Being the lady, she will wait for Jakob to answer and then will answer, "I have had experience with such events. Not exactly the same, but similar. I believe you that he is someone worth checking on though, if our friend can be fetched from his friends."
She will gesture toward Mr. Bryant and if he is willing to come, she will stand ready to go to the back.
Jakob nods to Faun, "Don't worry, luv, we'll go and give him a look. Hopefully all is right with him." Jakob then turns and looks over toward the barrister after Scarlet's comment. "Hey, John!" he calls out, "Spare a moment?!"
John smiles and kisses Doe’s hand softly. ”Please excuse me for just one moment so I can inform the rest of my party that I’m walking you out. I will be right back.” He gives her hand a soft squeeze before hurrying towards his previous seat.
When he encounters Jakob on the way, he corrects him with a smile saying, ”my name is Heracles!” Once they’re closer he says more quietly, ”no real names, remember? It defeats the purpose of the masks. And yes, I’ll have all the moments you need just as soon as I escort those women out to their carriage.”
Despite having passed this information on, he does not turn around immediately but continues on to Scarlet. He draws close enough to her to whisper and quietly says, ”Lady Grey, I need to know quickly whatever you can tell me about Beckwitten and the daughters who live there... two in particular, in their twenties, one named Eve, with black hair who might be the subject of rumors about a certain degree of loose living, and one with strawberry-blonde hair who’s pretty with soft, angular features?”
Beckwitten House is the London home of Spencer Cavendish, the 8th Duke of Devonshire and Marquess of Hartington. Cavendish is a ranking member of the House of Lords, and currently sits on the Queen's Privy Council, placing him among the most powerful men in the Empire. A bachelor until his later years (he married in 1892 at almost 60), you are aware that two of his nieces, Audrey and Evelyn, have resided there for the past couple years since the passing of their father and Evelyn's mother (they are technically half-sisters). Beyond their uncle's tremendous status, and the basics that Audrey is the 'proper' first born and Evelyn is a bit of a 'wild child', you know little else.
Scarlet will convey what she knows in brief of them.
"They are the nieces of Spencer Cavendish, the 8th Duke of Devonshire and Marquess of Hartington. Their father and mother have passed. Evelyn is your "Eve" and you are right about her--so the rumors say. Audrey is the other. Half-sisters."
She looks curiously at him with a little smile. Not in judgment of course, as she herself is there. She has never desired John's hand either. The smile is due to the fact that for as long as she's known him, he's been civil to women, but rarely ever chased after one. Despite Aubrey's poor circumstances, due to her uncle, she is still a very eligible match.
"Waste no time..."
She says to John as she turns to allow him to exit. Whether her intentions of words were to push him to pursue her or to hurry along with his escort, no answer is given.
Once he returns, she will bow her head to him and then hurry along toward the back. Perhaps others have taken notice of the potential injuries Stefanos may have incurred upon his fall and have come to check on him as well?
John frowns slightly but gives Scarlet an appreciative nod at her information. "Thank you," he replies, "I shall return post haste." Without wasting another moment, he turns and hurries back to the other party.
orphaned and living with her uncle... she certainly looks old enough that if she had inherited property it would have come into her possession already... of course, she could just be living with her uncle while looking for a match... if she holds an inheritance there's no chance she'd entertain a suitor of common birth, but if all she has is a prominent name a wealthy commoner might be acceptable... what are you talking about, do you really think she's going to marry someone stained by such darkness... forget marriage, I'd very much enjoy just seeing her again... if I give her a card it's unlikely that her uncle would favor her seeing me again... perhaps something more mysterious is in order...
"Please permit me, my dear Doe," he implores the woman while they wait for the carriage to pull up, "to not give you my card... I hate, terribly, to disappoint you, and I hope, desperately, that you will not feel slighted nor rejected by my request... You are, without question, the most charming, beautiful, bewitching woman I've had the pleasure of speaking to in quite some time... perhaps ever... only, you set me a task and I wish to see it through. Allow me, my Cerulean Hind, to demonstrate my earnest desire to capture your heart by tracking you down outside of this place?"
John returns a few minutes later, ready to follow Scarlet and Jakob to their meeting with Stephanos. Noting that it is just the three of them, he comments, "is Miss Wriothesly alright?"
Standing before the carriage, Doe listens to your words intently. At first she frowns and takes on a disappointed, if puzzled, countenance. But as you progress with your sincere offerings of compliments and affection, her look turns back to a genuine smile. By the end of it, a small smirk sits on her lips. "Well then, good sir hunter, I hope you are as devoted as Heracles was to his labors, for finding me will be no small feat. Til that time-" she leans in and kisses you quickly on the cheek, before hurrying her sister into their carriage.
As John returns to the group's couches, the atmosphere in the room is starting to calm, light ambient music has returned, and people are once again conversing socially, though admittedly mostly about the performance that just occurred. At John's question to those left assembled, Faun looks around a little surprised. "Oh, my, yes, she did depart. She seemed out of sorts, but I am sorry, I did not speak with her. The Lady Carver did though, isn't that right, miss?"
"Yes, unfortunately, she is not well. I will visit her."
She will courtesy to Faun and will move with Jakob and John to the back. Once out of earshot of the others around them, she will look to John.
"You should not refer to Miss Wriothesly either, Hercales," she will rebuke him with a smile, knowing he didn't intend it; just as Jakob didn't a few minutes before.
She will keep her eyes peeled for potential clues as they head into the back. In particular the lapel pin or clues to the performers not having spilled actual blood.
”My apologies,” John practically whispers to Scarlett as they walk, ”I did not notice Faun behind... what nickname have we given our other companion?”
"I particularly liked Mr. Imp's accounting of things when he referred to him as the 'Brawny Brewmeister'," she chuckles, easing off the tense mood she had adopted previously with all the craziness of the evening. She will look to Mr. Jones and smile. It is clear she is speaking about him and not trying to hide it. Nothing seems to be particularly offensive as you would expect with gossip, but more like friends poking fun at a fellow friend. She also is just loud enough for him to hear his title for the evening.
As they walk back toward the back hallways and rooms, she will explain to them her findings on the evening, from the Russian play to the connection between Stefanos and Group F. She will not spare a detail.
"What did you all learn?" she addresses Jakob and John alike. "Did you notice anything peculiar?"
As John returns to the group's couches, the atmosphere in the room is starting to calm, light ambient music has returned, and people are once again conversing socially, though admittedly mostly about the performance that just occurred. At John's question to those left assembled, Faun looks around a little surprised. "Oh, my, yes, she did depart. She seemed out of sorts, but I am sorry, I did not speak with her. The Lady Carver did though, isn't that right, miss?"
Jakob waits for Scarlet to respond to Faun's question before speaking up. "Why don't we go check on Stefanos now. Care to lead the way, luv?" he asks Faun. "Or should we just check on him ourselves? Whatever works for you. If so, all I would need is a bit of direction of where he might be located and I'm sure we could find it from there. Not real familiar with this place, you know?" he says with a grin.
"I particularly liked Mr. Imp's accounting of things when he referred to him as the 'Brawny Brewmeister'," she chuckles, easing off the tense mood she had adopted previously with all the craziness of the evening. She will look to Mr. Jones and smile. It is clear she is speaking about him and not trying to hide it. Nothing seems to be particularly offensive as you would expect with gossip, but more like friends poking fun at a fellow friend. She also is just loud enough for him to hear his title for the evening.
Jakob grins. "Yeah that's fine."
Faun leads you across the chamber and to a doorway to the right of the stage. Moving through the door, you find yourselves in a dimly lit narrow hallway leading further into the space beyond and behind the stage. A variety of noises reach your ears, most notably of laughter. Accompanying the sound is the flicker of lamplight, and rounding the corner you find yourselves in an open backstage area that seems to function as a lounge for the staff. Performers of all makes and natures are socializing with one another, some eating food, others enjoying libations, and a few plucking at instruments. Faun pauses to look around the chamber, before progressing and leading you towards one corner. Tucked in an alcove you find the man Stefanos being tended to by a young woman. Laying on a makeshift couch, the man is pale and clammy. His hand is shaky as the girl helps him lift a cup of some liquid to his lips. He sips, then coughs a bit, as though perhaps having choked on a little bit of liquid. Lowering the cup, he rests back on the pillows, and slowly looks up at your assembled group before him.
Faun leans in low, speaking softly. "Stefanos, I saw what happened, something went wrong, didn't it? These people, they are Edrington's guests tonight. I think, maybe, these people can help. They seem… aware of things. Perhaps you would speak with them?"
The man looks up to you cautiously, trying to judge each of you. In a deep, though clearly tired voice with a heavy Greek accent, he asks. "What would you know of me?"
Somehow honed by the excitement of the night, you find your senses on high alert as you move to the back of the building. You absorb much, but three things especially stand out to you.
First, as you pass the Viscount Landringham and the two older MPs accompanying him, you note the older men's attention on you. They are both at least your father's age, if not older, but gaze with the eyes of predatory animals. Moreover, as they do, you have the chance to evaluate the pair in turn, and clearly see each wears a silver lapel pin in the shape of a clenched fist within an intertwined triangle and circle on their jacket.
Second, as you glance back across the great hall before entering the doorway to the back, your eyes once again catch the gaze of the woman in the porcelain mask, who offers you a slight nod of recognition.
Third, looking around the lounge full of performers, your eyes find the trio from the night's second performance. True to Faun's word, both men are alive and well, and seem in a most jovial of moods. In fact, you realize that, though on the stage the men fought for the lady's affection, she appears to be the friend and third wheel to the men's intimate partnership.
Being observed used to unnerve her when she was younger, but now, after so many dances and prospects chasing after her, it is a common feeling. When she notices the men staring like she was a piece of meat, she neither rebukes their gaze nor accepts it. She remains neutral, as one would if born of royalty.
While Scarlet is not royalty, her character, in her mind, is. It is that character she has been playing all evening, and it is good too as she notices the woman gazing at her once more. The way Scarlet has sat walked and even used mannerisms have been very neutral and stately. Perhaps this is why the woman stares so hard at her, or perhaps she is one of those women who, like the men, desires her like a slab of meat? Who can tell in such a place? Scarlet returns the nod and focuses forward.
"Ahh...Jakob will be overjoyed to notice this."
Whispering in his ear, she will mention to him that across the room of the lounge, the "murdered" cast members are laughing together. She does this to ease his mind and return him to his mirthful state.
Once they arrive back with Stefanos, she will answer him, "I know you are a good man and worthy of saving. We are here to check on you. Are you well? You seemed quite injured internally, or perhaps spiritually, if you will, after your channeling."
Jakob nonchalantly looks around, managing to catch sight of the "dead" actors through narrowed eyes before returning his attention back to Stefanos. Man, they had me fooled. Pretty well done, I'll give them credit.
John's eyes flick over to Faun for a moment when she mentions her suspicion that they are 'aware of things'. Then they turn to Scarlet and Jakob.
neither of them seems fazed by that... accusation... recognition... what do you call such a claim when it is true... and how do I respond now when my companions seem nonplussed... if he was truly communing with spirits of the dead, and Faun is aware that there are things to be aware of, then perhaps those men were stabbed and someone healed them the way Peter healed Mister Wainwright... if that's true then there would be no need for me to reveal anything by attempting to heal him...
"It has been said that something went wrong tonight," the handsome barrister adds gently, "have you any idea what it was?"
The man looks at you for a long time, an expression of fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion lying wearily on his face. Finally he begins his tale, "I am weak but alright, Lady, thank you. I will give you the most simple of answers first - no, things did not go right this evening. But to understand tonight, which I myself don't really, I suppose I should share with you the nature of my gift. I grew up in an orphanage in Berea, in Macedonia, in the north of Greece. It is in old City, older than even most cities in Europe, and as such is built on the ruins of itself.”
”I've never quite known if I was born with this gift, or if it came to me one day. I remember feeling things as a lad, strange feelings as though people were there and empty rooms. The first time one spoke to me, I peed then cried till I passed out. As I grew from a boy into a young man, it became more frequent. I hit it, fearing I was damned. But finally became too much, and confiding in the priest that oversaw the orphanage, I faced not condemnation but rather support. He said it was a rare gift from God, that I was encountering lost souls trapped in purgatory, trying to find their way to heaven. He showed me sacred texts that spoke of these things, and of others like me, who would help guide these spirits to their next place. He's tried to help me learn to hear and understand what I encountered. And for a brief time, I did.”
But the fates are fickle, and just as I was gaining some measure of control, the black hearts of men descended on our City. The fighting that ensued crossed from gate to gate, and in the end saw our priest dead. Another of the orphanage revealed me, and I was branded a witch. I was tortured, and was to face execution, but by chance my life was spared. I fled across Europe, and found my gift could be used to entertain, and occasionally, provide unique insights - both of which turned out to be most beneficial. Regardless, it eventually let me to meet Lord Edrington.”[/b]
Stefanos has been speaking for some time, and you notice his skin continues to be pale and clammy. ”Most spirits, though not all, are attached to one of the living. They follow them around. So when I go to connect with one, I seek them from among those living that are near me. I knew I felt several tonight, but I had found one that seemed most reliable. I reached out to commune, and felt it draw close. But then something else.. something powerful… something dark… reached out and thrust itself in. As it did, it dragged shards, torn remnants of other spirits, into me with it. The result was the fiasco you saw.”
John's already fair complexion grows paler as Stephanos speaks. "This dark, powerful, something else..." he inquires, "it was still something nearby, right? Something from within this world or realm, something that fits within this universe?"
He inhales sharply at the realization that his questioning might make him sound mad, and adds, "is it possible that such a spirit could attach itself to a person as you say the others do, or do you suppose there is some manner of demon involved?"
Scarlet vehemently disagreed with the priest's views, despite them being popular among many, as she believes purgatory does not exist. This gives her a different perspective on what he experienced. She, however, doesn't condemn him.
"When dealing with the realm of the spiritual, it is hard to discern what is what without reference. I have seen many possessions before with Hindus and Muslims. Some even seek out to behold such terrors. For example, in Islam, many use forms of dark magics to bring on these possessions. Perhaps it makes them feel powerful, but as the good book says, these spirits seek to steal, kill, and to destroy. Many men have been lost to such things and even hurt like you were this evening. I do not know you, but I care about you Stefanos. You should be careful not to open yourself to such things, no matter the cost."
She is not scolding, but calmly caring for him, as in her mind, opening yourself to such things is a path that leads to destruction. Out of love and compassion for him, she wants him to turn from that path.
"As with Satan tempting in the desert, he spoke words of lies veiled in truths. I believe your evil possessor spoke words of lies veiled in truth too, but that means someone will die, or have the threat of it. What did you see exactly?" "We may find the truth is as real as the deaths of those actors tonight."
Jakob listens intently to the conversation at hand. Spirits? Really? That is strange. That is just... yeah that's not happening. Stop it, Jakob. Just stop it. That's stupid and this is just plain odd. This bloke's got some serious issues. He definitely needs help.
Stefanos looks around the room, his eyes drifting back to thoughts from earlier in the evening. "Most wandering souls are connected to a living person - I loved one, someone from their past, a friend, a nemesis. It's easiest for me to connect with a spirit when I've had time to be close to that person. As such, I spent much of the evening sitting among the crowd enjoying the earlier parts of the show. I noted that it was a bountiful night, as several people had shadows following them. I thought I had found one that was interesting and also receptive to my interactions. But when I reached out to connect to it, I found my senses overwhelmed as several spirits came crashing into my waiting mind, including a spirit that was bound to no one."
"Much of what happened next was a blur. The sheer force of the combined presence was excruciating. The many voices created a cacophony in my mind, akin to a group of angry men all blindly shouting at each other. As my psyche was torn asunder, I had a few brief glimpses into the different entities that fought for control. I don’t think these were all of them, or at least not all the pieces, but it’s what I can recall."
"The first was powerful and almost knocked me out by itself, yet seemed to also not wholely be here. It raged and flailed in pain, trying to lash out at those who had condemned it to it's current fate."
"The second was stranger, for it seemed to be free, unbound from anyone, which is most rare. And it was distinct, driven by a raw primal hunger and it was seeking something, yet I had not sensed it before. I don't know if it had been hiding, or if it had just arrived."
"And there were three others, all I had felt in the room before, when I was seeking a suitable partner for my performance."
"The dead wife of one of the evening's guests, who I had planned to commune with. It seems he had cheated on her and scammed his business partner, and she took her life out of shame. I thought it would be amusing to terrify him."
"Then there was a man of noble nature and purpose, taken unjustly before his time, that seeks to protect a loved one yet is bound to another."
"And finally a young girl. I thought perhaps she was the passed daughter or sister of one of the guests, but no, that was no spirit of a young girl. Instead I found a malicious tortured monster seething with the corruption of Hell and the stench of death."
Perhaps he heard her words, perhaps not. She lets Stefanos vent out what he had felt and she pities him. How oppressed he must have been.
"We understand...shhh" she hums to calm him from his sight of remembrance. She does not seem disturbed by the thought. Not as one who is ignorant of such fears they are facing, but instead as one who is brave who has faced them before.
She will leave him to decide if he wishes to continue down his spirit-focused path or not as she had suggested. That is the fate of all mankind. The information given to them is remembered but taken lightly by Scarlet. She personally doesn't believe the spirits of people linger. She believes they are in the grave or in heaven. What Stefanos witnessed was the devious actions of demonic forces; be it under the guise of good or evil.
"While communicating for these spirits, you spoke several different languages..." John observes, "English, most prominently, but also Latin and Gaelic... I believe I heard some French as well, and another that I didn't even recognize... do you know which spirits these each belonged to, or why such spirits would be nearby in a British... establishment like this?"
A thought crosses the barrister's mind that he hesistates to share but after considering that Stephanos had already indicated that the dark spirit was unattached he inquires, and, were any of these spirits attached to us?"
"Aramaic," she comments quickly to aid John.
"While communicating for these spirits, you spoke several different languages..." John observes, "English, most prominently, but also Latin and Gaelic... I believe I heard some French as well, and another that I didn't even recognize... do you know which spirits these each belonged to, or why such spirits would be nearby in a British... establishment like this?"
A thought crosses the barrister's mind that he hesistates to share but after considering that Stephanos had already indicated that the dark spirit was unattached he inquires, and, were any of these spirits attached to us?"
Absolutely engrossed in the man's tale, he loses himself in deep thought before responding, "No, I don't think so," absentmindedly. It then occurs to him what he just said and he looks up and grins. A grin that appears to be somewhat forced? Maybe? "I mean I don't know really. It's possible, I guess, because everyone has lost someone but, you know, I don't know. I guess none of those descriptions really sound like anyone we might've known. At least, from what I know of you lot. Just my take on it," he says with a shrug.
Stefanos listens to John's questions regarding both language and the spirits. "My father was a learned man, and in my lands there have been many rulers through the years. Languages have always come easily to me, and I was raised speaking both Macedonian and Greek, and am likewise fluent in both French and the King's English. Beyond that, I can converse in several more tongues. But what came forth from me tonight was not of my own devices. Some small part of me was trying to regain control, but I was woefully overwhelmed. It is possible the choice of language had some significance to whomever was meant to hear the message. As I said, much went wrong, and I have little insight into the machinations of these spirits.”
Pausing for a moment, he sips his beverage again, and it is easy to notice a tremor in his hand. Taking a cloth from the young woman attending him, he wipes his forehead before continuing. ”No, there was no spirit following the three of you, of that I am sure. Though sir, the ladies you sat with for a time, one among them was the soul to which the demon girl was bound to."
Noting Scarlet’s seeming ambivalence, he looks toward her. "Miss, sorry, I did not finish with your question. As I said before, much of it was a blur, and I lacked the insights I normally gain, but at the beginning, I believe as I offered the first omen, as it were, I saw the face of a man. I can only guess that he is the person that is to die tonight. He seemed a large man, tall and broad of stature, with a vibrant face framed by a full beard, and topped with dark hair greased back. From his features, I would guess he has seen at least 30 winters, maybe a bit more. He was not one of those to which a spirit was bound, but I believe I saw someone akin to that in the Cirque tonight.”
The description matches the characteristics of one of the men that had been part of Viscount Landringham and the two MP's party, who
Hearing Scarlet identify the unknown tongue, Stefanos looks at her curiously for a long stretch. Shaking his head briefly, ”I did not take you for a scholar, lady. But yes, now that you say that, it does seem to make sense, I have heard a bit of it in the past. Still, a strange tongue given the context of the rest. But such is the way of things, I suppose.”
John grimaces and asks, ”to which of the young women was the twisted child attached?”
"Ahh, that explains it," she thinks to herself as he talks about his heritage. She notices the tremor in his hand and she will reach out for his drink to take momentarily so he could better wipe his forehead. She will then return it when he is finished so that he can be refreshed.
Scarlet's eyes rove to John at his question. "I'd imagine it was the younger."
She will smile kindly as Stefanos pays her attentions.
"I would agree," she comments regarding the Aramaic. It did unsettle her somewhat. "I suppose I am somewhat of a scholar, in my own time. Yet regarding the man you saw. So he was somewhat similar to our friend here," she uses Jakob as a physical example, "but with a full beard. Yes, I know to whom you are referring. Don't trouble yourself. We'll ensure that no harm will come to him if possible."
Stefanos thanks Scarlet as she takes his beverage and momentarily helps steady him. Looking to John, he pauses for a while, a frown forming on his face. "I am sorry sir, but I am, in truth, not sure who the spirit was following. I thought it was at first bound to the dark haired woman in the Raven mask, but then at times it seemed drawn to others in the party. I wish I could explain better, but I confess, while I can commune with such beings, I do not have full understanding of all that they do."
Looking back to Scarlet, he smiles a little. "Thank you, some of the things I saw and heard were disturbing, and if you can set even one of them right, I would appreciate knowing the images that haunt me are only phantoms. Have you any other questions?"
"No, I think if you are well again, and if it gives you peace, we will look into what you saw and will try to make sure it doesn't happen. Just please keep in mind my words, as I don't wish you to suffer like this again."
She will adjust her mask to perfectly fit her face, then will do the same with a touch of attention to her dress, and then hair. Seeing that she is ready to go, she will nod to Jakob and John to lead the way.
With a quick look to Faun, she asks, "You should stay by his side here. We can find our way out."
John nods to Lady Grey in return but can't help but ask one more question. "The spirit that spoke Latin... do you know to whom it was connected?"
Once he receives an answer, he thanks Stephanos for his time and dutifully leads the way back to the Cirque's main stage. "Lady Grey, is the gentleman in danger still here?" he asks quietly as they re-enter the large room.
Stefanos frowns at Mr. Bryant's question. "I am sorry, sir, but I was too overwhelmed and lacked the clarity to determine which spirit said what." He begins to stand, but becomes weak in the knees and the young woman helps him back down to the cushions. "Perhaps I should get some rest. Thank you all, for checking on me. If I can be of service to any of you in the future, please, come see me." As you begin to step back, Stefanos looks up to Ms. Gray, "I do not know the route of my gift. Some say it is damned, while others, including the priest who raised me, call it God's blessing. I know it is dangerous, and I appreciate your warning, young miss. You are a truly caring woman. Thank you."
Faun hears Scarlet's words, then looks to the girl attending to Stefanos, who gives her a simply nod back. Turning back toward Scarlet, Faun speaks with earnest in her voice, "Please, allow me to show you back through, and attend to anything else I may for you. It's the least I can do in return."
When you took stock of the room before the final performance, you had noticed that both the bearded man that Stefanos saw, and the third unnamed older gentleman from the Viscount's table had both departed the great hall, though to where was unknown.
"They really don't want us unaccompanied in here. I find that strange behavior in the face of opting to care for the man you showed so much concern for just previously. Perhaps fear of letting us roam aimlessly is a greater thought on her mind."
Once back into the main room, she gestures vaguely to the left where the gentlemen were. Her eyes though are on the woman who nodded to her a couple of times now.
"Did you happen to gather an account of where the elder gentlemen with lapels both went who were at this table over here, Faun? Did they leave for the evening before you came to us?"
Entering the grand hall, you find much of the magic has faded and it is a hollow echo of it's earlier self. The vast majority of the guests have departed (though whether the establishment entirely, or merely this room to seek other diversions), the lights have come up, and only a lone musician sits at the piano, offering calm, almost melancholy music as mild background entertainment. Multiple Cirque staff members busy themselves with cleaning up the night's mess, and a few look up as you enter before returning to their task.
A - four men (late 20’s), with three female entertainers; business suits, simple black masks
*** The Four Hounds were earlier reduced to Mr. Terrier and Mr. Beagle
D - three couples (early to mid 30’s); modern semi-formal suits and dresses, simple masks of varied colors
*** one of the couples has left for the evening
F - three men, two women (20’s to 50’s); mix of formal and stylized fashion, each in a unique mask (male - full jester mask, male - full demon mask, male - black leather tight hood, female - detailed porcelain faced with red tears, female - fanciful faerie)
*** Four remain, the male in the black leather hood having departed
H - five men (three 50’s, two 20’s or early 30’s); formal suits, black or white detailed masks
*** The Viscount and the two MPs identified by the Hounds remain, the other two men in their party having departed during the intermission
I - six women (20’s, 30’s) with several male entertainers; fine, modern gowns, each in a detailed animal mask that matches their dress
*** Currently accompanied by Mr. Bryant
Taking stock of the few remaining guests, the account is rather bare. The two couples in their mid 30's continue to drunkenly socialize with each other , while across the room the man in the full jester's costume shares a bottle of champagne with the petite woman dressed as a faerie . No one remains from the Viscount's party , and the woman in the porcelain mask adorned with tears of blood has disappeared from the room.
Faun looks a bit uncomfortable at Scarlet's question. "I, I am sorry miss. They were not my charge for the evening, and following the last performance was admittedly not paying much attention to the room as a whole. Please, forgive me. If you give me a few minutes, I can find out if they are still present in the building." Barely waiting for a response, she quickly approaches someone cleaning the table of the aforementioned party, who in turn points her toward a doorway out of the hall. She darts off through it, leaving you for the first time without an escort.
The staff members of the cirque seem busy cleaning up the mess that those who have departed have left behind. Their own area is far cleaner than they had left it, but with anticipation that they would return, much of it is left for them.
Scarlet will nod to Faun as she heads off into the doorway out of the hall.
"We are finally alone. Let me tell you all what I have found out, and what do you advise we do? This is the Viscount's table here."
After bringing them up to speed, they can now see the urgency of finding this man and his younger charge. They also will learn of the lapels so the vision of John's will match.
”The pins, you say?” John asks with some interest. ”That certainly seems worth investigating, and obviously I’ll try to help you with your promise to rescue this man, but you don’t know where he is or where he might be headed? Is there anyone here you recognize as an associate of theirs, perhaps one who might have some idea where they’d go? Failing that, we could ask at the carriage stand which way they went when they departed and hope fate smiles on us when we search the streets?”
Nodding, "I'm thinking the barrister has the right of it. Might be best if we ask around if none of us know where they went. I can tell you I've got no idea," he confesses, giving a shrug.
"I'm certain that his entourage is a Henry Northcote and William Brymer, two MPS in the House of Commons. The third is the esteemed Viscount Wolcott Landringham, a major in Her Majesty's 3rd cavalry unit. There was a bit of a falling out between the man I was sitting with and the Viscount. Something to do with an event that happened in the Queens service."
She tries not to beam in her freakish display of digging out information about people who are hiding behind masks, but it would be a strange display. After all, her gaze had figured out John's intended target as well. Perhaps her father trained her too well, but the big reveal of what she had learned that evening got her blood pumping in excitement. Her mind had also begun to increase in efficiency the more she connected points of data.
"Solace and Guidance..." she thinks to herself randomly on Stefanos' words. "Could he have been in league with father? A clue?"
"The Viscount, I believe, was at my father's funeral. A meeting with him would be an approved visit by my uncle if we need to." "Probably hoping I'll marry such a man who lingers in places like this at some other point in time, but for now, let us hurry and hope they haven't all left yet."
"Excellent work, Lady Grey. We should be cautious in dealing with the Viscount, though," John offers, "I've heard he's a cad."
Craning his neck to look, impatiently, off in the direction Faun headed, the handsome barrister asks, "Faun said it would be a few minutes... should we just wait for her, or should I run out to the carriage stand now to inquire if they've left? If I hurry I may make it back before her..."
"I think time is of the essence. If the account is correct, we should move fast and not wait. I will stay here to intercept her, you go check on the carriage."
John gives a quick nod to the noblewoman and hurries back to the carriage stand. "Excuse me, my good men," he calls out pleasantly to the drivers still awaiting their employers' return, "Wolly, or rather, the Viscount Landringham was inside and I lost track of him. Are any of you, by chance, his driver, or perhaps know his driver? I'm curious as to whether I've missed my chance to greet him or if he might still linger inside?"
Retracing your steps from earlier in the night, John makes his ways back through the tunnel, then into the front portion of the Cirque, where the nightlife is in full swing. Loud, boisterous music, with a can can line dancing on the stage entertain rowdy, drunken guests as you cut through. Clearly, the public reputation of the establishment comes from this front end. You note Hartley still behind the bar as you pass through, though seems not to notice you while he deals with a drunken baffoon.
Getting out front, you spot several men gathered around a burning brazier, garbed in heavy overcoats and hats, protection against the night's cool and misty air. 'The host of coachmen, no doubt,' you think to yourself. Offering out your question as you approach, one of the men laughs heartily. "Oh, ye boy disappeared on ye, did he? Well, he didn't leave. Nah, his driver's been gone since right after dropping 'em off. Won't be back til morning, tis always the way of the Viscount, enjoying the night's flavor of choice. I'm sure yer boy's back in there, just look around a bit. Or, grab a couple pints and relax, you will be able to find him no doubt after the sun comes up." He turns and looks to his colleagues, then back to you, "Or, if you need a ride, I'd be happy to show you home. My employer won't be ready to leave for a good while."
Standing inside the nearly empty great hall, you continue to watch as the staff cleans up the space. At one point, one of the couples who had been part of a large group earlier comes drunkenly stumbling back into the room. One of the porters approaches, helps them gather their possessions that they left in the hall previously, and politely assists them toward the exit. Shortly after you watch them make their way, you see Faun come back into the room from another hallway. As she approaches, you notice she no longer has her mask on, revealing a bit more of her youthful, feminine features. "Sir, miss, I asked about the man you were looking for, the one from Stefanos' vision. He was with one of the girls before, but left just a few moments ago. He went out the side, its the discreet option from back here, leading directly toward the carriage house. I can show you, if you are quick you might still catch him."
Looking around, with the lighting brought up, you note there are catwalks above the 'ceiling', which in fact is mostly low hung chandeliers, stage props, and decorations. Glancing about, you spot the silhouette of someone leaning on a railing, looking down at you. You believe the person is female, though it is difficult to be sure.
"Oh bother..." she thinks to herself as Faun reveals a potential escape of their quarry. Part of her wonders if Faun is in on misleading them, since all she wants to do is escort them everywhere. The behavior is quite suspect to Scarlet in the face of a potential murder.
As she moves along with Jakob, she is not without observing what they are passing. Dangers can come from all sides, and as it was before with the cult she dealt with, she had to be on her toes. She, however, misses an opportunity to see something that perhaps would help them due to her hurried nature.
"Fine, show us quickly and then return to here so that John can regroup with us?"
She will then pick up her dress as if to move quickly. In doing so, she looks around. As they go, she is trying to map out the building as best she can to better understand a way to cut time. To perhaps even reach their intended target faster. This will include general knowledge to the side of the building they are moving and what likely is on that side (windows that could lead out quicker, shafts that might be intended for coal only that could get them quickly to their target, etc).
John chuckles softly at the driver's offer, but then something clicks. "Does that happen often?" he asks with a smirk, "gentlemen and ladies and sneaking off in someone else's carriage so nobody really knows where they are or who they're with... how ungentlemanly they might be behaving? Ha! The secrets you good men must be sitting on..."
With a quick glance over his shoulder, he lowers his voice and adds, "A place like this... I bet they have a special exit just for that... I've got a crown in my pocket for whoever wants to show it to me?"
"Quickly would be good. Let's move." He then gives a nod to Faun giving her the go ahead to lead the way.