#earthrunes

Wednesday the thirteenth, Zara stretches in her bed, and to her surprise, finds a note in webbing. It must have taken the spiders all night to write:

Her eyebrows lift, and grey lips curl into a smile.

She can absolutely Dress today!

She opens her wardrobe, only to find that her clothes options are limited. There is a purple suit, of classic victorian academic bent, and in shades of purple. Someone has taken a victorian style for men and altered it to be feminine.

"Hello, Vashti." She recognizes the stitchery, tracing a pale fingertip over the passementarie.

Why there's even an old style pipe. She doesn't smoke, but it is lovely. And it smells vaguely of tea?

A breezy rattle of laughter. All she needs is a deerstalker cap.

None of that, all purple and plums and violets..which some foolish folks (Such as the ST) might see as the same thing, but such ignorance would send Vashti into a pooka flutter frenzy

Zara dresses, piling her white hair high and accessorizing with spidery jewelry which had been previously gifted by her Love.

She looks like someone in this, vaguely at least, but she can't place who. She know a number of literary sources. Mmm

Still, a smashing look if she does whisper so

A spider calls attention to a pair of frames to use. Not actually perscription

A gentle brow-quirk, but she perches the spectacles on her nose.

Well, doesn't she look incredibly academic? Another web message on the door : Your ride awaits outside the door. Fear not, tea will be served before the Murder Begins

Well, that's delightfully ominious

"1122?" The Ladies seem absent, but what about her most stalwart companion?

Why there is no sign of him. MOST curious. There is however a voice...

Sir Bachdion's voice "Are you ready, Professor? If not I can wait"

"Ah, Bachdion. Good morning, sir."

"Sorry can't hear everything you're saying through the door, my apologies." A gent, he'd not normally go in uninvited

Zara opens her crooked door.

Bacdhion is dressed in brown, not his usual color, and his outfit has the look of a victorian scoundrel, complete with eye patch "Happy Birthday" He says "Are you ready for your transport? "

Why is he speaking French?

She tilts her head. "Oui?" She will play along. She knows french.

"Then, we travel." A bit of dross is used, and they vanish.

And she gazes before her, under a cloudy sky, one dark and threatening, an Old English Country House.

Bachdion gestures to the door "This way, Professor. Tea for you"

"Tea would be delightful, aye."

And in they go. There is something familiar about this house, and it's so period. Oh she can see the signs that it was made so recently, not enough dust, the only webs being provided by the ladies in this or that corner, but as she comes in, she sees Vashti dressed all in whites resembling a frazzled servant.

Yes, again period outfits

"Monseiur," She says in English "I see you've brought our guest of honor"

A smile hovers at the corners of her mouth, despite her efforts to appear serene. Her dark eyes sparkle with delight.

"Yes, Mrs White, until the unfortunate happens, as it must, I leave caring of the Professor to you"

"Welcome, then, to Tudor Mansion, Professor" Mrs White curtsies in her apron "The Colonel, Reverend Green and that woman will be here in due time"

Zara can't help it. She starts giggling.

"Why Professor Plum, why ever are you laughing, a murder is likely. Most serious" But Mrs. White aka Vashti's lip edge curves up

She does prepare the tea for them, while they wait

"Very seriously. Deathly serious."

A knock on the door.

From outside.

"Monsiur Brunnette," Mrs . White says to Bachdion, "Would you be so kind as to see which guest that is at the door? "

"oui" he smiles and slips out

Mrs. White adds a bit of that rotten cream Zara likes to her cup, expertly and says "Professor, I do hope you enjoy our murder today. I Know it is a bit declasse, but there are prizes to be one in deadly combat and the like. And Mr. Body is just DYING to meet you"

She covers her mouth with her hand - more giggling. It sounds like a death rattle.

Vashti glows with pleasure, perhaps she had been worried her sister would not like the theme, but now Zara's pleasure is her pleasure in this so all is well

"I cannot wait to meet the guests."

Monsieur Brunnete says "Here is the first..."

When Bachdion...pardion, Monsieur Brunnette...returns from the door, he is escorting a certain Woman in Red, her hair done very high, her neckline very low, and her long dress accentuating every single curve. She holds her head high with the air of somebody expecting accolades for just entering the room.

And she...waits, posed there, for her escort to announce her to the room.