[ic]

[dormancy]

[In the interest of time and mystery, Vincent and Naoto have met at the overgrown flowers an hour after sunset as promised in a not at all suspicious manner. Luckily, or not, Vincent has found a few becoming flowers for his lady of the evening, and without further ado, they are off to a wonderful evening soiree . . .

The entrance hall is tasteful and elegant with carved wood panels, marble-topped tables, vases with white orchids spilling over. There are four doors in each direction. The door to the right is an open double door with music spilling softly out from it.]

Comments

[genderbinary]

[watches that, curious but somewhat discreet as she's mostly preoccupied with not falling flat on her face]

Who are these people...?

[dormancy]

[leading her to an open spot on the dance floor]

Let's see . . . Dear Grace is your chaperone for the evening, and she is the lady of the house. So, that would be Pleasant wrapped up in his adoring wife's arms.

[carefully nodding to the pair]

[genderbinary]

And the others?

[dormancy]

Mm, the reason for our gathering tonight. Owen is taken with Chastity, and is doing his very best to woo the object of his heart's affection.

Then, of course, there is us, but I don't need to explain that, do I?

[genderbinary]

You could explain your role in all of this.

[dormancy]

Haha, I am your appreciative date for the evening.

[pulling a card from his coat pocket, it reads: A questionable though pleasing member of society, Naoto’s date for the evening.]

[genderbinary]

"Questionable," is it. Very well, are these all the actors in your play?

[dormancy]

[slight shrug as he starts to lead her into a slow dance]

This is the entire cast. So, now for the show . . .

[genderbinary]

[stumbles a bit at first to figure out what she's doing, cautiously placing her hand on his shoulder and focusing on following]

[probably giving off very strong vibes of h e l p]

[dormancy]

[is very good at guiding her, keeping the steps simple]

There, you're finding your feet.

[genderbinary]

[carefully keeping up with him but still very awkward]

Er... thank you.

[dormancy]

You're most welcome.

[Another refrain starts, as it seems like everyone—well, those who are able-bodied—is settling into the number, there is a sudden scream, high-pitched and short like it one would expect on a stage. Very quickly, Grace settles down into a chair with a glass set on the table beside her. The rest of the puppets settle for hovering nearby . . . Oh, no . . . ]

[genderbinary]

[turns quickly towards that wobble]

--what happened?

[dormancy]

[catching her immediately, guiding her to the confusion]

Ah, it seems as if Grace has fainted away . . .

[genderbinary]

[slowly heading towards the table]

Is she alright?

[can I check her pulse...]

[dormancy]

[It is unfortunately the wrist of a doll, but there is another card at that place: Her pulse is faint but present.]

Perhaps. She may need time to collect herself, though.

[genderbinary]

What was she doing just before she fainted? Having a drink, I take it?

[dormancy]

It seems so.

[And Pleasant appears to be helping his wife to another room connected to the ballroom, Owen and Chastity trail after . . . ]

[genderbinary]

[points to Owen and Chastity]

Where are they going?

[dormancy]

To look after Grace.

[If she waits a few moments, they file out of the sitting room and leave the ballroom, heading back to the entrance hall.]

Haha, or not. It would be best to leave her alone after her incident, though. Well then, the night isn't completely ruined for dancing, I suppose . . .

[genderbinary]

[ignores and checks out the glass]

Was the drink poisoned?

[dormancy]

[It seems rather innocuous. There is a faint smell, but that maybe the spirits in the glass . . . ]

It could have been. Would you be able to tell?

[genderbinary]

Perhaps. What I'd rather know is whether or not her life is in danger from ingesting whatever was in this glass; you did say this was a murder mystery.

[dormancy]

Haha, it is. Then, for the sake of Grace and your conscience . . .

[taking the glass, considering the smell and how full it is] Ah, with this much, she may be ill for the rest of the evening, but she will survive. It seems that there is poison, I'm afraid.

[genderbinary]

Given the timing of everything, it stands to reason that whoever poisoned her drink ought to be among either her servants or her guests.