Katherine Pallaver's page

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening, at Dinner

“Is the Stone far from here? easy to get to? Perhaps we may all visit it tomorrow?"

"I don't see why not. The Honin Stone is on the lakeshore - just two miles down the road to the north. You'll see it from the road. Our town isn't really very big; I don't see why you couldn't visit the Stone and still complete any other errands you have in mind."

Katherine pushes the remains of her food around her plate a little before rising from the table.

"Thank you very much for your help today Dr. Vredovsky. And thanks to all of you for choosing to stay with me. I'm sure I'll need all the assistance I can get in the coming days, sorting out my father's affairs and the like.

"I'm feeling quite drained already, actually, and am going to retire for the night. When you're finished eating just leave the dishes as they are - I can clean up in the morning."

She gives a small curtsy to those assembled and then heads up the back stair to her third story bedroom.

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening, at Dinner

"Oh, he can be found at the Post Office, Miss Harvey. I was just having a bit of fun. Our "Postmaster" is Vernor Schneider, who also happens to be the Town Mayor. And the Town Treasurer. And the Town Clerk."

She shakes her head at Luther's question. "The Honin Stone is far older than the colonies, Mr. Clark; it's something the Indians made long ago. My father believed it to be hundreds of years old, if not thousands, like Britain's Stonehenge. It's a bit of a good luck charm for the town. So long as we keep it standing, the Indians will leave us in peace - or so the story goes."

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening, at Dinner

"A fish?" Katherine shrugs. "Maybe." She nods at Oukonunaka. "It is quite a waste. Why do such a thing?"

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening, at Dinner

"Well, it sounds as if you all had fairly tame days. As did I, of course, but there was talk of something mysterious down by the lake at the Honin Stone. Apparently Karl Weber found a dead animal next to the stone, horribly mutilated but uneaten; reports differed as to what kind of animal it was. The constable had it removed before anyone but Karl and himself could get a good look at it."

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening, at Dinner

"I'm not really sure, Miss Harvey. If any were recent deliveries, my father would have picked them up himself at the Post Office in town. I'm afraid our postman is a bit too important to be making home deliveries." She smiles slightly to herself.

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening

Within the half hour Katherine has cleared the books off the dining room table and laid out a simple dinner of steaks and potatoes. She says a brief prayer at the table before cutting into her vegetables.

"Before we go over the talk in town - how were your afternoons?" she asks politely.

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Evening

Katherine and Stanislav return just as Oukonunaka returns from his rounds. They bear a multitude of wrapped parcels.

"We've had a most thrilling journey through town, haven't we, Dr. Vredovsky?" She gives a wan smile. "We shall discuss it over dinner, which should be ready shortly." She disappears into the kitchen with several smaller packages tied with twine.

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Day

"Oh! Well.. I suppose you're right, Dr. Vredovsky. " Katherine gives a curtsy to everyone at the door before she and Stanislav leave for town.

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Day

"I appreciate the offer, but that's not necessary. I've lived here my whole life; I don't think anyone is going to be more likely to give me a difficult time now that my father has passed."

The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Day

As the two men enter the front door, Katherine comes down the back stair, now fully dressed and looking much refreshed.

"Oh, you've gone and gotten supplies." She sounds slightly disappointed. "I have some errands to run in town as well, shouldn't take me more than an hour. There's wild apples out back if you'd like some." She retrieves a bonnet from a peg in the hall and puts it on, smiling at the pair. "If you make some extra I'll eat it when I get back."

The Pallaver Residence: Katherine's Bedchamber
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Morning

"Thank you, Miss Harvey. I suppose I'll just relax here for now."

The Pallaver Residence: Katherine's Bedchamber
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Morning

"I... I suppose I should listen to Dr. Vredovsky." The young woman looks down and frowns. "I've been so useless since my father died. Mister Keel took care of all the funeral arrangements, and until yesterday there was nothing to do but wait. And then old Mayer and his cronies; why, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have even managed to get my father buried. And now I'm to lay in bed because I can't even sleep without making a mess of it."

She looks up, her eyes red. "I'm sorry, none of this is really your concern. Yes, a gown would be appropriate, I suppose. Thank you."

A Rude Awakening
The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 4th 1875: Dawn

"Screaming?" Katherine shakes the cobwebs from her head as Stanislav leaves. "I'm so sorry to have disturbed you all! And on your first night as my guests, no less. Please forgive me. I fear Dr. Vredovsky is right - these past two weeks have been very difficult for me.

"Please, if you'll but give me some time to collect myself, I'll make ready a breakfast for us all."

A Rude Awakening
The Pallaver Residence
Sunday, April 5th 1875: Dawn

"Honor my fate! HONOR MY FATE!"

The Pallaver Residence
Saturday, April 4th 1875: Evening

"I for one don't want to know what's in there; I think I'll sleep better not knowing what it is that's being kept 'neath my roof.

"Good evening to you all."

Katherine gives a weak smile and a curtsy, then retires to the floors above.

The Pallaver Residence
Saturday, April 4th 1875: Evening

"Yes, you're all welcome to stay. Some of you may be sleeping alongside stacks of books, but I'm sure there will be enough room for all of you."

The Pallaver Residence
Saturday, April 4th 1875: Evening

"Yes, yes it is. I'll fetch it, if you would assist me, sir?" Katherine stands and leaves the room with Mr. Keel, both returning a few moments later. Mr. Keel is carrying a mid-size wooden trunk, iron bound and of old manufacture, which he sets in the center of the room. Katherine sits back down in an armchair, and turns to you all.

"I'm sorry to be a burden to you all, but I certainly would appreciate your assistance. I have several spare rooms here which could accomodate all of you if you are in need of a place to stay. I don't know whether I intend to stay here in Helorus or not, but either way I will have several affairs to put in order. As for these books..." She opens her hand to reveal a small iron key, which she places on top of the chest. "My father told me never to open this, but I suppose it's yours now; you may do as you wish."

The Pallaver Residence
Saturday, April 4th 1875: Evening

”Hello, I am Katherine Pallaver; Dr. Pallaver was my father. Thank you all so much for coming. I’m sorry I didn’t greet you at the funeral service earlier, but I was quite overcome. Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Now that we’re all here Mr. Keel can read my father’s will and we can put an end to this dark day. Can’t we Mr. Keel?”

Helorus - At exercise with Thom
Wednesday, April 7th 1875; Morning to Day

"You know, Mr. Andrews, I quite believe that these exercises of yours help - I slept quite soundly last night, and awoke right where I fell asleep! A welcome change from these past few nights, I must admit. Who did you say your doctor acquaintance was?"

Katherine chats with Thom regarding Dr. Kellogg as they walk and the young inventor notes they seem not to have a "shadow" today. The pair returns to the Pallaver House without incident, where Thom finds Mr. Wright has procured his usual morning amenities.

Helorus - At Exercise w/Thom
Tuesday, April 6th 1875; Morning

Katherine looks back over her shoulder and smiles. "Why that's Mr. Schultz, our town constable. Shall I call him over?"

Pallaver House
Tuesday, April 6th 1875; Morning

Katherine's expression begins to clear. "Sleepwalking?" She straightens her nightgown and begins to blush. "No, I've never done anything of the sort. Not that I know of, at any rate. Perhaps it was a side effect of the sleeping tonic?

"In any event, I'm sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Oculus. I hope I didn't disturb you too much; to think, me walking about in the middle of the night scaring the daylights out of people I invited to stay 'neath my roof. Louie, if you don't mind, perhaps you could start some coffee and breakfast? I feel I could use some extra waking up. Perhaps I'll take a walk about town today as well - may it not be that my body is invigorated due to lack of proper exercise while my mind is exhausted?"

Katherine excuses herself briefly to her room, then goes downstairs to help with breakfast.

Katherine blinks in confusion at the shouts and stumbles, Oculus reaching out to catch her before she falls.

"What... what am I doing here?" she asks groggily, clinging to Oculus as she gets her bearings. "Mr. Oculus? Mr. Andrews, Louie?" After a few seconds she manages to stand again. "What are we all doing here?"

Pallaver House
Tuesday, April 6th 1875; Morning

"...fear thy moon... fear thy moon..."

Katherine turns a blank stare to the room for a moment, then begins to slowly walk out the door.

Pallaver House
Monday, April 5th 1875; Evening

Katherine frowns. "Very well, if you both think it will help. I was just getting ready to head up to bed." She takes the tonic from Stanislav and, after giving it a dubious inspection, drinks it. "I shall let you know if it's helped in the morning. Good night, sirs." Katherine curtsies, then says her 'good-nights' to the rest of the gentlemen and heads upstairs to bed.

Pallaver House
Monday, April 5th 1875; Day.

"Oh! Well thank you, Mr. Oculus, that's most gallant of you. I could use an extra set of eyes and hands, that's for sure - though it may not be what you had in mind. I'm donating most of my father's things to the various institutions he'd been a part of over the years - medical texts and the like to this university, travel logs and maps to that university, et cetera. They'll get more use out of them than I ever could, and it'll clear up at least some of this clutter."

Katherine and Oculus spend the day sorting through bundles of books, papers, and oddments in an effort to categorize them for donation. By late afternoon they've completed most of the dining room and she calls an end to it, retiring to her room to take some tea, around which time Louie returns.

The Pallaver House
April 4th, 1875; Evening

Katherine is found stacking folios and papers at the dining room table, tidying up after her day spent sifting through the paperwork. She smiles at Oculus, obviously quite tired.

"Good evening, Oculus. It looks as if Louie and Dr. Wilks are preparing supper for everyone; is there anything I can get you?" Her expression turns to one of troubled sadness at the mention of Albert.

"Albert... Albert is my brother, Mr. Oculus, though my father would have said that he was my brother. The two of them had a falling out some years ago, over what father would never tell me, but he disowned Albert after that. And for Albert's part, he left without another word to me and never returned." Tears come to her eyes. "I'd been hoping that he would be at the funeral; God knows where he is, but I was sure that Mr. Keel would be able to find him. Apparently even he and his partners couldn't locate my brother."

"As for Arthur, that's Father Grimsby." She wipes her eyes on a handkerchief. "I'm sorry, Mr. Oculus, but I must retire and recover myself. If you have any further questions I'm afraid they'll have to wait until tomorrow. Good night."

Katherine curtsies and heads upstairs to her room.

The Honin Stone

"If it's caught your interest, then please do; we can finish the tour of the lake some other time," Katherine says quietly. "I actually feel quite tired from our walk; perhaps it's just too much sun. I'll have George walk me home and give you your chance with Karl!"

Katherine walks back to the Honin Stone, draping the back of one hand across her forehead. "Ooh, I say... I feel a bit faint... I don't suppose you could walk me home, George? Mr. Oculus is quite set on walking the shore, but I'm afraid I just don't have it in me."

The Honin Stone

"Thank you for your sentiments, George. I assure you Mr. Oculus here," Katherine hooks here arm through Oculus's, "was only acting in defense of my father's honor and my own well-being. Indeed, his display helped to scare Gustav and his cronies off."

"Now, why all this fuss over a dead chicken? It seems most bizarre, and a little bit intriguing."

The Honin Stone

"This is the 'Honin Stone,' which has been here since before - Oh! I wonder what's going on?"

Town of Helorus

Katherine's face lights up in surprise at Oculus's display.

"Oh!" she exclaims. "That was amazing!"

Town of Helorus

Her errands completed in a little over an hour, Katherine smiles at Oculus. "Thank you very much Mister... Oculus?" She lets slip a small laugh. "I'm afraid I don't properly know what to call you."

"That's all I absolutely needed to accomplish out and about today; all that's left now is to go through my father's paperwork and find out the state of the property and such. I admit I'm not looking forward to it in the slightest. I don't suppose you'd like to see more of the town? I doubt you've had much of a chance, what with the weather having been just awful lately, and the lake is quite beautiful."

Pallaver House

Thom and James reach the Pallaver house to find Louie, Oculus, Stanislav, and Katherine gathered in the sitting room. The lingering smell of breakfast is on the air.

"I suppose if you really want to, Mr. Oculus - I'm afraid they're rather boring affairs, but I certainly wouldn't mind the company. Helorus really isn't that exciting a place, despite yesterday's events, I assure you.

"Oh! Mr. Andrews, good morning. Your valet has set you up on the second floor. And hello to you, sir - Katherine Pallaver." She curtsies to Dr. Wilk. "I was just on my way out to run some errands, and Mr. Oculus and I were discussing if he was to join me. If you haven't eaten yet, there's some leftovers from Louie's wonderful breakfast in the kitchen."

Pallaver House

"Yes. Yes, alright then." Katherine smiles wanly, then begins to daintily pick at the breakfast. "Oh, this is quite good! Did you make this, Louie? I'm very impressed - I wish the inn had a cook like you!" She continues to eat, but with a bit more gusto, and eventually puts down her utensils.

"Quite good, quite good. I'm feeling much better. Now, gentlemen, if you please, I'd like to get dressed. I have some errands to run today, and it's always best to get an early start - one never knows what a day might bring!"

Pallaver House

"For a time...no..." Her face clears as she fully wakes and becomes more alert. "No, I'm afraid I don't remember a thing." She smiles sheepishly, blushing in embarassment. "I'm so sorry to have disturbed you all - I must seem quite the poor hostess. Please, accept my apologies, good sirs."

Pallaver House

Katherine wakes at the smell of the breakfast taken to her room, rubbing her eyes and looking at Louie and Stanislav in sleepy-eyed confusion.

"What are you all doing here?"

"Oh! I see you've opened it. Well, I don't want to know what's in there; I think I'm better off not knowing what it is that's being kept 'neath my roof.

"Good evening to you all."

Katherine gives a weak smile and a curtsy, then retires to the floors above.

"Yes, of course - I'll have the rooms made up tomorrow morning. Some of you may be sleeping alongside stacks of books, but I'm sure there will be enough room for all of you.

"How rude of me, with the stress of the day I've completely forgotten my manners." Katherine quickly stands and curtsies. "I am Katherine Pallaver, Doctor Pallaver's daughter - though I'm sure you've all gathered that by now. Mr. Keel was kind enough to inform me of your own names.

"Would anyone like any tea?"

"Yes, yes it is. I'll fetch it, if you would assist me, sir?" Katherine stands and leaves the room with Mr. Keel, both returning a few moments later. Mr. Keel is carrying a mid-size wooden trunk, iron bound and of old manufacture, which he sets in the center of the room. Katherine sits back down in an armchair, and turns to you all.

"I'm sorry to be a burden to you all, but I certainly would appreciate your assistance. I have several spare rooms here which could accomodate all of you if you are in need of a place to stay. I don't know whether I intend to stay here in Helorus or not, but either way I will have several affairs to put in order. As for these books..." She opens her hand to reveal a small iron key, which she places on top of the chest. "My father told me never to open this, but I suppose it's yours now; you may do as you wish."

”Thank you all so much for coming; I’m sorry I didn’t greet you at the funeral service earlier, but I was quite overcome. Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Now that we’re all here Mr. Keel can read my father’s will and we can put an end to this dark day. Can’t we Mr. Keel?”

Buried in Trouble ROUND 1 / Block 2

The veiled woman lets out an anguished scream at the sight of Dr. Pallaver's corpse and collapses to her knees, one arm outstretched towards the body.

"Father!"