Romero

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎
Location: Shadowell Manor: Confinement (Attic)
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

Cobalt was a little surprised that the other male voice in the room seemed to be having some success with his investigation of the bed. He'd expected it to be a dead-end, but by the sounds of it, if someone could get a spark, then they could have fire, a primitive but elegant solution to the problem of both light and heat. The following series of thuds suggested that someone had indeed attempted to flip the bed. Judging by the fact the thuds stopped again, Cobalt presumed they had either succeeded, or given up. Or at least Cobalt hoped that was what the noise was. He heard a female voice apologize following the noises, and he decided that either no-one had been murdered in the darkness, or if someone had been, then the killer was very good, and surprisingly polite, in which case there wasn't much Cobalt would be able to do if she came to him next.

While he tried to orientate himself concerning where the others in the room were, Cobalt listened to the voices in the darkness. He was glad to hear that hear that several voices also seemed to turn on the woman who was clamoring about needing a plan. He allowed himself a slight smile, at least the majority of the guests he was trapped with seemed to have some sense. The female voice that had apparently reached the other door was asking for some light, or tools to help open the door, but Cobalt still held the belief that there wouldn't be a door to open. He'd definitely heard something collapse to the floor when Titian had fled, and unless the hulking man had taken the time to reattach the door, then Cobalt fancied that the doorway would be empty. Although if they did need tools, there was apparently no shortage amongst the other guests.

Cobalt glanced around, although it was useless in the pitch darkness, more of a force of habit than anything. He decided that he wasn't helping anyone standing by a locked door, so decided to head towards the other one, still sticking to the wall. Not wanting to take anyone by surprise, he spoke into the darkness.

"I'm going to try and get to the other door. Hopefully I can help you open it."

Before he set off, another voice came from across the room, and Cobalt frowned. The guest that Cobalt had already dubbed 'the planner' was apparently refusing to back down, but they did go someway to letting Cobalt know who they were. By the sounds of it, they were the same guest that had managed to stab themselves in the leg during dinner. Cobalt couldn't claim he was surprised. It stood to reason that somewhat who was foolish enough to stab themselves, was more than foolish enough to cling to needing a plan, rather than taking action. What really worried Cobalt is that it sounded like she was armed as well. He made a mental note to steer clear. Any one of the guests could be a killer, but 'the planner' was the only one who seemed likely to do it by accident...

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

---

---

William Fraser

---

---

Location: Gretna Green - Church
Skills: N/A

---

The more flamboyant of the Russian's hurried to do the bidding of the Duchess, carrying the corpse to the alter of the church, and William frowned slightly. The Duchess seemed to have assumed the closest thing to the role of a de facto leader for the strange group, and William was hardly about to get in her way. As it stood, at least from his albeit limited perspective, William was the only unknown in the room. The Russians owed apparent allegiance to the Duchess, and Millicent and 'Virginia' were clearly close friends, both seeming to also have some bond with the Duchess. Granted, there was another man who William didn't know, but judging by the way that William overheard him talking to the Duchess, he wielded some authority in his own right. So that left William. His priorities were more convoluted. Survive whatever this unholy haze was, and do what he could to protect Millicent, in that order. And from what he could see, the best chance of fulfilling both of those priorities was staying inside this church.

William took his eyes off the doors of the church for a moment as the flamboyant Russian laid a 'wedding present' at Millicent's feet. It was the first time that William had even thought of the wedding since everything had taken such a dramatic turn. It was the reason that he was even in Gretna Green, but the chance of it happening, and therefore the chance of William getting paid, had plummeted. For now, William would settle with getting out of this town in one piece. Something that had been sitting at the back of William's mind, just in the periphery of his vision, pushed itself to the foreground, and demanded his attention. There was a smell of fire in the air. From where he was standing, he couldn't see anything burning, or even any smoke, but he couldn't deny that the smell of fire still hung there. Was this another side effect of whatever was causing the infernal haze, or was it something even darker?

The doors of the church swung open again, and William's heart leapt into his mouth, readying himself to fight whatever came through, the scent of fire all but forgotten. What stepped through was a vision made flesh. The woman was stunning, golden hair framing an angelic face. William's arm dropped to his side, and he could only watch in awe. Between Millicent, 'Virginia' and this newcomer, William had never seen so much beauty in one room, let alone in a church. He struggled to tear his gaze away, but when he did, he was surprised to see the female companion of Lady Kirkpatrick from earlier. He hadn't expected to see the woman again, least of all here, and yet here she was, gesturing the newcomer towards Millicent. This was only getting stranger, and as William glanced around, he had a feeling it was only going to continue.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎
Location: Shadowell Manor: Confinement (Attic)
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

Doing what he could to mentally reign his impatience under his control again, Cobalt turned back to the doorway. In truth, he was expecting to find a locked door, seeing as it was more than likely that Titian had left through the other door, but he had to be sure. Once again, he reached out into the darkness. His fingers brushed against the doorknob, and he gripped it. Taking a deep breath, he pushed against the door and... it didn't move. Frowning, Cobalt adjusted his grip, putting his shoulder against the door and pushing again. And again, the door didn't move. It was still locked, and it was solid. Sighing slightly, Cobalt straightened up again. Hopefully the other guests would be having more luck.

By the sounds of it, someone had some sense at least, and had made it to the other door. It offered their best chance of a way out, and Cobalt had been about to try and make his way there himself. One of the two that had been making their way to the bed, the female guest, seemed to be suggesting that some of the bed frame itself could be used as a tool to ply one of the doors open. It was a sound idea in practice, but from what Cobalt had heard, it sounded as if one of the doors had been all but knocked off it's hinges already. If that was the case, then they wouldn't need the tool. It could certainly be useful as a weapon though, and Cobalt made a mental note of that.

The two guests whose lack of usefulness had irritated Cobalt earlier had clearly not heeded his suggestions. One of them seemed to be seeing sense about the doors, and it sounded like she might have some useful skills, but she was still apparently fixated on light. In truth, Cobalt had his own suspicions that someone in the room had a means of shedding light, but if they hadn't used it yet, then they likely weren't going to. It was the other voice that was really starting to grate Cobalt though. While most of the others at least tried to escape, she seemed content to sit there and cry out for a plan. Cobalt had a plan, and it was to get out of this room before he froze. What he did after that, he would decide when it was relevant. He kept his voice level as he spoke, careful to reign in his annoyance.

"The door we came through is still locked, so we're not getting out that way without some effort. You're welcome to come up with a plan, ma'am, if you're not going to be doing anything else, but I'd rather get out of this room sooner rather than later."

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

---

---

William Fraser

---

---

Location: Gretna Green - Church
Skills: Perception

---

The unusual pair had almost reached the church when a figure burst into William's peripheral vision. He barely managed to move out of the way as the shape moved into the church itself. Although he only got a fleeting glance, the Duchess was a distinctive figure, and not one that William was likely to forget in a hurry. Everything seemed to be coming together, but William had been playing the game for long enough to not let down his defences too early. The haze still clung to the town, and even standing on holy ground hadn't cleared it away. And Rutherford was still out there. Whether the two were related, William didn't know. But he wasn't going to take any chances.

Millicent's low voice caught William's attention, and he glanced down at her as she spoke, her own gaze looking after the Duchess. For a moment, he was sure he must have misheard her. A tiger? He glanced after the Duchess himself, not being able to stop himself from double-checking if there was an until-now hidden tiger near her. William had only ever heard about the big cats, he'd never had the chance to see one himself. He made a mental note of the information. Just one more reason to spend time in the company of the Duchess. That list was growing longer by the moment.

As Millicent led them inside the church, William followed close behind, and saw that there were others already inside. The flamboyant Russian that they had seen outside was unsurprisingly inside, clutching two knives and wearing a disturbingly wide smile. The Duchess had already rushed to the side of the corpse that William had seen earlier. Another man stood nearby, but it was the other woman that caught William's attention. And he was clearly not alone, Millicent calling out and moving towards 'Virginia', her hand finally slipping from William's as she moved towards the other woman.

She stood around the same height as Millicent, and clearly recognized Millicent as she approached, the two warmly greeting each other, although carefully maintaining the proper etiquette, rather than rushing into each others arms. Something about this Virginia intrigued William, and he found himself listening to her as she spoke to Millicent. It didn't take long for him to be glad that he did. Knowing that the Duchess had seen a vision of Millicent in danger, and that this woman had been sent to give assistance, answered some questions, but it inevitably raised still more. For now, William resolved to roll with the punches, and stick with what he did know. Regardless, he still found himself drawn to the stranger.

She was willow-thin, light-brown hair hanging just past her shoulders, but it was her eyes that caught William's attention the most. Like pools almost, blue-grey and seeming to promise there was a great depth behind them, even through the haze. They were the kind of eyes that awoke the musician within William, and despite the uncertainty that surrounded him, William's hand, that had been holding Millicent's until a moment before, began to tap a tune against his thigh. The sound of movement at the front of the church finally tore William's attention away, and his hand fell still. The Duchess seemed to be busying herself around the corpse, presumably carrying out whatever ritual she had mentioned earlier. All at once, William found himself somewhat adrift.

He was out of his depth with whatever the Duchess was doing, he was in no place to intrude on the two women reuniting, and he didn't know either of the other men within the church. For now, he would stick with his word, and watch their backs. And as far as William was concerned, the greatest threat lay beyond the doors, so it was there he would watch. Keeping his grip tight on the handle of his dirk, he turned to face the churches main doors, slightly squaring his stance as he waited for whatever was to come.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎
Location: Shadowell Manor: Confinement (Attic)
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

Cobalt's hand traced the door frame for a moment, eyes closing to concentrate on what he could feel, even though it made no difference in the pitch black. Finally, he moved to the door itself. If they were going to get out of the room, it stood to reason that the doors offered the best avenue for that. As he felt for the doorknob itself, to test if the door was still locked, his headache suddenly spiked. The pain was like a lance through the front of his skull, and Cobalt's couldn't help but wince, one hand instinctively going to grip his forehead. While he waited for the pain to subside, he couldn't help but overhear what his fellow guests were saying. What he heard did nothing to improve his mood.

Titian had come across as an oaf, but by the sounds of it, he may well have been the smartest one in the room. Two of his fellow guests had apparently found their way to the bed, but for what purpose? They were in a room that had been labelled as 'Confinement', and had clearly been imprisoned within it, so he doubted there would be a concealed tool hidden within the room. For a start, it would seriously undermine the effectiveness of the room in confining anyone. The only other male voice in the room seemed to speaking nonsense as well. No way out of the room other than the door that their friend had locked them out of? Trying to unravel that certainly wasn't helping Cobalt's headache. There had clearly been two doors in the room. The one that they had entered through, that Cobalt was now standing beside, and the one that Titian had been loitering by. If the man didn't realise that, then he was clearly just a pretty face.

The two guests fumbling about by the bed, Cobalt could just about tolerate, because at least in their own misguided way they were trying to help. It was the other two that were grating on him. Sitting there and lamenting their situation while doing nothing to change it. Cobalt's impatience had been bubbling for a while, and when he heard one of the guests, a female voice he couldn't place, suggesting they look for a light source, as if that was a revolutionary idea, he couldn't stop himself from letting off some steam, gritting his teeth as he spoke, keeping his voice as level and controlled as he could. If they needed to be led to the water to drink, then he was going to lead them, even if he had to drag them by their collars.

"By all means, ladies, you are more than welcome to help. Unless someone is able to magic light from thin air, then we need to focus on getting out of this room., so if someone can check the door that Titian was standing by, I'm sure we would all be grateful."

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

---

---

William Fraser

---

---

Location: Gretna Green
Skills: N/A

---

William knew that the Russians had been seeking holy ground, and he was glad to see that their aims still aligned, as he saw that the flamboyant Russian horseman had reached the church. Although in truth, the haze that seemed to still cling the town hardly made it easy to see what was going on. He assumed that the shape rising above the surrounding houses was a church, and he didn't see any alternative to that assumption, so he would have to work with what he had. He kept a tight grip on Millicent's hand, tugging her towards the building. The crowds seemed to be thinning now, as people continued to flee into their homes. Panic still filled the air though, and William had to fight to keep his own composure. Whatever was causing the very fabric of the world to shift and warp, it was unlike anything William had ever experienced. If something was causing, or someone, then they held a power greater than anything William had witnessed before. If William couldn't kill it, then he sure as hell hoped he could outrun it.

The church suddenly loomed above the unlikely pair, and William urged Millicent towards the doors as best he could. If he had had the time to look at himself in that moment, he would have laughed. William would gladly accept plaudits for his charisma and courage, both of them had been tested more times than he could count after all. But he was self-centered, and ultimately vain. He was good-looking and talented after all, he was allowed a little vanity. And yet some part of himself always seemed to rear it's head when he wanted it least. Some heroic intent, the same heroic intent that saw him willingly putting Millicent's survival above his own. He would never willingly admit it, but he valued that heroic intent, because it was the part of himself that was most like his mother.

William glanced over his shoulder as they reached the doors, half-expecting to see Rutherford at their back, but if the creature was close, then William saw no sign of him, although that hardly put William at ease. Until he had the stone walls of the church between himself and whatever Rutherford was, he wasn't going to relax his grip on the handle of his Dirk, or Millicent's hand. As he did what he could to watch their surroundings, he gestured to Millicent.

"Get inside, I'll watch our backs."

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎
Location: Shadowell Manor: Confinement (Attic)
Skills: Wisdom
Hit Points: 6
≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

Cobalt's headache had haunted him practically since he had arrived at the house, and the darkness that he was still surrounded by wasn't easing it. He had suggested that people try and find their way to a door, but instead one of his fellow guests seemed fixated on what they should do once they had escaped the room, fixating on whether they should stay close so as to not offend the household. It was all very well discussing the morals of their situation, but Cobalt wasn't planning to sit idly by while they discussed the ethics until they froze to death. He hadn't been with the group long enough to recognise the female voice that was talking, but he wasn't all that impressed by her train of thought, whoever she was.

At least some of the other guests seemed concerned with the practicalities of their escape, although whether they were acting on it, Cobalt still had no way of knowing in the darkness. Regardless, it was time for Cobalt to practice what he had preached. He had a wall at his back, so he wouldn't be left to fumble blindly in the dark. It stood to reason that Cobalt would only be able to travel so far along the wall before he reached a door, although whether that door would actually offer a way out of the room, Cobalt didn't know. Pressing himself against the wall as best he could, Cobalt began to move along it as best he could.

Thankfully, Cobalt hadn't moved far from the door, and he managed to find his way along the wall with relative ease. Considering it was the door they had come through, Cobalt suspected it would still be locked, but it was a start. And it was certainly more than anyone else seemed to have done. Even if they weren't going to do anything with the information, Cobalt figured he may as well share his progress with the other guests. They were in this together after all.

"I can check the door we came through. If someone can get to the other door as well, then we should be able to get out of here."

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

---

---

William Fraser

---

---

Location: Gretna Green
Skills: N/A

---

Instinctively, William slung his violin case over his shoulder, freeing up his other arm. He was used to the case's weight there, this wasn't the first time that he had had to defend himself while carrying his instrument. It was the tool of his trade after all, and he had spent years travelling the roads alone. The Soulless were a far rarer sight now than they had been in days gone by, but they still lurked in the shadows. Despite all of his appearance facing the things that go bump in the night, he still didn't want to have to face whatever Rutherford had become alone. He considered himself a brave man, but he wasn't an idiot. He didn't even know what the creature calling after Millicent was, and until he knew how to kill it, then he wasn't going to try and find out.

Millicent finally reached him, her hand grabbing his. In any other situation, William would have been taken aback by the gesture, but considering her fiance had just transformed into a monster before her eyes, he was willing to allow her this slip in etiquette. She agreed with William about where they should head towards, although amongst the chaotic panic that seemed to be taking over the town, William still had no idea where the church was. For now, he would settle with their destination simply being away from Rutherford. For a second, he was entranced by Rutherford, watching as the man, or whatever he was, called after Millicent, before seeming to be distracted by the grotesque appearance of his own face. Something was wrong with Rutherford's voice. William couldn't place what it was, but it seemed sweeter than it had been before. It was only Millicent tugging on his hand that finally pulled William's attention away.

The young woman seemed to have a direction in mind as she continued to pull on William's hand, the two of them still fighting through the crowd. It didn't take him long to see what she had seen. The flamboyant Russian that had greeted the Duchess earlier didn't exactly blend in, and William could see him through the crowd, not far from where they were. He was starting to regret not making introductions earlier. If he knew how to address the man, he could call out, but he had no clue, and even if he did, his voice might be lost amongst the noise of the crowd. Regardless, for all William knew, the Russian may recognise what Rutherford was. At the very least, he should recognise Rutherford as a threat, which put him firmly on the right side. William kept his grip on Millicent's hand as he moved towards the Russian, pushing through the crowd. He glanced down at the young woman for a moment, but now wasn't the time to offer any words of support, not until they'd left Rutherford far behind them. So he opted for practicality instead.

"Stay close"

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

---

---

William Fraser

---

---

Location: Gretna Green
Skills: N/A

---

Whatever was causing the world to shift and distort, it wasn't going away. William was struggling to focus through the haze, jostled by the flow of people suddenly moving past him. He heard Millicent cry out again, even above the simmering panic, and as he looked towards her, they locked eyes for a moment. There was fear in her eyes, a sheer horror that William had only seen a handful of times before. Something was very wrong here, and it wasn't just his shifting vision that was making him feel sick anymore.

William finally pulled his Dirk free. He couldn't fight the haze that had seemed to descended over the world, but some base instinct told him that he would need the blade. It had never failed him, and it seemed to hum in the air. William's connection to his violin was instinct, it was natural, but his connection to his shortswords came from countless hours of training. That was not to say his connection was any less, the Dirk felt like an extension of his arm, and it seemed to sharpen his mind as Millicent fought her way through the crowd towards him.

The flow of people suddenly seemed to shift, pushing back against William where it had once been moving past, and he had to plant himself to not be swept away. He looked past Millicent, looking for Rutherford, and saw him. In an instant, William's blood ran cold. His face was wrong. Even through the haze, it made William's stomach turn, the nightmarish vision of Rutherford, or rather whatever foul creature had been calling itself Rutherford.

Pushing through the crowd as best he could, the adrenaline pumping through his veins driving his motions, William moved towards Millicent, shouting to be heard above the crowd as an idea fought it's way through the haze.

"The church! We need to get to the church!"

It wasn't just the thought of divine protection that was fuelling William. He knew that the Russians were looking for holy ground, and William was suddenly very keen to see the Duchess again. Or at least her sword.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎
Location: Shadowell Manor: Confinement (Attic)
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

Maybe it was just Cobalt's other senses sharpening now that his sight had been robbed from him, but the distinctive smell that Cobalt suddenly found filling his nose was enough to tell him that someone was lying. Someone in the darkness had a means of bringing light, or at least if they didn't, they would be an embarrassment to their trade. Just as that thought crossed Cobalt's mind, a darker one slipped in as well.

Cobalt had heard stories that those who spent their lives in the darkness grew accustomed to it, that their eyes adjusted over time to the point that they could see in the dimmest light. If their was someone in the room who had the means of bringing light, what reason could they have for not doing so? Unless the darkness was their greatest advantage, and this was the opportunity they had been waiting for. Cobalt instinctively pushed himself even further back against the wall, eyes straining. But to him, it was just darkness. For all he knew, a killer could be standing just a pace away, and he would never even see it coming.

If Cobalt had thought the darkness might hush the other guests, he was clearly mistaken. While his ears listened intently for the ominous sign of creaking floorboards approaching him, he couldn't help but listen to them as they continued to talk as if nothing had changed. Their dislike for Titian had certainly not cooled off, and he heard several quickly condemn him for leaving the room. How they could possibly know that he had done so, Cobalt had no clue. He had heard the door, same as all the rest of them no doubt, but he had no inkling as to whether someone had been coming or going, or who that someone was. They all must know something Cobalt did not.

Perhaps Titian was the obvious candidate, but Cobalt wasn't one to jump to conclusions. He'd been burnt by that mistake too many times before. As he listened on, he heard another guest remark about the concern of heat, and for the first time Cobalt noticed the slightest drop in temperature. Not cold, not even unpleasant yet, but there was certainly a slight drop. If it came to it, Cobalt would certainly take a stab in the dark over freezing to death. Deciding that some action had to be taken at least, Cobalt opened his mouth to speak.

"If everyone is still in one piece, might I suggest that those that were near the doors when the lights went out try and find their way to them. They likely offer our best chance of escape after all."