Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings

Romantic Horror, London, circa 1800

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Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings

Post by VictoriaSilverwolf »

Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings; Or, The Purloined Feline

With a single tear falling from one of her soulful eyes, Georgina informs the party that her pet Artemis, a long-haired calico cat, has not been seen for several days. As the pampered brute is not often away from the company of its mistress, this is a source of some dismay.

"I fear some harm has come to dear Artemis," she says softly. "I know it is a matter of no great importance to any save myself, but if you should happen to come upon the sweet creature, pray be so kind as to inform me."

Meanwhile, Miss Ravenscroft having made her own discreet investigations, is of the opinion that the elixirs could not have been stolen by anyone outside the household; nor does it seem likely to her that any of the ordinary servants could have been responsible.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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When the adventurers are next alone, William offers the opinion that "Certainly there are ordinary dangers enough for the cat to be missing of its own accord, but coupled with Miss Ravenscroft's missing preparations, I am not inclined to pesume coincidence. And if the animal has indeed been stolen, the only two motivations that occur to me are to cause pain to fair Georgina, or to subject it to a dose of Miss Ravenscroft's preparation. Could it be the... William's face betrays how this suspicion goes against his grain, "entity that speaks to the twins through their doll? It seems malign enough for the first, and insightful enough to instruct the girls as to the second."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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"Oui, oui, un excellent theory, Capitaine," Vincent replies. "Shall we speak with les enfants?"
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

Post by jp1885 »

OOC:   Holiday wifi is working, yay!  
Lepus agrees, surreptitiously pinning the rune he copied from the walls of the cave onto his coat (charging it up with magic if it so requires).
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Image

"An excellent suggestion," says Henry. "The twins do have the run of the house, and they're clever enough to have gained access to the laboratory - though not clever enough to have made the concoctions themselves. I can easily imagine them taking the cat to make it larger or smaller."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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It having been made clear that the adventurers wish an interview with Julia and Juno, this is arranged through the offices of Miss Rye, their governess, who remains present. She appears to be in a pleasant, albeit quiet, mood herself, making remark that the twins have been well-behaved of late. When questioned concerning the whereabouts of Artemis, the girls deny all knowledge.

"We do not--

"play with her because--

"she makes us--

"sneeze."

"I can confirm this, gentlemen," Miss Rye says with a slight smile. "As is not uncommon, the fur of cats induces redness of the eyes and the production of tears, as well as fits of sneezing, in the children. Miss Georgina being most considerate of the welfare of her sisters, she has been careful to minimize their contact with her little pet. Was there anything else, sirs?"
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Do the twins have the doll with them?
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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"Well, thank you," says Henry. "When and where did you last see Artemis? We need somewhere to start the search."
OOC,I don't think they ever go anywhere without the doll.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Lepus watches the twins and their governess to see if the rune has any effect on them. Then he covers the rune with his hand and observes any changes in their demeanour.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

Post by VictoriaSilverwolf »

SunlessNick wrote:Do the twins have the doll with them?
Noting that William's interest is drawn to the twins' plaything, Miss Rye smilingly makes remark that allowing them to retain it at all times has a remarkably salubrious effect upon their demeanor.

"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Mr. Handy wrote: "Well, thank you," says Henry. "When and where did you last see Artemis? We need somewhere to start the search."
Juno and Julia look at each other for a moment, then at Poppy, as if expecting answer from the poppet, then return their gaze to Doctor North and shake their heads in unison, apparently denying all memory of their last encounter with the cat.

"Anyone who is familiar with the ways of cats," Miss Rye says, "will know that their wanderings are not to be predicted. However, it seems likely that the little beast has gone in pursuit of vermin, its natural prey. Perhaps into the kitchen areas, or the stables, or the kennels? It is there that one is likely to find such small creatures as Artemis is fond of devouring, my Lord."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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jp1885 wrote:Lepus watches the twins and their governess to see if the rune has any effect on them. Then he covers the rune with his hand and observes any changes in their demeanour.
Whilst conversation proceeds, Lepus recalls that the runes are meant to ward off restless spirits; id est, the souls of the deceased who are still bound, for whatever reason, to the mortal plane. Close examination reveals no changes in the behavior of the children. Whatsoever preternatural effects may be present, it seems that they do not involve anything ghostly.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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"I think we should check the kitchens first," says Henry. "Cats don't like dogs much, so it's less likely Artemis went to the kennels. The kitchen servants may have seen Artemis, and if we find no trace of the cat there, we can check the stables next."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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VictoriaSilverwolf wrote:"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."
"Poppy has been keeping you out of mischief, then, girls?" asks William of the twins.
Last edited by SunlessNick on Mon Jun 03, 2019 5:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Feeling vaguely foolish, Lepus shoves the paper back into his noisome coat as Miss Rye speaks. As William addresses the twins, the wanderer concurs with Henry.

"Aye, cat and dog seldom dance the same jig, yesno? Mayhap the pampered beast has gone a-hunting in the kitchen or a-scrounging in the pantry."

He grins a decidedly evil grin.

"Or, hehe, a-courting a handsome mouser from below stairs, hmm?"
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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SunlessNick wrote:
VictoriaSilverwolf wrote:"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."
"Poppy has been keeping you out of mischief, then, girls?" asks William of the twins.
With occasional interruptions for fits of giggling, the two girls make replay in their usual eccentric manner of speech.

"Oh, we are--

"not so naughty as--

"Papa says we--

"are. We shall--

"have great--

"fun when Poppy's--

"friend comes to--

"call. Then we shall--

"do as we--

"please."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

Post by VictoriaSilverwolf »

Exploration of the kitchen reveals that it is, as expected, a very busy place, morning, noon, and night, ruled over, as it is in any large estate, by Cook, who serves as the Caesar of the larder. She is an imposing figure, who might have gone into battles with Hippolyta during the Age of Myth. Cook states that she has often chased off the little thief, but some of the other servants, being of softer heart, have tossed it scraps of meat now and again. It has not been seen for some time.

"Might be the rats have scared it off," remarks one scullery maid. When others laugh at that, since such behavior violates Nature's design, she continues, "Saw a great one I did, with big red eyes. Like to have swallowed a cat in one bite, if had not run out the house."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

Post by jp1885 »

Image

Lepus twitches at the mention of theoversized rat. Another recipient of a missing potion perhaps?

"Did thou see where this rat scuttled off to? Hast thou seen any other creatures of unusual size?"
Last edited by jp1885 on Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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"Have the girls mentioned their doll having a friend before?" asks William while the investigators search the kitchen.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishi

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Henry listens for the response, thinking along the same lines.
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