[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

[dormancy]

My, then who could have done it~.

[genderbinary]

Well, as I said, it's too early to remove suspicion upon anyone.

You are the last individual I've yet to question.

[dormancy]

Haha, even me? But I was with you the whole time.

[genderbinary]

Yes, but that does not excuse you from suspicion. Your card itself said you were questionable, so I shall question you.

[dormancy]

If you have your heart set upon it, then I can't stop you. What questions did you have?

[genderbinary]

You were able to tell me details about the poison when we examined the drink. Was that due to your role as game master or player?

[dormancy]

Mm, as a player.

[producing a card, Vincent has had an unsavory link with poison in the past.]

[genderbinary]

[!]

I see... then, do you have any connections to the others gathered here?

[dormancy]

Well, I know them. We're all members of society, attending some of the same parties and so on.

[genderbinary]

Is that all?

[dormancy]

Haha, in the interest of clearing my name, I will say that I know some purveyors of less than savory substances . . . And someone here has made use of that fact before.

[once more, casually waving his cuestick in Chastity's general direction]

[genderbinary]

[glances at Chastity, gears turning]

... you said she's a widow.

[dormancy]

So, she is. She's gained quite a lot of wealth from the passing away of her late husband and has become highly eligible should she be willing to take anyone's hand in marriage. Few manage to do so well for themselves . . . And at her age, no less.

[genderbinary]

So she has capability... but no visible motive.

[dormancy]

That you're aware of. Ah, well~ Would care to join me for a game?

[genderbinary]

... are you deliberately trying to distract me from the investigation, Vincent-san?

[dormancy]

Haha, only entertaining myself.

[genderbinary]

You do not find such mysteries entertaining?

[dormancy]

I am enjoying seeing you unravel it. I have to admit that much.

[genderbinary]

If we get stuck later, a game may be used to aid one's thinking process. But we will save it for then. In the meantime, I would like to investigate this place further.

[dormancy]

I'll look forward to it. Well then, after you . . .

[putting the cue stick down as he offers his arm, making a sweeping gesture]

[genderbinary]

[takes it]

There should be a kitchen around here, yes?

[dormancy]

Mm, there is. We have only one door left to us in the entrance hall, so it should be this way . . .

[He leads her to the other door, and there is a kitchen behind it. There are no dolls or otherwise, though there are plenty of delicious dishes set out that were meant to be enjoyed if someone hadn't tried to murder Grace . . . :'(]

[genderbinary]

There's no one else here?

[dormancy]

No. At least, not now.