Romero

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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A carnival of fools. The other guests continue to bicker, barely veiling their snide remarks about their host. If any one of them was a criminal mastermind, then they were very good at hiding it. And Cobalt was starting to lose his patience. He was on the verge of voicing his own opinions, when the Lord of the Manor spoke again. If there had been any veil over their host's threats before, it had been burned away now. The edge on his voice could almost wound, and even though the venom wasn't directed entirely at Cobalt, he still had to suppress a wince. He called for help for the accidental woman at least, although whether that was to save her or the room's furnishings, Cobalt couldn't be entirely sure.

For now at least, the masked woman had caved, taking off her mask. Although the choice that she had been faced with was hardly one that encouraged disagreement. If her defiant defence of her mask had been an effort to conceal her identity, then the plan had certainly backfired. Not only that, but she had managed to make an enemy of their host, and Cobalt didn't doubt that the eyes of the house would be watching her every move from this point on. If anyone was going to have a nasty accident in the shadows of the manor, Cobalt would almost be willing to put money on the fact that it would be Blush.

Titian seemed to have found his voice again, leaping into action and pulling the injured woman away from the table. The simple action of helping set Cobalt's mind whirring. With Mauve either dead or lost somewhere in the house, the closest thing Cobalt had had to an ally was gone. Who knew what friendships had already sprung up between the other guests. He knew the good doctor was likely still following the Chanteuse around like a puppy, although whether Swamp being shot had affected that relationship, Cobalt couldn't know. But there might be others around the table who had friends. For all Cobalt knew, some of them had been allies before they even arrived at the house. Cobalt glanced around at the faces around the table, and frowned slightly. For now, he'd wait, but the time for waiting quietly was coming to an end.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Perception

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William still didn't know if he could trust the strange woman, but she hadn't bitten anyone's head off yet, and she seemed friendly enough. In fact, he figured he could even hear a warmth in her voice as she replied to him. Maybe here he could finally find a woman that wasn't engaged or Irish! If nothing else, she might hold some answers, things were quickly becoming complicated after all. He had half turned, realising he didn't know for certain if they even had any water on the carriage, when the world exploded.

Wind, the noise of it like some unholy howl, hit the carriage like a wild animal. The horses screamed and broke away, and in an instant, the driver was gone. Before William could even think to reach out, the other man was wrenched away, the reins dragging him along. The roar in his ears disorientating, William was almost thrown from the carriage himself, clinging on desperately as the carriage ground to an abrupt halt. He had only barely kept his own balance when a shape slammed into him. It didn't take long for him to realise the shape was the Duchess, thrown forwards by the movement of the carriage. William thought they were both destined to be thrown to the ground, but the Duchess proved to be impressively agile, catching both of them before they fell.

And then, just as quickly as it had arrived, the wind was gone. The Duchess, still clinging to William, looked around as she asked for some kind of explanation, but William was in no position to offer one, gasping for air, the breath knocked from him by the collision by the Duchess. For now, he seemed to all be in one piece at least. A quick glancing over of the Duchess suggested she was fine as well. And the shouting emerging from within the carriage itself suggested that Rutherford had also survived the freak storm. William started to detach himself from his entanglement with the Duchess, glancing around, waiting for some kind of explanation.

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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If the Lord of the Manor cared about the distress that one of his guests had apparently put themselves in, then he certainly didn't show it, barely glancing over to the woman as she cried out in pain. It was towards the still-masked woman that his attention was turned towards. The chill in the Lord's voice only intensified, making it clear that the illusion of choice was quickly evaporating. They were his guests after all, and if the mood to throw one of them out into the cold struck him, then there were few that could stop him. Cobalt turned to watch the masked woman himself, curious to see if her defiance would last when the suggestion of a threat had become an actual threat.

The other guests attentions seemed torn between the two women, the stabbed and the masked, although the two guests that did speak up both seemed to suggest that the mask issue was one not work focusing on. Cobalt frowned slightly. If the Lord was willing to throw one of his guests from his house just for keeping her mask on, then what was to suggest that he wouldn't be just as trigger-happy with those attempting to argue with him? The Dining Room may well be becoming even more empty before long.

The injured woman seemed to be floundering, and unless the ferret that had just climbed out from her clothing had medical training, then no-one was rushing to help her. Cobalt wasn't about to either. Titian was being uncharacteristically quiet, and Cobalt glanced over at the large man, not surprised to see him leering at the pale girl. Predictable. For now, Cobalt held his tongue, but he didn't let his mind wander. He'd found that if things happened around here, they tended to happen quickly.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Intelligence

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Rutherford was clearly not in the mood for conversation, and William left him to it, even if it did mean turning away from the entertaining sight of the Lord struggling to cling on as the carriage rattled along the road. Taking advantage of the brief pause in excitement, William tried to make sense of recent events. Another Soulless, he'd been around long enough to recognise what that creature was, but it was the woman that intrigued him. Rutherford clearly recognized her, and she clearly had something to discuss with Millicent. But judging by her disheveled appearance, and her confusion over where she was, it didn't seem as if she had intended to cross paths with Millicent here, if at all.

As the carriage continued forwards, William racked his brains, but it was no use. If he had ever heard of 'the Circus', then he had long forgotten about it, and with no clues to go on, he had no idea who 'the Duchess' that was currently perched atop the carriage was. It seemed as if their journey to Gretna Green was becoming more eventful with every passing moment, who knows what could be waiting for them around the next corner? This did somewhat complicate William's half-formed plan. While he had been glad to see the group part company with Egerton, loyal to Rutherford but hardly much of a fighter, they had now been joined by a clearly dangerous woman, with her loyalties as yet unknown. If it came to it, would she protect Millicent? Or was her purpose altogether more complicated? With so many pieces in play, the board was becoming crowded.

Deciding it could be a good idea to not forget his manners, and intrigued by the woman sitting a few feet from him, William turned back to face the mysterious 'Duchess', careful to keep his gaze on her face.

"Forgive me for intruding, m'lady, but is there anything you require? Some water perhaps?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Cobalt glanced across at the sound of giggling, the noise seeming totally out of place considering the situation they all found themselves in, but he wasn't entirely surprised to see who the sound was emanating from. The earlier hard edge to her remarks had clearly softened, and if Cobalt didn't know any better, he would say that Titian's brash charm was having the desired affect on her. That or she was just another actress, playing her chosen role. All of this was starting to give him a headache again.

They'd been invited to a masquerade ball, but it was quickly becoming clear that people didn't drop their disguises when they removed their masks. The pretense of the ball had been blown apart just as comprehensively as the bridge allegedly had been, but here they sat, caught in some bizarre mimicry of a dinner party, when any one of the guests sitting around the table could be a killer. Maybe Titian had the right idea in throwing off the shackles of polite society, this surreal situation could hardly get any stranger.

The still masked woman spoke again, echoing Cobalt's compliments of their host's hospitality, although with a far more licentiousness suggestion. Cobalt couldn't help but smile slightly. He had always thought he would die amongst blaggards and charlatans, so if he was destined to be cut down in the shadows of this house, then it would be almost fitting, considering his current company. His death seemed to quickly be becoming more imminent, judging by the tone of the Lord's voice as he spoke, but Cobalt's face didn't flinch.

Cobalt did hesitate though. There was a coldness behind the Lord's word, and the threat was barely veiled. Perhaps his time behind the mask was destined to come to an end, for the sake of his life if nothing else. The other still masked guest remained adamant that she would continue to wear hers, but her reasoning may be very different from Cobalt's own. Thankfully, the Lord's attention seemed to turn towards the pale girl that had taken the seat beside him, answering her observation of how the guests ranks had thinned somewhat since they arrived. One thing the Lord said did catch Cobalt's attention though. Escorted to the gate? A quick glance around the table brought one name to mind. Mauve.

Cobalt's train of thought was promptly derailed by a cry of pain, and he instinctively tensed as he turned sharply to find the source. Another guest, clearly in some discomfort, but he couldn't see any reason for it. Titian and another guest had already expressed their concern, as had the handsome man Cobalt had seen on the stairs, so Cobalt simply lent forward slightly, frowning as he awaited some form of explanation. In the rush of movement, and with everyone's attention turned away from him, Cobalt finally took off his own mask, laying it on the table beside him.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: N/A

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The lady seemed to be checking her surroundings, and William had to stop himself from holding his breath. Whoever this figure was, she had power, and although she had slain the Soulless, William still didn't know for sure what allegiances she held. With that in mind, he didn't totally relax his grip on the dirk in his belt as she turned back to face them, not yet. And the Circus? Before he could even open his mouth to question her answer, someone beat him to it.

To call the interaction between Rutherford and the woman an exchange would be an overstatement. Rutherford clearly recognized the woman, even going so far as to call her by her title, although looking at her... interesting dress sense, she wasn't like any Duchess that he had come across before. And it wasn't Rutherford that the woman seemed interested in talking to, brushing past him and greeting Millicent, still inside the carriage. However, just as William's curiosity was piqued, it was quickly made clear that whatever the two women had to talk about, it was a private affair. The 'Duchess' made that crystal clear.

Once Rutherford had clambered up to take an awkward seat on the roof of the carriage, his face looking like thunder, the driver started them forwards again, just as speechless about the turn of events as William was. He had wished for excitement, and excitement had, by all accounts, arrived. He should be careful about what he wished for next, in case it was waiting for them around the next bend. Glancing back at Rutherford, William saw that the other man hardly looked to be in a conversational mood. But of the three of them, he was the one who seemed to have the slightest idea of what was going on, so William spoke regardless.

"Still on to Gretna Green, sir?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Titian was an oaf. That, or he was playing the role very well. The lumbering man took a seat close to Cobalt's own, taking the chair directly next to their host, and promptly demanded drinks. Hardly a model guest. Cobalt doubted he would intervene if the Lord decided he had had enough of the big man. In fact, Cobalt might even help. Even though he had been, presumably, drugged since he had arrived into this house, he ensured he kept his own manners. He had already found two hidden doors, who knew how many secrets this house held that only the Lord and his servants would know?

The intriguing figure who also wore her mask was apparently not content to ignore Titian's remarks, and Cobalt glanced towards her again as she spoke. He couldn't help but smile slightly. A sharp mind and that dress? If she was hiding a pretty face under that mask then they were all doomed. But apparently it wasn't enough to dissuade Titian, who seemed to take the remark as a challenge more than anything.

A handful of other guests filtered into the room, taking their own seats silently, most of them choosing to sit further down the table. Seemingly satisfied with the numbers, the Lord rang a bell, and in a moment, steaming trays of food were carried over to the table by three servants that Cobalt hadn't seen before. Cobalt glanced at each of them in turn, but he held his tongue for now, not wanting to interrupt the bustle. Cobalt winced at Titian's next outburst, glancing over at the other man and frowning slightly. He had clearly committed to his role.

The butler that had greeted them earlier paused in his task of pouring wine, and Cobalt turned his attention to see a face peering into the room. Cobalt watched her as she moved across the room and took her seat. Again, Titian clearly felt the need to comment. Cobalt gritted his teeth, but he'd held his tongue for long enough. He glanced across at Titian, watching the man for a moment. If he was genuinely this thick-headed, then Cobalt was amazed he had survived this long. Big or not, this was a world filled with people you didn't want to get on the wrong side. And if it was all simply an act? Well then he was looking for a reaction. Attempting to change the subject, Cobalt turned his attention to the Lord of the Manor himself.

"This is a fine spread, sir. I admire your hospitality, considering the circumstances."

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Country Knowledge (Scotland)

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William really didn't like the look of this. The figure didn't respond to his hail, and he tightened his grip on the handle of his dirk. It didn't take long for his fears to be realised. One look at the blood-covered hands and extending fangs, and William knew that they were in for some trouble. It seemed his thirst for adventure may be about to be quenched. Gritting his teeth, William rose to his feet, and pulled his dirk free from it's sheath. He had opened his mouth to utter a warcry when things really went sideways.

Crows, a swarm of them, burst from the side of the road, and William had instinctively half-raised his arm when he realised it wasn't towards him they were flying, but to the creature on the road before them. The crows moved like a single force, and the monster never stood a chance. In another life, William might have even felt pity, but his heart had long been hardened against the Soulless that crawled from the shadows. Whatever it had been in life, it had lost, and it deserved suffering. In an instant, there was a cut-off scream, and the crows were gone as quickly as they had appeared, disappearing into the sky above them. Where there had been one figure on the road, there were now two.

The girl was slight, and the shredded fabric that clung to her was more like something out of a classical painting than it was common day-wear. If it wasn't for the bloodied sword she held in one hand, and the bruises and cuts that covered her pale skin, William could have almost thought she was a dream. Her accent was thick, but the voice itself was almost song-like, and William realised he had been standing motionless, dirk clutched in one hand, staring at the girl. Quickly gathering himself, William lowered his own weapon, but only slightly, and found his voice. It was a strange question, but then again, this was far from a normal meeting.

"Scotland, m'lady, on the road between Annan and Gretna Green."

William hesitated, glancing around the road for a moment before turning his attention back to the woman standing over the corpse of a Soulless.

"We appreciate your intervention but... Where did you come from?"

🦄 Machiavellian Masquerade - Chapter 1

Justice Cobalt

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Location: Shadowell Manor: State Dining Room
Skills: Perception
Hit Points: 6
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Once they had gotten moving, the group hadn't hung around. The Lord of the Manor had led them through a string of rooms, and while Cobalt was pretty sure he could find his way back, he couldn't be totally confident. The only room that really caught his eye was one he could only describe as a room of swords. Something potentially useful to remember for the future, if nothing else. Regardless, the room they arrived into certainly didn't disappoint.

A ring of statues circled an almost outlandishly long table, seats laid out for more than two dozen diners, and Cobalt found his eyes drawn to the grand domed ceiling above. The room almost smelled like wealth, and for a moment, Cobalt's breath was taken away by the spectacle of it all. But when he did tear his attention away, he noticed that the group weren't the first to reach the room. The four musicians had already arrived, but thankfully they were sitting in silence for now. The figure that intrigued him far more, was the one that sat with them. Figure was the right word, and it took Cobalt a second to realise that she was still wearing her mask. Finally, he wasn't alone in keeping his identity hidden, although whether that would subside the side-wards glances, or only increase them, he didn't know.

Hearing the Lord's instruction to be seated, Cobalt decided that it would be a good idea to not ignore the man. Just as they were at the mercy of whoever had blown the bridge, they were at the Lord's manor so long as they were in his house, or on his grounds. Despite not relishing the idea of taking a seat, considering the chair-related incidents that had already occurred since his arrival, he moved towards the end of the table that the Lord had sat at. Not wanting to assume that other members of the household wouldn't be joining them, Cobalt paused at a seat a few places to the Lord's left, before pulling it out and sitting down, glancing back at the rest of the group as he did.

🦄 Soulless Regency - Merged With T.S.

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William Fraser

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Location: Road to Gretna Green From The Kirkpatricks
Skills: Perception

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Wise words. William had almost been caught up in those webs before himself, once or twice, and he knew how deep they ran. The rich and powerful lived in their own world, and it wasn't luck or manners that let them keep their grand titles and fancy country homes, it was a ruthless determination. It was cut-throat, and anyone who thought that the world of nobility was all parties and good food was a fool. William opened his mouth to reply to the driver when the carriage suddenly jerked to a halt. It only took William an instant to realise why.

His hand went instinctively to the ebony hilt of the dirk on his belt, and he frowned slightly. Whoever the figure was, it didn't move, despite the carriage sliding to a halt just a few paces behind it. William didn't like the look of this, and he glanced around where they had stopped, wary of a trap of some kind. Bandits weren't unheard of in this region, but it wasn't the thought of bandits that was worrying him. The surroundings seemed clear, but some instinct told him that they weren't alone. Years on the road had taught William to not ignore that instinct.

He put his hand on the driver's shoulder, keeping his grip on the hilt of his dirk as he gestured towards the brush to the side of the carriage, where he could have sworn he saw movement. Confident that the driver would stop them from being caught unawares, William turned back to the hunched figure on the road in front of them. Shifting forwards slightly in his seat, William shouted out to the man, hoping that his voice would not only carry to the figure, but also to the two passengers within the carriage.

"Greetings, stranger. Do you mind clearing the road for some fellow travelers?"