You come across the scene of a horrifying(ish) murder! What terrible fiend could be behind such a plot? And why are they trying to ruin Theo's party? Vote below for which terrible fiend you're going to go after! Also, don't worry, those of you who have paid to be in the party, this is just a slight detour. We'll be back to showing off Theo's guests soon!

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Art ©  cedricbrowning
Story © c'est moi
Mysterious Cheshires ©  connercoon &  lunostophiles

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As Theo’s security team cleared the way, the Cheshire leads you down the winding corridors of his home after the scream, winding around the crowds of his increasingly large guests, all of them looking concerned at the scream. You come into a small foyer, by far the most humble room you’ve seen in Theo’s mansion so far, its gilded pillars and marble floor notwithstanding. In the very center of the room, with shocked and gasping guests crowding the walls, you spot a body, his costume stained liberally with red.

“Oh, ye Gods!” Theo rushes to the downed body, a feline with blonde and tan fur, dressed in a rich silk robe. “It’s Tatsuya!”

You gape at the guest of honor, the newest Cheshire; at first, you’re horrified to see this cat so horribly cut down, his body splattered in blood, but… wait. There’s plenty of red, but there’s no stab wound, at least not in the back. Unless Tatsuya fell on a particularly sharp and large thumbtack, you find the idea of him being stabbed less and less likely.

“Who could have done this?!” Theo howled dramatically, a hand to his forehead. “How can I continue this party without a guest of honor?”

Your eyes drift over to Tatsuya’s discarded mask, decorated like a Kabuki theater mask. The tip of a ketchup bottle can be spotted, and you were starting to think that the so-called blood all over the cat looked awfully thick.

“Oh, why must these things always happen at my parties?” Theo laments. He then looks up to you, beckoning you closer. “You! My dear friend, you must help me solve this perfidious mystery! Look at the state of poor Tatsuya. He must be avenged! This silk robe is absolutely ruined!”

A clandestine taste of the red sauce covering Tatsuya confirms your suspicions; it’s definitely ketchup. Before you can point this out to Theo, the Cheshire wheels you around to the other guests huddling around the foyer. Most of them, like you, have overcome their initial shock and have begun asking Theo for more drinks, but the ones that can be kept on topic mention seeing purple, pink, and a plague doctor’s mask that looked like a bedazzler had exploded all over it; supposedly, the entire mask shimmered like a gem.

Theo, tapping at his solid gold mask, began pacing around Tatsuya’s prone body. You keep glancing at the blonde Cheshire, who hasn’t moved a muscle; either he’s asleep, or very good at playing dead. “Only one person would have such a lack of good taste to wear a mask as garish as that. But it’s impossible… he’s in another dimension. If he turned down one of my invitations, it’s no doubt a life or death situation…” Dramatically, he turns on his heel to face you. “My friend, to save this party, and avenge Tatsuya, I suppose, we must find this culprit. This fiendish plot is doubtless the work of another Cheshire… keep your eyes peeled for that mask, and a colorful fur… wait!” Theo swivels, pointing down a corridor to the East. “There he is!”

You spot a Cheshire cat flashing you a smile over broad shoulders, their fur purple and pink, wearing only a red waistcoat and trousers before they disappear around a corner.

“Mr. Humbug! You shan’t ruin another one of my parties, not after the Christmas of ‘76!” Theo shouted, rushing after the Cheshire. Before you can follow after, however, something catches your eye in the opposite direction. It’s another Cheshire, almost identical, with a broad, muscular build, purple and pink fur, and that same sparkling Plague Doctor’s mask. He held a finger up to his lips before disappearing around another corner.

It’s a life or… sort-of-death situation. Do you follow after Theo, or go after the rogue Cheshire on your own?