Play@YSDC

After receiving the invitation from Thaddeus Grant, you are excited to be going on the first voyage of a riverboat on the Thames, surely better than these so-called 'butterfly boats'. (see second post in handouts section)

On the day of the trip you scan the thick roiling clouds scud over the capital shedding their rain as they fly past overhead. You look out of your home's front window as you await your transport to Greenwich pier. Re-reading the missive again, you wonder to yourself which part of the night you are looking forward to the most ... is it the fireworks; the American Jazz-band; the fact that you are simply going to be there with the rest of the invitees; or does something else drive you to attend?

You arrive at the pier at between 7 and 7.30 p.m. and are pleased to be met at the bottom of the gangway by Thaddeus Grant himself.

"Hello there and welcome to my pride and joy! What do you think of her then?" Thaddeus intones whilst puffing out his chest. "Hopefully the weather will hold off at least for the display tonight This is my good friend Mr William Cunliffe, whose help tonight has been invaluable." You notice that William is looking somewhat exasperated as he checks your name off his list before handing you over to one of the crew-members to escort you to your cabin as another guest comes up behind you on the pier and so you hand your luggage to the crewman.

At the top of the gangway you are met by a man who introduces himself in a bluff manner as follows;-
"Good evening and welcome aboard. I am James Blunden, captain of this vessel." Your impression of Blunden is that he would rather be anywhere than here welcoming you aboard his ship.

The crew are all polite as they go about their jobs, if a little harried as they show you to your cabin before scurrying off to receive the next guest. As you pass through the reception area on the main deck you cannot but help being impressed by the lavish decor - this paddle steamer has been excellently appointed with the finest furnishings that can be bought.

Your cabins are located at the forward end of the Saloon Deck and some of you are slightly surprised and perhaps a little dismayed to learn that you possibly have to share a cabin with someone else. If you question one of the crew-members about this they will tell you that all the cabins are being utilised tonight and due to people being added to the guest list doubling up is regrettably unavoidable. On the way to your cabins the crewman points out the water-closets at the top of the stairs before leading you forward to your cabin. The cabins have been allocated as follows;-

• Hugo Bart and Henry Boles are housed in cabin #20
  Fr Edward Mason is lodged in cabin #21
  Albert Spenser and Tommy Jackson are housed in cabin # 22
  Cynthia Knight is housed in cabin #23
  Melisa May Higgins is housed in cabin #24

Your cabins are identically furnished with a bed, two wardrobes and two chests of drawers. If the room is being used by more than one person, then a second bed has been added, making the room slightly cramped, though not uncomfortably so. The cabins and wc's are as lavish as the reception area downstairs.

OOC:   Roll spot hidden please

Henry will, upon learning that he will be sharing a cabin, be anxious to make a good first impression with his roommate.
"Hello, Hugo Bart is it? Pleasure to meet you. I'm doctor Henry Boles, but most people just call me Henry."

Henry - Spot Hidden: 55,[dice]0[/dice]

Cynthia Knight is wearing a lightweight green summer dress, sleeveless and flowing, though she also wears a matching wrap to protect her from the weather. It is the fanciest outfit she owns. She doesn't often dress up, but she wants to make a good impression on Thaddeus Grant in the hopes that he will grant her access to any research materials he may possess. Of course, most men don't find her attractive, but the clothes will probably help. Only the horrifying creature that had attacked her had shown any interest of that sort in her recently, and that kind of attention she could do without. She knows she will never outshine Melissa, but she is okay with that. She is happy to be sharing this cruise with her best friend. She would have gladly shared a cabin with her, but being just across the corridor from her is good too. She takes a good look around her cabin.

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (55% skill) in the cabin: [dice]0[/dice]

Father Mason boards the riverboat with mixed feelings. He is sure to feel out of place, standing out in his religious clothes, maybe too old to enjoy parties and fireworks... and yet curiosity won, in the end. Why exactly was he invited? Plus, with everything that's been happening recently in his life, anything that can take his head off his problems is definitely welcome.

He is relieved to discover that he was assigned to a single room. After closing the door behind his back, he sits on the bed to rest for a few seconds, and finds himself reciting a quick prayer for a safe journey... Old habits never die, I guess, he thinks, smiling wryly.

Melissa arrives at the pier in a long form-fitting indigo dress wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a small bright yellow neck scarf. She approaches the gangplank with her valet, George, in tow lugging a rather large luggage trunk. As her valet passes the trunk to the crewmen, Melissa extends her hand to Thaddeus for a kiss, "Mr. Grant, Melissa Higgins. Charmed, I'm sure." She gives a warm smile to the Grant and Cunliffe, "I ever look forward to the party tonight, it will no doubt be the talk of the season." Upon noticing the aggravated Cunliffe she adds, "Cheer up darling, only a little more work before you can cut loose, am I right?" She laughs before heading into the boat towards her quarters, giving James Blunden only minor acknowledgement.

Upon arriving at her cabin, Melissa beings to put her things away hurridly, excited to meet her friend Cynthia in her cabin and get ready for the fireworks and party. She was sure that Cynthia was already on board, she was always such as stickler for being on time. However, something had caught her eye.

Albert Spenser exits from the taxi dressed warmly and carries a small suitcase.
He walks up to Thaddeus Grant shakes his hand and says, "Good evening Mr. Grant. Thank you so much for your invitation. This is a marvelous riverboat sir, simply marvelous!"
After being checked off the list by William he walks up the gangplank, hands his luggage to a steward, then greets the captain. "Well met Captain Blunden, very good to be with you on this cruise." Albert then proceeds to Cabin 22 to check out the cabin and to see if Tommy Jackson is there.

OOC:   I'm splitting the party up till you get together.

Henry, go to this thread,;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5857&p=186391#p186391

Cynthia, go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5858

Fr Mason, go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5859

Melissa, go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5860

Albert, go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5861

Hugo looks down at his watch as the cab speeds its way through the city, towards Greenwich. He smiles as his eyes cast over the white rabbit engraved on the inner cover with the message, Late again? Love V. A recent gift from his Wife Veronica, after another late arrival for Dinner.

He steps out of the cab as it pulls up at the pier head and admires the Louisiana Lady from the quayside, an outstanding sight amongst the usual river traffic and Hugo pauses to take several photographs with his new camera. As he heads aboard he is greeted and directed to his shared cabin.

Entering the cabin Hugo is greeted enthusiastically by the cabins other occupant,Dr. henry Boles, taking the proffered hand
“Pleasure to meet you Henry. Please call me Hugo”

Hugo, go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5862

Tommy Jackson rushes up the gangplank at nearly the last minute. He's still not sure why he got the invitation, but it's too good to pass up. Maybe this Grant bloke has seen him fight. Anyway, he packed a couple of decent suits (as well as his trusty pistol) and made his way here. Everything seems to be in confusion as the riverboat gets underway. Tommy notices he'll be rooming with an Albert Spenser. The name is familiar; just about anybody whose hobbies include firearms has heard of his work in munitions. Anyway, here we go!

Tommy, please go to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5864