House of Masks 007

[3/10/2013 8:44:57 PM] Josie: Morning dawns after your very eventful seance and the events that followed, though most of you are probably going to want to sleep in a little bit beyond that. [3/10/2013 8:45:11 PM] Josie: So we pick up on our heroes(?) at about 10 a.m. [3/10/2013 8:45:27 PM] Caspar: ((I'm here.)) [3/10/2013 8:45:38 PM] Josie: There's all sorts of fresh baked goods in the living room and tea and coffee being kept hot there too. [3/10/2013 8:47:36 PM] Trystan: Trystan is a LOT fresher when he steps out after his meditation. He even looks well-rested! He's humming as he pours himself coffee. [3/10/2013 8:48:43 PM] Arwen: Arwen literally skips into the room and proceeds to pour coffee and load up a plate of food. [3/10/2013 8:50:10 PM] Trystan: "Better night?" He smiles as he asks, also filling a plate with a bit of this and that. Not much, but more than he's been eating. [3/10/2013 8:50:37 PM] Arwen: "Much better actually. And yours? Any nightmares?" [3/10/2013 8:50:42 PM] Trystan: Russet, meanwhile, attacks a plate containing a few strips of thick-cut bacon. [3/10/2013 8:50:59 PM] Josie: The leopard wanders into the common room. [3/10/2013 8:51:06 PM] Trystan: "No, not today. Do you think whatever Karid did during the seance helped?" [3/10/2013 8:51:39 PM] Arwen: "Hmm...maybe that was it..." [3/10/2013 8:52:00 PM] Josie: It's a big cat, probably weighs about 70 pounds, with a very long, excessively shaggy tail. Its coat is pale golden ranging to white, with leopardy spots on it. [3/10/2013 8:52:18 PM] Josie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Uncia_uncia.jpg [3/10/2013 8:53:00 PM] Arwen: "Holy f**k. Why is there a large feline in the *house*?" [3/10/2013 8:53:07 PM] Josie: It locks eyes with the weasel. [3/10/2013 8:53:17 PM] Karid: (( Back. Sorry, had to go AFK )) [3/10/2013 8:53:24 PM] Karid: (( I now have chocolate covered almonds )) [3/10/2013 8:54:17 PM] Karid: Karid comes downstairs, looking tired again [3/10/2013 8:55:18 PM] Karid: Karid actually has visible bags under his eyes, and he's dark skinned... [3/10/2013 8:55:26 PM] Arwen: "Oh hi Karid. Rough night? Notice there's a giant cat here? Did you have nightmares?" [3/10/2013 8:56:11 PM] Trystan: Trystan glares at te cat, and holds out his hand for Russet to run up. [3/10/2013 8:56:25 PM] Josie: The cat sits, unimpressed. [3/10/2013 8:57:15 PM] Karid: "Yes..." [3/10/2013 8:57:27 PM] Karid: "At least I am not a tyrant in my dreams anymore." [3/10/2013 8:57:40 PM | Edited 8:59:37 PM] Karid: "...no, now I'm just the murderer of a holy woman." [3/10/2013 8:57:45 PM] Karid: "Much better, yes?" [3/10/2013 8:57:53 PM] Karid: Karid shakes his head and pours himself a cup of coffee [3/10/2013 8:58:09 PM] Arwen: "Oh...wow...Trystan I wonder why we didn't have any nightmares..." [3/10/2013 8:58:30 PM] Josie: The big cat shakes its head. [3/10/2013 8:58:54 PM] Arwen: Arwen approaches the cat for further inspection. [3/10/2013 8:59:04 PM] Arwen: "Are you shaking your head at me?" [3/10/2013 8:59:19 PM] Trystan: "I... don't know." He looks at Karid, concerned, as Russet continues to munch bacon on his shoulder. [3/10/2013 8:59:32 PM] Josie: Cat: Rrrr. [3/10/2013 9:00:11 PM] Arwen: "I'm afraid I'm not trained in cat." [3/10/2013 9:00:19 PM] Josie: The cat streeeeeeeeeeetches. [3/10/2013 9:00:42 PM | Edited 9:00:50 PM] Arwen: Arwen loses interest and returns to her food. [3/10/2013 9:01:12 PM] Trystan: Trystan pushes the bacon-plate closer to the cat, despite Russet's objections. [3/10/2013 9:01:54 PM] Caspar: Caspar wanders into the common room. [3/10/2013 9:02:07 PM] Josie: The cat sits up, then lifts itself up a bit, one paw on the table to balance, and slides one of the bacon pieces off the plate, catching it in its paws before it hits the ground. [3/10/2013 9:02:35 PM] Trystan: "... That's an odd way for a cat to eat." [3/10/2013 9:02:55 PM] Karid: "It is an odd cat." [3/10/2013 9:03:14 PM] Caspar: Caspar looks at the cat and sighs. [3/10/2013 9:03:33 PM] Josie: The cat sits up on her hindquarters. "Mrrow?" [3/10/2013 9:04:40 PM] Caspar: Caspar pets her before getting food. [3/10/2013 9:05:05 PM] Arwen: "Caspar do you know why there's a cat here?" [3/10/2013 9:05:32 PM] Josie: She consents to the petting and then wanders into the corner of the room, behind a screen. [3/10/2013 9:06:13 PM] Caspar: Why wouldn't there be a cat here? [3/10/2013 9:07:26 PM] Arwen: "I...I...I...well...it's not...it's a bit...odd..." [3/10/2013 9:07:52 PM] Caspar: Trystan's got a weasel eating bacon on his shoulder, but the *leopard* is odd. [3/10/2013 9:08:09 PM] Josie: Voice, from behind the screen: It's because I'm a wereleopard. [3/10/2013 9:08:28 PM] Karid: "...well then." [3/10/2013 9:08:44 PM] Arwen: Arwen sighs. "I give up on all logic." [3/10/2013 9:09:25 PM] Josie: Illa comes out from behind the screen, wearing grey-green wizard's robes. "I didn't *want* to tell anyone but it seemed unavoidable." [3/10/2013 9:09:54 PM] Arwen: "This is what Ulisse has been helping you with, isn't it?" [3/10/2013 9:10:11 PM] Josie: Illa: Yes. [3/10/2013 9:10:22 PM] Trystan: "... Oh." Trystan is simultaneously relieved and OMG THAT MOUTH WAS SO CLOSE TO ME. [3/10/2013 9:10:47 PM] Arwen: "Interesting twist of events, I must say." [3/10/2013 9:11:23 PM] Josie: Illa: I was bitten as a child and I can't usually control it at night, especially for the week or so around the full moon. So now you know; please don't tell anyone, I don't like them to know. [3/10/2013 9:11:43 PM] Josie: She's shaking a bit. [3/10/2013 9:12:06 PM] Trystan: "Don't worry, we won't. Everyone has secrets." He smiles slightly at that. [3/10/2013 9:12:11 PM] Karid: "We will not." [3/10/2013 9:12:31 PM] Arwen: "Your secret is safe with us." [3/10/2013 9:13:50 PM] Josie: She nods, and wanders over to hug Caspar briefly. [3/10/2013 9:14:35 PM] Caspar: Caspar hugs her back. "I was running out of decent lies." [3/10/2013 9:14:55 PM] Josie: Illa: ... I know, I just... I didn't want to say. [3/10/2013 9:16:08 PM] Karid: "We do not judge you for it." [3/10/2013 9:16:32 PM] Trystan: "It's ok. Like I said, everyone has their secrets." He pats he shoulder, since she's over here, but his smile is a little bittersweet. [3/10/2013 9:16:34 PM] Karid: "There are helpful spirits, there can be helpful werecreatures." [3/10/2013 9:17:11 PM] Josie: Illa: I don't always have control over it, is the thing. I almost killed Ulisse, and he's trying to help me. [3/10/2013 9:17:50 PM] Trystan: "... Did you bite him?" [3/10/2013 9:18:16 PM] Josie: Illa: Oh, I'm not contagious. [3/10/2013 9:18:33 PM] Karid: "...how?" [3/10/2013 9:18:59 PM] Trystan: "Alright." He's clearly relieved. [3/10/2013 9:20:28 PM] Josie: Illa: Ulisse's giving me aconite for the... for my condition. [3/10/2013 9:20:31 PM] Caspar: Caspar pours himself some coffee. [3/10/2013 9:20:49 PM] Josie: Illa: It keeps it from spreading too. Or it's supposed to. And he hasn't turned into one, so I think it  must have worked. [3/10/2013 9:21:15 PM] Josie: Bellamy wanders in, looking ridiculously perfect for the time of day. Of course for an elf it's practically noon. *Elves.* [3/10/2013 9:22:08 PM] Josie: Bellamy eyes the food available, and picks out a roll on a plate, and a bit of the fruit. [3/10/2013 9:22:28 PM] Karid: "Good morning, Bellamy." [3/10/2013 9:22:28 PM] Arwen: (( sorry...just blue screened of death )) [3/10/2013 9:22:34 PM] Karid: "You rested well, I trust?" [3/10/2013 9:22:39 PM] Karid: (( IT WAS THE ELVES )) [3/10/2013 9:22:49 PM] Trystan: Trystan looks uncomfortable again once Bellamy enters. "Good morning..." [3/10/2013 9:22:51 PM] Josie: Bellamy: Good morning. Quite well indeed, I find. [3/10/2013 9:22:58 PM] Karid: (( Or Art )) [3/10/2013 9:23:01 PM] Karid: (( She does that too )) [3/10/2013 9:23:21 PM] Caspar: Caspar rubs his eyes. "Not all of us did." [3/10/2013 9:23:34 PM] Arwen: "Nightmares, Caspar?" [3/10/2013 9:23:59 PM] Caspar: Again. [3/10/2013 9:24:19 PM] Caspar: Tempted to start sleeping outside the house. [3/10/2013 9:24:30 PM] Trystan: "... Just you and Karid?" [3/10/2013 9:24:56 PM] Caspar: Not you? [3/10/2013 9:25:21 PM] Trystan: "I had... oddly coherent and unusual dreams, but not -bad- per say." [3/10/2013 9:25:39 PM] Josie: Illa hugs Caspar again. [3/10/2013 9:25:46 PM] Josie: Bellamy: Hm. We shall have to try again. [3/10/2013 9:26:08 PM] Karid: "It would seem the effect was at least lessened..." [3/10/2013 9:26:26 PM] Trystan: "That's a good start, right?" [3/10/2013 9:26:32 PM] Karid: "Yes." [3/10/2013 9:27:01 PM] Josie: Bellamy: I am willing to try again, at least. [3/10/2013 9:27:10 PM] Karid: "We will need to be more careful this time though...remove all flamable objects from the room." [3/10/2013 9:27:13 PM] Arwen: "Do you think we could actually benefit from anything?" [3/10/2013 9:27:27 PM] Karid: "And you should file your nails down, Bellamy." [3/10/2013 9:27:32 PM] Karid: "They did most of the damage." [3/10/2013 9:27:47 PM] Josie: Bellamy: Alas, my poor vanity. [3/10/2013 9:28:22 PM] Caspar: The spirits weren't terribly inclined to accede to our requests. [3/10/2013 9:28:33 PM] Caspar: not sure how a second conversation would be any different. [3/10/2013 9:29:08 PM] Trystan: "Maybe we can fight them?" [3/10/2013 9:29:09 PM] Josie: Bellamy: We might get someone else. [3/10/2013 9:29:32 PM] Arwen: "Trystan, how do you suppose we fight something you can't see or touch?" [3/10/2013 9:30:02 PM] Karid: "All my turning of it seemed to do was make it retreat..." [3/10/2013 9:30:08 PM] Trystan: "... Magic, I guess." [3/10/2013 9:30:14 PM] Trystan: Trystan shrugs [3/10/2013 9:31:00 PM] Arwen: Arwen shrugs. "I suppose we could try magic." [3/10/2013 9:31:10 PM] Josie: Bellamy: Still, that was helpful enough. [3/10/2013 9:31:26 PM] Josie: Illa: It would take rather advanced magic. [3/10/2013 9:31:58 PM] Arwen: "Illa...do you know any magic like that?" [3/10/2013 9:32:38 PM] Trystan: "I only know how to disrupt the undead with positive energy..." ((Anyone with spellcraft: THIS IS A FORM OF MINOR NECROMANCY.)) [3/10/2013 9:33:07 PM] Karid: (( ...what about K: Arcana? )) [3/10/2013 9:33:17 PM] Trystan: ((... Maybe!)) [3/10/2013 9:33:44 PM] Josie: ((Sure, that'd work!)) [3/10/2013 9:33:49 PM] Karid: "...that is necromancy, yes?" [3/10/2013 9:33:54 PM] Josie: Illa: Nothing that advanced, no. [3/10/2013 9:34:13 PM] Josie: Bellamy: That is necromancy. [3/10/2013 9:34:28 PM] Trystan: "..." He says nothing, but folds his hands uneasily. [3/10/2013 9:34:39 PM] Karid: "...minor, though." [3/10/2013 9:34:46 PM] Karid: "It is not as if you are -raising- the dead." [3/10/2013 9:35:02 PM] Caspar: ...what's the big deal about Necromancy? Is it illegal here or something? [3/10/2013 9:35:28 PM] Josie: Illa: No, not at all. [3/10/2013 9:35:53 PM] Caspar: ((He's from Solitaire:  "any magic is okay, just try not to kill too many people.")) [3/10/2013 9:36:02 PM] Josie: Illa: If one raises the dead into undead one must have signed legal documentation giving consent. [3/10/2013 9:36:04 PM] Karid: "It is where I am from. Though...only major necromancy. Such as raising the dead, or making use of evil spirits." [3/10/2013 9:36:39 PM] Trystan: "I'll be careful. I'm not strong enough to even try anything like that, anyway." [3/10/2013 9:37:22 PM] Josie: Ulisse, from the doorway, where he wasn't a few seconds ago: Yet. [3/10/2013 9:38:14 PM] Trystan: "... Yet." He nods slightly. "I don't know if my magic is going to develop in that direction, though." [3/10/2013 9:39:05 PM] Josie: Ulisse: You *are* a d'Amici. [3/10/2013 9:39:21 PM] Josie: Bellamy: Indicating? [3/10/2013 9:39:46 PM] Josie: Ulisse: We do have somewhat of a predilection for the darker arts, haven't you noticed? [3/10/2013 9:39:48 PM] Karid: "...you should try not to let it. Necromancy is taboo for a reason. Not all the dead are -happy- to come back. Or be enslaved." [3/10/2013 9:40:38 PM] Trystan: "... Barely. I'm barely a d'Amici." What he doesn't say is that the LeMort name has its own history. [3/10/2013 9:40:56 PM] Josie: Ulisse: And your own family prefers sunshine and daisies, do they? [3/10/2013 9:41:20 PM] Josie: Illa: ... I told them about me, Ulisse. Caspar said it would be... easier. [3/10/2013 9:41:27 PM] Josie: Ulisse *eyes* Caspar. "Did you?" [3/10/2013 9:41:43 PM] Trystan: Trystan is glad the topic has changed! [3/10/2013 9:42:12 PM] Caspar: I said that they'd find out eventually. [3/10/2013 9:43:00 PM] Arwen: "Which is true. It's hard to *not* notice when there's a leopard in the living room." [3/10/2013 9:43:09 PM] Josie: Illa blushes bright red. [3/10/2013 9:43:34 PM] Arwen: "I didn't mean to be so...blunt. Sorry." [3/10/2013 9:45:20 PM] Josie: Illa: It's all right. I'm... not used to having people know. [3/10/2013 9:45:31 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Well, everything out in the open then, is it? [3/10/2013 9:45:45 PM] Josie: Ulisse eyes Bellamy. [3/10/2013 9:46:50 PM] Arwen: "Do you have a big, dark secret you'd like to share Bellamy?" [3/10/2013 9:47:02 PM] Josie: Bellamy glowers. "Of course not." [3/10/2013 9:47:06 PM] Josie: Feel free to sense motive that. [3/10/2013 9:47:12 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Of course not. [3/10/2013 9:47:28 PM] Arwen: (( 22 )) [3/10/2013 9:48:16 PM] Josie: Illa: I'm sure everyone has a secret or two. [3/10/2013 9:48:25 PM] Caspar: Caspar looks between Ulisse and Bellamy. "Indeed." [3/10/2013 9:48:43 PM] Arwen: "And I'm sure we'll find out sooner or later. I always prefer sooner, but that's a personally preference." [3/10/2013 9:48:48 PM] Arwen: Arwen smiles cheerily [3/10/2013 9:48:59 PM] Karid: Karid knows she does, succeeded his -first- sense motive... [3/10/2013 9:49:22 PM] Karid: "I have none, actually." [3/10/2013 9:49:38 PM] Arwen: "Are you an open book, preacher man?" [3/10/2013 9:50:26 PM] Karid: "Yes." [3/10/2013 9:50:32 PM] Josie: Bellamy looks around the room. ".. none of you are likely to assist me in any case." [3/10/2013 9:50:47 PM] Josie: She sweeps out of the room, regally! And angrily. [3/10/2013 9:50:55 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Appallingly open. [3/10/2013 9:51:06 PM] Arwen: "That's a laugh. Nobody is an open book. Anybody who claims to be is either selling something or a liar." [3/10/2013 9:51:19 PM] Caspar: Caspar raises an eyebrow. "I think I missed a paragraph." [3/10/2013 9:51:20 PM] Arwen: "But that's just my past experience." [3/10/2013 9:52:00 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Karid's past is spotless, regrettably. [3/10/2013 9:52:11 PM] Karid: Karid nods [3/10/2013 9:52:19 PM] Karid: "I do not regret it..." [3/10/2013 9:52:27 PM] Arwen: Arwen smirks. "I would." [3/10/2013 9:52:46 PM] Trystan: Trystan is clutching his collar during this whole conversation. [3/10/2013 9:53:12 PM] Arwen: "You okay there, Trystan?" [3/10/2013 9:53:42 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Relax, cuz. I *know.* [3/10/2013 9:54:19 PM] Trystan: Trystan freezes a bit at Ulisse's comment, but nods to Arwen. "I'm fine." [3/10/2013 9:54:31 PM] Josie: Ulisse: And Caspar, you have family. [3/10/2013 9:54:39 PM] Caspar: Sure. [3/10/2013 9:54:51 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Vulnerable family. [3/10/2013 9:54:59 PM] Caspar: Caspar laughs. [3/10/2013 9:55:18 PM] Josie: Ulisse: You think not? [3/10/2013 9:56:09 PM] Caspar: Doesn't eveyone? Why are you threatening us, Ulisse? Is this another calculated attempt to make sure we dislike you? [3/10/2013 9:56:31 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Ironically, no. [3/10/2013 9:56:43 PM] Arwen: Arwen pushes her plate aside and rests her head on the table [3/10/2013 9:57:22 PM] Josie: Ulisse: It's a trade, of sorts. Karid and Arwen are already aware of my... objectives? you might say. But before I told the rest of you I wanted to make very sure you can keep your mouths shut. [3/10/2013 9:58:06 PM] Trystan: "You know I can." He looks at him with surprising solemnity. [3/10/2013 9:58:16 PM] Caspar: Caspar 's face darkens. "Don't bother telling me." He leaves the room. [3/10/2013 9:59:08 PM] Josie: Illa chases after him, after an awkward pause. [3/10/2013 9:59:27 PM] Josie: Ulisse: What can I say, I'm good with people. [3/10/2013 9:59:40 PM] Karid: Karid blinks after him [3/10/2013 9:59:41 PM] Arwen: "It's a natural talent." [3/10/2013 10:00:08 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Actually, it isn't. I've had to cultivate that one. [3/10/2013 10:00:09 PM] Karid: "...I do not see why he would get angry without even listening to what was being said..." [3/10/2013 10:01:01 PM] Josie: Ulisse shrugs. "I'm not exactly friendly." [3/10/2013 10:01:31 PM] Arwen: Arwen smirks. [3/10/2013 10:01:57 PM] Trystan: Even Trystan has to smile at that. [3/10/2013 10:02:13 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... or, put another way, entirely *too* friendly. [3/10/2013 10:03:52 PM] Karid: Karid shrugs [3/10/2013 10:03:52 PM] Arwen: "We don't need to know about that bit." [3/10/2013 10:04:23 PM] Josie: Ulisse: No. Well, Trystan, you're the only one who doesn't know, then. [3/10/2013 10:05:32 PM] Trystan: "Alright. What have you got to say?" He leans forward slightly, shoulders hunched and hands pressed together. [3/10/2013 10:06:14 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Short version: My life is a lie, I'm stealing massive amounts of money from my odious family and channeling it toward a series of projects of my own. I would like your help. [3/10/2013 10:06:39 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... you can choose to say no, by the way. The threats are for exposure, not for refusal. [3/10/2013 10:08:09 PM] Trystan: "... You're doing..." Suddenly, inexplicably, Trystan has to hold back a laugh. "You have no idea how many times I tried to do that back home!" [3/10/2013 10:08:41 PM] Trystan: "Depending on what the projects are, I'd love to either help or start my own." [3/10/2013 10:10:27 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Good. [3/10/2013 10:11:11 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Most of my public persona is a facade meant to conceal where all the money goes, by the way. [3/10/2013 10:11:25 PM] Karid: "See? It is not a bad thing. He should have stayed to listen..." [3/10/2013 10:11:53 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I can see I'm going to have to apologize. Which neither I nor Ulisse likes to do. [3/10/2013 10:12:26 PM] Trystan: "... You're different from Ulisse?" [3/10/2013 10:12:49 PM] Arwen: "When he's not being a douchebag, he's Vittorio, if I understood correctly." [3/10/2013 10:13:03 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Succinct as always. Yes. [3/10/2013 10:13:20 PM] Karid: Karid ...smiles a bit [3/10/2013 10:13:55 PM] Trystan: "Oh. That makes... no sense, but alright." [3/10/2013 10:14:33 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Ulisse is someone I *pretend* to be. ... the fact that I actually *am* him has nothing to do with it. [3/10/2013 10:15:10 PM] Trystan: "... But that IS your birthname, right?" [3/10/2013 10:15:52 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Yes. [3/10/2013 10:16:17 PM] Trystan: "Alright, I understand now." [3/10/2013 10:16:41 PM] Trystan: ((Because if someone had killed him and taken his place, it would NOT be weird for this family.)) [3/10/2013 10:16:54 PM] Arwen: ((Had the same thoughts!!)) [3/10/2013 10:17:27 PM] Trystan: ((I AM ALL THE PSYCHIC TODAY!)) [3/10/2013 10:18:04 PM] Arwen: "So now *that* cat is out of the bag..." [3/10/2013 10:19:01 PM] Karid: "Two cats out of the bag today." [3/10/2013 10:19:05 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Quite. No longer a need to worry about discrepancies in my behavior. [3/10/2013 10:19:06 PM] Karid: "...one almost literally." [3/10/2013 10:19:34 PM] Trystan: Trystan snerks [3/10/2013 10:19:39 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... I wouldn't try to put Illa in a bag. [3/10/2013 10:19:52 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I didn't poke *myself* full of holes the other night. [3/10/2013 10:19:57 PM] Karid: "For many good reasons." [3/10/2013 10:21:37 PM] Trystan: "... You make a fair point." [3/10/2013 10:24:36 PM] Josie: Ulisse: She's a lovely girl when she's not trying to kill you. [3/10/2013 10:27:02 PM] Trystan: "... I thought you weren't being a jerk?" [3/10/2013 10:27:19 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Oh, I *am* a jerk. [3/10/2013 10:27:28 PM] Arwen: Arwen smirks. [3/10/2013 10:27:34 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Just not the kind of jerk Ulisse is. [3/10/2013 10:28:23 PM] Karid: Karid sighs [3/10/2013 10:28:26 PM] Trystan: "... Ah, alright." [3/10/2013 10:29:34 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I never claimed to be a nice man. At any rate, currently I am trying to divine what my illustrious aunt is up to in opening this hell house. [3/10/2013 10:29:58 PM] Arwen: Arwen mumbles "obviously trying to get us all murdered." [3/10/2013 10:31:01 PM] Trystan: "I don't think it's going to end well for any d'Amici invlolved, I can tell you that much." Trystan sighs. "We should talk after breakfast, cos." [3/10/2013 10:31:04 PM] Karid: "What have you found?" [3/10/2013 10:32:46 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Very little. Faustina is no fool; she's a d'Amici through and through. [3/10/2013 10:33:45 PM] Karid: "You think she might be being deceptive?" [3/10/2013 10:33:59 PM] Arwen: "She's an assassin, Karid, what do you expect?" [3/10/2013 10:34:16 PM] Trystan: "More than that, she's a d'Amici." [3/10/2013 10:34:39 PM] Arwen: "They're all deceptive." [3/10/2013 10:34:51 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Of course she is. I'm not saying she has ill motives--or any beyond that which she told you--but I am saying it's near impossible to tell what her motives are. [3/10/2013 10:35:02 PM] Josie: Ulisse: And she's on the family council, so I have to be particularly careful around her. [3/10/2013 10:36:20 PM] Karid: "...ah." [3/10/2013 10:36:47 PM] Josie: Ulisse: And Serafina... Serafina's a different matter. [3/10/2013 10:37:30 PM] Josie: Ulisse: She stays away from me and I stay away from her, but we're alike in that we don't much care for the family. I never know what she's thinking. [3/10/2013 10:38:30 PM] Trystan: "She seems honest enough... have't seen her for a few days, though." [3/10/2013 10:38:56 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Always worrying, don't you find? And I wouldn't trust *any* member of my family claiming to be honest. [3/10/2013 10:39:35 PM] Karid: "...but if they say they are lying are they not being honest?" [3/10/2013 10:39:42 PM] Karid: "...does that make them liars?" [3/10/2013 10:40:21 PM] Karid: (( If only Caspar were in the room. Then we could logic bomb him and reveal him for the computer he truly is. )) [3/10/2013 10:40:32 PM] Trystan: "No d'Amici would ever say they were lying without a reason, Karid. Usually to make you distrust them." [3/10/2013 10:40:44 PM] Arwen: (( someones a computer?? )) [3/10/2013 10:40:44 PM | Edited 10:40:49 PM] Trystan: Trystan looks at Ulisse after this. [3/10/2013 10:41:05 PM] Josie: Ulisse: All d'Amicis are liars, including me. [3/10/2013 10:41:18 PM] Karid: (( Nah, just a Factotum )) [3/10/2013 10:41:19 PM] Trystan: "SEE?" [3/10/2013 10:41:32 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I wouldn't trust me as far as I can throw me, frankly, which wouldn't be very far. [3/10/2013 10:41:45 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... incidentally I *am* addicted to absentia. I don't recommend it. [3/10/2013 10:42:19 PM] Arwen: "It makes it all rather complicated, does it not? Having to trust a liar?" [3/10/2013 10:42:55 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I wouldn't trust me, either. [3/10/2013 10:43:44 PM] Arwen: "Never said I didn't. Just said it makes things complicated." [3/10/2013 10:43:47 PM] Trystan: "Actions speak louder than words, I guess." [3/10/2013 10:43:59 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... lord, I hope not. [3/10/2013 10:44:38 PM] Arwen: "Oh? And what would *your* actions say about you?" [3/10/2013 10:44:52 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Ask half the hookers in the Lower Quarter. [3/10/2013 10:45:05 PM] Arwen: "Only half?" [3/10/2013 10:45:30 PM] Trystan: "I'm just saying that we shouldn't let words sway us one way or another. We have to pay attention!" He's amused, though. [3/10/2013 10:46:18 PM] Arwen: Arwen raises hands in defeat. "You have my attention. Use it wisely." [3/10/2013 10:46:38 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Only half, because as you know my projects *do* take up significant time. [3/10/2013 10:47:30 PM] Arwen: "Yes and it seems this project seems to be taking up quite a bit of your time. My apologies for that." [3/10/2013 10:47:48 PM] Karid: "...remind me not to walk through Lower Quarter again...I had two women comment that I looked far too warm in my robes..." [3/10/2013 10:47:50 PM] Karid: Karid shudders [3/10/2013 10:48:15 PM] Arwen: Arwen snickers. "*You* went to the Lower Quarter?" [3/10/2013 10:48:23 PM] Karid: "To get Lissa, yes." [3/10/2013 10:48:35 PM] Arwen: Arwen rolls eyes. "Suuuure." [3/10/2013 10:48:42 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Just be glad they didn't rob you and strip you naked. [3/10/2013 10:49:03 PM] Trystan: Trystan lets his mouth slowly spread into a surprisingly wide grin. "Oh really? Lissa, huh?" [3/10/2013 10:49:06 PM] Karid: "...they would do that?" [3/10/2013 10:49:13 PM] Karid: "...I will need to get used to city life I see..." [3/10/2013 10:49:21 PM] Arwen: "It's always embarassing having to walk home naked." [3/10/2013 10:49:32 PM] Karid: Karid blinks at Trystan [3/10/2013 10:49:44 PM] Karid: "Yes, Lissa." [3/10/2013 10:49:57 PM] Karid: "Nobody informed her she could come back." [3/10/2013 10:50:29 PM] Trystan: "Ok. Good of you to go do so." His smile does go more normal. Slowly. [3/10/2013 10:50:55 PM] Karid: "...why are you smiling like that?" [3/10/2013 10:50:57 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I assure you, you are barking up the wrong tree, cuz. Karid is regrettably boring in that regard. [3/10/2013 10:51:15 PM] Karid: "_What_ regard?" [3/10/2013 10:51:18 PM] Trystan: "I know, I know... But the mental image is -staggering.-" [3/10/2013 10:51:29 PM] Karid: Karid is lost! [3/10/2013 10:52:04 PM] Josie: Ulisse makes a hole with one finger and one thumb of one hand and puts a finger from his other hand through it a few times. [3/10/2013 10:52:21 PM] Karid: "...is that sign language?" [3/10/2013 10:52:27 PM] Arwen: "And I'm the succinct one?!" [3/10/2013 10:52:29 PM | Edited 10:52:46 PM] Karid: "I do not know sign language." [3/10/2013 10:52:34 PM] Josie: Ulisse: See? [3/10/2013 10:53:10 PM] Karid: "No!" [3/10/2013 10:53:12 PM | Edited 10:53:37 PM] Arwen: "They're referencing a sexual relation between you and Lissa!! Your complete naivete is...ugh" [3/10/2013 10:53:31 PM] Karid: Karid blinks. Blink blinks. [3/10/2013 10:53:39 PM] Karid: "_No_. No, do not even mention that." [3/10/2013 10:54:01 PM] Arwen: Arwen raises an eyebrow. "Problem, Karid?" [3/10/2013 10:54:30 PM] Karid: "Yes. Do not joke about that. What I saw in the mirror was..." [3/10/2013 10:54:33 PM] Karid: Karid shudders [3/10/2013 10:54:47 PM] Arwen: "My apologies for voicing it." [3/10/2013 10:54:59 PM | Edited 10:55:10 PM] Trystan: Trystan immediately stops smiling. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize..." [3/10/2013 10:55:26 PM] Arwen: "If we'd known...we wouldn't have..." [3/10/2013 10:55:26 PM] Karid: "Just...please do not do it anymore, yes?" [3/10/2013 10:55:30 PM] Karid: "I am not angry." [3/10/2013 10:55:51 PM] Arwen: "We don't know...we don't know what each other saw..." [3/10/2013 10:56:09 PM] Karid: "That is why I am not angry." [3/10/2013 10:56:21 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Besides, you're quite irreproachable, Karid. [3/10/2013 10:56:40 PM] Josie: Ulisse: It's very tedious of you. [3/10/2013 10:57:10 PM] Trystan: "Those mirrors were ghastly. You're never going to be like that, Karid." [3/10/2013 10:57:11 PM] Karid: "Hrm?" [3/10/2013 10:57:41 PM] Karid: "I know. ..I worry more about the spirits making us do it. We have no idea how powerful they are." [3/10/2013 10:57:50 PM] Karid: "They could simply be toying with us." [3/10/2013 10:58:04 PM] Arwen: "They're doing a pretty good job at *whatever* they're trying to do." [3/10/2013 10:58:17 PM] Trystan: "... They might be. Last night, they seemed very powerful." [3/10/2013 10:58:35 PM] Karid: "Precisely." [3/10/2013 10:58:40 PM] Trystan: "They knocked over that candle, even though they were bound in that circle..." [3/10/2013 10:59:07 PM] Trystan: "And the things they said." He squeezes his hands together at the memory. [3/10/2013 10:59:37 PM] Karid: "We will need to be careful, is all." [3/10/2013 11:00:33 PM] Karid: "If it gets to the point of posession, we may need to stay somewhere else until we can be rid of the spirits responsible for this." [3/10/2013 11:01:01 PM] Trystan: "... Ulisse, what -do- you know about this house? Who or what are these ghosts?" [3/10/2013 11:01:09 PM] Arwen: "Well it hasn't gotten to that point yet...so we're still...relatively speaking...safe." [3/10/2013 11:02:37 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I don't know much at all, unfortunately. I'm working on the sleeping issue. [3/10/2013 11:02:45 PM] Josie: Ulisse: How did it go last night, Arwen? [3/10/2013 11:02:57 PM] Arwen: Arwen smiles. "Perfectly." [3/10/2013 11:03:04 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Excellent. [3/10/2013 11:03:06 PM] Trystan: "For me, too." [3/10/2013 11:03:15 PM] Josie: Ulisse eyes Trystan. "... really." [3/10/2013 11:03:19 PM] Arwen: Arwen smirks. "Don't know why he wasn't affected." [3/10/2013 11:03:27 PM] Trystan: "The nightmares were gone... Or at least, dissipated." [3/10/2013 11:03:51 PM] Trystan: "It was still a weirdly real dream. But not a bad one." [3/10/2013 11:04:06 PM] Arwen: "...weirdly...weirdly *how*?" [3/10/2013 11:05:22 PM] Trystan: "It was just... solid. And felt real, not like a dream where you know it's a dream. I don't usually remember my dreams, either, but this one stuck with me." [3/10/2013 11:05:47 PM | Edited 11:05:58 PM] Arwen: "Maybe the spirits were still controlling your dreams..." [3/10/2013 11:06:11 PM] Trystan: "Why would they make it good, though?" [3/10/2013 11:06:24 PM] Arwen: "Seemed like they wanted you." [3/10/2013 11:06:33 PM] Karid: "My nightmares were still there. Still vivid. If more...realistic?" [3/10/2013 11:06:53 PM | Edited 11:07:12 PM] Karid: "...not entirely realistic." [3/10/2013 11:07:00 PM] Arwen: "I didn't have a thing. No dreams. No nightmares. Best night of sleep I've had...in a very long time." [3/10/2013 11:07:02 PM] Karid: "But more plausible than being an overlord." [3/10/2013 11:07:33 PM] Arwen: "Karid, I thought you said you were a murderer?" [3/10/2013 11:07:40 PM] Arwen: "You find that more plausible?" [3/10/2013 11:07:54 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Yes, but Arwen had the ring that's supposed to protect her. She *shouldn't* be having the dreams. [3/10/2013 11:08:00 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... I never gave Trystan one. [3/10/2013 11:08:11 PM] Trystan: "... I dreamed about things I've wanted for a long time coming true. Maybe you're right. Maybe they were more temptations." He looks crestfallen. [3/10/2013 11:08:47 PM] Arwen: "...sorry Trystan..." [3/10/2013 11:09:02 PM] Karid: "...slightly more plausible." [3/10/2013 11:09:06 PM] Karid: "I did not say entirely." [3/10/2013 11:09:40 PM] Arwen: "How quickly can you have more rings made?" [3/10/2013 11:09:58 PM] Trystan: Trystan stands up suddenly. "I need to get some water." And with that, he heads to the kitchen. [3/10/2013 11:10:04 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Likely within a week. [3/10/2013 11:10:33 PM | Edited 11:11:47 PM] Arwen: "I'm probably not the one to be using this one until then...Illa...or someone else probably could use it more..." [3/10/2013 11:12:28 PM] Josie: Ulisse shrugs. "She's always had nightmares, she can take a few more. She tells me they're no worse than her usual." [3/10/2013 11:12:54 PM] Arwen: Arwen nods, a bit solemnly. [3/10/2013 11:14:14 PM] Josie: Ulisse: The rest of you can decide what to do with that one while I try to get more. [3/10/2013 11:14:41 PM] Arwen: Arwen stares down at the ring on her hand. [3/10/2013 11:15:24 PM] Caspar: ((My.... preciousssss.)) [3/10/2013 11:15:34 PM] Arwen: (( definitely )) [3/10/2013 11:16:04 PM] Arwen: Arwen removes it from her finger and holds it out to Karid. "You seem to be having rough dreams. Maybe you should use it for a little while?" [3/10/2013 11:18:25 PM] Karid: "...no, I do not need it." [3/10/2013 11:18:31 PM] Karid: "You keep it, I can wait." [3/10/2013 11:18:50 PM] Arwen: Arwen sighs and slumps in her chair. "I hate seeing people suffer." [3/10/2013 11:19:42 PM] Arwen: "I've seen enough suffering for two lifetimes." [3/10/2013 11:20:12 PM] Karid: "And I do not want to see you suffer for my sake." [3/10/2013 11:20:44 PM] Arwen: "I've had nightmares for a long time. Just turns out, these ones have never actually happened." [3/10/2013 11:21:28 PM] Karid: "I will tell you if I feel I cannot deal with them. Is it a deal?" [3/10/2013 11:21:39 PM] Arwen: "...deal." [3/10/2013 11:22:01 PM] Josie: Ulisse: All this altruism. I feel I shall have to kick a puppy just to make sure things balance. [3/10/2013 11:23:38 PM] Arwen: Arwen sighs. "I was unaware there was a balance for kindness. I thought you promoted charity, with all your projects..." [3/10/2013 11:23:57 PM] Karid: "The same." [3/10/2013 11:24:28 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Balance in all things. And I am not a kind person. [3/10/2013 11:24:43 PM] Arwen: "No...but you are a good one." [3/10/2013 11:24:51 PM] Karid: Karid nods [3/10/2013 11:25:01 PM] Karid: "As I said, one does not need to be nice to be good." [3/10/2013 11:25:13 PM] Arwen: (( dude...read my mind... )) [3/10/2013 11:25:29 PM] Karid: "...if an enforcer of the law were kind to everyone, they would achieve nothing." [3/10/2013 11:26:08 PM] Josie: Ulisse: While this is true, I have very little regard for the law in general. [3/10/2013 11:26:10 PM] Caspar: ((Oh sure, he's a modern day saint.)) [3/10/2013 11:26:28 PM] Arwen:  (( BYRONIC HERO! )) [3/10/2013 11:26:31 PM] Josie: ((He's an asshole. Yep!)) [3/10/2013 11:26:53 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... keeping in mind that my family owns about three-quarters of it, of course. [3/10/2013 11:27:41 PM] Arwen: "Excellent job at rubbing it in...power...wealth...some are not as fortunate." [3/10/2013 11:27:57 PM] Josie: Ulisse: ... fortunate. Yes. [3/10/2013 11:28:19 PM] Arwen: "You don't agree?" [3/10/2013 11:28:41 PM] Karid: "...It saddens me to think this is a relevant question here, but who owns the last fourth?" [3/10/2013 11:29:08 PM] Josie: Ulisse: The Everharts, and there's more than one way to be fortunate. [3/10/2013 11:29:24 PM] Arwen: "I know of none of it." [3/10/2013 11:30:31 PM] Arwen: Arwen mumbles "fortune favors the brave." [3/10/2013 11:31:27 PM] Josie: Ulisse: And the clever coward. [3/10/2013 11:32:23 PM] Arwen: "Clever *coward*? Do I foresee a story coming? I do so love stories." [3/10/2013 11:33:53 PM] Josie: Ulisse shakes his head. "I think I'll pass, for now. But do keep an eye out." [3/10/2013 11:33:58 PM] Josie: He turns and departs. [3/10/2013 11:34:23 PM] Arwen: Arwen runs after him. "I have a question! Wait!" [3/10/2013 11:34:38 PM] Josie: He stops, still in the doorway. "Yes?" [3/10/2013 11:35:42 PM] Arwen: "All these secrets...all these mysteries...how can you expect us to still trust you all enough to continue working here? How can we know what we're even facing when *no one* will give us a straight answer." [3/10/2013 11:36:13 PM] Josie: Ulisse: My dear girl, I can give you a straight answer, but would you believe it? [3/10/2013 11:36:27 PM] Arwen: "...I can try to." [3/10/2013 11:37:33 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Here's what I know. After a very long period of time, my very clever and devious aunt Faustina is reopening the ancestral d'Amici home, despite its being a terrifying place full of ghosts, and likely, after all these years, vermin. She has asked you lot to try to get rid of the house's more annoying denizens while preserving the beneficial ones. [3/10/2013 11:38:25 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I, being excessively nosy and already assiduously involved in the assistance of one of the house's servants, if a librarian can be called a servant, am quite curious as to her motives and would like the rest of you to watch and listen for any unusual occurences. [3/10/2013 11:38:59 PM] Arwen: Arwen sighs. "Nothing new. You don't know anymore than we do, do you?" [3/10/2013 11:39:12 PM] Trystan: Trystan finally comes back. He seems a little calmer now. [3/10/2013 11:39:58 PM] Josie: Ulisse: That's what I've been saying, yes. [3/10/2013 11:40:13 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I'm going to *try* to find more. [3/10/2013 11:40:39 PM] Trystan: "... Finding more sounds like a good start." [3/10/2013 11:40:49 PM] Karid: (( Back, had to poof )) [3/10/2013 11:41:24 PM] Trystan: "Ulisse, is it true that most of the spirits in this house were either d'Amicis, or wronged by them?" [3/10/2013 11:41:41 PM] Josie: Ulisse: I don't know. It sounds plausible, though, given it is the family house. [3/10/2013 11:41:49 PM] Karid: "I get the distinct feeling there is overlap..." [3/10/2013 11:42:00 PM] Trystan: "Fran said that." [3/10/2013 11:42:02 PM] Josie: Ulisse: From my personal point of view? *Quite.* [3/10/2013 11:46:28 PM] Arwen: "I'm guessing you have more...important...things to be doing than chatting with us over breakfast?" [3/10/2013 11:47:15 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Worn out my welcome already, have I? Remarkable. [3/10/2013 11:47:25 PM] Arwen: "I *never* said that!" [3/10/2013 11:47:34 PM] Josie: Ulisse: Remind me to kiss you when you're in a better mood. [3/10/2013 11:47:42 PM] Josie: He wanders out, insolently. [3/10/2013 11:47:54 PM] Karid: Karid blinks [3/10/2013 11:48:04 PM] Karid: "Kiss? ...you kissed him?" [3/10/2013 11:48:08 PM] Karid: "...he is a good man." [3/10/2013 11:48:20 PM] Karid: "But I do hope you wore some sort of wrap around your mouth." [3/10/2013 11:48:49 PM] Karid: (( Mouth condoms. Only needed with Ulisse. )) [3/10/2013 11:48:52 PM] Arwen: "Me...what...did he just..." Sighs. "My brain is a chaotic mess right now. I need more coffee." [3/10/2013 11:49:02 PM] Arwen: (( are mouth condoms a thing?? )) [3/10/2013 11:49:12 PM] Karid: (( They should be. THat would be hilarious. )) [3/10/2013 11:49:13 PM] Trystan: "... We should write to Faustina. We need answers." [3/10/2013 11:50:17 PM] Arwen: "Answers are nice. We need answers." [3/10/2013 11:51:08 PM] Josie: You could do what she said and write her name on a piece of paper and burn it to contact her. [3/10/2013 11:53:19 PM] Trystan: With little pause, Trystan grabs a piece of paper from a nearby table, and pulls a pen out of his pocket. In no-nonsense handwriting, he jots down her name and a short message, and then crumples the sheet and tosses it in the flames. It unfolds as it burns, revealing the message even as the ink makes the fire flicker blue.

'Cousin Faustina, we need answers.' [3/10/2013 11:54:08 PM | Edited 11:54:21 PM] Josie: Faustina is suddenly standing at the doorway, having made no sound. "What sort of answers?" [3/10/2013 11:56:12 PM] Trystan: "That was prompt." He's in no-nonsense mode again. "There have been some... complications." [3/10/2013 11:57:19 PM] Josie: She's wearing a different ornate black gown than the last time, but it's still embroidered black-on-black. [3/10/2013 11:57:22 PM] Josie: Faustina: What sort? [3/10/2013 11:58:34 PM] Trystan: "Mental assaults in the 'safe' east wing, for one. Tempatations. And non-undead monsters to top it off. These were NOT in the job description." [3/10/2013 11:58:59 PM] Josie: Faustina: ... temptations of what sort? [3/10/2013 11:59:34 PM] Trystan: "..." He clutches at his collar. "Asking me to join them." [12:00:46 AM] Karid: "...I do not think they are strictly temptations." [12:00:59 AM] Karid: "Though...what does the mirror mean?" [12:01:02 AM] Karid: "Do you know?" [12:01:08 AM] Josie: Faustina: What mirror? [12:01:10 AM] Karid: "It has shown similar things each time..." [12:03:00 AM] Josie: Faustina: I'm not aware of any specific mirror in this house. [12:03:18 AM] Josie: Faustina: I recall hearing of a round mirrored room they called the carousel room, once. Is that what you've found? [12:03:23 AM] Karid: "...a magic mirror. When we looked into it we each saw something that was repeated in our dreams." [12:03:41 AM] Trystan: "I've seen it in most mirrors in that wing..." [12:05:14 AM] Josie: Faustina: ... are you quite certain? [12:06:19 AM] Trystan: "Yes. It's clearest on the ceiling." [12:06:33 AM] Trystan: "The mirrored ceiling in the main hall." [12:08:12 AM] Josie: Faustina: And it's not your imagination. [12:08:32 AM] Trystan: "Others have seen it, too. At least, the first time." [12:09:08 AM] Josie: Faustina: I'm afraid I haven't heard of anything like that. [12:09:14 AM] Josie: Faustina: Do you have any other questions? [12:10:11 AM] Trystan: "Just one. Who is 'she'?" [12:10:41 AM] Karid: (( Well, you know what time it is? )) [12:10:47 AM] Karid: (( S&M TIME! )) [12:10:53 AM] Karid: (( ...I..I mean...SM... )) [12:10:57 AM] Josie: Faustina: ... she? [12:11:01 AM] Trystan: ((...)) [12:11:11 AM] Josie: Faustina: To whom are you referring? [12:11:27 AM] Karid: (( WOO NAT 20 FOR 30 )) [12:11:42 AM] Trystan: "There have been numerous references to 'she' and 'them'. We believe them to be... central in these anomalies." [12:11:50 AM] Karid: (( The random number gods are pleased with my pun )) [12:11:53 AM] Karid: (( ...kinky fucks )) [12:12:21 AM] Josie: Faustina: She and them. Who made these references? [12:13:10 AM] Karid: "A spirit that inhabited Bellamy during the seance." [12:14:05 AM] Josie: Faustina: ... I see. I don't know what they were referring to, I'm afraid. You may have to do more investigating. [12:15:00 AM] Trystan: "If you remember anything, it might be helpful. We'll keep you informed." [12:15:34 AM] Josie: Faustina nods, and pauses. "I hear my disreputable nephew has been making a habit of visiting." [12:16:12 AM] Trystan: "One hears a lot of things, and he does have a tendency to wander. We've chased him out for now, though." [12:16:34 AM] Trystan: ((21 bluff.)) [12:16:53 AM] Josie: Faustina: Excellent. Do not hesitate to throw him out if he becomes a nuisance. Preferably with great force. [12:18:50 AM] Arwen: (( I have to get up in 5 hours...I should probably get some sleep. Good night everyone! )) [12:18:58 AM] Josie: ((Ni!)) [12:19:02 AM] Josie: Faustina departs! [12:20:10 AM] Trystan: "... I'm going to go read for a while, I guess. Call me if you decide you want to explore." ((I must also vamoose for sleepinz!))