RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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ewancummins
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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Adam wrote:Bennedict gives the runner directions to the alchemist's shop, and quickly scribbles a note describing the location and context where the residue was collected and a request to analyze it.

Thibault waits until BENN has finished giving the message, then says,"I've interviewed the witnesses, but you are welcome to have another go at them."
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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MEANWHILE


THOM THE PRINTER-

Is busy with the demands of his business. He has a shop to repair and, good stroke of luck, a new printing commission from the city law courts.
But he keeps his feelers out...

DORGIO VARGA-- Finds his part in the investigation disrupted by the urgent demands of his expatriate community. The Gundarakites of the city have called a council and are debating whether to flee or stay. Everyone is worried about the Black Cloud, and rumors of new woman-slayings in the city have made fathers with teenage daughters and men with pretty young wives very worried (a fear that has grown so intense that one newlywed, admired by many for her lovely auburn hair, now wears a kerchief like a Barovian matron. Scandalous!). All the men and women insist on Dorgio's presence as moderator for the debate. No one else has the equivalent position of trust and authority and the perception of being neutral in the debate.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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Bennedict nods and goes to speak to the witnesses, notebook at the ready to record their responses.
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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Adam wrote:Bennedict nods and goes to speak to the witnesses, notebook at the ready to record their responses.
His initial efforts go poorly. Girls seem flustered, frightened, distracted. It's hard to get anything useful or solid out of them. A few just want to get back to work. Others try to entice BENN into availing himself of their services.
Then men who were here last night to meet harlots and who've been brought in or prevented from leaving all avoid talking to BENN, and some even attempt to sneak out without seeing him for a brief interview.

The gendarmes are taking their time, searching the building, assisting BENN as he requires. They don't allow anyone to leave if BENN wants to talk with that person.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

Post by kintire »

Kat leans over to Benn and whispers.

"I think you're authoritative bearing may be scaring the witnesses. How about you give me a rundown on what you want to know and I'll try? I may be less threatening!"
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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kintire wrote:Kat leans over to Benn and whispers.

"I think you're authoritative bearing may be scaring the witnesses. How about you give me a rundown on what you want to know and I'll try? I may be less threatening!"
Bennedict quirks an eyebrow, but fills Kat in on the relevant details.
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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KAT, after having been briefed by Benn, questions the girls.

They are more relaxed with her; some even grow gossipy. She chats with the doorman, too.

What she learns:

No one actually saw the late night arson actually take place.

The doorman was dealing with a drunkard in the lobby, at the time of the fire. He heard footfalls of someone running, but when he looked, smoke blocked a clear view of whomever that was. Maybe there was a cape or cloak?

A doxy recalls a man in a drab cloak and wide-brimmed hat hanging around near the building front last night, an hour or so before the arson--but she didn't get a good look at him.

All the girls are spooked, some worse than others. Word of the murders of Anabelle and Bernadette has reached them
VIEW CONTENT:
( Anabelle was the young woman slain the night of the reunion dinner at Benn's house and Bernadette was the woman butchered not far from this brothel a couple of nights later).
Almost all the girls working here knew both women. Both victims had been whores at the Lorelei until recently. One quit to be a seamstress--that was Anabelle. She had met a young man, and some of the girls think he'd gotten her with child. Bernadette was fired for stealing from a client.

Firings and resignations are not commonplace, the harlots all agree. Madam Sophie treats her girls fairly and protects them from violent clients. She pays a leech to come in monthly to check for disease, and last year she helped a girl who'd become pregnant place her baby in an orphanage run by the Ezrans.
Besides Anabelle quitting and Bernadette being dismissed, the only worker to leave the Lorelei this year was Ettiene Saimpt-Loup, a young man who worked as a hairdresser, make-up artist, and perfumer for the brothel. All the girls knew him, though none knew him well. He was quiet and unassuming. Read a lot.
He just stopped coming to work about two weeks ago.
Nobody knows where he is now.

The interviews run long. Kat's not finished until well after luncheon.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

Post by kintire »

Kat heads over to Benn after the investigation is concluded and gives a careful account of it. She is focussed on her tasks, but cannot stop glancing around, checking for anyone, or anything, that might seem to be spying or listening.

She then looks thoughtful.

"Odd about this 'Sampt-Loup'. He stopped coming in too close to the incident to be coincidental, but according to you our were-ferret only attacks women. Does this Matyr like to read? maybe he was scoping out his targets in disguise?"
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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MORDENTSHIRE-BY-THE-SEA

HERBALIST SHOP
RECORDS ROOM


The woman read the letter again, then opened the rolltop desk in front of her and placed the yellowed paper on top of a short stack of other documents.


Retrieving a pen, ink, sand, and paper, she scooted her chair back and withdrew he flat writing table section of the desk.

She shook up the ink bottle, then dipped her quill-nib and began writing...

To the care of Messer Benedict G

Knock
Knock

She twisted in her seat, pen lifted, and looked back at the study door.
"Yes?"

The door cracked open and her servant, Hobb, stuck his wrinkled face into the gap.
"Mistress Gennie, your father's sent for you. Family business, he says. Expects you as soon as possible."

Gennifer Weathermay-Foxgrove looked down at the unfinished letter a moment then at Hobb, and again at the partially completed missive.
She set the pen down.
"Fine. Hobb, is Wilken out front? "

"No, Mistress Gennie. He went to look at the Latimer girl. Sick a' bed, poor creature, and all the Chapel-Man's prayers haven't helped. He said you knew."

Gennifer shook her head.
"Ah..no--that is right. He did tell me he was making a house call. It's noon already?"

"A little past, Mistress."


"Alright then...Hobb, you stay here and mind the shop why till Wilken gets back. Don't let any goodwife talk you into dispensing any herbs. Just take messages for Wilken. Father's at home then, not his office?"

"Aye, home, Mistress."


Geniffer lifted her riding jacket from a wall hook and tugged it on.
She mumbled,
"I'd better not keep Father waiting..."

Hobb opened the door wide for her and she hurried past the old servant, through the front of Uncle Rudolph's herbalist shop.
Last edited by ewancummins on Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Re: RAVENLOFT: The One That Got Away CHAPTER EIGHT

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END OF CHAPTER EIGHT
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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