private Clue [RP]

[Stardust* 3,302]

OOC Link: Clue

 

 

A mysterious letter has just arrived for you, upon opening it you find out that there is a very large sum of money to be collected by you. The only thing is, you have to travel to an estate to claim the money. The estate is high in the hill tops of Canterlot in a mansion that was owned by the late Mr. Body. He was quite the figure in Canterlot and all across Equestria. He made very charitable donations to many different organizations. 

 

Dear __________, 

 

It is with deep sorrow that I am writing to inform you about the death of Mr. Body. His will stated that you are heir to his estate, please come to the manner at once. The lawyers are ready with the paperwork that needs to be signed within the week. 

 

                                                         Kindest regards,

                                                              Stardust

 

 

________________________________________________

 

@, @@Hazard Time, @, @@BronyNumber42,

 

Stardust was busy putting things away, making sure that the masters home was just the way he liked it. Making it have a more appealing feel to those who would be visiting soon. Her job was to make sure that everything went smoothly with the signing of the documents that the lawyers had for those on the guest list. Once everything was dealt with, her job... would be done. 

 

Mr. Body was a kind master, he always treated Stardust with respect and kindness. Making her feel more as his daughter than his worker. It had just been her and Mr. Body for the longest time. He had wanted to invite the ponies much before this, but with everything that he had to gather to make it happen, it ended up being too late for him to see it through. Stardust had to gather the last bit of information on each of the ponies that were invited to attend the dinner and reading of the will. 

 

"I don't know why I am so nervous, Mr. Body wanted it to be this way, and it will work. I'm sure of it." She said as she finished dusting the back room office. The grandfather clock chimed, revealing that it was 6 O'clock in the morning. "It won't be long now, soon enough, soon enough Mr. Body." She said as she made her way into the kitchen to start preparing that evenings meal. 

[Hazard Time 1,127]

As evening descended upon the mansion, a carriage wound its way up the stately driveway to stop before the mansion.  The driver looked back behind him, patiently waiting for one or both of the occupants to step out.  A minute passed, and nothing save the sound of a minor argument came from inside.  The stallion rolled his eyes, shifting the yoke on his back.  At least he was getting paid for this.

 

Finally, the door open and a trembling grey crystalline hoof slowly alighted on the first step.  After another second's hesitation, a second front hoof stepped on the next step down.  It took another ten seconds before the stallion finally stood on the pavement, looking back into the carriage with fear written in his eyes.  The door closed behind him, and the driver set off down the path off the property.  The meek stallion continued to stand in the driveway and watch until it had turned the corner out of his sight.

 

His heart was pounding in his chest and the silence about him only made matters worse.  It was one thing being alone, that was nothing new to him.  What was new was that he was on his own.  If he needed something, he'd have to get it himself, and if something went wrong...he was out of luck.

 

The crystal pony put a hoof to his chest, trying to quell the panic setting on him.  Suddenly, his hoof brushed against something hidden within the folds of his cravat.  Oh right, he wasn't on his own.  If something bad happened, he always had him.  Everything was alright.  There was nothing to fear.  

 

After another minute of hyperventilation, he began to calm, and the deafening silence no longer terrified him.  Turning his head towards the front door of the mansion, he approached it.  He raised his hoof, and with a final moment of hesitation, he pressed the doorbell for one full second.

[Classic Play 232]

It was a nice clear day in Equestria. Clear Rider thought it would be best to fly to Canterlot today. To this supposed inheritance he's received. At first, he thought it was a scam, for he had no idea who Mr. Body was. But, after taking it to his boss at the weather factory, who doubled as a notary pony, it was quickly learned that it was indeed legit. Clear Rider was actually excited for this sudden event. The money could help him get into the Wonderbolt Academy next semester. Perhaps, early even. So, with permission from his boss at the weather factory sitting up in Cloudsdale, he took off today.

 

It wasn't long before he arrived in Canterlot, though, taking a soft landing at the train station just outside the royal city. Clear Rider was lucky that Cloudsdale was so close to Ponyville at this time. But, he supposed he could've waited longer, cause he was now too early. So, he decided that he would take in some sight seeing. It wasn't often he ever got to go to Canterlot, so much of it was always new to him, whenever he did show, so this was his opportunity, before heading up to the manor on the hill.

 

A few hours past, he managed to meet several ponies along the way, like Fancy Pants, who knew this Mr Body. The unicorn gave his condolences, though it didn't mean much to Clear Rider, since he never met the pony in his life. Clear Rider was impressed by the size of the manor, once he past the gates into the estate. It was large. Bigger than the weather factory by far. Here he was, though. And it didn't seem like he was the only one invited. He spotted a carriage up closer to the manor, which had revealed a crystal pony. Wow, a crystal pony. I haven't seen one of them, before.

 

The scenario was already curious, though. He wondered if anyone else was invited. That question was surely to be answered soon, though, he was sure. He walked up to the front of the manor and decided to address the crystal pony. "Hi there," he said so casually, "I suppose you got a letter about some inheritance, too?"

[FanOfManyShows 396]

Crystal gasped upon reading the letter, she grabbed her suitcase and ran out the door despite she had just entered her house. "I hope Stardust is okay." She walked out to the sidewalk and stuck out a hoof and yelled; "Taxi!" A taxi shortly stopping for her. "Thanks."

 

"No problem."

 

She hopped on making sure her purse was there so she could pay. "The Mr. Body household please."

 

The taxi driver looked back. "Mr. body?" Crystal nodded. "Well, I've been waiting for an opportunity to drive by there." Crystal smiled and leaned against the window; she stared at the objects zooming past her. It took awhile but the taxi eventually came to a stop. "We're here!"

 

Crystal looked at the taxi driver surprised. "Already?"

 

"I'm fast runner."

 

Crystal got off chuckling, she opened her purse and looked into it. "How much will that be?"

 

"You must've not heard, taxis are a free service now."

 

She looked oddly at the taxi driver, who then smiled, shrugged, and ran off. "Weird, I guess they're covered by taxes now." Crystal chuckled at her unintentional joke.

 

@@Hazard Time, 

She looked down the walkway to the door and spotted a pony standing there, she put up her hoof and yelled. "Hey!" In as happy of a tone she could manage, she walked closer to the pony and reached out her hoof to him. "Greetings, my name's Crystal, what's yours?"

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@ @ @@Stardust*

 

The crystal pony could hear hoof steps behind him, and his heart jumped once more.  Oh no, were these ponies going to try and talk to him?  Please no, not without his sister to speak for him.  What would he say?  How would he do?

 

When the pegasus hailed him, he hesitated for a moment.  Still facing the door, he vainly hoped that the stallion would eventually give up and walk away, but that wasn't the case.  The longer the silence continued, the more his anxiety grew until the tightness in his chest grew to be too much for him.

 

"I...did," he muttered, his voice sonorous and modulated.  The tightness receded, and he felt like he could breathe again.  Hopefully the other stallion would be satisfied and leave him alone.  However, his hopes were dashed by a feminine voice calling out to him.  He nearly jumped out of his skin at the unexpected disturbance.  Another one?  Oh no, where was his sister?  Sister!  Amy!  Take care of her!  Please!  I beg of you!

 

With his eyes focused on the door, he found the strength to answer her.  "Soft Zoisite."  Answer the door, damn you!  Open!  Give me my inheritance, and then leave me alone to wait for my sister to pick me up!

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@@Hazard Time, @, Crystal tilted her head and retracted her hoof. "Okay... well it's nice to meet you anyways." Crystal looked around for a nice spot to sit, she noticed a ledge of cement nearby and decided to sit on that. Crystal started to wonder why he was so tense around her, he must not be stable around new ponies. She turned to the other pony, who didn't seem as tense around her. "I'm Crystal, may I ask what your name is?"

[Classic Play 232]

Clear Rider immediately registered the crystal pony's timidness and nodded. He wasn't going to push it. He decided he would leave the crystal pony alone. And then another pony spoke. He rose his head over the crystal pony to see a unicorn now. She addressed the crystal pony, seemingly missing Clear Rider himself at first. But, when he saw that she got the same cold shoulder from the other guest, he frowned slightly with sympathy.

 

When she finally addressed Clear Rider, he was relieved to know he wasn't invisible to her. Would've been a very awkward visit to this completely unknown to him mansion. He bowed his head and spoke, "I am Clear Rider. You can call me either one, I don't mind. Nice to meet you, Crystal." He looked back up to her, giving a friendly smile. I suppose I should attempt to make a friend here. "Do you suppose there's any others invited as well?" Of course, these other two ponies were here for the same reason he was. It was obvious enough to him.

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@, @@Hazard Time, Crystal got up she looked at Soft Zoisite briefly to examine him from a better angle and turned to Clear Rider. "Pretty sure that's the reason I'm here, probably the same for everypony else." She looked at the door, she walked over to Zoisite and lightly tapped on his shoulder. "Excuse me, can you let me try the door?" She asked, remembering how tense he was earlier she decided to add on. "Please?"

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@ @

 

Zoisite had become very acquainted with the door in front of him.  It was a very nice door.  Very smooth and very...wooden.  He could look at it all day.  However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden tap on his shoulder.  His body went rigid, but the tension wasn't quite so bad this time around.  He was still hoping for a speedy resolution, but at least the others now seemed tolerable.

 

"I have already tried it," he stated, stepping away from the door.  Temporarily, his red eyes locked with Crystal's green, only to dart away just as fast.  "Though you are welcome to replicate my attempts."

Edited August 6, 2016 by Hazard Time

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@@Hazard Time, @, Crystal smiled and nodded, ignoring the fact he made eye contact with her. "Thanks." She said with a smile. she approached the door knocking on it a few times, no response, and then proceed to rapidly press the doorbell over and over again, still no response, and with that she groaned loudly and turned away from the door. "I am thoroughly convinced they aren't home right now!" Her tone was more aggressive than normal, might've been the fact she wanted that money badly, or she was frustrated the door hadn't been answered yet, or possibly a combination of the two. she coughed clearing her throat. "I apologize for my yelling, I'm just as attention grabbed by this letter as the two of you." She said holding up the letter with it open, allowing them to read it.

[Stardust* 3,302]

@@Hazard Time,@, @, @@BronyNumber42,

 

Stardust was busy in the kitchen and working away when she heard the doorbell for the first time. It's much too early for them to arrive! She thought as she looked at the clock hanging in the kitchen that only read 3 O'clock in the afternoon. She wasn't ready for them to be here yet. Blast, I am a mess, I must go change before greeting them at the door! She ran out of the kitchen and up the grand staircase and into her room. She made quick work of changing into something more presentable. She quickly washed her hooves and got the flower out of her mane and off her muzzle. She was rushing as fast as she could when she heard even more bell ringing and knocking on the door. She didn't want to be rude and shout down the stairs attempting to reach the front door with her voice. 

 

"Calm yourself Stardust. The cooks can take care of the rest of the meal preparations and the maids can finish the cleaning. It is your job to make these ponies feel at home. The lawyers will be here shortly after dinner and then the will shall be read. Things will happen smoothly and in no time everypony will be on their way again." She took a deep breath as she made her way back to the grand staircase. And with a smirk on her face she jumped up and landed on the railing. Sliding all the way down and gracefully spreading her wings to gently carry her to the door way. Landing just before the entry way, "Nailed it!" She laughed to herself thinking about all the contests her and Mr. Body would have seeing who could make it closer to the doorway. Sometimes even opening the doors to see who could make it outside on the patio! 

 

Straightening out her outfit she opened the door. 

 

"I am terribly sorry for the wait, please, if you would come this way I will show you to the sitting room. We are waiting on one more guest but please, do make yourselves at home." She lead the way into the house and just a short trot they made their way into the sitting room. It was an open space and the drapes open to allow the afternoon sun to shine in warming the room just enough it was comfortable. There were books and chairs lining the walls and an old radio that was playing soft classical music. 

 

"Allow me to take your things, I will put them in their designated rooms and I will be back with refreshments. Feel free to browse the books and chat amongst yourselves." She gave a warm smile.

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@@Stardust*, @@Hazard Time, @, Crystal turned to Stardust and blushed a bit while rubbing the back of her head. "Appears that I'm wrong and they are here." She picked up her suitcase and walked in. "I'm not one of the lawyers by the way. " She added thinking that the suitcase may make Stardust think she was a lawyer. "Actually, I'm not a lawyer. period." She looked around a bit. "Where do I put this?" She asked levitating up the suitcase.

[Stardust* 3,302]

@, @@Hazard Time, @, @@BronyNumber42,

 

"I will take it to your room, please make yourself comfortable." And made her way out with the items that the ponies had brought along with them. Taking them up the stairs and into three separate bedrooms. She made sure to check each room before leaving it. The beds needed to be perfect and the room spotless. After inspecting two of the rooms she was beginning to feel a bit better about everything. Then she made her way to the third room. "This is not acceptable!" She found one of the maids and took her to the room, trying to figure out why it hasn't been made up yet. Stardust explained that the room must be perfect and to also make sure the other rooms are the same way. 

 

"Okay, now, check on the cooks and gather the refreshments." She walked down to the kitchen and things were moving smoothly. She grabbed a trey and began placing glasses and mini crackers, cheese, grapes, olives, and cucumbers. She filled the glasses with a fresh sparkling water and started down the hall back to the sitting room. 

 

"I hope that this will be to your liking. As I said, we are still waiting on another guest. And dinner will be served promptly at 5:30. I will come back to take you to the dining room when everything is ready. There is also a call box in the corner here, if you press this button you can call for me and I will hear it no matter what room I am in." She gave a slight bow and departed the room once again.

[Classic Play 232]

Clear Rider stayed silent for the time being, when the pegasus Stardust answered the door then let everypony in. Upon entering the massive estate, Clear Rider definitely began to feel out of place here. A working class pegasus like himself inside such a large and fancy place would merely be a dream for him. Cloudsdale didn't even have such places like this and there were some wealthy pegasi around there. But, here he was, inside the manor. Although, it's not exactly the circumstance he would've chosen for being in here.

 

When Stardust later returned with the platter of assorted crackers and cheeses and other fancy delectables, it even furthered his feeling of being out of place. But, he didn't complain. It was quite a nice change of pace from working in the weather factory all day. Days like today, it would get surprisingly warm in there, sometimes unbearably so. Their host left the three of them in the large entry way to go do whatever she was going to do. Probably prepare for the evening.

 

Clear Rider didn't hesitate on the water, though. He hadn't had anything to drink, since before he ran into Fancy Pants earlier. He took a sip of the glass he chose. "This is definitely classy, isn't it?" he said aloud to no one in particular, then looked to the other two ponies. "So, do either of you know who this Mr Body is... Or was?"

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@, @@Stardust*, @@Hazard Time,  Crystal walked into the dining room and sat down at the table. "I've heard that he was a considerably famous pony here in canterlot." She yelled while levitating a glass over to herself and took a sip from it and set it next to her. "But all I know is what I've heard, I'm really only here because I was worried for Stardust, that and the money." She said trying to make it possible for the others to hear her, all while filling her plate with various snacks. "Don't worry about this." She said turning to and then gesturing to her plate that was now full of food. "I'm a big eater."

Edited August 7, 2016 by Frannis

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

Colonel Mustard sat in the taxi for several minutes. He had instructed the driver to let him out down the road, rather than take him up to the house. He didn't want t draw attention to himself and he thought walking the rest of the way up the driveway would make him less noticable.

 

He reread the letter one last time then folded it up and stuffed it in his pocket. He gave the taxi driver a tip and got out. He carried his brief case to the front door. Good, nopony was there. They must have already gone inside. He straightened his tie and rang the bell.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@ @ @@Stardust*

 

Zoisite followed the mare inside, and the surroundings began to put his mind at his.  Large vaulted ceilings, polished marble floors, an extensive personal staff, and the crystal pony began to feel at home.  It wasn't until they reached the sitting room, however, that the hints of a smile reached his face.

 

Books!  Glorious books!  Social interactions aside, this was an activity, he could appreciate.  Calming classical music, small snacks to stay his hunger and thirst, and books to occupy his mind.  If the other guests could keep their voices down, he might actually find some solace here.

 

After spreading a small slice of goat cheese on a cracker, he ate it all at once and hurried over to the bookshelf.  The conversation carried no weight with him, as he perused the late Mr. Body's collection.  His hoof glided over the various bindings as his lips moved, silently pronouncing the names of each of them.  Finally, he mumbled to himself in frustration as he picked a single book off the shelf and took it over to a nearby armchair to begin reading from it.  He was correct to assume that there would be nothing of interest to him, but at least there was something that would hold him over until dinner.

[Classic Play 232]

@@Stardust*,@, @@Hazard Time,

 

Clear Rider watched the crystal pony Zoisite almost crack a smile, before his trot over to the books, as he nodded to Crystal's words. Huh, so that pony has a muse. Suppose that might make it easier to talk to him later.  He then looked to Crystal and responded to her words. "I certainly caught the fact that he has quite the name for himself here in Canterlot. I met that unicorn Fancy Pants earlier today and he gave a pretty good endorsement to this Mr Body."

 

Clear Rider took a moment to grab a cracker with some cheese on it, throwing it into his mouth. A few chews and it was gone. Such small snacks, he felt like he could eat the entire platter to himself. He did chuckle to Crystal's comment about the snacks, though. "That's quite alright. I was literally just thinking I could eat these all up by myself." At least, he was getting along with one of the ponies here. He then jumped slightly at the door bell ringing. "Oh, I suppose that's the other guest. I wonder if we should answer or leave it to Stardust."

[Stardust* 3,302]

He straightened his tie and rang the bell.

 @, @@Hazard Time, @,

 

Stardust managed to make her way to the door as she had heard the bell once again. She saw the pony and gave him a warm smile, "Please, come in, the other guests have already arrived, I will take you to them now. Allow me to take your bag and I will place it in your room."

 

She escorted the pony to the sitting room and announced his arrival. "Ponies, if you would, this is our final guest for the evening. I will allow you to all get acquainted and relax before dinner." 

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

Mustard clutched the brief case to his chest.

 

"Ahem, no, thank you, I am fine."

 

He followed Stardust to the sitting room. He looked around, not making eye contact with anypony. He found an over stuffed chair to sit in, keeping the brief case close at hoof. He kept glancing at the clock.

[Stardust* 3,302]

Okay, now they are all here, only a couple more hours and then things will be done. They will stay the night and be off tomorrow. I hope things go without a hitch. She thought as she made her way back up the stairs to the final guest room. She thought it was a bit odd that the pony didn't want her to take his brief case. Must be a comfort for him. She did still need to check on his room though, making sure that what she had told the maids earlier. As expected they followed her word to the letter, she was relieved to see as such. The bed was crisp and the drapes drawn to allow some light in the room. The desk was tidy and the bookcase had been dusted. Everything in it's place. Perfect. 

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

*ahem* "I say, this is quite unexpected. Are all of you Mr. Body's beneficiaries?"

 

Colonel Mustard had expected that some family members might be sharing in the inheritance. But this group did not look or act like family. What would his share end up being?

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@@BronyNumber42 @ @@Stardust* @

 

Zoisite raised his gaze from his book.  Saddleartha may have been one of his favorites, but after the dozenth read-through, all of the magic had been lost.  To compensate for the boredom, his hoof had begun making strange circular motions in the air.

 

"I would think that would be obvious," he murmured, placing the book off to the side and laying back with a huff.  "Every pony in this room has received a letter in regards to an inheritance from a relative none of them knew they had.  Were it not for Mr. Body's large material wealth, my sister would not have dispatched me in her stead to collect whatever was left to me."

 

For a brief moment, a look of indignation flashed across his face before he blinked it away.  His eyes stared at the floor boards, and his hoof began to make circles again.

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

"Frankly, it's of no concern to me who you all are or what your share of the estate is. All I'm concerned about is the amount owed to me, as stipulated in the contract between myself and the departed," Mustard tapped his brief case. "I'm no lawyer, but my understanding of probate law states that contractual obligations on matters of debt supercede next of kin. That means that I am first in line when liquidating Mr. Body's assets, as it were."

 

The Colonel looked at the ponies staring at him. "Speaking of lawyers, I don't suppose any of you are the executors of the estate." They certainly don't look it, he thought. He was beginning to regret not hiring his own lawyer. Then again, he didn't want anypony asking too many questions about his and Mr. Body's business arrangements. He looked at the clock, then checked the time against his pocket watch.

Edited August 10, 2016 by BronyNumber42

[Classic Play 232]

@@BronyNumber42,@@Hazard Time, @@Stardust*,@

 

Clear Rider watched the crystal pony and the newcomer exchange words. And so far, he wasn't sure he cared for the newcomer. A bit of a stick in the mud, he thought to himself. It seemed that he was only here for himself. Clear Rider supposed that's why everyone else was here, but the attitude  given by Mustard was something different.

 

Clear Rider went with it, anyway, as to not sour the atmosphere, and shook his head. "I'm no lawyer. Just somepony who works at the weather factory in Cloudsdale." He went for another set of cheese and crackers, which just like the last, barely even hit his throat as he swallowed them. Such tiny snacks. Still a couple hours till dinner, that Stardust said. He wasn't sure if he could sit in the same room as that Col. Mustard, for that long. So, he stood up. "I'm gonna go ahead and give myself a tour of this place, I think. I've never been in such magnificent architecture." Looking around, he found a doorway and proceeded in that direction.