[F4A] A Castle To Ourselves

[alisunderstorm]

Archivald Manor, 38 Cliffs Peak Drive, Takiwatu National State Park
“They say that dead men tell no tales, but the stories they leave behind always speak on their behalf.”
The dark night came quick, with the autumn chill close behind. Annabelle clicked off her tape recorder, and with measured steps along the cobblestone driveway, she approached the wrought iron gates of the manor. In the light of the moon, the fence glinted like diamond, victorian palisades, but under the warm orange glow of her flashlight, the fence revealed rust, vines and roses.

It didn’t take much to open the gate- someone had already unshackled the lock, and thrown it to the side under a birdbath. As for the manor itself, it was awake. The first floor had firelight pouring out of every window, spilling into the gardens and stretching the shadows of every rock and statue impossibly long into the gravel and forest beyond. The second floor was quieter, with the occasional window lit up here and there, with the third floor being the most shy of them all. Only one room, the observatory, had light. It looked like a single candle, lone and flickering, and the moment Annabelle stepped from shadow, into light, it snuffed itself out.

The chill air whispered against her neck again, waking her up from her thoughts. “The gardens could be investigated in the morning”, it spoke, “when it’s warmer.” And frankly, Annabelle was inclined to agree.

So with an old key, old but strong and sturdy, she unlocked the old latch, feeling the deadbolt scrape open. And with baited breath, she stepped inside.

———

Hey hey! Looking for an experienced (or enthusiastic) role player to walk us through a mystery of sorts Either that, or someone down to use a nancy drew setting as background to a LOT of smut. Open positions are childhood friends, “watsons” to annabelle’s sherlock, butlers, servants, maybe even the master of the manor, or the villian behind it all.

Toss me an idea in DMs, or continue below,

 

[Rocket1010]

Thomas Archivald stood in the observatory, looking out into the misty night. A single candle illuminated the room casting shadows dancing on the walls, It was getting late and he wondered what might be keeping the reporter being sent to write a story about the oldest Manor in the county.

Archivald Manor had been in the family for over a hundred years, being passed down from generation to generation. There were so many stories told about what happened behind these walls. The town folk liked good gossip and there was plenty to talk about over the years, some true and some false. There were stories of persons arriving and never seen again which was completely false. And then there were whispers about the Manor being a sexual haven for their guests.

Of course, the stories of sexual activities were all true but every patron was required to sign a document. The document outlined in great detail that whatever happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors. And since their guests were well connected in business and government, they had a lot to lose personally and professionally. So far, no one had the nerve to speak publicly about what sexual activities they experienced and Thomas wanted to keep it that way.

He thought about the dinner he attended where he talked with the editor of a very prestigious magazine who was doing a story on all the old houses in the county. The editor was most interested in his Manor and he knew he shouldn't agree but after a few drinks, he found himself agreeing to allow a reporter do a story. The editor told him he was sending a young woman, Annebelle ..... he couldn't remember her last name. Thomas thought he could show the reporter around for a day or two and they would be gone and the Manor could go back to business as usual, entertaining guests who had different sexual tastes.

He was watching for Annebelle, who was scheduled to arrive soon. He looked at the moonlight casting its light on the trees creating eerie shadows on ground and old steel gate. A vehicle stopped near the ivy covered wall and he looked on with interest to see who the editor had chosen. The woman was unrecognizable until she stepped from the shadows and Thomas saw a young woman, surveying the Manor. When her eyes cast upward to the observatory, he blew out the candle, darkening the room and making him invisible to their roaming eyes.

Thomas watched in darkness as the young woman walked toward the old ornate oak door. He had alerted Charles, his butler, of the reporter's arrival and was confident he was in the large foyer waiting for their guest. Thomas trusted Charles with many things needed to be done to run a Manor. The silver haired late 50ish gentleman had been with Thomas for twenty-five years, starting out as a grounds keeper and when Alexander, who had been his dad's butler passed, Charles was quick to learn the position and when Thomas' father passed, Charles was a friend and confident during those hard times. Charles, despite his age was still considered a ladies man who was sought out by some of the female guests for more than just conversation.

Since the Manor was very old, Thomas liked to keep the ambiance of past years when candles were used to light up the Manor. Now, candles were lit in the foyer and Charles, holding a candlestick, stood in the shadows of the library, a room off the main foyer. He watched the young woman enter and look around at the paintings and tapestries hanging on the wall. When she looked in his direction, he saw her eyes open wide and her mouth open as if surprised to see someone.

"Good evening Ms. Annebelle. My name is Charles and I'm Mr. Thomas Archivald's butler. Mr. Thomas asked that I greet you and tell you he is happy to be your host for a few days." Charles stopped for a moment, seeing she didn't have any luggage. "I'll have Peter fetch your bags while you meet Mr. Archivald in his study. This way please."

Charles walked ahead of Annebelle through the library into a main hall and then arrived at a thick oak door. In the office, a few candles were lit casting shadows on the walls until he flipped a switch and soft light illuminated the room. "Mr. Archivald likes a lot of candles so don't be surprised if you don't see many light fixtures turned on. Please have a seat," he said pointing to two leather chairs in front of the desk. "Mr Archivald will be with you directly."

Charles left Annebelle alone and met Thomas outside the door. He smiled and winked at his boss and watched as Thomas walked into his study, hearing him introduce himself.

"Hello Ms. Annebelle. It's nice to meet you and we hope your stay here is pleasant. You have to forgive me but I don't remember your last name."