Romero

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

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."

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

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.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A

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William was glad to see that the driver had followed his example. He had to admit that he was reluctant to turn his back on the warmth and hospitality of the kitchen so quickly, but the news that their arrival had brought, and the mood that had subsequently settled, had certainly imbued a chill in the room, and William was loathe to remain any longer than he had to. Regardless, he still had some food, and as he walked, he ate, humming some half-forgotten tune between bites. He glanced across at the driver and saw that the other man was eating on the move as well. William allowed himself a slight smile. The man was rough-edged, but he was a good man, one of the hard-working and honest types. If the bad feeling that William got around Rutherford wasn't just a hunch, then the driver could prove to be a useful ally.

Almost as if just thinking his name could summon him, William caught sight of Rutherford, standing by the carriage, as they came around the side of the house. He didn't look to be in the best of moods. The driver spotted Rutherford at the same time, jumping slightly in surprise and quickening his pace. William saw that Millicent was also standing by the carriage, although whether that was at all by her choice, he couldn't tell. After a quick exchange of words, it appeared that they had been wrong when they thought that Egerton's departure meant that their own would be delayed, it looked like they would be heading on without the other man. This at least brought a smile to William's face. From a practical standpoint, it meant that if this whole thing did come to violence, Rutherford would not have a man at his back. But more importantly, it meant William wouldn't have to endure that toad any longer.

Rutherford and Millicent had already climbed inside the carriage by the time William reached it, but something stopped him from climbing in behind them. For a start, Rutherford had hardly looked like he was in a conversational mood, and there was also the matter of his last interaction with Millicent hardly going as smoothly as he liked. Making his decision, William closed the carriage door, and clambered up to sit beside the driver, taking another bite from the chunk of bread as he settled into his seat and prepared for the journey ahead.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Starry Salon
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt was half-way across the room when he heard the doors behind him open. He almost fell over with how quickly he turned. People, living, breathing and talking people! Cobalt could have cried out with relief. His nightmare was over, at least for now. He recognized the leading figure as the Lord of the Manor himself, he wasn't going to forget the cold welcome they had all received from the man in a hurry. The Lord spotted him, but if he was surprised by Cobalt wandering around on his own, he didn't show it, simply telling Cobalt to follow him as he headed towards the stairs himself. Seeing as it was the direction that Cobalt had already been headed, he was hardly going to object.

A strange troupe seemed to be tagging along behind the Lord, and it took Cobalt a moment to realise who they were. His fellow uninvited guests, who had apparently all decided to forgo their masks. One of them also spotted Cobalt, and seemed to recognise, booming out an unusual greeting. Cobalt would have recognized the other man's large frame, with or without his golden mask. If nothing else, the greeting suggested that Cobalt had only been missing a matter of minutes or hours, rather than days, which was reassuring. Although the lumbering giant did have a point, it certainly sounded like he had missed quite a lot in his absence. If they were trapped there, then it certainly changed the mood of the 'party', and Cobalt couldn't miss the other man's unspoken suggestion that he remove his own mask.

He winced slightly at the suggestion, one hand instinctively going to light touch his own mask, before hastily bringing his empty hand down to his side again, managing a smile.

"Thank you for the update, friend."

With that, Cobalt turned, following after the Lord of the Manor, keen to see where the group was being led.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A

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William was glad of the distraction as footsteps approached. The kitchen had quickly been becoming far too dreary a place, and all of the grief was starting to make William's skin itch. Grieving had always seemed like a weakness to William, not something that he had ever suffered from. If nothing else, it had robbed him of his appetite. Not least because he could imagine the disapproving looks from the servants if he started tucking into some cold meats while they were still reeling from the deaths of their friends. No, for now he would forgo the tray that had been prepared for him, instead turning towards the doorway expectantly, hoping that whoever came through the door might alleviate the mood somewhat.

No such luck. At least the butler's message suggested that the grieving would be alleviated, at least in the immediate vicinity. He was sure if he had known the two men, then William could regret their deaths, but he had never known the men in life. The only experience he had ever had with them was dragging their bloody carcasses off the roof of a carriage, and that could hardly be considered a bonding experience. He wasn't cold-hearted, or at least he didn't think that he was, so maybe he was being harsh on these people and their suffering. Lady Kirkpatrick certainly seemed to have anticipated the impact that their deaths would cause if she was willing to give her staff the rest of the day off. Compassionate was not one of the qualities that he had heard mentioned regarding Lady Kirkpatrick, but compassionate she certainly appeared to be. The woman was certainly full of surprises.

The butler trailed off, and silence descended over the room again. William glanced down at the untouched tray before him, and frowned slightly at the waste before rising to his feet, and glancing across at the cook.

"Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am, but I do not want to intrude any longer than I already have."

William half-turned away from the table, back towards the door of the kitchen, before hesitating. A pang of hunger hit him, and he decided that perhaps he could weather the disapproving glances. He glanced down the tray sitting in front of him, looking at it properly for the first time. Feeling a second pang of hunger, William carefully picked up the bread and slice of ham sitting there. Looking across at the cook again, William smiled slightly.

"Thank you again, ma'am."

William glanced at the driver for a moment, hoping the man would follow, before turning to leave the kitchen.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Trophy Room -> Starry Salon
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Another empty room. Cobalt decided that this must be a nightmare. It was better that than the reality of seeing no-one in this accursed manor. He would give anything for someone, anyone, to step out of the shadows. He'd take the irksome doctor, he'd take the four peculiar musicians, hell, he would even take the riddler and his damned bird at this point. Anything to break the infernal silence that seemed to stifle even the sound of his own footsteps.

At least here he had a choice. Analia had told him to keep going till he reached stairs, but a quick glance around the room told him that there weren't any stairs here. There were three doors though, and behind any one of them could be a crowd of his fellow guests. Or there could be another empty room. Cobalt physically shuddered at the thought. Focusing, he tried to work out if anyone was nearby. There might be no stairs in here, but the doors to his right were open, and through them, he could make out a staircase, presumably the ones that Analia had been guiding him towards.

She's told him to take a left, but as he stood there pondering his next move, he saw movement on the stairs, and his mind was made up for him. Even if it meant stumbling across a rampaging murderer, he would go towards anyone as long as it meant someone to break the silence. Besides, if it was a murderer, then at least it would give Cobalt something to do. Making his decision, Cobalt headed towards the stairs, and whoever awaited him there.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A

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William had been expecting a reaction, but maybe not one quite so jarring. It was foolish of him not to think that the bodies that they had laid in front of the house might be more than just travelling companions of Lady Kirkpatrick. Of course they were members of their household, and he wasn't surprised that the news of their death would cause shock, especially if they had been with the house for as long as it sounded like they had. Regardless, what was done was done, and he couldn't take back what he had said. If he'd thought about it, he might have given the news in a gentler manner, but in the end, it was better that they knew.

Despite the somber mood that had rapidly descended over the room, one detail did strike William. The news of the Soulless attack itself seemed to have caused barely a ripple. This may of course have been down to the shock at the death of the two men, 'Rory' and 'the Father', but in his mind, it went some way in proving his initial thoughts. The servants were confident enough in the safety of the house. Clearly Lady Kirkpatrick could handle herself, and he knew that the girl that had been with her could too, but in a house this size, he was sure there were plenty of other's who were trained to defend against the Soulless. And even if they weren't officially trained, he was sure plenty would have a weapon close at hand. Lady Kirkpatrick didn't come across as a fool, nor someone who would tolerate any.

Glancing down at the tray that had now been placed before him, William realised that a stony silence was threatening to fall over the room, the servants reeling from the news. Looking up at the cook, William nodded slightly, echoing the driver again.

"You have my condolences as well, ma'am. I am sorry that I was the bearer of bad news, they sound like good men."

William had never been good at dealing with grief. When his mother had died, he was still a boy, and he had never had time to grieve. And when his father was killed, William simply didn't know how to. He'd lived his whole life from one day to the next, always moving, never lingering in one place for too long. Maybe he was continuing his father's quest, maybe he was simply living the life of the musician, or maybe he was scared of what ghosts would catch up with him if he ever did stop moving.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Rocaille Room -> Trophy Room
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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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.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Joyous Corridor -> Rocaille Room
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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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.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A

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Not wanting to ignore the invitation to take a seat, William followed after the driver and took a stool of his own. He enjoyed the bustle of the kitchen at work, and he allowed himself to be lost in the noise of it for a moment. All his life, he had found music in the world, but not only flowing from instruments, but from life itself. The whistle of the kettle, the creaking of the floorboards, the footsteps of the kitchen staff, it was music, it was a rhythm, an overlapping mess of sounds that in William's head seemed to come together. William absentmindedly tapped his finger against his thigh to the beat as he watched the cook pour out two cups. He smiled in thanks, nodding slightly as he reached out and pulled the cup closer to him.

"I'll take it dark as well. Thank you, ma'am. For your hospitality as well as the tea."

William had expected the question before long, and he mulled over his answer for a moment. He knew that Soulless attacks were rare in these parts, and announcing that there had just been a sizable one almost a stones throw from the house could lead to a panic. Not only that, it might not be his business to discuss the comings and goings of the houses gentry. But then again, Lady Kirkpatrick hardly seemed to be a lady that would tolerate weak-willed servants, nor did she seem the type to leave a house like this vulnerable to a Soulless attack, no matter how slim the chances of that were. And was he really under any obligation to any of the Lords or Lady's? He'd accepted the offer of payment from Rutherford, but he didn't have any loyalty to him, and from his conversation with the driver, he didn't suspect the man would rat him out for gossiping.

His mind had been whirring, but only an instant had passed. Making his decision, William glanced up from his drink towards the woman, smiling slightly.

"We were travelling in the area when we stumbled across Lady Kirkpatrick and the remains of her carriage. It seems that she ran into some Soulless, but they were already dealt with by the time we arrived. I'm sorry to say that the corpses we have with us were two of her companions. As for where the Lord of the house has gone off to, I'm afraid I can't shed any light on that."