henhursthall | Mardi Gras!

murder on the henhurst express!

what's up? Fairy lights and feather garlands adorn the walls of the first floor of Henhurst Hall this evening. Rose Weasley is celebrating Mardi Gras in an unorthodox way: a Murder Mystery Party. In the interest of entertaining as many themes as possible, she's set the entire affair on a fictional train running in 1920's Wizard America, and she strongly encourages everyone to dress up in costume.

visuals!

Cocktails include prohibition-era recipes like the Bee's Knees, Mary Pickford, French 75, and Sidecar. Snack foods are a little more standard party fare, although Rose has set them up with little placards that declare murder-themed names for them (ie, Death by Chocolate Cupcake, as well as the considerably less inspired Mystery Meatballs).

there's been a murder! An hour into the party, the festivities are interrupted by a GHASTLY SCREAM! It sounded like it came from Willoughby's office, so you better hurry over there! Inside, train conductor Rose has dramatically positioned herself to weep at the feet of the now late Willoughby Sprout, splayed across his desk and murdered by some ne'er-do-well! Just as Rose throws her arms up in despair, wondering how they will ever POSSIBLY solve the terrible crime, her pug dog trots around the desk and plops his butt down, looking very cute in his little Sherlock Holmes get-up.

It's the world-famous dog detective, Detective Inspector Pug, Rose crows. Surely now everyone will be saved!

"What should we do, Detective Inspector?" Rose asks.

"Arf!" Dip says, and immediately begs for the treat he knows he deserves. Rose gives it to him, and then hands you all treats of your own: dossiers about your new train identities. But the murderer is among the group already, and everyone had better be very careful...

cast list!

Professor
Sergeant
Criminal
Artist
Engineer
Occultist
Lounge Singer
Aviator
Antiquarian
Prizefighter
Barrister
Big Game Hunter
Doctor of Medicine
Archaeologist
Governess
Chauffer
Clergyman
Film Star
Union Activist
Photojournalist
Bartender
Gambler
Conductor
Detective

Volunteer A
Volunteer B
Volunteer C
Volunteer D
Volunteer E
Volunteer F
Freddie Weasley
Volunteer H
Marion Bell-Wood
Criswell Trelawney
Lysander Scamander
Valerius Nott
Volunteer M
Volunteer N
Volunteer O
Louis Weasley
Scorpius Malfoy
Volunteer R
Siân Fletcher
Lorcan Scamander
Volunteer U
Corrie Pye
Rose Weasley
Detective Inspector Pug

how this works! ⬥ This is mostly just for silliness, since I couldn't think of a manageable way to run a murder mystery for 30+ characters in the journal format. The goal should just be to write some silly little scenes with your character playing a character.

⬥ Claim your character's role in the story below to be added to the cast list. The Murderer has been randomly selected from the list already! You will be notified if you are the Murderer. Each character role comes with a simple costume piece themed around the profession and a 20-page packet detailing their life and backstory. Nobody could blame you if you don't read this.

⬥ For every ten total tags completed by the characters "in character", I will post a little more of the pre-written murder mystery patter I have prepared as the game continues over the course of the night.

⬥ For added chaos, there's actually nothing stopping you from murdering your scene partner if you feel like they're being suspicious. Rose encourages it, actually! But it does mean you'll also be a murderer afterwards. "Murdering" someone requires you to slap a skull-and-crossbones sticker onto the other person. Rose charmed these to be extra sticky and they're incredibly difficult to remove. Everyone has one!

locations! ⬦ WHAT'S UP?: Let everyone know what your character is up to (and what super cute 1920s costume they're wearing!).

⬦ LOBBY: The building's lobby has been repurposed as a dance floor, and whoever gets the "Lounge Singer" role in the Murder Mystery is given total control over the sound system for the evening (although they don't actually have to sing if they don't want to).

⬦ SPEAKEASY: Briar Longbottom's room has been dressed up to look like a Prohibition Speakeasy, and whoever gets the "Bartender" role in the Murder Mystery is roped into serving cocktails.

⬦ POKER ROOM: Lucy Weasley's room has been dressed up to look like an illicit high-stakes game of poker is being held in it. Whoever gets the "Gambler" role in the Murder Mystery is politely asked to ante up ten galleons to furnish the pot.

⬦ CAFE: The first floor's common area has been decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights, and food as well as non-alcoholic drinks can be found here. It's also usually the setting for Rose's over-dramatic Murder Mystery scenes.

⬦ THE MURDER MYSTERY: "Scenes" in the Murder Mystery game can take place in any area, but threads should all be placed here!

⬦ OOC - VOLUNTEERS

⬦ OOC - QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Louis has no idea what he is in for, but is dressed like this.

"Oh, sir, may I take a photo?" Lorcan asks in his very best American accent. It sounds a little Appalachian.

Louis grinned and tipped his hat. "Of course, good sir." His accent was terrible. Why did he even bother?

Louis is one of the few people here Lorcan takes his time to get an actual, decent photo of. Most of the other, older Weasleys are getting blurry shots or unflattering angles to add to the family photo album.

Freddie has a big green feather boa wrapped around his neck and the top of one of those vintage microphones hanging on the top of his wand. Sometimes he sings into it and sometimes he sticks it in your face and demands you sing along to the current song, and yes it's hooked up to the sound system so sing loud and proud.

Get a few drinks in Louis and he is singing happy songs.

Lorcan just looked at a photo of his great grandpa for inspiration to transfigure his clothes into and now he's essentially cosplaying Newt Scamander, but with a press card fedora.

He has one of his big cameras hanging on a strap around his neck and he's snapping pictures of everyone and everything. And to anyone who asks: he is Logan Goldstein, an American photojournalist from somewhere on the east coast but his inconsistent accent sure make that hard to pin down.

Edited 2021-02-17 03:45 (UTC)

The party had initially sounded like a good time to Criswell but now that he's been assigned the role of prizefighter, he's a bit more on edge. He isn't in any way equipped to playact at being a tough guy and he can't quite escape the thought that he'll somehow be roped into a tussle. Please don't hit him. He's made of glass.

...but it will probably be fine.

He's dressed in a neat three-piece suit with a purple tie appropriate for the time and has his hair slicked more definitively than normal.

Edited 2021-02-17 00:45 (UTC)

Scorpius is on the record saying he doesn't understand theme parties... but that doesn't mean he's not curious. Not to mention Rose is the one behind it, and he knows she won't let him get away with skipping. He's dressed in long dark clergy robes, and will chide friends for not calling him "father".

As soon as he sees him, Lorcan snaps his picture without his consent.

"Scamander," Scorpius scolds, in the way you might tell a puppy to stop jumping up even though you don't actually mind that much.

"Goldstein," he corrects. He's American now. "Nicetameetcha, Father."

He holds out his hand for a good, firm, all-American handshake.

Marion, having dated no fewer than three separate girls who declared themselves 'Antique Hunters' (success pending), feels singularly qualified to play the antiquarian. Now, if only she'd actually paid attention to their haul stories so she could repurpose them for her own.

No matter. Bullshit about old bullshit? She's got a dapper-ass suit and she's on the case.

Lysander actually likes this style, like he was born to look like a little miniature Ebenezer Scrooge. He brought a gigantic notebook and quill, and has a great excuse to be taking notes all evening, which he does, often around conversations he's not part of.

Lorcan also snaps a photo of Lysander without his consent. He's going to show this to their parents later.

"I'm suing you." Is a natural response when he hears the click of that camera. He begins writing a cease and desist to his brother, immediately, in character, to be sent by charm later in the evening.

"This is America," Lorcan-as-Logan declares very sanctimoniously, as if that point alone is argument enough. He bends and leans and squats while he snaps several more photos in quick succession-- that's what you call ACTING!! "The people have a right to know."

"And what about.." (he does a paparazzi-hide duck behind his own arm, here,) "MY right to privacy. The people are vultures."

"You waived those rights when you became... a suspect...!" The line delivery falls a little flat.

Does Corrie use parties as a excuse to buy costumes? Yes, she does. Will she ever wear this dress again? Who can say?

Her name tonight is Ruby Templeton. She is always holding a drink and has a handful of cards hidden up her sleeve.

Edited 2021-02-17 05:03 (UTC)

Molly is bringing some decidedly Wednesday Addams vibes in a simple black drop-waist dress with a very big collar and some serious ass Theda Bara makeup. She is also carrying around an old kindle with a cheap faux leather cover that has "NECRONOMICON" written on it in sharpie.

Tonight she's giving everyone free vibe checks whether they want them or not.

Tonight, Hugo is a 1920's Doctor of Medicine. Specifically a country doctor, traveling from town to town, treating those in needs. He wears a three-piece wool suit, has a stethoscope around his neck, and carries a leather doctor's bag. Hopefully it has the medicine you need. But if not, don't despair! For Dr. Hugo never goes anywhere without his handy amputating saw. And he's never met a medical problem he can't just cut off.

As the silent film star, Albus is going for a Harry Lloyd in The Milky Way look, complete with black bow tie, white dinner jacket and round glasses. (Admittedly, the glasses give him more of a Harry Potter than Harry Lloyd look, especially given that this is an old pair Albus borrowed from his father.)

On the silver screen, Albus plays a charming and energetic figure known for his physical comedy and incredible stunts, but off screen, he is a haunted mess who resorts to dames and alcohol to quell his demons.

Mardi Gras!

WHAT'S UP?

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WHAT'S UP, LORCAN?

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WHAT'S UP, LYSANDER?

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WHAT'S UP, LYSANDER?

WHAT'S UP, LYSANDER?

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WHAT'S UP, Molly?

WHAT'S UP, HUGO?

WHAT'S UP, ALBUS?