Leo paused at the door to allow the ladies to precede him, and he helped his niece remove her overcoat before doing the same and passing it along to one of the staff members near the door. Leo was dressed in a tailored tuxedo, with a pewter vest and bowtie. His shoes were polished black, and he had black studs visible above the vest and at his wrists. His shirt was starched and clean, thanks to the comparatively small staff he had available to help preparing the family's attire.

Once they had entered and Leo allowed the sounds of the party to wash over him, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This wouldn't be his first choice of places to be this evening, but perhaps it wouldn't be all bad to forget about what had happened during the morning.

Leo looked around at the dishes being offered, and found one to his liking, collecting a martini glass as well. He really wasn't planning on drinking any of it or eating all that much, but it would look odd if he didn't appear to be partaking in the fare.

Beyond the food, of most interest to him was Erica Carlyle. He looked about trying to discover her whereabouts while engaging in necessary small talk with the other guests.

It was difficult for Rosalie to be jolly when they'd only just put her beloved cousin to rest, but in the glamour of such a fabulous affair, it was tempting to let herself forget her grief for just one evening.  While she had donned the black of mourning, her dress was an expensive frock reserved for elite occasions.  Though not a slave to fashion, Rosalie had excellent taste in clothing.  Tonight she radiated a simple elegance that didn't attempt to compete with the flashier styles that the fashion forward seemed to favor.

Inside, she plucked one of the cocktails from a servants tray, holding it lightly in black-gloved fingers while she surveyed the room.  She knew quite a few people from other high-society functions, but none she would call true friends.  Her eyes did stray over many a handsome man, however, for she always appreciated a dapper gentleman.  Glancing at Annabel, she smiled thinly.  "See anyone of interest, Miss Ashcroft?"

 Exiting the car, Annabel took in the expansive mansion. She had been to her share of nice places, but the Carlyle one definitely ranked as one of the higher ones. Boy, won't mother be jealous that I was here. Maybe I shouldn't tell her though, I'm sure she'll ask me if I met any eligible bachelor while here.

    Removing her coat revealed Annabel's gown in a dark blue velvet that was almost black in the shadows tastefully showing off her fine figure and beautifully coiffed blonde hair. She wore some of her better jewelry with it and along with her long black evening gloves, Annabel fit right in with the assembled crowd. As she stood with Rosalie in her elegant black gown, Annabel thought they made for a fine pair.

   Now this is more like it, this should be an interesting party, the food looks so good. Her thoughts were interrupted by Rosalie and Annabel turned to look at her.

 "I'm not sure," Annabel answered uncertainly; "but I would be curious to know.  Being in New York, it's a little out of my usual social circles, but maybe some of the people are visiting and came for the party. I would think you know more then a few here," she said with a bit of curiosity in her voice.

OOC: Do I see anyone I know?

Stanley Bishop, also in a tuxedo, stood next to the ladies looking every bit the former marine officer. Bishop was never very comfortable at these kind of affairs. When his wife was alive she had adored parties. She had loved to show off her dashing military man. Bishop had learned to feign enjoying himself and appearing comfortable. So now Bishop did his best to seem to be enjoying himself.

Looking over at Rosalie it was hard for Bishop not to be reminded of his late wife. The aging marine wanted a whiskey and he wanted to ask Rosalie to dance. But denied himself both.

Most people that knew him greeted Leo as if nothing was amiss, though a few individuals that bothered to stay up to date on the news did pause to offer their condolences to him privately. Otherwise, the matter seemed a rather routine social affair. Scanning the crowd, Leonardo was able to easily spot the young heiress Erica Carlyle, who stood on the opposite side of the large hall in which many of the guests seemed to be congregating in scattered groups. Erica herself seemed to be floating from group to group, speaking not long to each one. The young ladies seem to catch a fair amount of eyes from the looks they seem to be getting.

---

OOC:

23:43, Today: The Keeper got the result "Ask again later" on the magic 8-ball. Does Annabel see anyone she knows?

Looks like for the moment, Annabel doesn't see too many familiar faces. Ask me again later in the party.

Leo made his way back over to his niece and raised an eyebrow at her question. He quietly replied to her. "Erica Carlyle is interesting, and not difficult to spot. And while I don't think we will be able to discuss much with her this evening, it would be nice to secure a future meeting during which we can discuss things with her at greater length."

He looked at the other three. "Now seems like a good time to attempt to offer our thanks for the invitation at the very least." Leo waited a moment to see if anyone else had an opinion on what they should do next.

"Oh, I see several people I know, but only a few I would care to speak with before we leave."  Tilting her head toward her uncle, she scanned the area as he spoke and spotted Erica across the hall. "A good notion, uncle.  We wouldn't want to annoy her at her own party by demanding a meeting that would take her away from her guests."

    Annabel shook her head at Rosalie's answer. "No, I don't see anyone at the present, which is probably a good thing. Oooo look, there's Miss Carlyle. Wow, look at that dress, she certainly knows how to make an appearance.," She said this with maybe a hint of jealous envy in her voice. "Hopefully she will be obliging to meet with you Dr Elias or that will make our investigation all the more harder without her information." Annabel reached for a glass of champagne as a tray passed by. Taking a sip, she motioned to the good Doctor to proceed. "Well no time like the present to get it done. then we'll have a chance to mingle."

"Good evening, Miss Ashcroft," came a familiar voice from a gentlemen who approached the group.


He turned his attention next to Leonardo. "Good evening, Dr. Elias. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting, but please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bradley Grey, and I represent Miss Carlyle and her holdings in many capacities. Allow me also to add that I am sorry for your loss. Your son Jackson was ahead of me at the Columbia undergraduate program, and I never had the chance to meet him, though his reputation lived on after his graduation."

"I'm here, however, because one of Miss Carlyle's holdings received a phone call from Miss Ashcroft made on your behalf stating an urgent need for a meeting with Miss Carlyle concerning some information you had on the ill fated expedition of her brother's some years ago. When I first heard the message, I thought it some attempt by a journalist to get at Miss Carlyle - there are many of those that come through on various pretenses, you understand. But...now that you are here in the flesh when you've every reason to have taken a pass on the invitation...well, let it suffice to say that I'm convinced. Given that the matter concerns such a sensitive subject, Miss Carlyle would like to speak to you in private to hear what you have to say. Does that sound acceptable?" He smiled politely again at Annabel, then at Rosalie, and gave a nod to Stanley.

  Annabel turned to look at the man approaching who spoke her name. She didn't know him but he seemed to know her. This wasn't surprising, her beauty attracted many men and they seemed to remember her long after her memory of them had faded. Her look of uncertainty turned to one of recognition as she finally dredged up his name from her memories; Bradley, my it had been a while since she had seen him last. She fixed her blue eyes on him and gave the young man a polite but not unfriendly smile.

 "Mr. Grey, my it has been a while hasn't it. It's a pleasure to see you again, what beings you to this lovely gathering?"

  She listened as he spoke with Doctor Elias and his reason for being here. As Bradley spoke, Annabel felt a thrill go through her that her efforts hadn't been in vain. Her smile to him became warmer and more pleased. As he finished, she nodded her assent, perhaps a little too eagerly, but she didn't care.

  "That would be wonderful Bradley, er I mean Mr. Grey," she said as she blushed slightly correcting herself. "Miss Carlyle would be helping us out a great deal by doing this."

"Good evening, sir." Leo responded to the man's greeting before he introduced himself, and offered to shake Bradley's hand as he did. "Thank you for your condolences, and it's nice to meet you Mister Grey." Leo gestured toward the other two members of the group that had joined the festivities. "If I may introduce my niece, Miss Rosalie Elias. And Mister Stanley Bishop, widower of my niece Eleanor."

Leo listened with interest concerning the offer that Mr. Grey made on behalf of Erica Carlisle, nodding throughout to indicate his understanding of what was being conveyed. Leo tried to keep his face from indicating any emotions that he felt, though he was happy to hear of the offer.

He briefly turned toward Annabel as she provided her thoughts. "Quite right, Miss Ashcroft. And thank you for the offer Mister Grey. We are certainly interested in speaking with Miss Carlyle about her brother's expedition, and it's not something that should be discussed among party guests. When would she like to conduct such a meeting?"

Bishop offered a nod of recognition, but he did not speak. This was Leonardo's dance, Stanley would not cut in unless the beat changed. But when Dr. Elias mentioned his late wife Bishop thought of here and Jack and did his best to hide the pain.

Bradley Grey had managed to succeed as an attorney, something at which Stanley had failed. Bishop was  not certain which of them that reflected on worse. Truth be told Stanley enjoyed his work at Pinkerton. He wondered how a man like Bradley Grey would do in his world, and asked the same question of himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Tue 17 Feb 2015.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mister Grey," she offered.  Her attention shifted slightly to Annabel and she smirked.

As one of the servers passed, she deposited her glass and collected another martini, holding it delicately in her fingers.  She wasn't usually one for drinking heavily, but the stress of the day called for something more than punch.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Elias," he said when introduced, and shook Stanley's hand and said, "and yourself, Mr. Bishop."

Listening to Dr. Elias and Miss Ashcroft's expressions of assent, he simply nodded along thoughtfully before speaking himself. "If you have a few minutes, she would like to speak with you tonight itself, either briefly or at length, as time permits."

"In any case, please help yourself to the drinks and the food that is making its way around. If at some point in the next hour you make your way to the library, which is the second room on the right down that hallway," he said, pointing in a certain direction, "I will keep Miss Carlyle appraised and she will come and find you, though it may take a few minutes for her to extract herself from whatever conversation she may be entangled in at the time. Does that sound suitable, Dr. Elias?"

Leo listened to the offer and nodded. "Yes, speaking with her this evening would be ideal. We will mingle a little and then make our way over to the library as you suggest." Leo looked in the direction that the fellow had indicated and then returned his attention to Bradley Grey. "And again, our thanks."

"Of course. If I don't see you all again, I bid you a good evening," he said to the rest of them with a pleasant smile, walking away in the direction where Erica Carlyle was, not approaching her while she was in conversation, but hovering nearby while holding a barely touched drink.

---

OOC: Players, the floor is yours until such time as you make your way to the library. Let me know what else you would like to do while you are here before you make your way over there.

"That sounds most promising.  I hope she is as receptive to our inquiries as she has been to our request for a meeting."  Rosalie knew all too well just how stubborn women of high rank and power could be.  Sometimes they would not acquiesce no matter how convincing the argument or persuasive the speaker.  Turning her head, she took a sip of her drink as she surveyed the room.

"That does give us a little while to enjoy the party, if such a thing could be accomplished on a day like this."  She did not need to look at her uncle to know what he must be feeling.  Her aunt was physically and emotionally drained.  Most of them were.  Though the wound was still fresh for her, Jackson's death had not yet settled to the ache of loss.  The search for his killer kept his memory alive and her spirit from the depths of depression. Staying occupied kept her mind off his death and her grief from overwhelming her.

Focusing her attention on Stanley, she tilted her head a fraction.  "I am inclined to dance at least once while we're here as I haven't had the opportunity in some time.  Are you going to ask me?"

    Annabel watched Bradley go off to where Miss Carlyle was, then turned to the others. She nodded in response to Rosalie.

    "I think that is an excellent idea, it's been so crazy the last couple of days. So I guess we'll meet again in a hour?" she looked at her watch to check the time. "Well I guess I'll make the most of it then, if you will excuse me. "Oh and have fun dancing you two," she said to Rosalie and Stanley with a sly smile.

  Heading away from the group, Annabel walked over to where Bradley stood. She gave the man a pleasant smile which highlighted her pretty face.

      "So Mr. Grey," she asked curious, "are you not permitted to enjoy the party? It would be a shame to let such a lavish event go to waste.  You seem to have done well for yourself, tell me, how did you come to be Miss Carlyle's....assistant? Helper? What would you call yourself?"

"Who said I'm not enjoying it?" he asked Annabel with a smile, taking a sip of his drink, though he looked a bit perplexed at her next question, as if it rankled him somewhat.

"I'm would call myself her attorney. I'm a partner at Dunstan, Whittleby and Grey, and our firm has represented the Carlyle family for many years. I represent Miss Carlyle and her estate and holdings and serve as a counselor to her with respect to a number of matters."

  "Oh forgive me Mr. Grey," Annabel said in a apologetic tone  "I am not familiar with such things and am afraid I caused you a slight." She looked a little embarrassed and quickly worked on fixing her error. "Being in such a position reflects your accomplishment and success and it is one to be admired." She gave him another smile hoping all was forgiven.

   "Now as for the party, I guess your definition of fun and mine are different," Annabel said in a teasing yet playful tone; "If you call hovering near Miss Carlyle instead of dancing with a pretty lady fun. I am here to rectify that if you I can pull you away from your duties for a moment." She batted her pretty blue eyes and looked at him expectantly.

OOC:

Annabel, make a Persuade roll

Leo watched the others all split off to enjoy themselves. He felt a momentary pang of longing for Kate - it would have been better for them to be together right now. But he was happy she was far from danger.

Leo looked around for anyone else that might possibly be of use during their investigations. These were guests of Miss Carlyle, and perhaps some of them might be known acquaintances of those that went missing. Barring that, Leo would make some small talk about the weather, Columbia, and the newest fashion and dance fads that he failed to understand. Or perhaps speak with any of the frequent customers of the family business that might be in attendance.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 52):

16:23, Today: Annabel Ashcroft rolled 52 using 1d100 with rolls of 52. Persuade (55%).
Barely, but I guess it's good enough.

"No forgiveness necessary, Miss Ashcroft," he said. Bradley considered the proposition for a moment, and then quickly finishing his drink, deftly placed it on the tray of a passing server before extending his hand towards Annabel. "But I do believe that I'll take you up on that dance."

Bradley Grey wasn't a man that was often thought as handsome, though he wasn't ugly either. A rather plain looking fellow, he was nevertheless expertly groomed and exquisitely dressed in garments of exceedingly high quality. As they began to dance, it became obvious that he was no stranger to this. He was nimble on his feet, and capable of taking the lead or letting her do so when the dance called for it.

---

OOC:

Annabel, that was good enough. Don't forget to check the box on your character sheet indicating a success!

Leo, make a Luck roll for me.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Thu 19 Feb 2015.

   As they went out on to the dance floor, Annabel felt relived he didn't take it personally, was she really that out of practice at this? Boy, what would Mother say? She curtseyed to Bradley and took up a dance position with him. She soon found he was surprisingly good at this. Her face showed a mix of surprise and approval.

 "My Mr. Grey, you move most gracefully, I guess you DO do more than just hover around Miss Carlyle. Tell me, what is she like? One really doesn't hear much about her other then the society papers usually."