Chapter Text
“Blackberry, Black Sapphire, is everything prepared for our guests?” Mrs. Truffle asked, her voice expressing glee, before adding in a more eerie tone “Make sure to put up extra cobwebs, along to make sure the ghosts are on their best behavior.” Mrs. Truffle always adored spiders, she even talked to them from time to time.
Her guests were already aware of her somewhat eccentric behavior. Along with her staff, however, they knew that behind all the supposed ‘craziness’ she was a kind woman at heart.
“Yes, Mrs. Truffle.” Black Sapphire and Blackberry said in sync. They were just about finished with the final details of the mansion.
Cobwebs covered each corner, while maintaining a neat appearance. It was difficult but they managed, with the help of ghouls and bats.
“Ah, fantastic. Everything is absolutely beautiful.” Mrs. Truffle announced, looking at the main hall. It was a true reminder about what October is all about. She twirled with delight, as Black Sapphire and Blackberry bowed in her presence.
“Ah!” Herb ran inside carrying small succulents inside the mansion. Mrs. Truffle turned her attention to him, while Black Sapphire looked at him with curiosity. Blackberry just started mildly annoyed.
“What's wrong, sweet Gardener? Did the thunder frightened you?” Mrs. Truffle asked, sincerely. She didn't like seeing any of her employees in distress. It made her heart ache. She waited patiently for him to speak.
“Sorry, I just got worried about the succulents, too much water can cause them to over hydrate and die.” Herb explained, he stopped in front of her. He was still holding the succulents as if he was their father. Die that would send a shiver down Mrs. Truffle’s spine.
She didn't understand why she was so afraid of a concept that she was familiar with. Perhaps it was the knowledge that she was going to die soon that set her off. Each night the same nightmare occurred, in which she would die in various ways.
One would think by now she'd become desensitized as this was a yearly thing. However it just made her more on edge. As she never knew what day was going to be the last she saw of her horror-themed mansion. Each breathe could be her last.
"Indeed, set them in the kitchen, it's the warmest room we have.” She instructed after composing herself. The others gave each other a knowing look.
The employees gave each other a knowing look since they knew she would die this evening. “Of course.” Herb stated nervously, as the maid and butler starred him down, while he diligently walked towards the kitchen.
He was gently cooing to the succulents on his way there. Balancing each of them in both his right and left hands. In the kitchen Butter Roll was making specialized meals for each of the guests' tastes.
He already had three done and just needed to finish three more. Herb put the succulents on the counter before rushing out.
Mrs. Truffle watched out the Mansions windows to the see that the rain had gotten heavier, the sound of thunder was like melody to her. For someone so afraid of death, she enjoyed macabre elements.
She saw the black lamborghini in the distance that held each of the guests. She knew that one of Blackberry’s ghosts was driving it. She let out a sigh of relief, as she was getting more paranoid by the minute. Mrs. Truffle, still fidgeting with her hands, walked towards the mansion doors.
Black Sapphire followed her, offering to open the door, however she dismissed him with a wave of her hand. His smile shifted to a slight frown. He backed away from the door, going to the upstairs room. He started to re-fluff the pillows and put even more cobwebs up on the guests' rooms.
He brought the bats with him. With Mrs. Truffle, she held the door wide open, for her guests; which each came for financial, political or business related reasons. Mrs. Truffle forced her intentionally crooked smile onto her face.
The first to enter the main lobby were Professor Almond, a well known detective, along with his daughter, whom was also his partner in solving crime, Miss. Walnut. Then Miss Linzer, a popular journalist came soon after them. It seemed like each of them knew each other rather well. As Professor Almond had greeted her with a slight warmth in his voice.
After them the politicians came, who were both unhappy that the law enforcement guests had been allowed inside before them. Mrs. Oyster and Colonel Elder Custard. They gave each other a nasty glare. As their respective houses didn't get along well.
Last but not least, Mrs. Pie, a no-nonsense librarian stepped with grace. She was the only one guest who was over prepared bringing in umbrella on what was once a sunny evening.
She held a book as she walked. Each of the guests were soaked (except for Mrs. Pie), so Mrs. Truffle called over Black Sapphire and Blackberry, who’s ghosts and bats brought them towels and a change of clothing (if the guests wished).
“Bats? Ghosts? What type of establishment are you running here exactly?” Colonel Elder Custard, questioned in an authoritarian tone. He found the display to be utterly ridiculous.
“Their are cobwebs everywhere and your main concern is about bats and ghosts? We leave in the world of the supernatural, it's not as peculiar as you make it out to seem.” Mrs. Oyster pointed out.
“I find the decorations to be quite fitting, as for the ghosts, from my research into the paranormal, they aren't poltergeist, so as long as we don't anger them, they won't hurt us.” Miss. Linzer added.
Professor Almond and Miss Walnut were busy checking their surroundings. This was the first time any of them had visited the mansion. The looked at the decorative fake skulls on the walls.
“Well thank you all for showing up. Now you might be a little surprised to see me by myself. My associate, Mr. Adventurer is currently out. Therefore I will be the hostess this evening by myself. Now I'm sure you're all hungry, so allow me to show you the dinning hall.” Mrs. Truffle announced.
The rest of the guest except for Mrs. Pie followed Mrs. Truffle. Mrs. Pie wandered around the mansion, until she found the library. It was filled with more then thousands of books, all in alphabetical order. Unfortunately their was only a small portion of books that guests were allowed to rent out.
“Forget contracts, this is were I belong.” She gently caressed the spines of the books as she walked through each shelf. Up the spiral stairs she found herself seated and deeply invested in a book titled; The Fine Arts Of Magic, Second Edition. As a magic user herself, she had already read the entire edition of the Fine Arts Of Magic.
However she was more then happy to re-read it. Oddly enough, the First edition seemed to have been already checked out. So she had to settle for the second edition. Back in the dinning hall, Mrs. Pie’s absence wasn't originally seen as abnormal, as they would have simply assumed she had found the library.
Although Professor Almond made a mental note of it, just in case. Mrs. Truffle watched as Blackberry and Black Sapphire themselves brought out the food. The table was bursting with conversions. Some bordering onto threats and others telling jokes. As Mrs. Truffle’s plate was laid down first.
Black Sapphire held a spoon to his mouth. The spoon held some of the grape jelly that Mrs. Truffle loved so much. He took a bite out of it, chewed it then swallowed, leaving the politicians appalled.
“You let your servants eat your food from your plate?” Mrs. Oyster asked, her mouth almost dropped down to the floor. Colonel Elder Custard observe the scene with disgust.
“Safe.” Black Sapphire declared, he didn't mind the others watching him nor paid any attention to the politician’s comment. He simply left the room after he declared the food safe to eat.
“Well arn't you going to explain?” Colonel Elder Custard barked, he was already annoyed with bats and ghouls, and now their were servant's eating their masters food?
“It's obvious that the butler also acts as a taste tester to make sure that the food hasn't been tainted with. For rich folks like yourself, I would have assumed you knew that.” Mr. Almond explained, before Mrs. Truffle could speak.
Mrs. Truffle felt relived and embarrassed. She didn't want to explain what her staff and her had discussed. She felt like they wouldn't- couldn't understand. While the others bickered she was lost in her own thoughts, remembering Mr. Adventurer’s death and how it happened unannounced.
Mr. Adventurer and her weren't too close but did share the mansion. She had noticed Blackberry whispering to the ghouls every night, which left Mrs. Truffle believing that she was after her.
“Mrs. Truffle you've been awfully quiet.” Miss. Linzer pointed out. She held her journal in her lap. By now Mrs. Pie had rejoined the rest of the guests after, Blackberry guided her to the dinning hall.
“My apologies.” Mrs. Truffle apologized. She looked around the room before returning her head back to the guests. “Now what are some of theese compromises?” She asked, in order to get a conversation going.
“Finally it's about time something of importance is happening.” Colonel Elder Custard announced, with his arms still crossed.
“Look tell Mrs. Oyster that her cabinet needs to stay out of House Custard’s alliances!” He demanded.
“Excuse me, your the only one who is making their allies disappear due to your unruly behavior. House Scone and I have made our own agreements.” Mrs. Oyster stood up, sounding offended by what Colonel Elder Custard has said.
“Excuse me!?” Colonel Elder Custard slammed his hand on the table.
“What you know it's true!” Mrs. Oyster barked back.
“If you're house knew their place we wouldn't be having this conversation!” Colonel Elder Custard yelled.
“Ugh, Now you just sound like my ex.” Mrs. Oyster sighed.
“Enough, both of you. Your acting like children and this tomfoolery will not be tolerated.” Mrs. Pie scolded, as she adjusted her glasses. The two scuffed at her.
“I agree with Mrs. Pie, you two are acting like your the only ones here. We are all here because we need settlements, agreements, or for finical reasons.” Professor Almond came into the conversation.
“Exactly, for instance, I wish to have a loan that way I can open up libraries across the country, while Miss Walnut and Professor Almond need some finical support for the police department.” Mrs. Pie explained.
Outside the room, Blackberry, Black Sapphire, Chef Butter Roll, and Herb all were eavesdropping on the conversations. They listened in on the 'negotiations' that were now taking place.
“When the guests begin to leave that's when our plan will come in action.” Chef Butter Roll smiled with glee. The rest of the staff nodded their heads in agreement. Chef Butter Roll then made his way back towards the kitchen.
It was about four hours of debate and berry juice, before Mrs. Truffle led the guests back into the lobby. She looked even more exhausted then she was before. Her fidgeting had gotten worse, as she put distance between her and the guests.
The thunderstorm outside was in action, having causing the lights to flicker on and off. Due to the debate and heavy drinking, most of the guests ignored it, all except Professor Almond, who drunk none this evening.
“Well I wanted to give a personal speech before you all left-” Before Mrs. Truffle could finish the lights fully gave out. The rest of the guests stayed calm, as they've all been through blackouts before.
It was the sudden silence that put each of them on edge. Even the ghosts and bats refused to make a sound. It took a couple moments before one of them called out Mrs. Truffle's name, to receive only a thud as an answer.
“Our apologies for the inconvenience.” Black Sapphire’s voice echoed throughout the dark room. He seemed to ignore the loud thud that the guests had heard, due to it they closed in on each other.
“Ya betta be.” Colonel Elder Custard replied, his speech was slurred due to the amount of berry juice he had. He tried to sound confident but their was a slight waver in his voice.
“I'll be back after I fix the breaker.” Black Sapphire told him in a rehearsed, friendly voice, that only made the guests cautious of him.
After another thirty minutes the lights flickered on and off. Until they eventually came back on. When they did the butler didn't return, instead, they found Mrs. Truffle's body laying their on the ground;
Lifeless.