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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Mar 11, 2011 16:49:27 GMT -5
I had no idea who half of these blondes were but it was easy enough to tell that they ranked higher than me and likely higher than my officious cousin, and questioning them in the middle of such a tense situation was only going to make all of us either a bickering bunch of biddy hens or dead if the people did come back. "I don't know if my cousin's in charge of anything or just insufferable," I said in a carefully bored tone of irritation to try and hide my own tension. I did know Andy probably as well as any of these other people could have claimed to if not better. "Let's just get out of here in as close to one piece as possible like the royalty suggests."
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Mar 11, 2011 17:20:09 GMT -5
"I don't even know the men," I said. "I had just met our hostess today, so why would I want to have her be taken?" Why did Liselle have to be so Gods damn annoying? She didn't even know me, so why would she say that I'm insufferable? If I was asked, it could just be due to her own feelings toward Uncle.
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Post by Rosalie de Merteuil on Mar 11, 2011 17:58:10 GMT -5
I could feel myself seething at the red-headed woman. Who did she think she was, bossing everyone around? And that little blond servant girl, so disrespectful. "How will next door be any safer?" I asked. "Do they have men-at-arms? What's to keep whoever took Comtesse Lefebvre from attacking the neighbors? I am sure that a large group of women appearing unexpectedly won't exactly go unnoticed from the street."
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Post by Victoire de Trevalion on Mar 12, 2011 12:48:09 GMT -5
I was starting to get rather irritated ... there was possible danger here and we were all clucking about like a bunch of hens. I'd had enough of it. "C'mon Noemi, I'm not standing about here arguing while Elua knows what is going on outside. The neighbor's house might be dangerous, but this place is dangerous for certain, and it makes no sense to stay here." I was still holding my sister's hand, so I was dragging her along as I started down the hall to where I assumed the kitchen would be. Most houses followed a pattern and it was usually not to difficult to discern where things like the kitchen and the bathing rooms would be, and at the very least we could arm ourselves until Charity showed us the passage of which she spoke. I had to be doing something, not just standing around, or I felt I might go mad.
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Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
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Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Mar 13, 2011 21:19:04 GMT -5
It was pretty easy to tell that the longer all of this took the more stressed and uncomfortable Victoire became, and as the discussion continued I listened on silently until my sister spoke, then started to walk away while leading me with her. She was right as far as I knew, and it probably would be safest to get out while we still could, but I still cast a glance back at the people we left behind as we made our way toward the kitchen. What would happen to them? I didn't slow down or pull against my sister's grip though and soon the hallways seemed to narrow, as they often did closer to the servant's quarters and the kitchens. I may not have studied architecture but I'd poked around enough houses to have noticed it before.
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Mar 13, 2011 22:17:30 GMT -5
I finally got fed up. I didn't feel like defending myself against these women that believed that they could have it mostly their own way. I followed two of the women, not holding myself high since I was naught but a simple duchess compared the rest of them. If the kitchen was located, I would easily arm myself with a knife. I didn't know about the other women, but I did have some knowledge of the blade. But I would be defending myself, not them.
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Post by Rosalie de Merteuil on Mar 13, 2011 23:04:01 GMT -5
Exasperated, I went to the window and looked out. There was no one in the front of the house. I went to the back of the house, where the kitchen was, and peeked out the little window. There was no one strange out there either, and I could make out my coachman, unharmed, having a smoke close to the stable.
I went back to the remaining women. "My coachman is unharmed and unperturbed," I said. "Suffice to say we will find all your servants in the same state. I will be walking out the back door to the stable. Any person who would like to follow me there, or would like a ride home, you are welcome to it."
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Post by Charity Delice no Lefebvre on Mar 14, 2011 11:16:53 GMT -5
I watched as within moments things went from bad to worse, some women leaving to find their own way, the Comtesse going to the window and flagrantly looking outside. I was fuming now. I may have been only a maid, but this was not their home, and to disrespect it and the situation thusly!
"The townhome belongs to Castiel de Bonnel. He is a decent man, from what I have heard,with a competent household and a trained seneschal," I explained. But if you deem it safer to go forth, then please, do as you desire. I myself will be joining the other ladies and heading out the side exit to the de Bonnel home."
***Note: To those leaving out towards the stable and the coach house, keep in mind there is a dead maid's body out there, along with a basket of scattered snacks***
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Mar 14, 2011 11:28:16 GMT -5
Oh, well, that changed the landscape a bit. "It's probably a bad idea to split up in any case," I replied nonchalantly even as I smiled a bit to myself. It would be good to see Castiel again, even given the current situation. Maybe living in the northern part of Camlach as a child had given me more steely nerves than I'd thought. But right now the most important thing was to deal with the situation. "Charity, you're welcome to stay with me while Andraiya is gone if you like, but let's go ahead and go. Do you need to lock up?"
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Post by Rosalie de Merteuil on Mar 14, 2011 17:38:46 GMT -5
At Castiel's name, my ears pricked up. "Castiel de Bonnel, I know him," I said. I'd noticed Castiel's home on my way in, but in the fray had not thought that he was our mysterious savior. "He is a good man, he will know what to do. I will follow you, Charity."
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Post by Victoire de Trevalion on Mar 14, 2011 20:31:13 GMT -5
Finally it appeared we were in agreement, and I found the kitchen and a collection of knives, which I began handing out to anyone who wanted one, keeping one back for myself. I wasn't sure what good these would really do, but I felt better for having one.
"All right, let's get out of here and see if this Castiel fellow can be of any help," I said at last, wondering what he would think when a bevy of women showed up at his house, armed and carrying a tale that would be sure to raise some eyebrows. I spared a bit of worry for our hostess, though I barely knew here, and I had to wonder what this was truly all about.
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Post by Charity Delice no Lefebvre on Mar 14, 2011 22:41:12 GMT -5
"No need to lock up," I said to Liselle as I took my knife and handed one to her and offered one to Rosalie, passing them down the line, "locking doors wont stop those who want to enter - they can just break the windows," I frowned, a deep frown, furrowing my brows. "How could this have gone so awry, all she wanted was to meet new people, and get into entertaining guests again," I mused, looking at the knife I had been given, small with a rigged side and a pointed tip. I brandished it, shaking my head. "So, we need to leave through that door ahead, it leads to the pantry, and then there is a another door through there that leads out," I explained. My voice was slightly shakey, but my steps were sure. I was just glad we were all in agreement and finally making our way out of this house.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 14, 2011 22:43:41 GMT -5
When the maid entered and broke the news, I stayed silent. Unlike all the clucking hens, I stayed calm. I suppose I had my training to thank for that. Going over to the fireplace, I armed myself with the poker, and followed my cousins to the kitchen, the heavy iron comforting in my grip. I may not have ever caused another physical harm, but if I had to defend myself or another one of these fools, I would.
Glancing out the window, I spotted the driver with his pipe and what looked to be a body on the ground. "Victoire, take Noemi and the others next door. I'm needed in the stables, there's at least one wounded," I told her, grabbing one of the smaller knives that would be useful to cut cloth for bandages. "Keep them safe." With that I opened the back door and left the false safety of the house, hurrying to the body. The coachman saw me coming with a puzzled expression, until I started snapping orders at him. He stood guard as I searched for a pulse. But I was too late, the elderly lady was dead.
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Mar 14, 2011 22:50:48 GMT -5
I found the kitchen after a minute or so of looking. Granted, not my house, but until I was safe in the house next door, I wanted to be prepared if anything happened. I found a decent sized knife and retraced my steps back to the room where all the clicking hens were. If I didn't know better, I'd make sure they'd shut up and follow direction. But I did, and I wouldn't. Knife held loosely in my hand, I returned to the room and stood by the door to wait to leave.
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Princess Azabel de Somerville
Royal (Manager)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Somerville *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Posts: 2,048
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Post by Princess Azabel de Somerville on Mar 14, 2011 23:44:28 GMT -5
Eluas breath, in a time of crisis there was more petty arguing and bickering than anything else. I watched as the redhead attempted to bully her way into charge only to be knocked down, listened to silly arguments when danger should have had them all ducking their heads and running for cover. My gaze took the blond woman in who spoke most for getting her own carriage.. at least, that is, until she heard who owned the neighboring estate and apparently that was enough to change her mind instantaneously when rationality did not. That I was unimpressed with her was putting it lightly.
Making a mental note to get her name and home province later, I stayed silent and gathered my skirts, stepping quickly and lightly, frightened myself enough that I was quivering lightly. Now more than ever I wished Del was here, but he wasn't and I had to care for myself.
Having no hand for a knife, I picked up a marble rolling pin and held it close to my bosom, still not saying a word. I wasn't going to leave by myself; safety was in numbers at this point, not in harrying off alone.
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Post by Charity Delice no Lefebvre on Mar 15, 2011 14:27:59 GMT -5
With everyone gathered, and one leaving to go help the maid she said had fallen - oh Gods... a maid fallen - I knew who it was, who Andraiya had sent to give refreshments to the coach hands. I stiffled a whimper, and swallowed hard, though I could not help that tears sprang to my eyes. Everything was falling apart around me. Where these women could go home and sleep i nthe comfort of their homes, I would be alone... I would be here alone or in Castiel's house and Gods... it would be terrible. What if she never came back? My mind started to reel and I grasped the doorframe for a moment for strength, taking a deep breath.
"Alright, let us go," I said, looking back among the women. My knees trembled but I would move forward. It seemed we had everyone and everyone had a weapon of choice. Opening the door, I peered out up and down the property and saw nothing moving, no men, no women, no one alive or dead, and I spotted down teh way in the very dim glow of an outdoor lamp, the rock and the vine covered area that would be the door. "The coast looks clear. Let's be quick," I said back to the ladies, loud enough they could hear but not so loud it would set anyone off to our existence.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 15, 2011 19:29:03 GMT -5
I watched as the group divided, but my attention was quickly taken by Sophie. I was taken by a sudden feeling of uselessness and hated myself more than I would have thought possible.
My feet started moving before I realized I’d made a decision. I followed Sophie outside and knelt beside her.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked her.
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Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
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Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Mar 15, 2011 22:16:56 GMT -5
This was all starting to seem more and more serious the more people went about gathering weapons as though they might actually have to use them. Was this a common thing here? For a moment I wished for the peace of Serenissima, where everything made more sense on most days, and I repressed as shudder as I watched my sister pick up a knife and tried to decide whether or not I'd do the same. It would be just as easy to accidentally cut myself or someone I didn't mean to with it, but since everyone else was there had to be some merit to the thought and I glanced at Victoire before I picked up a thin-bladed boning knife and held it at my side as we moved out. The idea of stabbing anyone- that's not what I did, I tried to avoid hurting anyone and anything I could, but if that's what had to be done I'd do it. This wasn't like an adventure at all.
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Mar 16, 2011 0:24:12 GMT -5
I followed Charity, and whoever else, to the door. The knife was still in my hand, but now ready in case I was attacked. I wasn't one of these royals who probably relied on others to protect them. Uncle had taught me well enough to protect myself. That was before events forced my hand into inheriting the duchy.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 16, 2011 21:59:30 GMT -5
I gently closed the eyes of the fallen woman. "Not here. But we need to check the rest of the stables. Follow me, and keep quiet," I told her, my voice low. We moved through the stables, keeping to the shadows, but there was no more spilt blood. I sent two of the carriage drivers for the City Guard, and then started to calm the horses, upset by the smell of fresh death. "You're good with animals right?" I asked Leyna.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 16, 2011 23:44:36 GMT -5
To say I was impressed by Sophie was a vast understatement.
“Yes,” I said calmly, turning my attention to the horses and to something I knew that I could do to help. Murmuring soft words and giving each a gently caress, I moved down the line, calming them enough so that they were no longer a danger to themselves or others.
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Post by Charity Delice no Lefebvre on Mar 17, 2011 9:31:34 GMT -5
I took a deep breath at the door.
"Alright, move quickly but lightly and keep your eyes open," I whispered softly, looking back at the women before I moved forward, crouching as I did, walking along the wall of the house towards the hiden door, my little knife at teh ready, just in case, but I heard no noise except the night as I stood across from teh doorway. I moved quicklly, going ahead to search under the vines with my hands to find the latch to unhook it and open the door a crack. I looked out the other side and asw nothing in the dim moonlight and the lights that lit the walkways, tall lamps leaving round circles of light over the ground. His townhome was bigger than Andraiya's, but not terribly so, and instead of passing through, I held the door open and motioned for the ladies to go through.
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Post by Liselle de Montblanc-Bonnel on Mar 18, 2011 8:30:44 GMT -5
If there was one thing you learned growing up in Camlach it was that most of the time silent attacks weren't really possible. People who invaded houses and snatched people wanted you running scared and off-balance so they were in charge. Maybe brigands in the City worked differently though and with an inward sigh I'd picked up a thin knife of some kind, mostly because it was the closest thing to a stiletto I could grab. At least that was something I'd held before and I would gut myself with it.
When Charity opened the door I looked through it and the silence was still pretty distinct, as well as the calm of the place. Either we were dealing with trained assassins from Ch'n who could move in the shadows, in which case we would be dead anyway, or there was nothing here. I was willing to take the chance though. "May as well not have royal blood spilled by them going through first," I said in an offhanded manner, tucking my hand with the knife behind my back so it was obscured by my gown, then gave Charity a raised brow. "Come by my house later if you need to." With that I straightened and stepped past the doorway and out from the wall about ten paces, then looked around carefully before glancing back at the others. "Let's go, shall we?" I really wanted a drink, and a stronger one than tea.
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Post by Victoire de Trevalion on Mar 18, 2011 20:47:33 GMT -5
I followed Charity while keeping an eye on Noemi. Two of the other princesses- our cousin included- decided to go their own way, but I was less concerned with what lay outdoors than with making sure that Noemi was safe. It was sad that a maid had been killed, and possibly other servants, but we were royalty, it was not fitting that we put our lives in danger with little hope of accomplishing anything.
I was rather impressed with Liselle, whom I had hardly had a chance to notice at the tea party before it went sour, when she offered to go first. It was rather brave, and I decided that it Noemi and I should go next. "Come on," I said, though I did make sure she was behind me. If the unthinkable should happen, at the very least I could give her the chance to escape.
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Post by Rosalie de Merteuil on Mar 20, 2011 18:11:53 GMT -5
I followed the two princesses, the lady, and the maid into the tunnel. It was chilly in there, and I walked awkwardly on the damp ground, hoping to all the gods that Castiel really would be at the other end, and that he would be able to help us.
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Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
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Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Mar 20, 2011 18:36:21 GMT -5
As we made our way through I followed Victoire and kept my arm in her grip without struggling, matching her pace easily enough and looking around carefully. The knife in my hand felt odd and distinctly wrong somehow and I wanted to drop it, but I knew that would make a loud noise as well as causing my sister to worry more. For now I'd just have to keep my grip and do my best, and hope I wouldn't actually have to use it. I told myself that I would if I had to but I wasn't too sure about whether or not that was the truth.
When we reached the end I watched what was going on ahead of me as the door was opened and the blonde girl stepped out, her hand held behind her like she was trying to hide the knife and the sunlight coming in. From what I could see outside it seemed calm and pleasant and I was glad to be away from whatever unpleasantness had made Sophie so upset outside of the other house. This place would be better, right? When Vicky decided it was time for us to go I followed her, taking a deep breath to stay calm. When I got home I wanted to take a long bath and curl up under my blankets afterward.
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Post by Alora d'Aiglemort on Mar 20, 2011 20:08:40 GMT -5
I stepped out after the two princesses and another woman. It seemed to make sense to have someone armed in front and back. I wondered who this Castiel was and if he would actually help us.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 21, 2011 2:23:14 GMT -5
Leyna was calming her side of the stable much faster than I was. She really was good with animals. Maybe it was the tension in my own body that caused the process to take longer with each beast. But I kept the poker propped up against the stalls, near at hand in case the kidnappers returned. Maybe I was keeping the horses spooked for longer, but I was rather spooked myself. I kept calm, but it was more through anger, now that I didn't have any patients to treat. Anger over the old servant's death. They could have knocked her out, but instead they killed her. I prayed that justice would come down upon the woman's killers.
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Post by Charity Delice no Lefebvre on Mar 21, 2011 10:02:57 GMT -5
Walking through and with alert eyes I walked forward, moving with quick light steps as we drew closer and closer to the house and hopefully someone who would be able to help and perhaps send someone to the guards to start a search for Andraiya. If any harm came to her I knew I would feel terrible. She was my benefactress, and if I was not so busy making tea and finding everything so entertaining, I would have answered the door and perhaps they would have taken me isntead. As much as I feared her an hated her at times, I would give anything to have replaced her and know that she would be safe.
The way seemed clear, our surroundings were quiet i nthe moonlight, and though everything was calm, everything also appeared so sinister to me - the bushes, the shadows - everything. I swallowed hard and kept moving, making our way as I stood beside Lisell. She whispered kind words to me and I turned to her with a forced smie and nodded, whispering thanks to her. I was greatful for her offer, truly, and would probably take her up on it if I still felt as afraid as I did now. I was hoping I could ask Duc de Bonnel for assistance to get a guard to search teh premises as well and ensure that the rest of the household was alright. We came upon the house at last, a side door within view, and I was unsure whether we should try our chances here or try the front door wher someone might hear us and be more readily prepared to accept us.
"Shoudl we go to the side door or to the front?" I asked, turning to Liselle, wondering what she would think. In all of this she did seem to be rather calm, and veryhelpful, and so I waited to hear what she had to say.
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Leyna de Somerville
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; Future Comtesse de Somerville; House Somerville
Posts: 5,711
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Post by Leyna de Somerville on Mar 22, 2011 0:15:37 GMT -5
I joined Sophie on the other row and then met her when the last horse had been calmed.
“What now?” I asked her, glancing around. “The guard should be here soon, yes?”
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