August Whodunit: Royal Flush

Foxgloves and Vervain

When one's party host dies, you'd expect the next day to be quite dull and depressing. However, that was not the case in Manor Black, for it was buzzing with energy, and somehow that didn't really shock Lily.
Everyone was too busy pointing fingers and making alliances in the dark, to the point where Lily just didn't care anymore. If they were going to think she was the murderer, let them think that. She was mighty sure everyone here had a good reason to dislike Delilah, and it was highly hypocritical to act as if his death had been a tremendous tragedy.
Which is what, of course, she would be doing, armed with her favorite handkerchief. And feeling a little bit of regret perhaps, for the unspoken words, actions, left hanging in the air.

She had awoken quite early, the muffins had run up the stairs all the way to her room and just wouldn't leave her alone. Naturally, she needed to get some cream to teach them a lesson. So there she was in the kitchen, casually munching on her scrumptious food, when her eyes wandered to the window. She cocked her head to the side. How very odd it was, that Gilbert Lombardi stood there at the sidewalk, disposing of a garbage bag. Bloody clothes perhaps? Burnt clothes? If that didn't scream bloody murder, she didn't know what did.
But there were more important matters right now. Lilith turned back to the fridge. Cake was calling her merry name.
Ah but Alas, cake would have to wait, for a woman was now walking her way. And quite the female it was. Lily admired her dress, though, it would be better in purple. The woman seemed to be talking to her it seemed. Her lips were moving but Lily was having a bit of trouble following, distracted by her hair. Ah. Venus Tilden. Or was it Mars? Huh. The names seemed to mesh together. The silk voice spoke again. And not just in her head this time.

''Would you be interesting in a little information trade?''

Lily cocked her head and smiled, showing her pearly whites.
 ''As long as as that information doesn't have a hidden knife.''

''Oh nothing of the sort of course, just a few things I've heard here and there.''

Of course, Lily agreed with the goddess right ahead. 
''Ah the little crows are at it again. Very well, let this leaf be picked as well, might be done with it and bury it in the ground. Do pray tell, what is that information Venus?''

And so went the exchange. The actress seemed to know tidbits of information on Grace and Apollo, and Lilith herself of course. It seemed she was rather famous in Manor Black. And for that, Lily decided helping the actress would be worth it. What's the worse that could happen anyway? Venus could turn out to be the murderer,  and pin it on Lily, but then again, that could be anyone in this house of little liars. Some of the liars were rather quacky too. She sighed as Venus asked her the basic question again: where she was during the murderer.

''Hmm? Why course Jupiter dear, what would you like to know? I'm as open as a book.''
Lily looked into the distance for a while, smiling once more, before realizing her mistake.
''Oh sorry Venus dear, I meant Venus of course.''

She decided her slip of words was worth it, because by god was the woman's face priceless. Ah, Lily loved it even more.

''Well, Miss Crass, at the time of the murder, at midnight, where were you?''

She might've deserved that bit. But just a bit.
Lily launched into her bar and wine story,  after clearing up a little mix up with sleeping pills. That was probably her fault. She maybe lied to someone. The rumor might have spread. Did she regret it? Not one bit. The flying muffins told her to say it, so she said it. They command and she obeys. She was but a vessel in a long line of dynasties. 

When their conversation ended, Lily went on her merry little way, riding the horse to the living room. Many people were gathered in the living room. Some sipping on their tea,  hot, boiling tea from the looks of it. She could've sworn she saw Arren burn his tongue too, savvily patting it down with his finger and some sugar. He made the funniest faces sometimes. It made her giggle. She wondered if the crackers his slender fingers held were any yummy too. Her stomach ached in hunger. It had been a full minute since she last had a snack. Dreadful really, but one had to make sacrifices in dreadful times.