NPC Caroline de Beaux's page

Caroline is caught off guard by Halcyon's kind words. She struggles to respond to the compliment. She smiles wide, offering a quiet thanks. “Emmy is the same way. He says that friends are few and far between but gold passes from one hand to another each and every day.” Halcyon’s pause to look around yields nothing. Caroline glances at her, and looks down the hallway past what Halcyon can see. “Did you see something?” It appears the two oracles are still alone. There is a silence as Caroline hops to the glass doors. As she closes them and the gap outside shrinks narrow, the wind picks up with a sharp howl until it is silenced at the doors’ union. Caroline flicks the lock.

Caroline guides Halcyon downstairs, through the eastern staircase for their descent. She moves slow, careful to not rush Halcyon. They reach the lounge room. It still has a glass of wine half-filled from dinner. A harp gilded in gold leaf lies in the corner of the room, no longer plucked by a servant. Caroline guides Halcyon south to a room adorned in family crests, hanging scrolls, suits of armor, painted shields, decorative weapons and robed mannequins. One mannequin wears a turban much like Halcyon’s, comprised of dark fabrics and gemmed with a small nail-sized opal. Caroline’s pace quickens as they enter the room. “Family items. I’m told Father went through great length to find them.” She looks straight to the exit, not paying any mind to the items on the walls and display cases.

Her pace slows once she sees outside to the upper vestibule, where the young Captain stands vigilant. She walks beside Halcyon instead of in front of her. Helmuth’s head jerks to the oracles briefly, alarmed by their presence, but he returns his attention to those below.

Caroline can barely see around the bend of the house from the corner of the balcony to spy what Halcyon points to. She nods resolutely. At the mention of boys, she slips into Aklo. She places two fingers over her mouth to stop the words from flowing, though with a look to Halcyon, she breaks with a chuckle. It survives for a few moments, a high pitched giggled amidst the low roar of fireworks, distant now. The lights come from the east, it seems the Guard is still putting on their annual show this year after all. For a bit, the third floor seems disconnected from the world below, free of burdens and stress, of reminders to the blonde, pale corpse almost as fresh in the flesh as in the minds of the guests.

“Hehe, no one today. Certainly not Helmuth” she laughs. “Umm, there’s the, um, Emile has this friend named Augustine.” She trails off, but speaks up quickly seeks to fix any implication. “Not Augustine! He has a son Reyes. He is cute, I suppose.” Once again she trails off with a smile. She looks up at Halcyon. “You and Vincent sure danced nicely. Emmy told me he found love in his first dan-”

Again her hand covers her mouth. She tries to cover herself. She wears a flustered smile. “Not that we are, um, talking about love. Um, yet I mean. Or at all. We should, um, return downstairs. I don’t want Caroline or Emmy to worry.” She grabs at hand of Halcyon. She stops before returning inside. “Thank you Halcyon. It is good to have a friend like you.”

Caroline pouts a bit when Halcyon mentions it as a language of evil, possibly something that the mage she spoke to before about it left out. “Elven," Caroline repeats with a smile wide across her, “Emmy speaks Elven as well. Old Galatian too, but I’m told he can never quite get his verb tenses right. His first time meeting Miss Bolton he said ‘Abigal, you were so beautiful’ to her.” She laughs remembering. Her eyes brighten when Halcyon suggests the team up. She stops paying attention to the fireworks, twisting herself to face her fellow Oracle. “You’d um, really do that? Really, really?!” Her grin is endless, she hops to her feet in joy. Her lively figure is illuminated by the explosions in the sky. She dances blue, twirls green, jumps red. She turns to Halcyon, outlined amber. “I’ll be the best pupil I can!”

Another breeze, and while Caroline’s animated movements freeze, her smile smile cannot be swept away from wind alone. She sits back down, chipperly listening to the hums and words of Halcyon. “So where do you do your reading? Can we see it from here?” She looks northeast, towards the lighted spires of the Society.

In twisting the mirror, Halcyon has a small window into the world past her eyes. Though she looks forward to it, a quick turn of her wrists reveals snippets from the approaching midnight: lights on the wall surrounding the city a flicker, almost in dance. A warm, distant glow in the park from where the fireworks seems to originate. An airborne figure, perhaps an owl or a large bat silhouetted against the pale-orange glow of the clouds above. A rustling in an oak off of the manor in the wind. Caroline adjusts her hair, tucking strands behind her ear. A breeze passes, less refreshing than the last, chilling now. The young seers presses on, though wraps her arms around her torso.

Caroline peers into the mirror, watching it’s reflective surface glisten with the lights of the night sky. She appears amazed, face brighter than when the fireworks lighten her up, eyes wide with reclaimed joy. “And you have no need for candles when you wake!” When Halcyon describes her curse, Caroline nods. She seems familiar with what it entails despite her age. You wonder how many Oracles Emile has arranged to speak with her, perhaps Halcyon being but the most recent name on a long list.

She is flattered when she hears Halcyon proposal to learn her language. Her head looks to her feet, and she kicks them softly on the balcony floor. She almost slips into the language as she speaks its name. “Aqt- Aklo. That’s what one of Emmy’s Society friends told me. He said it isn’t an easy language to learn.” She turns to Halcyon with a grin. “Seems I am lucky then?” She lets out with a giggle.

“I suppose I can help you learn Aklo, though I don’t know if I can really teach it. It is just there for me. Sometimes it slips in when I speak to myself.” Her voice fades almost to a whisper, almost lost in the fireworks. “Sometimes I dream in it.” She turns to Halcyon with a smile. “But every language could be nice if I don’t accidently fall into each one when I get nervous.” She thinks of what tongues she has heard at the gatherings of her brother. Galatian for certain, but others as well. Tongues that come in airy whispers. Speeches whose words hang long after they have been spoken. Languages that twist and wring the tongue to perform. Voices that bounce playfully with pitch and melody. She grins at the thought of knowing them all.

Caroline leads the Oracle up the second staircase. “We might be the only ones who get to enjoy the fireworks.” She smiles, she can’t seem to put it away. The air upstairs is colder, fresher than in the foyer. A chilling breeze refreshes you, breathes life into what has been a stuffy and warm last half an hour. Caroline grabs two chairs from the side of the balcony. The first one she places for Halcyon, the second for herself. “Do you need a blanket? Or maybe the tea is still warm if you’d like?"

The fireworks are prepared nearby, most likely by a party of some sort in the park to the north. The balcony couldn’t have a better view of such a display. While the Guard’s grand display would hardly be seen from here, the fireworks prepared below seem almost like they were made for this party, for this moment. Perhaps they were, perhaps they were Emile’s grand spectacular to end the evening, only to be forgotten the second Abigal hit the floor.

Caroline puts her chair besides Halcyon, arms of the seats touching. The balcony glows a warm pink, and seconds later, a fizzling crackle booms across the northern city sky. The fireworks are too far off to be enjoyed by the blind Oracle, but their colors cause the balcony to glow warmly. A surge of colors: pinks, reds, indigos, greens. As each flash across the sky, their colors are echoed to the balcony. Though muted, toned down to what Halcyon can see nearby, are beautiful. Caroline brightens with excitement, her face beaming as it is filled with the colors of the exploding sky, only to flinch slightly as it thunders. She speaks softly, though her words are still heard among the fireworks.

“You said that a curse can be managed, but you didn’t say conquered or bested.” For the first time in their ascent up the stairs, Caroline’s mouth turns to a frown. Her eyes are wide, two reflective mirrors of the night’s sky. Deep in them Halcyon can see the fireworks. “Can you see what I am seeing, Halcyon?”

Caroline is flustered, turning her head to the floor. She plays with the hem of her dress, patting at it with her fingers as she speaks. “Qxi - no, um, no. It is, um,” she fights to keep her tongue in a language she knows. She looks up to Halcyon for a moment. With a smile she returns to gazing at the floor beneath her. “Well, I’m not sure you’d understand, but I feel comfort with another seer...”

Beatrice rises from her seat now with a smile. She picks at a splotch of paint dried on her outfit, chipping it away with colored nails. The elder sister fails to keep herself from grinning.

Caroline's face lightens at the mention of a sleep-over. “Well, um, if you need someone to tell you what can be seen from up there… I am sure the balcony will be safe.”

Caroline speaks to her sister as Halcyon approaches. “...I figured it meant change or travel, I don't think they are that literal. I can go through auntie’s books later to make sure.” Caroline spots her fellow oracle. She lifts herself from the recesses of her chair, landing upon her dainty feet. Her dress dances as she rises, swirling, spiraling like waves at sea. “Um, are you to be spending the night here then?” She peers at the Asfal, watching him lead Helmuth to the kitchen. If she is aware of the circumstances, she isn’t saying a word. She returns her gaze to Halcyon.

It is 11:46 PM. There are 14 minutes until the New Year.

“Stop that Beatrice, that isn’t what she meant.” Beatrice looks at her sister, seemingly surprised by Caroline. The young oracle clears her throat. “They, um, came from the basement, under the kitchen. I think Emmy was just worried there would be finger pointing.” Beatrice lets out a small “oh,” but doesn’t apologize. The two of them listen to Halcyon, Caroline nodding approvingly on mention of Raphael’s help.

Beatrice talks to Marcus, while Caroline returns Halcyon’s whispers. “I won’t even bother asking him. I’d get the same ‘you know I can’t talk about those, Caroline’ speech. Though I suppose in some regards he cannot bring himself to talk about them… About the potion, distilled from the wine, couldn’t you try a, um, flavor test and guess it’s spell? I know Emmy always samples his potions before he buys to make sure it is the right ones.”

Most of the guests talk quietly amongst themselves, while the servants sit, stand and lean by the eastern wall.

• Agatha joins her brother in speaking to Emile. The Agnes family seems friendly and calm, Emile somehow keeps up with the two of them. Helmuth regularly eyes the host.
  
• The mages have been reunited with Ernest, and converse about what spells they could use to help the Guard as they arise. Alistair brings up the topic of familiars.
  
• Estelle, Francis Lyon, Nishara and Tomas all mingle. Estelle doesn’t seem to fond of Francis, Tomas seems a bit clung on to Nishara.
  
• Asfal and Aron speak to one another. Aron still seems shaken. They watch the crowd as they speak. Alexander joins them, drink in one hand, vial in the other.
  
• Vincent watches from below. Helmuth watches from above. While Helmuth doesn’t have the same vigilance as the bodyguard, he seems prepared in terms of firepower. Vincent heads close to the manor’s entrance, watching from the south.

“You must of heard the debacle from outside, right? Emmy was trying to look after our companions is all.” Caroline and Beatrice both seem distressed.

Emile asks how Caroline is holding up. “I’ll be alright.” He expresses some concern about Beatrice, asking Caroline to see if she can improve her condition. She nods, looking at Valentina and Halcyon talk to Eduard.

Eduard opens the door to the coat room and retreats back within. He is followed by Valentina and Tomas. Emile follows as well, telling his sister he will be back shortly. As Emile enters, Caroline quickly dashes to Halcyon’s side. She speaks in a whisper, careful to not have it travel to her brother in the next room.

Caroline contemplates Halcyon’s first question. She seems startled at the mention of war. “No, no, there would be no profit from war. Emmy trades goods between Galatian and Durendale collectors, halting trade would bring him, us, ruin.”

She gives thought to the second set of questions, nodding as Halcyon speaks, a little sign that she listens while lost in thought. “Halcyon,” she starts, a slight bit of hesitation in her voice, “have you ever, um, heard…” She lowers her voice to a whisper, averting her gaze from her brother.

Her eyes dart towards her brother and her sister quickly, checking to see if they heard her whisper. The other de Beaux’s continue their conversations across the foyer.

Caroline shakes her head. “Too young. Emmy seldom allows even Beatrice a glass.”

Caroline breathes in sharply as Halcyon begins to mention possible blame on her brother. She whispers sharply, “Ennx'g na'a!” Her hand quickly covers her mouth, and she silently listens to Halcyon, nodding once after she finishes.

“Emmy would never, that is the truth I know. But I will be wary, thank you.” She smiles at Halcyon. “And I might always speak in tongues if I feel they are trying to trick me. My curse may be a gift after all.” She chuckles slightly, looking around the room. She spots her brother, and watches him talk with Sinclair, Ellen and Beatrice.

"Is there, um, anything you don't think I should mention?"

Caroline and Halcyon move towards an unoccupied area, away from the guests and servants. They sit in the south-west corner of the room. Caroline seems surprised at the mention of evil at the party. She gives it thought, recounting the guests, attempting to figure out who would have been detected as such. She gives up.

She speaks in a whisper. “I - I don’t remember. Abigal drank from the same bottles as Emmy and the others. I am sure of it. And the silver-haired woman drank more glasses than anyone else.”

Caroline looks at the beautiful silver haired woman across the room. “If any poison was stalled in her, would she have gotten so sick from alcohol?”

It is 11:02PM, there are 58 minutes until the New Year. Predicted twenty minutes until Guard reinforcements arrive.

“Should we worry about casters? I don’t know if Emmy invited any clerics or druids.” She gives a look to Halcyon as the group begins to leave. “We can delay poison, right?”

Caroline seems a bit confused, particularly when Marcus enters the bathroom with the women. She follows them into the bathroom. The room is large enough for a small gathering such as this, but was by no means built for such meetings. She seems confused on what the meaning of it all is until Halcyon begins her speech. She remains silent, listening to Halcyon intently. She seems rather enthralled by Halcyon’s power over visions and fortunes.

Caroline leads Marcus, Halcyon and Valentina to the bathroom. They pass the vestibule, and veer left in the ballroom. Caroline avoids the blood, trying not to look at the small puddles drying on her floor.

The party passes through the staircase room. “Right here,” she says, softly raising her arm to the bathroom door.

It is 10:58 PM. 1 hour and 2 minutes until the New Year. Estimated twenty four minutes until Guard Reinforcements.

Caroline nods. “Away from here would be nice. I am sure Emmy would be willing to help however he can.” She rises to feet, dusting off her dress. She takes Halcyons arm, joining her in heading south. She looks confused when Halcyon mentions she has an idea of how poisoning was accomplished, but doesn’t say anything.

Halcyon and Caroline enter the front foyer, right as a stomp and a man’s shouting begins from the north. Ernest Stoneheart looks over at the entering guests, glazing them over before returning back to Valentina. “Where is Emmy?” Caroline asks.

Caroline looks to Halcyon a bit. She seems glad to have someone to connect to, but cannot break the grimace that hangs on her face. “Why bother read the future then?” She breathes deeply, thinking things over. “Are you OK? Have you ever witnessed a death before?” Caroline keeps her stare at the opposite wall. It is clear she never witnessed an event such as this.

Caroline sits against the western wall. She looks to be feeling rather off. She stares across the room at nothing in particular. She holds herself in her arms, wrapping herself around her knees. Caroline responds, though not in an understood language. When she speaks in whispers as Halcyon grows near, she returns to speaking a common language.

"I-I am so sorry. I could of helped, but I froze. I couldn't speak, I couldn't cast spells. I-I..." she trails off into a silence. She continues her stare across the room.

No concentration needed here, won't use that unless it was more intense.

Caroline follows Halcyon out of the room, attempting to attract no attention to herself.

Caroline weighs Halcyon’s words in her mind. She too looks down towards her tea glass, almost empty, leaves beginning to stick to the sides of the cup. “The flag probably refers to a nation, though I am unsure which one. The bird looked like...” she continues to think, at a loss for words. “An eagle maybe? It didn’t seem like a crow or a raven, it seemed almost proud. I don’t know...” she trails off, looking towards her other divining tools for a moment. “It all seemed off. Too clear for my normal readings.”

Halcyon gives Lucia a look for their departure, and Caroline gives them a weak smile. “I will try to make my way down. Maybe I will try to give another reading, perhaps try one of my decks once more.” She bows politely. “But I will brave the crowd to see you before you leave.” She makes a smile to Lucia, and bows to her as well. "I'll clean the tea cups. Thank you both for your company."

@Halcy, Caroline is a sister to Emile, not daughter. Honest mistake though, I’ll pretend you said brother.

Caroline takes a long look at the card of the blonde man. She observes it intently as Halcyon recounts the incident. Caroline breaks her focus when the second card enters her view, Halcyon’s business card. The young oracle speaks, this time without breaking into strange tongues. “I think I shall stop by. I have never been too keen with cards, they’ve always brought bad omens when I draw from them. Perhaps we can work on that.” She takes the business card, walking away from the table and placing it on her desk by the book with the blank pages. She returns to the table. “A wheel usually means change or travel, and maybe the tree is like a family tree. If the tree represents Galatian royalty, we might have had similar readings. I know not what flags or birds indicate though.”

Caroline looks confused, looking down towards her tea set, taking a drink. Her eyes shift around the room, almost nervously. She begins to speak, uttering a couple nonsensical syllables before composing herself. “My tea showed symbols today. Flags, birds, a tree, a wheel. I am but an oracle in training, but the symbols did seem rather clear today. Did something happen downstairs?”

On the third floor, Caroline wrings her fingers. “Um, yes, company is nice.” she says, possibly forcing a smile, or perhaps not coming naturally to her. She opens the door fully.

Caroline’s room is rather large, perhaps twenty-five by thirty or so feet. The room is particularly tidy, almost strangely so. A tea set resides on a center table, already set up. Her bed is large and while covered in dozens of stuffed animals stitched together seemingly by hand, each seems to be placed purposely on the bed. On large wooden display cases lie many divining tools: tarot decks, crystal balls, boards covered in runes, dowsing rods. They all appear ornate, either specifically crafted for Caroline, or relics passed down to her. A desk lies in in the room with just an open book with blank pages, a quill placed beside it. Another room, perhaps a large closet, juts from one of the corner.

The room is calm, even serene. The faint playing of music can be heard from downstairs, and the tea gives off a bright, floral aroma that invites you in from the entrance. “Emmy wanted us to meet I think,” she tells Halcyon, and gestures in towards her room. “And nice to meet you Misses Varianna.”

During Halcyon’s pause, she hears the small footsteps coming from the northwest room, confirming her suspicions of there being someone above the staircase room. Lucia and Halcyon make their way towards the room, Lucia giving a knock to the door, and a loud peep comes from within. Lucia asks to enter. The room is silent for a moment, but footsteps once more emanate from the room. The door cracks open, an eye at chest level watching through it. The door is opened further.

Halcyon recognizes her as Caroline, youngest sister of Emile de Beaux. Her hair is a dark chestnut like her brother, but is long and straight. She is small maybe 4’10’’, and thin. Her face angular and her eyes large and sharp. Her skin is white, paler than her brother and sister’s olive skin. She wears a blue dress that trails to her knees, with white and black trim that dances across it. “Nyx haftl xiu-” she begins, though covers her mouth shortly afterwards. She starts again meekly, “Um, good evening.”