billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 18, 2012 14:46:10 GMT -5
Deciding to come back to the Manor in hopes to at least talk to others. Perhaps they knew something. Billie was determined to at least get some form of answer and preferably it was the answer he wanted. With the evidence he needed. As morbid as it sounded, a body or a least a grave of this Emma Ravenhearst.
Getting out of the truck, he strode towards the gardens, noticing a stable with a horse. Someone definitely lived here there was no doubt. He moved back around to the entrance but there was no answer. He felt rather uneasy when he looked back up over the massive castle-like estate.
Departing from the main entryway again, he started back around to the gardens. Perhaps someone was there whom he could talk to. He wanted to see about gaining access inside. If at all it could be accomplished. "Hello?" Billie called out in his deep soothing voice that could just envelope anyone in a swoon.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 22, 2012 20:07:03 GMT -5
Erik had come outside earlier than usual. It was customary for him to take a walk just after dark. He enjoyed the cool air. The smell of autumn was now in the breeze and he was wearing his fedora and cape. He slowly walked down the path through the trees and the gardens in his leisurely way.One could not even hear his footfalls, he walked so softly.
Suddenly Erik stopped when he saw a figure quite a ways ahead of him. A tall figure wearing a large hat. A man with longish grey hair. He seemed to be looking for someone or something. He followed the man quietly, to see where he was going. A newcomer to the mansion? Most likely. Always curious, Erik continued to follow him.
Then the man called out in a deep voice, "Hello?" Erik stayed still and stopped in his tracks, waiting for the man tor turn around. Erik's cape billowed out behind him and he pulled his hat down a bit more over his mask.
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 22, 2012 20:25:24 GMT -5
Walking on for several paces rather slowly as he looked around to see if anyone was on the grounds but did not turn around to look behind just yet. He looked up at the massive amount of windows. Granted he felt a little like he was trespassing. But, damnit he had to know! He had to find the answers to those questions that were asked by so many over the years.
Removing his hat as he combed his fingers through his silvering hair as he thought. Where in the devil were the people of this estate? Were they all hiding? Slowly Billie turned around as he was scanning the grounds. His eyes then befell upon a cloaked figure. Stunned as he stood there a moment, then put his hat back on. Wondering if he was seeing some ghost or a hallucination. "Hello?" again Billie called out in that deep, smooth-as-whiskey voice. "You live here?"
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 22, 2012 21:03:57 GMT -5
Erik kept his peace until he was closer. "Yes," he replied. "I do live here, although under duress." His tenor voice was a contrast to the other man's deep one. He continued to approach the man slowly, his cape still billowing out behind him. "I am called Erik Lenoir," he said in his almost British speech, with only a trace of a French accent. The tall man was speaking English, Erik thought, in an American accent.
Then he glanced over a bit further. He saw a vehicle parked there which was similar to some of the village vehicles. The strange automobiles which went so fast down the street that one could hardly find a place to cross without being run over. They were frightening.
Erik nodded in the truck's direction. "Is that your vehicle? I have seen such in the village." He came a few steps close and studied the man. He had a large white moustache and looked to be maybe twenty years older than Erik. "Are you here for a particular purpose? To see someone?"
Erik nodded toward the mansion. "IT's getting late, If you would care to stay her tonight, I am sure I can find you a rom. And a meal if you're hungry." He started walking toward the mansion, waiting until he could see if the man would follow him or not.
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 22, 2012 21:29:51 GMT -5
Finally a resident! Billie hid his delight rather well enough not letting it show upon his face at all. Instead he nodded in satisfaction. That soon enough changed at the mention of 'under duress'. What? Was this elegantly dressed man here not of his own will? A prison on the estate? Confusing to say the least.
Billie stood his ground as the other man strode closer and held out his hand, "Billie Cristofersen," he replied as they apparently exchanged names. Taking a mental note of the other man's name and his appearance.
"Yup," replied Billie as he looked over at the truck. "I figured that was a drive way. Didn't know where else to park. Hope I'm not blockin' the way." Planting his hands upon his hips as he stood there casually and turned his gaze back to the elegantly attired man.
"I'm new in town. But I've heard of this here Manor. I was hopin' to talk to the owner and ask some questions," Billie's voice reverberated deeply and casually. That warm yet hard gaze was measuring up the other man. Assessing everything that was about him.
"Naw," as he waved a hand briefly. "I've a place nearby. But I wouldn't mind some coffee. Are you by chance the owner of this place?" And turned to follow the elegantly masked man.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 22, 2012 21:48:12 GMT -5
"Very well, we can certainly arrange for some coffee in the kitchen. Come with me." The tall man had asked if Erik were the owner of the place. Erik smiled. Everyone seemed to think that. He always seemed to be about to greet new people. Erik wasn't sure how that happened. This visitor was quite interesting. If he drove one of the strange vehicles, he must be from the future. Well, not necessarily, Erik chided himself. He could have learned from the people in the village. He would find out in time.
"And certainly you may leave your vehicle there. I would venture to say that none of the residents of the manor has a mtorized vehicle. So no one could possibly object. If by chance they do, I shall certainly take care of that," Erik said with a bit of authority.
"And no, Monsieur Cristofferson, I am not the owner of this place. I have however, discovered who that person is. Unfortunately I have only met him once and I know not where he hides himself most of the time. He is quite inaccessible.
They walked through the garden again and past the pond with its weeping willow trees. The garden path led directly to the door leading into the mansion. Erik opened the door and held it behind him for Billie. "I believe you would be most surprised at some of the things that go on within this building..." he said mysteriously.
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 22, 2012 22:09:12 GMT -5
Nodding slowly once while his hands were upon his hips, "Much obliged," again in that deep, smooth voice. Coffee sounded good since he was still getting use to the time difference from the mid-US to England. That and this country was a different soft of environment than what he was used to - a little crisp and damp.
Removing his hands from his hips, Billie followed Lenoir towards the Manor. Smirking with barely an amused huff at the authoritative tone in regards to his truck. No doubt that would be a sight to see.
One step closer to some answers. Hopefully. Billie listened with a rise and fall of inward emotions. Not showing by any means what he was thinking or feeling. From the knowledge of there was an Owner of the estate to not knowing where this Owner was. "I see," Billie simply said finally with a mellow almost slightly defeated tone of voice that seemed to have gotten lower, if that was possible.
He continued to follow Lenoir, holding the door as he entered into the Manor after Lenoir. Glancing about at the massive gothic yet Victorian structure. It was strange. Looking as though it was in the middle of being restored. Then turning his hard gaze back to Lenoir. "How so?" Billie simply said while not missing a step as he now walked with Lenoir to get that coffee.... and most likely chat.
At that moment, his cell device buzzed. Taking it off the clip attached to the waistline of his denims, he looked at the device, touched a few buttons, looked like he was reading something before he tapped a few buttons then closed up the device. "Sorry 'bout that. My associate. She's arrived in town. You were sayin'?"
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 22, 2012 23:18:14 GMT -5
Billie seemed disappointed when Erik told him that he had no idea where the owner of the mansion was. "As I said, I have only met him once. The mansion is, however a lovely place to stay, I must admit. We each have our own quarters. It's unbelievably large. Even larger than it appears from the exterior, if that were possible."
Erik waited a moment and then when they entered, a small buzzing sound was heard and Billie took a small device from his belt and looked at it. Then he cryptically acted as if had received a message. Erik frowned. Another of the inexplicable devices that the modern generation seemed to have about them all the time? Roselin knew about dozens of them it seemed. This appeared to be a new one. He couldn't imagine what it was or how it worked.
He didn't say anything, but watched Billie intently as he seemingly pressed some buttons on the device. Erik then continued walking into the mansion. There would be plenty of time to discuss the modern devices. Erik nodded as they approached the staircase. *It's up this way, Monsieur. " Then he thought back to what Billie had just said about the device. "Your associate? In town?"
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 22, 2012 23:45:30 GMT -5
Billie was baffled now. How could one live here and having seen the Owner once? The confusion barely showed upon his face as Billie contemplated all of what Lenoir said. "A reclusive person, huh?" Glancing sideways at Lenoir for a moment before facing forward. Then glancing sideways at Lenoir once again. Pondering why the man wore a half mask. It was an oddity that he didn't quite understand. Perhaps Lenoir was the Owner and was being rather obscure about it.
Nodding as he walked the hallway with Lenoir to where ever they were going to have coffee. This place was huge and Billie began to understand what Lenoir meant about the place bigger inside than what it looked like outside. Nodding, "Yeah. A friend's daughter who works for me. She finally arrived and let me know that she was in town taking care of business." Didn't really reveal too much of the reason. The masked man most likely wouldn't want to be bored with meaningless details of why they were in England. Smirking as he slightly shook his head once, "She's a heck of a spitfire. Sometimes... she 'll put me in my place." The look on his face was of amusement and memories. "Probably wondering why I'm at this place," lifting his head to glance about before looking at Lenoir with that amused look.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 23, 2012 19:50:16 GMT -5
Erik led the way up the steps and listened as Billie detailed thoughts about his associate who worked for him. It was a woman. He was curious about that and why they were here. Billie seemed to have a special reason for coming here. Erik wondered if he'd be able to go back to his own country when he was finished here. That would be interesting. But the other residents' inability to leave could have something to do with the time anomaly.
At the top of the stairs, Erik led the way down a long stairway and then pushed through two large, heavily carved, dark wooden doors. It led into the beautifully decorated dining room with its upright paino, long lace covered table and green marble fireplace. The long case clock chimed the half hour and Erik pulled out his pocket watch and nodded in satisfaction. The clock was exactly correct.
"If you sit down, Monsieur, I shall see what is in the kitchen." Erik walked toward the kitchen just as another man came out.
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Post by Alfred Worthington on Sept 23, 2012 20:00:50 GMT -5
Alfred was in the kitchen tidying up. He pushed through the open door and saw two men, one of them wore a strange half mask and was apparently coming toward the kitchen when Alfred had exited. The other one was a taller and older man, Alfred's own height and age,. He wore his white hair long. He looked like what the Americans called a "cowboy" or cattleman from one of their western ranches. At least it seemed to Alfred. The other one was shorter and younger with auburn hair. He was rather odd looking. The mask interested Alfred greatly, although he did not let his eyes dwell on it.
"May I take your coats and hats?" asked Alfred with a smile. "I have only just arrived. My name is Alfred Worthington and I am manservant to Raoul Christophe de Chagny. Do either of you know him?
"Is there anything I can obtain for you? The kitchen, I see, is tocked very well. I was just tidying up a bit. Have you both just arrived or have you been here a while. Pardon me for, as I mentioned, I have just arrived myself and am settling into the routine of the mansion."
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 24, 2012 0:08:49 GMT -5
Nodding in response to Lenoir's offer to sit while he went to the kitchen, but before Billie could sit another man appeared. Watching this other man with that usual cool gaze and nodded at him. Practically having forgotten about his hat while in a building, especially a home and quickly removed it when the obvious Englishman's offer to take hats and coats. Billie held his hat an motioned with his hand as though like a halt and shook his head, "It's alright. Thanks though."
Raoul de Chagny? Billie had never heard of that name at all. Never rang a bell. So he shook his head, "No, can't say I have," he replied in that usual deep smooth voice. "Just some coffee, please." A real English manservant. Now Billie had seen everything. Lord, this was going to take some getting use to 'jolly old England' and their silly ways.
Pondering a moment as what this manservant said. Since he recently arrived most likely he didn't really know the Owner either. Especially if he was under the service of someone else. Or perhaps the Owner with this de Chagny feller. Figuring out what happened to Emma was indeed going to be a hell of a challenge.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 24, 2012 20:00:25 GMT -5
When Alfred said he worked for Raoul de Chagny, Erik wondered which one. "Yes. Very good to meet you, Alfred.," said Erik. "And which de Chagny are you speaking about. There are at least three here that I know about." Erik looked at the older man. Alfred seemed very non-committal, but pleasant, as a manservant should be.
"You may bring us some coffee, Alfred," said Erik. "That is if your master does not mind you waiting on someone else." Erik wonderred if the de Chagny this man worked for was Christophe. It seemed that every time he and Christophe met, the two had had harsh words and even some blows. He wondered what his rival would say if he knew he were borrowing his manservant. Then of course there was Edouard. Erik had not seen Edouard for some time, and he expected that unless he became involved with Emilie again, Edouard would leave him alone. Then there was the other de Chagny, the one without a middle name. That fellow seemed to think Erik was his best friend, even though he rather annoyed Lenoir. He had asked Erik to be his best man at his wedding, which had rather surprised the Phantom. But he had agreed. He liked the little blonde Christine, de Chagny's fiancé, and he would do it for her. Not that de Chagny was a bad fellow, just annoying.
Then Erik realized that he hadn't introduced himself and the man he had met outside. He wasn't planning to offer his name unless asked, though. If this were Christophe de Chagny's servant, he didn't care to have him mention it to his master. "Alfred, this is Billie Cristoferson. He is just visiting, that is correct, Monsieur? And you are from America, n'est-ce pas?" He looked at Billie when he said that.
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Sept 27, 2012 21:39:29 GMT -5
Billie sat there with a blank poker face as his cool eyes shifted between the two men. The half masked man seemed rather in control or so it appeared. Perhaps he wanted to be in control and Billie would keep that in mind at least. Noting also some hint of some form of discord in the masked man's voice. Someone here that was associated with this Alfred obviously irritated the well dressed man.
Nodding once as he moved his hand to his fore head as though to tip his hat that was no longer upon his head. "Nice to meet ya," Billie offered some sort of a pleasant smile from under that bristled mustache. Nodding once more, "That's right." He was a man of simple and few words mostly. Always getting down to business.
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Post by Alfred Worthington on Sept 28, 2012 19:34:35 GMT -5
Alfred went into the kitchen to prepare coffee. He was used to preparing it the old fashioned way, but he had watched someone else make coffee in what they termed a "coffee maker." Quite an obvious name for a rather delightfully quick appliance. One simply added water in the top and coffee in another place, pushed a button and in an instant the machine began making noises and brewing coffee. It would be done in a short time.
In the mean time, Alfred found the lovely bone china coffee cups and saucers in the cupboard and put them on the table. He arranged a lovely bowl of fruit for the centre of the table. It looked elegant in the cut glass bowl. He brought out the bowl of fruit. "There are biscuits also, in the kitchen if anyone would care for any...I believe Americans call them "cookies," he mentioned, looking at Billie. "And of course, scones and just about anything else anyone could think of. Someone is keeping the kitchen extremely well stocked." He looked at the two men, waiting for an answer. He realized he was talking too much. A good manservant keeps his thoughts to himself! He was so accustomed to speaking that way with Christophe that he was getting into bad habits!
"Excuse me, good sirs, I shall be back anon with your coffee." Alfred disappeared into the kitchen and returned with the bone china coffee cups filled with the brown hot liquid and served the two men. Earlier he had set out sugar and cream and small teaspoons. He hoped everything was to their liking. He nodded and disappeared into the kitchen again.
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