[color=662d91][hr][hr][h1][b][i][center]Eugene Esposito[/center][/i][/b][/h1][/color]

Just before the maid was about to leave, Mrs. Copper asked her a question. [color=orange]“Tell me regarding the band.”[/color] A glance towards the musicians follow suit. [color=orange]“Perhaps I’ve heard them before. Were they engaged for this evening or do the Wildes retain their own musicians?”[/color]

The query seemed to fall on deaf ears for a moment as the maid was found quite distracted. She was looking at the tall man in black, the same one that gave Eugene the heebie jeebies. When she realized what had happened, her eyes widened in surprise for a moment before composing herself and replying politely. “The band… Forgive me, ma’am. The band play for the evening, and then return to Arkham.” She answered, looking around the members of their group. 

[i]Interesting, so I’m not the only one who had noticed that strange fellow.[/i]

Mr. Violet, with his friendly and extroverted nature stepped forward with a smile. “Thank you, we won’t be keeping you any longer.” He said, allowing the maid to return to her duties. Though she didn’t leave right away, and instead seemed to study Mr. Violet’s face for a mere moment before dipping into curtsy and leaving.

The smile quickly faded as he turned around and addressed them. The jovial attitude from before gone and replaced with a seriousness that had Eugene, Mrs. Copper, and Corporal Khaki all leaning to listen to him. “I think, perhaps, we should all be careful what we say.”

Almost just as quickly as it entered, the seriousness left the man. Mr. Violet straightened up and looked around. “I say, I wouldn’t mind a breath of fresh air after all this excitement.” His booming and jovial voice attracting the attention of nearby guests. Whether it was an act to distract others or not, Eugene would probably never know. 

Although their trip was and time spent together was rather nice, Mr. Violet seemed to be the type of person to be two faced. Able to switch between masks rather easily which was a rather handy ability to have. Especially in a place such as this. 

[color=662d91]“Of course, take care Mr. Violet and I hope to see you again later in the night.”[/color] Eugene said, raising his glass as a way to say goodbye to his companion. Taking it as the cue to split off, the journalist finished off his drink and placed it on the tray of a passing servant. [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]


[color=orange]“Until then, Genie.”[/color] Mrs. Copper said to him as he nodded his farewell to them and walked away. 

Eugene moved through the shifting crowd, eyes searching for another servant that could hopefully lead him to the nearest washroom. An effort made by his part to hopefully explore more of Wilde Hall. His eyes settled on another young maid. He walked over, managing to grab her attention as she lowered her gaze and dipped in curtsy. [color=662d91]“Good evening, pardon me for interrupting your work but you see I’m not too familiar with the layout of this mansion.”[/color] He said with a nod, his voice smooth and calm. [color=662d91]“Would you be so kind as to show me which way it is to the washroom?”[/color] Just like servant before, the journalist would study the young woman, trying to see if there was anything off or out of place about the way she carried herself.

She replied with a smile of her own. “Of course, sir. If you’ll follow me, I’ll be more than happy to show you.” Turning around, she began to make her way through the crowd, leading Eugene to his destination. Unlike the previous maid who was quite clearly uneasy, this one seemed far more relaxed and at home. Either she was someone low in the food chain who didn’t know anything, or was had a bit of power and was more experienced amongst the servants.

To his surprise, she led him towards the wide stairs, Eugene following without a question. Just before descending however, he felt the urge to look back and upon doing so, locked eyes with a familiar face. Professor Green. It was only for a brief moment as he quickly shifted his attention and with all the guest milling around one could say that he had simply glanced but Eugene knew. The professor was staring right at him. A chill ran down his back before continuing down the stairs after the maid.

As Eugene climbed down the first flight, the maid was already around the corner, and he instinctively picked up his pace, not wanting to be left behind in unknown surroundings. The music faded behind him, and suddenly he was at the foot of the stairs. The room he found himself looking out on was positively cozy, a handful of worn and deep armchairs gathered around a roaring fireplace, a billiards table dominating the room. It certainly caught him off guard and he found himself staring a bit longer than expected as the maid’s voice called for his attention. 

“Sir?” She said, head tilted to one side as if she was curious about his reaction. “Just this way, sir.” A hand gestured to a room at the foot of the stairs.

[color=662d91]“Oh, thank you very much. I’ll be able to find my own way back. You may go ahead and return to whatever it is you were doing.”[/color] He said, hoping the maid would leave which would allow him to snoop around the place. Regardless of her answer, he would enter.

Stepping through the doorway, Eugene found himself in a narrow room, little more than a closet, or cloak room judging by the row of heavy winter coats that hunt from the rack to his right. At the end of the room was another door. Beyond that, Eugene was greeted the most posh bathroom he’d ever been in but knowing that he was here for a job, he couldn’t really take the time to admire the place. After taking care of his business, Eugene washed his hands then took off his mask to freshen up, using the cool water to wash his face before drying it off with some paper towels. Eugene looked long and hard into the mirror, staring into his own reflection. The night was still young but already so much had happened, the incident in the carriage followed by the scuffle immediately after arriving, then Mr. Red’s sudden mood shift. He’d have to be on guard especially against Professor Green, that man was… powerful. 

[color=662d91]“Okay buddy.”[/color] He said taking a deep breath before putting donning his mask once again. [color=662d91]“I’ll see you tomorrow.”[/color] It may seem weird but that was a bit of reassurance for him. Saying that to his reflection was an indication that he’d make it through the night. Finally exiting the bathroom, he would finally pay attention the hallway leading up to it. [color=662d91]“Weird place to put the toilet, especially one as lavish as that. I can’t imagine why they’d put a closet in the way.”[/color] He’d say, glancing over at the all the coats but never really putting much thought into it. Rich people were weird anyway.

Leaving the place he’d return back to the maid and say. [color=662d91]“Right, I’m ready to go back now. Thank you for the assistance.” [/color]

Eugene’s words were met with silence, the maid that had escorted him here nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she had been called away by someone else but that shouldn’t explain her leaving without a word. Either way there was nothing he could do about it now. Looking around the room, he can make out no less than five doors leading into the unknown, not including the one he has just stepped through. And then of course there is still the staircase leading back upstairs.

Paying no attention to the larger doors in the room, he turned around to go up the stairs before something catches his eye. A smaller door that was just beside the staircase, parallel to the bathroom. The journalist bit his lower lip as his gaze lingered, curiosity beckoning him forward. He glanced up the stairs, light and sound filtering in from the party above and suddenly recalled Professor Green. That man rubbed him the wrong way and he knew that Eugene had gone down here, if he took too much time then… No, nevermind. It’ll just be quick and besides, Eugene knew how to talk his way out of confrontations. For the most part at least. Turning towards the other door beside the stairs, Eugene gripped the handle and opened it.

Stepping through the door, Eugene was immediately struck by the change in decor. While the room behind him had been lavish and warm, here the walls were bare, the floors uncarpeted and the wood beneath his feet worn and marked. Not only that, but where the noise of the party had once been, now there was the clatter and bustle of people at work. This place certainly seemed like the rooms and hallways that servants use to travel around the mansion… and the perfect place to pick up some gossip. There was no doubt that the help had heard juicy stories and rumors so this would have been the perfect place for him to snoop around. Mumbled voices at the far end of the hall enticed Eugene. Softly closing the door behind him, the journalist sneaked his way towards the hushed talking completely ignoring the door to his immediate left.

Eugene makes his way down the corridor, passing two more doors on his left before he reaches the source of the hushed voices. Heat, sound, and light spilling out into the corridor. Staying close to the wall, he looked into the room beyond, and found himself looking into a kitchen. A thick set woman with a shock of white hair stood in the centre of the chaos, half a dozen maids and other cook staff milling around her, like a conductor in the heart of the orchestra. None of them seemed to notice the sneaky eavesdropper in the doorway, all of them focused on their task of seemingly preparing a fine dinner.

[i]Just the kitchen then.[/i] Eugene thought to himself. I should probably head back now. [i]I spent too much time here.[/i]  Turning around he would make his way back to the room he came from, quietly opening the door to exit the hall before turning to go back up the stairs.

When he exited the corridor, the journalist froze for a moment as the room was not as empty as he’d left it. A man stood with his back to Eugene, across the room, seemingly fascinated by one of the paintings hanging on the wall. The door swung closed behind Eugene before he could think to catch it, the thud suddenly sounding like a cacophony.

The stranger turned to look at the newcomer, but if he was surprised to see Eugene, the pale face didn’t show it, and he quickly turned back to the painting. The man was soft around the edges, dark suit straining in some place and hanging loose in others, and shorter than he was. When the man spoke, his voice was thin. “This was painted by Avery, you know. All of these were.” He lazily gestured around the room, and for the first time, Eugene properly noticed the dozen or so paintings that hung around him. They all looked to be landscapes, but as he looked closer, he could see that shadows seemed to creep in from every edge, and every last painting was dominated by water. Lakes. Rivers. Ponds.

Eugene carefully watched the man. At the moment it looked like he wasn’t in trouble but he couldn’t shake off the unease. In that brief moment where the stranger turned to look at him, the journalist could make out pale skin. Swallowing some saliva, Eugene straightened up and decided to humor him. As much as he wanted to avoid this, there was nothing else he could do. [color=662d91]“Lovely pieces. I take it she’s quite fond of water?”[/color] He casually mentions.

“He lets me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…” The man trailed off, as if he had been reciting the lines to himself. Seeming to remember his surroundings, the man turned to face Eugene properly. The pale face was clearer now, as was the thinning dark hair, and the hooded eyes behind the simple white mask. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced.”

In that instant, it clicked. Eugene knew who he was. Tony Blackwell. The king of Arkham’s newspapers. He had inherited a failing Arkham newspaper from his father, and in only a few years, had turned it into an empire. In fact, Eugene remembered the countless articles holding up Tony Blackwell as one of the great successes of post-war America, and here he was in the flesh.

Not wanting to seem rude, he walked forward a couple steps and offered a handshake. [color=662d91]“Genie.”[/color] He said. [color=662d91]“A pleasure to meet you Mister…?”[/color]

“Mister Jade.” Tony ll said, crossing the room to reach Eugene’s offered hand, his gait loping and unsteady. He had expected the great Tony Blackwell to be in much better shape but you could never tell with people unless you met them yourself. Eventually reaching Eugene, he shook hands. “Would that be the same Genie that witnessed the… unpleasantness outside?”

He gave Mr Jade a tight lipped and apologetic smile. [color=662d91]“That would be me. I’m sorry you had to witness that, I didn’t expect that person to be cause such a scene in front of everyone else.”[/color] Implying that Mr. Red was just as much trouble during the carriage ride as he was outside. Changing the topic, he said. [color=662d91]“I take it you’re a fan of literature Mr. Jade? That line you just said, was it piece of poetry or prose?”[/color]

“Psalm 23. Although I can’t claim to be the most religious man.” Mister Jade did his best to straighten up, although he still stood a few inches shorter than Eugene. He looked to be about to say something further, when the ring of a gong, somewhere from the floor above, echoed down the stairwell. The general hubbub of the party above died down in a moment, and when Eugene looked back at Mister Jade, he saw that a slight smile was on the other man’s face. “Dinner, at last. I insist that you join me, Mister Genie. I feel we have much still to discuss.”

The smile seemed to be genuine enough and if the two journalists were anything alike, they could not resist the allure of getting a big scoop.  [i]Perhaps this would be a good idea to try and find out some information.[/i] Eugene thought. Returning the smile with one of his own he replied. [color=662d91]“Of course Mister Jade and please, just call me Genie. Now then, shall we?”[/color] With that being said, the two began to ascend the stairs.