[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

[comtessedevelony]

WHO: Herian, Anders, Issana, Velanna, Pam, Malcolm
WHAT: A series of disappearances in the Orlesian countryside has culminated in the vanishment of some of the Inquisition's own scouts. A team has been sent to investigate the estate of one Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney.
WHEN: Over the span of 4 days in the 2nd week of Harvestmere.
WHERE: Estate of Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney
NOTES: Trauma, gore, dark themes, homicide, pretentious wine usage, other things not labeled as to avoid spoilers.

Welcome to the Estate

It is a terrible misfortune, all these disappearances- but with a civil war on and all this strange Venatori and Red Templar activity- with the rifts in the countryside? People simply not appearing where they ought is a sad reality. Nothing to be done for it. That such an esteemed noblewoman has found herself unjustly accused simply due to her wealth and prosperity? Cannot stand. Comtesse de Veloney invited the Inquisition herself to investigate her manor and put the matter to rest- they are to be afforded all the cooperation and respect imaginable.

Even the mages. Even the elves.

They are met at the gate by a veritable delegation of footmen led by the Gardener and Tanner to see them inside and out of the stormy, dreary weather. Packs are secreted off to rooms (a lovely set of suites in the east wing if the Steward does say so herself), baths drawn (The Comtesse insists, it's been just dreadful and they've come all this way), and a lavish banquet prepared.

Comments

Night three, Pink Panther Re-enactment with Narcisse and then Mal and Inessa

[justice_is_blond]

It's time, he's decided. He's talked to some people, it's time to see what's down in the cellar, find the source of the lye, see if there's a lie involved, and so on. Anders rings for Narcisse.

[comtessedevelony]

Somewhat (though it is hard to tell) more sober than their last meeting, Narcisse answers with a spring in his step and a smile on his face- the customary bottle of wine under his arm. "Yes, Ser Anders?"

It may have slipped his mind, the sampling.

Just a touch.

[justice_is_blond]

Ser Anders. He doesn't know if he likes the title or it bothers him, but he decides not to dwell on it.

"I was thinking if the offer of samplings was still open, I'd take you up on it."

[comtessedevelony]

"...Andraste preserve me- It completely slipped my mind! I forgot to grab the key before coming here." The hand not holding the bottle of wine claps over his eyes in sheer mortification. "We will have to go to Valery's room and be quiet- can you sneak, Ser?"

So serious is this matter that he sets the bottle of wine down and motions for Anders to follow. "She is a heavy sleeper, it will not be difficult to get to the key."

[justice_is_blond]

Can he sneak. He's had other interesting challenges, it seems like it's time to try this. Maybe when he gets back, if he succeeds, he can tell Zevran he managed to be sneaky for once.

"Forgetting happens. Let's see about getting that key." He falls in step behind Narcisse, trying to be quiet and slipping Purrelden into her pouch. She knows to be quiet there. "I'm right behind you."

[comtessedevelony]

"I have done this many times, it will be simple." The fact that she never locks her own door is...concerning. But Narcisse always locks it behind him when he does this. There are but a few turns from the guest suites to the staff housing, he pauses near Valery's door, pressed up against it to listen.

"If she is snoring? We may enter."

[justice_is_blond]

Many times. That's... not encouraging. Narcisse sneaks around the mansion and steals keys? At the same time, he still seems harmless and Anders doesn't know what he really thinks about the normally drunk butler.

When they get to the door, he waits a moment and then tilts his head.

"...Is she snoring?"

[comtessedevelony]

"Oui, indeed. She works herself so hard, our Valery." He clucks his tongue, shaking his head. "Ah, well. At least she will sleep sweetly."

The door, he opens and slips inside. For someone more drunk than sober more often than not- Narcisse hardly makes a sound as he creeps to her nightstand. There is a moment where she snorts, snores- rolling over in her bed and he goes utterly still.

[justice_is_blond]

Anders sneaks forward, peering in the door and waiting for Narcisse to respond. It's hard for him to be quiet and still, but he's working on it, doing his best.

[comtessedevelony]

The whole key ring is swept up once the moment passes and it's back to the door, Narcisse holding a hand over his mouth to keep silent. Back to the hall and he closes the door behind him- taking the time to lock it. "See? Easy. I do it all the time."

[tactical_alert]

"That is hardly polite." Ohhhh boys you dun got caaaaaught. The hallways are dark, the new moon keeping any moonlight from windows, and in the gloom and the quiet, well, neither Anders nor Narcisse could have seen the hidden, lurking figure of the Seeker keeping watch over Valery's door. His voice is quiet, whisper-cold.

[justice_is_blond]

"I am a mage, Seeker. You can hardly expect those of us half-raised by the Circles to know how to behave politely. We just don't get that practice." He's just as quiet... but his voice is amused. He'd mentioned there was a secret cellar they were getting the key to, and isn't entirely concerned to be caught. If anything, it's a comfort. Narcisse knows someone else knows where Anders is and who he's with; it's a safety net.

[comtessedevelony]

"Merde-" Narcisse winces, peering back out to Malcolm. "I was just taking Ser Anders down to the winecellar to where we keep the special casks of wine. A private tasting, yes? There is no harm in that."

He does, however, look sheepish.

[tactical_alert]

And Anders knew that Malcolm would, in fact, be here, right here, on this night, specifically to see who was taking a very particular key. So really, the show is for Narcisse. "Then the Enchanters and Templars were hardly doing their duties, hm?" Teaching mages how to act in polite society is definitely something that should be in their base education, goodness.

"The middle of the night? You could not simply ask for the key to borrow during the day? Ah, I suppose they are afraid you might drink it all." He's noticed Narcisse has the entire ring of keys. And he'd locked the door. If they are to be out all or most of the evening, then perhaps the key thief will be thwarted. There should be thirteen still there; he's only been sitting before this room since Valery retired to bed, unless someone's come in through a window or secret passage directly into her room.

Unless it's all a lie and Narcisse is going to use The Key and lead Anders to The Door.

[justice_is_blond]

He could make a comment on what duties the Templars of Kinloch Hold were fixated on... but now is not the time for bringing up old hurts. Narcisse is clearly reacting as they would hope.

"I expect the butler of such an estate has a great deal to attend to until the middle of the night. He's been responsible all day, as have I, and now it's time to relax a little."

There won't be any relaxing until he and his kitten are safe and sound in the Kestral House again.

"This is all right, right, Narcisse? There won't be trouble for this?"

[comtessedevelony]

"A glass or two of wine never killed anyone-" For the first time since their arrival, (at least since his drunken accusation of Loupe), Narcisse wilts, humor dimming. He drinks. He knows he drinks too much but-

It helps him sleep. It helps him get through the day.

"No trouble whatsoever. Honored guests, such as yourselves, are often offered the special wine. We were a little ill prepared upon your arrival and did not bring them up. Now I shall."

[tactical_alert]

"Is that what we call responsible in Orlais?" Who's a bad cop? Malcolm is the bad cop. He motions in the dim to the key ring. "Take your wine cellar key and return it where it goes when you've finished. In the future...try not breaking into a lady's sleeping quarters. One of these days she may wake and mistake you for a werewolf."

[justice_is_blond]

It's very hard to keep from snorting at the werewolf line, but Anders manages. Barely.

"We'll be back, Seeker." He even manages to sound mostly disinterested. Maybe one day he'll actually get the hang of this whole acting thing. "After a little enjoyable wine, with the key, and so on."

Anders reaches over and rests a hand on Narcisse's shoulder. "It's all right. I'm a Warden, he can't really get at me. And we're honored guests so I can cover for you." It's rather nice to be the good cop, he has to say.

[comtessedevelony]

"I don't have designs on her virtue-" As if that's the hill to die on here. Narcisse sighs and fiddles with the key ring, pulling off one before handing the rest to Malcolm. The Iron Key remains, as Narcisse has palmed one of the slimmer, silver variants. "You'd best hold onto these, then. I don't think I can slip in a second time so quickly."

[tactical_alert]

A good tip on acting is for it to not be entirely fake. Malcolm takes the ring of keys, pockets it. Less jingling and jangling should he need to get the drop on someone than to hook it on his belt.

"Don't get too carried away. We are all still to be respectable persons come the morning."

[justice_is_blond]

Damn. From previous conversation, Anders is pretty sure that's not the key they wanted to follow. On the other hand, it means that Narcisse is even more unlikely a suspect and Anders is a little glad of that. Just because the man is a mess doesn't mean he's a criminal.

Anders meets Malcolm's gaze and gives a small nod. "I think we can manage to be respectable. I've faith in Narcisse." And with that, he's turning to the butler and giving a nod.

"Lead on. Let's have a pleasant end to the evening, shall we?"

FOR ANDERS

[comtessedevelony]

"But of course. A glass or two, nothing more." Maybe a bottle for himself, but- he manages one of his flourished bows before motioning for Anders to follow. He does head in the direction of the study- and just past, unlocking the wine cellar door with his own key. Down, down, and the smell of lye is...less this evening, to everyone's delight.

"You can almost smell the wood as you ought- how the maids are unable to find the source of the smell? I Do not know." But down the stairs they go to a room full of small casks of ale, wine, and cider- and row upon row of bottled wine. Just past the farmost shelf there is an odd space inthe stone, one Narcisse raps with his knuckles. "It is terribly secret, I know- but if you slide this key here-"

He does so, and there is a scrape of stone as it moves aside to reveal a door. "Marvelous, isn't it?"

[tactical_alert]

When the two slip into the darkness, they don't get too far--out of earshot, to be sure--before Malcolm motions for Milady to also come out of hiding. Gives her her orders: follow, protect. She'll get plenty of treats and care when all is said and done, but he's not sending Anders down completely alone. Quietly, she follows them down.

FOR MALCOLM

[comtessedevelony]

Half an hour- perhaps more- after the butler and Anders away with the silver Key- a figure, hooded, cloaked, and formless slinks down the hall to stop before Valery's room.

[tactical_alert]

He says nothing, barely even breathes, watching from his shadowed spot as before. He still has the keys, and the door was locked by the butler before--now that there's a change in this regular schedule, he waits and observes, first.