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Post by Stal on Aug 2, 2013 13:40:17 GMT -5
A lot had happened. First Stal was cradling the fallen maid and tending to her, then another person started talking to him like this was a good conversational moment. Then the older man threw water on the maid (splashing Prince Stal in the process!), then another guest yelled and wiped the water from the maid's face (but not from Prince Stal's chest... Which made since, it could be quite intimidating to touch such a bastion of masculinity). And then a pushy Russian took the maid from his hands to "help" her stand up.
The poor thing hadn't even recovered enough to say a word yet!
And not to mention the other needless chaos going around. Someone needed to take charge of this situation.
"Are you going to stay with her?" the lady who yelled and was too afraid to touch him asked. He nodded in assent before raising his own voice.
"Everyone be calm! We must have order! Let's establish a base of operations. I believe the study is just through these doors. Let us convene in there and discuss what actions to take! If we're all orderly about it, I'm sure the killer we be caught in no time." Prince Stal turned to the children. "Young ones, the mansion is not trying to kill you. But if it does, I assure you that it is no match for the valiant Prince Stal. It will burn before me and crumble into ashes. You have naught to worry about!"
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Post by Avery on Aug 2, 2013 14:33:35 GMT -5
No one heeded Hanna's dire warning. Instead, they all fawned over one of the stupid maids who fainted. Augh! Not even Geoffrey acknowledge his sister's frantic pronouncement, choosing instead to stand there all dumbly and Geoffrey-like. This was... this was... bad! The mansion had already killed one. How could these people just stand around like this, when Hanna knew that all the while, the mansion was plotting more carnage!?
Sweat beaded on her brow, she frantically surveyed the hall, looking for a way out. The front doors were chained, but up ahead Hanna spied French doors that led out to the walled-off garden. It was not quite an escape from the mansion, but at least the fresh, garden air was slightly outside of the devilish building's scope. She must get out there, and quickly! She began to stride towards the doors, before realising that she mustn't be alone. Alone was too dangerous!
But who to drag with her? Not the fainting maid, clearly the woman had a weak constitution. Nor the oafish prince, nor the drunken Russian. And Geoffrey-- well, Hanna had lived with Geoffrey almost her whole life, and knew her brother was useless. Papa would be angry with Hanna for leaving Geoff behind in such a dangerous situation, but well, desperate times called for desperate measures. Hanna could not let herself be weighed down by such a crazy man! And Grunkle was also a non-option. All the woman would do was attempt to convince Hanna that she was barmy. And Hanna was not barmy, no way!
But who, then? Eventually, Hanna's eyes settled on a sweet elderly woman. In the dining room, the woman had been sitting just a few down from Hanna; she thought her name was Melissa, or Mindy, or something with an M. She looked wise and level-headed. She would surely be good company, a good person to help beat back the mansion when it attacked!
"Ma'am!" Hanna called to her. "Please, I need... let's... let's go to the garden! And quickly!"
Then, Hanna strode out, hoping the woman would follow... and again, that Grunkle would not.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2013 15:14:23 GMT -5
Erika didn't know what to say. So much commotion! Wow!
She just walked absentmindedly up toward the prince, who had said to everyone "Everyone be calm! We must have order! Let's establish a base of operations. I believe the study is just through these doors. Let us convene in there and discuss what actions to take! If we're all orderly about it, I'm sure the killer we be caught in no time."
"Excuse me," Erika said to him, "but I really don't want to look into this. I just want to leave. This is too much. I want to see Katten again."
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Post by Ted (the zombie Dalek) on Aug 2, 2013 15:35:52 GMT -5
"Everyone be calm! We must have order! Let's establish a base of operations. I believe the study is just through these doors. Let us convene in there and discuss what actions to take! If we're all orderly about it, I'm sure the killer we be caught in no time."
The prince had a point, although how he expected to organise a room full of hysterical toffs into anything remotely resembling an orderly fashion, Marvin could not fathom. Although, he noticed now that several of the guests seemed to be taking the death of their host rather more calmly than would be fully expected, than was proper for a situation such as this. He began to wonder, could the culprit be one of those people? Surely a man (or woman) clever enough to have committed murder under the noses of everyone here would have the ability to feign the proper emotion. Unless it was a double bluff. Who knew what twisted schemes this fiend might be capable of?
He would have to be cautious where the other guests were involved. Keep his eyes open, yes. He would stay with the main crowd for the time being. Besides, it wouldn't be safe to go investigating willy nilly on one's own.
Poor Woo, he thought. The young chap didn't deserve to go like this.
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Post by Coaster on Aug 2, 2013 16:21:33 GMT -5
"Ma'am!" Hanna called to her. "Please, I need... let's... let's go to the garden! And quickly!"
Rob gave a long, sideways glance across the room at the frantic blonde, who was attempting to make a hasty exit through the back door with a quiet, older lady, who seemingly hadn't said a word since arriving. Whether through paranoia or guilt was unclear, but in either case, they would have to deal with walls and probably carnivorous plants if they wanted to escape that route. (Obi had made a point of reading him the invitational pamphlet repeatedly during the first hour and a half in line.)
Meanwhile, the least sufferable of the group corralled the younger ones into the study as some of the older members watched, equal parts suspicious and amused. Obi had started to migrate in the same direction, according to the persistent requests of the remaining staff that they MUST NOT STAY IN THIS ROOM EXCLAMATION POINT.
"Fine," Rob retorted, "we'll just be leaving then." "But this'll be fun! We get to solve a mystery!" Obi giggled as he jumped up and down, on the verge of shrieking from excitement. Apparently, the magnificently realistic statue had piqued his interest and simulated caffeine in most of his functions. Not that it was too surprising; Thanksgiving Day and Obi's manufacturingday and both of their Day-Off Days always elicited similar anomalies.
Rob reached out and pressed Obi's reboot button. The hyperactive young automaton immediately ceased jumping and entered standby mode.
Familiar anomalies, especially on the frequent occasions that they involved statues and crowds and long lines. Familiar enough that Rob could deal with them the same way each time--one of the advantages of Obi not yet breaking the bounds of static combinatorial logic.
Besides, Rob had in mind to call the fire department. According to the image on the pamphlet, the Hall was really too narrow to support this many occupants. The staff apparently knew this as well--likely the major reason he was being shooed out to begin with.
If the staff wanted him out of here, and he didn't want to be here, he would leave; he picked up his charge by the foot and dragged him through the doors into the Lounge, headed for the Dining Room from which they had become involved in this mess.
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Post by Stal on Aug 2, 2013 16:35:01 GMT -5
"Let's go to the garden! And quickly!"
Prince Stal shook his head at the ill-manners of the little blonde brat girl. She ignored him entirely, even when he had assured her the mansion was no threat. What was becoming of kids these days? Sure, ignore whoever the guardian was supposed to be. But ignoring a prince? For shame!
"Excuse me, but I really don't want to look into this. I just want to leave. This is too much. I want to see Katten again."
The young lady looked distraught and upset by what happened. But she spoke of leaving? At a time like this. That seemed completely out of character. Who would want to leave a crime scene when heroism was just around the corner? Absurd!
"I'm sorry young miss, but we can't allow that. You could be the killer, for all we know. And then where would we be when we let you out? Why we'd all be accomplices! No, no, you must stay. You must remain here with us. But perhaps if you help solve the murder you will be back on your way to Katniss." Prince Stal turned back to the crowd still gathered, hoping to herd these people. He was royalty, surely they would respond to that... If they were not ill-mannered children that is.
"This way to the study everyone! We can discuss how to proceed in there! Could someone make sure there's plenty of beverages ready for us to pour in there? We must keep our strength up, you know."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2013 16:51:54 GMT -5
Erika listened to the prince. She didn't want to look suspicious, so she decided to go along with it. Though, she did have to suppress a giggle. He had called Katten "Katniss". What was "Katniss"?
"Katten," she said. "Not 'Katniss'."
She followed him into the study.
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Post by downrightdude on Aug 2, 2013 17:04:35 GMT -5
After dressing himself up in his red spy suit, Snaw made his way down the stairs and towards the library. Unlike the library upstairs, the downstairs library was much colder and water was dripping above from the ceiling. Using his flashlight ring as a flashlight, Snaw explored the dingy room until he opened the top left drawer of the library's wooden desk and discovered a will. Eager, Snaw grabbed the will and examined it to see if he could find any sort of clues. The will was written as followed:
Miranda: Cookie Jar
Jeff: Coat Rack
Jacob and Beth-Ann: Mops and Brooms
Stephanio: Inheritance and property
Snaw Van Peacock: Inheritance, property and every pretty thing I own
Snaw was surprised; why had Woo given him his money and property? Had he really written this possibly-phony will? Hmm, no wonder he wanted to die, Snaw thought. All this time he had wanted to give me his money!
Using his crime scanner watch, Snaw scanned the will and realzied that wheover wrote the will used a quill pen and liked to eat food. With the will in his hands, Snaw used his wings to fly out of the library and fly towards the kitchen, where he noticed that the fridge had two magnets. After stealing one, he walked over to the conserivtory to the observatory-only to hear an explosion from within. The flames were bright red and fierce, but luckily Snaw was equipped with an umbrella shield that protected his beautiful face. As the flames settled, Snaw ran away from the fire to find house guests to alarm.....
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Post by Stal on Aug 2, 2013 17:05:20 GMT -5
"Katten," she said. "Not 'Katniss'."
Prince Stal stared blankly at the girl for a second. "That's what I said. Katnip." He blinked a couple times and continued to walk into the study.
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Post by Pixie on Aug 2, 2013 17:21:23 GMT -5
Brenda suddenly regained consciousness when she was met with a splash of very frigid water. Several party-goers had gathered her around her. She was dazed, and confused, and couldn't quite remember the last events that brought her in the prince's arms, though she was uncertain she wanted to know. She could feel the drunken Russian help her to her feet, but it took a moment before she opened her green eyes again. They opened with as start as Brenda was hit very hard with the realization that her employer, was in fact dead.
"Mr. Woo is gone..." she whimpered beneath her breath. She wept a little, covering her eyes with the tips of her fingers. At least she wasn't fainting again.
She heard the words 'to the study' thrown around the hall. She trudged over in the direction most of the guests seemed to be headed in.
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Post by Gelquie on Aug 2, 2013 17:32:28 GMT -5
After dinner was over, Rochelle had taken her time going around the mansion, examining the decorations along the way, but most of all thinking about Mr. Woo. As much as she wanted to mingle more with the guests and get to know them better despite what she's already heard, the prospect of getting closer to Woo had filled her with sheer delight, and she was wandering around dreamily until she heard the call that the sculpture was about to be unveiled. At this, she hurried back to the Hall. There was no way she was not going to be around when the prized work of art would be revealed. Ice sculptures weren't wholly their thing, unless they were particularly impressive. But it suited Mr. Woo's tastes. It had to be lovely.
She was quite concerned when Mr. Woo did not immediately show up. But then again, perhaps he was hiding inside the veiling, to reveal himself along with the sculpture! How clever. So she stood in anticipation as the sculpture was unveiled, and she let out her "oohs" and "aahs" at the sculpture before her. It was the most lovely and massive thing she had ever seen. She wondered how long it took to make--
Rochelle's face took on a look of confusion as she saw the image of Mr. Woo within the ice. No, he couldn't be... This was another of his plans, it had to be...
"That is not a replica. That is Woo himself! Murdered, by the looks of it!"
Rochelle looked on in horror, unable to take her eyes off of the petrified corpse of Mr. Woo. The one she had admired, the one she had come to see, to hang on his arm, to be by his side, to...
For a long time, Rochelle couldn't speak or even move. She only stared in horror at the man's corpse. This evening... It was not going according to plan. Not at all...
After too long, she was mildly aroused from her stupor at the sound of a well-dressed man--Prince Stal, it must be--speaking up. "Everyone be calm! We must have order! Let's establish a base of operations. I believe the study is just through these doors. Let us convene in there and discuss what actions to take! If we're all orderly about it, I'm sure the killer will be caught in no time."
Rochelle didn't say another word, but nodded in horror and started to move into the Study. She had to be somewhere. But one of them... One of them must have done this... But...
She noticed a small rack of wine within the Study, and she then wasted no time. She walked right over to the rack and grabbed one of the bottles of wine before she frantically tried to open it, her face scrunched up from both her effort and her emotions. Orderly...
How could she be orderly at a time like this?
After a few futile efforts to open the bottle of wine, she let out a shriek before she collapsed against the rack, letting out a sob as she hid her face in her arm which still carried the unopened bottle of wine.
((If I've messed up any details, let me know. You guys go fast.))
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Post by Kristykimmy on Aug 2, 2013 18:25:58 GMT -5
Alexa from her post near the older military gentlemen listened to Prince Stal's efforts to gather everyone into the library. It seemed to her like a sound idea.
"Perhaps we could help persuade everyone into doing as the Prince is suggesting?" Alexa said to the men and followed the Prince to the study, hoping other would follow her example.
Her attention was drawn to the corner by a frantic shriek. Another woman was collapsing.
Oh, can't these people pull themselves together? Who raised them?" she groaned internally.
Still, she hurried over to the woman. It wouldn't be proper to ignore those in obvious distress at a time like this.
"A thousand curses upon whoever decided now was a good time to murder Mr. Woo. Couldn't they have done it after I left?" she complained selfishly.
The woman was not fainted, merely sobbing as she clutched a wine bottle. She was showing more grief at Woo's passing than anyone else so far. Alexa briefly wondered at her relation to Woo, perhaps a cousin or a niece. She put an arm around the sobbing woman's shoulders and pried the bottle from her hands. She set the bottle back in the rack.
"There, there, dear," Alexa crooned, helping her to stand and guiding her back over towards the gentlemen she had left. "It will all be all right. We will find out who did this. The only thing to do now is to keep our calm. It will all be all right. Just stay with us."
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Post by Ted (the zombie Dalek) on Aug 2, 2013 19:05:00 GMT -5
Dr. Medlis jumped as he heard a shriek of despair from the direction of the wine rack. Had the killer struck again!? He whipped round toward the source of the noise. One of the women lay sobbing against the rack, an unopened bottle in her hand, while another appeared to be helping her to her feet.
"Is everything all right?" he said as they made their way back to the group. Before he could hear their reply, his expression sunk, and he rubbed his face with his hand. "Terrible business this. He shouldn't have gone like this. Not murdered. Not in the prime of his life."
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Post by Thundy on Aug 2, 2013 19:11:29 GMT -5
"Good to meet you. Yes, I am army. My name is Major Sergei Belkov and who are you, friend?"
"I am retired Group Captain Sir. Manuel Adventure. Air Force for service, I picked up some Russian while I was training with some of your country's kosmonavty for my first mission into orbit. They were quite the pilots, could throw a jet around like quicksilver." Manuel said, glad to finally be conversing somebody that was speaking the same metaphorical language as he was.
The conversation was cut short by what appeared to be the murder of Manuel's old friend Woo. Distraught, Manuel's monocle dropped into his glass of champagne, which he readily fished out.
"Blast it all, it seems my old school chum's been done in. There ought to be a clue to this somewhere, I shall have a hunt around the Lounge and see if I can find the murder weapon, it's my duty to old Woo," said Manuel in despair.
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Post by Celestial on Aug 2, 2013 19:26:25 GMT -5
Another young girl was sobbing and crying but for now, Sergei stayed with the group he was with before, at least until he was sure the maid was alright. Besides, he had found somebody lovely to flirt with at last, he wasn't exactly going to lose them now.
With that said, Sergei gave Alexa a curt bow and stroked his moustache casually, drawing subtle attention to it.
"A pleasure, moya dorogaya1. I am Major Sergei Belkov, delighted to make your acquiantance," he bowed with a flourish. Even though he was not too fond of aristocrats, he did not want to be impolite to her. Besides, he was in a manor surrounded by all sorts of people. He could hardly complain now, not when there was good food, good drink and good company. Even if his dear friend had been murdered but there was no need to panic and let that spoil an otherwise decent evening.
Sir Manuel Adventure seemed to wanted to go off to the lounge to investigate. Sergei threw him a salute as he left, although he could not remember if it was the proper British one. He hoped to catch up with Manuel later but for now, he listened to the pushy prince talk of going to the study. Sergei was not going to follow him. Nothing about this man appealed to him enough to warrant being lead around by him. The maid and Alexa had gone in the direction of the study so Sergei decided to go after them. As soon as he saw them, he tapped them on the shoulder.
"Pardon but would you like to investigate the death of your employer? Do not follow that prince, instead come join me in the ballroom," he turned to both her and Alexa, "Both of you. We can progress from there."
He went over to the wine rack to get another bottle and saw another lady, one he had been sitting quite close too, sobbing underneath it with an unopened bottle of wine. He took the wine from her and pulled the cork out with his teeth (years of practice) before pouring some into his now empty glass. It was white wine so thankfully the ice he had chipped off the sculpture was not going to waste.
"Don't cry. Instead, come with me, we'll sort this out," he took Rochelle by the hand and picked her up, offering her the now-opened bottle of wine. "Now, would all you damy2 care to join me in the ballroom? And not just for dancing but to find out who killed our dear tovarish3."
1 My Dear 2 Ladies 3 Comrade
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