Rashida stalks to a stack of hand towels and dampens one with cold water. Tossing it at Cassie, she growls, "Pull yourself together and tidy up." She glances sharply at Kimefe and says no more, folding her slim brown arms and pacing slowly around the lounge for a moment.
"Well, ladies, what's the plan? We cannot hide in here forever." Her black eyes dart between Cassie and Kimefe as voices are raised in the other room. "Should I leave?"
Taraz stands in face of the accusation against the Duke.
"As many of you know, there has be no love lost between myself and the Dame Devries. I have endeavored to determine her trustworthiness and made my own inquiries in regards to who our unknown assailants are. While my methods and who I trusted in order to acquire this information is different, I must formally acknowledge that Alessandra's accusation matches the information and conclusions my own 'cabal' has drawn."
Taraz stands and walks to where he left his drink before the most recent dancing.
"May you rest in peace if we are wrong, sir Duke." At this Taraz lifts his retrieved goblet in salute. Then his eyes turn hard and his mouth sets a thin grim line. "But if we are not, then I hope you burn long in the hell that exists for you, Devil."
Calmly and meticulously she cleanses the parts of her face that shows. Her lips bow slightly in a ghost of the happiness she felt minutes before. "'A lady should be proper at all times', that's what nurse used to say. I had almost forgotten."
She looks to Kimefe. "Your shoulder?" she asks placing a hand upon it and putting her heels back on. She leans forward whispering something in the her ear. Biting her lip she turns back to Rashida; "Would you care to lead?" there is a softness in her voice as she realises that the other woman's manner is from concern.
Rashida opens her lips to speak, but bites back her first reply. She examines Cassie steadily for a moment or two as if evaluating a thoroughbred mare for racing fitness, then sighs. "Very well."
She turns and sweeps from the room, ignoring the others.
Rashida strides briskly back into the ballroom and stands looking between the grim masked faces of those assembled. "We have an accusation?"
"I have already promised to lend the Professor my full support," Vorian says almost absentmindedly, as he attempts to identify the morsel impaled by his fork, "If I might be so bold however, would she be so kind as to reveal the means by which she and her comrades deduced the Devil's identity? She asked for two hours and we gave them to her - the least she could do is tell us how she used them."
With a shrug, he pops the morsel into his mouth and chews it for a few moments, a range of expressions passing over his face as he does so.
Rashida shakes her head slightly as Lord Ritter calmly eats in the face of a life-or-death decision.
"We have withheld voting until now to avoid innocent deaths and have been very lucky to do so. But the assassins will succeed sometime if we do not act. And devils are dangerous. I support the Professor as well."
Cassie comes back from the bathroom, in the shadow of Massri. Emotions flit across her face as she hears Taraz's denunciation; '.....burn long in the hell that exists for you, Devil.' rings in her ears.
She looks towards the Duke, wide-eyed, then up the the balcony where Von Ryuko stands smiling. she spits the words out.
"This is our blood, our lives..." her voice gives with a hook of sorrow.
The zombie nods to Alessandra Devries as he stands.
"I had initially thought to wait a bit longer before casting my vote to give the Duke an opportunity to represent himself in defense. However, I feel that with support for your accusation from Lord Taraz, there is more evidence than I am aware of floating around."
"Forgive me for saying this, Madame, but I wish to also voice my concern that this will rapidly become a situation in which you point your finger, an accusation is launched, and someone loses his or her life without even a chance at fair trial. I note how quickly people were to vote in alignment with you; I find that highly disconcerting, as Duke Leto had no prospects for survival once you singled him out."
"All that being said, I believe your accusation is correct in this instance, and I vote in concert with you."
Taraz applauds the Baron von Zombi's statement.
"Exactly! I have tried to warn everyone why it was so important to confirm the Masonic League's 'purity' and 'completeness'. Perhaps someone actually echoing my concerns from the word go will finally bring some sense into those of you here who have nothing but puppy-dog eyes for the Diva-In-Black."
Taraz casts a significant glance at Ingilstadt.
"Let us drink to your words of wisdom, dear Baron." Taraz seats himself by the undead noble and offers him a bottle from the table.
"Your servant, Lord Taraz," Von Zombi says, filling a glass from the bottle and tipping it to Taraz.
Wowbagger runs out of his yacht having been occupied in the 'entertainment chamber'. "Taraz, this after market modification is quite enjoyable. Finally a vote. All I know is I get to lynch somebody. I am sure you were scanned twice, so the chance of error is less than 7%."
"Should we wake Inglestadt for the hour, or allow him the reprieve of blessed oblivion?"
"I would let M. Ingilstadt be," remarks the small Duchess, "Ingilstadt does not seem pleased by the thought of such lynchings. Not that I think any of us are... we just have the misfortune of being awake."
From the table where he has been drinking somberly in the company of Taraz, Von Zombi frowns at Wowbagger's exuberance, then nods in agreement with Meowselsworth.
"Would that we could be spared this unpleasant task as well. It is not often that I curse my inability to achieve true drunkenness, but right now, it does not seem like such a bad idea."
He then tilts his head, looking thoughtful.
"For what it is worth, Duke Atredies, were mine the only 'life' I had to worry about, I would not have been able to vote against you," the zombie says quietly.
Clearly unsure on what's occurring, forehead still resting on the table, Ingilstadt adds a vote.
"I vote he moves on to the choreography round."
Kimefe walks slowly into the group, raising her voice for the first time, "I don't think we should kill him just yet. He has definitely done many evil things with the powers of darkness given to him. But I would think that he has also done much good, as I'm sure someone here could tell you, if she so chooses to step forward."
"I have already promised to lend the Professor my full support," Vorian says almost absentmindedly, as he attempts to identify the morsel impaled by his fork, "If I might be so bold however, would she be so kind as to reveal the means by which she and her comrades deduced the Devil's identity? She asked for two hours and we gave them to her - the least she could do is tell us how she used them."
Dame Devries calmly answers the questions posed to her, "It has been pointed out to me, by minds more suspicious than my own, that almost any information I released about these matters could be used against us by a sharp-minded foe. Suffice it to say that I take full responsability for the accusations that I am making and I do not make them lightly. If there is any error then I will take the full brunt of the responsibility. There is a stalker amongst us and I fear for the safety of our those performing investigations and protecting us... I don't think I could ever forgive myself is a slip of my tongue cost them their lives."
"Forgive me for saying this, Madame, but I wish to also voice my concern that this will rapidly become a situation in which you point your finger, an accusation is launched, and someone loses his or her life without even a chance at fair trial. I note how quickly people were to vote in alignment with you; I find that highly disconcerting, as Duke Leto had no prospects for survival once you singled him out."
If you do not trust me- if you don't trust my word as a worthy member of the masonic community or that none of the people I claim to speak for have come out against me... then you should not vote with me. I would never ask anyone to violate their consience. All I can say is that if I am wrong I'm sure I will pay the price, and that I do not make this accusation lightly; wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them..."
"Exactly! I have tried to warn everyone why it was so important to confirm the Masonic League's 'purity' and 'completeness'. Perhaps someone actually echoing my concerns from the word go will finally bring some sense into those of you here who have nothing but puppy-dog eyes for the Diva-In-Black."
Actually, at some point durnig the past hour, the diva has added a note of color to her mourning dress. A bright yellow rose is pinned to the lapel making for a striking contrast.
Cassie tries to regain her composure; she flicks out her fan - a dark arc of lace and satin.
Slowly she fans her face, seemingly mumbling behind it. Unblinking eyes are wide with the tension that crackles throughout the room. She walks forward, her arm darts out and snatches a tumbler thick with brandy. Stopping just before the Duke; she offers him the drink. "It's safe.." she takes a sip before placing it in his firm hands.
"Sorry, to run away like that. I was just overcome.... Tell me it's not true." She quietly whispers her lips trembling.
|
"There are a great many truths in the world one of them is that I have heard of your exploits in the Alps and your tendency to liberate wealth from certain places, I had hoped that I might protect you from the storm of politicos and intrigue that are adventures, yes, but not of the sort you are accustomed. I have done my best to keep you safe."
"There are many truths as well about many of these persons here, each and every one worthy of high respect and esteem."
Sits back down suddenly and pours another drink.
Cassie gasps; "I...I..." she turns to the others, eyes wide but no tears will fall. Scoured by emotion; "I..."
She slides down next to the Duke, putting her hand upon his wrist. "Thank you, for your kindness. And your soft...words."
Andrezi stumbles from the coat room after being shooed out by the butlees, directly behind a very disheveled serving maid. "What? Is all in good fun, girl is willing." Andrezi, quite annoyed at being interrupted sits at the table. "Grisly business and no fun. Is a sad day this. I shall vote with crowd to keep vote strong. Apologies to the good Duke."
Rashida fidgets nervously with her bracelet for a few minutes, then begins pacing again. Finally, she can stand the heavy silence no longer. Her golden mask tilts upward to the balcony.
Her voice is burdened with tears unshed.
Drinking heavily of her tumbler of Brandy she looks to the Baron. Clacking the fan closed she drops it on the couch beside her bag. Looking at the Baron she puts her hand out; "A dance?" her words catch in her throat.
"Most certainly, Lady DuSollier," he says, standing up with sympathy writ plain upon his face. Von Zombi takes the Frenchwoman's hand and leads her to the dance floor, summoning every last bit of grace he can command.
Taraz once again sets down his goblet. His drinking partner now taken by the fetching Cassie...or so she is presumed to be. Ah, the joys of a Masquerade Ball! Taraz thinks with a smile.
"Let us not dwell on the inevitable," Taraz says. He turns and bows to the unpaired women of the room. "Dame Alessandra, Duchess Kittington, Lady Kimefe, Lady Rashida...would any of you care to dance?"
"Anything," Rashida murmurs, "Anything to ease this terrible wait. Thank you, Taraz."
Approaching Taraz, she curtseys and offers a hand. "I am yours for this dance, Lord Rorenson."
Taraz bows over Rashida's hand, almost bringing it to his lips.
"No, it is my pleasure to escort you. Perhaps maybe this time I will not misread the cue to approach you." Taraz's eyes twinkle mischievously.
With the Duke more or less resigned to his fate, Alessandra feels an odd sinking feeling at her victory. She'd outmaneuvered one of those who meant her ill... but this was it. Someone was going to die. She prayed there would only be one death but their protectors couldn't be everywhere. "I for one have had quite enough of dancing for the moment. How about a nice game of Chess?" She casts around for a suitable partner and her eye falls on the General- the self proclaimed military genius. "General Gorski, do your vaunted strategic skills extend to the Game of Kings?"
"I would be delighted to take in a game."
"You temp me to give that cue, Lord Taraz, to find if you do more than bluster," Rashida smiles wanly, thnking of the window scene, "But now is not the time, I think. If ever."
"Ah, chess," Taraz says leading Rashida to the dance floor. "Perhaps I will find a moment to play a game with the Dame this next hour. Do you play chess, Lady Massri?" Taraz holds the pretty child of the gods closer to himself than is probably proper for the dance at hand.
"We play many board games, Lord Rorenson. Perhaps you have heard of Senet, which mimics the journey to the afterlife?" She grimaces slightly below the golden mask. "It is pleasant when it is only a game. But then, I think we all play games here."
Wowbagger returns quickly with his 'Star Wars' chess set. He sets out the board and moves his King pawn up two spaces. As white he then picks up his Princess 'Queen'. "I like Carrie Fisher as the princess."
Voting is now closed.
Rashida and Taraz continue to dance.
"I have heard tell of it. Admittedly I have never had the opportunity to play. Perhaps you could show me? I would wager Baron von Ryuko has a magnificent set." Taraz says with interest, "I know this great little alcove just perfect for a private game..."
Taraz grin turns decidedly wicked.
"I am so tempted to call your bluff," Rashida chuckles, "But of course, that is what you want. But then again, maybe it is what I want... or maybe I bluff now. Lord Taraz, I am not certain I could teach you anything about games. The only way to find out is to play."
Taraz gives a happy sigh.
"Oh, but you have indeed. Always be certain before kissing a woman with magical snakes for jewelry!" he says with a wink.
Rashida looks Taraz in the eye and grins. She brings the wrist with the snake to her mouth. "Shoo..." she murmurs, and dangles her wrist over the floor. The little snake drops with a clank and wriggles off across the floor. "Your move."
DING! The clock rings at the top of the 3rd hour.
"Well well well. We have finally decided to take the situation into control. Duke Leto it seems that your fellow Blue Bloods have voted unfavorably toward you."
"So tell me, who among you has the testicullar fortitude to do the deed? Who among you has the ability to take a life from another?"
The Ballroom is so silent you could hear a pin drop. People refuse to make eye contact as the akward moment passes...
"I had a feeling this would happen. *Sigh* What a shame. I had higher expectations from this crowd."
With that Von Ryuko reaches into his breast pocket ant retrieves a double barreled pistol. In one swift maneuver he takes aim at Duke Leto and fires. The bullet penetrates the Duke's ribcage and pierces his heart. The Duke is dead instantanoiusly.
"You'll all be happy to know that you made the right call. After going through the Duke's personal belongings my servants have gathered substancial evidence to prove that he was infact a traitor."
Face scarlet with shame at playing such games while life and death are at stake, Rashida claps her hands twice and bends to retrieve the twin serpents which slide up at her call. Stony-faced, she turns to Alessandra and gives a slight bow.
"Congratulations, Dame Devries. You have ferreted out the traitor. Can you find the rest?"
Eldon goes over to the body of the Duke, checking his pulse before shutting his eyelids. "Someone fetch a blanket to cover this body." The general is matter of fact, showing no anger or remorse.
Duchess Meowselsworth looks down upon the body of the Duke silently for a few moments. "I do not mean to seem disrespectful or selfish, but I hope that this will quell rumours that I am the Devil."
Von Zombi bows to Cassie DuSollier as their dance ends, then cocks his head to listen to Von Ryuko's announcement and watches Duke Leto's execution without flinching.
"I believe that answers many questions," he notes, rubbing his bare wrist.
As a servant rushes forward with a blanket at Eldon Gorski's call, the zombie quietly intercepts, taking the blanket and covering Duke Leto's body.
"You may have been a traitor, Duke, but death is never cause for celebration. Gods keep you."
"Only natural, Duchess. And I apologize for some of the things I said about you.. and called you.. when I thought you sincere. If you should ever hear of them."
Rashida watches in silence as the Duke's body is covered and removed from the room.
"You are correct, Baron. Many questions have been answered, to my grief."
Cassie sags in the Baron's arms as the pistol's ball kills the Duke. "Why? I cannot believe it...?"
Her face buries in the undead's shoulder, as she softly sobs. Trying to recover she looks up at him with wide hysterical eyes and asks;
"Ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?"
"Cassie. Come over here," Rashida says quietly, holding out her arms to the weeping woman without moving toward her.
"Dear Madame DuSollier, you did not know. I also fear it will get no easier this hour, but you are strong. Remember that,"the baron says as he slowly and gently pushes DuSollier away from himself and towards Rashida Massri.
As he watches the removal of the body, he says as if to himself, one hand clasped about his wrist, "While I did not predict the Duke's betrayal, I believe I have predicted what will occur this hour. I can only pray the outcome is not what I fear it will be."
"It is fine, your Holiness Rashida Massri, I probably deserved to be called them for attempting to be deceptive anyhow. Deception is not my strong suit..." says the Duchess.