[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]

[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.

[genderbinary]

[dryly]

I won't impose upon you.

[kneels to remove her heels]

[dormancy]

[looking aside~]

Oh, it wouldn't have been an imposition.

[genderbinary]

[refrains from commenting!! and gestures towards the stairs]

After you.

[dormancy]

Hahaha—!

[but he's going~ opening up the door above and waiting by it for Naoto]

[genderbinary]

[I'M ONTO YOU, MISTER]

[enters]

[dormancy]

[The attic is old and dusty as one would expect. There are a few boxes around, some with the tops open to documents and the like, while lamps with cobwebs are tucked into odd gaps. At the end of the attic, there seems to be light filtering up with dust floating through the air. Vincent is letting Naoto go first.]

[genderbinary]

[and probably humid as fuck and FILLED WITH MOLD that's what you get for putting your attic above the greenhouse wtf]

[anyway, checking out these boxes]

[dormancy]

[I am not an architect, and we are all very glad of that~. The boxes are filled with numerous items of interest. It looks like some of Grace's old diaries are present, a few pictures of young Owen and Grace together as well as Owen and Pleasant together, letters are bundled together with ribbon, and there are old ledgers, too.]

[genderbinary]

These may give us some more insight on the relationship between Owen-san and our hosts.

[opening those letters to read]

[dormancy]

[Goodness, there is quite a lot here. Grace is complaining of her father's disapproval of her love for Pleasant. Pleasant reassures her that they will find a way to win her family's approval. Owen does his best to calm Grace down, assuring her that he has no intention of marrying her as her father wishes him to. Owen goes on about his own parents who seem to be also pressing for the match. There seems to be a problem with Grace being an only child . . . Ah, there's a letter between Pleasant and Owen that sounds cordial enough, something about an apology over thinking that Owen agreed to become the inheritor of Grace's father's estate. (Owen denies that he would deprive dear Grace or Pleasant in such a way along with the shame, oh my.)]

[genderbinary]

[going over the letter between Pleasant and Owen several times]

... there's something unwritten here...

[dormancy]

Unwritten? What do you mean?