Penny: Emma listens to you with interest, though amusement is plain on her face. Thrilling indeed I should think! It is perhaps a good thing that the priest could not make it. Surely if he knew such things he would disapprove. She chuckles. I am a decent Christian woman myself, but I would be lying if I were to say I wasn't tantalized by such beliefs. Don't tell me any of them worked? She arches a dubious eyebrow. As entertaining as I find the subject, I hardly think it a viable pursuit. As she speaks you notice the other women looking a bit uncomfortable, their eyes shifting nervously as they sip their wine quietly. The tension is palpable, though Emma is clearly committed to her charade.

Kate: The woman, Miss Bunt is her name, nods emphatically and takes a large swallow of wine. Oh my yes he is wealthy. And single too! She giggles. Unfortunately he does not appear to be interested in me, though I've certainly tried to appeal to him. He is a horrible rogue they say, but it would seem I am not his type. She frowns, drinking yet again. She is beginning to get a bit tipsy it seems. Her companions are glaring daggers at her, some even nudging her, but she ignores them. Oh well. At least I have my friends! She laughs loudly. Judging by the way they look at her, she may not have them long if she keeps up this behavior. She gives a sudden gasp of pain and rubs her arm as though someone has pinched her, though no one has touched her. She glares furiously at her companions until she sees Emma give her a look of warning and then quickly falls silent.

'Father Cole disapproves of a great many things.' Penny said critically, stirring her soup and watching the vegetables bob beneath the surface. 'Oh, yes, indeed, I also remain a "good Christian woman", but the theory of evolution, the geological age of the earth, and other sciences have shown us the cracks in what the Church teaches us... Why not magic too?'

Penny distracted herself by sipping her soup, and taking the opportunity to observe reactions at the table. The discomfort and tension among the other women of the circle was palpable, so Penny was clearly getting at a guilty secret. She'd have to be careful, however, not to push too far, lest she find herself on the receiving end of a curse. Just a little more to pique their interest... 'But, of course, it does not seem at all practical...' She lowered her voice, leaning in to Emma to whispered hesitantly 'But, I do believe that, on one occasion, I was, in fact, able to conjure... a frog!' Penny leaned back from the admission of a simple cantrip and smiled innocently. 'Or perhaps it simply hopped into the garden!' She laughed merrily at her little joke, and sipped at her wine.

That was enough of that. 'But enough about me and my ghastly family. Do tell me about your charity efforts, all of you.' she invited.

The tale of the frog garners some amused chuckles from the circle, and even Emma smiles in amusement, but she seems happy to change the subject as well. How droll! She responds politely to the frog tale, though she doesn't remark whether she believes it was truly conjured or not. Ah yes, our charities. Well for instance we try to raise money, like we are doing tonight, in order to help the needy. We've actually been able to help make many repairs on local orphanages for instance. And we have volunteered in soup kitchens and clean up efforts. Quilts for the homeless, things of that nature. She muses. She's suddenly interrupted though by the sound of a dreadful scream coming from the kitchens. A loud crash quickly follows, as though someone dropped a stack of dishes.

Kate pats Miss Bunt on the shoulder. "Don't worry, there are other fish in the sea. Mr Whickam seems nice enough from here but men with money are more often then not pigs. Not that I wouldn't mind finding out for myself," she adds with a wink.

The scream from the kitchen took her attention away from Mike Jones. "Perhaps we should make sure everything is alright?" She looked at Mrs. Bentley, this was her banquet after all. Standing Kate gathered her skirts and made her way towards the kitchens.

The charity worked sounded legitimate, though an extravagant banquet seemed an odd way to raise money; Simon would no doubt be leaping out of his skin at the sight of the china. Penny was about to ask they raised funds when she heard a terrible scream and a crash from the kitchens. 'Goodness!' Such a scream could only result from violence or terror, hardly the sighting of a mouse. Violence had surely already been perpetrated in relation to the blood-spattered waiter. The discovery of a body, then?

Penny rose quickly from her seat, taking a few steps towards the kitchens, but focused more on scanning the dining room for three familiar faces — Ian Shaw, Richard Bently, Mike Jones, the bloody waiter; where had she seen them last and where had they got to? — and for anyone leaving the area while others hesitated or moved closer.


OOC: Spot 20
13:41, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 20 using 1d20+9. spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

Penny, you see Ian headed towards the ruckus and Mr. Bentley stays where he is along with Mike Jones, both doing a good job of looking surprised. The waiter is nowhere to be seen. Mrs. Bentley likewise gets up and quickly hurries towards the kitchens. The other diners have heard as well of course and many of them get up to investigate. Ian hurries forward, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Kate and Penny, but sticking close.

Should you choose to enter the kitchen, you'll find quite a scene. The cooks and a maid are gathered around a still figure lying on the ground. The maid is in hysterics. H-he was stuffed behind the ice box! She stammers, pointing at an exceptionally large cold closet in the corner. Looking at the body it is clear that his neck was very violently broken. Whoever did this was very strong because his head is almost entirely twisted around. You also note with interest that there is no blood on the man's sleeve anymore...

 Mrs. Bentley watches this with a look of pure fury, but she quickly masks it into once of concern. Clearly she is agitated though. Who would do this?! One of the waiters stammers, looking about to be ill. Ian steps forward at this point and produces a badge, no doubt from his police days. I am a Police officer. I'll take over from here. He says in a calm and commanding tone. It's a surprising change from his usual jolly casualness. No doubt though the man is far more capable than he acts. I need all of the exits to be shut right now and men posted. The murderer could still be here. Move quickly men! He barks to the waiters. He turns to you two. I thought I saw this man serving your table not long ago. I don't know how he ended up here without anyone noticing, but until I figure that out, did you note any suspicious behavior?

Not spotting any likely suspects in the dining room, Penny followed the rush to the kitchen, nimbly slipping through the press of people to get inside. Quickly, she made a shocked gasp, a trick that reassured many men who might otherwise be concerned to know how many dead bodies such a delicate lady as herself had seen. She quickly took in the scene: the waiter from before, his neck broken with great force, with no blood on his sleeve. Curiouser curiouser...

'Yes, officer, he served us. The fellow seemed nervous and unkempt. There was blood on his sleeve — oh, he must have cleaned it now.' she explained breathlessly. She couldn't say much with so many ears around, but gave Ian and Kate a firm look, her lips twitching to say shifter.


OOC: Do I need a Bluff check to talk to Shaw, or to convey a secret message?
15:46, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 7 using 1d20+1. bluff.

Investigating the murder scene:
15:49, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 21 using 1d20+13. investigate.

Sherlock-scanning the waiter?
15:54, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 30,24,15 using d20+13,d20+7,d20+9. scan: investigate, sense motive, spot.

"He did seem a little off, worried about something." Kate added her bit to the story. She caught Penny's look and nodded ever so slightly her understanding. "We'll this certainly puts a damper on your banquet," she patted Mrs. Bentley's shoulder sympathetically. "Maybe we should take our seats again so this officer can do his job to find out how this happened?" She scanned the crowd to see if Mr. Smith or Whickham or whatever his name was had taken an interest in the scene in the kitchen. Maybe later Ms. Bunt could arrange an introduction...

Shaw listens with a stern expression. If he catches anything special about Penny's words he gives no indication, though his eyebrow arches at the mention of blood on his sleeve. Penny, as Ian examines the victim you see that it has only just begun to show signs of rigor mortis, putting the timeline at approximately three to four hours ago....Other than that he looks to be a typical man with no real suspicious marks or clues. Obviously whatever did this is very strong. You also note that there is no real sign of blood on the corpse, which makes you wonder where the blood on the sleeve came from.

ooc: Penny, I'll let you decide if you want to stick around here a bit longer or if you'd rather return with Kate. If you do go with her, you see the following as well.

Mrs. Bentley looks upset, but she has regained her composure. She nods quickly at Kate's suggestion. Sitting down quickly with a stiff posture and lips that are pursed together in an attempt to regain control. Kate, you do notice that Mr. Jones is still with Bentley, and the pair are looking at Mrs. Bentley from time to time when they think no one is looking. Their faces are tight and upset. Something must have gone wrong....Suddenly Emma rises from her chair, looking apologetic. Forgive me, but this whole ordeal is most distressing. I need to go to the powder room and wash my face I think. I'm sure you'll be alright here. It is not a question. Clearly she wants to go alone.

It would be unseemly for a lady like Penny to remain with the corpse, though she lingered long enough to complete her inspection and overhear any gossip among the waitstaff. She let Shaw ask the basic questions, and only made a few discreet inquiries to clarify matters while reassuring tearful maids. Who was the dead waiter, had he had any arguments, strange behaviour, or unusual acquaintances recently? And particularly, had anyone seen him in the last few minutes? The few hours of rigor mortis did not need to be advertised.

She remained happy with her initial identification of a shapeshifter of some kind. A demon might wear the man's body for a time, self-inflict a broken neck, then dump it behind the ice box, with signs of death soon revealed. But that did not account for the missing blood stain. The demon would not bother to change his jacket if it was only going to dump the body minutes later. No, Penny was certain that a shapeshifting creature had killed the waiter, concealed the body, and impersonated him. But to what end? Certainly not to serve drinks and the entrée. To get close to someone then? Mrs Bently? No, she'd clearly been in on the matter and provided the killer with an excuse. To get close to Penny and Kate themselves? Perhaps... But there was still the matter of the blood — the waiter had a broken neck, but no visible wounds. Penny highly doubted the stain had been left by raw meat or the sherry, judging by the colour and consistency. There must have been another attack.


OOC: Using the Investigator's Profile ability:
Gather Information 21 vs DC 15, success: gain a rough description of the suspect (kind of redundant in this case, I guess)
Investigate 20 vs DC 15, success: profile the killer and their methods of operation, gain a sense of possible aims and future plans; gain +2 circumstance to further Investigate checks re: the killer.
20:40, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 20 using 1d20+13. investigate.
20:38, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 21 using 1d20+7. gather info.

Penny: pm

As they were leaving the kitchens Kate snagged a medium sized meat knife off of the counter. It was elegant and sharp and hopefully silver. If they were dealing with a shifter she wanted to be ready. If asked she will simply say her meat was too well done.

At the table Kate tucked the knife away. The other ladies seemed nervous and tense. The evening was obviously not going according to plan. After their host excused herself Kate looked at the other women and Penny. "I don't think any of us should be alone with a killer on the loose. I think I should go check on her." Kate excused herself as well and followed in the direction Mrs. Bentley went. Once out of sight of the others she took care to stay out of sight. Mrs. Bentley obviously wanted to be alone and she doubted it was to wash her face.

Hide:22
Move silently 12

Penny: As Kate leaves you see Mr. Bentley and Mr. Jones approach. Bentley looks around for his wife and appears to be on edge as well. Good evening ladies. Have you seen my wife about? I'm sure she is most distressed with these events and I think I should check on her. Mr. Jones stands silently and lets the tailor speak, but his eyes shift over everyone's face, including your own. There is a cold deadness to his eyes, and yet also a fierce intelligence. It's all you can do not to shiver. You've seen eyes like that before in the Ripper; a memory that is considerably less than welcome.

Kate: You follow her down a hallway at a safe distance. You seem to do a fair job of keeping hidden, but at one point your skirts jostle a shelf and she turns around sharply. Fortunately you stay out of sight and she seems to brush it off. Eventually the woman stops at the bottom of a staircase and she is soon joined by the waiter. She looks furious and you flinch as you see her slap him hard across the face. Why have you not changed you fool?! She snarls and to your surprise he cowers a bit. Shifters are usually a force to be reckoned with. She must be powerful indeed to make him fear her. The slap though, also seems to jar him and he shakes his head as though trying to clear it. W-what am I doing here? He mumbles and her eyes narrow. You are here to spy for me you idiot. Stop fighting me or you'll end up far worse than the fool you so carelessly left for everyone to find. What about the other one, is someone going to stumble across that too? He shakes his head in response, his expression hardening, no longer questioning himself. Well get on with it then! If Jones suspects anything, all of us will hang for it! Now change your face. Someone inconspicuous this time! The shifter nods and you watch in horror as the bones twist and crack and he pulls off his skin in handfuls, leaving a slimy pile on the floor. You never had cared for that part....

Thinking furiously through events, Penny followed Kate to the table, finding Emma Bently had departed to the powder room. 'Take care.' she said to Kate with concern, hoping she did not run afoul of the murderous shapeshifter.

She looked to the new arrivals, seeing men who could only be Richard Bently and Michael Jones. Her voice caught in her throat as she observed Jones' eyes, seeing a cold and terrifying mania, the recollection hitting her like a knife to the gut. Those cold dead eyes, that wicked grin, that flashing knife...

Averting her gaze, Penny looked to Bently, and answered him 'She's gone to the lady's room to refresh herself. My friend is attending her.' She could hardly lie about Emma's whereabouts with the other women present, but did not want Richard Bently wandering up behind Kate. Penny tried to distract him. 'Did you know the deceased, sir? Do you know what happened? Are we safe here?' she asked, stepping close to Richard and putting a note of urgency in her voice, hoping some feminine fear in a young, pretty face might evoke some male protectiveness in a middle-aged man in an unhappy marriage. Too bad she really hated this kind of act.


OOC: Distract and question Richard Bently: Diplomacy 2, Sense Motive 26. Sigh.
15:45, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 2 using 1d20-1. diplomacy.
15:45, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 26 using 1d20+7. sense motive.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Fri 07 Feb 2014.

ooc: lol, poor Penny.... ;P

Mr Bentley listens with a nod. I see. Well I think it best that I go and check on her. And no, I'm afraid I didn't know the deceased. He looked to be a waiter from what I've heard. Not to worry though, I'm sure you are quite safe here. You do seem upset though, so I will leave Mr. Jones here if he is agreeable to this? He arches a questioning eyebrow at the man who gives a slow smile, speaking for the first time in a rich deep tone that you would find remarkably attractive on anyone else. But of course. How could a man refuse the company of such lovely ladies? The smile widens, but his eyes contradict his kind words. They are calculating, delving into you as though trying to figure you out. Bentley turns to go and Jones continues. Tell me Miss. What is a woman from the British empire doing in New York? Though his voice sounds conversational you get the distinct impression that he is interrogating you more than anything else. You also feel a sense of nervousness from Bentley. You would almost think that he is trying to foist Jones off on you....

Kate remained hidden, wincing as the shifter pulled his skin off. She'd seen it before but it never stopped grossing her out. Mrs. Bentley seemed to have some sort of hold over the shifter, controlling him somehow. Their hostess had mentioned another body somewhere. So two people have been killed tonight... she thought with a frown. The blood on the waiters sleeve probably  belonged to the second victim.

The mention of Mr. Jones brought her to attention. Apparently he was the brains of whatever operation they had going on here...

Curses! She thought frantically for a solution. 'Mister Bently!' she snapped suddenly before he could leave. She lowered her voice to sound discreet. 'Please, it is a delicate matter, women's business.' After all, the inner workings of a woman were a horrid mystery to most men. Then she appealed to the abuse victim in him. 'I am sure you would not want to disturb your wife in one of her... moods.'

She averted her gaze from Jones momentarily. It was an action that could be taken as a polite blush in response to a compliment, but was more of a flinch in Penny's case. Either way, it was one that gave her the brief opportunity to glance across his person, from shoes to hands, clothing to that cold-eyed face. She'd almost expected to see blood, or a knife. Despite her unease, she put on her best ballroom smile for the Ripper the man, deflecting his incision inquiry. 'Why, Mister Jones, how charming. Tell me, what should a woman do in New York?'


OOC: Try again? Bluff 18
21:48, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 18 using 1d20+1. bluff.
Sherlock Scan on Mike Jones: Investigate 33, Sense Motive 27, Spot 13
21:35, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 33,27,13 using d20+13,d20+7,d20+9. scan: investigate, sense motive, spot.

Kate: Emma watches and makes a face. Clean that up when you're done. We don't want someone finding it and asking questions. She gags a bit. You'd think after everything I've seen and done I could stomach it better. By now the shifter has changed into another man, his face is unfamiliar but you suspect it is meant to be. He finds a towel and scoops up the mess as best as he can, looking afraid of the woman before him. We need to end this evening. She continues. Did you get a good enough look at him to get what you needed? It has to be flawless. She warns. The shifter nods emphatically. Good. Well, the exits are blocked thanks to that fool policeman. We need to get out of here before too many things become suspicious. You should get rid of him. Take his place. Then you can drop this whole murder investigation and we can slip out. Figure out a way to get him alone, and for pity's sake don't let anyone find the body this time!

Penny: Mr. Bentley listens to you in confusion for a moment, and then what you are saying dawns on him and he gives an understanding nod. I see. Thank you. I would hate to upset her further.... He looks like he's nervous at the thought. Well then. I could use a drink I think. I will return momentarily. He gives you a nod and heads to the bartender, at which point Jones gestures for him to bring him something. He returns his attention to you with a lazy smile. Well, Penny was it? A woman should do as much as she possibly can. I'm sure it's not as refined as some of the circles you are used to, but it certainly has appeal. A woman should also dine with me tomorrow night at the cafe Marseille. What say you? He looks expectant and the women at the table with you look a bit surprised.

Penny nodded thankfully to Bently, and unfortunately had to return her attention to Jones. And his offer. She had a recollection, walking down the roads of Whitechapel, past the filth and wretched humanity, to where it was quiet and dark and alone. She was dressed as a common harlot, cheap dress doing nothing to keep out the chill. How else to draw out the fiend? Her blood ran cold, her heart was pounding, her breath quick and sharp. The first strike would be to grab and silence her, then cut open her neck— 'I have never thought much of what a woman should do, but one could certainly consider it... Now, how did you know my name, sir?' she inquired, more intrigued than suspicious, recalling she'd not given it to any men here.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Sat 08 Feb 2014.

So Mrs. Bentley is going to have the shifter take Ian's place... Kate frowned. Obviously her return to the table would need to be by way of the kitchen to warn their new acquaintance. She remained hidden until she was certain the coast was clear. She hoped Penny was doing well with the other women.

Penny: Jones doesn't look at all taken off guard by your question. If anything he looks amused, as though he's only barely trying to put on a charade for you he is so confident in himself. Oh, Mrs. Bentley told me that you would possibly be attending tonight. She must have thought we would make a good match. He smiles. I hope you will consider my offer, Lady Darkmoore... He finishes quietly. The use of your real name sends a chill up your spine. I must be going, but tell Kate I'm sorry I missed her. I know she went through considerable effort to find me and I should not want to disappoint her when she's come all this way. He takes your hand and kisses it with a small bow. I shall see you both very soon. He turns then and leaves without a backward glance.

Kate:
I suggest you try to lure the policeman away from the scene of the crime. Bring him back here if you can. We don't want anyone running across him. I need to return to my guests. That Penny woman is no doubt already asking far too many questions for her own good. If she's not careful she will be paying you a visit soon.... She finishes. By now they are headed your way and it is all you can do not to run but you know it will give you away. ooc: Roll hide please

Kate held her breath hoping they would not notice her as they passed. Her fingers clenched the serving knife and she fought the urge to just get things over with and use it. It would not look good if Mrs. Bentley returned to the table without her but that couldn't be helped. Ian and Penny both needed to be warned, Ian obviously more so now that the shifter had his orders...

Hide: 28
ooc: to quote my son when he really wants something: please please please!!!

Penny felt a chill up her spine as Jones revealed how much he knew, of her real name, of Kate's reason for being in this time zone. He knew everything! Her real name! A name she'd tried to hide and even to forget, such was her bleak and unhappy childhood under a tyrannical father. A name she'd thought she'd left behind in England. Frozen in shock and as helpless as she had been when first confronted by the Ripper, or by Father, Penny was unable to resist Jones as he took her hand and kissed it, her skin crawling at the unwelcome touch, the violation.

It was only as the psychopath left that she regained her wits her nerve. For one frightful moment, she recalled that the other ladies had named him Wickham, and she'd addressed him as Jones. Oh God, had she been so unnerved by him as to give the whole game away? Horrified, her heart felt like it would plummet in the empty void inside her... But, no, no, Mr Bently had introduced him as Jones. It was with no sense of relief that she realised the mistake was not hers.

She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself. I am not feeling hysterical, only a little fear. Suddenly, she wanted to be away from this coven of witches, this table of snippy, spiteful, scheming women, and the likes of Mister Jones. She wanted a drink, a good book, and a gentle massage. No, first she wanted to catch a monster.

'Excuse me.' Penny said to anyone who was listening, then strode off after Jones, to see where he went and have the last word.

OOC: Assuming I find him. Shaw did have the wait-staff stopping people leaving, as well.

'You have the advantage of me, sir... A woman might consider dining with a gentleman,' Penny called to Jones from the door, 'If she knew his real name.'

Kate: Fortunately you manage to hide quite well and they pass you without seeming to notice you....From the looks of things they are taking a different route back to the banquet so that gives you a slight chance to get ahead of them...

Penny: Somehow he is being allowed to leave, but you catch him just as he's at the door. He turns to you with an amused look on his face. Some know me as Wickham, some as Jones. but if you like, you may call me Belial. He tips his hat and leaves, not waiting for a response.

ooc: Roll a knowledge check please to see if you've heard of him :)

As soon as the coast is clear Kate gathers her skirts and heads back the way she came at running at top speed hoping to beat Mrs. Bentley back to the banquet.

"This place is ridiculous!" she gasped when she arrived back at their table. There was no need to pretend to be winded. Kate was in pretty good shape but running in a corset and heavy skirts was more than she bargained for. "I went to find Mrs. Bentley and got a little turned around. Then I imagined myself being the next victim..." she smiled sheepishly. "Well I got scared and ran like a mad woman back here. I hope Mrs. Bentley is all right on her own..." Kate didn't give the ladies a chance to respond before she headed off to the kitchens. "I need a good stiff drink after that wild goose chase..."

It worried her that Penny was no longer at the table and that Mr. Whickham or Mike Jones or whoever he was had also disappeared.

Bluff: 22 if needed

OOC: If she didn't make it back before Mrs. Bentley or she runs into someone else let me know and I will edit this :)