Once everything has been served, the family starts eating dinner and you decide to do the same, even Kinjo, forgetting about the stew from before.

"Oh Krauss-san, you gotta share Gohda-san's talent with me one of these days! It would be so much easier to make my clients sign a risky contract if I offer them a banquet like this!"
"I think nii-san has done a good job taking care of the mansion. Everything has been perfect so far. Do you think Father will feel better later, Nanjo-san?"

"That's something I would like us to talk about later." Krauss rushes to answer, looking rather nervous.
"Is Father's condition that bad?" Eva questions
"I would prefer we talk about that once diner is over. We don't have to worry the kids or our guests about this matter."

>>10410
"Your father isn't feeling well? Did he get involved in a shipwreck too or something?!"

Not everyone seems to enjoy Kinjo's humor, but Rudolf does and he gives him a smirk.
"Father's condition hasn't been good since some years ago, but I don't think a simple shipwreck would be enough to finish him off!"

"Ah, don't worry about us. I'm sure the grand kids would like to hear about their grandfather's condition. I don't know about the youngest but the others have the right to know don't you think?"

Krauss gets startled by Ozaki's comment, and starts getting notably nervous.
"Are you feeling alright? If this is such a serious matter I think we can discuss it after dinner is over."

"No, I think he's right." says Krauss, asking the servants to leave the dining room. Then, he gives Natsuhi a nervous look, which seems to comfort him, and removes a bit of the burden from his shoulders.
Once the servants are gone, Krauss stands up and announces.
"I regret having to say this, but our Father, Ushiromiya Kinzo, died two weeks ago."

>>10415
"...From a shipwreck?"

Instead of getting myself kicked out again I'll continue to eat dinner and watch the family's reactions.

Eva, who was wearing a sly smile on her face just a few seconds ago, suddenly breaks into tears. Natsuhi, who definitely looks as if she was having a hard time keeping up with the act, starts crying as well. The rest of the family looks either sad or astonished, and it seems not even Jessica knew about this yet.
“I’m terribly sorry, it might have been better to immediately inform you when this happened, but I decided it would be better to wait until the family conference. During this time, I made sure to check Father’s assets and other belongings. Father left no will before his parting, so it will be up to us to decide how we will proceed now.”

"That's unfair Father, we have come from this far to see you again, and you decide to give up a few days before our arrival?..." Rudolf mutters.

"How could this happen, Nanjo-sensei!? Wasn't Father feeling better the last year?"

"I'm very sorry, but Kinzo-sama's death was shocking for all of us. His old heart couldn't keep with his spirit anymore, and he finally went to rest."

After listening to Nanjo’s confirmation, the dining room quickly become a funeral home.
Kinjo and Ozaki feel a bit out of the conversation, as they never meet Ushiromiya Kinzo, so they stay relatively silent for a while. Seeing, this, Nanjo approaches to them.
“This is probably rather uncomfortable, but even a strict man like Ushiromiya Kinzo was liked by his siblings.
However this is probably no place for outsiders like us, would you like to accompany me to the living room?”

>>10501
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing."

I follow Nanjo.

Nanjo and Kinjo silently walk toward the exit, however, as they prepare to leave someone else gets in...

[BGM: The great detective knows]
A short girl with blueish hair gets into the dining room, with a smile painted on her face, she seems to be very amused about something.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Please allow me to thank you for your hospitality, I'm feeling much better now.
Krauss-san, the guesthouse is beautiful, you have done a great work with it. Gohda-san, the dinner looks magnificent, I'll be sure to have a bite of it later.
Jessica, you have a delightful fashion sense, but please, could you introduce me to person in charge of the rose garden? I must talk with them."

After her "short" introduction, the blue haired girl gives a glance to the rest of the people in the room, getting apparently quite interested in the other two guests.
"Huh? This is quite unusual, tell me, did I miss something?"

>>10504
"Hi, are you the girl who also had a shipwreck? I'm Kinjo Goldbar, nice to meet you."

>>10505
I remain silent for now.

"Other guests?... Shipwreck?..." Erika hesitates a bit to answer. "... Could it be than that bastard make a fool of me?
Whatever, my name's Furudo Erika, I'm the detective of this story. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Making a pause, Erika continues.
Krauss-san, I'm deeply sorry about the death of your Father, but you are wrong with something. Your Father did leave a will for all of you."

Not able to listen to the annoying guests words anymore, Jessica reclaims.
"Who are you and what are you doing here!? Don't talk to my father like that!"

"Jessica, calm down." Krauss intervenes "I'm not sure if this is a good time to talk about something like that."

>>10509
I decide to stop being silent after hearing that.

"Are you talking about that inscription in the main hallway in front of the portrait? It gave off that sort of feeling when I read it."

"Naturally. I read it when I was looking for you, and I think I have a decent lead about it already.
It seems like the storm will stay around a while, so don't you think it would be proper to spend the night trying to solve it?"

>>10511
"Sounds entertaining... why not?"

I take up her offer and join her in solving the epitaph.

"Hey Kinjo what do you feel like doing?"

>>10512
"Sorry, but I'm not very good at solving things. I'll stay here and make sure things don't get out of hand."

Regardless of the feelings of the family, the guests (except Kinjo) join to argue about the epitaph, however, it seems like only a few of them are concerned with it. In the end, Krauss, Rosa, Eva and Kyrie join discussion, the rest, however, seem to feel a bit uncomfortable about it.
"Don't get me wrong" Rosa says, looking at Rudolf. "I'm interested in seeing what Father wanted show to us. I don't think there's any hidden gold."
"Yeah, don't worry. I'm just a little tired."
Looking for a place to rest, the thinking party decides to return to the lobby.

As the group walk to the parlor, they can see a faint scent coming out of one of the rooms. It seems to be smoke. Somehow, seeing this make Ozaki feel very anxious, as if it remind him of a certain event from the past, you feel as if there was something fishy in the air...

>>10515
"Hey, did someone leave the stove on? I think something is burning"

I draw everyone's attention to the smell.

"There's smoke coming from the parlor! Someone, open that door!"

>>10518
Making sure everyone is still together as I go to open the door. I first check with the back of my hand if it is hot, then I try to open the door if it isn't.
If it is hot then I'll use my sleeve or have someone else help to open the door.

[BGM: you probably know]
Once you open the door, you see a woman smoking whom you are sure you have seen before. With the face of a foreigner, and golden hair, you recognize this woman as Beatrice.
“Great, now you are here. Welcome to the Ushiromiya mansion. Genji, get some drinks ready for our guests.”

>>10520
For the second time I confirm the people in my group.

"Oh my bad it was just someone smoking... Sorry for the disturbance my head must still be a bit foggy. I am Ozaki Toshio. What is your name?"

A quick glance reveals that Erika, Krauss, Rosa, Eva and Kyrie are with you. Rosa and Kyrie seem to be rather perplexed.
"Are you really... Beatrice?"
"Is this your idea of a joke, Krauss-san?" Kyrie questions
"I have nothing to do with this!"

On the other side of the room, our witch enjoys seeing the family fight.

"They call me Beatrice, the golden" replies the woman, with a smirk.
"Krauss-san, you sure have had it easy lately, haven't you? Well, I have come to take what it's mine."

I'll take a flight tomorrow to spend Christmas with some relatives out of the city, so I won't have a lot of time per see, but if you guys are really interested even in just a few posts I'll bring the bgs and the sprites with me. I just have to remember what was going to happen after this.

Before Krauss has a chance to react, Erika forces her way into the room and points at the witch, throwing her a fiery glance.
“What do you think you are doing, introducing yourself so early into the game!?”

“Another guest? How fascinating! This evening might become an intellectual night after all!”

Meanwhile, those still in the dining room hear Rosa scream.
“What was that?”
“I think it was Rosa-san. Let’s see what’s going on!” Battler says, as he gives Kinjo a quick look before leaving the room.

Last edited at 13/12/26(Thu)23:33:32

"Sorry to interupt but what do you mean by 'take what is yours'?"

>>13497
"Yeah, let's go take a look."

I go to the parlor with the others.

Notoriously interested, the witch glances at Ozaki and prepares to answer, however Krauss furiously interrupts her. “You! What do you mean by that!? The Ushiromiya family has no more ties with any witch! Our father just passed away!”

“I’m well aware of Kinzo-san’s condition, but aren’t you overlooking something?” The witch replies with a stern look, suddenly changing her tone. “Two years ago, he set that riddle with the intention of being understood by his children.” Saying this, Beatrice shows a golden ring placed in her right hand.
“And now, as the family head, it’s within my authority to reclaim everything on this island. You have until the storm is over to leave this place. Until then, stay out of the Guesthouse, I’ll keep it for myself.”

“Isn’t that... father’s ring?” Rosa mutters.
“It is. So the epitaph was really solved... and by her, out of all people.” Kyrie thinks aloud.
“You little-! You stole all of my glory!”

“A few gold bars should settle this. In any case, people like you only care about the money-”
“So it was really you!”
Suddenly, Beatrice gets stopped by Battler intruding the room. He looks rather agitated from running there.
“Didn’t I ask you not to do something crazy!?”

Last edited at 13/12/26(Thu)13:36:52

“Ugh... !” In a very different tone, Beatrice struggles to answer the young man. However, attempting to regain her composure, she ignores his question and continues.
“Hmmpt, your arrogance has ruined the mood. We’ll discuss this tomorrow. As for now, don’t get close to the Guesthouse.” Saying this, the witch hurries to get out the room, leaving everyone surprised, even the butler who was still wondering if he should prepare any drinks at all.

“Hey Yasuda! Where are you going?!... Oh man, don’t take very seriously anything she says.
Stop right there!” shouts Battler, just before running behind Beatrice.
“...Yasuda? Didn’t we have a servant with that name some years ago?” Krauss mutters.
“Isn’t it obvious? She’s Shannon. I saw her talking with Battler before, but I really didn’t expect this...”

Last edited at 13/12/26(Thu)13:41:57

>>13502
"A servant named Yasuda? ...I'm so confused by what just happened. Anyone mind explaining what that was all about?"

>>13503
"Well from the sound of it this 'Yasuda' and or Battler solved the epitaph and they found the gold talked about in the epitaph which they believe said gold hands the ownership of island over to them.

This all sounds straight out of a novel though... Especially the part about bars of gold."

"Did she also mention something about the family? Was maybe that servant also related to Father?
Tell me Genji, do you know something about it?"

Unable to escape from Kyrie's questioning, the servant remains silent for a few seconds and then replies in a dry tone.

"I'm not allowed to talk about that matter, but I'm certain the Master left this world without any regret once he saw Milady was able to succeed him."

>>13505
"So by that logic then this was somewhat of Kinzo's will?
Well, anyway I don't really want to pry into your family matters that much, but I have to ask what the deal is with the guesthouse now; seeing how I believe that is where Kinjo and I were to sleep. She didn't want us to go there but from what Battler said that may have been just her idea. Would it be fine just to ignore her in those regards then?"

Addressing your concern, Genji speaks up.
“Regardless of what my master just said, she also asked me to invite the unexpected guests to stay in the Guesthouse.”

“I’ll be obliged, then” the detective says. “That way I’ll be able to see by myself which kind of twisted plan she got in her hands.”

>>13507
"Alright, thanks."

I take a look in the parlor and confirm which people are currently in the room.

Upon a short inspection, you find Kinjo, Erika, Kyrie, Genji, Rosa, Krauss and Eva. Everyone seem to be a little perplexed, especially Eva who hasn't said a thing since you saw Beatrice.

Last edited at 13/12/27(Fri)17:03:55

>>13509
Seeing how we left a bunch of people in the dining room I head back there and see if they are still there.

>>13509
"Hey Eva, you seem kinda quiet. Is something the matter?"

Ozaki walks back to the dinning room, and he finds Jessica standing alone in the Hallway.

Meanwhile, Eva mutters an answer to Kinjo.
"Well, I'm just a little affected by Father's dead. I'm sure my son also wanted to have his blessing... he must be so confused right now."

Last edited at 13/12/27(Fri)19:40:28

Attention, gameboardians!

This game is going to restart by September 13th. Yes, I'm not lying.

Well, perhaps by restart it means its only going to do its best to continue, but I will do my best to post and allow the players to continue where they left.

Therefore, it is strongly suggested that the players check the thread again and try to remember what was going on until the point where we stopped!

Next thread:
>>18133