Millicent
Location: Château de La Lune: Cocktail Lounge
Skills: N/A
Millicent finished her drink and turned to order another when some voices got her attention. She turned to see one of the La Lune spawn all but tower over the preschool teacher she spoke to at dinner. Millicent didn’t need to read body language to know Renee was uncomfortable. Thankfully, she slipped away, which angered the louse who threw a small tantrum.
Millicent got her new drink and slipped off the bar and made her way towards the others, bidding Ivanna farewell for now. Millicent’s curiosity often got the better of her. She knew the La Lune family was harboring secrets, she just didn’t expect some of them to be on such prominent display in front of, what was essentially, strangers.
Her gaze locked on Ralph and Sam, who seemed to be getting along better and better. If Sam and her were to be neighbors over the course of this award season, it was best to make peace and be friendly. The nominees were pretty much in this thing together despite competing for the award.
She sidled up next to Sam and held out her drink as an offer to toast.
”Cheers to not being a part of that family.”It felt as though Sam and Ralph had barely gotten into the room when already so much had begun to happen. He
wanted to answer Ralph's question when his attention was abruptly pulled away, all words escaping with no sound as he watched the scene unfold with his mouth agape as Renee broke Lawrence's nose for a second time tonight. He deserved it of course, but who knew how long this family's good graces would last if this all kept up. His mind was drawn back to the here and now as Millicent proposed a toast, though neither Sam nor Ralph had any beverages yet.
”They certainly are…colorful.””Colorful is used to describe art or birds, I wouldn’t quite call them colorful. Disjointed. Perilous. On the verge of a breakdown, maybe.” Millicent sipped her drink in thought.
”I already spoke this into the ether so what’s one more? Something’s going to happen during all of this. Unsure what, but something will go down.” The blackmail on the edge of her tongue. But the family dynamic was only making her more sure.
”I mean sure. But art imitates life right? And what is expressionism if not disjointed splats of color to show breakdowns of social or political commentary? But then again, I hate modern art so.” Sam said with a bit of a shrug.
”Why do you think somethings going to happen? I mean aside from two broken noses. With the exception of Lawrence we're essentially trapped inside of a social construct of a trap. It's a fine setting where we all want the prize and acting out would be against anyone's best interest. Unless you've seen something I haven't.””I’ve seen everything you have and more. Think about it: we are a bunch of random people who, sure, are the best in their respective fields. But what fields are we talking about here? We have a doctor, a pilot, and a preschool teacher. Admirable jobs, to be sure. Worthy of an award? Perhaps. Then we have Youtubers, a magician, and a Drag Queen among them. Also worthy jobs, but when compared to the ones mentioned previously, not really in the same ballpark. Who makes an award where it is such a large scale of who could receive it? On top of that are the nominations. The family members all have a chance to nominate someone, but Eleanor is the one who gets final say. So one has to ask: are we here because we truly are the best of the best or is there an underlying reason that either family member has? On top of that is the clear animosity between the family members. Seems highly odd to invite a bunch of randos into your home, feed them, imbibe them with drinks, only to have your family drama on full display. All of those things appear different, but put together? Yeah something’s not right. Someone is going to snap if they haven’t already.””I think you're waaaay to used to a mystery. This isn't a magic show, there's no smoke or mirrors or invisible wire or however tricks are made nowadays. I think you're too used to having to dissect things and find the hidden truth that it's giving you a bit of paranoia. Drink, relax, enjoy the festivities while you can. Who knows the next time any of us may get this kind of lavish treatment again.” As the final words escaped Sam's lips, a dark thought crossed his mind. One he wished to push back down.
”Speaking of, I need a drink.” He said before finger gunning towards the bar.
”You two coming?”Ralph nodding following Sam.
”I can't say if something will happen. Well more than what has happened. But what family has it together? I've never been to a family reunion that didn't have at least one wild thing happen. I was at a wedding once where one of the groomsmen punched the groom. Honestly, surprised the couple stayed together as long as they did.”Millicent followed the two to the bar.
”Mark my words gents, something is going to happen over the course of our time here.” Millicent didn’t know what it could be but her money was on Eleanor. Lawrence was an asshole, sure, but he had his dickishness out on full display. Eleanor appeared to keep things internal. And those that did often had to let it out, in one form or another.
”Could I get a Mojito please?” Sam asked the bartender before turning his back to lean against the bar, arms spread atop it.
”It could just be the paranormal ambience that you're feeling. A place as old as this, plus it's history laid out within the pamphlet, and who knows what else was left out. It could create a form of phenomena. A portal to the otherside. If given enough energy, or if you're sensitive enough to it, it may give you these types of feelings of paranoia. Maybe even chills or hairs standing on ends. The feeling like something is lurking around the corner just waiting to happen.”Ralph wached Leon mix the drink. He considered what he wanted to drink. He didn't think he should have more alcohol.
”Spritzer,” He said and mouthed virgin. Hoping only Leon would see. The man nodded and continued his work silently.
”I don't know anything about ghosts.” He shrugged.
”Do you work with ghosts too?” He asks Millicent dumbly.
”No, no ghosts in my act and thankfully so given how perilous some of the tricks can be.” She didn’t deny ghosts could be real. After all, who truly knew? Lots of things went unexplained. However, this was not the case here.
”It’s not like I am getting goose bumps or chills or whatever. It’s….call it a gut instinct. I’ve learned to rely on my gut on more than one occasion. Los Angeles can be dangerous. I just think there are too many moving parts to this for it to just be a simple vacation with an opportunity to win money.” She threw her hands up in a ‘we can leave it there’ type motion.
”So, since you are the expert ghost whisperer here, is there something going on? Any reads to the lost La Lune family members?”Sam grabbed his drink, taking a long sip before answering Millicent’s question.
”No idea. Haven't really had a chance to settle down and try anything.” He propped off the bar and leaned towards her and Ralph and whispered so only they could hear.
”But I was planning on checking things out later tonight. Most likely while everyone's asleep.” He leaned back against the bar, another long sip of his drink, the cup now about half empty.
”But who knows. Maybe.”Leon slid Ralph his drink. He sipped it. It was basically a club soda made to look like alcohol had been added. And it still tasted good. They hadn't had a chance to look at Sam's other equipment.
”What do you plan to do?” Millicent wasn’t exactly thrilled to hear Sam would be traipsing around in the middle of the night right next to her room.
’I’ll admit to not knowing the first thing about all of that but do please try to keep the noise down, especially as I am your neighbor. I am a right bitch if I do not get a restful night’s sleep.”Sam bit back a comment, almost saying
Only then? in response to the idea of him ghost hunting later that night.
”I won't be doing it in my room so no worries there. Though I would need to find the spot with the most activity. A favoured room or something like that.””A favorite room? For who?” Ralph asked a little confused. He sipped his drink. He also had a comment about equipment and using his room instead if it required noise. He swallowed it with the sip of his drink.
”Perhaps ask first? I’d hate to see you kicked out because you disrupted the family or destroyed some heirloom. I only took a brief tour of the place but they have a lot of stuff in here.” Though she didn’t necessarily hate the idea of Sam not being her neighbor anymore and having the space to herself.
”For the ghost. And I'll make sure to steer clear of the rooms nearby the family. The off-limits ones I've already noted are locked behind a security system that requires a key code. So not much of a danger to getting into the wrong rooms or ruining an heirloom. Well no more than I would wandering this place during the day at least.” Sam wasn't sure what Millicent thought ghost hunting entailed, but it usually wasn't very destructive given the locations one would visit. He took another sip of his drink, resting a bit before further explaining what he'd meant about the rooms.
”Now rooms wise, typically when visiting haunted locations, you heard about ghosts peering through a window or haunted a bedroom where it's most active. I like to call those ‘Favourite Rooms’ because it's where they'll be the most active as opposed to the rest of the house.””So, what is this ghost's favorite room? How will you find out?” Ralph hadn’t even been sure there was a ghost, but Sam was certain he didn’t dare ask that question.
”I imagine not the room they died in. Is there any truth to ghosts being here for unfinished business that they need to complete to move on to the afterlife?” The locked rooms was another interesting matter. Not so much because it was suspicious (they had strangers in their home. Of course they would keep some things private). But more so because she was curious if nothing else.
”No idea. Being this is a family home that doesn't exactly air out their ghostly laundry, it may be trickier to find. If anything, maybe a maid or butler could tell us if they've noticed anything strange as they do their daily tasks. Other than that we would just need to rely on things like EMF, Temps, or other equipment to help suss out locations of higher activity. As to the why…that's up for debate. Spirits, like people, vary greatly. So why one may be here or another is unclear.””Have you asked any of the family, or are I suppose a staff, if there are ghosts?” Ralph wondered. Could they get info like that?
“Well,” Leon said, leaning over slightly during a lull in drink making. “From my experience the basement is creepy. There is also an old church chapel that is like a burnt husk, also creepy.”
”Oh my money would be on the church then. Somehow churches and ghosts are synonymous to me. Though I guess the basement could also do. Maybe there’s a hidden chamber there where they locked people up in secret. Rich families are weird like that.””Basement sounds like a first hit then. It's closer than the chapel, after a little investigating there we could move over to the chapel. See if either has any activity. Thanks for the heads up.” Sam said with a smile.
Leon nodded and went back to his duty as bartender. It was clear why he was a full-time employee, his drinks were well made and he did it with style. Ralph sipped on his drink contemplating.
”Have you had anything really scary happen on a ghost hunt?” Ralph realized he didn’t want to get scared or hurt by a ghost. He had never even considered that was a real possibility. He hadn’t given much thought to ghosts at all prior to today, except as a general idea. He had never experienced anything supernatural and didn’t know how to proceed at the chance of something like that happening.
”I’m just reminded of the Paranormal Activity movies. Granted that was a demon or whatever but I imagine not all ghosts are super friendly.” Ralph's question struck a chord with Sam. He stared at his drink for a while, his mind wandering off as the scents of iron filled his nose, his chest and throat tightened, and the sounds of screams could be heard echoing in his mind. His hand instinctively went towards his wrist, feeling around it as if to loosen a bond that wasn't there. Finally Millicent’s remark brought him back. He took a quick breath before decidedly finishing off his drink and placing the cup on the bar counter a little harder than he'd meant to.
”I feel like those movies changed their own lore as they went out. The first one was cool though.” Sam said, decidedly sidestepping Ralph's question..
”I’ve never seen them. I don’t like horror films much,” Ralph said. Was it cliche that he preferred sports and action films? He wasn’t sure, but he definitely didn’t like horror. He hadn’t watched anything like that since he had been in his teens.
”We can discuss the intricacies of movies at another time, I am sure. I’ll admit ghost hunting is starting to intrigue me more and more. I’ve always wanted to speak to the greats like Houdini.” Millicent clocked Sam avoiding Ralph’s question but did not want to pry. At least not yet.
”Speaking isn't usually how people think it goes. It's not a full conversation its…broken, jarred from their end. Even then, there's no guarantee who it is you're talking to since you can't actually see them. Anyone can claim to be Houdini if they wished to be. Ghosts don't have to be truthful.” Sam added.
”So no horror Kansas?””Would you even call it a conversation?” Ralph shook his head with a small smile.
”No horror. I watched the Blair Witch once when I was young and the power went out just at like the scariest moment and after that I never finished it, or watched anything else horror like that.” Ok so it seems they are going to talk about movies.
”Ok well it sounds like I am starting to third wheel it here so I can let you two talk about whatever, but it was still interesting to hear about what you do Sam.””Now that sounds like a fun experience. Shame you didnt finish it though, it was a great ending and the marketing alone was done sooooo well.” Sam didn't mean to make his ‘roomate’ feel as though she was third wheeling, he just didn't know how to continue the conversation without speaking more about what was actively on his mind now. What if this place had a darker spirit? What if something went wrong? What if…? No.
”Great talking to you too, maybe we can do a group hunt. See how many contestants may want to explore the other side.””Hope to chat more later.” Ralph gave Millicent a small wave.
Millicent left the two to do whatever it is they wanted. She would catch them later. She didn't want to continue to spread how worried she was that something was going to happen. She needed to stop drinking too, she was definitely feelng it.
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