[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]

[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.

[dormancy]

You may have something there. So, the question is who was it . . . ?

[genderbinary]

The first step to determining the who is to decipher the why. Did anyone have any grudges towards Grace-san, for example.

[dormancy]

Ah, that may take some snooping. If you'd like to, then I suppose no one would object. Pleasant is a bit distracted, and Owen and Chastity seem to have gone off somewhere.

[genderbinary]

I'd like to start with Pleasant-san, since he was nearest to her at the time of the incident.

[dormancy]

[He gestures her to the sitting room. Grace is set upon a chaise, while Pleasant is standing off to the side, hand to his head.]

[genderbinary]

[addressing Pleasant]

Pardon me, Pleasant-san. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.

[dormancy]

[He doesn't respond. :'(]

Haha, if I may . . .

[Vincent reaches into his coat pocket and presents another card. Pleasant is in a great deal of stress, but notices Naoto's address.]

[genderbinary]

[... turns to Vincent]

Are these cards our only source of communication?