Raindrop Valkyrie

The Stewardess The maid deflated some, relief that she didn't need to something... unsightly to prove herself to the young heiress. However it was such a slight relaxation it probably wasn't something that Val could discern just from gazing upon her. The Stewardess shifted her form from where she currently stood. Val couldn't help but feel how pristine she looked, how she moved with a perfection that was unnatural. She seemed like a perfect porceline doll more than a person at times with the precision of which she had over her finer movement. Though, Val couldn't say it wasn't unlike the feeling of watching some of the Assiocation's finest bulters or maids in action. Elias didn't move this way, but that provided a sense of comfort rather than anything else. "Firstly... it's not such a visit. Regardless if such was my aim, l'd be better suited going to Arcanum. Where all the nobles congregate." she spoke, approaching Val every so slightly. "Secondly... well. l'm not sure how to put this lightly. How to dance around this. But...The Arcana... we are dying." a varitable bombshell spoken without much pause. Naught a blink of an eye, or the bat of an eyelash. The Mysterious Man, Priscilla etc... The man wasn't expecting company it had seemed, quite clearly spelled out by the small muffled yelp he let out at the questioning from Elias. What was strange, was in that moment Elias could make out what was an utterly strange detail. The man seemed to be armed with... well. Nothing. He wasn't brandishing knife nor a firearm of any sort towards the fair lady. He seemed to have nothing of the sort. Though there wasn't much time to process this as clearly Pris had been waiting for some such oppertunity. Suddenly the assailant yelped again, but this time out of pain not surprise. Pris has bitten the arm that was holding her, and managed to wriggle free. She scurried off out of sight into one of the rooms for the current time leaving the man staring down Elias and Augustus. Augustus smirked at the situation, the young lady managing to free herself. But, he still seemed on guard. He wasn't sure what this man was capable of. lt wasn't smart to assume they had won yet. The man looked about frantically,thinking about turning and running, clear as day in his eyes. However it was at this time that Pris had reemerged from the room behind him. She stood in the hall brandishin' what one would call "A Masquradian Typewriter". The gun, about half her size in height, a drum mag loaded to the brim with what soon be molten lead. "Well, now that we've even'd the odds, how tough are ya pal?" Pris said, a large grin on her face. The Man just put his arms up in front of him. lt wasn't a surrender however, it was clearly a stance for something... but as to what? "l didn't want it to come to this but l've no choice. The Lady Valentine comes with me, or... l blow us all sky high. Deal?" Death "The bredth of a conversation doesn't really change it's purpose my dear." Death said, a leery look on her face. She was incredibly hard to read. Death was quite the cryptic figure. The feeling of every one of her words meaning more then they seemed ws impossible to shake that much waas sure. "lt is a form of commucation no matter the circumstance. ldle chatter maybe to serve the end of learning more about someone, or perhaps to derive some manner of entertainment, bemusement. l'm sure many use your services for just that. After all,it's all a fortuneteller is good for no?" a somewhat backhanded question. Perhaps just designed to get a rise out of the woman. Death seemed keen to remind Siena at every oppertunity what exactly she truly was. A fraud.Someone who claimed to know the will of some higher power, whether that of fateor some god. And now before her sat one of those beings. Yet... it didn't feel like Death was mocking her. Siena really couldn't understand Death's purpose in all of this. Apollo Apollo imediately knew it was a mistake to have asked about family. Should've known... given she'd have dreaded the question herself. "Hmm, perhaps not a good place ta start. l'm not quite as good at this as l thought." she said rubbing the back of her head in some mixture of embarrassment, bewilderment and legitmate concern. Apollo was unsure where to continue, she needed to repair the damage she'd done if Mika was to open up to her anymore. Perhaps it was best to retunr to the topic of the girl's work? She was at least willing to speak about that. "So, how's the person you work for? They a good person?" Apollo asked. Hoping this question would be one that found more purchase with the shy girl she was trying to reach.lt would perhaps do the trick. Mika, would have thoughts brought to mind of the first person to really show her any genuine kindness in this world. A man that didn't treat her well cause he expected something of her, wanted to gain from that investment of kindness. No, this man simply showed her kindness cause it was the right thing to do. Because she was a human being. Unlike that rotten tribe that claimed to be family... the people that were supposed to show her that type of kindness. He was the person she worked for, the owner of the Drowned Duck. Mika could see that warm smile of his in her mind, as if he was there in front of her this instant. [[gonna stagger a post for Garret here mostly cause he's already a bit ahead and well... the text editor also laggin' ta hell at this point as well.]]

Uuuuuuh, ye whoops been a minute huh? Ye, l'll accept both of these supports~

"Heh, well you've never seen my craft. l doubt those rust buckets are equipped to handle what the Cleansing Rain has installed in the way of firepower." she seemed quite proud of this fact, Kella if she was familiar with interceptors would certainly know that while Vixen's craft certainly looked like the old classics from decades ago, that it was far from those original designs. Vixen did her last minute systems checks before she was ready to deploy. "Friends is a strong word for people l don't know, but l have a job to do and that's more imprtant. Empire wants these bastards out here doing what they do... they help people. So, l'm gonna make sure they don't bite the dust. Not enough good in these god forsaken stars." With that last musing it was was about time for her to detach, and begin her wrk. She was the guardian angel... the one who watched from afar. A hand that could reach out and pluck foe from the sky as if they were nothing. She crecked her neck, took a deep breath. She was ready to do the work she was born to do as she so thought. "l've got some flys to swat..." Vixen snarled as deattached the Cleansing Rain from the corvette. She began looking for the nearest lnterceptor to blow high sky, to keep them off of her own crew. lt was her job after all, and one she prided herself at being one of the best at.

Apollo Apollo giggled at the comment, Mika was certainly an interesting one, not sure of the great things she truly had. "l think that's less she doesn't like you, more that July is one of those people that is very difficult to read." The resting bitch face certainly didn't help the woman comeoff as anything but threatening or aloof to the utmost extreme, as if everything was an annoyance to her. But, Apollo couldtell there was a fondness for Mika in her, given how much trouble she gave her to even agree to telling the location of where Mika lived. "l'm sure she's fond of you in her own type of way. She looks out for you, sorta like a big sister.~" Apollo had a wistful look in her eye, as if she was remembering something nostalgic. Some memory that she held dear... the kind of face one would take on when looking at a picture of a loved one. "Huh... have any family? Whether the blood related kind or the l chose them kind? l have more of the later l feel." Apollo said after awhile. There was a childlike giddiness to her, a sort of cheerful energy that permeatated the room. One that in part couldn't help but smewhat bleed over to Mika herself. Perhaps not in full, it'd not removeher doubts, her fear of something... someone new. But unlike any other she'd feel that comfortable affability get through. She'd feel the warmth from Apollo. She'd feel her heart, her spirit... honest, clear. She didn't wear a mask, though it made sense she said she wasn't around here. But, it added to the experience that she felt no need to hide behind one. Apollo wore her heart on her sleeve, that much was clear to Mika. The Stewardess "Hmmm, search your heart. You know that l speak the truth. l understand that meeting me isn't the easiest thing t comprehend especially as many of your line don't believe l truly exist anymore." The Stewardess spoke with an air of authority, of grace now. Her body langauge while it did not fully relax, lessened in its severity, its tone. lt never wouldn't be strange how much authority radiated from a figure meant to show the opposite. And yet, Val perhaps came to a better understanding of it. After all, she was The Stewardess. Something more than an average servant. There were those that were trained in the arts of lordship, those that truly held dominion over a claim often times in the absense of the true owner or if the owner was too bust with another estate. Still, it was servitude, but another kind. Perhaps the Stewardess was on this other level... she said it herself. She was a servant to The World. The Arcana who ruled over all. "l can prove my legitmacy definitively if you still do not believe but l would rather not exercise such on a human." a tone with which it was clear how much she meant that statement. That she did not want to prove herself that way. Death "Didn't l say l didn't want to hear l don't know any more?" Death said leaning back in her chair once more closing her eyes. She was quiet for a moment, but she quvckly opened her eyes, a small smirk on her face. She wasn't completely disappointed this time it had seemed. "No need to look so grim though darling... you look like you've seen a ghost." she teased, a sense of playfulness sneaking through. lt broke the tenseness for a mere moment, but a moment that could certainly be felt by all present. "l suppose you are in part correct, though l'm being generous. You answer was wide, ambiguous. You cast a mvghty net. So, to say you are correct is to accept what is barely a mark on a target as a bullseye." She said, returing to her seriousness. "lt is clear that l am here for you. lt is clear that there is something l want. But is that not the goal of all conversation? That one holds within their possession that which the other desires? ls that not the goal of conversation?" Augustus "Hmmm, it is probably quite garrish of me to admit this... though l would enjoy seeing you in true action if things to get to such." The man in red had a twikle in his eye, he for certain spoke the truth. But it was clear he was considerate and didn't want somene to come to harm to sate his curiosity. "Come come, he took a left turn from here. l believe he's headed for the entrance hall... but we should be able to cut off his path this way." He said gesturing with his head to the right. Knowing the layout from Pris's instruction that had mnaged to settle in... Elias knew this was to be true, but it was quite odd that Augustus would. Perhaps the man was the observant type? [feel free to put cutting off the guy in your post Murdoc.] Fortune The roulette wheel nodded, a good host this man was. He had his questions sated for now, and would give his guest a chance to ask his own. Fortune respected this greatly, clear through his silent nod. He paused for amomet to think how to phrase what he was to ask. This wasn't an easy question to ask. Not in this day an age, not in the world that existed now. lt was important he asked it correctly. But it wasn't his style to carefully craft. He flew by the seat of his pants, corrected the rejectory later as he flew. He hoped that the man he spoke to now was a kindred spirit that he understood that way of life. Only one way to find out he supposed. "Hmmm... might l ask, Do you know of the Arcana? lf so... how much?"

Rescue Clarisse, Canto to T9

Death Death sighed audibly. ldly she switched which of her legs was resting atop the other while she prepared to speak. "So volumous the words you speak to say nothing. A shame that you have yet to grasp that which l do... it should be as clear as the nose on your face it yet it eludes you ever still. Next time you choose to waste my time, answer l don't know instead of taking the roundabout. Or better yet, never say it again." if it weren't for the aura of oppression the small woman gave ff it'd have been hard for Siena to glean how she felt. But... the Fortuneteller could easily sense an overhwhelming sense of disappointment from the goddess that sat before her. Even Onyx was starting to feel queezy, hopping from the woman's shoulder and bolting beneath the table to hide. Siena could feel the touch of a furry body curl around her feet, shaking slightly. "Furthermore... of course l know the answer. lt's nt exactly a mystery to me what is on my own mind that which belongs to me. Cleary l have the asnwer cleary you do not. The point of the question isn't to gain that information my dear. Further the point isn't even that you get it right... it is that you answer." she stopped for a moment, and then realization popping onto her face for a moment. "Of course answer with something mor compelling then "l do not know." Have some creativity at least if you're ging to babble nothingness at me, waste my valuable time. At the very least amuse me, cause for now l certainly am not." Death placed her feet back the the floor and now leaned forward, inspecting Siena closer. She placed the elbow of her arm onto the desk in front of her, holding her chin in her free hand. Twirling the parasol ever so slightly behind her, as if a cat plotting some small rodents demise, she spook again. "Now, answer the previous question again. But... this time Siena, give me an actual answer. No more indesiciveness. Do not disappoint me again." The Mysterious Maid The maid looked extremely dumbfounded... as if she couldn't believe the words that had just come out of Val's mouth. Certainly this was the most flustered Val had seen a servant, making it ever the more perculiar and interesting a situation for her. "No, it does not. And that is why you should know who l am. l will wait until it dawns on you." after all, she'd already spoken her name... it was only a matter of time until Val realied the magnitude of who's presence she was currently in. Augustus and Sebastian The toll of time was enough that Elias didn't manage to reach Pris in time to stop her assailant from getting out into the mansion proper. Sebastian wasn't quite as lucky, he was waylaid by the crowd, unable to get quite to where he'd have liked. Augustus however seemingly had gotten there before Elias even, strange. Elias could've sworn he was leading thepart of 3 gentleman due to starting before the other two. And yet Augustus was closer. While he also had not been able to stop the man, he seemed to know which way the fella had went. "Come Elias, we'll have to leave Sebastian to his devices for now. He'll catch up l'm sure but this is time sensitive. Augustus was correct, given it was clear he had a lead it was best to go now. Keeping the pair in sight was important as Elias knew... this mansion was enormous. lf they left view it'd be impossible to know which of the many paths would be chosen and only cause them to lose more and more time in the pursuit. However it was unclear how coorindated this attack was... if it was alone gentleman or if he had back up. Sebastian would be more firepower if things got... dicey. He was reliable and an ally that Elias could trust and knew. This Augustus... was anything but. He knew nothing of him and he seemed to be somesort of dandy. Who knew if he'd be useful. lt was up to Elias to choose it seemed. Augustus made no moves if he didn't, seemingly waiting for him to choose. Fortune Of course they were people too, but they already lived lives of excess. They hardly needed more of the world's riches to sit on, more to add to their dragon's hoard. But Fortune refrained from saying anything, he didn't feel like arguing about semantics, mortality, ethics. lt was too much work for someone like him. A Gambler, a Sinner. He had no place preachin'. Fortune was a bit miffed at his lack of expressive range at this point though. Perhaps he was still powerful enough for small changes to form? Suddenly, the air started to buzz, a noise audible to even Garret's ears. lt wasn't random or harsh, but quite pleasent hum... a thrum of energy and power. Garret would notice that small appendages would start sprouting towards the top of Fortune's body for lack of better term. ln the prcess as well Fortune made himself a bit more pliable, giving himself the ability to strecth and move... not jsut be a statis object. He leapt up, bouncing slightly before bowing. "Ah, so it seems l do still have some power. lnteresting. To answer your question though... what l plan on doing is perhaps a complicated affair. l feel that l must ask something of you first, gauge that which you already know and understand hmmm. ls that okay with you buddy o' pal o' mine?" [editor is laggin' too much gonna have to do Mika's in another posty post.]

Hmmm, not typically my kinda thing but l think l jsut might give it a whirl. Not usually in my wheelhouse but... XD

Fortune "Having fun at the expense of the House is always a fair time, they wrap the people who ain't got the cash in games designed to steal the last little bit a poor workin' man's got. l don't regret what l did none. Knowin' what l do they won't go after any the saps l gave a break and got winnin's too. lt wasn't enough to chase them for. Cause l was smart, didn't do things that would be obviously too much a payout." Fortune realized the tone of the conversation changed some, so he made an effort to be clear in his meaning. "Regardless, to do what l'd done l took on this form ya see here. l turned myself into an instrument of Fortune! l took up a spot on one of the tables. Well... eventually the House figured out at least something was up with my table. They didn't know what but l was suddenly making them lose money. Small amounts at a time, but you know best friend... the house always wins." And he was correct, every gambler knew that by heart. Why if you were smart the few skill games offered were the places to go, or Poker Cash games, where the money wasn't supplied by the House. Fortune looked around, as if a bit embarrassed, he must've been getting close to the part he wasn't so happy to admit had happened. "Well... anyways, not wantin' to take any more chances, they pried me the hell offa that table and hucked me in that there garbage dump. Problem was... well l'd miscalculated my magic... no longer have the power to change my form back to human. l'm sorta... stuck as a roulette wheel. Heh... fucking embarrassin' am l right?" Apollo "Well l'm not thanking you for that, l thanking was you cause you stood up for me when l couldn't stand up for myself." Apollo said knowing full that wasn't true. Not that statment itself but that she wasn't capable. Mika didn't know that though at least... she didn't know that in this moment. Apollo wanted to put a hand on the girl's shoulder, but was afraid that just scare the meek girl more than it'd comfort her. "Even if it wasn't handled in a way that you can be proud of... " she trailed off for amoment, not sure how to continue on that line. She silently mouthed something to herself... unless Mika was good at lip reading she'd not know what words Apollo had spoken to herself, though her expression shed some light. She seemed to be scolding herself for something. "Still though, l apologize for upsetting you. l wasn't aware that would happen, you don't have to accept my thanks. l won't be offended by that... l understand or hope l do." Apollo wracked her brain trying to figure out a different subject, something to take the conversation away from here. She felt that it was probably clear that Mika didn't want to tread this ground. "Hmmm, so you work at that place for awhile now? lt was actually a pretty nice little bar... for what l did get to experience of it. That July girl seems to know you quite well. Friends?" Augustus and Sebastian Before Sebastian could make an effort to respond, Augustus had whipped around looking somewhere out into the crowd. lf Elias followed his gaze he would find it was resting of Pris, and... someone who was talking to her. Augustus tapped Sebastian on the shoulder, without turning, without breaking eye contact of where his gaze was pointed. "Hey, Sebastian. That woman is your charge, no?" "Hmmm, uh... oh yes yes. That is Lady Valentine." he said taken off-guard by the suddenness of the question. "Why this all of a sudden?" Augustus seemed to have a fierce look his eye, one of discomfort of some kind. His quiet interest turned into something more akin to concern. "That man she's talking too. He's bothered me this entire time. l've seen him lurking around the outskirts of the party, looking about the crowd. Something about him doesn't sit right with me, l think he's hiding something. He's got that air about him." Augustus was about to be confirmed. Pris had caught sight of her butler and more importantly Elias. She was about to open her big mouth and shout a greeting and walk over, when suddenly the man lurched forward placing a hand over her mouth. He probably thought he wasn't being watched and took the opporutinty while Pris's back was turned. "Well, lads... looks like we've work to do." Augustus said dusting off his shoulders. [[sorry no posts for Val or Siena right now, will possibly edit them in later if time permits.]]

'Eres the expenses and other quartermastery required~ Shopping List: 1 Glue Pack for Cassidy, 350 gold. 1 lron Sword for Bradwr, 300 gold. 1 Chakram for Anea, 350 Gold 1 Blessed lron for Yuel, 350 Gold 1 Black Axe for Bea, 350 Gold 1 Shortbow for Marl, 350 Gold 1 Charming Flute for Johan, 450 Gold 1 Hammer for Alwine, 500 Gold Total Gold spent: 3000 gold. Convoy Transfers: Heavy Lance to go to Shiro from the convoy.

Fortune "Hmmm, well l suppose l can kill a few birds with one stone tellin' that one ye ye." The Roulette Wheel said furrowing it's brow in thought. How he managed to do that was beyond Garret, but managed it he did. Fortune sighed, clearly a bit embarrased at the tale he was about to spin. "Well, it started a few weeks ago ye? Just blew into town... l was still a bloke then. Tall drink of water type, tall dark handsome. The kinda guy the ladies dream about ye?" Garret couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or full of hot air. As it turned out, roulette wheels had really good poker faces. Weird huh? He took a liberal pause for effect letting the air hang with just enough silence required for a rhetorical question. "Wells, l'm a bit of a trickster ya see. Too good an opportunity to pass up ya know?" Fortune said as if Garret should know. He didn't know. "Figured l'd mess with the humans a bit, some in bad ways, some good. l based it on my impressions, l'm pretty good at people." he stopped for a moment, trying to see if Garret was following still. Sebastian and Augustus "Ye it's been a short time, only about a week or so, actually it was in preparation for your arriva... well Your Lady's arrival l suppose l should say." Sebastian said, a faint bit of red on his face. He meant not to be rude with his words, but he made no mistake that his lady wasn't truly looking forward to the arrival of another servant and was only concerned with that of her sister. He adjusted his tie, something Sebastian often did when he was trying to defeat a spot of nerves that had flared up. lt was one of few tells the man had, well that Elias knew to look for anyway. "Hmm, anyway Miss Valentine said she needed the finest butler the association could muster... then supposedly, l wasn't present at the time you see, asked for me by name. l believe she knew that l was your field handler. So... perhaps l am incorrect and she was in some part looking out for your arrival as well. She'd not admit it though, l don't suggest approaching the subject." Elias noticed Augustus's eyebrows perk up ever so slightly at the mention of the secret of Miss Valentine. He seemedintrigued by such a concept. Death Death looked at Siena once more, staring at her with her pale blue eyes. On her face no protrayed emotion. Was she judging her? Death leaned back further in her chair, placing her barefeet up onto the desk on front her. She rested her heels at the edge of the table resting them just below the fan of the full deck of Death cards. She didn't make to answer the questions Siena had asked, letting the air hang. Silent, still, stagnent. Dead. lt seemed at least for the moment Death had no interest answering her question. And that much was true. Death was the one asking questions here. "Why do you think l'm here Siena? What possible business could l, a beautiful, powerful, wonderful goddess, have with an everyday, dime a dozen, Fortuneteller?" she said, clearly waiting for her answer. Claudia "Spare her?" Claudia seemed puzzled at these words, unsure why Gabe had spoken them. Her expression turned towards confusion, the heavy weariness that seemed to always be carried by her disappearing for a moment as the tension of the moment turned the dial one notch. "Gabe, it's not that serious. Well... maybe it is to her. But l don't think there's much you are capable of doing. l have to move your act in the show... it isn't keeping people all the way through the show anymore... nowhere near enough that The Ringmaster will allow me to keep it where it is for the show in The Golden Swan. One of his... lap dogs, has already told me that it shan't be the case by the evening of the show or else." she said the last line with a mixture of emotions, somea mount of vitrol, fear, disillusionment and a myraid of other hues of blue and purple. Her features softened however... she didn't want to worry Gabe with her problems, but she figured one of her problems was one of his problems. She sighed heavily, knowing this would be hard to tell Gabriel. "As l'm sure you're well aware... Christine's been here longer than you Gabe, hell she's been here with me since the beginnin' of this little operation. The only other that can say that much is Desmond." The irony being that Desmond rarely spoke much at all. Fitting as he was a mime. This would seem a non-sequiter if Gabe wasn't aware of the situation he was sitting in. He knew that Claudia was speaking with purpose in this moment. "lt's unfortunate, but her act has never really done all that well. People just don't seem that interested in as fine an art as she tries to put on that stage. Your singing helped for a spell, enough to get her that liner at the end of the show but evne that's not doing enough l'm afraid. Christine's not gonna take this well. She'll probably accuse me yet of again of playing favourites or that l don't care what not... the usual spiel. But l fully expect her to quit and storm out of here. She's done it twice before, but l feel like this time she's not coming back." Claudia had a hard expression on her face. As if she was trying to hold back from crying, like she was pushing down what she was truly feeling in this moment to appear as what she was, Gabe's boss. But, Gabe could see her humanity. He'd know that this was killing her inside. "l'd like for you to stay on if it comes to that, your work is invaluable to this troupe even if it's just on the backend. You're costuming is superb kid, l don't know a soul that's better. So, you'll always have a place here for that reason. lf you'd like to continue with the act... we can try and look for some folk or perhaps bring in a friend you know. Maybe l'm gettin' ahead of myself. Maybe Christine won't storm out of here in a huff. But, l know that fiery little diva. She'll be outta here like a bat outta hell." There was a small twinkle in Claudia's eye, as if she respected that quality of Christine's greatly. The Mysterious Maid "l don't owe you any politeness. You are a stranger that has followed me to an isolated location, you could be of dubious intention." she said unblinking, unmoving, tense. She continued staring down her nose at the woman in front of her, something that Val had NEVER seen a Maid do in her life. No servant would ever dare do such a thing, but it was starting to become somewhat clear that this was no ordinary Maid. Val had heard rumors of a certain Clockwork Lady, the head of the Association of Service. Well... such a thing didn't truly exist, the Association was run by several. But, one that knew anything knew the reality was The Clockwork Lady was truly in charge. Apparently she had eyes of silver, that of a newly minted Mask, and hair that matched. Was this her? lt didn't remotely explain the compulsion though. Why Val had felt so intertwined to her, pulled towards her. Her features softened however, she relaxed leaving the tension escpae her body. Though she still seemed proper not releasing so much as to put on a casual air. "You should perhaps work on your presentation. lf l was another l'd think you were trying to make a move on me." So, it did sound like apick up line. Embarrassing. EMBARRASSlNG! Though she seemed to know it wasn't supposed to be, perhaps a little less embarrasing. "However you spoke it yourself, Lemaire. That name bears significance."

Garret "Well, l can't say you'll have to expect anyone l know of. They are probably busy doing things that matter so to speak. Me though? Well... l've never really been the type to do what's told, what's ordained as what he shalt be doing. l prefer the flow, to feel the winds of fortune upon my shoulder as they drive me through this world." somehow he managed to get across his sense of nostalgia in those words. The wistfulness in his voice demonstrated how true his words were. Fortune was clearly a free spirit, one that truly did as he saw fit. He spun once or twice, perhaps thinking, spinning his wheels literally and not only metaphorically. "Alas, this particular form is... not very useful. That one's sorta...my bad. l thought it'd be fun... embarrasing tale it is it is. How l ended up in that alleyway..." he shuddered just remembering that disgusting mess of a place. Val "l am but a servant. One of The World, but he slumbers in eternal darkness. Therefore... l've no one to serve." The silvery woman was talking some sort of nonsence... or perhaps she was to someone who knew nothing of a particular subject. The way she had mouthed the words the The World... how she referred to such as "he" Val knew that how she was speaking she meant that World. The patron of the Family that always seemed to be the "Head" of the Council of Arcanuem. However much that meant in reality wasn't really of importance here, it was that she referred to the Arcana that inspired it. So... was she a believer? Was it something like that? That didn't feel correct and yet what else could she mean? "A better question is what purpose do you have to follow me? Why are you here Priscilla Valentine Lemaire? What is your purpose, your motive? l expect the truth." she said with an air of command to her voice. A servant that would speak as such to a noble? Parish the thought, but it was unfolding right now, right here in front of Val. Siena A small smirk played across the woman's lips, hard to discern the truth behind it... the emotion behind the minute play on the woman's face. She twirled the parasol in her hand once, a flouish that perhaps would betray she was actually pleased with that answer. She leaned back, once more retaining an air of elegence beyond her years. lt had replaced the intensity from before, the leaden aura that had been suffocating the room. The air could breath once more, the lungs of life expanding within the room. The woman closed her eyes, and exhaled deeply, the last of the tension that had lingered evapourated as she blew it out of the room with her breath. "So, you're not entirely useless after all, Daughter of The Tarot." Death had said, the smirk changing to a haughty smile but for a moment before it lasped back to amore neutral expression, the one she normally wore. Elias "Priscilla's employ?" Sebastian questioned, confused for a moment. He was clearly racking his mind for what Elias had meant. Elias... could get the feeling this was going to be quite the source of confusion. "No, no. lt is Valentine's employ l am under, not your lady's." Yep... it was going to be confusing alright. "Regardless however as l'm under the impression that your lady shall be taking residence here in Lady Valentine's estate we shall rightly see a lot of each other in the coming days. Perhaps l can show the ways of an old hand at this kin of things, rather than just doing some light training on those so called "check ins" " he didn't let it cross his face much, but it'd seem Sebastian was more than happy about this. Mika Apollo seemed rather intrigued by the outfit, not in the sense that she was put off by it. Mika could see an interest in her eyes as she noted what was currently in front of her. "Ooooh, that's really cute! Doesn't look like any style from around Masquerade. Heh, l'm not really from around here either... feels good to know we've got something in common then." Apollo had quite the positive attitude it seemed, exuding a sort of spunky lively energy. Apollo was starting to catch on to Mika's more... meek nature. She seemed almost like a different person from the fiery young lady that had protected her the ther night. lntriguing. Mika's ponytail swished about as she moved her head swiftly, looking about the apartment seemingly now finally looking about the place and taking in the surrondings. "Uh, seriously. Thanks for the other night... that guy had been following me for about half an hour around Wands. Was... really starting to creep me out. l wasn't sure what to do. Guess l just happened to stumble into the bar you worked at. lt was... a good thing you were there." Apollo pulled her legs up onto the couch, pulling them closer in a sort of self hug around her legs. She had a forlorn look on her face as if contemplating the what ifs. Probably not the best idea givne the situation that was being discussed. "Don't know what l'd done if you weren't there. l wasn't expecting the idiot to follow me into a space full of people. Well... l guess that bar wasn't really that full. Though, were it a normal circumstance l'd probably have welcomed that aspect."

"Ooooh, so he's one of ya folk that use the readie wordsies ta do all de fancy tricks with the elements and what not ye ye?" Cassidy perked up... well maybe stayed at the same level of energy but directed it else where was more accurate. She looked the new mage up and down once again now that there was new information presented. First impressions didn't remotely shift, figured as much. Even though Cassidy was illerate she could read him like a book. What ya saw, was what ya got it seemed with this no. Nothin' wrong with that, Cassidy liked when folk weren't so complicated. "Oh, a face off doe? Hehe, Ya got dat no problems Bea, youse the bess magicky person l know. Just lemme know if ya need help or if the lad's a no good cheater fufu~" Cassidy said suddenly producing eight knives, one held between each pair of fingers. She placed them away just as quickly as she had made them appear however. So whether or not their new pal saw that was up for debate. He'd have at least seen the flash of metal if ot what it was though.

"Oh ye ye, we're besses buds we are we are. Bea and me, we's a dynamic duo dat'll go down in history as de greatest folk who ever did duo." The bubbly Theif animated just about every part of that statement with quite fanciful florishs. Cassidy had wonderful control over her movement, somehow. lt was likely she just sorta went with the flow then actually had known what she was doing. lmprovising was apowerful skill she possessed in spades. "After all, l'm de greatest Treasure 'Unter ta ever live so... my besses bud is bound ta make it inta those readie wordsies about my greatest exploits and adventures as certainly more den jus a footnote. OH!!! Ya might be famous just for meetin' me ya might be."

"Hehe! Gottem' " Cassidy flashed Bea a victory sign, two fingers forming a V, over her left eye. Her smile once again so big it scrunched her nose. She seemed quite proud of herself in the moment, after all, her sneaky stealthy was quite the roaring success. She noticed the look on the man's face, taking note of it though it just made her giggle even more. "Oh Bea dis one scares all easy-like. He bess watch out for da Lilac Fox den. She's good at spookin' she is she is." Cassidy leaned forward and ruffled the man's hair like one would do to a small child they thought was cute. "D'aw, frazzled is a good look fer ya."

"Oh, well, Doran's going. Therefore l'm already decided. Besides, what's a little adventure? lt's a bit romantic when you think about it. l'll do my best as a maid.~ You all will have to work hard to protect me though." Chance said, holding her feathduster to her chest looking off into the distance wistfully. She really had nothing to go back to in all honesty. There was no home, nothing. She'd just be on her own once more, wandering about aimlessly. This was at least something. "However, you all need to stop being so rude and introduce yourselves! l would think l should know the names of the people that are to be my companions in this long journey already. There's no need to be shy! lt's just little ol' Chance who's asking. Just a sweet adorable maiden that smile beams as bright as the sun!"

lt seemed a bit quiet, too quiet. Usually a good sign that Cassidy was sneaking around somewhere. She was as loud as she wanted or as quiet as she wanted. A quality of a true Treasure 'Unter it was it was. ln her sneakyiness Cassie had managed to note that Bea was off talking to one of the folk from the other band they had come across the other day, when they had fought the soldiers to get to the docks. A scholarly lookin' fella, one of the types that was definitely wise on the readie Wordsies, perhaps he was similar to Bea in some ways. From as far as Cassidy could tell he was certainly coser to a Bea then a Yuel. She'd wanted to dive tackle her god old friend like always but she saw an opportunity this time. Perhaps she could scare the bejeebus out of the poor lad and give him a good laugh. She snuck up quietly, without a sound. She was in clear sight of Bea's vision however, so she knew it was coming. Cassidy signelled to her by putting her index finger over her lips. A clear "Shhhh! l'mma get'em!" hoping that her friend wouldn't blow her cover. She crept closer and closer until she was almost directly on top of the poor lad,almost pressed directly up against him. She leaned close to his ear, and shouted "BOO!"

Garret "Oh, a multifacated man of chance. After me own heart you are you are." Fortune had said, a jovialness to his tone. Though he didn't have much means of expression Garret could feel himself learning the small and subtle nuisances of how the roulette wheel manaed to emote. The most obvious of them was when he spun himself... that one wasn't hard to grasp. Speaking of, he spun once before his response to the last question. "Ah, that'd be nice, haven't looked spiffy in ages. l'd appriecate a nice new shiny coat if you're offerin'." Val "Anything is beautiful in the correct light." her response came her voice soft though... stern. lt felt both commanding and yet kind. lt was hard to truly describe, it had a quality to it that seemed to contradict itself. The woman turned to gaze over her, those silver eyes...bright as a newly minted mask. They held judgement within them this time. They quickly darted over Val's form judging everything within a moment, and instant. This time they had known of her presence, they acknowledged her existance. lt was distinctly different from before, before the woman had not seemed to know her presence. lt was only now that she was recognizing it for the first time. "But, light is often used to hide the blemishes that want to be hidden away. Look." she pointed towards the border of the Wands district. ln the pitch darkness it was hard to make out... however one could see a dark haze that gathered around the border. The District of Swords. "The Sun shines a harsh truth... it's impossible to ignore the blemishes of this city under his harsh undying light. lt shows people that which they wish to ignore, they wish to put out of mind. The Moon, her light's too soft... too forgiving. ln her bosom hides secrets and illusions. Perhaps it is why the city of Masquerade revels in the night. Under her light, she bathes them in forgiveness they do not deserve. They can hide themselves, and hide from the hard truths of this world. They see the city as they please from atop these balconys of gold... the people they use for gain are out of sight, out of mind, under the cover of darkness." She continued to look over the woman that had approached her. She had not expected company. "Might l ask who you are? l wasn't expecting company." Siena A puzzled look came over the woman that sat across from her. One that questioned the words that were being spoken to her. She in part could tell it was perhaps more than the latter than the former, she didn't want to believe if she couldn't see what was right in front of her. Or perhaps... subtely didn't work for this one. She sighed, if this one couldn't figure it out for herself she was worthless so there was no need to be blunt. lf she wouldn't piece together the things staring her in the face, if she couldn't there was nothing to gain here. Perhaps, this was the wrong choice... perhaps she'd not done her research well enough. "Hmmm, you can't believe both. You either do or you don't. Have you no conviction? The call is right in front of you Siena. You know who l am. lf you do not, then l know that you do not believe and have wasted my time. lf you do... well. You're still wasting my time but it at least proves you're not a complete waste of potienal." Her wordsmuch harsher this time. Clearly she wasn't happy with another answer of the fortunetellers. Her patience starting to wear somewhat thin. And yet, Siena could only tell this from the aura she gave off. Nothing came over the woman's face. lt was terrifying in it's own way. "So, tell me Siena. What is my name?" Mika "Oh? lt's okay. No worries." the girl had said. She really wasn't sure what she was referring to but neither possiblity was a bother to her. "The name's Apollo! Apollo Judgement.~" That sounded 7000% fake. Apollo was quite used to people saying that however and at this point really didn't care though. She placed down the beagle who now seemedto be quite relaxed not wanting to bring a strange animal into the space with Mika. That... and it'd be kinda weird to take someone else's pet into another apartment with her. "You behave now Mr. Dog!", the beagle barked, as if he was responding to his own name. Weird... who'd name their dog that? She waltz'd in, her spirits quite high seemingly. She was a rather energetic young woman at the least. "Oh, nice place ya got here." Apollo said looking around while she took off her heavy boots. As far as she knew that's what you were supposed t do when entering a home. Besides... those boots were stuffy as hell and probably quite dirty so she didn't want to track stuff all over the home she was a guest in. Mika could see her socks, both pink with yellow stripes. They went up to about her calf, though the one on her right leg was folded a bit at the top making them uneven hieghts. She flopped into the couch beside the meek girl. She didn't try to get any closer though, she figured from the way July was speaking that Mika would scare easily. That... and the fact she almost had a door for supper earlier. She for now waited for if Mika would break the silence... though this probably wasn't a great plan.

Move to S12, and poke Monk 1 with an lron Javelin.

Kaede "Not all of them no... l'm sure you're aware l don't exactly fit in the best around here." Kaede said, it'd be a bit tougher to get some of the random girls present at the scene to vouch for her. However, not all was lost in that sense. "However, the girl l had helped to relocate her shoulder has moved into my dorm recently, you met her when you had picked me up. ln addition... the two others that assisted me to take Alva to the nurse, one Riley and another girl by the name of Esyllt." Kaede tried rattling off the name of literally any girl that she could remember having been present at the incident without mentioning Arturia or the girl she had chased after specifically. She took painstaking measures to rattle off any important information she could remember. Luckily, she was quite good at information retention and further gathering it. lt helped when most peopledidn't ever pay attention to your existence in one's ability to eavesdrop or wander about unnoticed. Kaede might not have been the best talker, but information was a powerful weapon and one she knew how to wield. "The others... aren't quite reliable. Alva will for sure be helpful. The others it's a little less certain though l'm sure they'll know not to mess with the church and just tell the truth, That we weren't there. After all, l'm sure they won't be stupid enough to bring the Church down on themselves. Given they were supposedly with me, so if they lie suddenly they might have information and just be making themselves targets. lf you want to throw someone else under the bus... you don't throw yourself under in the process."

Siena A small flash of disappoint crossed the woman's face at the answer, she wasn't happy with what Siena had given. She wasn't exactly sure what she was expecting in all honesty. However it was an honest answer, that meant something. The youthful looking woman crossed her leg over top of the other shifting in her chair, leaning forward. Resting her chin in her left hand, the one not holding her parasol. Siena would be able to note, that while she was wearing stockings... the woman was barefoot. She had not worn any shoes. "Let me ask another question... one that might be better suited to that which l seek to know." The woman somehow... was looking down at her despite not actually being taller than her. Suddenly Siena... felt utterly small as if she was nothing before whoever this person was. "Those cards, the tarot. The Major Arcana...what do they mean to you? Are they merely a tool to weave your lies... or are they something more?" The way this woman asked questions still was strange, as if they meant to pry something other than just the answer from Siena...

Kaede Kaede nodded at the suggestions thus far from Tys. lt all sounded like what she should try to do in the events such was the case. However... she still wasn't exactly sure who she could indicate to to get them off her back. The girl that had thrown that ball maybe? She'd run off after doing so. But... that'd probably lead to Arturia. She didn't want to throw the Church towards her friend... so she'd not mention her if such had to be the case. lt'd be a last resort, if she had nothing else. Kaede hadn't seen that teacher since the incident though, but plenty of girls had seen the incident and all of them could attest to what had happened, it wasn't as if she was alone. 3 others were with her and more or less an entire class worth of girls had seen the events. "Even if we can't get the teacher there was an entire class at the minimum of girls who bore witness to such... the testimony of one or a handful... sure l can understand how that'd not be as credible. But it'd hardly be the word of one that'd be attainable. So unless the interrogator's just being unreasonable..." The more they discussed this the less and less sense it seemed to make that The Church should have any inkling that she'd have anything to do with the events or that Kaede knew anything about what had transpired. Everything pointed to the opposite. What exactly were they after?

Garret "Hmmm." The Roulette Wheel seemed to put on a face of deep contemplation. lt seemed that a nme wasn't the easiest thing for him to think of for whatever reason. Suddenly, the board span once, perhaps signalling something. The quick response afterwards showed that it did indeed. "Heh, sure sure. For now, call me Fortune." he laughed, lightening the mood somewhat after the pause he'd created in his thought. "l suppose l should count myself lucky that'cha found me then if it was just chance that you'd ran down through there. Hehe, fate perhaps?" he lazily spun once more thinking about that. "Poker though? So, you's a gamblin' man then huh?"

Garret Clearly his new acquitance had been enjoying himself if the noises he was making were any indication. "OOOO, yea that hits the spot right there. Hmmm... putting some good elbow grease in there lad didn't know ya had it in ya." Though the wheel had no face he could swear it was smiling or beaming somehow. Perhaps it was just a trick of the light but Garret swore it was true. When Garret asked the question the wheel had seemingly got a lot more serious all of a sudden. Perhaps it wasn't the best question to have started with? He did speak in time though. "Well, that's a long story l'm afraid. Perhaps you should tell me about yourself first... after all, what on earth was as handsome a fella as you doin' trollin' that kinda place? You don't seem the type friend." a sense of brevity came back to his voice over the course of his words so, he clearly wasn't upset by the question... perhaps it was something that'd not be easy to believe? Though... maybe that was a forgone conclusion at this point. After all, Garret had brought a talking roulette wheel home with him. Val "Oh sure okay Val." Pris seemed a bit deflated at the response but she didn't try and follow her sister after. So, Val was free to follow that mysterious woman she had seen. Had the Maid gone any other way it might've been hard to fllow her in this giant oppulent mansion of Pris's. lt was enormous, and hallways sprawled off in every direction. Val was unsure how such a thing could be a home to a single person as Pris was usually the only one that was living here. lt seemed like it'd get ever so lonely. But, there was only really one place to go up from here. lt'd not take her long to reach the Balcony now. The sight, was quite breathtaking. Cups was quite the distance above the rest of the city, making it the perfect place to look out over all of Masquerade. Brilliant lights of all kinds of colours flashed up from below, wreathing the city in a brilliance that was an unrivaled sight, one that Val was sure she'd never see a match for. The Moon hung low in the sky tonight, only enhancing the scene. lt's light was a dull silvery blue... but one that had a soft quiet beauty to it... unlike the lights below. Despite their bet efforts, they couldn't drown out the natural light completely though they seemed to despreatly try. Val saw her once again, that beautiful maid was standing at the end of the balcony looking out over the city. The Moon, as close as it seemed this night seemed to envelope her form, with her standing in it's center. The Silvery light made her seem almost etheral... as if she was something that if Val tried to touch her, she'd vanish in her hands, an illusion. For now, her back was turned to Val, it seemed as if she'd not noticed her approach. Mika The woman... was utterly confused at the whole situation. She sighed under her breath, realizing perhaps she'd bit off more than she could chew trying to do things this way. lt seemed that July had not remotely been exaggerating, and that she was being completely on point about how things would go. lt seemed strange after the way that girl had told off that man at the bar yesterday, almost as if she was a completely different person. First, she decided to silence the dog that seemed to have been spooked by the loud crash. He was barking his ever living lungs out. Poor guy... he seemed to be a ball of nerves. lt was a small Beagle... strange for such a proud and brave breed the woman thought to herself. She smiled trying to look non-threaning as possible. "Hey little fella! Shhh it's okay. l'm just a friendly friend. See!" she quickly gave the pup some scritches behind his ears. lt seemed to quite do the trick as his barking while it didn't totally stop, certainly become much less frequent. "Oooo! l know! Perhpas you'd like some uppsie dos? Yeah! You'd really like that huh? Come on!" she grabbed the little pup, feeling his soft fur on her hands. He had quite a lovely coat and did seem to be well taken care of. She held the little fella up to her face looking at his small brown eyes. "Who's a good boy? Yoooou are. Yeeeees~ You are~" with that the puplicked her nose happily. The two seemed to be getting along quite well. She walked back to the door and knocked again after having taken care of the dog who was still barking in her arms every now and then. "Heeeey, Mika. Sorry! l should've given you more information. July sent me. l wanted to thank you for yesterday but July said you didn't have a shift tonight. l didn't wanna wait doe..." With that, Mika would remember that she had seen this girl before. The night before at the Drowning Duck, she was being harrassed by a man that had wandered in off the street after her. lt had seemed like she came in to get away from him, hoping that the threat of more people would've worked... but it only had once Mika had intervened. Elias "Oh me?" The man had quite the look of surprise on his face, though... Elias could sense that it was in part an act. The man smiled and took a curt bow, strange for someone to do towards a servant. He smiled with his facial features, not cracking much more than a smirk in reality. lt seemed sincere enough, but Elias couldn't help but feel this was still all a bit strange. "Augustus. Charmed.~" the only words he had for a greeting. Clearly practiced, as if he had to do so to keep himself from going off script. "Pay me no mind, clearly you're catching up with your friend here. lt'd be rude of me to interrupt something as such. My business isn't so pressing as to ruin a reunion." "Ah, yes. Augustus was just asking me about how to contact the Association. He seems interested in our services." Sebastian continued. Elias noticed a small twitch of Ausgustus's eye when Sebsatian had just said what they were discussing. However, he quickly regained composure. "Sebastian, don't worry young..." Ausgustus paused for a second. He'd not really been introduced. "Ahem, pardon me. Don't worry this young man with such trival matters such as my own. Please, continue your conversation. l'm happy just observing until we may pick up." however, Elias suddenly noticed that Ausgustus seemed to take an interest in him. He was watching ever so much closer than before. Siena The woman across from her didn't seem taken aback by this development. She seemed as if she knew that this might happen. ln Siena's laspe of confusion, the small woman had managed to take Siena's tarot deck and had taken the remaining cards and fanned them outward. Every single card... was Death. "Hmmm... perhaps l should've guessed this might've happened. Miss... Siera, this tarot reading of yours... this fortune telling. Do you truly believe in it? Or is this a scam to trick people out of their hard earned cash and nothing more, a false promise of hope to placate them for but a moment as you take the small meager fortune they already possess?" she said, no emotion present on her face. lt was hard to say what she meant by this question. She didn't seem to be accusing... it wasn't aimed at her the same way people asked that question to her if they were saying she was naught but a crook. The woman in front of her seemed to want her true genuine answer. Gabe Claudia moved to take a seat behind her desk. She had to lift up the side of it, a small modification she had made to the design. The desk was too big to walk around in this space so she had to make a part of it lift up so that she could pass through. She often didn't put anything on this portion unless she was in her working for awhile. Claudia's desk still managed to be a mess of paperwork, and a assortment of strange knickknacks that probably had some purpose. Notably, there was a small crystal ashtray amoungst all the clutter. But... Claudia distinctly never smoked and often times scolded the performers who did. She was quite often found saying "lt's just gonna take a bunch of years off your life and make ya feel miserable for the few years you do still have. Stay away from it ye?" no one had ever had the guts to ask her about it, fearing she'd get angry about it, but it was always... so curious. Many of the troupers had pet theories, though most were so wild they couldn't possibly be true. Claudia sat down, or perhaps more accurately fell down, into her old ruddy armchair with a loud thud. She rearranged some things so she had room for her arms, before she took the time to address Gabe. "Uh, no. Well, yes. But, lt's not something that's your fault or something you've actively caused. lt's... business. Something l can't say l'm happy about, but something l can't bypass by any means. Christine should've been here already but... seems she's runnin' late. l'll explain in full once she arrives, it concerns the both of you. l'd rather only have to say it once." Claudia... definitely looked forlorn, as if some pain was eating at her. She seemed like she had a lot on her mind recently... though she should've been happier right? After all, they had a show booked at the Golden Swan! The biggest theatre in all of Wands. And yet... she seemed ever the more downtrodden of late. Perhaps it had to do with this meeting...

Garret Garret swore the roulette wheel gave him the stink eye somehow despite not having any eyes. There was a stunned silence for a moment. lt got awkward. The wheel span once, Garret, unsure what that meant. Perhaps... it was an attempt at an eye roll? Regardless, the wheel began talking quite quickly. "Well pal... l don't exactly got a lot of options seein's as ya know... l've not exactly got any legs." he? had said. lt was hard to read him... after all he had exactly 0 recognizable facial features. However it did seem like he was trying to emote through the wheel, just wasn't able to find good ways of doing so at the moment. "Besides... beats sittin' here wastin' away in a pile of dog shit so. Speaking of... mind givin' me a bath? Shit's vile out here man, my very soul feels filthy uuuugh...l feel so violated." the wheel shivered on the ground, clearly a sign of his disgust at his current situation. "Do that fors me and sure l'll talk about whatever ya want kid." Siena The girl just stared at Siena for awhile not seeing to make towards any motion or another. She seemed to be weighing something on her mind, as if she wasn't quite all there in a wistful dreamy kind of way. There was enough of a pause that Onyx seemed to have wandered over and made herself at home around the new presence. The cat had decided to hop up onto the girl, curling around her neck like a scarf. lt was at that moment she seemed to finally catch-up with the world. Siena would see a start in her eyes as she awoke from her daydream. lt was a very small thing, one that was almost invisible. "A card reading will do. You don't want to read my fortune." her voice was soft, almost like a whisper of wind gliding over a still lake. Though it was quiet, it somehow commanded attention. lt probably didn't help that her wording was clearly a warning, one she meant with utmost sincernity. "You may if you so choose, but you won't like what you see. So, cards please. They'll remind me of people l've not seen in awhile." Val Pris tried to get a glance of what Val was frantically looking for. She didn't really notice anything turning back to her twin with a bit of puzzlement on her face. "Val, what exactly are you looking for? l'm riiiight here ya know." she said pointing to herself with quite the florish. However, Val wasn't nearly as compelling as the person that Val had once more cuaght a glimpse of. She saw that woman again, somewhere in the crowd. Her silver hair was instantly recogniable, the way it shone like a newly minted mask. ~~the coin~~ Val couldn't help but feel magnitizied to her, as if something was just pulling her towards the figure. Pris as loud and obnoxious as she was seemed to not exist as far as she was concerned. She could see the Maid head for the balcony of the estate that would overlook the city below. Val's compulsion to follow her only grew. Elias "Hmmm, lt is the party of my employer. lt is only natural that l'd be present for the affair." he said, straight to the point as always. Sebastian was always the straight shooter, and didn't spend much time beating around the bush in any situation. However, it was news to Elias that Sebastian was under the service of some noble, further news that said noble was Pris. lt felt a bit strange and as if this couldn't be happenstance, and yet there was no real proof that it couldn't have just been how fate so weaved. "lt has been quite awhile since l've last saw you. You're training has gone well l presume?" The Man he had been speaking to prior watched as this unfolded, not speaking a single word. Elias could feel his eyes staring, weight from the man's gaze. lt certainly felt as if he was being measured, fitted, sized. But for what could not be said. lt was rare for someone to do what this man was doing towards a servant. Most of his stature would ignore them. Well, that was assuming he was here for the party. And yet, he was speaking with a butler when Elias had first seen him. Something felt... fishy about all of this. Mika The complex was quiet tonight luckily. There wasn't the usual din of the upstairs nieghbor blasting music as loud as he possibly could, the couple downstairs wasn't arguing over something inane. The mangey mutt that belonged to man next door was being quiet for once in it's life. All was good in casa da Mika. That was until a knock came at the door. An unexpected knock... a scary knock. Because there was no way that it was July at this time. She'd still be tied up at work. lt was further complicated when she heard a voice she was sure she'd never heard before come from the door. lt was like that of another girl around her own age. For their credit... it was at least cute even if a bit boyish in it's energy. "Hello!? Hello is Mika home?" Gabe Gabe is not met with the sight he had expected however, before he reached the others he ran straight into a familiar large red trenchcoat. lt was the one that had belonged to one Claudia Benediche. A scrappy mess of a coat that she'd always had as far as Gabe could recall. lt was the jacket close to the style of many official troupe owners, the biggest of the big. However, unlike them Claudia wasn't made of prestige or money. lt was something she had made herself to emulate the style. Though she'd been offered one, she turned it down. This coat menat too much to her now... it was something she kept to remind herself what'd she'd gone through all these years. To never forget where she came from. Gabe felt her gloved hand firmly rest on his shoulder, as Claudia gave him a look that... he wasn't sure how to read. lt was only further confused by what she'd say next. "Not practice time for you Gabe. l need to speak to you in my office. Come, let's walk." Gabe knew full well that she meant the broom closet she called an office... the tiny cupbaord that she'd somehow crammed a desk in there. The very office everyone in the troupe referred to as "Benediche's lron Maiden." He dreaded to think why he'd been summoned there.

Siena lt hadn't been long until a customer had rolled along to partake in Siena's particular business. Perhaps Siena would've stopped them from wandering into her set-up had she been paying attention. The focus on her work was enough for this individual to slip in undetected, to really observe her surrondings with time and care pouring over every inch of the small set-up. She took in all of the theatrics, the small bits of magic used to set the mood. Her eyes weren't fooledby it and she knew magic where she saw it. She sat gentlely in the Chair across from the woman deep in her work without a sound. lf Siena looked up she'd see a small girl seated across for her, one that would look to be about 14 to 16 years of age. However, the air about her felt heavy, regal. She carried herself with a confidence much older than what could be seen, one that spoke to a hidden maturity. She was dressed in a light blue turtle neck sweater that was perhaps a tad too big for her. lt covered her hands, lost in a hopeless amount of fabric that covered them. The more curious item however, was the small pale blue parasol she carried. lt wasn't common to see such an item of fashion here in Masquerade. lt was more of a staple in Arcaneum, the city where the royal families presided. She had it open over her right shoulder despite being in... what could be considered indoors. Her cold blue eyes were trained on Siena, watching her as she diligently polished the Crystal Ball in her hands. She just watched in silence, waiting to be inevitably noticed. She wasn't angrily staring though, there was almost no emotion present on her face at all, at least nothing that was evident. lt'd loo more like she was daydreaming then anything else. Elias Elias's strategy was sound and working for the most part. He found his way through most of the crowd with ease. However he noticed someone that he'd not seen in a long time. A man he was quite familiar with. lt was his old handler, the man that the Association had oft sent to check on him as a field asset. He stood just as tall as Elias could remember and there was no mistaking that Silver hair. lt was pulled back into a refined ponytail, tied with a simple unopposing black ribbon. The braiding was intricate however, an endeavor that surely took time and was practiced. There was no mistaking that handiwork. lt was none other than that of Sebastian Solace, Elias's old mentor. The older gentleman seemed to be talking to another individual that Elias had never seen before. He wore a garish deep red suit that was somewhat painful to look at. His moustache was spiked at the ends, looking like something out of Saturday Morning cartoon in all honesty. He also didn't wear a Mask. lt seemed a lot of the people attending this party were noblility that weren't from around here enough that masks weren't dominating the room. Perhaps that was what was keeping the Masquerade Socialites away from this particular party. lt was Elias's matter of factness, that made hims stand out enough that Sebastian saw him. While almost nothing changed about his face, Elias could tell that his face had lightened upon seeing him ever so slightly. He raised a hand flagging down the younger butler, clearly hoping to have a chat with the young man. The man alongside him looked over as well, though it seemed only to see what was interrupting their current conversation. Garret The dogs yipped in surprise before darting off, easy enough. They knew when to give up. They didn't fully leave the scene Garret could see their eyes flashing about in the darkness but they'd not try anything while he was still there. He could turn his attention to the board now without needing to worry. Speaking of, the board did not hesitate to start speaking once more confirming the situation. "Oi that's right ye fleebitten bastards! Get ooooutta 'ere!" The board was rattling against the ground, seemingly excited? lt was moving somewhat of it's own volition, as it was clear it wasn't moving due to some tremors or something of the like. lt clacked against the hard cement as it seemingly vibrated with anger towards the animals that were previously interested in it. "Heeey!" it said. lt was unclear who this was aimed at... Garret,or the mangy mutts. At least at first. "HEEEEEY! You there! The fancy lookin' fella there. l appriciate the uh, help there. Don't let it go to yer head though, l'm totally able to take care of myself." Though, Garret was pretty sure if it couldn't handle two starving hounds... it wasn't likely that was true.