[center][hr][img]http://fontmeme.com/permalink/170512/275b0482a1a24bfbecfd52336a992443.png[/img] [youtube]https://youtu.be/LvWT-7l6vJU[/youtube][hr][/center] The night had arrived and the moon was full, hanging low in the sky. A few wisps of clouds dotting the sky and swirling as the winds picked up. Inside Almack's things were starting to get interesting. Several were alerted to the feeling of Soulless in the building, or at least on the grounds but where exactly was anyone's guess at this point. Earlier in the day the Presence Guards had been tampered with, causing issue but had been repaired. So everything seemed well enough but now that was a different story and as the page turned... things changed. Elizaveta stood watching as her slender fingers curled around the unguarded hilt of her blade. Giving Sir Kildragon a slight nod as he left. She wondered why he was leaving, from what she understood of the European world, very few were trained. She was right, there were only one in one thousand that were trained anymore. The military would be lucky to have one person per regiment and while she understood him going to warn his father, it was a family thing after all, there were few military folk there. This was a social event, not a crown event. He and his father were perhaps the only military folk there; perhaps a few others that were seated well enough in the [i]ton[/i] but at most, there would be three dozen in the the over fifteen hundred people at Almack's right then. (And less than half would be under his fathers command.) [color=a187be]"Etiquette is one thing, judging is another. They are not interchangeable my dear. Courtesy is a vital part of our world. Such as being invited to an event that requires a certain dress, you should follov that when you accept the invitation no matter your vievs on it. Respect should not be expected if one does not give it,"[/color] Elizaveta said to Mosi as she looked down at the pants she revealed and how the woman had had them hidden beneath a pull-away dress of sorts. [color=a187be]"It is hypocritical,"[/color] she added before turning her attention towards Mary. It was not that Elizaveta had a problem with women in trousers, she wore them herself from time to time but she had accepted an invite to this gathering, so she followed the rules of said gathering. One does not piss in a neighbors front lawn. It lowered her first impression of the woman. [color=a187be]"It is not I if that is the case. The Arch Graveolase Buckingham vas only informed of my arrival an hour before ve arrived. This appearance has been kept close within the highest rankings of the church, if it leaked, it was by your bishop. I do not think a man of god would have done such a thing,"[/color] Elizaveta commented as her eyes scanned the room. Mary was right though, the place needed to be secured but things would not be that easy. Telling someone there were Soulless in an event like this would not go over well in her mind. Rutherford was a prime example. [color=a187be]"Perhaps we should spread out and search. Pairs seems to be the right notion. Miss Crane, Lady Crypt; you tvo seem to knov each other vell. Lady Hale and myself are of a different path."[/color] Elizaveta thought for a moment, trying to remember the lay out she had been instructed on about Almack's. (Something the others would know by heart by now since it is assumed this isn't their first event at Almack's) The layout was as follows...[url=https://austenonly.com/2011/01/13/winter-pleasures-the-great-octogon-and-the-tea-room-at-the-upper-rooms/amp/]Floor Plans[/url] Now these are not for Almack's, information on the exact floor plans is vague and even theones found are not accurate. We will be using these for out setting. Balcony's and patios surround the building on east, west, and north sides. Entrance is through the south into the building. There is a second story: it holds various studies, private meeting rooms, and so forth. The square footage of the second floor is much less since the main rooms of the buildings have high ceilings that are over 30 feet. There is also a basement where the kitchen, storage, boiler, and so forth is. Currently everyone in the group is in the main ballroom on the ground floor. Lord Rutherford went through the doors and will be found in sitting room marked Card Room playing cards. Millicent went after Jane, who went through the doors at east marked Colonnade Sedan Chairs. No one knows where Mrs. Wyndham or Emma went currently. Last they were seen was in the ballroom but currently their location is unknown as people glance around: they will not be seen. [color=a187be]"Shall ve take the main floor so that you can secure it?"[/color] Elizaveta asked of Mary as she reached up and undid the broach on her cloak. Letting it fall away and handing it over to a passing servant. [color=a187be]"Do be kind and check this form me if you vould. Then please, see to the safety of the staff,"[/color] she asked kindly of the older man who smiled towards her in a worrisome sort of way before he nodded and scurried off. Now that you all know the past happenings and set up, shall we proceed to the current. I do know your heart is waiting to see how lives and who survived the first set of rolls. Well, let us begin. Over in the Card Room, Lord Rutherford sits gambling with a broad smile on his face, as if nothing wrong has happened. He is playing poker with several others: including the Arch Graveolase. There are other faces there as well... [list][*][url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/97/e8/80/97e880a058f12077b7d728e719595ec4.jpg]Lord Cunningham[/url]: Earl - owns a country estate adjacent to the Crypts. Kind hearted soul but naive. Usually spooked out by the Crypts but always polite to them. Understands James position as he became Earl when he was just 12 after his father died in a carriage accident. [*] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b1/6a/ae/b16aae54a8e3523bfdcec6b5d6e86a37.jpg]Lord Galloway[/url]: Duke, owns half of Gretna Green but resides in Sussex where his families seat in the House of Lords is. Is on his sixth wife, who the most current is only sixteen years of age while he is in his fifties. No one knows what she looks like, she has not yet been presented to the court. He has yet to produce an heir. [*] [url=https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GN0HAslDMgg/VrvEM97XSFI/AAAAAAAFZ7w/Pwby9s_Gk5E/s1600/Claude-Marie+Dubufe+Self+Portrait.jpg]Mr. Dubufe[/url]: Engineer of high standing with London Society. His father designed the Jericho Brigade and he has taken up the mantel, being responsible for most of the designs used these days to keep country estates secure from the Soulless. [/list] So, I am very sorry but Rutherford has not perished yet. Mores the pity. Now, back to the others.... Where was I? Oh yes, the lovely Miss Millicent Wyndham. Poor thing, being coerced into wedding that horrid man Rutherford. Perhaps death would be welcome for her? There are some things worse than death, I believe being married to him would be one of them. Shall we peek in on Miss Milli? ~pulls back the curtains and cringes~ Oh my, that is a lot of blood.... What happened? Let me see if I can explain.... Things with the Soulless can happen quickly and without warning. Jane had stepped out to get a breath of fresh air and to calm herself but she found she could only weep into the silk her sister had passed her. This was not right in her mind, that Millicent should have to marry this man to give Emma and Jane more of a choice in who they married. Rutherford would have quickly snatched up any of the sisters and wanted Jane to start with but because Millicent was the eldest he had to settle. Such was the agreement. Emma would have married him willingly but Millicent could not bear the thought. As Jane wept she did not take notice of her surroundings. While the building of Almack's was packed, those outside paid her no mind. They were in the middle of their tryst's: hiding in the shadows and walking the gardens. A single weeping woman was not uncommon at an event, so they paid her no nevermind. Yet two did take notice. Her mother and her sister Emma, who had slipped out to see if they could lay their eyes on a target for Emma. Jane looked over to them with reddened eyes, cheeks stained with tears. "Oh stop your weeping, we will find you a husband soon enough," Mrs Wyndham said with a bright smile. Emma smirked a bit, knowing that wasn't the reason that Jane was crying but she felt no remorse for her step sister. "Mother..." Jane wept, wishing the woman would understand. Emma rolled her eyes and leaned back against the stone side of the balcony, about to say something when as her lips parted she felt a cold touch on her shoulder. Jane's eyes widened as Emma was shoved forward by a pale hand from the shadows. Which sent Emma crashing into Mrs. Wyndham. The two spilling out on the ground. Mrs. Wyndham's side caught on the edge of one of the many tables, sending it toppling over and the iron stand which the glass top sat on pushed through her flesh and out the front of her. Blood splattering from her lips. The glass breaking and cutting Emma's arm. Jane wanted to scream but the figure moved quickly and came to her, face to face. Nose to nose as his albino like eyes glinted in the moon light. The scream wanted to come but was cut short as long teeth pierced the side of her throat. The blood flowing freely as Jane's spine went rigid, her hands trying to grab the dagger Millicent had given her but the blood loss was so quick, she felt her strength vanish like a dream. Millicent stepped out onto the balcony, her eyes darting around for her family only to be met with one of her worst nightmares. It was her nightmare. The pale skin as they eyes of the Ryne fed from Jane, her heart stopping as her sisters did just then. Millicent had fought Ryne before, battle was nothing but right then she froze. The dark hair the same chestnut color of Millicents cascading down and soaking up the blood that poured from the now deceased body of Jane. [color=0072bc]"Mother..."[/color] she whimpered. Yet this woman was no longer the kind sweet woman who had loved her and brought her into this world. This was a Soulless. But seeing Catherine there, like that, taking the life of her sister... How could it be? Millicent felt her heart breaking. Stepping towards Catherine slowly, her sword spinning slightly in her hand. She knew what she had to do but could she really. Catherine dropping Jane's drained body to the ground as Emma cried out; not knowing what to do as her own mother lay there bleeding with iron holding her to her spot. Catherine stalked Millicent and then rushed her. Millicent was frozen, no... This shouldn't be happening. But it was and that was made clear as the hand of her mother struck the side of her face. It sending Millicent stumbling to one side as the Ryne went for blood. Millicent couldn't find it in her to fight back and before she could catch herself or her breath her mother, dear Catherine was on top of her. The sound of Millicent's blade clanging against the ground. Millicent reached for it but could only grab the blade. Her fingers curling around it, cutting through the glove and thrusting it up as she fought to keep her mothers fangs from her neck. She could feel the broken glass cutting into her gown and skin, the nails of her mother digging into her arms, and the blade slicing into her hand as it pierced Catherine's chest. It would be at this time that Thalken would be able to finally make his way out onto the balcony where he had seen Millicent go. The scream from the Ryne. That broke the silence. Like a banshee wailing. All within a block would hear it. Those outside who had been trying to find a moment were now in a panic, running for their lives as more Soulless started to show up. They came from the gardens. On the second floor the doors opened as Ryne and Hraew started to filter in. Downstairs in the basement, there was a sudden drop in temperature. Soulless, working together? The attack on Almack's was on. [center][hr][h1][b][i][color=0072bc]Port Annan, Scotland - Teriny Inn[/color][/i][/b][/h1][hr][/center] Nigel, well he smiled at his new guest and nodded with a laugh. "Oh my heavens yes lass. A dear man of god but he has two left feet. Lord blessed him with many talents, bein' surefooted was not one of them," Nigel chuckled as he cleaned off the bar top with a damp rag. "You must have had a long travel to be portin' here in Annan. What can I get's fer the two of ya?" he asked as Calum finally found solid ground and made his way over to the bar. "If you could, a meal and two rooms this evening," the parson said. "I see, well I got one," Nigel snickered as he motioned to one of the ladies in the tavern and held up two fingers. She was not dressed like most tavern "ladies," much more reserved and she was older. Perhaps an eldest daughter of Nigel? Either way, it was clear that this was not an establishment for those wanting to find "company" for the evening. Calum turned red and coughed slightly. "Surely there is something you can do?" "I can give you an open stall in the barn," Nigel laughed, joking but Calum nodded. "Please set the dear lady up in the room, can you secure me a blanket for the barn? I will make due with the hay loft," he said forcing a bit of a smile. Nigel's long haired brows rose but it was obvious that Calum was being as serious as the day was long. "Um, alright... Anything to drink?" "Tea." [center][hr][h1][b][i][color=0072bc]Wyndham Manor, London[/color][/i][/b][/h1][hr][/center] Constable Smith followed Gerard and took notes. "It is good that the ladies of the house were not at home though I am sorry that one was injured. Do I need to send for a surgeon?" he asked as they stepped into the house. "Fuddle all that, I am fine," Everett chimed in as he came in from the sitting room, his head bandaged up. "You go upstairs right now and rest!" Cook yelled as she waddled in from the kitchen carrying a tray with tea and scones on it. "Now!" "Listen here," Everett started. "Don't you listen here to me Ev, now go. Mrs. Wyndham will have a fit if she sees you like this, now go. Abby take this up, and make sure he gets in bed," Cook said as she handed off the tray to Abigail and the two started heading up the stairs. Wiping her hands off she turned her attention back towards the Constable and Gerard. "Would you two like anything?" "Tea would be marvelous, thank you," Constable Smith said before looking over towards Gerard and nodding. "Let us take a look," he said before heading outside through the back door in the kitchen and examining the area where Gerard had spoken about. "Yes, it looks like they climbed up here to get inside," he said. "Please show me the room where that window is," he added and waited for Gerard to lead the way. Constable Smith kept taking notes as he looked at things outside. Seeing a few brightly colored petals on the ground. "Wonder where these came from," he mused out loud as he picked up one of the petals and ran it between his fingers.