week 0 - day 1

[productions]

murder manor week zero



saturday

[Saturday begins much like Friday, with no further answers provided, and no means of escape. However, at 3 PM on Saturday, the old grandfather clock in the foyer begins to chime. From the foyer, the ballroom doors stand open, and the room is bright with sunshine. Soft, dreamy music plays from a radio inside.

Inside the ballroom, what seems to be a magnificent party is laid out. There is a buffet table laden with finger foods - vegetables and dips, finger sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and cheeses. Next to the table are glasses filled with wine, champagne, or juice. Most of the room is empty, with room to stand and talk, although towards the windows looking out on the courtyard are six tables with five place settings each, set for a larger meal.

And then there's a seventh table, at the back of the room, on which are thirty small notebooks. Inside, the notebooks appear to be some sort of album, with each page containing a picture of and information about your fellow guests.

After everyone has filed in, the doors shut and lock behind the final guest; the doors to the courtyard close as well. You'll have some time to talk amongst yourself, for it will be another hour of dining before anyone else appears]

This is an open mingle log for the welcome feast. Please tag one another. There will be NPC interaction in the post later in the day.

Setting
Information Cards

Comments

[productions]

[The woman laughs lightly; there's something very artificial in her upbeatness.]

Yes, darling, of course. And that's precisely what I'm here to do!

[inthebones]

[She can't recall the last time someone called her 'darling'. Susan affects a bland smile and a vaguely insipid tone just as artificial.]

Splendid. Go on, then, I'm simply faint from anticipation.

[productions]

And I will! But first, Susan, why don't you tell us how you felt upon arriving here. What sort of thoughts went through your head?

[inthebones]

Why, I imagine you can easily guess.

'Goodness me. This certainly isn't the room I went to bed in. And my, but isn't this nightgown ravishing. I wonder which kind stranger undressed me without my knowledge or consent in the middle of the night.'

And so on like that.

[productions]

Oh, Susan, you are too much. And how are you finding the other guests? Are you getting along? Any stand outs?

[inthebones]

We certainly have a motley assortment here.

[The questions were getting irritating, but as long as they brought her closer to this woman's explanation...]

But I rather think that whatever you have in mind, bringing along the child was unnecessary. Regardless of whatever 'skills' you might find intriguing, the girl can't be more than 10. I'm sure you could have found somebody equally talented on the other side of puberty.

[productions]

Ah, I see. So you fancy yourself the protective type?

We are getting a little off track, so I will tell you now, I did not bring you here. I am merely here to act as your hostess and to be a help to you if needed.

[inthebones]

[She won't bother clarifying that assumption if the woman was going to get to the point.]

I believe you were the one asking the off-track questions.

Very well, then. We've clearly been brought here for a reason. What are the requirements for our return home? What will you have us do?

[productions]

I'll explain everything to the group, dear, but there's no need to rush.

[inthebones]

...

Didn't you tire of making small talk only moments ago? You're being very trying.

Very well, then, shall we discuss your feelings now? How is it to be in the company of 30 odd individuals abducted from different dimensions?

[productions]

Susan, let me explain. The audience will want to get to know you. You'll want an opportunity to make a favorable impression, and this is it. Now, do you want to ask questions that will be answered in due time, or do you want to use this chance to show who you really are?

[inthebones]

...What?

[No part of that made sense to her.]

What audience? Are there people hidden in the awnings? Or scrying on us, perhaps? And why in the world should I care what they think of me - in the first place, it's quite rude to spy, and in the second, this is who I am, thank you very much, and I shan't change it to suit any mysterious obtruder watching me from underneath the furniture.

[productions]

Oho, this is precisely what I mean, yes. You needn't change yourself, I just wanted to see some liveliness! Our viewers need to understand what they have in someone like yourself.

[inthebones]

Oh, of course, liveliness, yes, you're asking the right person for that.

[haha death jokes]

Why don't you simply prod us with a branding iron and see how far we jump? I'm sure your audience will be vastly entertained.

[productions]

[She puts her hand to her mouth and laughs again.]

You will do just fine. Now, I'm to go say hello to a few others, and then it will be time for announcements and questions answered.

[inthebones]

[She has a feeling she's being laughed at rather than laughed with. Susan turns back to her seat.]

So glad to meet you, then. Don't strain a muscle smiling.

[Sometimes her wit was less witty and more petty.]

[productions]

[She'll walk off laughing to herself.]