Cassandra

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Sharing this information, it becomes clear to both that there must have been some other reason for the delay in setting off for the mainland.

In response to Victoria's statement, Sky says "Well, Angelique and I are still here, so I don't know who else would be heading for the mainland. Uninvited tourists, maybe? It's a gorgeous place, after all."

Angelique finally makes an appearance, as it is now the late afternoon and the sun is fairly low in the west. With the light not directly shining through the mansion's picture windows, which face east, to offer a fine view of the sea, she is able to tolerate it, it seems, although she wears wraparound sunglasses and looks rather pale.

"Are our guests staying, Sky?" she asks. "How delightful. I'm sure they'd love to explore the shore before sunset."

Are they staying? It is not completely clear what would be the wisest option.

[Mr. Handy]

Seeing that Angelique is able to endure some sunlight, Victoria realizes that she is not a vampire, or at least not yet. "What do you think, Maggie?" she asks. "Should we stay a little longer?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

2d20

While walking along the shore as they make up their minds, both women notice a place where there's a wooden stake, partly hidden among rocks, where there are tell-tale marks revealing that a rope has been used to tie up a boat. This is not the same place where the Portuguese captains lands; it seems to be a much smaller "harbor," and one that can't be seen from the mansion.

[Mr. Handy]

"That would be handy for slaying a vampire," says Victoria. "Angelique isn't one, as I had previously suspected, or she would not have been able to withstand the sunlight. But maybe she's in the process of being turned into one."

[SunlessNick]

"Maybe not all vampires are the same," Maggie says. "We don't know much more than we did before we got here - and people do know we're here at least."

[Mr. Handy]

"That's true," says Victoria. "I guess we can stay here a little longer then, and see what else we can discover. We can always use the radio to call the mainland."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Agreeing to stay at least one night at the mansion, the two women are treated as honored guests. The Portuguese boat returns to the mainland, with only its owner/pilot aboard.

Spoiler:

2d20

Both women spend a peaceful, restful night, with nothing to interrupt their sleep. The next morning, they find Sky bustling around the kitchen in casual clothing.

"Scrambled OK with everybody?"

Spoiler:

2d20

Angelique soon enters, as elegantly dressed and coiffured as during the evening. She seems bright and cheerful, with a glow in her cheeks.

"The usual, darling?" Sky asks.

"Yes, please."

Sky prepares her a Virgin Mary cocktail. He limits himself to black coffee.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, I'd love scrambled eggs," says Victoria.

[SunlessNick]

"Sounds great," Maggie says.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

After some idle chit-chat, Sky asks "Want me to run you two back to the mainland today? That Spanish guy--"

"Portuguese, dear," Angelique corrects him.

"--Portuguese guy comes and goes as he pleases. Don't want you to feel stranded here, although you're welcome for as long as you like."

While the women are thinking this over and discussing it between themselves, Angelique asks to speak to Sky in another room for a moment.

Spoiler:

2d20

You can hear just enough to tell that the two are having a heated argument, although they are trying to talk in whispers.

[Mr. Handy]

"What do you think, Maggie?" asks Victoria.

[SunlessNick]

"They're arguing," Maggie says quietly, stepping a bit nearer the door so she can listen (at the same time looking for something near the door she can pretend interest in - a painting if there is one, since her father is an artist).

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

A couple of rolls here, to see if you can hear anything important, and to see if you are discovered eavesdropping. You want low numbers. 2d20

Try as she might, Maggie cannot make out what the two are arguing about. In a few minutes, Angelique returns.

"Sky has the motorboat ready," she informs them. "He's got some boring business affairs to clear up in town. You're free to go along, or stay here and keep me company, as you like."

Spoiler:

2d20

It occurs to both women; why did Sky and Angelique both act as if they couldn't send their guests, and the workmen, back until the Portuguese captain's boat was ready to go, when he has his own?

[Mr. Handy]

"I wouldn't mind keeping you company," says Victoria. "We can leave whenever we want, after all, once he returns." It would be good to be able to ask her questions without her husband around.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Angelique seems quite pleased with this answer, and is ready to engage in some conversation.

"So what's going on in Collinsport? I so seldom get a chance to visit the mainland. Any good gossip about the Collins family?

[SunlessNick]

"A girl after my own heart," Maggie laughs. She sticks to regular, mildly embarassing gossip though, rather than the dark secrets she and Vix have encountered.

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria doesn't betray any confidences, saying only positive things about the Collins family. She does mention that she is living in Collinwood as David's governess.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I understand he's a bright, if rather troublesome, young man. That must be quite a challenge for you. Tell me, do you ever seen anything of their British cousin, what's-his-name, Bernard?"

[Mr. Handy]

"David can be a handful sometimes, but he's a delight to teach," says Victoria. "I've also seen their British cousin, Barnabas, from time to time."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Oh, yes, Barnabas. Such a quaint name. We must invite him over some time."

After some more talk, Sky returns in his motorboat. He walks in, greets everyone, and quickly grabs a cold bottle of mineral water from the wet bar refrigerator and gulps it down. His hair is wet with sweat, and his sailing clothes are grimy.

"Got that business taken care of," he says. "Been having fun while I was away?"

"Not as much as you did, I'll wager," Angelique replies, "with all those stocks and bonds and things."