[color=662d91][hr][hr][h1][b][i][center]Eugene Esposito[/center][/i][/b][/h1][/color] Arkham always seems to attract gloomy weather, so it has certainly rained in the last few days. In fact, it is fortunate that it is not raining now. Now that they were standing still, Eugene observes his companion. He doesn’t notice any irregular breathing, but Mister Violet appears to be a fit and healthy figure, so he likely would have recovered for exertion quickly. Not only that, but the mud on his shoes appears to be dried somewhat. Mister Violet takes the cigarette with a smile, holding it out to Eugene to be lit. "Thank you, old boy. I feel that where we are headed, friends will be a rare commodity" From further down the road, there comes the sound of hooves on stone, and both men will turn to see a horse-drawn carriage making its way towards them. "Looks like our ride" Perhaps he was in a hurry and took the first pair of shoes he found? No? As far as he know only people with a certain amount of power can get into Wilde Hall. Maybe Mister Violet was like him, obtaining an invitation using a different method. He took a long drag as the carriage stopped in front of them. Eugene studied its driver. [color=662d91]"Good evening sir, is this the carriage headed to the ball?" [/color] The driver is a tall and wiry man. The first thing Eugene notices is that the driver is only wearing a dark shirt, and breeches, despite the chill in the air. If the man feels the cold, he doesn't show it, and his face barely shifts as he turns to look at Eugene. The driver is young, younger than Eugene, looking to be in his early twenties, or even his late teens. His voice is monotone, and disinterested. "If you have an invitation" Eugene looks at Mister Violet with a raised eyebrow and digs through his coat pocket to retrieve his invitation. Mister Violet shrugged slightly, before pulling out his own invitation from a pocket within his suit jacket. How strange, Eugene thinks to himself before handing out his own invitation to be inspected. Eugene notices once again that the man's face barely moves, and there's no real reaction to the invitation as the driver scans it. Seemingly satisfied, he will hand it back, before doing the same with Mister Violet's. Returning Mister Violet's invitation, the driver straightened up slightly, hands moving to grip the reins again. "I'll be leaving in a few minutes. You'll find seats in the back" Eugene takes the invitation back and boards the back of the carriage. It was surprisingly warm and comfortable on the inside, perfectly sheltered from the night chill. Once seated he'll look over to Mister Violet as he climbs and pretends that he is only now seeing the state of his shoes. [color=662d91]"Took a wrong step on the way here?"[/color] Mister Violet clambers inside, closing the door behind him. At Eugene's words, Mister Violet glances down at his shoes, turning them slightly to get a better look at the mud as he shrugs slightly, smiling warmly. "I guess so. But then, you know how the streets are. Progress all around us, but still mud on the streets" Eugene’s tried to see if there was a hidden meaning behind Mister Violet’s words but the man seemed quite truthful. Just like he himself had seen, some of the quieter roads that trace through Arkham are still little more than dirt paths. He decides to pass the time, engaging his companion in some idle chatter. After a few minutes, the carriage starts to move forward, but before it could gain distance there is a shout from the street, and it slows to a halt again. Through the window of the carriage, Eugene will be able to make out a muffled conversation. Peering through, Eugene sees a figure talking to the carriage driver. With his eyes having grown accustomed to the light in the carriage, it is difficult to make out any details, but he notices the figure holding something out towards the coachman. Mister Violet who is sitting opposite Eugene, had his back to this scene, so as Eugene peers out, his companion will lean forward slightly, his voice low. "Another guest?" [color=662d91]“It seems so.”[/color] Eugene replies, trying listen in on the conversation. He makes out that the newcomer is offering his invitation and coach man with his monotone voice tells him to enter. The stranger makes their way to the door, pulling it open, and seeming to start slightly when he sees Eugene and Mister Violet inside. This gives Eugene a chance to get a good look at him. Dark hair, cut short and neat, an unremarkable face, a simple, black mask, resting a nose crooked from some long-healed break. It's the eyes that catch in the light, and that catch Eugene's attention. The right is dark, like the rest of the man's features, but the left is a brilliant blue. The stranger seems to be breathing a little heavy but considering how cold the night was getting, Eugene just pushes it to the back of his mind. A booming voice rings out as Mister Violet breaks the silence. “Another guest! Wonderful!” Eugene nods and does a much calmer greeting. [color=662d91]“Good evening.”[/color] Looking closely he notices that their new companion had two different coloured eyes. A dark right, and a brilliant blue left. The man gets over his initial startle and looks between Eugene and Mister Violet before forcing a smile. "I apologise, I didn't expect anyone... Good evening." His voice is a drawl, clearly from somewhere in the deep south. [color=662d91]"No need to apologise, we're all colleagues on our way to a grand party."[/color] Eugene extends a hand. [color=662d91]"I am called Genie, and the happy fellow next to me is Mister Violet. Let's get along Mister.."[/color] The stranger looks down at Eugene's hand, apparently still in shock at the presence of the two men in carriage. A beat passes, a moment that seems to stretch out, and then the man takes Eugene's hand in a firm grip, shaking it sharply. "Call me Red. Nice to meet you both." With that, he clambers inside the carriage, goes to close the door once he has taken his seat. Eugene leans back into his seat but then quickly perks up when he hears someone call out to the carriage. Just as Red was about to close the door his hand shoots out, keeping it open. He peers outside and sees a woman in a lovely blue dress. He turns back to his companions in the carriage. [color=662d91]“It seems like we’ve another guest joining us. The more the merrier isn’t that right Mister Violet?” [/color] [color=orange]“Room for one more?”[/color] The woman inquired. His attention returns to the newcomer outside. With an extended hand, he says. [color=662d91]“Of course madam, come on in.” [/color] [color=orange]“Thank you. I’m pleased I caught you. I thought for a moment I would have to make other arrangements and arrive late.”[/color] She smiled, taking his hand. [color=orange]“As to introductions, I’m Mrs. Copper this evening, a bit tarnished I’m afraid,”[/color] This was said with a sweep of her hand over her silk aqua harem trousers. “And you are?” "Mrs. Copper? That's dandy, just dandy. Thank you for bringing some much needed grace to our rag-tag band, madam." Mr Violet says with a warm and jovial tone. [color=662d91]“Oh, how rude of me. Tonight, I am called Genie. Thank you for gracing us with your presence Mrs. Copper.” [/color]He complimented. Eugene knew that these rich folk loved it when you give them words of praise no matter how tacky. Still, her name sounded familiar. He was suddenly brought back to NYC. Memories of corrupt policemen working with the mob and the few just ones that tried to bring them down. They had a nickname for those type of people. The fuzz. Blues. Bulls. Buttons.Copper. Eugene swallowed saliva, his heart pounding. [color=662d91]“Well then, it seems like the carriage is practically full.”[/color] He said, trying to divert the topic. Poking his head out the door to call to the driver, the night wind cooled his face. [color=662d91]“Excuse me driver, I think we’re just about ready to go.” [/color] Mrs Copper leans back into her unclaimed seat and relaxes. [color=orange]“For all the grace it provides, I hope my presence does not strip the joviality from you fine men! Tonight, is for gaiety and I mean to make merry! Laughter led me to your coach. Do let me in on the joke, unless it dulls in the retelling, in which case do substitute another.”[/color] Eugene notices that Mister Violet’s gaze remains on the newcomer and his already wide smile somehow…gets even wider when she requested a joke. How unsettling. "I am afraid there was no joke of note, but I am joyous to hear that we are kindred spirits in merriment!” Said Mister Violet. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I shall endeavour to ensure that we enjoy our night, or at the very least, this coach journey. Speaking of..." He leans forwards lightly and joins Eugene in looking at the driver. If he heard Eugene’s request he didn’t show it but a flick of the wrist could be seen and the coach finally starts moving. Heading towards their destination. [color=662d91]"Quite a strange fellow that one."[/color] Eugene motions towards the driver. [color=662d91]"Doesn't seem like the type of person to be hired by someone as influential as our host."[/color] He looked at the other three in the carriage. Mister Violet, Red, and Mrs. Copper. Out of all of them, Mister Violet seemed the most out of place. His loud and joyful demeanor freaked Eugene out a bit. Leaning back into his seat comfortably Eugene spoke with a curious tone. [color=662d91]“What an honor isn’t it? Being invited to the Wilde Hall after all those years of silence. I must say, I’m quite nervous and excited. Still I do wonder, what made them open the gates after all this time.”[/color] Mister Violet cast’s a sideward glance at Eugene before speaking. “Perhaps the question is not why do they open their gates it’s why we choose to go in.” The air in the carriage shifts for a moment as the question made Eugene and perhaps, the others, question their own motives. As he looked outside, Eugene could swear that the dark was getting darker. But it was a fleeting moment as Mister Violet continues. "I have to say, I am damn glad to have bumped into you all, if you'll pardon my language Mrs. Copper. I was worried that the evening was going to be a painfully boring affair, but I feel far brighter knowing I will have you fine folk at my side." He notices that his jovial companion glance at Mr. Red before quickly averting his gaze. As if nothing happened, Mister Violet and Mrs. Copper engage in some back and forth conversation, the words going in one ear and out the other as Eugene chooses to look out the window instead. There wasn’t really anything to gleam from their talking, something about wild elephants or whatever. But what Mr. Violet says next caused a chill to run down Eugene’s back. "I have not had the pleasure of seeing Wilde Hall with my own eyes, no. But I assure you, Mrs Copper, that I have a personal interest in the night that lies ahead. I imagine I am not alone in that."