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Post by Mr. Embark on May 8, 2009 4:03:46 GMT -5
Daniel walks into the study and looks around. Looking at the fireplace he makes a side remark to Roger "It looks like this fireplace is connected, I wonder if you could walk through to the living room from this side."
Turning around Daniel walks to the desk and attempts to open it.
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Post by Wildcat on May 8, 2009 4:04:46 GMT -5
"What in the - !"
Benjamin takes an involuntary step backward, then gathers himself and glances around sheepishly. After a moment's consideration, he decides to return to the main hall and the seeming security of numbers.
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Post by Obbi on May 8, 2009 5:13:40 GMT -5
"I wouldn't be surprised if there were trap doors at this point, Daniel. I think I'm go ask that German a few things. Don't wander too far off by yourself." he replied before he let out another sneeze.
Roger makes his way to the Foyer and meets up with Benjamin.
"Ah, good. Paper boy, you're coming with me to ask questions."
Without much of a consent, Roger wraps his arm around the journalist and guides him out of the Manor, heading towers Hans direction.
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 9:32:26 GMT -5
Daniel walks into the study and looks around. Looking at the fireplace he makes a side remark to Roger "It looks like this fireplace is connected, I wonder if you could walk through to the living room from this side." "On second thought." Daniel takes a better look. The black, wooden mantel, forming a border around the fireplace, certainly extends through the wall, but the fireplaces themselves are backed by bricks, making them separate, which would make sense considering this room was locked. "I wouldn't be surprised if there were trap doors at this point, Daniel. I think I'm go ask that German a few things. Don't wander too far off by yourself." he replied before he let out another sneeze. Turning around, Daniel walks to the desk and attempts to open it. Pushing doesn't quite work, as yet-again, Daniel is presented with a lock. Unfortunately, none of the keys on the ring work. Made of a solid wood, prying up the roll-top will unavoidably damage it, but permit access to the contents. Daniel considers his options. Roger makes his way to the Foyer and meets up with Benjamin. "Ah, good. Paper boy, you're coming with me to ask questions." Without much of a consent, Roger wraps his arm around the journalist and guides him out of the Manor, heading towers Hans direction.
Now granted, in a real pen-and-paper RPG, you'd all be present every minute and would discuss this sort of thing out beforehand, but with a play-by-post, you've done it correctly here.
Benjamin feels much better out of the house. Roger too; at least he can breathe properly. Clouds grumble overhead as they exit the mansion. David continues unloading the truck into the foyer before the rain sets in. He's pretty much finished with this task. Hans stands outside the gate and watches the Benjamin and Roger approach. "Are you gentlemen alright?" he asks. He seems somewhat nervous, gripping a hat in his hands. Heidi is watching from the doorway of the gatehouse. |
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 11:36:02 GMT -5
Left to his own devices in the Dining Room, Henry brushes away some cobwebs from the archway and cautiously looks into
The Billiard and Game Room
It's a large room that stretches from the front to the back of the house and was once warmed by the large fireplace that is centered on the west wall. It is manteled by the same large piece of oak in the dining and sitting rooms, in the same manner as the black wood used for the living room and study. Above the fireplace are mounted a pair of crossed spears with broad, wicked-looking tips and a large shield decorated with intricate designs. The floor is covered with a number of imported rugs that would be bright and colorful if not for the layer of dust covering them. The natural-finished wood paneling covering the walls is hung with the mounted heads of of at least a dozen different trophy animals.
At the south end of the room stands a black bear, mounted in a standing position, while the north end of the room is nearly filled by a large billiard table with moth-eaten green felt. There is also a chess table set between a pair of comfortable chairs, and other groupings of chairs and small tables. Oil lamps and the occasional book or humidor rest upon these table tops. A door leading out, likely to the greenhouse, is across from the archway. It's quite dark here, with only the flashlight keeping Henry company.
The time is now
11 : 50 AM
and David has finished unloading the truck. He drives it over to the carriage house and parks it outside.
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Post by Wildcat on May 8, 2009 11:51:18 GMT -5
Benjamin opens his mouth to state just how very not all right he is, reconsiders, then decides to stick to standard questions of the type that Roger was whispering to him during their approach. Putting on his best 'can-I-ask-how-you-knew-the-deceased' expression he opened with, "So far anyway, sir. I wonder, could you tell us what your official title is as Mister Dubois' employee?"
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 12:32:56 GMT -5
Benjamin opens his mouth to state just how very not all right he is, reconsiders, then decides to stick to standard questions of the type that Roger was whispering to him during their approach. Putting on his best 'can-I-ask-how-you-knew-the-deceased' expression he opened with, "So far anyway, sir. I wonder, could you tell us what your official title is as Mister Dubois' employee?" Hans looks puzzled, as though that was not the question he expected. "Mr. Maurice did not give me a title. Ve are supposed to keep an eye on the place. To ztop looters or vandals. Ve are... supposed to make repairs as necessary." Heidi comes from the doorway and stands near him, her face ashen, biting back her lower lip. |
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Post by Wildcat on May 8, 2009 13:26:59 GMT -5
At that last comment Benjamin raises his eyebrow as he takes in the generally decrepit state of the house, the coaching house, the fence ...
"I see. What about the house itself? Do you go inside often? To check all is present and correct," and he then tried to stretch his luck a bit, "with the china cabinets and such, for example?"
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 13:43:47 GMT -5
At that last comment Benjamin raises his eyebrow as he takes in the generally decrepit state of the house, the coaching house, the fence ... "I see. What about the house itself? Do you go inside often? To check all is present and correct," and he then tried to stretch his luck a bit, "with the china cabinets and such, for example?" Tears well up in Heidi's eyes. Her struggle with English is apparent. "Zhou cannot tell Mister Maurice. We... we do not go into house." "Heidi!" cries Hans. "Was! Sie können nicht erklären ihnen. Sie glauben uns nicht. Stoppen Sie dieses. Herr Maurice verliert unsere Beschäftigung!" "Ich muss! You need..." she looks at Hans, "Erklären Sie ihnen." Hans sighs. "Years ago. We were hired by Mister Maurice. I vas verking on ze garden," he indicates a bed of weeds by the statue of the mariner, "and Heidi vas scrubbink ze tile near ze doors," he points to the stout oak front doors. "She runs screamink into my arms." "ein geist, ein erscheinung." whispers Heidi. "The woman, she vas on the stairs." "I checked as soon as she vould let me, but I zaw nassing. I haf never been able to get Heidi to go inside zince. Neizer of us haz. I trim vat I can outzide, but we do not go in. If Mister Maurice finds out, he will let us go." Hans looks shaken, but at the same time, as though a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. His arm is around his trembling wife. "Eets not like Mister Maurice comes here. He has not been back since he hired us." |
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Post by B:L on May 8, 2009 13:55:05 GMT -5
HENRY
(Shines the light on the greenhouse door to see if it's locked,
glances around to see if anything looks important or out of place,
then returns back to meet up with Daniel.)
Whatever happened to the plan to stick together? Where'd they go?
(Sees them chatting with Hans outside.)
Hm. If we don't have the key to the drawers, let's ask Hans first
if he has them before we try anything else. This place is a mess
but we wouldn't want to be breaking anything still.
(Heads out to ask Hans about smaller keys for these locks.) |
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Post by Wildcat on May 8, 2009 14:00:29 GMT -5
Benjamin nods his head sympathetically. "I think I can say that we will not tell Mister Dubois if we can avoid it." Turning to Heidi he asks gently, "Can you remember anything specific about what - about who you saw?"
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 14:01:10 GMT -5
HENRY
(Shines the light on the greenhouse door to see if it's locked,
glances around to see if anything looks important or out of place,
then returns back to meet up with Daniel.) It's tough to get a good look about the game room while standing from the dining room with just a flashlight, and Henry concludes the door to the greenhouse, or possibly a small room between the game room and the greenhouse, is an outdoor door complete with a doorknob lock. Benjamin nods his head sympathetically. "I think I can say that we will not tell Mister Dubois if we can avoid it." Turning to Heidi he asks gently, "Can you remember anything specific about what - about who you saw?" Heidi's eyes widen as she recalls the situation. "Vite. Her hair vas vite. Her dress vas vite. Her face was... she... she laughed." Heidi looks uncomfortable. Hans appears stern, "no more sir." Daniel follows Henry out to where Roger and Benjamin, now joined by David, are conversing with Hans and Heidi. Henry asks about smaller keys, but Hans puts on his hat and states he only has the keys to unlock the house, some basic interior doors for cleaning access, the gate and shed, but certainly not anything else. He's willing and available to provide keys to any doors he can, except the gate key, as this has been stipulated by the letter from Maurice. Daniel holds up the keyring, and Hans explains that those are more than he has. Thunder cracks loudly across the heavens, and wind begins blowing as the sky darkens considerably. The front doors swing shut with an audible click. The shutters Roger opened slap slowly against the mansion walls. The clouds above flash with lightning. It doesn't feel safe out here. The time is now 11 : 55 AM |
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Post by B:L on May 8, 2009 15:20:45 GMT -5
HENRY
(Looks up at the glooming sky and steels his nerves at the unease.)
Ah, tea time, I suppose. Well if the apparation was as white as
she claims, then it probably has nothing to do with the Pennacook
Indian tribe. I didn't see anything out of place in the Billiards room
except for a door that leads to the Greenhouse. What do you
think, Gents? Explore the manor further or check out some other
places on the grounds? Hans, do we have the key to the toolshed?
It seems quite odd to me that it is locked and in the back. |
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 15:52:45 GMT -5
HENRY
Hans, do we have the key to the toolshed?
It seems quite odd to me that it is locked and in the back. "I do not know if you haf ze key, but you vill not need it. I keep it unlocked," admits Hans. "Zere is notink uf value zere, unt I may haf to get a tool ven I do not haf ze keys on me." Heidi looks up at her husband, "Wenn sie herum gehen werden, fragen Sie sie, sich Klaus zu verfangen." Hans clears his throat. "If you are going to walk the grounds as you say, if you see a gray cat, please catch it for us. His name is Klaus." |
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Post by B:L on May 8, 2009 16:11:59 GMT -5
HENRY
(Runs his hands through his hair.)
A cat? That's certainly not part of the job description. Sure, we'll
help you, but in return we would like any additional information
about this haunting that we're investigating for Mr. Dubois. You
never told us about the white woman before and I don't want any
more suprises, understood?
(Claps his hands together.)
Now, about Klaus, is he a good cat? Or would we need something
that he likes to call him to us or something like a net? Does he
have a collar to identify him by? |
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 16:24:10 GMT -5
HENRY
(Runs his hands through his hair.)
A cat? That's certainly not part of the job description. Sure, we'll
help you, but in return we would like any additional information
about this haunting that we're investigating for Mr. Dubois. You
never told us about the white woman before and I don't want any
more suprises, understood?
(Claps his hands together.)
Now, about Klaus, is he a good cat? Or would we need something
that he likes to call him to us or something like a net? Does he
have a collar to identify him by? Thunder explodes overhead, as Heidi shrinks back from Henry's overly-zealous approach. "Zere is nozzink more to zay about der geist," announces Hans, protectively. "Mit Klaus, he is a cat. He has been missink for a couple weeks. If you zee him, please be kind to let us know. Heidi and I vill be gettink out of de comink rain now, ja?" |
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Post by B:L on May 8, 2009 16:43:34 GMT -5
HENRY
It was a dark and stormy afternoon? Ridiculous, that does not
prose well at all! Well, shall we get the umbrellas out from the
automobiles and continue our investigation, or try and find Charles
to see if he has any additional insight? I didn't imagine that we
would be getting our shoes muddy, but that's the way twists go. |
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Post by Mr. Embark on May 8, 2009 19:43:10 GMT -5
After his attempt to open the desk Daniel resigns and walks back to the living room to check on the set up.
Noticing all the gear set out and David not around Daniel rummages for a snack then heads outside to join the others.
11:50
So gents, looks like the weather isn't going to favor us today" Daniel says as he looks up into the sky.
"Best we close the windows and pick a spot to stage our gear."
Daniel turns and looks back at the house "We really should make sure about what's in the rest of that house"
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Post by Obbi on May 8, 2009 20:28:03 GMT -5
"The Germans have a lost cat that they want us to find. I don't think we'll be finding it in this storm."
Roger walks back into the mansion, and enters the Foyer. He wonders what time it is, and decides to wipe the dust off the face of the Grandfather Clock to see if it still functions properly.
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Post by Squashua on May 8, 2009 21:37:56 GMT -5
Noticing all the gear set out and David not around Daniel rummages for a snack then heads outside to join the others. |
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Post by B:L on May 8, 2009 21:50:07 GMT -5
HENRY
(Brings in a few umbrellas.)
Might as well be prepared if we're staying a bit longer. It's going
to get pretty dark soon, is there any other source of lighting we
can use, without burning the house down? |
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Post by Squashua on May 9, 2009 0:28:41 GMT -5
Noticing all the gear set out and David not around Daniel rummages for a snack then heads outside to join the others. Daniel pulls a wax paper-wrapped buttermilk biscuit out of the pack, and steps outside, idly biting into the hard rock, almost breaking a tooth. Uch. He looked at the stiff dough, slightly wet from his saliva. He had picked these up at the cafe in Exeter earlier today and they were just fine then. Daniel threw the biscuit outside and checked for a second. It was also stale. As were the other eight. Disappointed, stomach slightly growling, he trudged off to the rest of the group. Roger walks back into the mansion, and enters the Foyer. He wonders what time it is, and decides to wipe the dust off the face of the Grandfather Clock to see if it still functions properly. Using a cloth from one of the packs, Roger wipes off the clock face, revealing the roman numerals. It's no longer ticking as it had been earlier. The time it is stopped at is 4 : 57. He absently sets the correct time, reaches down and starts the pendulum swinging. The clock is now ticking. HENRY
(Brings in a few umbrellas.)
Might as well be prepared if we're staying a bit longer. It's going
to get pretty dark soon, is there any other source of lighting we
can use, without burning the house down? There are several fireplaces, at least on the first floor and presumably on the upper floors. Tinder and logs have been found set in each fireplace located so far. Shutters can be opened while the windows stand closed. The equipment Daniel has brought includes lanterns, some of the rooms have lanterns and candles in them, and there are a few electric torches. |
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Post by Oats on May 9, 2009 0:31:00 GMT -5
11:55[/size]
Hearing the storm brewing, Charles looks up and mutters, "Bloody hell, what's this? Pathetic fallacy?"
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Post by Squashua on May 9, 2009 0:36:42 GMT -5
[/size] Hearing nothing while his head is buried in the book, Charles says nothing.[/quote] Fixed that for you.Time: 1 : 35 PM"I'm sorry about how I reacted earlier," apologized Florence to her customer. He'd been munching away at the sandwich, apparently content with his lot in life. "I just know that a fine man like yourself shouldn't need bother himself with the Dubois land. That home's stood empty for years now, except for the housekeepers of course. I don't know how they can bear it being so close to such a notorious home. But that's neither here nor there. You said you're from Boston? I heard you had rains all last week. We haven't had a lick of poor weather up here all month." |
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Post by Wildcat on May 9, 2009 9:22:49 GMT -5
Benjamin waits to confirm that the keepers have hurried away, then grabs the remainder of his equipment from the truck and hurries inside.
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Post by B:L on May 10, 2009 2:21:01 GMT -5
[Product Placement]
HENRY
(Laughs at Daniel's poor bisquit experience, and hands him a
good friend of investigators, a Baby Ruth candy bar.)
Simple as it seems, investigating is fatiguing. Many people, in fact,
have been known to "fall asleep on the case" - which is dangerous.
If you get tired, while searching, look for a Baby Ruth, the big
delicious candy bar rich in pure Dextrose, the sugar your body uses
directly for energy. Baby Ruth is fine candy. You will enjoy it - and
its food energy will help you fight fatigue. Baby Ruth is sold everywhere,
one delicious bar of Baby Ruth candy is only 5 cents!
(Takes out his own bar, unwraps the top, and takes a big bite,
before smiling and showing the logo on the bar.)
[Product Placement] DANIEL (MR. D)
Uhh... Thanks, Henry. HENRY
No need, just fulfilling my contractual obligations. Now that I'm
energized for anything, let's find some clues.
(Takes the open glass sphere and empties it out on the nearby
sofa, taking care not to drop it.)
I normally wouldn't ask this, but do any of you have the training
and dexterity... and tools, to open these smaller locks like that
one drawer over there? I'd bet we'll find something important! |
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Post by Obbi on May 10, 2009 3:09:54 GMT -5
"If you're looking for something off, this clock's been giving me the funny business" Roger gruffly says as he stares down the clock.
"I swore I didn't hear it when we entered, then it started ticking once all of us were in. Then, it stopped, and I've got it ticking again. Something's wrong with it, but I don't know if it's just faulty from age, or if there's something in here causing it to quit working."
Roger rubs the back of his head, feeling a mild irritation. "Maybe I'm just paranoid, but an old rich family like this would've presumably have bought one of the finer crafted clocks. Unless it's been accidentally damaged, I would venture a guess to say somebody has been in this house after those Germans refused to come back in here."
Roger looks at Benjamin "Another one of those things I'd ask Hans, I suppose. You got another one of those nut bars, Henry?"
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Post by B:L on May 10, 2009 3:30:29 GMT -5
HENRY
Sure.
(Hands Roger a nut bar.)
Anyone else want my nuts? The lock I already asked Hans about,
but he doesn't have the keys and he wouldn't be too happy to
come all the way here in the coming rain. The clock was definitely
ticking when we first came in here though, so don't let fatigue get
to you. Boost up with the Dextrose found in Baby Ruth candy bars! |
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Post by Squashua on May 10, 2009 13:12:39 GMT -5
Missed opportunity...
[Product Placement]
DANIEL (MR. D)
Oh, Henry. Thanks.
HENRY
frowns
Wrong!
[/Product Placement]
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Post by Oats on May 10, 2009 13:23:59 GMT -5
[/size] Hearing nothing while his head is buried in the book, Charles says nothing.[/quote] Fixed that for you.Time: 1 : 35 PM"I'm sorry about how I reacted earlier," apologized Florence to her customer. He'd been munching away at the sandwich, apparently content with his lot in life. "I just know that a fine man like yourself shouldn't need bother himself with the Dubois land. That home's stood empty for years now, except for the housekeepers of course. I don't know how they can bear it being so close to such a notorious home. But that's neither here nor there. You said you're from Boston? I heard you had rains all last week. We haven't had a lick of poor weather up here all month."[/quote] Ignoring her blather about the weather, Charles begins "Oh, quite alright, miss. Truly, you have been wonderful. As beautiful as any Florence, and twice as hospitable. If I may make one imposition, however; could you point me in the direction of the Dubois manor? I am a man of my word, and if nothing else will at least be turned around by a locked gate." Leaving some money, and a large-ish tip, Charles decides to walk to the manor, in hopes of meeting up with his cohorts who happen to have much of the supplies. |
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