Chapter 5: An Interview with Asenath

[HoneyDog]

Tuesday February 26, 1929 7 pm

Crowinshield House, High St., Arkham

Asenath’s house is located just outside of town, where she lives with her husband Edward Darby.

Pulling up to the house at the appointed time, it is plain to see that the house has been recently renovated, as the façade looks quite new. Despite an attempt to modernize the place, it gives off a disquieting and unsavoury air, as if it is the depository of something dark.

The companions leave Isadora’s car and ring the doorbell. The door is presently answered by a large and very ugly young lady, whose eyes bulge unseemly. There is a distinct smell of fish about her.

“Miss Asenath is expecting you” she says, grinning in an unfriendly way. “Follow me”.

She leads the way down a corridor decorated with standard-looking art to a study room. Inside, Asenath, resplendent in a black gown, is sitting on cushions on the floor. The room is dark and lit by candles, which illuminate a bookshelf stocked with books. A writing desk is against the corner, there are sofas and chairs, but Asenath doesn’t invite anyone to sit down. Asenath looks very beautiful in the dim light, but her eyes are cold and hard.

“Did you bring it?” she says, with no preamble.

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora steps aside and lets Alice come forward with the bracelet. She leans against the bookshelf, casually glancing at the spines, trying to make out a few titles in the dim light.

[Mr. Handy]

Alice steps forward, the wrapped bracelet in her hand. "Yes, I have it," she says. She goes over to the desk and places it on the surface, then carefully unwraps it without touching the bracelet.

[HoneyDog]

Isadora,There is a variety of titles, but Isadora would need to spend more time and attention on examining them. She won't have the chance.

Asenath gets up and crosses over to the table. She picks up the bracelet and holds it close to her face, examining the detail of the carvings.

“Yes” she says impassively. The bracelet disappears into the folds of her gown. “Do not worry, I don’t need it for very long. It will be returned to the museum this week. I trust that no-one was informed about this?” she asks.

She looks around at the companions, as if noticing them for the first time. As she stares at them, they begin to feel as if her gaze is looking directly into them, and something is beginning to tug at their minds.

Everyone,Roll Pow x5. You’ll learn the consequences if you fail.

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael
POW x 5 = 65
[dice]0[/dice]

"We kept our side of the agreement," Isadora says, trying to fight the uncanny effect of Asenath's gaze.

[Starspawn338]

OOC,Pow x 5 = 80 [dice]0[/dice]

Harrison steps forward. "I don't believe that we should let this piece out of our sight. You said you wanted to examine it, not keep it for the week."

[innsmouth]

Spoiler:

Henry Pow x 5 = 65 [dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Once again Alice is able to withstand Asenath's piercing gaze.

OOC,POW x 5 roll (65% stat) talking to [b]Asenath[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Asenath’s gaze finally rests on Isadora, and stays there for a long time.

Isadora,Isadora feels a strange sensation, as if she is suddenly outside of her body, looking in. Roll SAN! If you fail, lose 1 SAN.

“You’re lying” she says finally, and although her tone is neutral, there is a hint of menace in her voice. “I suspected as much anyway. I didn’t believe that any of you would have had the sense to keep my name out of it. No matter.”

She turns abruptly, resuming her place on the cushions and regards the companions again.

“I need to keep the bracelet to examine it, Mr Franklin” she says coolly. “Please don’t concern yourselves, I have no need to steal or sell it. But if you want to talk to me about Frank Charlton, that is the situation. Now, do you agree or do you insist on wasting my time?”

[Mr. Handy]

"You didn't mention that as part of the arrangement," says Alice, "but very well. I agree."

[HoneyDog]

“Good” says Asenath, relaxing into her cushion. “So, what do you want to know about Frank?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Let's start with anything you know or suspect about who killed him and why," says Alice.

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael
SAN 65
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora shudders as Asenath violates her mind... But she keeps it together. She waits for just how Asenath will answer their first question.

[HoneyDog]

“I don’t know who killed Frank. I can conjecture why though. Frank’s…role, in our group, was to initiate new members. He would choose likely candidates from among those who profess admiration for us. He was witty and cruel, in equal measures” Asenath states, almost admiringly. “He was merciless with his scorn, and so made enemies easily. Several would-be supplicants to the group were…” she pauses, “humiliated, to put it lightly.”

She stops, regarding the investigators with her strange, luminous eyes.

[Mr. Handy]

"Who are these supplicants?" asks Alice, thinking that whatever Frank had done to them was probably a lot worse than the hazing that fraternity pledges suffered.

[HoneyDog]

“I don’t remember such details” says Asenath dismissively. “Only one of them sticks in my memory. His name was Claude Owen. I remember him because he told me that his powers were as great as mine. Unlikely, to say the least”. She snorts derisively.

[Starspawn338]

Harrison interjects. "I'd still like to know what examinations you'll be doing to the bracelet. Are you testing the metal or trying to decipher the symbols?

[HoneyDog]

Asenath’s head swivels and she focuses on Harrison. She speaks slowly.

“I’m not going to discuss the bracelet with you. You came to talk about Frank Charlton, so we will talk about him, and then you will leave. I hope that is clear. If it is not, you can leave now. Do you understand?”

[Mr. Handy]

"I understand," says Alice. "Is there anything more you can tell us about Claude Owen? Also, what do you know about how Frank Charlton knew Vittoria Nangelo and why he might have wanted to harm her?"

[HoneyDog]

“I only know that Claude was a medical student, an undergraduate. I don’t know Vittoria Nangelo, and I don’t remember Frank ever talking about her.”

Asenath suddenly stands. “Elspeth!” she calls.

The female servant appears at the door.

“My guests are leaving, please show them out”.

To the companions, she says “That’s all I know. It’s time for you to leave now”.

Elspeth waits expectantly.