[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]

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.

[genderbinary]

Then there is no way for us to know who prepared the drink?

[dormancy]

[leaning on the counter, surveying the spread]

I admit that I wanted to keep the cast small to keep the quest for it easy. So, let me ask: What were you hoping to gain by knowing who put the drinks together?

[genderbinary]

Either if they had motives of their own, or if they were working under the orders of someone else.

[dormancy]

The culprit is not someone who is not present. So, a servant who put this all together was induced to help or someone with access to the kitchen gave our dear lady poison.

[genderbinary]

Mm, very well. I don't suppose there's any evidence of that in here?

[dormancy]

[There is a small vial around. It has an unusual scent to it, but there isn't much more than that to point to anything.]

Of which way it went? Or that the servants aren't guilty?

[genderbinary]

Either. Can you confirm this as poison?

[holds out the vial]

[dormancy]

[taking it then easily passing it back]

Hemlock. So, yes, it would be your poison. As for the servants, they aren't present, so they aren't guilty of trying to kill their mistress simply of their own efforts. There is no evidence of that though, I'm afraid. Which way it went . . . Well, you may be able to find that out in time.

[genderbinary]

[nods]

Is there anywhere else we haven't explored?

[dormancy]

There was another door leading off the ballroom as I recall . . .

[genderbinary]

[attempts to walk on her own this time!!! it is stiff but she is at least wobbling less]

[dormancy]

[trailing after her, staying close but not uncomfortably so]

[genderbinary]

[opening the door to this mysterious new room!]

[dormancy]

[One wall in this room is covered in complete glass. The multitude of flora and fauna explains why very easily. Tucked away in a corner, it seems there is a small spiraling staircase. Vincent is going to rub his thumb on a violently red flower as he looks about.]

Ah, it seems that Grace had a green thumb. What a lovely garden.

[genderbinary]

[seems a bit surprised]

It is well-kept...

[dormancy]

Do you have a soft spot for flowers, Naoto?

[genderbinary]

No, I'm merely impressed at this level of detail. Hmm... I'm not an herbalist, so I can't tell all of the species of plants growing in here.

[dormancy]

Neither can I. So, while we may enjoy the sights, there isn't much good for us here.

[genderbinary]

[eyes travel towards the staircase]

Then, that should be our next destination.

[dormancy]

As you like. —Ah, though, it may be best to remove your shoes or allow me to carry you. They look rather narrow.