~The Truth the Painter Learned~

Starring Bauchle, Clair Voyant, Moogle

----------

The Story~ To Come Later

Bauchle's Character Profiles

Roslin Davidson

Roslin is a woman in her early thirties, she's married and is the mother of four children. She has settled into her life very well over the past fifteen years or so, building up her family home and entertaining those in the castle in the Highlands where they live.

Roslin is a very homey woman who likes nothing more than making sure that her family is happy. She, being rather clever, often will teach her children little lessons every now and then when they aren't being tended to by the nanny.

She doesn't have many duties to do in the home, as maids, cooks and nannys take all the hard work out of life, so she will often busy herself with arts and crafts. Knitting and cross-stitch are her personal favourites, so she will often be found sitting in her favourite chair by the fire and working on some form of embroidery. She is keen to start a project with her daughters in which they create a patchwork quilt that they can pass down from generation to generation.

Roslin.

Arran Davidson

Arran is the youngest of the Davidson children as he is the young age of ten. Although he is young, he is far from unintelligent. Arran knows exactly how to get his own way and how to amuse himself while doing that. Ever since he was a young boy he took great enjoyment from pulling pranks and getting his elder siblings into trouble.

Arran is very absent minded and it is hard for him to stay focussed on one task for a long period of time, so the nanny that cares for him and his siblings has a very tough time keeping him entertained and behaving as little boys are expected to behave.

Although Arran is a bit of a troublemaker, he is a very sweet child all in all. He is very close with his father and will often be seen following him over the castle and trying to help him with various things.

In the evenings, he enjoys lying on the hearth rug by his mother's feet and listening to his father read the daily newspaper while his siblings mill about around them.

Arran.

Detective Ruaridh Mackenzie

Ruaridh originally grew up Lewis, learning Gaelic before he learned English. He joined Scotland Yard and travelled over to work on the mainland of Scotland when he was seventeen. Now in his late twenties, he is a married man with two children, Stewart and Graeme.

Ruaridh is a rather quiet man, but with incredible intelligence. He never seems to say a lot, and to most, he seems as if he is often lost in a daydream. However, he is connected to what is being said at all times and is recording it in his mind for future use.

He is a pleasant man who tries to see the best in people, but at times he struggles to remain impartial to those that he believes has done wrong to someone around him. He does not suffer fools gladly and will be quick to tell someone if he feels they are an imbecile.

He loves his family dearly and whatever they want, he tries his hardest to provide. One day he dreams of taking his wife Mona and his two sons back to Lewis where he grew up, just so they can experience the same close-knit community feel that he grew up with.

Ruaridh.

Clair's Character Profiles

Kora-Blaine Davidson
[IMGRIGHT]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk323/Fan_Of_Tudor/1766-67JohnSingletonCopley1738-1815MrsWoodburyLangdonSarahSherburnepvt.jpg[/IMGRIGHT]
Kora-Blaine, though the third child of Mungo and Roslin Davidson, received the same attention, devotion and benefits of being a noble child as her older siblings did. Like her siblings, she was given much of what her heart desired, but also the strictness of her father and the prompt, sometimes overbearing lessons of her mother. All in all, though, Kora-Blaine was raised by two loving parents.

However, since being a child, Kora-Blaine was jealous of her older sister’s beauty and grace-- which guests, relatives and even parents often spoke so highly of-- and began to loath Elizabeth. Kora-Blaine began to long for all the attention her older sister received, to the point of obsession. Anything her sister did or said, any attention her sister received from others, Kora-Blaine sought to get twice at much for herself. It was probably because of this that Kora-Blaine noticed her older brother, Elias’, almost equally strange obsession: the lust for their older sister, Elizabeth. Determined to have twice of everything Elizabeth had, Kora-Blaine developed yet another obsession: win the heart of her older brother away from Elizabeth.

Because of her obsessive behaviors, her relationship with her older sister, which had once been a strong one, was strained. Though Elizabeth never understood her younger sister’s bitterness, she tried to keep a peaceful air with her. Kora-Blaine is known to be easily angered or upset, especially at the mention of her sister and even brothers’ accomplishments. She is short-tempered with her parents, too, feeling as anything they say to her is a subtle critique of her.








[IMGLEFT]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk323/Fan_Of_Tudor/Servantgirlknitting2-2.jpg[/IMGLEFT]Matilda Maid
Sweet-tempered and kind to the family, guests and servants alike. She is content in her work and her livelihood. She’s worked for the family since she was a young teen, after her only living relative, her grandmother died. She has no memory of her parents or siblings-- all were killed in a house fire when she was very small-- and her grandmother, Agnes, was an uneducated blind woman. And records of Matilda’s birth were lost in the fire and her grandmother herself could not think of a date. Her best guess was that Matilda was close to two years and she knew that Matilda had been born in the Spring.

After her grandmother died, and with nowhere to go, Matilda went looking for work wherever she could find it. She was lucky enough to find a job as a scullery maid, and later worked her way up to working as a parlor maid for the Davidson family. She is up in running to replace the Head Maid of the household and run the Davidson's household.










Easton Mackenzie
[IMGRIGHT]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk323/Fan_Of_Tudor/landseer_self_portrait.jpg[/IMGRIGHT]
Easton (often called East) is the older brother of Detective Ruaridh Mackenzie. The two were raised together and got along very well for brothers. Where Ruaridh excelled in observation in a mystery-solving manner, Easton grew observant with the world around him. From a young age, he would sketch the world around him- he used to steal berries from their mother's kitchen to make into paint. His father supported his gifts and talents and saved money to send both sons to Universities specially for their talents.

Easton is quiet and not overly social, but friendly and kind. He is always a good listener to those in need and loves to hear a good story told. He is most open with his younger brother (considering Ruaridh his closest companion in life).

However, he is haunted by a secret- one that Ruaridh doesn't know. As a young teenager, Easton realized he had strange attraction. He began his carrier as an artist under the apprenticeship of a Master artist living in a nearby town. His Master also taught his own young son, Cailean. Easton realized, not long after meeting his Master's son that he was in love. Easton confronted, though terrified, Cailean about his love and to his surprise, his confession was not rejected. Cailean and Easton were involved in an affair for several years in secret. Unfortunately, Cailean died at the age seventeen due to smallpox.

Easton married a village girl, Gillian, though he has never loved her. Gillian was not stupid and realized her husband had no love for her. The two grew estranged because of this. They did, however, have two children (a set of twins, a boy and girl) whom they named Anna and Alistair. Both children were born with a rare genetic condition that caused blindness; both children were unable to learn their father's trade. They are seven years old.

Despite loving his children, Easton has a hard time facing them and his estranged wife so he spends most of his time avoiding them by traveling far distances on commissions.

[imgleft]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbf59DxmzGUXGMgQkKHuvHllew_4J6c _2ENmX8k8kvFH3YnRCW&t=1[/imgleft]Mungo Davidson
Mungo is the father of Elizabeth, Elias, Arran, and Kora-Blaine Davidson. Being a man of his late-forties, he is very traditional and is a hard worker. He believes in strict parenting to raise his children, even if that means harsher punishment. He is not a harsh man, by nature. He is actually a gentle, but firm hand in the Davidson household.

As a financial asset to the home, he does not have much time to father his children in a more pleasant manner; he does not have time to spend time with them. He leaves that to their mother, Roslin. He simply assures that they are doing well in school and maintaining a healthy social life.


[IMGright]http://i52.tinypic.com/15rd4w2.jpg[/IMGright]

Elias Davidson

Elias is the second child of Mungo and Roslin. He has grown close to his family; so much that he thinks highly of them in vain. He finds himself very handsome, and thinks that no other man or woman is more attractive than those in his family.


Elias grew up never liking any girls outside of his household, because he has always had an attraction to his older sister Elizabeth. Although she had denied him many times before, he could not shake his love for her.

It was too dark and stormy a night (fifty years before Edward Bulwer-Lytton would coin the infamous phrase) for a comfortable carriage ride. Easton hated the cold, always had; although it was great inspiration for beautiful paintings. Things come for a price, he thought, snow is beautiful, like God's own paint. But for it to snow, the world must first die and become frozen. It was strange; you had to kill to get paint.Easton chuckled to himself, in the darkness of the carriage, and his dark humored double-meaning thought. He was, after all, headed to do a commission for the Davidson family; they're eldest child, Lady Elizabeth, had recently been killed in a mysterious accident.

No one, not even the family- or so he had heard and been told- knew exactly what happened to the young woman. Easton hadn't heard much about this noble family, only that Lord Mungo Davidson was strict and had a quick temper. And that he and his wife, the Lady Roslin, had four of the most beautiful (or so rumor told) children in all of Europe. Easton, himself, would argue this. Being a father himself, he believed his children the most beautiful...despite the curse that their eyes suffered because of his past sins.

Easton turned to look at his brother- or at least face the direction of where his brother sat as it was far too dark to see him in the carriage. He had so much he wanted to know about this family, but he wasn't sure if Ruaridh was at liberty to tell him. "Are you sure Lady Elizabeth is believed to have been murdered?"

Ruaridh leaned against the wall of the carriage, listening to the stormy weather pound against the world outside. He shivered slightly, inside the carriage was not that cold, but simply the thought of the icy and sleety winds outside gave him the chills. He did hate working on nights such as these, he would much rather be settled next to the fire with his wife, discussing their favourite books, or reading a bedtime story to his boys.

He sighed as he shook his head, that would not happen tonight. This was too important a matter to put off and Ruaridh knew this. When one of the noble family members were dead, and when a leading detective in Scotland thought that it was foul play, the sooner that it was dealt with, the better.

Having never had much dealings with the Davidsons' before, he was unsure what to expect. He only had rumours and tall tales from the town pub to go by. He'd heard that the children kept to themselves, that the head of the household had a fiery temper, and that was about it.

Ruaridh looked up as he heard his brother's voice through the gloom of the carriage. "I can't say for certain whether Lady Elizabeth was or was not killed. Not until further investigation has taken place anyway. From what I have heard from Detective Inspector McCallum, there are some very suspicious circumstances surrounding the majority of the family members and around this young girl's death. I shan't say more until I know what has actually occurred, but all I hope is we can put this case to bed quickly, let the family grieve for their daughter in piece without the law and the media sticking their noses in where they do not belong. Reporters turned up at St Clements Cemetery to try and get news of what happened at the funeral. By all reports, Mr Davidson did not take too kindly to the family's privacy being invaded like that. Though really, what father would appreciate that at his daughter's funeral?"

Ruaridh shook his head at the callousness that reporter displayed, and went back to resting his head on the wall of the carriage. He assumed that they were almost there, he could feel that they had started going up an incline, and he was aware that the Davidson's home was perched atop a hill. Even though the circumstances in which Ruaridh was visiting them were bleak, he was looking forward to getting inside, he had promised to let his wife know of the splendour within, just for her own personal peace of mind.

Lord Mungo sat his quill down. Resting his head in his palms, he took a deep sigh. His mind had been scrambled ever since his daughter's death. He still couldn't believe it. His oldest daughter taken from him by God himself, and so soon. Was is punishment for working too hard and not tending to his children more? They had their mother at least, but every family needed a rock, and he was the Rock for the Davidson Estate. He picked his head up to face the storm outside of the window that hung behind his desk. The drops streamed down as the tears did on his Roslin's face at Elizabeth's funeral.

The door creeped open and Elias' head popped in. "Father?..."

"Come in, Elias."

He slid into the office, gently shutting the door behind him. He then sat on a sofa that lined one of the walls of the office. Mungo picked up his quill and began to work again while speaking to his oldest son.

"Elias, your sister's death has brought life's unpredictability to my attention again. I lost it shortly after your last grandmother passed."

"Yes, life has quite the surprises father..."

Mungo nodded and continued, "As you know, your father is getting older. I won't live forever. You must learn to work hard. When you find a woman that will mother your children, you must repay her by guaranteeing her a good life."

Elias' head sunk. Not only did he not like the talk of his father's death, even if it wasn't imminent, but he also withheld a secret from everyone that he would never be able to reveal. Not even in Heaven to God himself. "I understand."

"Don't look so saddened. You must be strong. We all loved Elizabeth, but even though she died, we must still live as we have before. She would want that of us.", he laid his quill down. "Now, have you finished your studies?"

"Yes, father. I have finished everything that was required of me for today."

"Then go practice your writing.", he picked up his quill and began to write even more.

Elias knew that was his dismissal. He quickly and quietly exited the room.

[[Sorry for taking forever to respond. I thought this was in my subscriptions.]]

Matilda Maid was a doting servant. She loved the Davidson family as if they were her own flesh and blood, and not her employers. Since the death of beloved Elizabeth, though, Matilda felt a distance growing, not only between her and the Davidsons, but even between the very family members. She had never been part of a family, they were all dead by the time she was two, 'cept for her grandmammy. But when her grandmammy had died, though she'd been sad, Matilda's world hadn't completely collapsed. She'd found work for the Davidson family, and had worked her way up to next to Head Maid. Her life had begun in a way, when Agnes had died. For the Davidsons, though, the death of Elizabeth seemed to have completely destroyed them.

Perhaps that was just the way of Nobles, though. It was said that Nobles were of better blood, possibly even Royal blood. Matilda wasn't of Nobility, not even close. It seemed even the world and God's Angels wept for the death of beloved Elizabeth. For Matilda had been taught that rain was simply God's Angels crying.

As she made her early night rounds through Tulloch Castle, Matilda spotted young Master Elias leaving his father's study. Since Elizabeth's death, Lord Mungo had been doing much of his work from the family castle."Good Evenin', Young Sir," Matilda greeted sweetly. He was a handsome boy, Elias was. Some of the scullery maids made fun of Matilda, for she'd grown a sweet spot for the young master. God forgive her.

[[Is Arran not one of the Davidson sons too? xD]]

Roslin was sitting by the fireplace, not doing any of her normal crafts, but simply staring into the flames. They calmed her, just after the...incident...she wept for hours by the fire, somehow feeling strangely close to her daughter when she was here. However now, now she felt as if she had run out of tears, as if she had cried herself dry. But just because she was not weeping did not mean that she was not sad, heavens no. On the contrary, she felt as if she may never smile again, as if someone had reached into her heart and given it a swift kick.

Roslin had barely uttered a word since it happened. She felt that she had nothing to say and nobody to talk to, though try as she might, she couldn't get anyone to leave her alone. It constantly felt as if either her husband, her workers or her children would ask her inane questions of how she was feeling, when it should be clear to anyone that she was far from happy.

Roslin always prided herself on having a happy home, a cheerful manor with well cared for and content children. It was a simple thing, but it made Roslin happy. However, ever since...it...happened, there was no laughter. No joyous chatter. No noise. Not even a smile. It was as if more than one family member had expired. It was as if the heart of the home had disintegrated into the darkness of the earth, as if no light was destined to enter the castle again.

"Mother?" Arran enquired, him being the youngest of the Davidson children.

Roslin simply shook her head silently, and continued to stare into the flames.

[[Oops! Sorry. Edited that post. xD]]

"Oh, good evening Matilda.", he struck a makeshift smile to greet her kindly. "Quite the storm we're having tonight, yes?" He walked to a nearby window and sat on it's sill. Peering out of the window with a blank expression, he had realized that he hadn't had a decent conversation with anyone since his sister's passing.

"Would you like to come sit and talk with me Matilda?", he offered a spot on the sill next to him.

Matilda was struck dumb when the young man offered her to sit with him and talk. Part of her felt nervous, another part told her not to and to continue on with her duties, but the biggest part of her screamed for her to jump at this chance. She hoped that the dim light in the hall would hide the fact that her cheeks were flaming red. What would the scullery maids think if they saw her!? She smirked at the idea and nodded to Elias. "Yes, Sir. I should liken that very much," Matilda smiled and took a seat beside her master. She hadn't been this close to him since she had helped measure him for a new coat he had tailored. This was much nicer, getting the chance to sit beside him.

Kora-Blaine stared down at the cross-stitch in her lap. It was supposed to be of a blue bird sitting on a tree branch... but one couldn't tell by looking at is as she'd barely done work on it. Since Elizabeth had died, she hadn't felt like doing much of anything. She couldn't find peace in reading any of her poetry books or sewing. Eavesdropping on the Butler and the maid that was his mistress doing the unholy wasn't interesting and exciting anymore. The one thing that Kora-Blaine knew would make her smile was hardly ever around.

Kora-Blaine, God forgive her, had hoped, when she had learned of the...incident... that Elias' attention would turn towards her and she'd finally get what her body, heart and soul craved for. But, since Elizabeth's funeral, Elias was nowhere to be seen. He had his meals in his chambers, and spent his days focusing on his studies. She'd gone looking for him, but he seemed to avoid her. It only made her desire him more. Even with Elizabeth gone, she couldn't have what she wanted!

She looked up, towards her mother and younger brother. For a moment, Kora-Blaine forgot her own disappointment and self pity. Poor Arran was struggling, too. He called to their mother, but she ignored him.

"Arran, come sit with me," Kora-Blaine called to her younger brother.

[[Cool beans. Poor Arran getting orphanised. xP]]

Arran looked up at the sound of his sister's voice, his only living sister. Arran, on the outside, did not seem to be overly effected by the demise of his elder sister, him being eager to get back to normal. However, that was far from the truth on the inside. The entire family ignoring him made him feel more lonely and isolated than he normally did.

At the offer of sitting next to Kora-Blaine and possibly talking, he scrambled to his feet and scuttled over to her, parking himself neatly in next to her. He smiled innocently at her and blinked his large blue eyes.

Arran looked down at the cross-stitch on her lap, and smiled. He slowly extended his hand and ran his thin fingers over the smooth and silky threads.

"My," he said softly. "This is might good work, Kora-Blaine. You should show mother. She would love to look at it."

...

The carriage pulled into the drive of Tulloch Castle, the horses hooves and the wheels making a din on the gravel underfoot. Ruaridh shook his head and put his hat on to shield his head from the rain. Grimacing, he opened the door.

"Are you ready, Easton?" he asked as he extended a long leg out onto the gravel.

Elias' head hung low for a while before beginning to speak with the maid, "Matilda, have you ever had feelings for someone, but could never ever, not even if the world ended at this moment, tell them?" He was talking about Elizabeth. Even though they had times where they were alone and having a good time, he could not confide his own love in her. It would have been self-treachery, and would have made him feel worse right now. But often he had wished that it wouldn't have been that way; that they would elope and start their own life elsewhere in Europe, or even the Americas.

"I don't know how much you would know of this matter, but it's a torturing feeling. A curse and no less than the cruelest punishment you can bring amongst yourself." His sight did not avert from the pattern of the rug that lay beneath their dangling feet. "It becomes unbearable, Matilda, and there is nothing you can do to solve it." He didn't mean to sound harsh towards her, but himself. It was almost as if he was teaching himself a lesson verbally, and using her as a reason to speak about it aloud.

______

Mungo laid his quill down once more, deciding it was well time for a break. His mind was over-active, and he could concentrate. He was blaming himself for her death. She had been so angry. Maybe she had killed herself because of him? Was he not a good father? He only wanted the best for them.

"Oh, my poor Elizabeth...", he weeped. Tears flowed between the wrinkles of his aged profile. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth..", he cried out silently to no one. He resented himself now for being so tough on his children, but he could not change. He was strict for a reason: Because it was successful. He was successful, his marriage was successful; it would be the only way his kids would be successful.

Matilda's heart broke with each word the young master spoke. She wanted to get on her knees before him and cry out that she knew exactly how he felt. Wanted to tell him that she loved him so much that she cried at night when she woke from dreams that weren't true. Matilda wanted to beg him to take her as his wife; she would be a devoted, loyal, trustworthy wife and would bear him as many sons as his heart desired (she also hoped for a daughter, though).

But she was a maid, a lowly maid. There was nothing noble about her. Matilda didn't have good blood for bearing the sons of a nobleman. She was far from beautiful, too, so she would never make a desirable mistress. She could only bite her cheek, hold back the tears the welled in her eyes and nod. "Yesin', Sir. I know that feelin'," Matilda choked. She sniffed. "Aye, I know that feeling, well."

-----

Kora-Blaine felt her cheeks burn with pride as her brother complimented her on her cross-stitch. But he was just a lowly, stupid little boy. What did he know about the art of cross-stitching!? But... maybe it would interest their mother, as he suggested. Roslin had always been a true lover of the arts and enjoyed making crafts. So much so, that she'd had their portraits done almost every year of their lives. There were so many paintings that they had to be kept in their own private gallery. It was quite popular, actually, among the traveling nobles.

"Do you think she'd like it?" Kora-Blaine chirped to her brother. She had a sudden hope that she would win the praises of her mother that her sister had taken. Kora-Blaine rightfully deserved them!

--------

Easton nodded with a smirk. "As ready as I can be, brother. I've not been here before now, and have yet to see the castle in the daylight, but it looks magnificent! I'm sure it'll look gorgeous in the morning dew!" He was already excited and churning ideas in his imagination for the paintings he would start, and hopefully finish while staying here. He glanced to his brother with a fond expression. "Thank you, again... from bringing me along. I know I should probably have stayed home... but you know how Gillian and I are..."

Roslin could hear her children talking next to her. At times like this, the voices of your children should be soothing, should they not? They should warm the heart of any mother and make her thankful for what she has left, shouldn't they? Well, why did the sound of her youngest son and her only living daughter make her feel ill?

She looked over at them, her stare cold and withdrawn, before she slowly got to her feet. She tried to give them a smile, but it was a pathetic excuse for one, it looked more of a grimace than a grin. This pained her deeply, the fact she no longer felt any affection for her children. At this, her eyes welled up. Not just for the loss of her darling Elizabeth, but what felt like the loss of all her children, of her husband, even of her. It felt as if the Roslin that lived before was long gone, and this...icy individual...had replaced her.

...

Arran was about to reply to his sister, about to say that of course his mother would love it, when his mother rose to her feet. His head swivelled to look at her. Their eyes met for the briefest second, and it felt as if he was getting a look into her mind. It was cold and empty. He watched as his once bright mother dimmed and left the room in obvious pain. Arran tried hard to stay composed. Him crying or breaking down would achieve nothing, and he was a big boy now, and big boys did not cry. They became heads of households, noble households, and they fathered children, and they married fair ladies and fought in brave wars. That was what being a male was all about. Not crying in the corner and admitting defeat. Some males may, but not noble males. Not Davidson males.

"Maybe wait until mother returns?" he suggested. "But I do not see any reason that could preventing her from liking your work. Mother likes all of our work and is a keen lover of the arts, you know that as well as I. She shall simply love it."

He looked at his sister, and couldn't help but wondering what she was thinking. He wanted to ask her if she missed Elizabeth, as she, just like him, did not openly seem to be affected. However, he did not know how to ask such a question without seeming heartless. Especially not when his mother could be within earshot.

Arran sighed and stood up, walking over to the fire. He was thankful that it was warm, because he could hear the storm rattling on the windows, and he counted himself lucky that he was protected from the elements that God threw at them so often in the moors of the Highlands. He often wished he could travel. He knew of some distant relatives in Portugal and Spain. They had come overseas to visit a few years ago. Arran couldn't comprehend everything about them, but the image of them stayed imprinted in his brain and he was simply enthralled by them.

"Do you think our family members from overseas shall visit when they hear of Elizabeth?" he suddenly asked.

...

Ruaridh waved his hand at his brother, a smile playing about his lips. "Yes, Easton. I do know how your wife and you are, yet another reason why I brought you. Also, you could just help get into the mind of...certain family members. Word tells me that Lady Davidson is very keen on art, and also very distant from everyone. You may just warm her up, as it were."

With that, he dashed from the carriage to the front doors of the castle, ducking under the shelter to protect himself from the rain. Even in that short jog across the gravel, his coat was soaked. He couldn't wait to peel it off and get into the warmth that he could feel emanating through the front door.

He took the heavy iron knocker in one hand and rapped hard on the door, hopping someone would arrive soon.

Mungo's head shot up as he heard the knocking at the front door. He quickly wiped his tears away, for there was no telling how quickly one of the servants may answer the door. His eyes felt heavy, and he was sure that it was obvious that he had been weeping. He quickly regained his composure and fixed his expression back into it's firm neutrality.

After covering his work desk, he exited the room, making sure his attire was affixed correctly. He made sure his wig was straight and began to make his way downstairs.

__________

Elias' head shot up as he heard the knocking at the door. Who could be visiting at a time like this?...Especially in this weather. He wanted to go see who it was, but he saw his father on the way to answer, so he decided to trail him, and listen from the top of the stairs.

Matilda acted immediately, though it pained her heart to leave Elias, she had her duties to do. There was nothing she could to comfort him... she could listen, but it only made her heart ache. Racing down the hallway towards the castle doors, Matilda composed her face to a tight expression to conceal the fact that she was crying on the inside. She knew her place, she would not show otherwise.

-----

Easton was at his brother's side in an instant, shuddering and sniffling in the freezing cold wetness. Again, he cursed Scotland and it's damned weather. He'd heard parts of the Americas were beautiful and warm all year round. OH! Maybe he'd like to live in America? He shrugged off the idea and waited shivering for someone to answer the castle's door.

------

Matilda opened the door before her masters or mistresses could make it to the main hall. She smiled brightly, holding up a fresh new lantern to the guests. "Hello, Sirs," she said kindly. "Welcome to Tulloch Castle. Please follow me; my Master will see you soon." She paused to look down their clothing. The poor dears were soaked to the bones. "But first, I'll set in you in front of the fire and get you both some hot tea. Or perhaps some warm milk?"

Roslin was walking up the staircase in the kitchen when she heard the door knock. This way was rather out of the way to get to the master bedroom, but she just didn't have the heart to use the main staircase, not when that was where...it...happened. She knew she would likely never use it again. Sniffing, she hoped that it was no-one for her. Though what someone was doing visiting them at this time of night or when they were dealing with such circumstances was completely beyond her. Some people just really had no compassion.

...

Arran's head popped up when he heard the door. He looked over to Kora-Blaine and shot her a quizzical look.

"Who could that be? The weather and the time is completely against them," he said simply, casting an eye on the carriage clock that sat ticking happily on the mantle.

...

Ruaridh looked up when the door opened. A small and soft looking woman was in front of them, welcoming them into the castle. Ruaridh could see at once that she was one of the members of staff. He bowed his head politely to her and removed his hat.

"Good evening," Ruaridh said politely. "Some tea would be lovely thank you, and very much appreciated on a night such as this. I am Detective Ruaridh Mackenzie, here on official business of Scotland Yard. Would you please be sure to let both Sir and Lady Davidson know that my business here is indeed urgent?"

"And what of this 'urgent business' deals with you visiting at a time like this?", Mungo began his way down the staircase with his head held high as it always was when he spoke to anyone. It was a dignified stance and he felt that it was the only posture for a man.

His hands were clasped together behind his back calmly, "I've heard about you. I would have assumed you would have more important matters to attend to, especially on days like this."

[[Sorry I took so long. Busy week.]]

Matilda whipped around and curtsied quickly for her master before standing to explain. There was something very intimidating about Mungo, but he was a genius. And he was fair and not cruel; he'd always treated her very well, never poorly but never more than she deserved (she was, after all, just his servant). Compared to most masters, Matilda knew she was treated very well. She was lucky and for that, she had come to respect Mungo much as she would a father had she known one.

"Sir, these men have traveled a long way and are soaked. I was just about to take 'em to the parlor so they could warm themselves by the fires and perhaps have some refreshments there. Perhaps you and the Lady could meet them there?" she asked, boldly.

Since the death of his beloved Cailean, Easton had never seen someone so gorgeous in his entire life. His breath caught in his throat, and his face and ears flushed red. He was thankful that it had been stormy outside- no one would notice the strangeness of color in his face and if they did, they would assume it had been caused by the weather outside. The weather aside, though, Easton found it hard to gaze up at Mungo for long. It made his heart beat too quickly and made his insides churn. It was a discomforting feeling; Easton had never lusted for anyone before. He shuddered.

He sincerely hoped that the master and his brother would excuse him to their chambers for the night, as he was not there on the same business as Ruaridh. He did not want the master to notice anything strange about him.

----------
She shrugged, and sighed. "I wouldn't know... they did not come for grandmother's funeral, and did not send any letters of condolences... I should say that no one, outside our immediate household, cares much for the death of a single girl." She sucked in a horrified breath, realizing what she'd just spoken sounded bitter and cruel. Kora-Blaine softened her expression and reached out her hand to her brother. "Other people did not know Elizabeth the way we did... therefore, they do not love her and mourn for her the way we do. Why don't we go see what the commotion is all about, hm?"

[[this whole rp is just chalk-full of love-triangles! xD]]

Ruaridh smiled as he saw the man he presumed to be Mungo Davidson walk down the staircase.

"I am very sorry for your loss sir," Ruaridh said truthfully. "But this urgent business does call for me to arrive now, rather than leave it until later. I understand that this is a difficult time and I am probably one of the last people that you want to see turning up at your door, but I have a job to do, just as many other men. It is not a nice job, and it is not a job that any party enjoys, but it is a job none the less and it is a job that puts a roof over my family's heads and food on their table. Surely a family man such as yourself shall not deny a man his job? And also, I have no where more important to go and no more pressing matters than this."

He smiled at the servant.

"I don't mean to impose, but a seat by the fire would be most delightful. As you can see, my brother and I have had quite the fight against the elements."

...

Arran stared at Kora-Blaine for a moment, hearing the cold and distant words of which she spoke of Elizabeth made him somewhat suspicious.

"Yes," he relented, not wanting to create a scene. "I am sure I heard father's voice and I am keen to see what mysterious visitor would come at such a late hour. Unless of course they are family, in which case we can be there to greet them with open arms."

Mungo listened to Matilda's words. She was right, he was just a bit defensive at this moment. And as for Ruairidh and his thoughts, he, too, was right. He knew the value of a working man, and he could only respect that. "Very well then. Matilda, please show this gentleman the parlour and make them feel at home. And have some of the other maidens prepare some tea for us all."

Mungo then called for Elias, who was already making his way down the staircase. "On my way now, father."

[[I wanna see how this Circle of Love plays out. xD]]

Matilda curtsied again and held up her lantern. "This way, please, Sirs. We'll head into the parlor, you two can get yourselves warm and I'll prepare some tea and biscuits for everyone." She smiled sweetly to them and lead them down the hall. The parlor was large, open, high ceiling-ed room. Its walls were decorated by a large family painting, depicting the entire family together, and all sorts of smaller paintings of the children at younger ages.

Naturally, as an artist at heart, Easton had to struggle to keep from drooling over the beautiful paintings. All were elegant, expressive and of their own styles. He couldn't help but wonder who the painters had been. He wandered aimlessly around the room, gazing up at the gorgeous painted canvases. Easton came to a sudden stop in front of a painting he believed was of Elizabeth. It wasn't the gorgeous girl in the painting that had stopped him, for he could care less about some girl. No, it was the style... it was so much like his beloved Cailean's paintings...