Romero

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt glanced across at the sound of giggling, the noise seeming totally out of place considering the situation they all found themselves in, but he wasn't entirely surprised to see who the sound was emanating from. The earlier hard edge to her remarks had clearly softened, and if Cobalt didn't know any better, he would say that Titian's brash charm was having the desired affect on her. That or she was just another actress, playing her chosen role. All of this was starting to give him a headache again.

They'd been invited to a masquerade ball, but it was quickly becoming clear that people didn't drop their disguises when they removed their masks. The pretense of the ball had been blown apart just as comprehensively as the bridge allegedly had been, but here they sat, caught in some bizarre mimicry of a dinner party, when any one of the guests sitting around the table could be a killer. Maybe Titian had the right idea in throwing off the shackles of polite society, this surreal situation could hardly get any stranger.

The still masked woman spoke again, echoing Cobalt's compliments of their host's hospitality, although with a far more licentiousness suggestion. Cobalt couldn't help but smile slightly. He had always thought he would die amongst blaggards and charlatans, so if he was destined to be cut down in the shadows of this house, then it would be almost fitting, considering his current company. His death seemed to quickly be becoming more imminent, judging by the tone of the Lord's voice as he spoke, but Cobalt's face didn't flinch.

Cobalt did hesitate though. There was a coldness behind the Lord's word, and the threat was barely veiled. Perhaps his time behind the mask was destined to come to an end, for the sake of his life if nothing else. The other still masked guest remained adamant that she would continue to wear hers, but her reasoning may be very different from Cobalt's own. Thankfully, the Lord's attention seemed to turn towards the pale girl that had taken the seat beside him, answering her observation of how the guests ranks had thinned somewhat since they arrived. One thing the Lord said did catch Cobalt's attention though. Escorted to the gate? A quick glance around the table brought one name to mind. Mauve.

Cobalt's train of thought was promptly derailed by a cry of pain, and he instinctively tensed as he turned sharply to find the source. Another guest, clearly in some discomfort, but he couldn't see any reason for it. Titian and another guest had already expressed their concern, as had the handsome man Cobalt had seen on the stairs, so Cobalt simply lent forward slightly, frowning as he awaited some form of explanation. In the rush of movement, and with everyone's attention turned away from him, Cobalt finally took off his own mask, laying it on the table beside him.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: N/A

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The lady seemed to be checking her surroundings, and William had to stop himself from holding his breath. Whoever this figure was, she had power, and although she had slain the Soulless, William still didn't know for sure what allegiances she held. With that in mind, he didn't totally relax his grip on the dirk in his belt as she turned back to face them, not yet. And the Circus? Before he could even open his mouth to question her answer, someone beat him to it.

To call the interaction between Rutherford and the woman an exchange would be an overstatement. Rutherford clearly recognized the woman, even going so far as to call her by her title, although looking at her... interesting dress sense, she wasn't like any Duchess that he had come across before. And it wasn't Rutherford that the woman seemed interested in talking to, brushing past him and greeting Millicent, still inside the carriage. However, just as William's curiosity was piqued, it was quickly made clear that whatever the two women had to talk about, it was a private affair. The 'Duchess' made that crystal clear.

Once Rutherford had clambered up to take an awkward seat on the roof of the carriage, his face looking like thunder, the driver started them forwards again, just as speechless about the turn of events as William was. He had wished for excitement, and excitement had, by all accounts, arrived. He should be careful about what he wished for next, in case it was waiting for them around the next bend. Glancing back at Rutherford, William saw that the other man hardly looked to be in a conversational mood. But of the three of them, he was the one who seemed to have the slightest idea of what was going on, so William spoke regardless.

"Still on to Gretna Green, sir?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Titian was an oaf. That, or he was playing the role very well. The lumbering man took a seat close to Cobalt's own, taking the chair directly next to their host, and promptly demanded drinks. Hardly a model guest. Cobalt doubted he would intervene if the Lord decided he had had enough of the big man. In fact, Cobalt might even help. Even though he had been, presumably, drugged since he had arrived into this house, he ensured he kept his own manners. He had already found two hidden doors, who knew how many secrets this house held that only the Lord and his servants would know?

The intriguing figure who also wore her mask was apparently not content to ignore Titian's remarks, and Cobalt glanced towards her again as she spoke. He couldn't help but smile slightly. A sharp mind and that dress? If she was hiding a pretty face under that mask then they were all doomed. But apparently it wasn't enough to dissuade Titian, who seemed to take the remark as a challenge more than anything.

A handful of other guests filtered into the room, taking their own seats silently, most of them choosing to sit further down the table. Seemingly satisfied with the numbers, the Lord rang a bell, and in a moment, steaming trays of food were carried over to the table by three servants that Cobalt hadn't seen before. Cobalt glanced at each of them in turn, but he held his tongue for now, not wanting to interrupt the bustle. Cobalt winced at Titian's next outburst, glancing over at the other man and frowning slightly. He had clearly committed to his role.

The butler that had greeted them earlier paused in his task of pouring wine, and Cobalt turned his attention to see a face peering into the room. Cobalt watched her as she moved across the room and took her seat. Again, Titian clearly felt the need to comment. Cobalt gritted his teeth, but he'd held his tongue for long enough. He glanced across at Titian, watching the man for a moment. If he was genuinely this thick-headed, then Cobalt was amazed he had survived this long. Big or not, this was a world filled with people you didn't want to get on the wrong side. And if it was all simply an act? Well then he was looking for a reaction. Attempting to change the subject, Cobalt turned his attention to the Lord of the Manor himself.

"This is a fine spread, sir. I admire your hospitality, considering the circumstances."

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Country Knowledge (Scotland)

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William really didn't like the look of this. The figure didn't respond to his hail, and he tightened his grip on the handle of his dirk. It didn't take long for his fears to be realised. One look at the blood-covered hands and extending fangs, and William knew that they were in for some trouble. It seemed his thirst for adventure may be about to be quenched. Gritting his teeth, William rose to his feet, and pulled his dirk free from it's sheath. He had opened his mouth to utter a warcry when things really went sideways.

Crows, a swarm of them, burst from the side of the road, and William had instinctively half-raised his arm when he realised it wasn't towards him they were flying, but to the creature on the road before them. The crows moved like a single force, and the monster never stood a chance. In another life, William might have even felt pity, but his heart had long been hardened against the Soulless that crawled from the shadows. Whatever it had been in life, it had lost, and it deserved suffering. In an instant, there was a cut-off scream, and the crows were gone as quickly as they had appeared, disappearing into the sky above them. Where there had been one figure on the road, there were now two.

The girl was slight, and the shredded fabric that clung to her was more like something out of a classical painting than it was common day-wear. If it wasn't for the bloodied sword she held in one hand, and the bruises and cuts that covered her pale skin, William could have almost thought she was a dream. Her accent was thick, but the voice itself was almost song-like, and William realised he had been standing motionless, dirk clutched in one hand, staring at the girl. Quickly gathering himself, William lowered his own weapon, but only slightly, and found his voice. It was a strange question, but then again, this was far from a normal meeting.

"Scotland, m'lady, on the road between Annan and Gretna Green."

William hesitated, glancing around the road for a moment before turning his attention back to the woman standing over the corpse of a Soulless.

"We appreciate your intervention but... Where did you come from?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Once they had gotten moving, the group hadn't hung around. The Lord of the Manor had led them through a string of rooms, and while Cobalt was pretty sure he could find his way back, he couldn't be totally confident. The only room that really caught his eye was one he could only describe as a room of swords. Something potentially useful to remember for the future, if nothing else. Regardless, the room they arrived into certainly didn't disappoint.

A ring of statues circled an almost outlandishly long table, seats laid out for more than two dozen diners, and Cobalt found his eyes drawn to the grand domed ceiling above. The room almost smelled like wealth, and for a moment, Cobalt's breath was taken away by the spectacle of it all. But when he did tear his attention away, he noticed that the group weren't the first to reach the room. The four musicians had already arrived, but thankfully they were sitting in silence for now. The figure that intrigued him far more, was the one that sat with them. Figure was the right word, and it took Cobalt a second to realise that she was still wearing her mask. Finally, he wasn't alone in keeping his identity hidden, although whether that would subside the side-wards glances, or only increase them, he didn't know.

Hearing the Lord's instruction to be seated, Cobalt decided that it would be a good idea to not ignore the man. Just as they were at the mercy of whoever had blown the bridge, they were at the Lord's manor so long as they were in his house, or on his grounds. Despite not relishing the idea of taking a seat, considering the chair-related incidents that had already occurred since his arrival, he moved towards the end of the table that the Lord had sat at. Not wanting to assume that other members of the household wouldn't be joining them, Cobalt paused at a seat a few places to the Lord's left, before pulling it out and sitting down, glancing back at the rest of the group as he did.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Perception

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Wise words. William had almost been caught up in those webs before himself, once or twice, and he knew how deep they ran. The rich and powerful lived in their own world, and it wasn't luck or manners that let them keep their grand titles and fancy country homes, it was a ruthless determination. It was cut-throat, and anyone who thought that the world of nobility was all parties and good food was a fool. William opened his mouth to reply to the driver when the carriage suddenly jerked to a halt. It only took William an instant to realise why.

His hand went instinctively to the ebony hilt of the dirk on his belt, and he frowned slightly. Whoever the figure was, it didn't move, despite the carriage sliding to a halt just a few paces behind it. William didn't like the look of this, and he glanced around where they had stopped, wary of a trap of some kind. Bandits weren't unheard of in this region, but it wasn't the thought of bandits that was worrying him. The surroundings seemed clear, but some instinct told him that they weren't alone. Years on the road had taught William to not ignore that instinct.

He put his hand on the driver's shoulder, keeping his grip on the hilt of his dirk as he gestured towards the brush to the side of the carriage, where he could have sworn he saw movement. Confident that the driver would stop them from being caught unawares, William turned back to the hunched figure on the road in front of them. Shifting forwards slightly in his seat, William shouted out to the man, hoping that his voice would not only carry to the figure, but also to the two passengers within the carriage.

"Greetings, stranger. Do you mind clearing the road for some fellow travelers?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: Second Floor Stair Landing
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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The rest of the group hardly seemed to be in a rush, something that Cobalt found surprising, considering the situation they all found themselves in. Other than the Lord, he counted only three other guests that were either already on the landing, or on their way up the stairs. Titian of course, but then the big man was hard to miss, but the two others were more interesting. The woman was striking, but not Cobalt's type. Although if he had to hazard a guess, he didn't think that he was her's either. On the other hand, the man was slight and short, a good few inches shorter than Cobalt, and almost a child next to Titian, but he wasn't ugly. His clothes were a little unusual, but each to their own. A door opening behind him suggested that another was joining them, and Cobalt turned to see who it was, half-expecting Mauve to step through.

No, not Mauve, but Cobalt wasn't going to complain. The girl was pretty, but certainly not joining them, quickly moving down the opposite staircase towards where they had come from. A shame. Cobalt turned as Titian spoke, not surprised that the man's spirits didn't seem to have been dampened. At the very least, he seemed to share Cobalt's growing impatience. Murders and plots there might be, but it hadn't stopped people from dawdling. For now, Cobalt held his tongue, standing back slightly from the group as they waited for them to move onwards. No-one seemed to have noticed his absence, and if anyone knew more about it, they were hiding it well. Very intriguing...

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: N/A

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The driver was right, William knew that just because someone had the means to pay, it didn't always mean that they would. Not only that, but his point about Millicent was an interesting one. Was she the wealthier of the two? Would that go some way to explain the strangeness of the whole coupling? William still couldn't quite figure out what was happening between the two. From what little he had heard Millicent say, it sounded like there was little love between the two, that there was something darker behind the marriage. To be frank, William's interest was starting to wane. He'd taken the opportunity to play, and the potential of adventure, but so far, his journey had been fairly disappointing.

The Soulless attack had been a point of interest, there was no doubt of that, but he'd only arrived in time to see the aftermath. The Kirkpatrick House, and indeed Lady Kirkpatrick herself, had also provided some entertainment, but he'd seen plenty of grand houses in his life, and although he wasn't sure he'd ever met anyone quite like Lady Kirkpatrick, he knew her type. Perhaps on another day, he would be more committed to freeing Millicent from the prison of a marriage she appeared to be careening towards, but in truth, she didn't seem like she wanted to free herself. He didn't like Rutherford, some part of him recoiled every time he looked at the man, but he was hardly about to fight the man over a woman he'd only just met. Especially not one already engaged, after all, he'd made that mistake before. Realising that he hadn't replied to the driver, William looked across at the other man and shrugged slightly.

"Perhaps. I always find it hard to tell with this sort. The sooner we get to Gretna Green, the better."

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

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.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green
Skills: N/A

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William half-turned as the driver spoke softly, but before he could reply, a heavy double tap on the roof of the carriage signaled for them to be on their way. They moved slowly up the drive, the house falling away behind them. William cast one glance back at it before it was lost from view, and wondered if he would ever see it again. William had no attachment to the house itself, nor to the people within, although they had seemed pleasant enough, but he regretted not being given the freedom to wonder the corridors, or to perform in the halls. He had spent most of his life as a performer, a travelling musician, and he knew that performing at a place like that, for a family with the type of reputation that the Kirkpatrick's possessed, could line his pockets for weeks. As the house was lost from view, William turned back to watch the road in front of them. Besides, he'd already been hired by Rutherford, and for all the bad qualities that Rutherford seemed to have, he hoped that not paying the bill wasn't one of them.

As the carriage started to pick up speed, William smiled, enjoying the feeling of the wind on his face. He spent enough time travelling, but it was on horseback, not the level of luxury that a carriage afforded. He could get used to this. The driver quickly cut short that idea, reminding William that they were only a short ride away from their destination. Regardless, William resolved to enjoy it while he could, he had a feeling that things wouldn't be so relaxing when they did reach Gretna Green. William paused mid-thought. If. If they reached Gretna Green. Millicent had felt the need to try and warn him off, and it was clear that there was something dark lurking behind that relationship. There were dark things at work, and they weren't entirely limited to the Soulless that had started to emerge from the shadows.

William could tell that the driver was starting to get restless about his own hiring, and he could hardly blame him. What was probably promised to be a quick journey the short distance to Gretna Green had quickly gone off-track. Not only had they stumbled across the chaotic scene of the Soulless attack, that chance encounter had then seen them detour even further. And now that they had finally set off again, it was already getting late, and it was unlikely that he would find another customer in Gretna Green, which meant that he would be travelling back to Port Annan on his own fare. William could understand that life, always looking for the next customer. He smiled, trying to show some sympathy, even if it was only to distract the driver from the long ride back to the port, keeping his voice low to save it reaching the pair sitting within the carriage itself.

"I hope the pay will be worth it. Rutherford may be a piece of work, but at least he's a rich one."