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At Jeanne's invitation, Tony sat down next to Constance. Trying to decide how to go about figuring out if Jeanne could be trusted, he listened while Constance took the lead on asking questions.

If they could be confident that Jeanne was not involved in everything that was happening, then she could be useful. But trying to figure that out without risking everything would be difficult. If they revealed too much and it turned out that Jeanne was not on their side, it would be disastrous. Based on his earlier conversation with her, she did seem to be concerned about Miguel. That would be the best way to start, he hoped.

Picking up the conversation after Constance had asked a few questions, Tony chose his words carefully. "So, after you asked me about Miguel earlier, I did some asking around myself. None of the nominees have heard from him, and we're all concerned... especially after this morning." Both technically true statements, which didn't give away what they knew; half-truths are much easier than lies. Suddenly remembering the tape recorders that Sam had given them earlier, Tony casually slid a hand into his pocket, acting like he was just habitually making sure his wallet was there, and discreetly started recording. "He's definitely not anywhere in the building. Nowhere we can access, anyway; obviously some places are off-limits to us, so nobody's been able to check there. Unless you have?" he asked.

As he spoke, Tony maintained eye contact with Jeanne, paying close attention to how she reacted. If she truly knew nothing about anything that was happening, he assumed she'd just be concerned. But if she slipped for even a moment, he didn't want to miss it.

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Would Eleanore kill to maintain the status quo?

It was a good question and one that couldn't be easily answered. Millicent didn't know much about the matriarch apart from the history she knew before coming here on top of everything she had been told. But surely it wasn't out of the realm of possibility.

"I mean, would a wealthy person kill someone if it meant being able to maintain the life you enjoyed? I'd think so. I mean, hell, billionaires have done worse for less. She's on my list, but she isn't the only one. Any of the family members could have done it to maintain the life they grew up with. And as much as I am glad we're all working together, I don't fully trust anyone else apart from you. One of them could have killed Miguel while someone else killed Renee. Things aren't adding up nicely."

Once they entered the bar, she saw Lena talking to the others and heard some of the qwuestions they asked. Millicent was happy to see them prodding for answers. She, too, was still curious about the selection process. "Pardon my interruption, but Lena, Eleanore wanted us to ask you to check on the slideshow and make sure it was up to par." She nodded to the others, smiling, though her eyes said "We have some updates."

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It appeared there was more to this system than simply having family members nominate their favorite hobby of the week to come and entertain them. There was something sweet about knowing that someone out there had thought that Sam was good enough to be considered for nomination, and even more so that the grandmother herself believed it as well. It was a shame though the circumstances at which all of this had happened, the why of it all beyond simply accepting it. Part of him wondered if Lena ever padded the dossiers to favour some candidates over others. Sure her grandmother didn’t take into account the whos’ of input, but perhaps Lena would. Shoving someone Lawrence recommended further down or skewing the document to make them seem like an unfavourable candidate would be easy work for her he figured. It would also look bad on Lawrence if every year his candidate choices seemed more and more questionable, then again the matriarch supposedly had no idea who nominated who exactly. Sam raised an eyebrow at Rihannon’s question. ”Please, I do all my dancing either in the nude or in a pair of boxers and tube socks.” More theories began to enter his mind, that Lena perhaps didn’t do all of this on purpose but may have had a helping hand in it by accident. What were the chances that Lawrence learned of what Lena was doing and decided to get into her files, find the dossiers, and blackmail everyone here with what he had found, assuming that Lena even had such files tucked away in her computer.

That however would put too much intelligence onto Lawrence, and as Sam stated before, while the man seemed crazy and willing to kill, he seemed like too obvious of a choice for the actual murders. Then there was the fact that the first two were made to look like accidents while the final one was hidden away and has yet to be spoken of. Perhaps they should’ve been talking to people about Miguel as well. See who starts to sweat at the mention of his name or who acts nervously when trying to figure out where exactly the missing candidate is. Millicent and Branden both showed up and cut into their conversation, though the look on Millicent was as if she was the cat that caught the canary. ”Shit, sorry about that Lena, I didn’t mean to keep you from your work. I could go down rabbit holes like that for hours though, give me a good creepy pasta and im hooked enough to dig til the daylight shines. Let me know if you want to chat some more on this though, or any other theories you may have. Though…I didn’t realize we’d be having a slideshow presentation as part of this, were we supposed to prepare our own or something? Cuz I didn’t get the memo…then again I have no service so I haven’t really gotten anything.”

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Constance watched as well as Jeanne reacted to what Tony had to say. However, she didn't seem that surprised by the information. Perhaps Sam had already informed her of much that happened with Miguel earlier when he had sat and conversed with her. She did note the worry lines in Jeanne's brow, and got the feeling that no matter what else happened, Jeanne truly had no idea what happened to Miguel. There was at least possibly one La Lune that was innocent in that death. Did that make her innocent in Renee's? Not necessarily. There was still no proof that only one person had done both.

Constance kept her emotions to herself as she waited for Jeanne to respond to Tony's question about the off-limit spots, though she they already knew the answer. Miguel was in the cemetery, waiting to be discovered again.

She mentally shook that thought off as she sat there, and thought. What else would they wish to discuss with Jeanne then and for how much longer? Tony had made that promise to George to check on Agatha, and it was probably wise to do that sooner rather than later. She was sure that Sam would wish to catch up with them soon, unless he had attached himself to another group and was currently swapping information with them. That might have also been wise, since he had talked to Jeanne first.

Constance did hope by going to check on Agatha they could get some more access to the manor and she could possibly look around a bit. Sure, she wasn't the stealthiest, but she did know she could be quiet when she wanted to be.

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Jeanne looks worried. “Sam said as much. Not exactly that, but he asked if I had seen Miguel and I haven’t.” She looked away briefly. “He was supposed to meet with me last night, but he never did. I am worried. I can look in the attic and the family rooms. Though I doubt he would be there.” She offered.

The clock chimed the hour.

“Damn, it is six. We have an hour till the ball starts. If you two want to let the others know they should get ready. When I go get ready I’ll check the family rooms.” Jeanne stood up. “The attic will have to wait, but I want to do that when the staff is busy since their rooms are up there.”

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Lena smiled at Rhi’s question. “Everyone has secrets. It isn’t my place to talk about any of them.” She looked up as Millicent and Brandan joined them asking for the slide show. “It is finished. Don’t worry Sam, you don’t have to do anything for it.” The clock chimed and Lena sighed. “Well great now I’ve got to get this set up and get changed in an hour. I’ll see you all at the ball in an hour.” Lena closed her laptop and stood up, sliding between the group and heading through the library into the ballroom.

Upon Lena’s exit from the room it left just the nominee’s, sans Tony and Constance, and the bartender. He sat at the bar reading a book, looking like he was actively trying to ignore the conversations. Ralph looked over at the others. There was a decent amount of information there. He had to parse it though. Lena helped Elenore with choosing who to select to come to France. His gut told him that was very important.

“I wonder what the slide show tonight is for? I thought tomorrow was the ceremony.” How much information did Lena have on them? He looked between Rhi and Sam. “I don’t know a lot about computers except what they can do for flying planes. How much information can you get about people off the internet? I don’t even have a Facebook.” Not anymore anyway. He had deleted his after... after he had moved away from home.

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With their task done and them all to themselves save for the bartender who appeared like they wanted to be anywhere else, it was a good time to share what they found out. However, Millicent didn't want to share the big stuff just yet until they were all alone. "I would say it's fairly easy, especially now. Even those who don't have social media accounts are still plastered on the Internet. All it takes is someone sharing a picture of you or your name being put out there. Not to mention how much the Internet is connected to everyday things like banks or school or jobs."

"Plus, what's the rule people say about the Internet? Nothing is truly gone, even if you delete something. So it's understandable that someone could gather information about everyone. And the deeper you dive, the more you can find out."

She also wondered what the slideshow could be about. Was it for their benefit or the family's? "Me and Brandon found out something, but wandering ears and all that. Maybe we can all gather somewhere safe and discuss?"

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Rhiannon smirked. Part of them, a small part, wanted to see Sam’s dancing skills in action. A larger part wanted to stay as far away from that as possible. Rhiannon watched Lena walking away, wishing they had a few more minutes to ask a couple more questions. Hopefully, the others found something productive.

”Well, we can chat in the hall or one of our rooms then,” Rhiannon said, standing. They had to make their way upstairs anyway to start getting ready for whatever the hell this supper and slideshow was about to present to all of them.

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Sam let out a small sigh of relief upon hearing he hadn't accidentally missed a crucial step in this event. Although, having Lena leave like that reminded him back on his own days of being in AV club. Being excused to go help set up another classes video for them, or helping their own teachers with their slideshows on the computer because “it was all the same thing”. Not that he minded of course, especially when they looked at him as if he was some sort of a wizard doing things that were so basic they viewed like magic. ”Maybe its a Cha-Cha slide?”

Sam looked towards Millicent as she answered Ralph's question. A sudden image of her scouring the internet for some information on an opponent in magic or perhaps even some dirt to blackmail one to get ahead. She seemed the type, a person who would do what they needed to ensure they were on top. What was her secret again? Sam couldn't recall at the moment. ”Always welcome to discuss it in my room if you'd like. That way you and I are already in place to get ready for the shindig tonight, Ralph can change with me it's nothing he hasn't seen before, and Ivanna can change with you or go back to their own room.” And if there was time he could fuck Ralph before the hour was up.

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Constance heard the clock chime six and frowned softly. An hour before the ball would begin, which meant that she needed to start getting ready. Hair, make up, getting dressed would take time as she had to dress to impress. She had not forgotten the main reason she was there, even with all the murder and intrigue around her. She was sure some of the others would want to talk about what they had learned, and also Tony had to check in on Agatha, so they were a bit pressed for time it seemed.

"Thank you, Jeanne. We'll let them know, and please, let us know if you find anything in the rooms. I wish you luck." Constance felt bad for lying to the woman, as she knew she would never find Miguel there, but she couldn't point her in the true direction of where he was. That would be too suspicious.

"I need to get ready, but I also know you wanted to check on Agatha. Do you wish me to join you? Or do you want to do that alone?" Constance looked to Tony and started to stand and smoothed her skirt.

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Location: Château de La Lune:
Skills: N/A

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Brendan nodded, ready to make his way with the other two. "Maybe going in someone's room is better, more privacy...and hopefully it won't look like we're trying to be secretive." Brendan could feel his anxiety increasing. What was worse, for the wrong person to hear what they said? Or for the wrong person to think they were keeping secrets. Well, they were keeping secrets, but still. Could they trust Rhianonn? Millicent seemed to think so, and Brendan trusted Millicent...really the only person he had any reason to suspect so far was the rich lady, but Millicent had a point. Two dead people, could be two killers. Plus whoever sent those texts...

He followed the other two wherever, absentmindedly, trying to run the numbers. Up two three bad people and how many people in this house? What percent chance any given person they were talking to was a killer...unless more then one person had conspired to kill someone? Brendan hadn't even considered that. Oh god.

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As the clock chimed the hour, Tony glanced down at his watch and grimaced. The ball was only an hour away, and although it wouldn't take the full hour for him to get ready, it'd probably take most of it. Maybe if he hurried he'd have some time to check on Agatha, but he probably wouldn't have enough to let his eyes wander much while he was past the locked door, which had been the real reason for doing it. Although maybe the shortness of time could be used as an excuse to do it both before and after the ball? That would be worth trying.

Nodding, Tony discreetly stopped the tape recording and stood. "Yes, we should probably be going. If you find anything, definitely let us know," he answered, then started leading the way out towards the foyer. When Constance asked about checking on Agatha, he glanced towards her as he responded. "I'll try to check on her if I find George, but I still need to get ready myself so I won't have time to check on her as thoroughly as I'd like. If they're amenable, I'll see if we can check in again later tonight."

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“I will,” Jeanne said with a smile. She left the room and before the door closed behind her they’d see her cross through the dining room to the foyer. If they followed her upstairs they’d see her go through the family’s private rooms. Just as Jeanne reached the top of the stairs Ralph would be coming out of the bar.

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Ralph wondered how a photo that had only ever existed physically had been brought here. That was what concerned him the most. He frowned. Millicent was right though. The internet held onto information way too much.

The rest of the conversation set him on edge. Millicent and Brandon had found something but didn’t feel like they could share it. Last time they needed to talk to everyone in the group as a whole everyone had gone out into the woods of the island and found a dead body. He blushed slightly at Sam mentioning how Sam being naked wasn’t something he hadn’t seen before.

“Well let’s get upstairs then. I do want to change into formal wear, but we should talk real quick. Hopefully, we can grab Tony and Constance too.” Ralph hoped they hadn’t wandered off too far and with everyone gathered up again they could collect their knowledge together. He stood up and headed out of the bar and up the stairs. He saw Jeanne at the top of the stairs as he started up them.

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Millicent debated on briging everyone into the conversation, but what could she do? She didn't fully trust the others outside of Brendan, but it wasn't as if everyone was a murderer. Or were they? Her money was still on someone in the family being connected to, at least, Renee's death. Miguel's was still up in the air. For all she knew, Miguel knew one of their secrets and was planning on blackmailing them which lead to his death.

And could Millicent say she wouldn't do what she could to protect her own reputation? "All right, we can go into someone's room to talk and get ready for tonight. Sam and my adjoining rooms could work, if everyone is okay with that." She waited to see if the others agreed.

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"Mmm true. I need to take some time to get ready myself, as we have an hour. I can still assist you, but it didn't seem that George really wanted anyone else peeking in while you were doing the examination, if that's what I was gathering earlier." Constance walked with Tony, heading towards the guest rooms at that point. She didn't mind that George didn't really want her in the room while Tony was looking over his wife, and she didn't blame him. However, to her it was suspicious, given everything that was going on.

She walked up the stairs with him, and sighed softly as she had a feeling that the others would want to talk, and that would take some time. She could understand wanting to pass on and share information, but she really wanted to get ready. She looked to Tony and kept close to him. "Are you going to need any help getting ready after you check in on Agatha?"

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It appeared that Ivanna was up to heading into Sam's room. That was good, it meant they still trusted each other enough for sharing information or being in closed rooms. He had no doubt that Ralph would agree as well, but hearing the words still made him smile until he asked about looping in the remaining two. That would be a bit harder to do discreetly without the use of their phones. Sam wondered if maybe they would be better of chatting amongst themselves then dispersing the information at the party in a discreet way. He looked towards Millicent, who finally agreed to go up, and just like that, their small group of four was back together again, the only missing member having been found in a ditch in the mud outside.

”Lets head on up then.” Sam followed behind Ralph. He doubted anyone here needed to be lead to his room. Millicent knew her way to hers, and by proxy his, Ivanna knew Millies, and Ralph and Sam had acquainted themselves in his room. His hand twitched as they walked towards it, gently tapping the back of Ralph's hand before spotting Jeanne at the top of the stairs. Sam smiled and waved at her before finally going to his room and entering it to sit down on his bed. As soon as the last person rolled in and closed the door, he asked outloud ”Spill. What'd you learn?”

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As they walked through the foyer and up the stairs, Tony looked around; he did not see any sign of George. Well, that settles the order that I'll be doing things in, then. There simply was not enough time to look all over the place tracking George down, and check on Agatha, and get ready for the ball. Investigating was important, but so was continuing to act normal to avoid drawing suspicion... and showing up to the ball in anything less than his best would, undoubtedly, be highly abnormal behavior for him.

As they walked up the stairs, Tony listened to Constance's questions and answered. "I would be a bit surprised if he lets us both in too, although I do have one idea to try convincing him with. I haven't seen him anywhere, though, so I'm going to get ready first and see if I can find him after. Will you need any help getting ready in time?" he asks as they head down the guest hallway. After acknowledging her response, Tony leaves her at her door and proceeds to his own room. At least black tie means no need to decide on an outfit, Tony mused to himself as he started steaming his tuxedo.

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Location: Château de La Lune:
Skills: N/A

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Brendan nodded as Millicent suggested meeting in her and Sam's room. That would probably be safe. Unless she and/or Sam were the killers...no, Brendan couldn't start doubting Millicent. She was the only one he could fully trust. He needed to lock in and focus and stop being so worried and over thinking. It was fine. Or it would be. Yes, whoever it was had killed two people, but maybe they would stop there? Killing three people would be over the top. It would be so, well...overkill. And whoever the killer was, the odds were low that it was who he was with.

Brendan took a deep breath and finally started to pull his thoughts away from his worries, and towards how he was going to explain everything he'd learned.

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Ralph caught sight of Tony and Constance as he was about to enter Sam’s room. “We are doing a bit of a group meeting and catching each other up on what we’ve found if you’ve got time,” he told them before grabbing his suit and then going into Sam’s room to get dressed as they talked. He figured that the performers of the group wouldn’t care. Sam had seen him naked already, and if Tony joined he was also a guy and wouldn’t care.

“We got dirt on Lawrence. That guy is more of a tool than I thought, and I thought he was a nasty piece of work before.” Ralph shook his head. They didn’t have a lot of time before the ball. “That girl, Lena, thinks he has killed someone before.”

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Rhiannon elected to join the others in Sam’s room without retrieving their supper clothes. They would just leave a little earlier to change. And then Rhiannon might have a moment to breathe and process everything that had been happening in the last twenty-four hours.

As soon as the door shut behind them, Sam and Ralph launched right into a conversation on what had transpired. Rhi leaned against the desk, refusing to sit on any other surface in the room. Crossing their arms, Rhiannon listened to Ralph’s recap before jumping in.

”Ya, she did some serious research into Lawrence’s old job and found a colleague he didn’t get along with mysteriously disappeared after they had some big fight. Plus, some of the workers here are apparently escorts Lawrence has hired in the past. Lena hired them to work to try to shake Lawrence up. Oh, and Lena is trying to remove Lawrence from the will. So there’s that,” Rhi said, shifting away from the desk to wander around the room.

If anyone started changing while Rhi spoke, they gave no notice.

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”We had originally been hoping to get access into the router for the wifi itself so that we could see in this place visited which sites. That would give us more info not only on who had hired the Escorts as Maids, but also could help to see if any other shady sites had been visited, like finding out how to hide a body or clean blood, or who know’s what. Unfortunately She wouldn’t give up the router location or access to it. But she did tell us that she was the one who had hired them herself, as Rhi just said, for the sake of trying to get rid of Lawrence and an inheritee as well as from this whole fiasco for the future. She doesn’t seem like the type to kill though, but to blackmail? That feels a lot more her style if you ask me. She’s always off in a corner of a room, left alone and unattended, and on her laptop. She had whole files on Lawrence, but more importantly that means she just sits there, listens, and takes in information to file away on her computer for later use. I’m not saying she’s the one that blackmailed us, but if she is then I wouldn’t be surprised. Beyond that, I spoke to the one who sponsored Miguel, she seems just as clueless about his whereabouts as we were until earlier this morning. I don’t think she’s the one who told me about the location if that’s the case, but it’s possible that Lena could have done it. As to why? Again I don’t know…it makes sense that Maids are the eyes and ears of this place but Lena seems to keep her ear on the ground for the things that have her interest.” Sam had made his way over towards his case, searching for something to wear for the dinner tonight, pulling out pieces until he’d decided on an outfit.

He began to take his shirt off, tossing it off to the side as he put on a fresh shirt, beginning to undo his belt before he looked up back towards Millicent. ”What about you two? You guys said you found something as well but needed more privacy. Well, you got it so…what's up?” Sam started buttoning up his new white dress shirt, taking each button with care, his pants precariously hanging as his belt sat undone, he rolled his shirt sleeves up to just below his elbows before decidingly grabbing his black pair of dress pants. He put them next to him on the bed before reaching over and snagging a long thin black tie from his case and loosely tying it around his neck and under the collar before undoing the top button of the shirt and putting the ties knot just beneath it.