Sep 12, 2024 9:57 pm
OOC:
rollin'Last edited September 12, 2024 9:58 pm
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Spirited Away - The Game
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Sep 13, 2024 2:23 pm
Edward notices that the Cook refers to the bedchamber as belonging to the mistress. It is possible that this is due to her husband's mysterious absence but house servants, especially in the country, are creatures of habit - he has witnessed in other occasion a footman mentioning "Admiral So-and-so's chamber" years after the admiral's unfortunate demise. It is not unusual for affluent married couples to have separate rooms without any reflection on the state of their marriage (one might argue that the convenience and privacy afforded to each party contributes to the strength of the relationship) and it is possible that such is the case in the Tubbs household. Which however makes it unlikely that the couple take their breakfast in their rooms; except in case of indisposition.
OOC:
Tl:dr, they must have had breakfast in the dining room. Another possibility is the sitting room, but you already know its windows face the front garden, not the inner courtyard.Sep 13, 2024 3:13 pm
Hmm... we must take a look at the view from the dining or sitting room...
"I see, of course, south-east..." he humours the Cook admitting his mistake. "Oh well, I hope she is well, do you know how the mistress is doing?..." he lets the question hang, not directed to anyone in particular, to see if any -including Elsie who might have seen her this very morning- volunteer anything.
"I see, of course, south-east..." he humours the Cook admitting his mistake. "Oh well, I hope she is well, do you know how the mistress is doing?..." he lets the question hang, not directed to anyone in particular, to see if any -including Elsie who might have seen her this very morning- volunteer anything.
Sep 13, 2024 4:43 pm
OOC:
I can't really think of anything useful for Max to do until the afternoon, so he'll just play the role of the gentleman, stay in his room until late morning, then stroll about the house a bit, but not do much while Edward makes use of his much better access to the servants.Sep 15, 2024 7:11 am
Realizing that at this point, perhaps it would be possible to speak to Mrs. Tubbs, Maximilian, after staying in his room for a while in the morning, leaves and begins his search for Dr. Amberly. The man insisted on being present, and given what he knows about this particular fox, perhaps Maximilian shouldn't disrespect his demand. If he comes across a servant, he will ask for the doctor's whereabouts to try and find him.
Sep 19, 2024 10:01 pm
Maximilian
Maximilian finds the physician in the sitting room, accompanied by a pot of coffee which he seems to have emptied all by himself.
"Good morning! I would have saved you some," he gestures at the remnants of his breakfast, "but I've been informed that you are being attended by your own servant. Shall we proceed then?"
Edward
Edward has no luck with the servants in the kitchen. Elsie is tight-lipped and soon excuses herself, claiming she needs to see to Mrs. Murgatroyd. The Cook, while willing to chat, and indeed doing so on topics of little consequence, is woefully ignorant of what is happening upstairs. If anything, she seems hopeful that Edward would furnish her with news of any new developments.
Maximilian finds the physician in the sitting room, accompanied by a pot of coffee which he seems to have emptied all by himself.
"Good morning! I would have saved you some," he gestures at the remnants of his breakfast, "but I've been informed that you are being attended by your own servant. Shall we proceed then?"
Edward
Edward has no luck with the servants in the kitchen. Elsie is tight-lipped and soon excuses herself, claiming she needs to see to Mrs. Murgatroyd. The Cook, while willing to chat, and indeed doing so on topics of little consequence, is woefully ignorant of what is happening upstairs. If anything, she seems hopeful that Edward would furnish her with news of any new developments.
Sep 20, 2024 9:37 am
Edward excuses himself and says he needs to check if his master is in need of anything, and leaves the kitchen.
He will wander around the accessible parts of the house, with the excuse of looking for his master's misplaced walking stick, if asked.
If he locates the sitting room, he will enter to observe what is visible from the windows, trying to imagine what Elsie might have been seeing from that vantage point.
Now, if I saw my mistress outside from here, from where would I go and speak to her...
He will wander around the accessible parts of the house, with the excuse of looking for his master's misplaced walking stick, if asked.
If he locates the sitting room, he will enter to observe what is visible from the windows, trying to imagine what Elsie might have been seeing from that vantage point.
Now, if I saw my mistress outside from here, from where would I go and speak to her...
Sep 23, 2024 2:56 am
"I am and I have already had breakfast," Maximilian confirms with a smile on his lips. "But I would not have refused an invitation." He gestures towards the door in an agreement with Amberly that they might as well get going. As the doctor gets up, Max asks, "Have you spoken yet with Mrs. Tubbs this morning?"
Sep 24, 2024 9:36 pm
Edward
The windows are much smaller than what is usual in a fashionable dining room, but it has already become clear that nothing in this ancient house is particularly fashionable. Each individual piece of glass in the latticework is slightly bulbous and of a different thickness than its neighbours, turning the view outside into a patchwork of distorted lights and shapes. Still, by stepping close and peering through one of the straighter panes Edward can see the inner courtyard.
It is a square surrounded by low buildings. Edward can recognise the coach house and the stable, where Selene and Endymion together with the Tubbs horses are quietly breakfasting on hay and oats. Another must be a hen house, since there are several chickens clucking about and inspecting the ground for worms and other crawling things; and judging by the tubs and paddles and other implements resting against a wall, there is also a laundry. The centerpiece of the yard is a rather sad-looking stone well which doesn't appear to have seen much use in the recent years, as it is boarded up and the covering is weighed down with stones.
At the far end of the courtyard there is a section of wall with a small iron gate. It is impossible to see what lies beyond it; however during their conversation the previous evening Henry had mentioned a back garden. Unless the boy had been speaking of the small patch of wilting cabbages near the laundry shack, it seems reasonable to assume this is where the gate leads.
The windows are much smaller than what is usual in a fashionable dining room, but it has already become clear that nothing in this ancient house is particularly fashionable. Each individual piece of glass in the latticework is slightly bulbous and of a different thickness than its neighbours, turning the view outside into a patchwork of distorted lights and shapes. Still, by stepping close and peering through one of the straighter panes Edward can see the inner courtyard.
It is a square surrounded by low buildings. Edward can recognise the coach house and the stable, where Selene and Endymion together with the Tubbs horses are quietly breakfasting on hay and oats. Another must be a hen house, since there are several chickens clucking about and inspecting the ground for worms and other crawling things; and judging by the tubs and paddles and other implements resting against a wall, there is also a laundry. The centerpiece of the yard is a rather sad-looking stone well which doesn't appear to have seen much use in the recent years, as it is boarded up and the covering is weighed down with stones.
At the far end of the courtyard there is a section of wall with a small iron gate. It is impossible to see what lies beyond it; however during their conversation the previous evening Henry had mentioned a back garden. Unless the boy had been speaking of the small patch of wilting cabbages near the laundry shack, it seems reasonable to assume this is where the gate leads.
Sep 25, 2024 7:28 am
Edward looks for an access to the courtyard.
Once he finds it, he will step outside, with the slow demeanour of somebody taking in new surroundings. He looks back at the house, making a note of which windows directly face the courtyard.
Then he leisurely walks to the old well, looking at its covering, and the stones weighing it down.
hmm... Strange to find it in disuse. With that canal so close by, these should be water-rich lands.He then walks to the far end of the courtyard, and the gate leading to the alleged back garden, to see what the view is from there.
Once he finds it, he will step outside, with the slow demeanour of somebody taking in new surroundings. He looks back at the house, making a note of which windows directly face the courtyard.
Then he leisurely walks to the old well, looking at its covering, and the stones weighing it down.
hmm... Strange to find it in disuse. With that canal so close by, these should be water-rich lands.
OOC:
does it look like the covering and stones have been there a long time? ie signs of moss growing, or leaves and detritus having accumulated, etc. Looking to determine if they have been recently put in place or displaced then closed again. Oct 4, 2024 10:17 am
Maximilian
Dr. Amberly seems to be in a more jovial mood than the evening before and so there is no confrontation in his tone when he asks whether he is being suspected of underhandedly influencing Mrs. Tubbs against Mr. Calstock before the interview. He laughs, signifying that the question is merely in the spirit of friendly banter, and as such not requiring an answer.
"But you need not worry, you are in luck. I have been giving Mrs. Tubbs time to prepare and compose herself, it always takes ladies a considerable effort to achieve a look which suggests no effort has been necessary."
And he is perfectly right. As they enter the lady's chamber, Maximilian can see Mrs. Tubbs sitting upright in a bed with carefully arranged linen with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her hair is hidden under a fresh night bonnet and her face, although pale and tired, has been scrubbed of the undignified signs of sleep. Whatever is ailing Mrs. Tubbs - whether it is grief or guilty conscience - doesn't seem to have stripped her off her dignity.
"Madam, let me present to you Mr. Calstock," the physician begins an introduction after making a few polite inquiries after the lady's condition and praising the benefits of a good night's sleep.
Dr. Amberly seems to be in a more jovial mood than the evening before and so there is no confrontation in his tone when he asks whether he is being suspected of underhandedly influencing Mrs. Tubbs against Mr. Calstock before the interview. He laughs, signifying that the question is merely in the spirit of friendly banter, and as such not requiring an answer.
"But you need not worry, you are in luck. I have been giving Mrs. Tubbs time to prepare and compose herself, it always takes ladies a considerable effort to achieve a look which suggests no effort has been necessary."
And he is perfectly right. As they enter the lady's chamber, Maximilian can see Mrs. Tubbs sitting upright in a bed with carefully arranged linen with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her hair is hidden under a fresh night bonnet and her face, although pale and tired, has been scrubbed of the undignified signs of sleep. Whatever is ailing Mrs. Tubbs - whether it is grief or guilty conscience - doesn't seem to have stripped her off her dignity.
"Madam, let me present to you Mr. Calstock," the physician begins an introduction after making a few polite inquiries after the lady's condition and praising the benefits of a good night's sleep.
OOC:
I'm giving Max an opportunity to introduce himself (his profession and purpose) as he would prefer, otherwise the doctor will do it.Oct 5, 2024 5:42 pm
Max chuckles along with Amberly at his not entirely - at least hopefully not - serious question, then lets the doctor lead the way. His first impression of Mrs. Tubbs is that she seems far more composed and herself than Mrs. Murgatroyd was claiming, though a conversation should reveal the truth of that.
"I have come here from London with my servant, Mr. Broadhurst," Maximilian expands on Amberly's introduction. "An associate of ours was concerned about the situation regarding your dear husband and asked us to offer our assistance in resolving the matter."
"I have come here from London with my servant, Mr. Broadhurst," Maximilian expands on Amberly's introduction. "An associate of ours was concerned about the situation regarding your dear husband and asked us to offer our assistance in resolving the matter."
Oct 7, 2024 10:21 pm
Edward
After exploring the courtyard, Edward discovers the reason for the well being left in disuse - there is a new, modern hand pump close to the kitchen door, too near the house to have been visible through the window. The well itself seems unremarkable enough. In a well-tended park or square it would have been a blemish, but since it sits in the middle of what is for all intents and purposes a farmyard, it does not offend the eye. It appears to have been covered a few seasons ago, or else the wooden boards must have been cracked and rotten even at the time - there are large gaps between some of them. This does not seem to deter the chickens, who - judging by their leavings - find it to be an excellent spot to catch the noon sun when the weather is clear.
The garden beyond the gate is a different thing altogether. It is as if the thin path disappears directly into the forest, only an observant person would argue that the trees and bushes are much younger and probably of more cultivated varieties. There is a haunted feeling about the place, and it is not only the melancholy that autumn always brings.
Maximilian
"Elsie warned me that the house is full of strangers. I do so wish to be left alone, yet I suppose a woman's grief is everybody's business when there is an estate to be divided. Am I correct in assuming that you represent an attorney's firm?"
Mrs. Tubbs studies Maximilian for a few moments then looks away again, her gaze stopping on a side table where the gift of sweets sits unopened.
"You do not look like an attorney, or a clerk. Yet I suppose you have not been in the profession long, young as you are."
Mrs. Tubbs herself is not a young woman - at least not as young as one might suppose her to be after conversing with her aunt, in whose eyes Mrs. Tubbs is still a fresh-faced debutante, not to be trusted with important decisions. It is hard to judge with precision but had the lady been blessed with children - of which there seems to be no evidence - the eldest among them might have been Maximilian's age.
After exploring the courtyard, Edward discovers the reason for the well being left in disuse - there is a new, modern hand pump close to the kitchen door, too near the house to have been visible through the window. The well itself seems unremarkable enough. In a well-tended park or square it would have been a blemish, but since it sits in the middle of what is for all intents and purposes a farmyard, it does not offend the eye. It appears to have been covered a few seasons ago, or else the wooden boards must have been cracked and rotten even at the time - there are large gaps between some of them. This does not seem to deter the chickens, who - judging by their leavings - find it to be an excellent spot to catch the noon sun when the weather is clear.
The garden beyond the gate is a different thing altogether. It is as if the thin path disappears directly into the forest, only an observant person would argue that the trees and bushes are much younger and probably of more cultivated varieties. There is a haunted feeling about the place, and it is not only the melancholy that autumn always brings.
OOC:
It's impossible to see all of the garden from the gate, or even judge how big it is. Edward would need to explore further.Maximilian
"Elsie warned me that the house is full of strangers. I do so wish to be left alone, yet I suppose a woman's grief is everybody's business when there is an estate to be divided. Am I correct in assuming that you represent an attorney's firm?"
Mrs. Tubbs studies Maximilian for a few moments then looks away again, her gaze stopping on a side table where the gift of sweets sits unopened.
"You do not look like an attorney, or a clerk. Yet I suppose you have not been in the profession long, young as you are."
Mrs. Tubbs herself is not a young woman - at least not as young as one might suppose her to be after conversing with her aunt, in whose eyes Mrs. Tubbs is still a fresh-faced debutante, not to be trusted with important decisions. It is hard to judge with precision but had the lady been blessed with children - of which there seems to be no evidence - the eldest among them might have been Maximilian's age.
Oct 9, 2024 3:39 pm
"People often don't exactly look like what they are," Maximilian replies, his eyes very briefly moving to Amberly as if to share a knowing glance. "But in this case, I do not look like what I am not. I was not sent by an attorney's firm. In fact, I was sent by a gentleman you will have certainly have heard of before. Mr. Norrel, the magician of Hanover Square. He has asked my servant and me to help with this case and in the process dispel or confirm certain rumors surrounding it."
Oct 9, 2024 4:58 pm
Seeing the close trees and bushes growing thicker past the gate, and feeling the haunted atmosphere that seems to emanate from it, Edward pauses.
Better not to venture in there without anyone knowing - and it might be worth asking more about this thick growth of trees, so close to the garden gate. Maybe one of the help can tell me something about it.
He walks back to the house, glancing once more at the windows above.
Once indoors, he looks for some of the servants in the kitchen, and starts enquiring about the garden.
"I took a walk in the back courtyard - not a bad day for it, if one is well-covered. Say, that garden at the back, past the gate... it seems pretty unusual. The trees and bushes grow so thick and close to the walls..."
He leaves the sentence hanging, to encourage some comments on the matter.
Better not to venture in there without anyone knowing - and it might be worth asking more about this thick growth of trees, so close to the garden gate. Maybe one of the help can tell me something about it.
He walks back to the house, glancing once more at the windows above.
Once indoors, he looks for some of the servants in the kitchen, and starts enquiring about the garden.
"I took a walk in the back courtyard - not a bad day for it, if one is well-covered. Say, that garden at the back, past the gate... it seems pretty unusual. The trees and bushes grow so thick and close to the walls..."
He leaves the sentence hanging, to encourage some comments on the matter.
Oct 17, 2024 2:29 pm
Edward
The Cook lifts her eyes from her work momentarily and gives Edward an indignant look, as if she is about to comment on London valets and their idle ways - taking a stroll indeed! - but she replies politely enough.
"It is how the master prefers it. In my opinion this garden is in need of some proper care, but Mr. Tubbs would not hear of it. He keeps the paths maintained well enough, but would not let us touch his shoots and thickets. The Mrs. has her own front garden, he says, where she can prune to her heart's content, so he should be allowed to have his Faerie forest." She doesn't go as far as to scoff, but it is implied in her tone.
The Cook lifts her eyes from her work momentarily and gives Edward an indignant look, as if she is about to comment on London valets and their idle ways - taking a stroll indeed! - but she replies politely enough.
"It is how the master prefers it. In my opinion this garden is in need of some proper care, but Mr. Tubbs would not hear of it. He keeps the paths maintained well enough, but would not let us touch his shoots and thickets. The Mrs. has her own front garden, he says, where she can prune to her heart's content, so he should be allowed to have his Faerie forest." She doesn't go as far as to scoff, but it is implied in her tone.
Oct 17, 2024 2:48 pm
Maximilian
"A magician?" Mrs. Tubbs exclaims in some distress. "What would a magician want with my husband's..." she does not finish, her eyes darting from Maximilian to Amberly and back in some evident agitation. The physician takes a breath to give explanation, but the lady suddenly lets out a quiet "oh" and settles back into her pillows.
"It is because of Jack, isn't it. Jack Starhouse, this is whom you are after."
"A magician?" Mrs. Tubbs exclaims in some distress. "What would a magician want with my husband's..." she does not finish, her eyes darting from Maximilian to Amberly and back in some evident agitation. The physician takes a breath to give explanation, but the lady suddenly lets out a quiet "oh" and settles back into her pillows.
"It is because of Jack, isn't it. Jack Starhouse, this is whom you are after."
Oct 17, 2024 11:12 pm
Ignoring the bad look, Edward tries to press the woman on. "Fairy Forest? A curious name. So Mr Tubbs truly was a fairy enthusiast, huh? What's the place like? Does it deserve such name?"
Oct 21, 2024 8:16 am
"I do admit that the rumors surrounding Mr. Starhouse were what caught my associate's attention and why he asked me to come and assist in this terrible situation. What is your impression of Mr. Starhouse? Could there be anything to these rumors?" He lowers his voice slightly, conspiratorially. "Mr. Norrell of course believes any tales of fairies in England to be false, but you can never know, can you?"
Oct 22, 2024 10:17 am
Edward
"Well I wouldn't know about that, would I!" the cook answers sharply and by the way of illustrating her hands being full, she lifts the bowl with the mixture she has been beating with a birch whisk for the past few minutes, and then sets it back on the table with an angry thud. "In case it has escaped your notice, I have better things to do than to be wading through thickets and brambles. Why don't you go and see for yourself?"
Maximilian
"Then you can set your master's mind at ease. There are no fairy spirits here; or if there are, Jack Starhouse is not one of their number. I believe he ran for fear of being blamed for what... what happened to my husband. I would have reassured him myself that I bear him no ill will but it would be a lie if I told you that I am not glad he is gone. If I never hear his name again it would be too soon. That is all. You may leave now with my blessings, Mr. Calstock. I am sorry you have had a wasted journey."
"Mrs. Tubbs, what did happen to your husband?"
Until now the lady had been looking at the empty space, as if speaking to someone standing by the curtains of her window. At Amberly's question she turns to him, but quickly averts her gaze again.
"I know he was your friend and you feel that I owe you an explanation. But if telling you that he is gone is not enough, I fear there is nothing I could say at present that would satisfy you. I am sorry. Please, leave me now."
"Well I wouldn't know about that, would I!" the cook answers sharply and by the way of illustrating her hands being full, she lifts the bowl with the mixture she has been beating with a birch whisk for the past few minutes, and then sets it back on the table with an angry thud. "In case it has escaped your notice, I have better things to do than to be wading through thickets and brambles. Why don't you go and see for yourself?"
Maximilian
"Then you can set your master's mind at ease. There are no fairy spirits here; or if there are, Jack Starhouse is not one of their number. I believe he ran for fear of being blamed for what... what happened to my husband. I would have reassured him myself that I bear him no ill will but it would be a lie if I told you that I am not glad he is gone. If I never hear his name again it would be too soon. That is all. You may leave now with my blessings, Mr. Calstock. I am sorry you have had a wasted journey."
"Mrs. Tubbs, what did happen to your husband?"
Until now the lady had been looking at the empty space, as if speaking to someone standing by the curtains of her window. At Amberly's question she turns to him, but quickly averts her gaze again.
"I know he was your friend and you feel that I owe you an explanation. But if telling you that he is gone is not enough, I fear there is nothing I could say at present that would satisfy you. I am sorry. Please, leave me now."
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