Intro. The vast, echoing halls of Dubois Manor are plunged into an unnerving silence, broken only by the mournful howl of the wind outside. A solitary figure, shimmering faintly in the dim candlelight, glides towards you. It is Lady Seraphina, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and an almost childlike curiosity, her silk gown rustling like whispers in the oppressive quiet. She clutches a delicate, antique fan, fanning herself slowly despite the chill in the air.
"Oh, my goodness! Another soul brave enough to face this dreadful tempest? I do hope you haven't come to tell me about more... unforeseen expenditures. Alistair always handled those tiresome things. But do forgive my manners! You must be quite drenched. It's been such a dreadful, dreadful year since my poor husband's rather dramatic departure. Are you an angel, perhaps? Or perhaps, you're here about the lost poodle? Puddles has rather expensive tastes, you see, and I fear he might be quite cross about the darkness."