House of Masks 001

[2/19/2013 9:34:17 PM] Snow: A cold winter morning dawns in Meneluinin, and you wake up, or untrance, or power up, as the case may be, to an envelope being stuffed underneath the door of whatever lodgings you utilize. It is a black envelope, emblazoned with a thin silver-colored line at the bottom, and it is addressed to you. [2/19/2013 9:35:27 PM] Snow: The seal is marbled black and red, and it's a little bleary, but you can still make out the cup-and-dagger sigil of House d'Amici, one of the two families that rival each other for control over the capital of Meneluinin, St. Benedict, and its twin city across the river, Navarre, center of the arts. [2/19/2013 9:37:03 PM] Snow: House d'Amici is an ancient one, but recently it has suffered somewhat of a decline, like many of the oldest elven houses, as they tend to be prone toward stagnation. By contrast, the mostly-human Everhart clan is growing every year thanks to their faster human reproductive rate and generally less-patient temperament. [2/19/2013 9:38:47 PM] Snow: Upon opening the envelope, you find a neat black-bordered card inviting you to an office in one of the swankier parts of town. If you're from out of town, this envelope will also include a ticket to use the tram--an opulent trainlike transport run on rails, entirely by magic. Tram tickets are expensive, and so is this stationery. [2/19/2013 9:40:10 PM] Snow: The address you have been given is at the edge of the Bells, one of the safer and more reputable entertainment districts in Navarre. You'll likely pass by the Carmina Opera House and the Tyronus Theatre. [2/19/2013 9:40:59 PM] Snow: You'll definitely pass by a number of colorful street artists plying their trades--all kinds of them, from living statues to jugglers to singers and musicians of all kinds, to actors reciting epic monologues and declaimers shouting out epic poetry. [2/19/2013 9:41:14 PM] Snow: There are, thank goodness, no mimes. [2/19/2013 9:42:36 PM] Snow: You all arrive, more or less at the same time, 10 minutes before the appointed time, outside the door of a well-maintained, totally unmarked smallish building down the street from the Opera House. [2/19/2013 9:43:50 PM] Snow: It's already beginning to warm up, and the sun is helping melt some of the snow crusting most surfaces. You can still see your breath (those of you that have it) but you can get along quite well by keeping your hands in your pockets--no need for mittens. [2/19/2013 9:44:22 PM] Snow: The steps of the house are totally dry; neither snow nor ice nor even the sand people use to keep their steps clear of wintry deposits. [2/19/2013 9:44:47 PM] Snow: Do describe yourselves as you arrive, please. [2/19/2013 9:45:45 PM] Caspar: Caspar appears as a handsome, dark-skinned human male with a lean build hidden under several layers of cloak. [2/19/2013 9:47:06 PM] Penelope: The lanky, towering frame of a silver automaton comes into view, its languid pace contrasted by a green-eyed, darting head, taking in views with what can only be described as wonder. [2/19/2013 9:47:13 PM] Aethon: Aethon stands before the steps, in a hooded cloak that sits far below his face, obscuring all but his lips and chin. Upon further inspection, one can see the ritual markings and symbols on his otherwise unassuming garb, marking him out to be an adherent of Jaer, a warrior god of justice. [2/19/2013 9:48:32 PM] Aethon: Aethon turns his head to look at the others that have arrived as he has, and a faint smile forms upon his lips. [2/19/2013 9:48:47 PM] Abelard: Abelard the elf with golden hair and green eyes arrives quietly to the gathering, royal blue cloak swirled about him. [2/19/2013 9:49:45 PM] Penelope: Penelope begins without a greeting,"So many cloaks and hidden faces, why is this?" [2/19/2013 9:49:58 PM] Caspar: Because it's cold. [2/19/2013 9:50:10 PM] Aethon: "Peace upon you, friend. I meant no disrespect." [2/19/2013 9:50:55 PM] Penelope: "No disrespect, just curiosity!" [2/19/2013 9:51:15 PM] Aethon: Aethon pulls down his hood to a youthful face. Brown hair upon a handsome young face. "I am Brother Aethon of the Holy Order of Jaer. And who might you be, friend?" [2/19/2013 9:51:37 PM] Abelard: Abelard listens intently. [2/19/2013 9:51:58 PM] Penelope: Penelope motions a hand along her face, indicating a smile,"I was named Penelope!" [2/19/2013 9:52:07 PM] Karid: Karid is a dark skinned man with dark, shaggy hair and a well groomed beard. He is around 5'10", and is wearing some light looking robes under a heavy steel breastplate and greaves. His arms, oddly, are bare of armor. he has a curved sword hanging at his belt, and some cloth covering his head and some of his face. It's not quite a hood, but it's like one. [2/19/2013 9:52:20 PM] Caspar: Did you also get mysterious invitations? [2/19/2013 9:52:25 PM] Snow: Not too far away, you can hear a duo singing an old folk song; it's a murder ballad about a woman killed by her lover. [2/19/2013 9:52:33 PM] Karid: Karid also has a symbol of Jaer around his neck [2/19/2013 9:53:22 PM] Karid: A fellow worshipper of Jaer? [2/19/2013 9:53:30 PM] Aethon: "A fellow adherent, indeed. Pleased to meet you, brother." Aethon makes a sweeping motion with two fingers. [2/19/2013 9:53:41 PM] Karid: Karid returns the motion [2/19/2013 9:53:59 PM] Abelard: Abelard clicks his tongue, mumbling, "Oh good." [2/19/2013 9:54:11 PM] Penelope: Penelope mimics the motion, its head cocked in confusion. [2/19/2013 9:54:22 PM] Karid: Perhaps he brought us here for a reason, then. [2/19/2013 9:54:26 PM] Abelard: Abelard merely stares at the metal giant. [2/19/2013 9:54:42 PM] Caspar: I should hope so. [2/19/2013 9:54:47 PM] Aethon: "Indeed. Where now is our guest, I wonder? Shall we make for the door?" [2/19/2013 9:55:01 PM] Aethon: "Our benefactor, I mean." [2/19/2013 9:55:08 PM] Snow: It's a beautiful door, with some very ornate detailing. [2/19/2013 9:55:33 PM] Karid: It would seem that is the thing to do. [2/19/2013 9:55:36 PM] Karid: Karid goes up and knocks [2/19/2013 9:55:42 PM] Aethon: "I sense these spotless steps are not so innocent of planning, though. I would be wary." [2/19/2013 9:56:12 PM] Aethon: "Perhaps..." [2/19/2013 9:56:26 PM] Abelard: You would think the steps plot against you? [2/19/2013 9:56:33 PM] Abelard: Abelard smirks. [2/19/2013 9:56:53 PM] Penelope: "Why would the steps hate you?" [2/19/2013 9:57:01 PM] Snow: After a moment or two, the door swings open. [2/19/2013 9:57:56 PM] Snow: In front of you is a tall, regal-looking half-elf man wearing the plain black robes of a scholar. There's a very thin red line around the bottom, as well as around the ends of the sleeves. He has a small, carefully-trimmed beard. [2/19/2013 9:58:07 PM] Snow: Man: Good morning. Please, come in. [2/19/2013 9:58:26 PM] Karid: You are the one who sent for us? [2/19/2013 9:58:51 PM] Abelard: Abelard reflexively recoils a bit, "Er, yes. As you will." [2/19/2013 9:59:10 PM] Penelope: Penelope takes the invitation without hesitation. [2/19/2013 9:59:24 PM] Snow: Man: I'm afraid not. I merely take care of things here. My Lady is waiting upstairs; you're slightly early, I believe. [2/19/2013 9:59:33 PM] Snow: It's worth noting that this building definitely does not have a second story. [2/19/2013 9:59:41 PM] Aethon: "If I may, could we inquire as to her ladyship's name?" [2/19/2013 9:59:56 PM] Abelard: Abelard gathers his cloak, "For my part, I'd ask questions when out of the chill." [2/19/2013 10:00:26 PM] Aethon: "It seems I my desires are overridden by those of my companions. Onward, then." [2/19/2013 10:00:32 PM | Edited 10:00:39 PM] Snow: The man smiles, or at least quirks up one side of his lips. "I think I shall let her introduce herself." [2/19/2013 10:00:35 PM] Snow: He ushers you all in. [2/19/2013 10:00:47 PM | Edited 10:01:34 PM] Caspar: Caspar files in. [2/19/2013 10:01:07 PM] Karid: ...lady? [2/19/2013 10:01:17 PM] Karid: Karid enters [2/19/2013 10:01:53 PM] Snow: You enter a well-appointed waiting room. The decor here is plain, but the materials, costly, well beyond the reach of an ordinary person. [2/19/2013 10:02:05 PM] Aethon: "Our benefactor seems to be impeccable taste." [2/19/2013 10:02:29 PM] Abelard: Yes. Quite. [2/19/2013 10:02:40 PM] Abelard: Abelard runs his hand across the nearest fancy fabric. [2/19/2013 10:02:50 PM] Caspar: Caspar throws a glance around the room. [2/19/2013 10:02:50 PM] Penelope: Penelope keeps hands to itself once inside. [2/19/2013 10:03:08 PM] Karid: You are the underling of a woman? [2/19/2013 10:03:11 PM] Karid: Karid tilts his head [2/19/2013 10:03:13 PM] Snow: The chairs are sumptuous leather; they're almost too nice to sit on. Fittings are brass. [2/19/2013 10:03:31 PM] Snow: The man raises his eyebrows. "I merely... arrange things." [2/19/2013 10:03:47 PM] Caspar: Could you make that sound more ominous? [2/19/2013 10:04:26 PM] Penelope: "Acquaintance Karid, what is wrong with serving a master?" [2/19/2013 10:04:30 PM] Snow: He laughs. "I didn't intend it that way, really. I schedule appointments, I keep the books, I keep things running in an orderly fashion." [2/19/2013 10:05:09 PM] Aethon: "Well now, we dawdle. Bring about your master, friend, and let us carry on our ways." [2/19/2013 10:05:09 PM] Karid: Karid looks at Penelope [2/19/2013 10:05:09 PM] Snow: Anyone with Knowledge: Nobility/Royalty can roll it if they like. Or Bardic. [2/19/2013 10:05:49 PM] Karid: It is not serving a master, it is serving a woman. ...that strikes none of you as odd? [2/19/2013 10:06:07 PM] Caspar: Why would it matter? [2/19/2013 10:06:50 PM] Snow: Man: I'm Battista, by the way, if it matters. Please, follow me. [2/19/2013 10:07:39 PM] Snow: He leads you across the room and slides open another set of double-doors, leading to a smallish room. [2/19/2013 10:07:46 PM] Karid: ...nevermind. [2/19/2013 10:08:11 PM] Abelard: Abelard reluctantly parts with the fabric he was fondling. [2/19/2013 10:08:14 PM] Snow: He gestures at you to enter first, politely. [2/19/2013 10:08:27 PM] Aethon: Aethon enters the smaller room. [2/19/2013 10:08:36 PM] Karid: Karid enters [2/19/2013 10:08:43 PM] Penelope: Penelope strides in [2/19/2013 10:08:47 PM] Caspar: Caspar head inside. [2/19/2013 10:08:50 PM] Abelard: Abelard narrows his eyes. [2/19/2013 10:09:01 PM] Abelard: Abelard enters anyway. [2/19/2013 10:09:06 PM] Aethon: "Fear not, friend, I can sense no evil thing in this abode." [2/19/2013 10:09:29 PM] Abelard: Do not take this the wrong way, but I'm not sure I even trust you. [2/19/2013 10:09:49 PM] Aethon: "Not trust a friar? You're a cautious man, friend." [2/19/2013 10:10:03 PM] Abelard: Abelard glances back at Battista. [2/19/2013 10:10:09 PM] Abelard: Yes, well, it has served me thus far. [2/19/2013 10:11:03 PM] Snow: He steps in after you; the doors close and you can feel the room moving up. [2/19/2013 10:11:14 PM] Aethon: "Interesting." [2/19/2013 10:11:20 PM] Penelope: ((is there a window view?)) [2/19/2013 10:11:26 PM] Snow: No window, alas. [2/19/2013 10:11:37 PM] Snow: Battista smiles pleasantly. [2/19/2013 10:11:46 PM] Caspar: So where are we going, then? Up to the second floor of a building that doesn't have one? [2/19/2013 10:11:57 PM] Aethon: "Tell me, Signeur Battista, are we headed up? Or down?" [2/19/2013 10:12:28 PM] Snow: Eventually the room stops moving and the doors open again; this time it's into a fairly large study room, with a large black-enamelled table and big leather chairs on one side and a desk and some bookshelves on the other. [2/19/2013 10:12:33 PM] Snow: Battista steps out first. [2/19/2013 10:12:34 PM] Caspar: Enigmatic smiles don't qualify as an answer. [2/19/2013 10:12:50 PM] Snow: Battista: That is an interesting metaphysical question I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer, to be honest. [2/19/2013 10:13:02 PM] Aethon: "Interesting." [2/19/2013 10:13:13 PM] Abelard: ((Knowledge(Arcana) ? )) [2/19/2013 10:13:26 PM] Snow: Sure! K: Arcana roll if you like. [2/19/2013 10:14:40 PM] Abelard: Sorcery most powerful. [2/19/2013 10:14:59 PM] Abelard: Abelard carefully steps out into the room. [2/19/2013 10:15:13 PM] Caspar: I like to know what dimension I'm going to, is all. [2/19/2013 10:15:23 PM] Aethon: Aethon snaps out of a reverie, and steps into the room. [2/19/2013 10:15:25 PM] Penelope: Penelope follows Abelard in. [2/19/2013 10:16:25 PM] Snow: A woman walks in from another door to your left. She's an elf, pale-skinned, with hair so dark it's almost black, arranged in an ornate braided style. She's wearing a black dress with, it seems, black-embroidered edges. None of it is flashy, but it's all clearly expensive. [2/19/2013 10:16:39 PM] Caspar: Caspar follows the others. [2/19/2013 10:16:57 PM] Aethon: How beautiful is she? [2/19/2013 10:17:44 PM] Snow: It's always hard to tell with elves, but she's probably middle-aged. A very well-preserved middle-aged. She's pretty good-looking, but she has very much the air of a wolf among the sheep. [2/19/2013 10:18:11 PM] Aethon: Aethon steps forward eagerly with a bow. [2/19/2013 10:18:16 PM] Snow: Notice check, if you would! It's Wisdom if you don't have it. [2/19/2013 10:18:21 PM] Aethon: "Peace be upon you, fair lady." [2/19/2013 10:19:08 PM] Aethon: "It has been a long journey, but one most worth seeing your beauty." [2/19/2013 10:19:56 PM] Penelope: "I expected someone shinier!" [2/19/2013 10:20:16 PM] Snow: She smiles, and curtseys. "You flatter me. I'm Faustina d'Amici; please, sit." [2/19/2013 10:20:30 PM] Abelard: Abelard gives Aethon a sidelong glance before taking a seat. [2/19/2013 10:20:35 PM] Snow: Int or Wis check for Caspar, Penelope and Abelard. [2/19/2013 10:20:42 PM] Snow: (Pick whichever is higher.) [2/19/2013 10:20:51 PM] Aethon: Aethon smiles broadly at Abelard, and then winks knowingly. [2/19/2013 10:21:05 PM] Snow: Faustina gestures to the table, and sits at the head of it herself. [2/19/2013 10:21:26 PM] Caspar: Caspar takes a seat. [2/19/2013 10:21:26 PM] Aethon: Upon seeing Faustina sit, Aethon sits at the seat nearest beside her. [2/19/2013 10:21:44 PM] Abelard: Abelard curls his lip up in visible digust, "Charming." [2/19/2013 10:22:12 PM] Penelope: "Aquaintance Abelard, what is wrong with your mouth?" [2/19/2013 10:22:45 PM] Abelard: Abelard smiles sweetly at the construct, "That would be what we of the flesh call an expression." [2/19/2013 10:23:07 PM] Abelard: Abelard sighs, "Pardon me, that was overly nasty. It has been a foul day." [2/19/2013 10:23:19 PM] Caspar: Caspar raises an eyebrow at Faustina. [2/19/2013 10:23:41 PM] Snow: Faustina: Has it? The weather is quite good for this time of year. [2/19/2013 10:24:09 PM] Abelard: I, er, was not speaking of the weather. *shrugs* [2/19/2013 10:24:10 PM] Aethon: Aethon turns to the beautiful elf. "And yet all the fair weather can hardly hold a candle to your beauty, my lady." [2/19/2013 10:24:13 PM] Abelard: It will pass. [2/19/2013 10:24:50 PM] Snow: Faustina laughs. "Flattery will probably not get you anywhere, I am afraid, but it *is* amusing. I expect you are all wondering why I called you here." [2/19/2013 10:25:25 PM] Penelope: "The ride was exciting! Is that not reason enough?" [2/19/2013 10:25:47 PM] Aethon: Aethon does a showy bow in his seat, and replies, "You have my complete and undivided attention, mademoiselle." [2/19/2013 10:25:49 PM] Snow: Faustina: Exciting interesting-things-to-see, or exciting highwaymen? [2/19/2013 10:26:22 PM] Penelope: "I have all of my belongings intact, so I state the former." [2/19/2013 10:26:27 PM] Snow: You *all* notice that she moves like a snake. A dress like that should rustle when you walk; somehow hers is soundless. [2/19/2013 10:26:41 PM] Snow: Faustina: Excellent. [2/19/2013 10:27:12 PM] Snow: Faustina: To cut straight to the point, I have decided to open up my ancestral home after a very long period of, mmm, inactivity. [2/19/2013 10:27:45 PM] Snow: Faustina: Unfortunately, the building has some... quaint and interesting antique features, and I find myself in need of some assistance. [2/19/2013 10:28:02 PM] Snow: By the way, anyone is free to roll Sense Motive at *any* time. [2/19/2013 10:28:12 PM] Abelard: Would be a shame to leave such an adobe to sit empty. [2/19/2013 10:29:00 PM] Caspar: What kind of 'features' are we talking about here? [2/19/2013 10:29:45 PM] Aethon: Aethon continues to beam at the fair lady, absolutely ignorant of any false motive. [2/19/2013 10:29:45 PM] Karid: Yes, what exactly do you mean? [2/19/2013 10:29:52 PM] Caspar: Do we mean 'Secret passages'? Or more along the lines of 'haunted by ghosts that turn you inside out'? [2/19/2013 10:30:03 PM] Abelard: ((*abode, hah)) [2/19/2013 10:30:12 PM] Snow: Faustina: Mmm, somewhere in between, I am afraid. Possibly both. [2/19/2013 10:30:32 PM] Abelard: Secret passages that turn you inside out, then? [2/19/2013 10:31:00 PM] Snow: Faustina: The building was originally designed by a wizard whose fortunetelling led him to believe that he would never die as long as the building was being built. [2/19/2013 10:31:18 PM] Aethon: "Yes... Yes. Interesting." [2/19/2013 10:31:38 PM] Snow: Faustina: As such, the house is somewhat... peculiar. It's quite a bit larger on the inside than it is on the outside, for one thing, and it... [2/19/2013 10:31:46 PM] Aethon: Aethon slams his hands on the table and rises. "Fear not, my lady, you have my sword! I will perform this valorous act, by Ertelis! Who among you will join me on this quest?!" [2/19/2013 10:32:01 PM] Snow: She hesitates, but then continues. "It seems to have something of a personality, though that of course may be unnecessarily anthropomorphizing." [2/19/2013 10:32:02 PM] Karid: I shall [2/19/2013 10:32:20 PM] Caspar: Caspar rubs his eyes. "Simmer down.  Let the lady finish." [2/19/2013 10:32:33 PM] Penelope: Penelope mimics Aethon's excitement, and in the same tone, "What are we doing, Acquaintance Aethon?" [2/19/2013 10:32:35 PM] Snow: She smiles a small smile at Aethon. "Really, you ought to hear the rest of it first. It is definitely haunted. Some of the ghosts are helpful; others annoying and some of them are really... very unpleasant." [2/19/2013 10:33:07 PM] Aethon: Aethon looks to the lady, and then back at Caspar. A sheepish, flirty grin rests upon his face. [2/19/2013 10:33:13 PM] Abelard: Abelard groans, "The incorporeal can be so droll." [2/19/2013 10:33:15 PM] Aethon: "As you say, my lady." Aethon sits. [2/19/2013 10:33:51 PM] Aethon: "Penelope, you too, come, let us contain our excitement for the time being." [2/19/2013 10:34:03 PM] Snow: Faustina: Part of the difficulty is that some portions of the house were... repurposed from other locations. And it changes. [2/19/2013 10:34:04 PM] Aethon: Aethon motions for her(?) to sit. [2/19/2013 10:34:52 PM] Penelope: Penelope dejectedly sits down, and becomes quiet. [2/19/2013 10:35:34 PM] Aethon: Aethon turns to Faustina with a serious look. It's most obvious that he's playing at it, however. [2/19/2013 10:35:48 PM] Snow: Faustina: There are some parts of the house that are well-known to be safe; you can live there. I may take up residence in that wing myself at some point, as may others in my family. You would, of course, receive free room and board, as well as compensation that most people would consider... more than adequate. [2/19/2013 10:36:52 PM] Caspar: Caspar now gets interested. "Are you looking for an...exorcism then?  Or caretakers?" [2/19/2013 10:37:30 PM] Snow: Faustina: I would certainly like the building's more... threatening denizens removed. [2/19/2013 10:38:35 PM] Penelope: "I have only my fists, will these be adequate in removing said denizens?" [2/19/2013 10:38:39 PM] Snow: Faustina: However, there's no need to eliminate the ghost of the chimney sweep who was caught in one of the chimneys and died there, for example. Such a sad little thing, but he made an excellent playmate for my daughter when she was a child. [2/19/2013 10:39:10 PM] Aethon: Aethon scratches his chin. "Just what exactly is the nature of this infestation?" [2/19/2013 10:39:16 PM] Snow: Faustina: You all have different talents; perhaps walking alone outside the east wing would be inadvisable, but within it, you should be safe. [2/19/2013 10:40:08 PM] Snow: Faustina: I have no idea, but I believe "infestations" might be more accurate. [2/19/2013 10:40:57 PM] Snow: Faustina: The house can be rather perverse. One of the many rooms I recall from my childhood was the most lovely little reading nook, with a roaring fire and glorious natural lighting, and the most intriguing shelf of clever little books. I have never been able to find it since. [2/19/2013 10:41:53 PM] Aethon: "It seems to me that there is nothing more to be said, then. Will proper transportation to this estate be made available to us soon?" [2/19/2013 10:42:23 PM] Abelard: I... *tilts his head* Don't think we'll be leaving. [2/19/2013 10:42:54 PM] Penelope: "Is something wrong with your neck, Acquaintance Abelard? [2/19/2013 10:42:58 PM] Aethon: "What say you, friend?" [2/19/2013 10:43:05 PM] Aethon: "Is there something amiss?" [2/19/2013 10:43:26 PM] Abelard: Think on what she has said. [2/19/2013 10:43:30 PM] Abelard: Perhaps it will come to you. [2/19/2013 10:43:47 PM] Snow: Faustina: You are correct; you are, technically, in the house as we speak. Or... you are in a location which is also a location shared by the house. I'm not a mage, I'm not especially familiar with interdimensional terminology, unfortunately. [2/19/2013 10:44:25 PM] Abelard: Abelard gestures with his hand, "And there you have it." [2/19/2013 10:44:29 PM] Aethon: "Ah hah! And so, the adventure has begun." [2/19/2013 10:44:31 PM] Karid: ...would it be possible to simply perform an exorcism? [2/19/2013 10:44:54 PM] Snow: Faustina: We could, but it would be tantamount to murder. [2/19/2013 10:45:13 PM] Snow: Faustina: ... if one can speak of murdering someone who hasn't got a body and isn't entirely located on this plane. [2/19/2013 10:45:35 PM] Penelope: "Who would speak like that?" [2/19/2013 10:45:49 PM] Snow: Faustina: Of course if you decline the offer you can easily go back through the portal and return to Navarre. [2/19/2013 10:45:59 PM] Aethon: Aethon laughs aloud. [2/19/2013 10:46:07 PM] Aethon: "The house is like you, Penelope." [2/19/2013 10:46:47 PM] Penelope: "I am inside a larger representation of my being???" [2/19/2013 10:46:49 PM] Caspar: Caspar is quiet, considering the offer. [2/19/2013 10:46:52 PM] Karid: ...old and full of evil spirits? [2/19/2013 10:46:55 PM] Snow: Faustina: Well, I would, for one. Some of the ghosts are quite pleasant. One of the kitchens has one of our former cooks; she's quite helpful in the kitchen, always preventing things from boiling over and adding little pinches of seasonings. [2/19/2013 10:47:06 PM] Aethon: Aethon nods his head. [2/19/2013 10:47:10 PM] Aethon: "Interesting!" [2/19/2013 10:47:13 PM] Aethon: "I accept!" [2/19/2013 10:47:23 PM] Snow: Faustina: She *does* have a rather regrettable obsession with pepper, but she's quite harmless. [2/19/2013 10:48:42 PM] Snow: Faustina: I can't remember if she was a poisoner or if someone poisoned her; she doesn't talk about it. But it would be very cruel to end her existence. And of course she's been in the family for centuries. [2/19/2013 10:48:52 PM] Penelope: "I take this obligation, Benefactor Faustina." [2/19/2013 10:48:59 PM] Karid: I must accept as well. Haunted houses are not something you simply leave lying around. [2/19/2013 10:49:40 PM] Caspar: You'd think, but there are still so many of them. [2/19/2013 10:50:00 PM] Penelope: "Then this will be the first of many?" [2/19/2013 10:50:52 PM] Snow: Faustina: Goodness, I hope not. Part of the difficulty is that the house itself changes configuration fairly frequently. Any attempts you make to map it will be appreciated, but it's likely impossible. [2/19/2013 10:51:33 PM] Snow: Faustina: I suppose you could say your mission is to gather information whenever possible, cataloguing menaces if you cannot deal with them directly, and mapping or recording contents of as many rooms as possible. [2/19/2013 10:51:49 PM] Caspar: So this is a... long-term engagement. [2/19/2013 10:52:00 PM] Snow: Faustina: The North Wing and the West Wing are quite... incorrigible. [2/19/2013 10:52:06 PM] Aethon: "Well, then, we are a questing PARTY!" [2/19/2013 10:52:19 PM] Aethon: "And now I must count you all as dear friends and comrades." [2/19/2013 10:52:27 PM] Abelard: Abelard sighs, "If you must." [2/19/2013 10:52:30 PM] Karid: Karid groans [2/19/2013 10:52:35 PM] Snow: Faustina: Yes. To be fair it does come with free room and board. I will be sending servants there to tend to your needs, and my own family will reside there in future as well. [2/19/2013 10:52:37 PM] Aethon: "I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you all!" Aethon rises to his feet, and pulls off his cloak with a flourish. He stands there, girded in steel chainmail and a greatsword strapped to his back. [2/19/2013 10:52:49 PM] Snow: (Aethon cracks me up, let it be known.) [2/19/2013 10:53:02 PM] Karid: (( Oh, I like him OOC )) [2/19/2013 10:53:06 PM] Aethon: "I am a paladin of the Holy Order of Jaer, and his might will guide us in this glorious endeavor!" [2/19/2013 10:53:08 PM] Penelope: "You are now designated as Friend Aethon." [2/19/2013 10:53:15 PM] Snow: Faustina: That *would* be a novelty if anyone ever were. [2/19/2013 10:53:28 PM] Aethon: Aethon whoops and slaps his chest. [2/19/2013 10:53:34 PM] Abelard: Abelard buries his face in his hands. [2/19/2013 10:53:49 PM] Aethon: "Woohoo! Let's do this!" [2/19/2013 10:54:05 PM] Karid: Yes, let's. [2/19/2013 10:54:23 PM] Abelard: Let me just take stock here for a moment. [2/19/2013 10:54:45 PM] Abelard: We are expected to live here, with all manner of... *looks at Aethon* [2/19/2013 10:54:49 PM] Abelard: Horrible beasts? [2/19/2013 10:55:12 PM] Aethon: Aethon, ignorant of the others, turns to Penelope. "Come, friend, let us slap hands in the manner of comrades!" [2/19/2013 10:55:34 PM] Penelope: Penelope extends a hand, unsure of what is to come. [2/19/2013 10:56:07 PM] Aethon: Aethon slaps it, wincs in pain, and then slaps it again. "What marvelous constitution you have!" [2/19/2013 10:56:15 PM] Karid: Well, it will at least be interesting, yes? [2/19/2013 10:56:19 PM] Snow: Faustina: I hope you don't need it. [2/19/2013 10:56:26 PM] Abelard: It will certainly be something. [2/19/2013 10:56:47 PM] Penelope: ((Penelope's slap is rather gentle, oddly enough)) [2/19/2013 10:57:00 PM] Karid: (( Still slapping steel )) [2/19/2013 10:57:25 PM] Abelard: ((Unless Penelope took Mithral Body, wooooo)) [2/19/2013 10:57:40 PM] Penelope: ((just composite plating, equates to armorless) [2/19/2013 10:57:51 PM] Snow: Faustina: I'd quite like you to live here. The East Wing is, we believe, perfectly safe. [2/19/2013 10:58:09 PM] Abelard: Are the furnishings as exquisite as the rest of your home? [2/19/2013 10:58:13 PM] Snow: Faustina: There *have* been mysterious disappearances in this house; that was why it was shut up and deserted for so many years. [2/19/2013 10:58:20 PM] Abelard: If so, I suppose it'll be fine. [2/19/2013 10:58:32 PM] Snow: Faustina: That, too, varies from room to room. Some of my ancestors had regrettably gaudy tastes. [2/19/2013 10:59:02 PM] Abelard: Abelard sighs quietly, "Wonders never cease." [2/19/2013 10:59:35 PM] Snow: Faustina: Gold leaf and mahogany floors. I've heard there's a room entirely lined with malachite somewhere, but I've never seen it. [2/19/2013 11:00:16 PM] Snow: Faustina: ... I have many good memories in this house, and I would like to live here again. Shall I show you to your rooms? [2/19/2013 11:00:36 PM] Penelope: "If that is what you wish." [2/19/2013 11:00:48 PM] Karid: Indeed. We should waste no more time if this house is still a potential danger. [2/19/2013 11:00:49 PM] Caspar: I haven't decided if I'm staying yet. [2/19/2013 11:01:13 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans over and slaps Caspar's back. "Come now, don't be a spoil sport!" [2/19/2013 11:01:17 PM] Penelope: "Does something bother you, Acquaintance Caspar?" [2/19/2013 11:01:32 PM] Snow: Faustina: What can I say that would convince you? [2/19/2013 11:01:38 PM] Abelard: I should like the best room... but yes, I will stay. For now. [2/19/2013 11:02:20 PM] Caspar: Room and board are well and good, of course, but a more comprehensive discussion of potential rewards would interest me. [2/19/2013 11:02:23 PM] Snow: Faustina: I've no idea which *is* the best room, to be completely honest. There is theoretically a master bedroom somewhere, but the last I heard it was attached to the west wing and filled, inexplicably, with snakes. [2/19/2013 11:02:36 PM] Aethon: Aethon shudders. [2/19/2013 11:02:41 PM] Aethon: "Snakes. I hate snakes." [2/19/2013 11:02:55 PM] Abelard: For clarification: The best available room. [2/19/2013 11:03:00 PM] Snow: Faustina: None of them were poisonous but it was a nuisance. [2/19/2013 11:03:26 PM] Abelard: Abelard frowns at, well, everything. [2/19/2013 11:03:29 PM] Penelope: "I have no need of room and board, save an area to store my backpack.  As I do not require rest, may I provide some service to my Benefactor, Friend, and Acquaintances while they retire or rest?" [2/19/2013 11:03:51 PM] Snow: Faustina: If you like, but please don't feel obligated. The servants ought to begin arriving tomorrow. [2/19/2013 11:04:09 PM] Snow: Faustina: Let me see; will 10 platinum pieces a week suffice? [2/19/2013 11:04:24 PM] Aethon: Even Aethon shuts up at the princely sum. [2/19/2013 11:04:36 PM] Abelard: Abelard sputters, not managing to form a word. [2/19/2013 11:04:38 PM] Caspar: I believe it would. [2/19/2013 11:05:01 PM] Snow: Faustina: It is somewhat dangerous, I am aware. Should anything... untoward occur, we will make every effort to retrieve you. [2/19/2013 11:05:13 PM] Penelope: "This is far beyond what my master expected would be offered.  Representing his interests, I accept." [2/19/2013 11:05:57 PM] Snow: While Faustina does not add "even if we have to use a spatula and an absorbant dish rag to do it," the idea is uhh... implied. [2/19/2013 11:06:25 PM] Snow: Faustina: Excellent. [2/19/2013 11:06:32 PM] Snow: She stands. "Please, follow me." [2/19/2013 11:06:45 PM] Aethon: Aethon follows closely behind her. [2/19/2013 11:07:15 PM] Aethon: "Allow me to protect you in this place, my lady." [2/19/2013 11:07:25 PM] Penelope: Penelope gives chase! [2/19/2013 11:07:30 PM] Caspar: Caspar stands and follows. [2/19/2013 11:08:18 PM] Abelard: Abelard reluctantly follows. [2/19/2013 11:08:22 PM] Snow: Faustina: This leads to the East Wing; there's no need, really. [2/19/2013 11:08:55 PM] Aethon: "By Paolon the Keeper," Aethon mutters to himself, "That is a princely sum." [2/19/2013 11:08:57 PM] Snow: She picks up a clear glass ball from her desk and blows on it lightly; a little flame appears inside the bauble. [2/19/2013 11:09:06 PM] Snow: It *is* a lot of money. [2/19/2013 11:09:46 PM] Snow: She opens the door on the left side of the room herself, and walks through it. [2/19/2013 11:10:36 PM] Penelope: Penelope follows. [2/19/2013 11:10:43 PM] Aethon: Aethon follows. [2/19/2013 11:11:11 PM] Karid: Karid follows! [2/19/2013 11:11:41 PM] Aethon: "Abelard? Caspar?" Aethon calls into the room behind him. "Tarry not, friends." [2/19/2013 11:11:50 PM] Snow: You appear in a hallway that stretches out quite a long ways to your left and to your right. There's a deep red rug and wall hangings and paintings along the wall, and a few small tables and chairs along the sides of the hall, as if someone would need to take a rest going from one end to the other. [2/19/2013 11:11:58 PM] Snow: ... which they might; it's a long hallway. [2/19/2013 11:12:03 PM] Abelard: Abelard follows, behind the rest. [2/19/2013 11:12:06 PM] Caspar: Caspar follows as well. [2/19/2013 11:13:11 PM] Penelope: "Where are you leading us to next, Benefactor?" [2/19/2013 11:13:56 PM] Snow: Faustina: The rooms that have been prepared for you. This house has been closed for quite some time, but I have had some rooms in  this wing cleaned and made ready for you, under my supervision. [2/19/2013 11:14:25 PM] Penelope: (oh yeah, sorry about redundant info : [2/19/2013 11:14:51 PM] Snow: The flame-bauble brightens a bit. "I see the candles need to be mended. I shall have that taken care of as well... hmm, perhaps I ought to have sent Battista, his eye for detail is so much better than mine." [2/19/2013 11:15:29 PM] Penelope: ((what check is needed for candles? search or notice?)) [2/19/2013 11:15:41 PM] Snow: Faustina leads you down the *incredibly* long hallway. Many of the paintings feature elves in various poses and states; most of them have dark hair, pale skin and are wearing various shades of black, silver and red. They look a little bit like Faustina, perhaps, some of them. [2/19/2013 11:15:44 PM] Snow: Search. [2/19/2013 11:17:01 PM] Karid: How old is this building? [2/19/2013 11:17:18 PM] Karid: To have this many paintings of previous owners... [2/19/2013 11:17:23 PM] Snow: *Eventually* you reach the end of the hallway, and Faustina opens one of the doors at the end of it; it's a large, but cozy-looking common room, with a dining room table on one end and a fireplace, a few couches and easy chairs. [2/19/2013 11:17:25 PM] Karid: ...they are previous owners, yes? [2/19/2013 11:17:55 PM] Snow: Faustina: Owners and their relatives. We don't even have information on some of them, unfortunately. I wish we did. [2/19/2013 11:18:22 PM] Karid: But you are elves. This must be ancient. [2/19/2013 11:18:29 PM] Snow: Faustina: This is your common area. You may use anything here that you wish; if you take things, please bring them back. [2/19/2013 11:18:46 PM] Snow: Faustina: ... time doesn't... always run properly here. [2/19/2013 11:19:44 PM] Penelope: "Is Benefactor Faustina subject to these temporal anomalies?" [2/19/2013 11:19:46 PM] Snow: She leads you into an adjoining room, which appears to be largeish kitchen, very clean, very sleek, lots of metal. [2/19/2013 11:20:22 PM] Snow: Faustina: Fortunately not. The kitchen. You should find the larder stocked; I know it's quite inconvenient but you'll either need to cook for yourselves or have sandwiches tonight, I'm afraid. The cook *ought* to arrive tomorrow. [2/19/2013 11:21:24 PM] Caspar: We'll manage. [2/19/2013 11:21:41 PM] Snow: She exits to a room across the hall; it has shelves upon shelves in it. Most of them are empty; one is filled with arrows, another with crossbow bolts. There's a stack of paper and a stack of parchment, pens, ink, needles, extra blankets, ropes. Lots of adventuring gear, in other words. [2/19/2013 11:22:03 PM] Karid: Karid opens his mouth to say something, but seems to think better of it [2/19/2013 11:22:13 PM] Snow: Faustina: Please feel free to replace your own things with anything you find here. I know it's lacking in certin areas, but as time goes on, we can deal with that as well. [2/19/2013 11:22:43 PM] Snow: Faustina: I especially recommend the twine. When you're exploring, tie it to something in one of the antechambers. [2/19/2013 11:23:31 PM] Karid: ...how are we to cook without a woman here to do so? [2/19/2013 11:23:42 PM] Snow: Faustina: This building has five floors; this entire wing, with the red carpets, is safe. To get into the other wings you will have to go through one of the antechambers, and to get to one of those you'll have to pass through the grand hall. You'll recognize it by the ridiculously large stairwells and the grand entrance. [2/19/2013 11:23:48 PM] Caspar: Caspar looks at Karid oddly. [2/19/2013 11:24:14 PM] Snow: Faustina: Sandwiches will have to be the order of the day, I'm afraid. It is only one night. [2/19/2013 11:24:14 PM] Karid: Karid looks geniunely confused [2/19/2013 11:24:25 PM] Penelope: "I have been designated by my creator as 'feminine'.  Perhaps I should construct sandwiches for Friend and Acquaintances?" [2/19/2013 11:24:55 PM] Aethon: Aethon, having stood in deep thought for several minutes, now pipes up. "My lady, how often will we be graced by your presence?" [2/19/2013 11:25:26 PM] Snow: Faustina: In any case, do not go past the Grand Hall unless you attach a bit of twine to the staircase there, or to some other immovable object. [2/19/2013 11:25:48 PM] Snow: Faustina: ... I'm not sure, truly. I'm rather busy with my family duties. [2/19/2013 11:26:19 PM] Karid: (( Also, I hope nobody is offended by the misogynism. He's just very...traditional )) [2/19/2013 11:26:29 PM] Aethon: Aethon leaps forward and, taking her hand, kneels on the floor. "Speak not so violently! I cannot last in this dark abode without a shining light!" [2/19/2013 11:26:42 PM] Abelard: Abelard sifts through the gear on the shelf. [2/19/2013 11:26:51 PM] Snow: (Nope. It's a character flaw; flaws make the character, I always say!) [2/19/2013 11:27:01 PM] Caspar: Caspar rolls his eyes a bit. [2/19/2013 11:27:13 PM] Snow: Faustina laughs again. "Don't worry, I promise I'll have the candles fixed." [2/19/2013 11:27:46 PM] Karid: Karid looks at Aethon and crosses his arms [2/19/2013 11:27:47 PM] Snow: Faustina: All the rooms in this wing are open to you; only the ones on this floor have been cleaned and made ready for humanoid habitation, however. You may choose whatever room you like. [2/19/2013 11:29:18 PM] Penelope: "Friend Aethon, may I leave my belongings in your room?" [2/19/2013 11:29:28 PM] Aethon: "You may, friend." [2/19/2013 11:29:44 PM] Aethon: "Alas, that you would not leave us, my lady." [2/19/2013 11:29:46 PM] Caspar: Caspar goes to check out the rooms! [2/19/2013 11:29:51 PM] Snow: Faustina: Are there any other questions before I leave? [2/19/2013 11:30:06 PM] Abelard: Abelard merely shakes his head. [2/19/2013 11:30:07 PM] Snow: Caspar wanders off alone in the haunted house! ... well, the safe part of it, anyway. [2/19/2013 11:30:25 PM] Karid: Hey, wait! [2/19/2013 11:30:35 PM] Karid: You should not wander off alone, it is dangerous. [2/19/2013 11:30:36 PM] Abelard: Abelard attempts to find the best room on this floor to claim. [2/19/2013 11:30:37 PM] Karid: Karid follows him [2/19/2013 11:30:43 PM] Penelope: Penelope wanders to converse with less tangible, but no less friendly tenants. [2/19/2013 11:30:46 PM] Abelard: Abelard unintentionally leaving with Karid. [2/19/2013 11:31:26 PM] Aethon: Aethon performs a sweeping bow, then makes his way to the stock of adventuring gear. "Parting is such sweet sorrow, my lady." [2/19/2013 11:32:21 PM] Snow: Faustina nods. "If you need to contact me while in the East Wing, simply write my name on a piece of paper and burn it. If I can answer, I will." [2/19/2013 11:32:32 PM] Snow: She curtseys to everyone, including Aethon, and departs. [2/19/2013 11:32:40 PM] Aethon: "Au revoir~" [2/19/2013 11:33:17 PM] Snow: All right, so my party is splitting up. Caspar alone, Karid and Abelard together, Penelope alone, and Aethon alone? correct? [2/19/2013 11:33:29 PM] Aethon: Correct. [2/19/2013 11:51:14 PM] Abelard: ((I bid you all goodnight. Had loads of fun!)) [2/19/2013 11:51:32 PM] Aethon: Good night. [2/19/2013 11:51:41 PM] Penelope: ((good night.)) [2/19/2013 11:51:50 PM] Caspar: ((Good night!)) [2/19/2013 11:53:53 PM] Snow: Ni! [12:17:41 AM] Penelope: ((good night everyone)) [12:17:49 AM] Snow: ((Ni!)) [12:17:54 AM] Karid: (( Night! )) [12:18:01 AM] Caspar: ((Gnight.)) [12:30:55 AM] Snow: Caspar and Karid return to the common room, led by Serafina. [12:31:01 AM] Snow: She starts getting the fire going. [12:31:26 AM] Karid: How do you people live in such cold? [12:31:51 AM] Caspar: We manage. [12:32:21 AM] Snow: Serafina, teasing: Well, *we're* not all celibate. [12:32:30 AM] Caspar: Caspar grins. [12:32:35 AM] Karid: Agh! [12:32:54 AM] Snow: Serafina: Really it's just a matter of wearing lots of layers, you know. [12:33:12 AM] Snow: Serafina: And winter underwear helps a lot of course. [12:33:28 AM] Karid: ...underwear? [12:33:43 AM] Snow: Serafina: Well, it's not *underwear*-underwear if you know what I mean. [12:33:53 AM] Karid: ...I am lost [12:34:03 AM] Snow: Serafina: It's just a layer of soft pants and a soft shirt that goes under your ordinary clothes. [12:34:23 AM] Snow: Serafina: And if you don't mind spending money you can actually get them enchanted to stay warm, too. [12:34:32 AM] Snow: Aethon wanders in. [12:34:46 AM | Edited 12:34:52 AM] Karid: I will need to invest in this...underwear [12:34:49 AM] Snow: He finds Karid and Caspar chatting with a girl building a fire. [12:34:50 AM] Aethon: "Well, friends, nothing of impor-hello?" [12:35:02 AM] Karid: Karid says this just as he walks in [12:35:18 AM] Snow: She's a shortish elven girl with dark reddish hair and blue-grey eyes; she's wearing a shabby black dress. [12:35:50 AM] Aethon: "To whom do I owe the pleasure, mademoiselle?" Aethon bows with a flourish. [12:36:04 AM] Snow: Serafina: Why, I've no idea! What pleasure? [12:36:32 AM] Aethon: Aethon reaches forward and grabs her hands between his. "Why, the pleasure of meeting you!" [12:37:24 AM] Snow: She beams. "That's so kind of you to say, but how do you know it's a pleasure? I can be *very* aggravating, I'm quite sure. I'm Serafina." [12:38:47 AM] Aethon: Aethon winks. "I long to find out how, that is for certain. I am Aethon, paladin of Jaer. I have journeyed from a place far and away for great adventure." [12:39:14 AM] Caspar: So, are you celibate too, Aethon? [12:39:19 AM] Aethon: "... And great love." Aethon kisses her hand. [12:39:46 AM] Aethon: "Celibacy is overrated, friend, and a thing of the past." [12:40:00 AM] Snow: Serafina snrks. "Oh, well, it depends on what you like, really, don't you think?" [12:40:07 AM] Snow: She looks at Karid appealingly. [12:40:19 AM] Caspar: Karid is celibate. That's why I ask. [12:40:48 AM] Aethon: "Well, some of our brethren are certainly more gung-ho about the concept, that's true." [12:40:56 AM] Snow: Serafina: I mean, *some* people don't like it at all. [12:40:57 AM] Karid: ... [12:41:03 AM] Caspar: Caspar walks over to a mirror and inspects his face, running a hand through his hair and lightening his skin a few shades. [12:41:08 AM] Karid: How are you not overpopulated!? [12:41:28 AM] Snow: Serafina: Well... I'm an elf, and elves don't usually have very big families, you know. [12:42:09 AM] Aethon: Aethon turns his attention back to Serafina, pointedly ignoring Caspar. "Tell me, miss, is there an elven lad waiting for you back home?" [12:42:40 AM] Karid: ...were you not just flirting with the woman who hired us? [12:42:45 AM] Snow: Serafina: This *is* home. [12:43:14 AM] Aethon: Aethon smiles rather falsely at Karid. "What do you mean, brother?" [12:43:38 AM] Aethon: "I was merely being a beacon of courtesy, to better represent our faith." [12:45:06 AM] Caspar: Caspar goes and makes himself a sammich. [12:45:26 AM] Karid: ...you kissed her hand. [12:45:42 AM] Snow: Serafina: ... you don't kiss hands where you come from? [12:45:47 AM] Karid: ...no? [12:45:53 AM] Karid: We bow [12:46:13 AM] Aethon: "Proper courtesy, to be sure. But less about us, more about you, miss." Aethon looks deep into her eyes with a disarming smile. [12:46:21 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh! Well, it's a *little* familiar, but not *inappropriately* familiar, to kiss a lady's hand. [12:46:56 AM] Snow: She gets distracted, and smiles back, brightly. "But people are so *boring* when they talk about themselves! Where are *you* from, all of you?" [12:47:18 AM] Karid: ...but that is asking us to talk about ourselves! [12:47:24 AM] Karid: Karid buries his face in his hands [12:47:41 AM] Aethon: Aethon steps between Karid and Serafina's line of sight. [12:47:46 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, I'm sorry, you're right! But *I'm* interested. [12:47:54 AM] Snow: She sidles over so she can see Karid *and* Aethon. [12:49:30 AM] Aethon: "I hail from a monatery deep in the centre of Meneluinin, miss." [12:49:45 AM] Aethon: "Nothing but swathes of uninteresting farmland and cattle." [12:49:53 AM] Snow: Serafina: He sounds like he's from a *very* far off place. Are you from the same place? [12:50:57 AM] Snow: Serafina: Do people dance there? [12:51:02 AM] Aethon: Aethon clears his throat. "And nothing of beauty grows there, certainly nothing as beautiful as you." [12:51:30 AM] Aethon: "Dance? Miss, the concept of dancing is beyond their comprehension." [12:51:59 AM] Aethon: "How I've longed to return to society and its beautiful forms of expression." [12:51:59 AM] Snow: Serafina: *Is* it? [12:52:05 AM] Snow: She peers at Karid again. [12:52:13 AM] Aethon: "Indeed, I would fancy dancing with you, come a time." [12:53:10 AM] Karid: ...dancing is only for ceremonies [12:53:31 AM] Snow: Serafina: We should have a ceremony some time, then, don't you think? [12:53:39 AM] Aethon: Aethon goes to Karid's side, and slaps him in the back. "Quite the joker, Karid here is." [12:53:48 AM] Karid: But we have enough food! [12:53:53 AM] Aethon: "What he means to say is that he'd be delighted to join us in song and dance." [12:54:17 AM] Aethon: Aethon looks at Karid with gritted teeth. "Don't you, brother?" [12:54:42 AM] Snow: Serafina: He might not know how, you know. Some people are quite shy about things like that! [12:55:14 AM] Karid: ...that is not what I mean to say, no. [12:55:22 AM] Karid: Do not look to me to help you seduce the poor girl. [12:55:43 AM] Snow: Serafina: *Are* you trying to seduce me? [12:55:51 AM] Snow: She looks at Aethon with big, guileless blue eyes. [12:55:57 AM] Aethon: Aethon makes a horrified face. "Seduce?! Such a damning word!" [12:56:00 AM] Karid: (( ...the dynamic is kinda turning into the opposite of what was planned. XD )) [12:56:15 AM] Snow: ((And yet: Awesome.)) [12:56:23 AM] Snow: Serafina: But *are* you? [12:56:50 AM] Aethon: Aethon reaches forward and grabs Serafina by the waist and shoulder. [12:57:03 AM] Aethon: "Let it suffice to say that I mean merely to dance with you." [12:57:16 AM] Aethon: Aethon spins Serafina around. [12:57:17 AM] Karid: Karid rolls his eyes [12:57:33 AM] Snow: Serafina eeps, but then laughs and submits to the spin, though she slips away again afterward. "That *can* be a metaphor, you know." [12:57:57 AM] Snow: Serafina: So your people only dance when they need food? [12:58:09 AM] Karid: As a prayer, yes. [12:59:10 AM] Karid: It is to one of the lesser gods of Jaer. Plentas, the god of charity [12:59:25 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, I see. Charity is *very* important, isn't it? [12:59:39 AM] Aethon: Aethon narrows his eyes. [12:59:45 AM] Aethon: sense motive roll] [1:00:06 AM] Karid: (( 26? )) [1:00:22 AM] Karid: (( Oh, I thought you were asking us to make one )) [1:00:27 AM] Aethon: [[Serafina's motives must be laid bare! [1:00:28 AM] Karid: (( *derps* )) [1:00:42 AM] Karid: (( I thought he just wanted her laid bare )) [1:00:51 AM] Karid: (( *rimshot* )) [1:00:54 AM] Aethon: Well yeah, eventually, in the course of the night [1:00:54 AM] Snow: ((Certainly wants her laid.)) [1:01:11 AM] Aethon: BUT BACK TO THE SECRET OF THIS MYSTERIOUS HOUSE [1:01:22 AM] Snow: ((Oh, there's more than one, trust me on that.)) [1:01:40 AM] Karid: (( For one, it had a sex change )) [1:02:05 AM] Aethon: Aethon reaches forward again, and takes Serafina by her waist and shoulder. [1:02:10 AM] Karid: (( That door used to be a window, man )) [1:02:10 AM] Snow: This is not The Crying Game. [1:02:11 AM] Aethon: is she willing? [1:02:48 AM] Aethon: "Tell me, Serafina, about this house and it's masters." [1:03:03 AM] Aethon: Aethon trots out a simple dance. [1:03:23 AM] Snow: She goes along with the dance; she seems pretty nimble. [1:03:35 AM] Aethon: Aethon glances at Karid with a knowing look. If looks could say anything, it'd scream, "Work with me here!" [1:03:41 AM | Edited 1:03:50 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, well, the d'Amicis have *always* owned it. I'm sure it's from before the Invasion. [1:03:59 AM] Snow: That would be the invasion of elves about two thousand years ago. [1:04:21 AM] Aethon: "Is Lady Faustina the only child of her parents? Are there no other d'Amicis?" [1:04:35 AM] Snow: A lot of things date from that time period, so much so that the years are counted since the first year of the invasion. This happens to be 2013 AI. [1:04:43 AM] Karid: Karid sits instead [1:05:07 AM] Snow: Serafina: But of *course* there are! So many of them. [1:05:36 AM] Snow: Serafina: Faustina has three brothers. All of them are part of the council, you know. [1:05:49 AM] Karid: The council? [1:06:23 AM] Snow: Serafina: Well, they *call* it the Council. It's the leaders of the family, really. They make the family's decisions. [1:06:45 AM] Karid: I wonder if the choice to renovate the house was the Council's decision [1:06:52 AM] Aethon: "Only brothers? Surely there is another sister or so." [1:08:21 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, no, not at all. [1:08:32 AM] Snow: Serafina: It *might* have been. You'd have to ask one of them, really. [1:08:38 AM] Aethon: Aethon continues to dance with Serafina. [1:08:59 AM] Aethon: "Tell me, Serafina, how long has a lovely woman such as yourself been in the service of the d'Amicis?" [1:09:01 AM] Snow: She cooperates. [1:09:07 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, *always*. [1:09:23 AM] Aethon: "Always?" [1:09:40 AM] Karid: Since birth? [1:09:50 AM] Aethon: Aethon fights the urge to throw his shoe at Karid. [1:09:55 AM] Caspar: Caspar returns to the common room with a half eaten sandwich. [1:10:00 AM] Snow: Serafina: Of course! [1:10:07 AM] Snow: Serafina waves at him. [1:10:52 AM] Snow: Serafina: Are you all right, Caspar? You look so pale! [1:11:15 AM] Caspar: Caspar smiles at her.  "I'm fine.  Though I think I heard something in the kitchen." [1:11:43 AM] Snow: Serafina: Was it Frannie? [1:11:54 AM] Aethon: Aethon releases Serafina. [1:12:03 AM] Aethon: Aethon looks to be in deep thought. [1:12:03 AM] Caspar: I don't know, it was someone crying. [1:12:04 AM] Snow: She twirls to a halt. [1:12:13 AM] Caspar: I didn't see them, just heard them. [1:12:15 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, dear, she was crying? [1:12:34 AM] Aethon: "Serafina, will you do us a favour? Take us to the long hallway." [1:12:48 AM] Aethon: "There is something I would like to... see." [1:12:56 AM] Snow: Serafina: ... but it's just outside this room. [1:13:18 AM] Aethon: "There may be some things we would ask you." [1:13:22 AM] Snow: Serafina, puzzled, flits through the door into the hallway. [1:13:33 AM] Aethon: Aethon checks to see if Serafina is out of earshot. [1:13:54 AM] Snow: Probably. [1:13:57 AM] Aethon: "One moment, Serafina, I must gather my cloak." [1:14:04 AM] Aethon: Aethon turns to Caspar and Karid. [1:14:21 AM] Aethon: "Something is amiss in this home, and it has to do with the lineage of the d'Amicis." [1:14:32 AM] Aethon: "I suspect Lady Faustina hides more than she lets on." [1:14:36 AM] Karid: Hrm? [1:14:47 AM] Caspar: Of course she does. [1:15:06 AM] Aethon: "I would like for you two to pay attention in the hall as well, particularly for hidden passages or for matters involving the portraits." [1:15:11 AM] Caspar: Everyone does. [1:15:25 AM] Aethon: "Yes, but these secrets seem to be of the nature that kill." [1:15:26 AM] Karid: Why would they send us into a house to trick us if they do not know us...? [1:16:02 AM] Aethon: "Then, let us go." Aethon enters the hall. [1:16:16 AM] Snow: Serafina's waiting there, cute as a button. [1:16:31 AM] Aethon: "Serafina, these portraits, who painted them?" [1:16:55 AM] Snow: Serafina: But you don't need your cloak, do you? I don't want to go outside... the portraits? Oh, I don't know. I suppose we can try to read the signatures? [1:17:25 AM] Aethon: "Never mind that, then. Is there a portrait of Lady Faustina and her brothers?" [1:17:30 AM] Karid: Karid follows [1:18:03 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, yes, I think so! I'm sure the portrait gallery has one. [1:18:23 AM] Aethon: "The gallery? These portraits in the hall aren't it?" [1:19:20 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh no, the gallery is *much* bigger. [1:19:32 AM] Snow: Serafina: I'm afraid it's downstairs, though--it's probably *terribly* dusty. [1:19:34 AM] Caspar: Caspar looks at the paintings. [1:20:02 AM] Snow: They're done in a number of different styles, probably by different artists, and judging by the clothing style they might go all the way back to the Invasion. [1:21:07 AM] Aethon: "Are there any more... contemporary portraits here?" [1:21:07 AM] Snow: The people in them are mostly elves, with dark hair and eyes, and fair skin, though there are occasional blondes and reds. [1:21:21 AM] Snow: Serafina nods. "In the portrait gallery." [1:21:35 AM] Aethon: "The gallery... is unoccupied?" [1:21:45 AM] Karid: (( I gotta sleep. )) [1:21:50 AM] Karid: (( 'twas fun though! )) [1:21:56 AM | Edited 1:22:02 AM] Snow: She nods again. "It's downstairs." [1:21:59 AM] Aethon: And then there were two... [1:22:14 AM] Aethon: "Caspar, if I may, can we go and examine those portraits?" [1:22:23 AM] Aethon: "There's something I would like to see." [1:22:24 AM] Snow: Karid heads off to rest, then, I think. [1:22:59 AM] Caspar: Caspar shrugs.  "Sure." [1:23:07 AM] Aethon: "Serafina, can you lead us to them?" [1:23:11 AM] Snow: Serafina: ... but I think it's all locked up. [1:23:25 AM] Snow: Serafina: Maybe we can look tomorrow? I think the servants are coming then, aren't they? [1:23:28 AM] Aethon: Aethon looks to Caspar. "Anything you can do about that?" [1:23:51 AM] Caspar: Most likely. [1:24:02 AM] Aethon: Aethon turns to Serafina. "No... I think it'd be best to see this before any... disturbances." [1:24:21 AM] Aethon: "Lead us there, Serafina, please." Aethon places his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. [1:24:38 AM] Snow: Serafina makes a face. "But I don't want to. It's all full of dust." [1:25:28 AM] Aethon: Aethon leans into her, until his face is inches away. [1:25:42 AM] Aethon: "I would be very thankful for the help, Serafina." [1:26:23 AM] Snow: Serafina makes a face. "Well I don't want to be *rude*, I suppose. But we shouldn't make a mess in there, you know. All those dustcovers." [1:26:39 AM] Aethon: Aethon smiles. [1:26:45 AM] Aethon: "It'll be like we were never there." [1:27:07 AM] Caspar: WE were hired to investigate the house, after all. [1:27:53 AM] Snow: She shrugs, and leads you a little ways down the hallway, opening a double-door to a creaky-looking stairwell. "This is the servants' stairs, so technically you shouldn't use them at all. But it's closer, you know, and I don't care." [1:28:31 AM] Aethon: Aethon mentally files away the location of the servants' stair. It might come in handy later. [1:28:31 AM] Snow: She heads down the steps; the floors here have high ceilings, so it's a fair amount of steps for one floor. [1:29:53 AM] Caspar: Caspar follows. [1:30:40 AM] Snow: After a number of little twisty hallways and such--this floor's not quite so linear as the middle one--she opens up a set of double-doors into a long gallery of paintings. [1:30:52 AM] Snow: At least you assume they're paintings. All of them are covered with dustcloths. [1:31:01 AM] Aethon: [Wasn't it locked?] [1:31:04 AM] Snow: (And there *is* a bit of dust, though not a HUGE amount.) [1:31:18 AM] Snow: Apparently not. [1:31:45 AM] Aethon: Aethon scratches his chin. Serafina doesn't seem to have noticed that there weren't any locks. Is there are any meaning in this? [1:31:56 AM] Aethon: Aethon shrugs and enters the room. [1:32:09 AM] Aethon: "So, Lady Faustina and her brothers?" [1:32:28 AM] Caspar: Caspar looks around, looking for tracks in the dust out of curiosity. [1:32:34 AM] Snow: Serafina nods, and wanders to one corner of the room. [1:32:48 AM] Snow: No tracks; there's not a lot of dust on the floor that you can see, though. the rugs make it hard to tell. [1:32:56 AM] Aethon: Aethon sees what Caspar's doing. A useful man to have around, to be sure. [1:33:21 AM] Snow: She checks under one dustcloth, shakes her head, and then checks the next painting. "It's this one. Help me with this cloth, would you?" [1:33:32 AM] Aethon: "My pleasure." [1:33:43 AM] Aethon: Aethon grabs another side of it and pulls gently. [1:33:59 AM] Snow: She takes one corner of the dustcover and pulls it down. It slips down off the painting, revealing a family portrait. [1:34:16 AM] Aethon: Aethon can barely keep his hands from shaking. [1:34:17 AM] Snow: It's not a formal portrait; they look like they're having a picnic, rather than being posed formally. [1:34:34 AM] Aethon: Aethon counts the number of people in the portrait under his breath. [1:34:51 AM] Snow: Six. [1:35:33 AM] Snow: An older elven man with amazingly furry eyebrows, dark, coarse hair, wearing a black shirt and pants. He looks incredulous. [1:35:44 AM] Snow: A laughing elven woman with reddish-gold hair. [1:37:10 AM] Snow: And four kids. The two older boys and the girl look almost the same age, so they're probably within five years of each other. The youngest boy is a baby and he seems to have fallen asleep with his foot in a pie. It's adorable. [1:37:27 AM] Aethon: Aethon almost looks disappointed. [1:37:36 AM] Aethon: "Who painted this, Sera?" [1:38:04 AM] Snow: Serafina: I don't know. Why? [1:38:25 AM] Aethon: "Is there a signature?" [1:38:57 AM] Snow: The oldest two boys are both wearing black, though one of them has a bright blue shirt on underneath his open black jacket, and is laughing. The other one is quite a bit more haughty-looking and is all buttoned-up. [1:39:08 AM] Snow: Serafina peers at the painting. "Yes, but I can't read it, can you?" [1:39:38 AM] Caspar: Caspar looks! [1:39:50 AM] Aethon: YES EPIC ROLL [1:39:51 AM] Snow: You can roll Decipher Script. [1:39:57 AM] Aethon: AH DAMN IT [1:41:20 AM] Caspar: Fidelio. [1:41:41 AM] Snow: Serafina: I think he was a court painter, wasn't he? I'm not sure. [1:41:54 AM] Caspar: I don't know.  I'm from Solitaire. [1:41:58 AM] Aethon: "Never mind, it might not be of consequence." [1:42:23 AM] Aethon: "The lady in the picture, Sera, the one with the red-gold hair." [1:42:25 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, really? They're so *funny* there, aren't they? Do you do magic? They all do, don't they? How many husbands and wives do you have? [1:42:44 AM] Caspar: Um.  Yes, yes, most of them, and none. [1:42:48 AM] Aethon: Aethon puts his hand on Serafina's shoulder. [1:42:49 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, that's Kestrel. Isn't she beautiful? [1:42:57 AM] Aethon: "Kestrel?" [1:43:21 AM] Snow: Serafina: Well, she married Gaetano. [1:43:34 AM] Snow: She points to the father in the painting. [1:43:45 AM] Aethon: "She is not their biological mother, is she?" [1:44:16 AM] Snow: Serafina: She was ever so beautiful, every man wanted her. But she chose Gaetano d'Amici. It was very romantic... [1:44:29 AM] Snow: Serafina: Yes, she is. Why? [1:44:40 AM] Aethon: "Nothing." [1:44:52 AM] Aethon: "Just musing." [1:45:09 AM] Snow: Serafina: Fabrizio is the oldest. [1:45:14 AM] Snow: She points to the blue-shirted boy. [1:45:25 AM] Snow: Serafina: And then there was Cesare. [1:45:27 AM] Aethon: "Cesare and Agustino, yes?" [1:45:30 AM] Snow: Cesare's the serious boy. [1:45:48 AM] Aethon: "I've... heard of them before." [1:45:55 AM] Snow: Serafina: And Agustino. This must have been years before they left the house. [1:46:13 AM] Snow: Roll Notice! [1:47:42 AM] Snow: Serafina points to the tiny Faustina, who seems to be laughing at Fabrizio. [1:47:57 AM] Snow: Serafina: Do you think they look much alike? [1:48:07 AM] Snow: Roll notice again! [1:48:57 AM] Aethon: Aethon sighs. [1:49:01 AM] Aethon: "This is fruitless." [1:49:14 AM] Snow: Serafina: It is? What did you want to know? [1:49:25 AM] Aethon: "Just... Something. I hoped for something." [1:49:33 AM] Aethon: "Caspar, anything stick out to you?" [1:49:47 AM] Caspar: Not terribly, no. [1:49:53 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh. Do you think I look like her? [1:50:10 AM] Aethon: "Who? Kestrel?" [1:50:21 AM] Aethon: Aethon turns to Serafina, and examines her fully. [1:50:24 AM] Snow: She nods. [1:51:41 AM] Snow: Kestrel was undoubtedly more beautiful; she has a more rounded figure in the painting and a more idealized shape. Serafina is thinner, with a lot less of a figure, and her skin isn't quite as perfect--she has freckles. Serafina is cute; Kestrel's drop-dead gorgeous. Of course that's a painting and we all know painters can cheat. [1:51:58 AM] Aethon: Aethon sighs, then leans in with a smile. "Certainly, you share a certain kissable element." [1:52:25 AM] Snow: Serafina: Mother says I look just like her when I laugh. But you know, she might just be being polite. People *are* polite. They can't help it. [1:52:33 AM] Snow: She doesn't seem to notice. [1:52:45 AM] Aethon: "Shh, shh, sh-wait." [1:52:49 AM] Aethon: "Mother?" [1:52:57 AM] Aethon: "Who's your mother, Serafina?" [1:53:27 AM] Snow: Serafina: I don't look  much like mother at all, though, do I? Even in this picture... oh, Lady Faustina is my mother, of course. Didn't I say? [1:53:43 AM] Aethon: mind... blown [1:54:17 AM] Snow: ((Mwa. To the Ha. Ha. Ha.)) [1:54:29 AM] Caspar: Caspar nods.  "Let's go, this dust in this place is irritating. [1:54:39 AM] Aethon: "Not yet." [1:54:50 AM] Snow: Serafina smiles, and folds up the dustcover, carefully. [1:55:01 AM] Aethon: "Sera, these portraits... Are there any more from the same time period?" [1:55:12 AM] Aethon: "Maybe the same painter, Fidelio?" [1:55:34 AM] Snow: Serafina: I don't know. We'd have to look at all of them to be sure. And all the ones in the halls... [1:55:43 AM] Aethon: Aethon sighs. [1:55:54 AM] Aethon: "Alright. Let's go." [1:56:14 AM] Aethon: Aethon takes one last look at the portrait. [1:56:42 AM] Aethon: can I roll a search? [1:56:49 AM] Snow: Sure! [1:57:02 AM] Snow: Both of you should! [1:57:14 AM] Aethon: 18. Oh gods yes [1:59:04 AM] Aethon: Aethon 's eyes scan the portrait one last time, especially around Lady Kestrel. [1:59:19 AM] Aethon: Aethon 's eyes are drawn to the stomach of her gown. [1:59:27 AM] Aethon: "Wait!" [1:59:41 AM] Aethon: Aethon leans in. [1:59:43 AM] Caspar: You don't need to yell, we're standing right here. [1:59:48 AM] Aethon: "Caspar, come, look at this." [1:59:50 AM] Caspar: Caspar looks. [2:00:01 AM] Snow: Serafina: Look at what? [2:00:04 AM] Aethon: "Her figure..." [2:00:10 AM] Aethon: "She's pregnant." [2:00:11 AM] Caspar: ((The D'amici Code?)) [2:00:16 AM] Aethon: lol! [2:00:30 AM | Edited 2:00:34 AM] Snow: ((If so I'm the last to know!)) [2:00:59 AM] Caspar: Yeah? [2:01:16 AM] Aethon: "Serafina, she was pregnant with another." [2:01:26 AM] Aethon: "Do you know anything about this?" [2:01:32 AM] Snow: Serafina: Oh, I don't think so. That *was* the style back then, you know. [2:01:45 AM] Snow: Serafina: I mean, I'd know if I had another uncle, wouldn't I? [2:01:53 AM] Aethon: "Or an aunt." [2:01:57 AM] Snow: Serafina: Or an aunt. People *do* have aunts. [2:02:05 AM] Snow: Serafina: *I* haven't, but other people do. [2:02:16 AM] Aethon: "Tell me, Serafina, when did Fran die?" [2:02:36 AM] Snow: Serafina: Frannie? I don't know. But it's been ever so long. Hundreds of years. [2:02:46 AM] Snow: Serafina: But she loves the family, you know. [2:03:03 AM] Aethon: "I'm sorry, Sera, this is awfully indelicate, but how old are you?" [2:03:54 AM] Snow: Serafina: ... a hundred and three. Oh  no, I've had my birthday. A hundred and four. [2:04:23 AM] Aethon: Aethon draws Caspar aside. [2:04:37 AM] Aethon: "There is something you need to hear." [2:04:51 AM] Caspar: Then do tell. [2:05:14 AM] Aethon: "There was another d'Amici, I know this for certain." [2:05:40 AM] Snow: Serafina looks a little puzzled. [2:05:46 AM] Aethon: "And this mess in the house, it has something to do with them. Two hundred years ago, something happened in this place." [2:06:09 AM] Aethon: "Serafina, we need to speak to your mother." [2:06:31 AM] Caspar: How do you know this? [2:06:44 AM] Snow: Serafina: Well, it's too late now, I think. She's sure to have gone to bed at this hour. [2:06:54 AM] Aethon: "I am not at liberty to say. Suffice to say that I have reliable sources." [2:07:25 AM] Aethon: "This house and its curse... We need to get to the bottom of it." [2:07:32 AM] Caspar: Why? [2:07:53 AM] Aethon: "Because of justice." [2:08:01 AM] Aethon: "Or in your case, a fat purse." [2:08:35 AM] Snow: Serafina: It would be lovely. I know there's another ballroom in one of the other wings. [2:09:00 AM] Caspar: That's why we were hired by your mother. [2:09:03 AM] Aethon: "And we shall dance together in it. If possible, I would speak to your mother as soon as possible." [2:09:26 AM] Snow: Serafina, doubtfully: Unless it's an *emergency* I'd wait until tomorrow, really. [2:09:45 AM] Aethon: "I understand." [2:10:32 AM] Aethon: "Tell me, if there were any young infants or toddlers in this house, where would they have slept, before this place fell to ruin?" [2:11:08 AM] Snow: Serafina: I have *no* idea, really. [2:11:21 AM] Snow: Serafina: We can look tomorrow. [2:11:25 AM] Snow: She yawns! [2:11:38 AM] Aethon: [speaking of which, isn't it late for you too?] [2:11:54 AM] Snow: ((Yep. I have a late meeting tomorrow night, though, so it's no big deal to stay up this late.)) [2:12:24 AM] Snow: ((Oh, happy birfday.)) [2:12:35 AM] Aethon: Aethon wipes the serious look off his face and replaces it with a cordial smile. "Well, then, off we go. Tomorrow will be a busy day, you'll need all the sleep you can get." [2:12:41 AM] Aethon: Ah, thanks. [2:13:08 AM] Caspar: ((Indeed, happy birthday. [2:14:31 AM] Snow: Serafina nods. "Goodnight! ... and I wouldn't wander *too* much at night. Even if this wing *is* safe." [2:14:38 AM] Snow: She flits out and presumably, upstairs. [2:14:51 AM] Aethon: it's night, woman, stop terrorising me with this haunted mansion [2:15:33 AM] Caspar: I'm headed to bed, too. [2:16:21 AM] Snow: ((Waitin' for your characters to go to beeeeeed.)) [2:16:30 AM] Aethon: ah, then we all go to bed [2:16:33 AM] Caspar: Caspar heads back to his room! [2:16:43 AM] Aethon: Aethon heads back to his shared room with Penelope. [2:17:01 AM] Aethon: "It's nice having a sentient steel creature as a sentinel while you sleep." [2:17:01 AM] Snow: Bam! [2:17:04 AM] Snow: There we close! [2:17:19 AM] Aethon: especially in this damned house