#anywhere

"Yes, quite. Still - I have taken enough of your time." She rises.

"Your excellency," A voice, "Duke Tierone is here"

"Ah, there's the young man now," Jude says rising "Please, Esther, you should meet him. "

"Ah, now... no need. An ideal time to take my leave. Thank you for the hospitality."

"Well, you expressed a curiosity..." He points out "And I doubt he'd be offended just to say hello."

"I am certain he wouldn't. But, sir, two shining faces might be a bit much in my state. I wish some seclusion at this time."

"Would you explode? implode? My , I'm curious now. I'll let you go. Though he might meet you in the hallway anyway at least it wil only be one of us." / He calls out "This way, Dame Bobbi. I'm in the parlor"

The man seems to have an almsot wonka esque style

Esther bows. "My appreciation."

(Follow Tierone, watch, report.)

zara slips out just in time to make it past bobbi

The sluagh heads out, hood pulled up once more.

and Tierone looks for a moment, the wrong way thank goodness "THe parlor? am I intruding at a bad time?"//Bobbi shakes her had "A sluagh guest is staying here. He was sharing tea"

"A sluagh? Mm" She can hear Tierone says "Decent folk, but curious. COuld you stand guard at the door?"/"Of course, your grace"

Zara looks for a place to slip away, close enough for sharp ears to still listen. While 1122 can spy, some things are nice to do oneself.

There is no place to curl around, no backside to work to, it's like the room is isolated with only one way in, and solid fire all around. Maybe if she could portal passage she could create a back way. She can listen, but it will be hard, even for one with her hearing.

And so the spider must work, until she can find a quiet place to scry... she walks. Perhaps she will get that vial of seawater, after all.

A moment later Yikes! I tried sneaking in, but had the urge to knock and let them know I was joining them. It was like at a court when you're supposed to stand and they have the glamour and the what's it called?

Protocol, one or both of the nobles has put a protocol making it so one should announce themselves . ARgh!

A silent hiss. (Can you hear from outside>)

(Listen, stay hidden. )

ensconcing himself on Bobbi's cloak, the spider starts to listen

Meanwhile, Zara finds a secluded spot... a compact and some spit are not the best substitute for her scrying bowl... but she knows Tierone well enough to find him.

Images focus, Tierone and Jude....but the flames distort and flicker ,and bleed into the sound...like white noise.

but they are talking, and she struggles to read their lips. THe word 'Esther' she's sure of that....

She silently curses the Liam.

Yes, Jude is discussing her, perhaps even describing? Hard to be sure..

Hopefully 1122 is getting a bit more...

He is, and he starts tapping They are talking about you. TIerone says you sound familiar. in looks. Jude saying place is somewhat shielded. Thinks you were very curious about Liam. Tierone wondering if 'esther' enemy of House or just hired to spy on it? more Jude say you could be freelancing and just curious but it does seem strange. May need to discuss 'Baja Gambit' later

She watches them talk...... and while she is not an expert lip reader, she knows August's name!

(August!)

Oh yes! 1122 confirms

Lips moving "..crucial..." "Omens" "Samhain is not often our House's friend"...

Careful attention.

New for Earth Runes, with Sparrow and August there?

Jude frowning "rather like August"

How dare this count....

"As do I..." Duke saying, and directing "But more reason not to risk him. Too good a man to ..."

She doesn't read all of that, but a certain spider filling in some gaps. Again, not all

What's a Petalmourn? 1122 asks Oh, more like a who

Cup of tea, one abandoned by her, Jude claims it "Maybe... mmm" Chanting

Ye gads! He's scrying on her!

Or he was trying to... Emmit's medalion rebuffs

and the image she sees if The Count looking QUITE surprised