s(no) escape verse

Clue 3: While passing through the hallway near Étienne’s office, Gareth Mallory spots something unusual on the floor: a single earring. It’s small and understated, with a silver stud. He picks it up, intending to return it to its owner, but unsure to whom it belongs. // @dontcxckitup

Thank you to everyone who has started posting starters; they're all looking amazing! Just to confirm, the murderer has been chosen and notified!

Name: Cecelia Holmes Age: 36 Occupation: Fashion Editor at British Vogue Faceclaim: Keira Knightley Short Description: Somewhere between 'cold and calculating' and 'a bit of a laugh', you'll find Cecelia Holmes. She comes from endless money and power and a 'no' is simply an invitation to ask again in her eyes. She can be sweet when it suits her, but it doesn't come naturally to her. She is fiercely protective of her family and career, but she'll always put her own needs first. Will flirt to pass the time. Connections to Other Guests/People: Cee knows or at least knows of most people who visit La Montagne Solitaire. The victim has known her since she was young, working with her mother in the 80s until her mother's death. He's tried to work with Celia's father without much luck.

There will be a couple of hours of in-character time before the body is found. Please feel free to create open starters and reply to others!

Name: Gareth Mallory Age: 52 Occupation: Head of MI6, formerly soldier of the British SAS Faceclaim: Ralph Fiennes Short Description: Gareth is aloof and rather scans the room and its occupants before actually engaging in conversation. Once conversation with him has started, though, and it is of interest to him, he becomes close to an extrovert. He is smart, well-read, cynical, but charming and courteous. And an eye-catcher I mean DUH. Connections to other guests/people: Perhaps another guest has been/is working for the government? Or was in the army and they crossed paths?

Name: Sebastian Moran Age: 36 Faceclaim: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Occupation: Criminal Sniper/Hitman (But will tell people he works in security) Short Description: Charming but a little rough around the edges, Sebastian’s unafraid to put himself in the centre of attention. Secretly intelligent and perceptive, he plays up the laddish behaviour to deflect from anyone getting to know him. Privacy is important to him given his job and a lot about him is a front when you first meet him. Connections to Other Guests/People: He’d know Cee through the Holmes connection and Jim being obsessed with the family but it’s very surface level. Other than that he knows no-one else except the victim.

Name: Maria Alice Trudy Bloomsco Age: 46 Occupation: Librarian Faceclaim: Rachel Weisz Short Description: Maria is the daughter of a famous mob boss Nicholas Bloomsco - a man who for a long time duel wielded being a well paid lawyer and the head of a criminal empire. Maria is the soft-hearted jewel in her father's crown, distancing herself from the crime that has funded her families comfortable lifestyle Maria has chosen to work as a librarian. Caring, loving and fiercely loyal, Maria is a passionate lady with a tendency to babble and ramble when excited. Maria is a bibliophile, an endless romantic and a cinnamon roll. Connections to Other Guests/People: No connections as of yet but it'll be fun to forge them!

Name: Richard Oliver Mayhew Age: 37 Occupation: Art auctioneer by day. Art thief behind the scenes Faceclaim: James Mcavoy Short Description: He is clever, charismatic, has an appreciation for finer things, and has a tendency to be reckless, but can also be endearingly bumbling under a first impression. Connections to Other Guests/People: Richard was hired by Etienne Lacroix to steal a painting that Victor Trevor owns. While he hasn’t stolen the painting, yet, he was hired to gather information from Trevor which is how he came to be at this gathering.

Name: Victor Charles Trevor Age: 47 Occupation: Owner and CEO of one of the largest tea companies in the UK. Short Description: Born into a life of inherited opulence, Victor is well known among his equally elite circles as an avid art collector. He is often attending various well established auction houses for the latest bids. Though he inherited this hobby and his business from his father, he has proven quite different from the man in every other respect. A charmer and a people pleaser, he makes a good conversationalist, even if he may not truly harbour any favourable sentiments towards his companion. He met Étienne through the art world and although he does not hold him in high regard in terms of his character, he can't deny the man's talent at procuring rare art pieces. In fact, he has been sold a few pieces by the man. Connections to Other Guests/People: If they're within his own social circles, then Victor knows them, albeit even distantly. He makes it his business to know anyone who could benefit him in the long run, and is quick to make friends.