A Funeral and a Wedding

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Some time after Ben Stokes is laid to rest in a plain grave, after a simple ceremony, a certain sense of normality returns to Collinwood, darkened as it is by recent sad events. There is little communication between the two mansions on the estate, which is thought best by all concerned. Barnabas and Angelique, bound in holy matrimony in a ceremony notable mostly for a lack of guests, save two hired witnesses and a traveling prelate from Boston, settle into a quiet life. Whilst Barnabas pursues a career in Collinsport as a humble clerk, his fame as a member of the Collins family offering him entry into such a position despite a certain lack of experience, Angelique settles into what appears to be domestic bliss, if reports be true.

The disturbing news arrives that a young woman, of that class of person often seen walking about the docks late at night, was found dead by foul play. Rumor has it that her body bore signs of both serious wounds and strangulation. All are warned by the local constabulary to avoid wandering about after dark. It is a matter of concern that the long hours during which Barnabas labors for his bread requires him to be in Collinsport long after the sun has vanished.

[SunlessNick]

Millicent,The necessary arrangements are made through the appropriate legal counsels, these residing in New York City, from whence Millicent has so recently arrived. Young Daniel being assigned this responsibility at a tender age, he proves to take the matter with the appropriate gravity. "I shall see to it that you lack for none of the necessities and reasonable comforts of life," he remarks, in a tone which cannot fail to amuse with its pretense of maturity. "Nevertheless, dear sister, I shall ensure that our inheritance is not squandered on frivolity." Although this promise may bring only a smile, considering the youth of its source, it proves to be based on a firm foundation, Daniel turning away from such childish amusements as draw the attention of carefree lads, and educating himself in the intricacies of wealth. Joshua, pleased by Millicent's wise decision to heed his advice, agrees to avoid mentioning Millicent's upcoming nuptials, the advent of which was let slip by Nathan during one of those intimate moments shared by gentlemen whilst under the influence of brandy and cigars. In return, he asks that Millicent say nothing of the financial arrangements to Nathan, lest the Lieutenant take it as a sign of mistrust in his own judgment.

Vicki,Millicent agrees to Joshua's request, albeit with an obvious reluctance born of her natural unwillingness to lie to her betrothed. Nevertheless, she will keep the promise.

She takes the news of the dead woman with characteristic grief, exclaiming that she hopes Barnabas remains safe at night in a town with such ruffians about.

[SunlessNick]

Josette,The curious music box continues to provide a degree of solace. There is something about its simple melody that leads one into flights of fancy. Perhaps it is the mere suggestion of the mysterious East, from whence the finely wrought object made its way across the oceans to the New World. Visions of unimagined places fill the mind while it plays, of strange lands and strange peoples. Sometimes one feels that one could enter into these worlds of dream, if only one knew how.

Those observing Josette will see that her melancholy had become laced with dreamy demeanour, as if her mind has been taken far away from the scene of her heartbreak. She rarely speaks to anyone, and is prone to taking long walks around the estate, alone.

Vicki,Though Josette knows that Joshua's offer to remain at Collinswood was made with only the most generous of motives, the house is no comfort to her. She takes the music box on her walks, and begins to imagine finding a portal she might step into and escape into a world where the happiness she lost might still be hers. [ooc]You said the suicide was up to me - I thought it would be interesting if she does step off the cliff, but not intending to die, but rather to step into her dream world.[/ooc]

[Mr. Handy]

The news of the young woman's murder frightens Victoria. While she isn't the sort to walk around town at night, that doesn't mean that the killer wouldn't strike in the house - or be from the house. The book hadn't said anything about this murder or others like it, but it had been largely inaccurate so far. She also worries about Josette being alone and brokenhearted, and she offers to accompany her on her walks.

[Mr. Handy]

Certain that this murder is the work of the devil, whether there is any supernatural element to it or not, Reverend Trask makes inquiries into it and offers to assist however he can. While the streetwalker was clearly a sinner, whoever murdered her was a worse one, and could easily kill again if not stopped.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Vicki,Millicent agrees to Joshua's request, albeit with an obvious reluctance born of her natural unwillingness to lie to her betrothed. Nevertheless, she will keep the promise.

She takes the news of the dead woman with characteristic grief, exclaiming that she hopes Barnabas remains safe at night in a town with such ruffians about.

In light of this terrible tragedy, Nathan entreats Millicent to prepare for the nuptials as soon as possible.

"You will not truly be safe until we are man and wife, living under the same roof," he explains.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst on one of her frequent walks, on a particularly mist-haunted, blustery day, Josette draws near to the edge of Widow's Hill. The site is famed as one of the most sublime viewpoints in New England. From the top of the cliff, one can observe the wild churning of the ocean far below, crashing into jagged rocks with such force that the roar of the waves is clearly audible. It is this sound, perhaps, which gives rise to the name of the place. Legend has it that the howling of the wind and water is, in truth, the lamentation of those who have lost their menfolk to the sea, themselves mere phantoms, doomed to mourn for eternity.

Be that as it may, on this occasion Josette, in a dream-like state, carries the music box with her, singing wordlessly along with its tinkling melody. Closer to the edge she walks, ever closer, to the alarm of Miss Winters, who has been sure to accompany her to this dangerous place.

Josette,I leave it up to you if you allow Victoria to rescue you without a struggle, or if you will fight her. As said before, if you die you will return as a ghost.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Certain that this murder is the work of the devil, whether there is any supernatural element to it or not, Reverend Trask makes inquiries into it and offers to assist however he can. While the streetwalker was clearly a sinner, whoever murdered her was a worse one, and could easily kill again if not stopped.

Inquiry of the constable yields the information that a man of prodigious strength -- surely not a woman! -- gripped the throat of the unfortunate victim with such power as to shatter the bones. As if this were not enough to induce certain death in an instant, the throat was torn open, leading to exsanguination sufficient to be fatal in and of itself.

[SunlessNick]

"You are right, dear Nathan. I shall delay the day no longer."

[SunlessNick]

The sound of the waves promises comfort to Josette, and she walks closer and closer, imagining a world where her pain will gone. Should any force try to impede her, she will pull away, crying, "Leave me be!"

[Mr. Handy]

"Josette, no!" cries Victoria, rushing to stop her from plunging to her death. She tries to grab hold of her to keep her from the edge and, seeing the hypnotic effect the music box seems to have on her, attempts to shut the lid of the box in order to stop the music.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Constable," says Trask, the information confirming some of his suspicions. Superhuman strength, and exsanguination, he thinks. Could it be the work of a vampire? "Exsanguination, you said? Was much blood found at the scene?" A vampire would have consumed as much of the blood as possible. If I'm right, there wouldn't have been enough of it left to account for all the blood in the victim's body.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"You are right, dear Nathan. I shall delay the day no longer."

Rewarding his betrothed with a delicate kiss upon the cheek, Nathan expresses much gratitude.

"We shall have the finest wedding Collinsport has ever seen!" he remarks with a grin.

Following tender moments between the two, Nathan goes into town, purchasing the finest jewelry and raiment for his intended. (Being a Naval officer, and known to be associated with the Collins, he is able to obtain these items upon credit.)

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Thank you, Constable," says Trask, the information confirming some of his suspicions. Superhuman strength, and exsanguination, he thinks. Could it be the work of a vampire? "Exsanguination, you said? Was much blood found at the scene?" A vampire would have consumed as much of the blood as possible. If I'm right, there wouldn't have been enough of it left to account for all the blood in the victim's body.

"Oh, no blood left to speak of, sir. The poor lass was found on the docks, you see, and it seems to me that it flowed into the ocean, to be lost in the water."

The fellow beams a little with pride at this clever deduction.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

battle of STR between Victoria and Josette. Both = 9. In that order:[dice]0[/dice]

Desperately struggling to keep Josette from hurling herself upon the jagged rocks below, Victoria is able to pull her away from the precipice. As she seizes the music box, its gentle melody seems to offer her visions of the time where she belongs. Shutting the lid ends these half-dreams, leaving only a pleasant memory behind.

[SunlessNick]

Millicent shares the happy news with the rest of the household.

[SunlessNick]

The strange draw of the waves abated, Josette falls to her knees, sobbing. "I just want to be free of this!"

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria kneels beside Josette and gives her a hug. "It's going to be all right," she assures her. "It was the music from the music box that made you do it, the one Angelique gave you." Give me a transistor radio any day over that thing, she thinks. "I think she meant you harm."

[Mr. Handy]

Even if the blood had drained into the sea, there'd still have been some blood, thinks Reverend Trask. But a bloodthirsty vampire would make sure not to spill a drop. He knows better than to correct the constable, however. "Was anything found at the scene? Were there any witnesses?" he asks.

[SunlessNick]

"But why should she harm me?" Josette wails. "I have done her no wrong. I have not stood in her way. I do not belong in this life now - I am but a ghost already."