Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 22, 2014 10:40:47 GMT -8
Mary sighed and walked back over to take a seat besides Jane again. "Seems we shall have to wait for this little temper tantrum to pass." She filled a cup with water for herself, before refilling Jane's glass for her. "Here's hoping the house isn't trying to claim its first victim so soon. It's been so quiet these last few weeks- I suppose we shouldn't really be surprised..."
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 22, 2014 10:50:11 GMT -8
"Its first victim?" Johanna piped up, incredulous. Jane looked up to Mary, both glad she'd have to stay close and wondering how to break this sort of news to the children.
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 22, 2014 17:53:03 GMT -8
Mary sighed slightly, lying seamlessly. "Some people don't adapt well to the change to the halfway house. Acute transitional anxiety, triggered by a major change, such as the house and the circumstance it entails. It can manifest in a number of ways, including the moodswings and apparent mania just displayed by Elinor." No need to tell them the truth yet. They'll work it out for themselves. Besides, as Mary well knew, it could very well be psychosomatic. It likely wasn't, but there was the potential that it wasn't the house's influence yet, so there was no need to alarm the children. "I should have chosen my words better, really." The doctor was quite good at cover-up- she did it enough with her work, and it was an easily transferable skill.
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Post by JW% on Dec 22, 2014 18:29:37 GMT -8
Poe watched as Elinore left, and let his hands hold up his face as he sighed, his cheeks stretching under the weight of his weary head as if he wore some sort of mask and it was not just the bags of loose skin on a gaunt frame. He was afraid he could see what was in Elinore's future, and the trick would be to somehow change it.
In the meantime he had other things to juggle, no matter how much he dreaded the prospect. He rather disliked young girls, on general principle if not past, forced, experiences. There was a reason why his mistresses were older than the wife that had been arranged for him.
"Don't be so hard on your word choice. Yes, I believe victim makes a suitable turn of phrase." He said, bringing his head up to address the blond girl and the woman trying to comfort her. "If you haven't noticed already, this place has a habit of being... confusing to navigate. Many sections of the manse are in poor repair, some vandalized by previous tenants while others are simply showing their age and the steady entropy of neglect." To dispel the mental image of the boy impaled on the wrought iron fence post after having apparently walked out through a window a good ten paces before falling, Poee made a quick aside to add: "If any of you have suitable carpentry skills it would be appreciated if you could help out making repairs to the more dangerous sections." Then he continued on, "And that is even without considering other issues."
He trailed off, sinking back down into himself before he visibly caught himself, forcing himself into a cheerful mask. "I do hope you'll forgive our disarray at your arrival." Poe said. "I have not even introduced myself. You may all call me Henri Le Rennet if you please. I try not to abide by 'mister' as I hold no title nor little control in this household, so LeRennet will do if you wish to be formal, or Henri if we are being intimates." He pulled a silver flask from his dinner jacket.
"And Miss Grace, we all have our vices. We are all... broken as you say. Humans are a miserable broken lot of corrupt hearts and sullied souls. While I would encourage you to make the effort to break such filthy habits as smoking, drinking, gambling and such," mostly because the only source of cigarettes seemed de Sade, and Poe didn't know where the man was getting them, but he did know that owing him a 'favor' for them was not a good idea, "but I certainly have little place to speak on the matter. Would anyone care for a nip?" He offered to pass the flask around. Starting with Lovecraft, who looked like he could use a drink.
"Perhaps after dinner, those of us who don't have much else to do could pass the evening with a civilized game of cards in the reading room?"
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Post by Alastor on Dec 22, 2014 19:03:18 GMT -8
Lovecraft was rubbing his temples at this point. Though drinking wasn't one of his vices, usually, he ripped the flask from Poe's hands and slammed at least half of the liquor.
This was going to be one hell of a year.
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Post by toothpiic on Dec 22, 2014 21:41:33 GMT -8
Nodding a blush rose to Melody's cheeks. She didn't have enough appendages to count the amount of times she has tried to quit smoking but failed. Her pack of marbs were the one thing that never let her down. Taking a sip of her water she looked down at her lap. Not wanting to say anyrhing more and hopedany interest in her would be lost.
Watching how easily Aurora had gotten away she prayed it woulldnt belong before they would be out of there.
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 23, 2014 12:31:47 GMT -8
Mary rose from her seat again, slightly agitated. She wanted to get on- she had plans for her evening. Prep would take a couple hours at least, and he needed to remember to get to bed at some point- the longer they were kept in here, the more her working night dwindled away. She walked over the door and gave the handle a firm twist and pull. To her surprise, the door shot open, as if nothing had happened. "Well- there." She turned to look at the others, smiling slightly. "Seems we are free to leave."
Elinor sat, quite peaceful and content, on the floor down a long corridor, leaning against the wall. She could hear the house seeming to shift and change, and that made her smile, slightly. "Aren't you clever..." she murmured, glancing up at the wall. Several framed pieces of artwork hung, dusty and forgotten, upon faded wallpaper. She ran her eyes over them, knowing the name of each. She ran her hand over the wooden floorboards, which desperately needed polishing, but her head shot up at the sound of creaking wood- the distinct sound of a foot- or perhaps a paw- on the groaning boards.
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Post by toothpiic on Dec 23, 2014 21:59:59 GMT -8
Aurora padded across the floor her ears back as she grew closer to Elinor curious. Why was she out here? Why alone? The cat let out a soft meow.
Melody was relieved the door was open. Pushing her chair back she got up and left the room. On a quest once again to find a place to light up.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 24, 2014 0:53:03 GMT -8
"What games do you know?" Angel asked Poe, finishing dinner and sitting primly with her hands folded on her lap. "I know a few, but..."
Johanna glanced at the flask - tempting, but she was rather sure that if she attempted to have any, she'd find herself encased somewhere in the cellar. She glanced over to Eu. Her, though, it'd be fun to see her tipsy. She'd protect her of course, and cross-her-heart wouldn't dare make a move. But Elinor's words had struck a chord.
Ryan stayed rather quiet for the remainder of the dinner. He didn't really want to play cards, or really even be alone with almost any one of the adults. He politely excused himself, running his hand and heading out of the room. He realized, after a few minutes, that he didn't actually know the way to the dorms, instead wandering around.
There was a knocking. Eu and Elinor, though not in his vicinity, would be able to hear soft, charming giggling coming from all directions. He, however, just found himself at a dead end with a strong scent of raspberries. He pinched the bridge of his nose, turning around and retracing his steps, tired already.
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 24, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
"Hello kitty." Elinor extended a hand, gently stroking Aurora's head, before scooping her up and holding her in her lap. She sat still, letting the cat settle, gently petting her. "Aren't you a cutie?" Elinor looked up at the giggling, looking around to see if anyone was showing themselves. Satisfied it was no-one physical, she ran a finger down the wall, gently. "Must be you, mustn't it?" Lifting the cat off her lap, she got up, and wandered further down into the corridor, taking the third door on the right, which vanished behind her.
Mary came over and picked up her glass with a soft smile to Jane. "If there is an emergency, Jane, don't worry about disturbing me." She squeezed the woman's shoulder fondly again. "But, I have faith in you. I'm sure you can cope." She took her glass and headed out, towards her infirmary, quickly bumping into Ryan. Surprised, she stopped. "Oh- hello, young man. Not lost, are we?"
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Post by toothpiic on Dec 24, 2014 7:08:24 GMT -8
Puring Aurora followed Elinor with curiosity. The farther down the corridor thar they got the hair rose on Aurora's back. Feelingg a noy so inviting presence.
Melody found a door that lead to yet another halfway. Frustrated she wondered if anyone would notice of she smoked in the hallway? Looking to the left and then the right she didn't see a single soul. She wasn't so sure she didnt hear ruckus in the walls still but she gave no mind a pulled her pack of amokes from her boot.
Relieved when the smoke filled her lungs and the familiar tingle of nicotine cascaded through her lungs. Sliding to the ground with her head against the wall behind her. Enjoying what she was sure would be a short lived pleasure.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 24, 2014 9:08:51 GMT -8
"I'll do my best, Dr. Godwin," Jane replied, watching her leave before downing the rest of her glass.
"A little," He admitted, with a small, forced laugh. He crossed his left arm, biting the nails of his right hand casually. "Can you point me in the right direction?"
His drawl came through a little heavier there.
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Post by Alastor on Dec 24, 2014 9:49:58 GMT -8
Eulalia quietly ignored most of the activity around her- lunatics, the lot of them. And she had grown accustomed to having to ignore lunacy while eating dinner, of course- her family wasn't exactly the most normal either. She just sipped her glass and gnawed on bites of the bread offered so far.
That wasn't the same case with the giggling however. She paused, looking around her.
"...Did anyone here that?" She whispered to the two next to her.
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Post by JW% on Dec 25, 2014 1:06:40 GMT -8
"What games do you know?" Angel asked Poe, finishing dinner and sitting primly with her hands folded on her lap. "I know a few, but..." Poe shrugged, chewing his meal thoughtfully as others filed out. "I mostly know poker." He admitted. "Not particularly good at gambling however. I believe there is also a checkers board." The chess set had suffered... an accident and they'd yet to find all the pieces of it. Though Dr. Godwin had needed to extract an offending black bishop from... somebodies anatomy who was no longer present.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 25, 2014 8:02:32 GMT -8
"What games do you know?" Angel asked Poe, finishing dinner and sitting primly with her hands folded on her lap. "I know a few, but..." Poe shrugged, chewing his meal thoughtfully as others filed out. "I mostly know poker." He admitted. "Not particularly good at gambling however. I believe there is also a checkers board." The chess set had suffered... an accident and they'd yet to find all the pieces of it. Though Dr. Godwin had needed to extract an offending black bishop from... somebodies anatomy who was no longer present. "If you wanted me to, I could teach you a few card games," She replied pleasantly. "My Papa taught me some. Checkers is fun too, though." Johanna turned to Eu once more, somewhat concerned. "Hear what?"
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Post by toothpiic on Dec 25, 2014 17:41:25 GMT -8
Finishing her cigarette with a cough and rubbing the embers out on the bottom of her shoe Melody stuffed the bud in her pocket. Turning back towards where she had came from. Melody heard the others and wondered if she'd be welcomed to join. No real reason why she wouldn't be she shruggedd and walked back in and smiled shyly "What's this about cards? She said trying to keeep her voice strong but it came out as barley a whisper.
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Post by Alastor on Dec 26, 2014 13:29:43 GMT -8
Johanna turned to Eu once more, somewhat concerned. "Hear what?" "The giggling!" The albino cried, her eyes a bit wide from distress.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 26, 2014 13:35:02 GMT -8
Ryan soon found himself upstairs in the boy's side of the dormitories. He didn't fully remember the sequence of events that had led him here, and that was scary, to say the least. He shook his head, deciding it must be the exhaustion of the trip. He took out a pair of pajamas from his bag, still stationed on the bed, and changed before curling up into bed with the blanket wrapped tight around him. He always had issues sleeping - but now he found himself drifting off contentedly.
"...Eu, are you feeling alright?" Johanna had trouble concealing her alarm, but soon gave her a small smile, taking her hand. "I think we're all getting a little tired.... let's head upstairs, alright?"
Angel smiled at Melody, waving.
"Mr. LeRennet was just asking us if we'd like to play games in the rec room. Do you know any card games?"
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Post by Alastor on Dec 26, 2014 13:36:26 GMT -8
"I... suppose you are right." Eulalia sighed, following the blond-haired girl upstairs.
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Post by JW% on Dec 26, 2014 19:58:16 GMT -8
Angel smiled at Melody, waving. "Mr. LeRennet was just asking us if we'd like to play games in the rec room. Do you know any card games?" Poe had been concerned about the young girl hearing things. There were things here that some could hear, and some ignored or simply could not. It was... unsettling until you accepted it. "Perhaps a round or two of bridge?" He suggested. "There are a few other diversions, and while I understand most of you are weary from your journey here and everything, I would like to help everyone settle in." Plus, it would keep them from wandering the halls at night.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 26, 2014 23:48:48 GMT -8
Soon, those who had left were all in their beds, fast asleep. After an hour or two, those who had gone down to play games in the rec room would join them. Nobody was really sure, however, when either the adults or Elinor got to bed.
Interesting noises echoed the halls at all hours into the night - but for the most part the kids would hopefully be able to block them out.
The morning would come soon enough, and the residents would wake up with quite a bit of time left before breakfast - and their assignment for the day. Before then however, they could head to the common room of the dormitories, where there were a number of games and puzzles strewn across the floor.
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Post by Alastor on Dec 27, 2014 21:17:27 GMT -8
The albino girl was, seemingly, the first to descend from the staircase. She was still clad in a silk nightgown from the night, not yet having changed. "Cos'è questo?" She said to herself, spotting the puzzles and games before sitting on the floor to assemble one.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 27, 2014 21:37:13 GMT -8
She would soon be met by the only boy, rubbing his eyes as he came out from the opposite room. He wore an oversize tee shirt with the name of some older band scrawled across it, the bottom drifting across his upper thighs, revealing further bruises than those on his face.
"...Hm?" His gaze caught the other girl and the puzzle spread along the floor. He moved to join her. "What's up?"
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Post by Alastor on Dec 27, 2014 22:19:54 GMT -8
She would soon be met by the only boy, rubbing his eyes as he came out from the opposite room. He wore an oversize tee shirt with the name of some older band scrawled across it, the bottom drifting across his upper thighs, revealing further bruises than those on his face. "...Hm?" His gaze caught the other girl and the puzzle spread along the floor. He moved to join her. "What's up?" "A puzzle," The girl replied, piecing together the face of a monkey. "I love these."
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 28, 2014 13:21:46 GMT -8
Coming in, still fully clothed, from the corridor and not the dormitories, Elinor walked through the doorway into the common room. She seemed genuinely surprised to find Eulalia and Ryan there, her brow furrowing. "Haven't you two gone to bed yet? It's getting late." She clearly hadn't been to bed herself yet, and was under the impression that the night had not yet passed.
Mary woke with a start. She was rested against the cold wall of the corridor outside her theatre, still in her gown and, consequently, still covered in the mess of the evening. She cursed to herself, quickly clearing her theatre, sending what needed disposing down to the bay for de Sade, before stripping off the dirty gown and putting on a cardigan. With questionable stains still on her hand and as far as flecking her cheeks, she hurried through the house towards her quarters, desperately in need of a bath.
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 28, 2014 13:30:24 GMT -8
The boy had moved next to Eulalia, putting together pieces of the puzzle for the outside of it. He looked up to Elinor, rather confused.
"I think it's the morning by now," His voice drawled on, still tired enough to not bother attempting to cover his accent, "Or at least it's bright enough to be.... Are you okay?"
Mary would barely have enough time to herself before there was a knock at the door of her room. Jane had, by now, been up for a while, checking on the gardens and getting herself ready - and now was waiting out the door with another platter of tea for the older woman and herself. She hoped that she wouldn't be disturbing her - Mary often woke up late in the day, and she feared she might be too early still.
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 28, 2014 13:37:19 GMT -8
Elinor frowned, looking at the window. "Oh." She looked at her wristwatch, before sighing slightly. "I must've lost track of time. I thought I'd only been gone an hour or so. Not all night."
Mary was in her dressing gown and slippers, hair still wet, as the knock came. She smiled, coming to open the door herself. "Good morning, Jane." She held the door for the woman to come in. "Perfect timing, though I'm sorry I'm in such a sorry state to see you this morning." She laughed gently. "At least you know that I'm clean, though- I've just this minute gotten out of the bath." Her wet hair hung down her back, past breast-length. "How are the gardens today?"
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Post by Alastor on Dec 28, 2014 14:32:31 GMT -8
"I cannot speak for the boy," Eulalia glanced up at Elinor, before returning her focus to her puzzle. "But I slept through the night."
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Post by Penny Royals on Dec 28, 2014 14:39:51 GMT -8
"I slept better than I normally do," he added to Eulalia's statement before focusing on Elinor. "...Where did you go?"
The girl smiled, coming in and setting up the set of tea for them both before sitting down.
"The gardens are fine," She replied briskly, "The tiger lillies are in bloom, so I have to check on them every day... that's to say nothing of the blood turnips. How did you sleep?"
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Flip
Member
Probably a dragon in a previous life.
Posts: 159
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Post by Flip on Dec 28, 2014 14:50:20 GMT -8
"Nowhere in particular." Elinor shrugged. "In the corridors, mainly. I like them. Lots of art." She sat down on one of the sofas, stretching out. "Reminds me of my childhood."
"Well- I slept. On a bench in the hallway outside the theatre, admittedly, but I did sleep. That counts, doesn't it?" She watched Jane fondly, sitting back in her armchair. "I'll have to see the tiger lillies sometime. They're always so beautiful."
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