The Manners Estate

by **Domina** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:25 pm

The urban sprawl of London leeched out into the countryside, it's tendrils consuming the farms and hamlets to satiate it's bloated form. Nestled within the grasp of the cold concrete was an oasis of green; the estate of the late Sir Harry Manners. Maticuiously kept grounds surrounded the impressive manor house, dotted with pristine marble statues and picture perfect gardens.

The interior of the mansion was no less impressive than it's exterior. Every room, every hallway was perfectly decorated in every detail. The furnishings were beyond decadent, antique furniture of such fine quality that it would feel quite imposing to all but society's most elite. Men and women dressed in highly-formal servant uniforms buttled constantly, their well-practiced footfalls deathly silent even in the echo-promoting oak and mahogony halls.

"Pardon, Mistress."

The man spoke with great respect, standing straight in his flawlessly fitted grey morning dress suit, the only hint of colour being a vibrant dark violet tie. He stood at the edge of a massive ornate rug, centuries old and handcrafted over what had to have been thousands of man hours. In the middle of the rug sat a monumental wingback chair which dwarfed all of the other furnishings in the room. On a small side table sat a glass of wine and an ornate crystal ashtray.

"Go on, Wilson. I'm listening." Long leather boots creaked as the figure in the chair crossed her legs, her heel dangling above the rug.

"Mistress, our investigation leads us to believe that the entity you described is not present on this planet at this time, nor is there any evidence to suggest that this will change in the immediate future. We have examined the intelligence reports of every other organization and individual with interest in the entity and their data supports this hypothesis."

"Disappointing." The woman said, a gloved hand raising an ivory quellazaire to her lips. Grey whisps rose from the embers at the tip of the cigarette, smoke curling from her mouth as she looked away at something of little importance in a manner that suggested her boredom.

"Yes Mistress. But our other investigation is showing promise. We have confirmed through our sources that the events of the night in question were indeed the result of a tear between dimensions. We also have several leads on organizations working to recreate this phenomona."

"I see what you are suggesting, Wilson. Instead of a beneficiary gifting me a craft and searching for my prize out there, we simply find a world where it is more easily accessable and take it at our leasure." After setting down her cigarette in it's holder the woman picked up the wine glass, taking a slow and well savoured sip. "I approve. Keep tabs on these groups for now, there's no sense in working on it yourselves if you can just take it."

"Thank you Mistress. There is just one other matter. The hour is drawing near and the guests will be arriving soon."

"Yes, of course Wilson. I would not wish to delay your Inner Circle's little chess game."

The figure stood. Her tight purple evening gown flowing along her legs and obscuring her boots until she took her first step, the dangerously high slit along the side giving her ample movement in the slinky shiny little number. As soon as she was out of the chair it was swarmed by servants, moving the furniture away and resetting the hall into a more informal sitting area much like the gentlemens clubs of old. She approached the man who appeared to be the head butler, pausing to allow him to relieve her of her cigarette.

"You may go change into your lounge attire. I wouldn't want you to feel like the odd one out amongst so much crushed velvet and ruffles."

"Thank you, Mistress." The man bowed before turning away, handing the woman's cigarette to one of the other servants before he took his leave.

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:48 pm

Later that same evening....

Domina was standing in a rather massive bathroom, her servants toweling her body dry and combing her hair while others drained the tub of the milk and honey mixture, a few more preparing her clothes for her. There came a knock at the door. "Enter", she commanded. A butler stepped inside, closing the door to the bathroom behind him. Neither of them seemed at all awkward or embarrassed by the woman's current state of undress.

"Mistress, we've found yet another one. She had taken on the guise of one of the kitchen staff."

"Ugh, again?" The woman sighed in an annoyed tone. "Very well, see her in. We will have our little discussion."

The butler nodded and opened the door, motioning to the two guards dressed in body armor in the hallway. Between them they held a young woman in her late teens, her brownish-blonde hair done up to allow the proper look for her little uniform hat, her glasses doing nothing to hide the hatred in her eyes.

"Hello again Miss Sherlock." Domina smiled, a pair of servants draping a massive purple bathrobe over her slender form. "You will forgive me if I forgoe the usual puns related to your name and this city, I have other matters to deal with tonight so we must make this brief."

Jezabelle opened her mouth to speak but froze in place, not a sound coming from her mouth.

"Now now dear, I'm not interested in talking to you. We both know you do not have the power to project yourself this far from home, not without some help." Two servents rushed in from behind the woman, placing an ornate chair under her as she sat, making herself comfortable while yet another knelt before her to give her a pedicure.

"Hello daddy, decided to check up on me again have you? I really wish you wouldn't bother. I think I've made it quite clear that I have no intention of assuming leadership over your little island, whether by force or by birthright. Whether you like it or not I've got my sights set on a much, much bigger prize, something worthy of my greatness. And no one is going to stop me, not even you."

The door to the bathroom opened once more, a servant entering with a covered silver tray.

"So you can go ahead and think as many paranoid delusions as you like, father. I don't send my messengers to preach to you and quite frankly I no longer give a damn if you approve or disapprove of my ambitions. But if you ever even attempt to meddle in my affairs the way you did last month, well...."

The servant on her right stepped forward, removing the cover from the tray and presenting Jezabelle with a Scottish dagger. The girl picked up the blade and held it firmly in her hand.

"Aww, are you upset daddy? No, you can't sever the link, can you? Because I don't want you to. This little puppet's strings won't be cut by you or her. Have you noticed daddy how your little assistant is mimicking the actions over there? How easily I could have her pick up that pen from the desk and make it certain that you stop these foolish little intrusions? But that's not going to happen. No, I want you to have the option and choose not to spy on me. And in return for sparing her life, I'm going to let you feel everything."

The Jezabelle copy whimpered softly as she lifted her hand toward her head, pressing the blade against her throat. And in one deft motion, it was done. The body hit the cold tile with a wet, dead thump, crimson filling the grout lines between the tiles as she slowly bled out. And after several moments the body eventually started to break apart, crumpling into dust and dissipating.

"Pity. The rose bushes by the pool could have used some fertilizer. They will simply have to wait until the next opportunity I suppose." Domina said wistfully, raising her legs as the servants began swarming around her, applying her makeup and slipping her into her clothes.

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:59 pm

The next day...

A dark green Bentley rolled through the gate and up the gravel path leading to the front of the mansion. It comes to a stop in front of the stairs to the front door and after the Will that was driving hurried around to open the door for her Sara steps out of the car, wearing a business suit. Straightening her clothes she walks up the stairs to ring the doorbell.

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:05 pm

The massive oak door groaned with age as it was opened, an impeccably groomed blonde man in a grey suit answering the door.

"Good day madam. Might I ask your name and business here?"

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:07 pm

"Faultline. And company." she adds with a glance over her shoulder towards the male and female Wills following behind her. "I need to speak to the mistress of the house."

by **Legion** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:15 pm

The Wills were exquisitely dressed, the girl holding a silver briefcase.

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:19 pm

"A moment, please" requested the footman before he closed the door. It was only a moment before it was opened again.

"The Mistress would like to welcome you to her home. Please, do come in." The door was held open wide, a pair of maids waiting to lead them off to somewhere else in the house.

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:21 pm

"Thank you." she says, barely acknowledging the maids leading them into the mansion.

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:28 pm

The maids led the trio through the lower floor of the house, all the way to one of the back exits. Judging from the fencing and the lack of grass, this part of the grounds was used as the manor's stables. A woman approached atop a shiny black steed while dressed in a traditional British Equestrian riding outfit, though her coat was a brilliant purple hue instead of the more traditional red or black. The horse came to an abrupt halt in front of them, trotting in place as it made itself comfortable.

"Good morning Doctor, so nice to see you." She said cheerfully, though she made no effort to climb down from her horse just yet.

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:32 pm

"Good morning. I hope we aren't inconveniencing you."

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:37 pm

"Not at all my dear. With the company I keep, a visit from persons such as yourselves is a wonderful breath of fresh air."

The horse stepped backward a bit uneasily before it was soothed by her voice, Domina skipping from her saddle to stand beside it, rubbing the beast's long neck.

"So, tell me, what brings you to my humble little abode?"

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:41 pm

"I thought you might be able to help with something that has been puzzling me. About certain people seemingly disappearing into thin air."

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:54 pm

"Well, you're the scientist, surely you have some hypotheses as to what may be the cause." Domina said before she handed the reigns off to one of the servant girls, though she kept her riding crop in hand.

"Though I am a bit curious as to why this is so important that you would come all this way just for the possibility of an answer. And so many people go missing every day for so many reasons, perhaps you wish that nothing sinister has befallen... someone special perhaps?"

by **Faultline** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:59 pm

Sara lets out a sharp laugh. "That is nothing I am all that worried about. No, I am talking about a certain figurehead who kept all the riff-raff united against General Bowen. He disappeared without a trace and we have been waiting for an attack of opportunity that never came. The General must be up to something and the timing makes me think the two events are related."

by **Domina** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:35 pm

"Well, if you're talking about whom I believe you are talking about, then I might have an idea of what happened to them." Domina said before she pulled off her helmet, her curly violet locks spilling out as she shook her head.

"Just so you know, the entire 'guessing who you mean' part is genuine. I so seldom have guests who are entertaining that I would not dare spoil it by dipping into your mind. That is like poking holes through the wrapping paper of all your gifts on Christmas eve. Such a waste."

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:59 am

"Please, who else could I be talking about. I just understand right that these... circles dislike specifics until a deal has been made, yes?"

"Why don't we go for a ride and discuss this?" she adds, nodding at the stable girl holding Domina's horse.

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:38 am

"Of course, of course. The walls have eyes and ears, even when there are no walls. What an age we live in, no?" Domina smiled in a friendly enough manner, something that could either be encouraging or frightening depending on what a person knew about her.

"That sounds like a lovely idea. I will have Ms. Braddock fetch you a fresh horse and such." The second servant who had escorted the trio this far stepped forward, putting Domina's hair up into a bit of a bun to allow the woman to put her helmet on again neatly.

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:20 am

"Oh there's no need for that." she smiles, not without a certain smugness. There's the faintest hint of a nod towards one of the Wills as her suit and shoes already begin to shift and fold, reconfiguring into a set of riding clothes.

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:46 am

"Good help is so hard to find, but when you do it is quite lovely isn't it?" Domina said, one of her servants acting as a step as she climbed back onto her horse.

"Next you will tell me you've brought your own horse as well."

by **Legion** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:15 pm

The male Will smirked, and got down on all fours, his skin rippling, turning a dark chestnut brown, his clothes ripping and melding into his skin, his neck lengthening, his hair trickling down...

...and soon, there was a stallion, complete with saddle and reigns.

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:21 pm

"You were saying?" Sara smirks as she swings herself onto HorseWill's back.

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:22 pm

"Impressive." Domina nods in approval, pulling the reigns to maneuver her horse to ride parallel with Sara's steed. She took the lead, the beast trotting along the fence line of the dark soil.

"What is your field of expertise, doctor?"

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:27 pm

"Adaptive Cellular Biology." she says, begrudgingly letting her take point.

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:36 pm

"Then this may be a little out of your field, but I trust you will understand enough." Domina said. Her horse kept moving it's ears back, trying to move away from the fake animal but being forced to remain parallel by the woman's commanding hold on the reigns.

"How familiar are you with the theories surrounding parallel dimensions?"

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:46 pm

Noticing the other animals nervousness she glances down at 'Will' with a slight frown and makes a mental note of his failings.

"I am familiar with the concept though any actual expertise lies mostly with pocket dimensions."

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:51 pm

"Well your actual expertise is more than my own in this matter. Some of my sources however are very interested in the concept. A few even believe that not long ago an event occurred which opened a rift between this dimension and another."

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:54 pm

"Maybe a couple of months ago by any chance?"

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:15 pm

"Approximately." Domina answered. "I cannot offer you any proof that this is the cause of this person's disappearance, but it is a rather interesting coincidence."

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:21 pm

"It sure is. And I assume you won't give up the names of those interested sources by any chance."

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:28 pm

"Do I have any reason not to?" Domina asked. "These individuals, in some manner, are of interest to me. So long as they and their work are not compromised, I see no reason to be concerned. The question is whether or not you can be trusted with those names."

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:33 pm

"Oh I figured there were plenty of reasons why you wouldn't want to reveal your sources. Though I do wonder what interest you have in their work proceeding undisturbed."

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:38 pm

"My dear, many of my sources don't even realize they are a source." Domina grinned. "I would like to keep it that way. If you wish, I can have my staff obtain any information you may require."

"As for why, that is rather irrelevant to your investigation. After all, I have not asked you why you wish to know the whereabouts of this individual, have I?"

by **Faultline** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:51 pm

"The information I require is who is interested in this... concept."

by **Domina** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:25 pm

"Hmmm. That I will have to be convinced about." Domina said.

by **Faultline** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:09 am

"I certainly did not expect it to be free of charge."

by **Domina** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:11 pm

"So, what is your offer?"

by **Faultline** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:25 pm

"You tell me. You certainly don't seem to be lacking much."

by **Domina** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:49 pm

"I will take that as a compliment." Domina said, her horse picking up the pace a little bit as she stood more in the saddle.

"What's in the case?"

by **Faultline** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:02 pm

"Specialized specimen samples and a couple of biological agents that were a... side-effect of my research."

by **Domina** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:42 pm

"Well well, you've done something few ever do Doctor Faultline. You've made me very curious. Surprises are so rare for someone like myself that I really must relish them."

She brought her horse to a halt, lining it up with a fence for practicing horse jumping. "What do you say to a friendly wager?"

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