[ 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

[comtessedevelony]

At dusk, Ophelia's hands are wringing and her expression tense- the other maids retired for the evening to their quarters. Bags packed she sits, now and then reaching out to stroke Garahel's ears to sooth herself. She's got a Warden and a Mabari watching over her, she'll be fine.

She has to be fine.

As the sun sets there is a rapping upon her door and she stands, eyes flicking from there to the hound at her side and back again. "The Carriage is here for you, Ophelia."

The Valet's voice rings soft and clear, as pleasant as always.

[anacardiaceae]

"That woman is mad," Pamelia says as she stands next to the Warden, sighing quietly. This whole business - this place - has been making her skin crawl. She wants to know what's going on, and who is responsible, so that everyone else can be sent...somewhere else. Anywhere else.

Ophelia and Liddy included.

"Do we go with her or...?"

[circleprodigy]

"We follow. At a short distance, but never out of sight."

As far as Inessa's concerned, Ophelia will be fine and anyone attempting to change that will come to regret it. (However, she did slip an amulet to her earlier as a form of insurance, just in case.) She nods for Ophelia to respond, quiet assurance in her stance as she's reminded her fellow Fereldan that they will keep her in view at all times. From earlier conversation with Ophelia, though, the Grey Warden has mentioned that the less the Valet sees, the better. If they have no time to enter, that will work in their favor. Otherwise, they can be merely 'saying their farewells' and follow along from that point.

[comtessedevelony]

Ophelia's eyes flick from Pam to Inessa to Garahel before she nods. Squares her shoulders and picks up her bags like she ought to. It's nothing. Just a walk with Clara who's slim and delicate and shy on a good day. "I'm ready, Clara."

A deep breath, two before she opens the door and steps through, a smile forced onto her face. "All packed up and everything."

From beyond Clara's voice is clear- cool. Threaded through with an almost steely calm. "It'll be just down this hall, dear." With that? They begin walking into the shadows, nothing more than the lamp in Clara's hand to light the way.

[anacardiaceae]

What carriage is down a hall? Pamelia gives Inessa a look; she waits until they are almost out of sight to follow behind, footsteps silent on the stone floor.

No one else seems to be around.

[circleprodigy]

Thinking the same, Inessa responds with a silent shrug. As quietly as possible, she follows that moving lamp. At least with Pamelia at her side, she doesn't need to worry that her companion will have trouble seeing in diminished light. And Garahel...well, he has that fantastic nose of his, which is put to use when he takes point. If there are any scents to be wary of, he'll let them know. For a large, bulky creature, he can be surprisingly quiet when there's actual need for it.

[comtessedevelony]

Ophelia keeps her chin high and her smile bright, as bright as she can manage- the light continues to bob as they walk and there's a moment- a stillness, a stiffness- when her gait changes. The most subtle movement ever on Clara's part, a flick of her wrist, leaning close-

Ophelia stumbles for half a step, voice indistinct as she's turned not in the direction of the main hall to reach any carriage- but to the left, deeper into the manor. The muffled thud of her bag being dropped and abandoned is obvious at Pam's and Inessa's distance.

[anacardiaceae]

Pamelia curses quietly, moving a little faster. She isn't sure how close to get, now; hopefully whatever has Ophelia stumbling is not a permanent effect, because Pamelia, for one, wants to see just where they plan on taking the poor girl.

But if they manage to reach Ophelia's bag before anyone realizes they're present, she's tucking it away in the hopes no one else comes along and does off with it.

[circleprodigy]

It takes all of Inessa's willpower not to Fade Step forward ready to fight and call for Garahel to defend Ophelia, but continue as is just long enough to see where exactly they're headed. She frowns, gripping her staff and reminding herself to be patient for a little longer. Well-acquainted with the layout of the mansion by now, the Grey Warden knows this direction change can't mean anything good and briefly meets Pamelia's eyes, fairly certain she's picked up on that as well.

Garahel snaps to attention the moment Ophelia stumbles, holding back from charging just yet but definitely closer than the elves behind him. Right now there's nothing of the playful mabari; he's in full war-dog mode.

[comtessedevelony]

Down a hall, around the corner, delving into one of the many alcoves and...

Vanishing, save for the continued sound of their footsteps just beyond what looks to be a wholly solid wall. Outward and downward but from what stair? Glinting in the light- one of the sconces for oil lamps is slightly crooked.

[anacardiaceae]

Well they can't afford to lose them, can they? Pamelia glances around before she spots the sconce and immediately reaches out to see if it swings one way or another.

[circleprodigy]

Trusting in Garahel's powerful sense of smell if sight alone is not enough, Inessa looks over to Pamelia and the crooked oil lamp sconce. Please, Maker, let that be it. She had already broken her promise to keep Ophelia within sight, and had to make up for it as soon as possible.