WEEK 2 - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[maladied]

Let's retire in the countryside
Just as you wish it

Welcome to Hillbury

You come to in an intricately decorated dressing room. For those familiar with it, the style seems to be that of a Victorian manor house, and to those that aren't, even you can tell this is a stately room fit for the elite. In fact, you too, are decorated to match, fully dressed in luxurious suits or dresses, elegant and perfectly tailored, but still somewhat breezy and lightweight for the time period and class it belongs to. Looking outside, you get a view of a rolling and bright countryside. In the far distance, fields of crops and grazing cows can be barely spotted, but all of the nearby landmarks are elegant manors presumably similar to the one you stand in.

Comments

[maladied]

[The lady seated next to who McGillis is intuiting is Lord Barton smiles at Mabel.]

It's such a lovely estate... Octavia has a lovely family, too. I'm always happy when we can come by.

[Meanwhile, Lord Barton huffs]

If I'd known Bertie was going to get mad ideas in his head about that rumor I wouldn't have started it in the first place! Or at least a different one. I don't want the townsfolk going hunting in the woods, it's our property, or at least the most of it! Between Gustav, Angus, and I.

[A pause, then he adds, as he looks at Mabel and McGillis]
And who exactly are you, again?

[hardyboys]

[ She smiles at the lady, nodding, before turning. She blinks a bit at the mention of Lord Barton being the one to start the rumor, but she doesn't let it show, doing another curtsy to the party. ]

Mabel Mora, sir. Has there been problems with the townspeople trying to hunt it themselves?

[vogelfrei]

McGillis Fareed, son of Lord Iznario Fareed. My father sends his regards.

[ McGillis, for his part, does a bow. The old-fashioned ones will surely appreciate that. ]

I wonder if the story might have gotten mixed up with some pre-existing folk legend, and that's why the people have taken to it so...

[maladied]

[Lord Barton seems pleased by their politeness, but also doesn't seem to feel he has to introduce himself. In his defense, he doesn't.]

How should I know what those common folk have gotten in their heads?

[The other man at the table, who looks quite a bit less grumpy and actually a lot like Santa Claus;]

You've probably got it right on the money, young man! And indeed there has, Lady Mora. It's less of a problem in the parts of the woods that's van Zieks property, but the Waverlys and Lord Barton both have guard dogs that roam their grounds. Add to the the riverbed that runs through most of it and the fact that they usually hunt it at night since they work during the day... It's just better to keep them out.

[hardyboys]

It's probably for the best that the hunt's going on today, then, when they're all unaware, right?

[ there's not going to be any outside people in, right........... :worry: ]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis thinks to himself that, rather than trying to go after the monster, some of these trespassing hunters may just be looking to earn an additional bit of money and food for a living... but that is not an argument that Lord Barton, or anyone here, would take too kindly to. ]

Lord van Zieks also mentioned his hope that the hunt will prove to the people once and for all that the area is safe, so no vigilante hunters are needed. I pray he is correct in this.

[maladied]

It better. I don't see why we can't just demand they know their place, but apparently I've been outvoted.

[This guy really does suck, damn.]

I think the younger lords are trying to rule with a softer hand. Personally, I think our time has passed, so I'm happy to see them try things their own way. Don't you think so, Margaret?

[He looks to the wiry woman at his side, who simply nods happily, patting her husband's arm. She's just vibing.]

Will the both of you be joining the hunt?

[hardyboys]

[ Mabel stops, glancing back at one of the other two pairs, before back at the couples. It'd probably be good to see where everyone's at and see what the move from there is, but... ]

Well... it's why we're here, isn't it? It'd be a shame to miss it.

[ She glances up at McGillis. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis meets her eyes evenly and nods. There really seems to be nothing else for them here, but a monster that everyone keeps insisting doesn't exist. He'd love to share their optimism, but they're in a story and the rules of it are becoming a little clearer each day. The monster will come, and they'll have to hope to learn something and not be devoured instead. ]

Indeed. I think we stand much to learn from accompanying the party.

[maladied]

[Lord Barton nods.]

There are some things I don't approve of when it comes to the modern young woman but... I can't say I disapprove of one who can relish in the spirit of the hunt. The young Fareed goes without saying.

[The other old man laughs.]

My old bones are a bit to achy to join you all, but I do hope you enjoy yourselves!