changeyourmind: (🧨 244)
rose minerva [muffled mumbling] ([personal profile] changeyourmind) wrote in [community profile] henhursthall2021-02-16 03:30 pm
Entry tags:

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!
cristrelawney: (pic#14665914)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] cristrelawney 2021-02-18 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
Having just met Corrie last week, there's an absurd sort of déjà vu in going through the process of introductions again, even with false identities. Criswell almost laughs but manages to catch himself and reaches for her outstretched hand instead.

"The one and only," he confirms, delivering a too-firm handshake, "But think nothing of it, Ms. Templeton. It's a pleasure to meet you. Makes a fellow know he's finally running in the right circles." While her character may be in the midst of gambling away a fortune, his is an up-and-comer just tasting success after a string of victorious matches. Still wanting more. Everything to lose if things don't keep going right. Even as a fictional backstory...it sort of stresses him out.
corriespondence: (pic#14651049)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] corriespondence 2021-02-19 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
He probably didn't mean that as a flirt, but Ruby is an opportunist and will absolutely take it as one.

"Charmer," Corrie says with the cheekiest of grins as she reclaims her hand. It was a surprisingly good squeeze. "But you're right, and you've certainly earned it after your fight against," she takes a sip from her Mary Pickford to give herself a second to think, "Maniac Magee last week. The odds were completely against you! How did you do it?"

She gives him a slightly-too-innocent look and hopes he'll resort to punching motions.
cristrelawney: (pic#14676739)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] cristrelawney 2021-02-19 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Unprepared for both the label of charmer and the question about his fictional boxing career, Corrie can see Criswell's expression slip into uncertainty before he follows her lead and takes a drink. The French 75 is a bit intense for him, but it had seemed right for Michael.

When he lowers the glass, he tries to look confident and shrugs his shoulders casually, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee's not hard when the other bloke moves like a caterpillar. Magee's tough but he's got no precision. No finesse. He's a brute." He pauses, possibly trying to read Corrie's face to see if this answer was up to par, then tilts his head in consideration, "Do you...typically follow such matters, Ms. Templeton?"
corriespondence: (pic#14626630)

Re: LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] corriespondence 2021-02-19 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
As much as she would've enjoyed seeing Criswell act out a boxing match, coming up with that on the fly was actually really impressive.

She gives him a considering look, almost sidelong, with her head raised high. Her fingers tap-tap-tap against her glass. "Now and again. I have friends who follow them more," Corrie says. "Like I said, the odds were against you. You've flipped that now -- did you know?" But of course he knew, her smile said. What sportsman didn't know their ranking?
cristrelawney: (pic#14663164)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] cristrelawney 2021-02-19 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Putting on the most self-satisfied smirk he can muster, Criswell turns his glass idly in his hand and nods in confirmation, "I've heard. I hope your friends are placing their bets accordingly. I don't plan on letting that change any time soon."

Finally taking the first turn toward investigation (and isn't that the point?), he adds, "...Assuming we all make it through this ugly business intact, of course." He gestures around the room, indicating the 'train' as a whole. There's a murderer on board, don't you know?
corriespondence: (pic#14651045)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] corriespondence 2021-02-19 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Right, that." She turns her attention to her drink. Is Ruby hiding her face in the face of sudden guilt? Is she just that callous and unfeeling? Or did Corrie forget about the whole murder mystery theme for a minute there? Who can say?

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Ruby says finally, emerging from her glass the very picture of privilege - it couldn't happen to her, after all, so why worry? "The conductor was probably overreacting. I'm sure it was just an accident."

She fiddles with the stem of her glass. "It was unpleasant, though. I've never seen a dead body before."
Edited (Sorry again for the confusion!) 2021-02-19 17:44 (UTC)
cristrelawney: (pic#14676767)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] cristrelawney 2021-02-20 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I've seen my fair share. The war, you know, but nothing like this," Criswell returns, trying to sound matter-of-fact about the point before he continues, though casual tough guy bravado still remains a stretch for him. "...That detective inspector seems to disagree with you, though," he concludes, taking another drink to hide his smile as he thinks about Detective Inspector Pug.

The little dog had been quite adorable in his Sherlock Holmes getup. He's a good boy. He deserves to solve the mystery and throw one of them in jail.
Edited (No worries! ♥) 2021-02-20 00:29 (UTC)
corriespondence: (pic#14650948)

Re: LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] corriespondence 2021-02-20 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
The war. Of course, there was always a war. Rule 1 of roleplaying: assume there was a war at some point, because humans are terrible.

Without dwelling too much on why Ruby wouldn't have seen bodies then (too young...?) Corrie shakes her head. "These detectives always make things into a big crime. It's all murder, and embezzlement, and grand larceny, because little things aren't nearly as impressive." Ruby makes a gesture with her drink hand, now that the drink is at a less sloppable level. "I bet no one was anywhere near that room. I know I wasn't."
cristrelawney: (pic#14676768)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] cristrelawney 2021-02-21 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
Now there's a response. Dismissing the crime (and the authorities) while providing an unrequested alibi. It's too early for Criswell to be suspicious but he's certainly curious. He looks at Corrie with slightly uplifted eyebrows, answering after a pause, "I couldn't speak to that, myself. I don't deal with detectives often. Though I've certainly met men that like to exaggerate their accomplishments."

He pauses, considers, then continues.

"I wasn't either. I was watching the card sharks when the conductor...you know. Started up."
corriespondence: swansong @ IJ (pic#14677358)

LOBBY: Corrie and Criswell

[personal profile] corriespondence 2021-02-21 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Corrie felt a powerful urge to ask him if he gambled often, and if he'd noticed any particular tricks the card players were using. Shut up, Ruby, she thought, twisting her lips. You've got bigger fish to fry. Just because he'd been in the poker room when Rose started making a fuss didn't mean he'd been there for the murder itself -- but they didn't know when the murder had happened, so that was a big fat moot point.

"Exactly," she said instead, like a sane person. "And you didn't know him or anything, did you?"