With plans finalized for the most part, Millicent took the initiative and walked towards the door to Miguel’s room. [color=63142b]”Sam and Ralph may be together still, but it’s getting late, so let’s check their rooms.”[/color] Millicent wouldn’t want to disrespect either of them and storm into Sam’s room through their shared bathroom in case they were together.

Millicent cracked the door a bit and then chastised herself. It wasn’t like they had a curfew. So she swung the door open and went outside, assuming Miguel would follow.

As soon as she turned into the hallway, she saw two familiar figures coming in her direction. [color=63142b]”Well, speak of the devil and he arrives. We were hoping to find you two.”[/color]

[Color=a6fef2]”Wait? You were hoping to find…us?”[/color] Sam asked as he pointed to himself and then Ralph, confusion lacing every word. [Color=a6fef2]”Why? W-why? I mean, we were looking for you too but…”[/color] It was then Sam had noticed Miguel was accompanying Millicent, a strange duo if he'd ever seen one. Then again Miguel was pretty eccentric and Millicents mind seemed to work in a similar fashion given her conspiracies.

[color=dae8c1]”Oh, I suppose perfect timing then.”[/color] Ralph smiled and held up the EMF reader. [color=dae8c1]”We wanted to see if you wanted to join us.”[/color] He was now dressed in dark blue skinny jeans and black van shoes. He wore a light jacket over a plain white t-shirt. 

Miguel’s eyes immediately narrowed in suspicion. Ralph and Sam were looking for them too? He didn’t know that Sam had been specifically referring to Millicent. Was this about dinner? His eyes then widened. Of course it was. They probably assumed Miguel had gotten food poisoning, and were worried about the food he’d given them. Rude, but understandable. But then, his eyes narrowed again as he saw that Ralph was holding up an EMF reader. What was this? Some sort of impromptu collab? He knew that commenters had been asking if he’d ever consider doing one with another YouTube ghost hunter, but the last person he’d gone ghost hunting with had been Alexei, and well… Miguel knew how that had ended. [color=????]”Why?”[/color] he asked defensively. [color=????]”Do you just want my name attached to boost views?”[/color] The thought didn’t even cross his mind that Ralph and Sam might have been going ghost hunting [i]without[/i] filming themselves - or that the invitation was only for Millicent. [color=????]”I get it, you want the world’s greatest ghost hunter - or you want people to speculate that you can replace Alexei but…”[/color] He didn’t actually know how to end that sentence. 

Millicent was happy to see the two of them, but before she could respond to the kind invitation Miguel had stepped out and…..what’s the polite word? Went batshit. Accusing Sam and Ralph of wanting to use Miguel for views. Was this how all YouTubers thought? [color=63142b]”Uh hey Miguel. I think they were looking for me specifically since we had a conversation about ghost hunting. I don’t even think they intend to film this, but I could be wrong. Either way, we’re all here now. Miguel and I were talking and processed some of the information we uncovered and wanted to rope the two of you in.”[/color] Millicent eyed Miguel, hoping he would cool his jets and allow the two men into their plans and not scare them off (ironic though it might be).

[Color=a6fef2]”Riiiiiight. Yeah sorry man, I assumed you'd retired to a night on the porcelain throne given the abrupt exit after eating two full entrées. We were just looking for Millicent, well her and Ivanna cuz who doesn't love to have a Drag Queen around? But if you two were already looking to collab with me and Ralph then I guess this squad is set.”[/color] Sams eyebrow raised at Millicent and Ralph, as if to ask ‘is this guy serious?’. Yeah, okay, his fans have pestered for a De La Muerte collab for forever but that didn't mean Sam was about to impose on a self proclaimed world's greatest ghost hunter. While the title did irk Sam a little, he mostly let it wash off his back since he didn't view himself as a ‘Ghost Hunter’ he was a Paranormal Investigator.

His attention fully locked into Millicent now, as she brought up something Sam didn't quite understand. [Color=a6fef2]”What information did you uncover? What was the uh…outcome? Of said processed information. Oh and full transparency I do have some cameras I was intending to use to film with, but mostly also as a way to catch ghost orbs or activity we may miss with the naked eye.”[/color] 

Miguel’s abrupt attitude surprised Ralph. He wasn’t sure what it was all about. Did his stomach still bother him? Ralph wasn’t sure. He gave Sam a slight shrug unsure how he wanted to handle it. If Miguel was going to be so snap judgement about them wanting to just have some fun Ralph was unsure if they’d even be good to go exploring with. For now he bit back on his response. He waited for Millicent to explain what they had uncovered. Ralph looked at her expectantly.  

Millicent looked over to Miguel to see if she was okay in letting this information slide. Too many ears perhaps. [color=63142b]”Why don’t we go somewhere that isn’t so…open? The information we have is sensitive.”[/color] She also didn’t want Miguel to blow up again. [color=63142b]”What about my room? It’s close and it’s connected to Sam’s room in case you need to grab anything else.”[/color]

[Color=a6fef2]”Sounds like the best suggestion to me to be honest.”[/color] They were already standing in between Millicent and Sam's room. So it only made sense. Sam went to go open the door, his hand halfway up before he realized it was technically Millicent’s room, and although they were invited in, it'd still be rude for him to open it up himself.

Well things were about little less awkward, but there was tension still. Ralph saw Sam reach but halt the movement. He held up his hand indicating to Millicent she should go first. 

Millicent took the lead and opened the door to her room, inviting the boys in. Once they were in she allowed them to get settled before she sat on the corner of her bed. [color=63142b]”Okay, so after I left and came back up here I ran into Miguel. We talked for a bit and found out something that connected us. I didn’t say anything to anyone but when Miguel shared I knew there was something more going on here. In my room earlier today there was a newspaper clipping.”[/color] She stood up and grabbed it and returned to her spot. [color=63142b]”This is close by where I live and this message was left for me.”[/color] The clipping was a report on a robbery at a magic shop. The message said ‘Don’t Worry. This Wasn’t You.”

[color=63142b]”Miguel shared something similar, but I’ll let him detail it. Suffice to say, there’s something weird going on at this place.”[/color]

[Color=a6fef2]”Explains why you were acting the way you were and asking those odd questions in the lounge. Feels less conspiracy theory and more targeted. Though…I'm not exactly sure what all that means. Were you pinned for a robbery you didn't commit? Doesn't exactly feel like a good piece to blackmail someone with.”[/color] Sam had chosen to sit in the chair by the desk. Though unlike others, he sat sideways, one leg off the chair as another hung over the arm, the back of the chair facing the wall as Sam used it like an arm rest.

Miguel had fallen uncharacteristically quiet for a moment, as a feeling gripped him that had yet to visit him in France - shame. He’d been so quick to assume they were looking for him and not Millicent - so quick to dismiss them as wanting something from him. For a brief second, all of his actions hit him - the way he was using Jeanne for information, held up against the anger that had filled him when he felt for a brief moment Sam and Ralph were trying to do something similar. 

He stood by the window in Millicent’s room, looking outwards, although his eyes were more focused on his own faint reflection in the glass. He didn’t recognize the person looking back at him - or rather, he did. He saw Bruno. Not Miguel. 

He turned away, and looked at the group for a moment. He pulled the photograph out of his pocket. [color=#97e300]”This is my brother Bruno’s grave. They’re asking me how to contact his ghost. Not great, chat.”[/color]

Ralph had leaned against the desk. He felt this conversations sudden shift. Blackmail. He frowned. [color=dae8c1]”Yeah. I got a photo too. One that shouldn't be here at all. It is of one of my first boyfriends and me together. It ended very badly.”[/color] Ralph looked down at the ground. He was understating it a lot.

[color=63142b]”No, I wasn’t framed. I have been having blackouts where I wake up and I have props missing or things there that I never bought. Or I have bruises.”[/color] She kept some parts to herself. She was already opening up a lot. [color=63142b]”So it seems we all have secrets and we all have someone sending us these photos or messages. Except Sam, though, unless you have something to share?”[/color]

Sam simply shook his head ‘no’ before speaking up. [Color=a6fef2]”Sorry, I got nothing. No photos or newspaper articles or anything of the sort. Most I got was a welcome package with a post it note attached asking me if my friends knew. Which obviously I've told no one I'd be here.”[/color] It didn't make sense though, something was missing and it wasn't from the La Lune family. Millicent’s made sense. Episodes of black out followed by strange occurrences and news worthy robberies could be blackmail to an extent. But someone's brother's grave and an ex? There was story there that definitely wasn't being shared because otherwise…how was any of this blackmail. What's more…why were they being blackmailed and not himself? After what he did…

From what Sam said it didn’t seem he was being blackmailed. If his photo hadn’t asked if his ex had forgiven him, he probably wouldn’t assume it was blackmail either. But there had been no demands. [color=dae8c1]”Doesn’t blackmail usually come with a demand of some sort? Right now someone is just telling us that they know our secrets. Not sure how Miguel’s is a secret.”[/color] Ralph still hadn't looked up from the ground. [color=dae8c1]”Mine had a note asking if he had forgiven me. It isn’t like I know. I haven’t seen him in years.”[/color] It was odd...what was the point? 

Miguel knew how his was a secret. 

[color=#97e300]”Shocking, Sam has no actual evidence, who could have seen this one coming,”[/color] Miguel muttered under his breath. He shouldn’t have been behaving like this - but ever since Alexei, he’d been more and more sensitive as it came to his self perception as a ghost hunter. There was a reason that he hadn’t done collabs with others - he knew they were all faking evidence, just trying to get clicks. [color=#97e300]”Does it matter what the demand is? We know Eleanor is doing this, we know people who win this award disappear. I say we get her before we get got,”[/color] he argued. [color=#97e300]”Also I found a secret way to get to this old ass chapel, and no one innocent has shit like that in their basement.”[/color]

Millicent pondered it a moment. Sam had a point, there was no attempt at getting anything out of them. [color=63142b]”No, Ralph has a point. Whoever did this, whether it’s Eleanor or another member of the family, just seems to want us to know they know our secrets. And it has to be a member of the family surely. None of us knew each other before this, right? And the family has a choice in who they nominate, but Eleanor is the one who has final say.”[/color]

She looked around her to the others, each at varying levels of energy. [color=63142b]”I mean, Sam’s room is just through the bathroom. If he still has the post it note he can grab it, but even then that might be what your secret is. You don’t have to share if it’s too much Sam.”[/color] She looked at him like she understood. Not everyone needed to unload it all, even in a murder house.

[color=63142b]”Again, I am pretty much against going after someone unless I am 100% sure, so let’s investigate more before we go after anyone. It might not even be Eleanor pulling the strings.”[/color]

Sam heard Miguel muttering something, but he decided not to press on it. He was having to open up about his dead brother, and someone here was egging him on about it too. That would make anyone feel raw and emotionally unstable. If anything it made how Miguel had been acting all night make a bit more sense. He was grieving, something Sam could easily understand himself right now. [Color=a6fef2]”I tossed it earlier in the bathroom. The maids cleaned it all up before we even came back to the rooms so unfortunately that note is gone. Had i known it could possibly help with a future conspiracy theory I'd have kept it closer. Sorry…”[/color] 

Sam tried to think, Miguel's judgement was clearly clouded at the moment. Trying to link underground tunnels to a murder plot that didn't even exist. If there were some sort of entrance from the main house in the basement towards the Chapel outside, that only made sense. This place used to be a Monastery, they'd have some sort of system like that. That wasn't on the La Lunes, that was on its previous owners. [Color=a6fef2]”I'm with Millicent on this. We need more evidence to go in if you're actually wanting to take action. So…lead the way, show us this secret tunnel and let's see if anything around can give us a clue as to what exactly is happening here.”[/color]

Ralph stood up straight. He was more interested in going to check out the basement than he was in talking about the blackmail. It didn't make much sense right now anyway. If everyone else had a note of some sort maybe if they gathered all of them they could figure it out. But again there hadn't been any demands. No indication of why they were being blackmailed. The who was more obvious like Millicent said it had to at least be someone in the family. Now it was time for Miguel to lead the way. Maybe they would find more information in the basement. 

[color=#97e300]”Alright - into the secret tunnel… in the mountains…”[/color] He hummed the final part of the verse, and sighed, taking one last look at the window. And then he motioned for them all to follow him as he led them to the basement. 

Millicent followed. She had hoped Sam and Ralph would be on their side instantly, but it seemed they were turned off by Miguel, and she could hardly blame them. Still, at least it appeared they understood that each of them had been given some note, some way of showing someone here knew intimate details about their lives and gathered them here. For what purpose, it was unclear. But at least they had allies.