IC-Ep 1-Ghostwriter(Story/Elizabeth/Lucius/Brook/Val/Elliot)

[jaysun81]

Story looks at Mr. Soames, "I'm Prof. Story and these are my associates...Elizabeth, Brook, and Lucius. We're here to not only meet you but hear what you have to say about old Dunwich." Smiles.

[Mr. Handy]

"Pleased to meet you all," said Virgil Soames. He gestured to the cat at his feet. "And this is my friend, Midnight."

"Mrow," replied the cat in response to his name.

Virgil stepped back from the door and to one side, Midnight following him. He spread his arm out to indicate the cottage's interior. "Won't you come in? It may get a bit crowded, but I think I can accomodate everyone. Shall I put on some tea?"

[yockenthwaite]

"Some tea would be lovely," says Elizabeth, smiling. "Thank you for making us so welcome."

[Thorn]

"Thank you," Brook smiles, and bends down to pet the cat before entering.

[Mr. Handy]

Midnight purred contentedly when Brook stroked his fur. He followed her inside. The rest of the group entered the cottage as well.

"You're quite welcome," said Virgil Soames. He led everyone through his living room, which had a good deal of antique furniture, including a sofa and two armchairs. There were also a television set and a phonograph, the latter of which was next to a shelf containing several records. The dining room was beyond an arch at the far side of the living room and contained a long oak table with six chairs, two at the ends and two on each side. A door beyond that led to the kitchen. "Please, sit and make yourselves at home. I'll go prepare the tea." Virgil headed to the kitchen.

[Thorn]

Brook takes a seat at the dining table, and pats her lap for the cat to jump up to her. Looking around the dining room curiously, she scratches Midnight's ears, then turns towards the kitchen. "Need a hand?" she asks, just because it was usually expected that the youngest lend a hand.

[yockenthwaite]

Elizabeth sits down at the dining table too, and looks around her with interest.

[jaysun81]

Story looked around as he entered, taking note of the phonograph he said to no one in particular. "Ah, a phonograph...very nice." He follows the group to the table and takes a seat. Upon hearing Brook ask if Mr. Soames needs assistance he smiles to himself; feeling proud to have such companions so eager to assist in even with simple tasks which are often taking for granted.

[Mr. Handy]

Midnight didn't hesitate to jump onto Brook's lap. He rubbed his head against her arm.

"Thank you, Miss," said Virgil. "i'd be glad to have some help."

"I can assist too," said Valerie. "I'm an old hand at making tea."

"And my thanks to you as well." Virgil led Valerie into the kitchen, while Elliot sat down at the table with Story and his companions.

The dining room contained more antique furniture. Aside from the table and chairs, there were a credenza and a sideboard, both made of mahogany with decorative inlays. A bronze chandelier hung from the ceiling above the center of the table, but it was not lit.

[ImpInTraining]

Lucius remained silent, offering a friendly smile when he was regarded in introduction or should anyone look his way... but he chose to remain quiet and observant. He took in the atmosphere of the man's house quickly before moving toward one of his windows to keep a look out for other 'visitors' that might be looking to intercept Story and his crew.

[Thorn]

Brook lets the cat down from her lap again, and heads into the kitchen to help.

[Mr. Handy]

Midnight jumped off of Brook's lap and followed her into the kitchen, where Virgil and Valerie were starting to prepare tea using an old brass kettle on an antique stove. The appliances here looked Victorian, much like most of the house's furnishings, except for a more modern refrigerator, which hadn't existed in those times.

"So, Mrs. Soames," said Virgil, "how did you hear of me?"

"Through a friend, Dr. Valerie Kirby," said Valerie. "She telephoned me from Dunwich and mentioned that there was a writer here named Soames."

"Ah, yes. I met her on Tuesday night when she visited me. She stayed here for dinner, and we had a lengthy conversation. Quite a lovely lady. Remarkable that you both have the same name. Also not a coincidence, I'm sure."

Lucius kept an eye out through the window, but there was no traffic on the road outside and nobody was visible in his field of view.

[ImpInTraining]

Lucius kept his ears on what conversation he could hear, but his eyes hardly strayed from their task of scanning outside. He would occasionally change windows for a different vantage point.

[jaysun81]

Story stands up and walks over to Lucius. Looking out the window he asks "What are you thinking my friend?"

[Thorn]

Brook tries to make herself useful, although the other two seem to know their way around the kitchen much better than her. She half listens to the conversation while searching for cups and sugar. "What kind of books do you write, Mr. Soames?"

[yockenthwaite]

Elizabeth looks over at Lucius curiously, then turns her attention back to the conversation around her, happy to listen quietly for now.

[Mr. Handy]

"I write books about the history of Dunwich, Miss," said Virgil Soames, "mostly focusing on myths and legends."

"Oh, how exciting!" said Valerie. "Is that what you and young Val discussed."

"In part, yes."

[ImpInTraining]

Lucius says to Story, "Someone doesn't want this fellow to have visitors. That person, or people... whatever the case... will either come here to confront Mr. Soames, or attempt to stop us from seeing him - not knowing they are too late. Worst case situation, they will realize we're already in here and try to silence the lot of us." He looked to the man and said, "I'm just not interested in being caught off guard." He looked back out the window and suggested, "Why don't you try to find out what you can from our host. Obviously there is some sort of puzzle to work out here. I'll let you know if someone comes."

[jaysun81]

"Very well." As Story begins to walk away he stops and turns towards Lucius once more. "Try to be a little more casual in your surveillance. You don't want to freak out our host or the others guests." Smiles and returns to his seat at the table. Looking at Elliot he says, "So tell me Elliot has either yourself or your aunt read any of the books by our host?"

[Mr. Handy]

"No, we haven't," said Elliot. "We only just found out about him a couple of days ago. Why are you expecting trouble? What do you mean, someone doesn't want Soames to have visitors?"