matter of what one did and said to unlock those secrets.

[Lady Absinthia]

𝕄oving 𝕆n 𝕌p:3

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Lord Bardolf looked over as people spoke, Jonas getting a motion from Quinton to go ahead and go take care of things. The large man turning and leaving the room, going back into the Grand Vestibule and then turning in the direction of the Breakfast Room before going out of sight. The lord of the manor looked towards Rave and rested his hand on the stair railing. "I would suspect it has been here as long but one cannot be sure. Records are so hard to come by in these matters, even after the storms came," he answered after a few moments. "Yes, I would think they meant to trap you here and I would like to believe that in that they are trapped as well but if this night has proven anything, even I do not know what all goes on under my won roof," he said as he balled his fist up against the railing. It was obvious the more than man thought about it the more he vexed he became.

Maestro glanced over to Blush and smiled slightly. "Then you shall soon, he said he would be joining us up in the State Dining Room shortly, might as well get a good seat. I have heard that seating has been a issue so far," he said before motioning up the stairs and continuing on his way. When they reached the third floor he stopped and glanced around. They were on the third floor balcony and could see down to the main floor. Blush had been through here a couple of times already. "Now for the long walk around to the State Dining Room," the Maestro mused outloud. "Shall we go or do you wish to wait here?"

"Come now, let's be on our way, it is a long climb to the third floor," Lord Bardolf said before he continued on his way from the main floor to the second floor landing. The stairs turning at each landing and going up again. Quinton remained where he was and kept an eye on the three that were in his charge for now.

"Stay here until they have cleared the way," Quinton said in a dry tone as Lord Bardolf stopped on the second floor landing, waiting for a moment for those that needed to catch up to. He did not seem to want them anymore spaced out than they were already being.

[BlueSky44]

Sister Penance

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Lunar Ballroom -> Starry Salon
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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She could understand Moss's question, but she wasn't so sure that now was the time for it. It likely was to help break the tensions in the group, but that didn't matter at the moment. Odds in her mind of that happen was next to impossible no matter what anyone else might think. Tensions were likely going to be running high no matter what, now all that mattered really was what was going to happen now, especially since it seemed like everyone was gathering all together in one place. That question still bugged her as to who would want them all to be at the manor and for what sort of purpose. It was definitely an interesting sort of puzzle to think about that was for sure, but she was unsure of what else to say to the others.

Penance noticed that she was one of the stragglers of sorts, one of the last ones to leave the ballroom for the next room over, but that did not matter much to her. As long as she followed along and could hear what was going on, that was the main thing that mattered. She heard something else mentioned really, but wasn't close enough to hear what it was. Curse her for being slow! As she noticed that she missed things that might be important to know later on. This is what she got for being the slow person after all. She was curious as to what exactly had happened, but decided not to ask. Maybe if she was lucky they'd stop from wanting to leave the next room over for a moment so that she may more easily catch up.

[Nallore]

Captain Moss

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Location: Starry Salon -> Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Captain Moss turned his attention towards Amaranthine and Dr. Swamp as well as Quinton to, he wondered how a gun was able to be smuggled inside as well. But he shook his head at the thought he was about to offer to help out with Swamp, but Titian beat him to it and he was also declined to. Then he heard Lord Bardolf speak about someone else being dead which just made things so much better now being in the building with people he didn't know, and a killer going around. He listened to Rave as she asked more about the manor itself more specifically the ride that they were all ridden in on. It was pretty interesting it seemed like something that was recent, but it was just as old as the mansion was.

Rave's other question didn't set well with him either, the person who brought them all here was also possibly trapped in the manor with them. And what the lord said was also a bit uncomfortable for him to hear that he doesn't hear everything that goes on under his own roof, Moss looked around at the others once more, he didn't really know who else to trust at the moment. But Captain Moss nodded slightly, and started to slowly make his way up the flight of stairs following Lord Bardolf further up the stairs. "How many floors are there exactly in this place?" Captain Moss asked, the place was really big and he wasn't sure what else this place had either it was a pretty nice and interesting place aside from the possible blackmailer and killer here as well.

[Lady Absinthia]

Mr. Titian

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall -> Second Floor Landing
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Titan half way smirked and half way let out a chuckle at both Dr. Swamps and Amaranthine's answer to his offer. Holding his hands up as if to say he was defeated, in a mocking fashion he cast a cheeky grin. "Hey, fine by me. Less blood on my clothing," he said before giving a bit of a wink. It didn't matter to him really. He had already told the short dark haired woman that she should turn on her heels and go the other direction when they had crossed paths earlier in the evening but she hadn't listened. He figured she wouldn't now. Anyways, there was another man with them, who looked to be their own personal guard at that point. He had seen the man several times so far and had even spoken to him. Sure he wasn't as pretty, who was? And of course he probably wasn't as strong, who could be? But hey he could probably lift that scrawny man. If he couldn't then what the hell was the man doing there anyways?

Not that any of these thoughts really crossed his mind though. His eyes were fixated now on the woman he had been walking around the manor earlier. She was full of surprises. There was a knowing smile on his lips as he looked at her but he moved forward and kept following the lord of the manor up the stairs. Hearing Lord Bardolf say it was a long climb to the third floor, and then Moss ask a question, he had to wonder if maybe the man was too far behind or was pressing for more. Looking at him he shrugged. "At least three," he chuckled before bounding up to the second floor landing and looking over the railing at the floor below. Turning his head he looked up and noted where the ceiling stopped. Yeah, at least three but was there more? Above or below? He didn't care. Leaning back against the railing he waited for the others to catch up and watched Lord Bardolf, who looked as vexed as ever.

[Romero]

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall -> Second Floor Stair Landing
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt was glad that the Lord of the Manor was moving onwards, he had just been beginning to feel the faint scratching of impatience as the group continued to swell at the foot of the stairs. Not wanting to be left behind, least of all if it meant spending more time with the doctor, Cobalt set off up the stairs himself, close behind the Lord. As he climbed, he glanced over his shoulder at the group behind him. Any one of them could have arranged to blow the bridge, any one of them could be blackmailing any one of the others. He had a feeling that the drama of the night was only just getting started.

As Cobalt scanned the group of faces, he felt the slight headache from earlier spring back into life, causing him to wince slightly and look away. His mask suddenly felt tight, and he reached out to lean on the banister for a moment, at least until his head stopped spinning. He hoped that it was just brought on by stress, and not some lingering reminder of whatever had knocked him unconscious earlier. Maybe he should remove his mask, it should help him focus better if nothing else. But no, he had kept it on for a reason, and a slight headache wasn't going to change his mind.

Looking up, Cobalt saw that the lumbering giant of a guest had already passed him on the stairs, presumably bounding up while Cobalt had been struggling to focus. He seemed to be amusing himself waiting for everyone else, and who was Cobalt to disappoint? Taking his own ascent more carefully, Cobalt climbed up the staircase, towards whatever lay above.

[Morose]

Professor Walnut

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 3
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Was it annoying that she was instantly outed as the shooter? Yes. However, the lord had earlier thanked whoever had killed Director Kindle, so perhaps he would approve that she had attempted to shoot Dr. Swamp. It was the main reason that she wasn't more than slightly irritated to have her actions be reported. She still stood by them - she had gone into the room with genuine intentions, attempting to help Dr. Swamp save a man's life, and then he turned it into attempted murder - well, successful murder. Perhaps he had somehow been working with Titian. It would make some sense. Titian had been aiding the poor woman who ended up dead via the chair - perhaps the two of them together were the blackmailer. It would make sense - Swamp would be the brains and Titian the muscle.

She caught the slight wink from Titian and she gave him no visual response. If she were to keep a list of those who had betrayed her and would be considered enemies, she would have added his name - his pseudonym at any rate. The man still wearing his mask was speaking with Dr. Swamp, something that Walnut made sure to take note of. Amaranthine didn't give her much, though Walnut knew her true identity so it was what she expected. Such figures had to keep things under the wraps. The servant told them to wait as the others continued the climb, with Walnut glancing around with a bit of impatience. She wanted to slip back into the crowd, to no longer be marked in their eyes as a mad shooter - of course, that could work to her advantage. Whoever was there to blackmail them, perhaps they would be scared. Since not only were they trapped here, but the blackmailer was trapped here with Walnut.

[Sigil]

Dr. Swamp

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 2
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"Oh indeed, Justice," agreed Dr. Swamp. He gave the man a nod that was positively conspiratorial. Even smiled slightly, be the gesture tinged with a strain of voice and sheen of perspiration across his brow; an additional gift brought about by the strain of movement coupled with that damnedable gunshot. It might be said that the Doctor wore his heart on his sleeve, being as his attempts at social niceties were, as he admitted earlier in the evening, were rarer than most people's. Perhaps it was because of the sudden lack of a facial covering that hid his features and expressions thereof that made his stand out more. Well, his interpersonal failings aside, he didn't want to dally too horribly much. There wasn't a lot of trust among these people, even if they could now see each other's faces clearly. There was a wolf among sheep here, and the ones that got picked off were oft on the edge of the herd, or falling behind the group.

Amaranthine had expressed a wish to hold back for a little, seeing where people were going. That was likely a good tactic as well. Just not too far back. He likewise wanted to take it easy while ascending the stairs for his sake as well as hers. Also, there was the matter of the instruction left by the rather imposing man, Quinton. Swamp looked to his very benevolent helper and reassured, "At your rate and time, of course." He then shifted himself, giving the Chanteuse as little of his weight as he could bear. She had her own issues to deal with, carrying other things in addition to himself. The presence of his cane did come in handy for that purpose. But, one issue at a time. "I shall find some way to repay your kindness if I can, Chanteuse Amaranthine," he whispered to the woman, otherwise quietly waiting on the word from their host's houseman to continue.

[Lady Absinthia]

Chanteuse Amaranthine

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Amaranthine didn't say anything for a bit. She was just standing there, watching the people as they passed. Every so often her eyes would looked around the room in general or over towards Quinton. They were going to be standing there and waiting for a bit seemed as people were not keeping together as a group. It was best to wait so Swamp could take his time. She didn't want to ask for help from another, so it was better if they went slow for her sake as well. She wasn't exactly built for hard labor it seemed. It wasn't that she was weak but being a certain and height and weight did have its limitations. There was just no getting around that. The main reason she didn't want to ask for help though was easy enough to figure out. She didn't trust anyone in that house.

She wasn't sure if she trusted the doctor next to her either but out of everyone there, he was the best thing she had. At least he had been kind so far. To her at least. The woman wasn't naive though. If she was there for a reason, at this point the rest had to be as well. Where they innocent or guilty? And of what? It would matter at one point but right then it didn't. Looking over at Dr. Swamp she shook her head. "There is no need. Kindness is a gift and gifts need no repayment," she said in a kind voice. Watching people ascend the stairs she waited. "Are you holding up? Should we seat you until the rest have cleared the way?" she asked after a moment of thought.

[rivaan]

Prima Rave

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Central Hall -> Second Floor Landing
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Rave nodded when she received and answer from the Lord."I see..." Her reaction carried a mixed degree of emotion in it. It was an asnwer she was actually glad to hear, all things considering, but maybe it wasn't one that she was quite hoping to get. There was a certain part of her that may have been hoping the lord and his people had created that marvel after the books blanked and all that. If it was that case, it would be a good omen for the future that maybe such things would spread far and wide. Still since that wasn't the case, it gave her a little sense of calmness and security, that there weren't seemingly marvels created out of nowhere. In any case, she was glad to have taken a ride on it, it would be a nice story to remember and tell if she ever got a chance to leave this place eventually. She wondered if people would believe her if she ever told them of the marvelous engine thing.

At the second part of hte answer, she shut up and kept quiet though. The lord didn't seem pleased of the fact that there were things going underneath his roof htat he wasn't aware of. That was a perfectly valid reason to be angry about, she had to admit. She didn't pull the matter any further, but quickly started walking up the stairs as they were told they were going upwards and further than she had intially thought htey would. She had honestly expected the area they would have the dinner at would be the second floor. The revelation they were having it on the third floor instead was rather surprising. A few questions popped up in her mind, such as why would the dinning hall be on the third floor? Usually the kitchens should be on the ground floor, so was this meaning that they were bringing the food all the way from the first to the third one? Still she chose not to ask this right now, Rave expected the answer would be revealed sooner or later even without possibly getting on the Lord's nerves any further with pointless questions.

[Lady Absinthia]

𝕄oving 𝕆n 𝕌p: 4

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Stepping over to the one large one known as Titian, Lord Bardolf looked down over the railing to the floor below and then looked over to the stairs. Watching as more people started coming up. There were a few stragglers but it seemed they were coming. Titian had answered the question for him. There were at least three floors. Yet, that wasn't the entire answer. "Five, to be precise," he said as he stood there to answer Titian. While he hadn't been the one to ask the question, the one that had was still a bit behind. He was just answering in general at this point. Taking a breath he reached into his front vest pocket and pulled out a pocket watch, looking at it before slipping it back in. Not that time mattered right now. At this point whatever plans he had for this evening were no longer in play.

Downstairs in the Central Hall, Quinton was waiting for the rest to climb the stairs. "Pick up the pace before you get left behind," he said to any that hadn't moved onto the stairs as of yet before casting a glance towards the three that he would be escorting up to the Sewing Room. The large man that had been with them was now supposedly taking care of the ones that had never joined the main group. The one known as Creme was really dragging her feet about things. And when she got into the Central Hall, she didn't go towards the stairs, she went towards Quinton. He quirked a brow as he motioned for him to come closer. He quirked a brow as she spoke into his ear. "You sure about that?" he asked her and she nodded. "Fine, wait here for now then," he said flatly in a dry tone and crossed his arms over his chest.

A short woman came out from the balcony area of the second floor, she looked at the Lord of the Manor before nodding towards him and making her way down the opposite set of stairs that lead down to the Central Hallway. She looked around a moment before crossing the room and exiting it through the door on the west side of the house, shutting the door behind her. Quinton took notice of her and tilted his head to the side, like a dog in question but he didn't say anything. After a moment he looked towards Dr. Swamp. "Try not to bleed on the floor, I don't want to hear it from Margarete," he mentioned in passing before looking back at the group and hoping they would hurry the hell up.

[FantasyChic]

Debutante Blush

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Location: Second Floor Stair Landing (Going Up)
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 4
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Blush recollected the time that a chair blew up into the sky, sufficiently ending the life of the person sat upon it. Surely a spectacle like that would not happen twice in an evening. Right? Perhaps she would check her chair upon finding one, just to be on the safe side. “Yes, today’s events have been rife with intrigue. Curious that it all happens on tonight of all nights. But I digress, do lead the way dear heart. All of this walking up and down these stairs have left me quite famished.”

She had not had much to eat, admittedly, as she was more interested in the house itself, but it stood to reason she could eat a horse if it was served properly in front of her, perhaps with some mint jam and toast points. She followed Maestro closely, though she had been around here before. Did he know that though? She dared not ask. Better to play the role of the unknowledgeable. As far as anyone knew, she merely walked up the stairs to freshen herself up for dinner.

Then she was reminded she would be dining with the others she came with. While some had sparked a certain interest, some of the others seemed dull. Perhaps she would find one of the ones that piqued her and enjoy their company. That would make recent events seem like distant memories. Though she had to admit, this was all starting to be too coincidental. Maybe she would be on her guard now.