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William Fraser


Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A



William was glad of the distraction as footsteps approached. The kitchen had quickly been becoming far too dreary a place, and all of the grief was starting to make William's skin itch. Grieving had always seemed like a weakness to William, not something that he had ever suffered from. If nothing else, it had robbed him of his appetite. Not least because he could imagine the disapproving looks from the servants if he started tucking into some cold meats while they were still reeling from the deaths of their friends. No, for now he would forgo the tray that had been prepared for him, instead turning towards the doorway expectantly, hoping that whoever came through the door might alleviate the mood somewhat.

No such luck. At least the butler's message suggested that the grieving would be alleviated, at least in the immediate vicinity. He was sure if he had known the two men, then William could regret their deaths, but he had never known the men in life. The only experience he had ever had with them was dragging their bloody carcasses off the roof of a carriage, and that could hardly be considered a bonding experience. He wasn't cold-hearted, or at least he didn't think that he was, so maybe he was being harsh on these people and their suffering. Lady Kirkpatrick certainly seemed to have anticipated the impact that their deaths would cause if she was willing to give her staff the rest of the day off. Compassionate was not one of the qualities that he had heard mentioned regarding Lady Kirkpatrick, but compassionate she certainly appeared to be. The woman was certainly full of surprises.

The butler trailed off, and silence descended over the room again. William glanced down at the untouched tray before him, and frowned slightly at the waste before rising to his feet, and glancing across at the cook.

"Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am, but I do not want to intrude any longer than I already have."

William half-turned away from the table, back towards the door of the kitchen, before hesitating. A pang of hunger hit him, and he decided that perhaps he could weather the disapproving glances. He glanced down the tray sitting in front of him, looking at it properly for the first time. Feeling a second pang of hunger, William carefully picked up the bread and slice of ham sitting there. Looking across at the cook again, William smiled slightly.

"Thank you again, ma'am."

William glanced at the driver for a moment, hoping the man would follow, before turning to leave the kitchen.
Justice Cobalt
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Location: Shadowell Manor: Trophy Room -> Starry Salon
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Another empty room. Cobalt decided that this must be a nightmare. It was better that than the reality of seeing no-one in this accursed manor. He would give anything for someone, anyone, to step out of the shadows. He'd take the irksome doctor, he'd take the four peculiar musicians, hell, he would even take the riddler and his damned bird at this point. Anything to break the infernal silence that seemed to stifle even the sound of his own footsteps.

At least here he had a choice. Analia had told him to keep going till he reached stairs, but a quick glance around the room told him that there weren't any stairs here. There were three doors though, and behind any one of them could be a crowd of his fellow guests. Or there could be another empty room. Cobalt physically shuddered at the thought. Focusing, he tried to work out if anyone was nearby. There might be no stairs in here, but the doors to his right were open, and through them, he could make out a staircase, presumably the ones that Analia had been guiding him towards.

She's told him to take a left, but as he stood there pondering his next move, he saw movement on the stairs, and his mind was made up for him. Even if it meant stumbling across a rampaging murderer, he would go towards anyone as long as it meant someone to break the silence. Besides, if it was a murderer, then at least it would give Cobalt something to do. Making his decision, Cobalt headed towards the stairs, and whoever awaited him there.



William Fraser


Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A



William had been expecting a reaction, but maybe not one quite so jarring. It was foolish of him not to think that the bodies that they had laid in front of the house might be more than just travelling companions of Lady Kirkpatrick. Of course they were members of their household, and he wasn't surprised that the news of their death would cause shock, especially if they had been with the house for as long as it sounded like they had. Regardless, what was done was done, and he couldn't take back what he had said. If he'd thought about it, he might have given the news in a gentler manner, but in the end, it was better that they knew.

Despite the somber mood that had rapidly descended over the room, one detail did strike William. The news of the Soulless attack itself seemed to have caused barely a ripple. This may of course have been down to the shock at the death of the two men, 'Rory' and 'the Father', but in his mind, it went some way in proving his initial thoughts. The servants were confident enough in the safety of the house. Clearly Lady Kirkpatrick could handle herself, and he knew that the girl that had been with her could too, but in a house this size, he was sure there were plenty of other's who were trained to defend against the Soulless. And even if they weren't officially trained, he was sure plenty would have a weapon close at hand. Lady Kirkpatrick didn't come across as a fool, nor someone who would tolerate any.

Glancing down at the tray that had now been placed before him, William realised that a stony silence was threatening to fall over the room, the servants reeling from the news. Looking up at the cook, William nodded slightly, echoing the driver again.

"You have my condolences as well, ma'am. I am sorry that I was the bearer of bad news, they sound like good men."

William had never been good at dealing with grief. When his mother had died, he was still a boy, and he had never had time to grieve. And when his father was killed, William simply didn't know how to. He'd lived his whole life from one day to the next, always moving, never lingering in one place for too long. Maybe he was continuing his father's quest, maybe he was simply living the life of the musician, or maybe he was scared of what ghosts would catch up with him if he ever did stop moving.
Justice Cobalt
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Location: Shadowell Manor: Rocaille Room -> Trophy Room
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt's skin was beginning to itch. He didn't like silence, he didn't like being alone, and he was starting to grow impatient again. When he opened the door into yet another empty room, he almost cried out in despair. Was he doomed to wander an empty house for eternity? Cobalt almost started to wander if he really had woken up from his dream, or if this was just another nightmare conjured up by his fevered brain. But no, he couldn't go around thinking he was still in a dream. With every step his mind cleared more, and he doubted his imagination would have been able to conjure up the underground chapel, or the pale girl that inhabited it for that matter. This was reality, it just wasn't a reality he was enjoying at the moment.

Trying to distract his mind, Cobalt glanced around the room he now stood in. He'd seen rooms like this before in these grand manors, stuffed animals adorning the walls, and glassy eyes looking down at him. It didn't do anything to alleviate the silence. The two bears flanking the fireplace were a nice touch, but if anything the imitation of life only made Cobalt yearn for it more. This room was larger than the last, but Cobalt was a man on a mission, and he crossed it quickly. Behind the next door, he told himself, there would be someone, anyone. If there wasn't, then he didn't know if he could keep ignoring the scratching at the back of his head.
Justice Cobalt
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Location: Shadowell Manor: Joyous Corridor -> Rocaille Room
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt continued his onwards journey uneventfully. The room he stepped into was impressive, there was no doubt of that. A little extravagant for his taste, but still impressive. What was disappointing was the emptiness of the room. Other than Analia, Cobalt was yet to see another living soul, and it was starting to concern him slightly. Had he been gone for so long that he had missed the party altogether? Or was something more nefarious afoot? One guest had already been killed, he'd witnessed that first hand before they had even reached the house, but was that a freak accident, or only the beginning.

Not wanting to linger any longer than he had to, every moment being potentially crucial, he resolved to push on, even if only ghosts were waiting for him. Crossing the room in only a couple of strides, Cobalt grasped the door handle of the next room, and braced himself for what he would find on the other side. A macabre scene of butchery, the other guests fallen upon by the devils of the house? Some staggering clue, waiting to be stumbled upon? Or, even worse, another eerily empty room. Gritting his teeth, Cobalt pushed open the door.


William Fraser


Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A



Not wanting to ignore the invitation to take a seat, William followed after the driver and took a stool of his own. He enjoyed the bustle of the kitchen at work, and he allowed himself to be lost in the noise of it for a moment. All his life, he had found music in the world, but not only flowing from instruments, but from life itself. The whistle of the kettle, the creaking of the floorboards, the footsteps of the kitchen staff, it was music, it was a rhythm, an overlapping mess of sounds that in William's head seemed to come together. William absentmindedly tapped his finger against his thigh to the beat as he watched the cook pour out two cups. He smiled in thanks, nodding slightly as he reached out and pulled the cup closer to him.

"I'll take it dark as well. Thank you, ma'am. For your hospitality as well as the tea."

William had expected the question before long, and he mulled over his answer for a moment. He knew that Soulless attacks were rare in these parts, and announcing that there had just been a sizable one almost a stones throw from the house could lead to a panic. Not only that, it might not be his business to discuss the comings and goings of the houses gentry. But then again, Lady Kirkpatrick hardly seemed to be a lady that would tolerate weak-willed servants, nor did she seem the type to leave a house like this vulnerable to a Soulless attack, no matter how slim the chances of that were. And was he really under any obligation to any of the Lords or Lady's? He'd accepted the offer of payment from Rutherford, but he didn't have any loyalty to him, and from his conversation with the driver, he didn't suspect the man would rat him out for gossiping.

His mind had been whirring, but only an instant had passed. Making his decision, William glanced up from his drink towards the woman, smiling slightly.

"We were travelling in the area when we stumbled across Lady Kirkpatrick and the remains of her carriage. It seems that she ran into some Soulless, but they were already dealt with by the time we arrived. I'm sorry to say that the corpses we have with us were two of her companions. As for where the Lord of the house has gone off to, I'm afraid I can't shed any light on that."

Justice Cobalt
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Location: Shadowell Manor: Gun Room -> Joyous Corridor
Skills: N/A
Hit Points: 6
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Letting the door of the Gun Room swing closed behind him, Cobalt glanced down the by now familiar corridor. Empty. He found himself wondering just how much time had passed since he had followed Mauve into the Billiards Room. Mere minutes, or hours? Long enough to be missed? With no better idea, Cobalt decided to follow Analia's advice, and he moved across the corridor, towards the door opposite the Gun Room. But before he pushed it open, the thought of his previous companion made him hesitate, glancing back towards the door of the Billiards Room.

Cobalt still didn't know what had knocked him out, he still didn't know how he had woken up in the chapel beneath the house, and now that he thought about it, he didn't know what had happened to Mauve. Some part of himself wanted to walk into the Billiards Room, to try and find some clue as to what happened, but he'd been away from the main group for long enough already. Resolving to push on, Cobalt turned back, and pushed open the door before him. Once he had found his feet again, and found out if his absence had even been noticed, then he could begin to concern himself with what had happened to him, and more importantly, who was responsible.


William Fraser


Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: Perception



William hummed some half-forgotten tune to himself as he waited outside the door. Thankfully, the wait wasn't too long, and the door was opened. By a chef, if the flour he could see on her on her boots was any clue. At least it looked like they had come to the right place. The driver found his voice first, and William was quick to put on his most winning smile, in case it helped gain them entry. It seemed, however, that no charming was going to be necessary, the woman quick to invite them in before disheartening back inside herself.

Glancing back at the driver to make sure the other man was following him, William stepped inside the house for the first time. It was clear that they had come into the back of the house, he doubted that the gentry would get to experience the wall of smell that greeted them in the mud room. Thankfully, he didn't have the same delicate stomachs that the nobles boasted, and he doubted the driver did either. Moving over to the boot scraper, William began tending to his boots, before glancing up at the driver.

"Looks like we're in luck."

Boots suitably scraped, William stepped into the kitchen itself. Hesitating in the doorway, he glanced around for the woman who had let them in, hoping that she would be the key to them getting something to eat. Or to drink at least. Catching sight of her across the room, it seemed that she had already busied herself with preparing some plates.

Not wanting to get in the way, William stayed by the doorway, and passed the time looking around the room. He had always heard that you could tell a lot about a person by how they treated their servants, so he decided to put that to the test. To William's casual gaze, the men and women milling about in the kitchen all looked well, and from the looks of things, even seemed ot be enjoying their downtime, if the glasses a handful of them were sipping from was any clue. Deciding to wait, rather than intrude, William leaned against the frame of the doorway and watched the kitchen work.

Justice Cobalt
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Location: Shadowell Manor: Gun Room
Skills: Charisma
Hit Points: 6
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After what felt like moments, but could just as easily have been hours, the girl reached the top of the stairs. Without hesitating, the girl pushed open a door, and stepped through it, more light flooding into the staircase. Taking a deep breath, and preparing himself for what would inevitably be another twist, Cobalt followed after her, stepping out into a room. He glanced around, not sure what to expect, and he was almost disappointing to see that the room seemed fairly ordinary. There was a window though, and although the weather outside had clearly not improved, Cobalt was relieved to see that he was no longer underground.

He watched in silence as the girl closed the door, and Cobalt made sure he made a mental note of the hidden door. He didn't relish the idea of descending to that strange chapel again, but considering what had already occurred since he had arrived at the manor's gates, he didn't know what shred of knowledge might potentially save his life. The girl seemed even more nervous now that she was above ground, almost ushering Cobalt out of the room. He moved to the doorway, as instructed, but with one hand on the door handle, he hesitated, and turned back to her.

"I am in your debt, m'lady. Might I know the name of my guide?"

"My name is Analia."

Cobalt smiled, bowing his head slightly.

"Thank you, Analia. I hope we can meet again in less unusual circumstances."

With that, Cobalt turned, and pulled open the door, taking Analia's advice to hurry.



William Fraser


Location: Kirkpatrick House
Skills: N/A



Not trained then, but the man could still clearly handle himself. William was glad that the man seemed to have warmed to him, and he watched as the driver took a seat on the step of his carriage. One thing that the other man said did pique William's interest though. A mouth to feed? His own, or someone else's? Before he could ask the question, the driver asked one of his own. William shrugged slightly as he spoke.

"I can't boast the same training that those who call houses like this their home can either, never had the time or the money for that. But I did spend time in Scandinavia, and I learnt some things."

William smiled, looking almost nostalgic for a moment, and subconsciously rubbing his right forearm. The moment was shattered by a burst of hoof-beats, and William turned to watch two men ride around the side of the house and rush past where the carriage stood, and out through the gate. William recognized one of them as Egerton, but he didn't have the chance to see the other. Regardless, he agreed with the driver. Unless Rutherford was about to leave Egerton behind, neither of them would be going anywhere anytime soon. William frowned slightly as he spoke again.

"That makes two of us."

Deciding to make the best out of their apparently prolonged stay, William turned back to the driver and smiled slightly.

"Well, if we're stuck here, then I plan to see if the kitchen has anything to spare. You're welcome to join of course, or I can bring some food or drink back here if you want to stay with the carriage?"

The driver nodded."Sounds good," he said as he stood up slowly and straightened his jacket. He figured might as well get something to eat since they seemed to be stuck there for now. Motioning for William to lead the way, he followed. He was a bit peckish after all.

William led the unusual pair towards the house, the gravel crunching beneath his boots as he walked. As they moved around the house, William allowed himself to admire it. He'd heard enough about the Kirkpatrick's to know that they were an influential family, and the ancestral home was suitably impressive. Eventually spotting the kitchen door, William strode towards it, glancing over his shoulder to check the driver was still with him before knocking three times.
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