[center][h2][color=orange] Debora White [/color][/h2][/center][hr] Drink in hand, Debora turned her attention from the lipstick stain on her glass back to the maid. She inclined her head towards the windows. [color=orange] “Tell me, regarding the band, perhaps I’ve heard them before. Were they engaged for this evening of do the Wildes retain their own musicians?” [/color] It seemed an effort for the maid to take her gaze away from the man in black. With the girl’s focus on her, Debora realized she was far younger than she had assumed, and Debora wondered at the circumstances that had led her to Wildes. The maid rallied from her shock and answered with polished politeness. “The band… Forgive me, ma’am. The band play for the evening, and then return to Arkham.” She looked between the group and Debora nodded; her lips pursed behind the veil. Mister Violet stepped forward, dismissing her with a smile. “Thank you. We won’t keep you any longer.” The girl curtsied and disappeared back into the crowd. Then disconcertingly, Mister Violet grew serious, and his green eyes took an earnest light, as he spoke in a hushed tone. Debora edged closer to catch his words. “I think, perhaps, we should all be careful what we say.” The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Mister Violet then looked to his right and left before straightening and resuming his carefree persona. “I say,” He boomed, drawing the attention of nearby guests, “I wouldn’t mind a breath of fresh air after all this excitement.” Debora nearly winced. Turning on his heel, Mister Violet began to retrace their steps back towards the entrance. To all appearances, it seemed he meant to rendezvous with another party. [color=662d91] “Of course, take care Mr. Violet and I hope to see you again later in the night.” [/color] Genie wished him well and then began to take his own leave. [color=662d91] “I might head off as well. The trip here took… far longer than expected and I need some time for myself. I hope fate brings us all together again later.” [/color] He nodded to them, and Debora lifted an eyebrow behind her mask. The solemnity of his farewell was striking, but not wholly misplaced. [color=orange] “Until then, Genie,”[/color] She said. As she’d predicted, one by one their group was splintering away. Or most of them were. Debora eyed the soldier. She could not shake the association her mind had pinned on him with Professor Green, and so she had no desire to remain alone in his company. [color=orange] “I should see about checking my coat before getting too far along,” [/color] She observed, and dipped her head, [color=orange] “Good night, Corporal.” [/color] Leaving the crowds behind, Debora trailed Mister Violet back through the corridors towards the entrance. He veered off and passed through a doorway close to the portrait of Avery Wilde. He seemed to know his way around the Hall. And Debora assumed he had come to this room to meet with someone. Was the other party already inside? Or still behind? Or perhaps she was the intended party? Debora had done her best to observe the other guests as she left, but in the massive press of people, that had proved impossible. Even Corporal Khaki had been lost in the crowd. She did not trust Violet, but she could not overlook his remark about watching their speech. Did he know something regarding her circumstances for attending the Ball? Or was he merely bluffing? The night was wearing on, and Debora needed answers. She steeled herself and followed Mister Violet. Passing through the same doorway, she dropped her hand into her pocket, fingers brushing the revolver. As she pushed through the door, Debora was met by cold air and the dark outdoors. She drew a breath in surprise and took her bearings even as her eyes adjusted. The door had led out to a patio with a low retaining wall, beyond which lay the encroaching darkness of the Wilde Woods. Mister Violet seemed to be studying the wood. He turned and gave her a once over when the door shut. He did not seem surprised by her presence. Debora noted that his bearing was more present now, less smothered by the jovial persona. He nodded, and Debora wondered at that motion. Had she passed some mental marker he’d laid out for her? “The other two not with you?” He asked, voice the most direct Debora had ever heard it. She raised an eyebrow beneath her mask at his remark. [color=orange] “Did you expect us to remain in company?” [/color] Mister Violet shrugged, “No. No I suppose not.” He glanced past her towards the Hall. “Besides, who knows how much the Professor managed to get his talons into the poor Corporal.” He mused, seeming to share Debora’s own suspicions in that matter. She cast a quick look further afield when he mentioned Green, but Mister Violet’s scrutiny quickly grabbed her attention again. He’d straightened and his green eyes seeming to bore into her for a moment. “Let us be frank, Mrs Copper. Am I right in assuming that your reasons for being here this evening are not entirely social?” He was fishing for an honest response, Debora knew. She recalled his attempt on the carriage to glean the same and was cautious in her reply. [color=orange] “The longer I am within these grounds, the more I doubt anyone attends a Wilde Ball for purely social reasons. And yet I doubt this is your first time in attendance, Mr. Violet. You certainly seem to know your way about the Hall.” [/color] “Very good, Mrs Copper. Very good.” Mister Violet smiled. He complimented her on drawing the conclusions she had but did not elaborate on them. Patting his jacket pockets, Mister Violet pulled out a silver cigarette case from somewhere inside his coat, a box of matches seeming to materialize in his hands. With deft hands, he flicked open the case, and held it out towards Debora. “Do you smoke, Mrs. Copper?” Perhaps he meant for their talk to be lengthy, perhaps he wanted a visual alibi for their presence out of doors in case anyone came looking for wayward guests. [color=orange] “Socially, yes,” [/color] Debora answered. She selected a cigarette for herself, the sixth from the end, and loosened her veil on the right side of her face. Implied was that she was shedding a barrier and would be more open. She watched to see if he would be influenced to do the same. [color=orange] “If no one attends a Wilde Ball but to satisfy their own goals, it begs the question of what exactly our hosts gain from them.” [/color] She mused darkly. Mister Violet lit their cigarettes, the burst of light cast flickering shadows across the man’s black and gold mask. Debora took a drag on her cigarette, grateful for the warmth as she waited for him to respond. Mister Violet took a couple of puffs before his eyes found hers again. “Gain, or take, Mrs. Copper.” He said, “I can only hope that neither of us have to find out the answer to that particular riddle.” While his answer did not shed any new light on the real motivations of the Wildes, it set another layer of dark implication on Debora’s foundation of the same. Then the green eyes settled on Debora again, and the intensity came rushing back into them. “Speaking of riddles, perhaps it is time for us to…” The door swung opened behind them. Footsteps sounded on the path. Taking the cigarette from her mouth Debora turned, exhaling as she did so. As a part of her had expected and dreaded, Professor Green made his way towards them, smiling widely. His wide build was framed for a moment by the light of the house, before the door swung closed again. But there was no mistaking the thick red hair, spilling out from the edges of the ornate mask or those eyes. Professor Green's ruddy cheeks creased. “Please, don’t stop on my account, Mister Violet.” From his words, it seemed he or another had been listening to them, or at least Professor Green wanted Debora and Mr. Violet to think so as he bade the other man to continue. Debora took another drag on her cigarette, but the flavor seemed to have soured. He crossed towards them without waiting for a response or invitation, cane tapping before him. He glanced between Debora and Mister Violet. “I am glad I was able to catch you both. I hope you’ll forgive my intrusion?” Catch was the optimal word, Debora thought and the smoke she exhaled wavered slightly. The Professor appeared to be alone, without any of his henchmen. Whatever he planned, he must be confident he could achieve it on his own. [color=orange] “You hardly need beg our forgiveness for travelling where you wish here, Professor Green. Mister Violet and I were simply indulging our vice away from the jostling crowd.” [/color] Debora answered and flicked ash from her cigarette. Professor Green settled his gaze upon Debora as she spoke, the wide smile unfaltering. “You are too kind, Mrs. Copper. Yet, I am afraid that I come to take you back to that jostling crowd.” The man allowed his words to hang in the chill air for a moment, seeming to enjoy the power he held, before he continued, absentmindedly tracing the tip of his cane across the patio as he spoke. “I felt obliged to tell Lady Wilde of the unpleasantness that occurred earlier, and she insisted that both of you join her for dinner this evening.” Debora took another drag on her cigarette and exhaled, her heart lurching at the Professor’s words. Implied in each of them, and his superior air in delivery, was that the dinner invitation could not be refused. In such case, it would be better to agree and go willingly. [color=orange] “What an honor the Lady bestows for such a small inconvenience,” [/color] Debora murmured. But dinner! She cast a glance at the night sky. Had so much time passed when she’d made so little headway? Debora gritted her teeth. Damn Red for putting them under this man’s scrutiny! Of course, the Texan may be enduring a worse fate than that now. A chill went up Debora’s back. Professor Green glanced around the patio. “The invitation was also extended to Mister Genie. Is he not with you? Does he not share your vices perhaps?” He asked after Genie, but not the Corporal, Debra noted. Likely her and Mister Violet’s assumptions were true, and the man was under the Professor’s control already. [color=orange] “Mister Genie? Oh, we separated some time earlier.” [/color] Debora answered, and she felt a defiant pleasure that Professor Green had been inconvenienced in that matter. She hoped Genie would keep clear, but with the Professor and possibly other Hall staff on his tail, it would only be a matter of time before he too was being ushered into the dinner party. Professor Green shrugged his massive shoulder slightly. “No matter. I am still glad I was able to share the invitation with you both personally.” From somewhere within the house, the ring of a gong echoed, and Professor Green glanced back over his shoulder. “And not a moment too soon. One strike means dinner!” Turning back to Debora and Mister Violet, Professor Green bowed, the overly theatrical gesture looking thoroughly out of place. “It would be my pleasure to accompany you both. I would hate for either of you to get lost on the way.” This time, it was Mister Violet that responded. Debora couldn’t help but notice that the edge that had crept into the other man’s persona since they had stepped outside was gone again, Mister Violet entirely the jovial and flamboyant party guest once again. “Capital, old chap. Please, lead the way.”