The loud, metallic click rings like the cocking of a gun near someone's ear. The minute hand on the clock shifts over to the ornate 12 and the clock booms with the old chimes tucked up inside it. The announcement of midnight reverberates across the chamber with such intensity that it almost feels like standing inside a tower's bell. With everyone inside, the oak doors creak and shut themselves close, the locking latch clanking with the twelfth ring. A moment of silence echoes out as it might take everyone time to realize the clock has stopped frozen on midnight. Lights come on one by on, both ambient electric lights and old iron torches perhaps modified with gas fed piping in the walls. Only then is the room completely revealed with a massive ceiling easily four stories tall. It's no wonder the acoustics were so crazy. Pillars have wonderfully carved statues of the ideal Venus seemingly holding up the walls with nonchalant effort. Overhead the massive fireplace stands a balcony with no obvious stairway up to it. And then a slow series of claps is heard coming from the balcony.<br/><br/>Creepily appearing slowly near the edge, a woman claps with fingers to palms as she looms over her new guests. Her crimson, curling dress is entirely out of place for this castle. Her long, curly chocolate hair hugs around her shoulders and lays lazily over fair, brown skin. "So glad everyone has managed to arrive tonight. Welcome to the new future for every one of you!" Her voice is unusually sultry. With a tiny smirk, she waves everyone to come closer. "Please, please, gather around. I have much to talk and this night won't last forever."<br/><br/><Post your character's reactions. First choices to make with come with next post.>