1st victim

[stagemanagers]

[The performers have been in the opera house for nearly two weeks now. Overall, despite the captivity, the experience has been a mellow one even with the introduction of the motive. Peaceful almost.

It's 7 am Friday morning. As everyone starts to putter out of their dressing rooms and begin the day, something feels different. A certain heaviness in the air, a sense of dread...oh, and then there's the metallic smell of blood coming from the hallway.

Investigate?]

Comments

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[You have a little investigation company, Raoul! ...Though she's probably not going to be much help, Valjean's death has hit D-ne hard, given the tear-stains on her face.]

Raoul-...san... H- have you found anything...?

[dechagny]

[The fact that so many ladies must bear witness to and investigate such a gruesome murder weighs as heavily on Raoul's mind as Valjean's death itself. And D-ne is a sweet girl, almost like a little sister, that his heart hurts when he hears her question.]

No...nothing yet. I...am not even sure where to begin to look, or if there is anything here to find...

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[She tries to smile. It's very strained.]

I'm afraid... I probably won't b-be of much help. I didn't think--

[She breaks off and wipes her eyes with the back of her sleeve.]

[dechagny]

[He approaches slowly, putting an arm on her shoulder, and...drawing her close for a hug. A comforting one, like one a big brother would give to a younger sibling.]

Neither did I. And...especially not to Monsieur Valjean.

[And then he catches sight of this and pulls away, eyes narrowing, before he moves to go towards it.]

Miss D-ne, there is something...

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[Well, that's. D-ne is stiff, as if she's not used to such a gesture, but manages to almost return it, sort of. One arm up at Raoul's mid-back. Her hand's trembling.

When he pulls away, she blinks, a little confused, and trails behind.]

Ah...? Oh, is that...?

[dechagny]

We should check it. Unless you would rather sit, in which case I will check it.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

I think... I will be best here.

[dechagny]

[He'll nod, and offer a reassuring smile. It's not as brilliant as it should be, but it is full of honest sentiment.] It will be alright, Miss D-ne. We will find out what has happened and apprehend the murderer - and then we will not have to worry anymore.

[Raoul........]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[Whether she believes him or not, she responds:]

...Yes... Yes, that's just what will happen.