In reply to Imran Singh (msg #78):

With his mother calling, Miles snapped out of whatever fugue he'd slipped into and addressed Cynthia. "Time, time for you time for you to go. You can talk to mum about the price. In the kitchen, yes, in the kitchen, where mum's belong. Making some tea."

He took her arm, not altogether gently, and started walking her down the stair out of the garret. "Where's your friend, eh? Friend? Where is he?"

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #78):

Moving quickly and thoroughly Imran was unable to find any trace of Miss Fuller upstairs on the first floor. There were four bedrooms up there, bare and neat, unoccupied. She wasn't in any obvious hiding place.

In the ground floor kitchen, the Count noted there was a rear door (with inset window). There was another door there, presumably to a basement. On that floor there was a master bedroom, kitchen, parlour and dining room.


Keeper's note: The floor plan seems to be the house is oriented north-south. Front entrance is in the north wall. On entry there is a central corridor with staircase landing. To the right is the master bedroom, to the left the parlour/dining room. There is a bath and toilet near the right rear, by the kitchen at the southern end of the central corridor. In the kitchen is a door to the rear garden and another door, presumably to the cellar.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #77):

Glancing back at the Count from where she stood at the door to the corridor, Mrs. Shipley replied, "Eh? Books? Yes, we might have some. Passed down from our forefathers, they were. More interested in the pictures, but do leave your card on the table."

She turned back so that she could watch the stairs, knitting basket under her arm twitching in annoyance.

"It would seem that your son has much to tell when it comes to his inspiration for the paintings."

The count watches Mrs Shipley she was very odd, but then compared to her son she was as normal as toast.

"Well I am interested in older books, older the better. Could I take a look, I would be happy to give you an estimate of current market value."

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #82):

"Yes, do leave your card, there's a gentleman. I'll have to find them. Mr. Shipley kept them in a trunk in the basement, he did, and I'd have to fetch them. Not right now. I'll be happy to bring them around later."

Still frowning, she took a step out into the hall.

Keeper's Note: Imran is searching the upstairs and Cynthia is being escorted down the stairs from the garret right now.

"Come sit down Mrs Holloway is probably writing notes about the painting she likes. A sort of small interview, she likes all the juicy secrets to go with the work."

He motions to take another sip but does not.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #84):

Ignoring the Count, she toddled down the hall and began climbing the stairs. "What's going on, then? Miles, where are you?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:30, Mon 19 Dec 2011.

Once Mrs Shipley left the room the Count moved to the door. He watched her move up the stairs through the hinge crack in the door. Again he tried to bring her back:

"Nothing to worry about Mrs Shipley, just Mrs Holloway being thorough with her sources and information."

He waited to make a move to the kitchen.

Has Imran found a WC on the first floor? If so, he flushes it and wets his hands at the sink, coming down the stair toward Mrs.

If not, he comes to the landing and asks for the lavatory.

Cynthia replies to Miles, ignoring his protests. "Ah, Mr. Crowley. How has he been doing? It's been so long, and frankly, I've completely forgotten about him. Do you know where he frequents? It would be good to catch up with him. Is he still quite as dreadful as he was back in university?" Cynthia smiles, conveying familiarity and friendly teasing.

"I wasn't aware you made functional tools as well. I thought all of this was just ... fantasy. Are all of your ceremonial tools on commission only, or do you have some of those to display as well?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #88):

Miles stopped and looked at Cynthia, face brightening with glee.

"Oh, you're a friend of Aleister's, then! Good! My friend! And his friends are my friends! They don't like to talk about it, no. But they should. It makes me mad that they seem to like what I do but they don't want to talk to me, to... Do you like what I did? I made that frame for Aleister him a couple of months ago. Are you interested in seeing more? I have some more, you know. Some of the better ones, not open on display."

He reversed course and bounded past her back up the stairs. At the top he turned opened a small closet door. Nothing jumped out, Cynthia could see (from where she stood on the stairs) there were some artist's supplies inside, and part of the frame of a painting of some kind. It had the same motif and design as the mirror.

Miles answered his mother, "Mum! Not to worry, just showing her the painting! The best one! Maybe she'll buy it!"

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #87):

The old lady saw Singh come into view down the stairs. He explained he was looking for the lavatory.

"Down the hall, to the right. No, your right." Singh found the correct door, next to the kitchen.

When Miles called down, she relaxed. She replied, "well all right then, dear. Remember, they have a friend waiting outside, so let's not keep them too much longer. Please let me know when you're finished up there?"

She addressed Imran when he emerged from the washroom. "Why don't you come into the kitchen, dear? Do have a cup of tea."

Turning around, she marched back into the kitchen. "Honestly, that boy. Always changing his mind. He hasssn't been the same since his father left when he was so very young." Mrs. Shipley's eyes seemed very warm and sympathetic.

The Count watched the woman walk past the parlour and then he quickly disposed of the tea. He also did a quick search just in case there was something here in the room he had not spotted.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #91):

The Count moved to the kitchen without Mrs. Shipley noticing.

There wasn't anything of note in the kitchen and no weapons were handy. The basement door was locked.

She appeared to not notice his actions before turning back to address him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:27, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

"Ah well... yes he looked quite stressed. What is this other painting he mentioned, a larger work ?

The count hoped Mrs Holloway would be all right, she looked quite capable and Mr Shipley was not at his peak physically.

Cynthia tries to look away, expecting something absolutely terrible, but she can't help herself and waits for him to reveal "the best one".

"Do you spend much time with Aleister and his friends? They've always seemed very ... snobbish, at times. Have you noticed that? It would be good to catch a drink with him. Friends like to get drinks with friends, don't you think?"

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #93):

Kitchen

"It's something he's very proud of."

"Your card? More tea?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #94):

Miles moved to block the painting. In the brief look she had, it seemed to be the same ornate design of frame as the mirror. The painting itself was hard to see, it looked like the focus was a stone altar on an island in a swamp filled with serpents.

Shipley slammed the door shut. "You're not serious. It's not for you. Good-bye."

"MUM! They're just leaving! I don't think they want to buy!" He blocked her way at the head of the stairs.

"Get out now or so help me I will THROW YOU OUT! THROWYOUOUT! OUT! OUT! OUT!"

Cynthia simply stands her ground. She has bankers checks, and she is interesting in buying. But she has no intention of being shortchanged in the process, however. So she will wait until Miles wears out his tantrum, and trusts that greed (either his or his mother) will win out again. With the face she's wearing, she doesn't even need to say anything. She's simply ... amused, serious, matronly, and waiting.

In reply to Mrs. Shipley (msg #95):

"Ah yes I have one here somewhere, he fumbles in his jacket."

"More tea, yes... Well if it is the height of Miles work I am sure she will have to have it."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #97):

Knowing he was beaten, Miles stood aside.

Southern Railway Station, Westhanger


The Southern Railway train chuffed into the Westerhanger rail station. A handful of passengers boarded and disembarked onto the platform, aided by a couple conductors and porters. Waiting for them was JM's motorcycle and sidecar.

Also waiting was Karlheinz beside JM's other ground vehicle, a Ford Model-T flatned 1-ton truck.



This message was last edited by the GM at 06:49, Fri 23 Dec 2011.

Karlheinz crushed out a cigarette.

"Okay, ve vill be going to aerodrome now, ja? I vill ride und the back. Vith zee luggage."

He tossed the keys to JM, then took their day kit bags (mostly clothing, but also maps, compasses, etc.) and climbed onto the flatbed. It was only a mile's journey at most, they would be there soon. Karlheinz lit another cigarette. They couldn't smoke on the majestic Zeppelins that he served on in the Great War so he was making up for lost time.

"Oh, und ze maschinenwaffen, ah, machineguns, they are ready for installation."

Feigning an inability to find a card he adds:

"Such a shame Miles was not elevated for membership at the Royal Academy of Arts during their summer exhibition. His work was certainly the talk of the show. It is a bit of a... "closed House" I believe."

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #102):

Freshly brewed pot of tea in hand, Mrs. Shipley moved back into the living room.

Mrs. Shipley poured him a cup, not seeming to notice Miles' ranting from upstairs.

"Yes, if only he had someone to help him, open doors into higher society. Too bad about the card. Perhaps later?"


OOC: I assume you are moving back to the parlour.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:07, Wed 21 Dec 2011.