A Look Into The Past
Dr. Love thought he had been ready for it. He really did. But thinking you were prepared never really compares to actually being faced with true horror.
He screamed, long, painful, terrified wails before shaking his hands limply at the red blood stains that had been splashed all over him, his voice dipping down into a slightly quieter, "LOOK AT THIS SUIT JUST LOOK AT THIS DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS TO FIND A PINK SUIT IN MY SIZE THIS WAS NOT CHEAP YOU STUPID IG-"
Christof panicked, glancing over his hunch a moment. The screams certainly would have carried into the auditorium, but had his voice? In a fret of panic, he slammed his monstrous left arm down on the gnome's head, knocking him instantly unconscious. He had just enough time to pop the little creature's pointy hat back into shape and replace it on his head before he heard voices at the hidden door, already drawn to the sounds of ruckus before dodging behind the curtain.
No stage fright. He could do this. It was up to him. He left the body there for a short while until people had turned their back for just long enough that he could slip in and haul the little gnome off for safe keeping. Had to keep up appearances, and he didn't know how long the little man would stay knocked out.
He went back to the dance floor, making sure things were running smoothly, saying hello to a friend or two, all the while keeping his eye on the clock. There was a schedule to keep, after all.
- - - - - -
The Igor had to admit he was excited about this one. He crouched by the doorway this time, mouth twisted into a gleeful smile with bottle and rag in hand. He loved the smell of chloroform. It was a lovely smell, something he had to avoid considering general school policy and the effect even trace amounts of it on his person did to his poor slothful Master Barth. But now? He couldn't pass up the opportunity.
His whole body was electric as the others piled out of the room, and of course, Junko sauntering at the rear. Even if she was prepared, the sudden lunging, hulking figure throwing the cloth over her nose and mouth was a surprise, her hair flailing, wrapping around him, but Christof was prepared as well. His third, hidden arm slipped out of his coat with a second rag, tossing it over The Mistress's mouth as well at the back of her head, carefully avoiding teeth. He breathed in, he breathed out, calm, calm calm and smiling as the thrashing, animated hair and limbs slowed and the ghoul slumped in his arms.
She really was a pretty young woman, lovely Parts, interesting anatomy, and for a moment he battled with instinct as he held her limp form, watching the curve of her neck, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the billowy layers of her skirt... No. No, he wouldn't be distracted. There was a Job to complete and there was no time to waste and he would get in trouble if he tried to cut her up even just a little bit... as though to stop the temptation, he stuffed her quickly into the burlap sack at his belt before hauling her back beyond the curtains to the hidden waiting room. There would be some coffee waiting for her when she came to, and a small, short apology note under the pillow he had left her.
- - - - - -
Dr. Love was still rather upset about the blood stains, but after begrudgingly promising to pay for any cleaning bills, the little gnome agreed to help him with the next challenge.
When he found out what Christof had in mind, though, the stakes were instantly raised. Unfortunately for the gnome, he had little time to protest before he was grabbed by his feet and jammed down the fireplace. Still muttering in rage, he glowered at Lucky just as the poor gnome had peeked in at the odd sound. Grabbing the other gnome's wrists as Christof had instructed, he wailed in pain as he was used as a rope to haul both of them back up through the narrow shaft.
Well, that had gone easily enough... things were going splendidly. Maybe the chimney would throw people off- he was far too wide to fit down there... As the two gnomes made their way off to the hidden "Death Lounge", Dr Love lamenting his sooty, bloody suit all the while to slightly startled and still baffled Lucky in tow, Chris glanced down the chimney once more. There, Jericho had made the mistake of the first glance back up... alright, maybe he just wanted to give Chris a chance to get out of sight before the "investigators" caught his trail, but... well, he really WAS on a roll that evening, right?
The emergency-noose was lowered, and Jericho had only a moment to look baffled before he was suddenly hooked and hauled upward. Using the science of good-knots, leverage, and good traction, the Dragon was dragged up and out like a cat by the scruff of his neck (more or less). "TIAMAT'S s**t, Christof, I'm not supposed to go down for another twenty min- were you REALLY trying to- " Rubbing his neck and wincing as smoke curled out of the corners of his mouth, Jericho tried to sit up.
Christof shrugged, pulled his small pocket note-book out to scribble before holding it out for him to read:
Realism.
Jericho frowned, eyes flashing a bright yellow.
At least the ensuing explosion of fire lit the fireplace down below, preventing anyone else from looking up.
Christof tried to be as quiet as possible as he rolled across the rooftop to put out the flames.
- - - - - -
The hunchback took some time to let things calm down and cool off.. and change his jacket to an emergency backup. No one seemed to notice the pattern of the patches, just saw the stitches and asked no questions.
He had been standing by the concession's stand, making sure there was making sure the punchbowl was refilled, humming quietly to himself as he pondered life in general when Christof noticed the chloroform was missing from his jacket pocket. He glanced around the room frantically, spotting Oliver milling towards the Mystery Door, fidgeting with a familiar medical looking bottle. That little THIEF! Snarling, he slammed the empty pitcher down, waiting until the pick-pocket had disappeared into the room before nabbing a ripe, delicious and fresh cake from the table and stalked towards the door.
He had been excited for the one that was supposed to come next, and after everything so far, he was feeling cocky. He also currently needed a diversion. Something that could be timed when he was lurking amongst the crowd. It was poor Brutus who discovered it- but it was poor Brutus who it was intended for. The trap was sprung. The gnome went flying in a burst of mechanical-explosive beauty and the Igor was doing everything in his power not to giggle maniacally. But no, wait... while everyone was distracted, he held the cake out tantalizingly.
It was almost sad how easily the little gnome fell for the bait, instantly lured out of the door towards the delicious sight of baked goods so that an arm not holding the cake or an unconscious gnome shot out to slam into his tiny head. But not enough to knock him out. He let the cake drop before beating the munchkin senseless before reclaiming his (and several others) personal items.
The cake was a lie.
The others glanced up from the card game with varying degrees of concern as he dropped both of the gnomes off in the Death Lounge with a look of achievement.
- - - - - -
He found Shehk by the bookcase when he returned next, snarling something about a book being rumpled. "Hey, did you do this? Oh, don't you make that face at me. This is my book! From my collection! You can't just do whatever you jack-damn well pleas-" Why had she left a PERSONAL book in the library anyway?
He sighed, shaking his head before slamming the hammer down onto the slab of meat he had handy. Instantly, the dog-ghoul was mesmerized by the bloody morsel, thankfully shutting up. Right. Blood. After the appropriate sound effects had been accomplished for whoever might have been listening in, he fished in his pockets for the appropriate vial. Realism was important. While normal fake blood had worked just fine for most everyone else, the dog ghoul's glowing blood had been a bit of a puzzle. He had consulted with the Mad Science professor who gleefully supplied a nice glowing batch of chemicals which he liberally splashed about the floor and prayed it didn't eat through the carpet. Shehk was escorted to the Death Lounge where the others had gotten pizza.
- - - - - -
Long before the prom, there had been countless meetings to prepare for the events. Decorations, food, the games, everything had been carefully planned. Unfortunately, Sticks had been absent during the meetings were the whole Murder Mystery had been planned. 
