#earthrunes

"Well, of course as Sir Magnus is important to my liege, it would be criminal not to keep abreast of his situation" Velvet sips her tea.

"But of course." Sip.

"A most difficult man, he spills secrets far too freely, and wears his own curiosity too brazenly, and yet," A sip "One cannot help but notice that he guards his current cases with the selfish nature of , well, a lion. Why he even puts his case files in a cipher. But benevolent hypocrisy is a flaw in the best of sidhe" a lament

"Indeed."

"Of course, I am under orders from my scribe lord to always, always, improve and explore the variance of penmanship, having initiative as a squire should, I have interpreted this to mean learning how to copy works that really shouldn't be lost. " A sigh "Alas, my studies at dechipering what I have copied are not as advanced."

"Ah... cyphers can be difficult, aye."

"Now, there are some tricks..."

"Oh? " Curious lift "It does occur to one that , in exchange for such lessons, we might use Sir Magnus' notes as work material... since I have the copy handy"

A trade, and a polite one at that, Zara teaches her a bit more on how to translate encryptions, and in exchange Zara gets to learn about the human trafficking case. Of course, it would never be so blatantly mentioned

"Hm, that seems an acceptable sample to work from, aye..."

"Thank you, Miss Zara. I was hoping you would agree." And she does break it out when proper.

OH my... what Sir Magnus has been up to.

Zara does show Velvet some tricks - frequency, finding patterns...

And with such tricks... it unveils. There is a chain of human trafficking from the Baja Peninsula to Atlantic City in play for a sex trade... and to a lesser degree factory work...women's handss, as a rule, do better with textiles- sewing and such.

Zara quietly fumes.

Indeed, despite their dark reputation and the fact many other kith would think this is right up their alley, sluagh, as a rule, abhor everything about this. The gross crassness of it, and who better than one who will not be held can understand the abomination that is slavery? Only the Eshu are more motivated to despise it. There is nothing elegant, or even morbid about this business, there is only cruel uncivilized affront.

Notes on contacts... on way points.

Zara collects the information, for her own use.

And then Velvet frowns "I am not sure I'm translating this right ..."

One word indicating a major influence if not mastermind...

with her gifts, Zara soon spells it out

Hisssssssss

Velvet is startled

"Miss Zara?"

"I know him."

She reads "Tanta..." Then finally "Tantalus? Is that not the very same Satyr that my liege once fought?"

"Aye. We fought. He was imprisoned, but that foolish Count set him loose."

"It would seem one did not learn lesson, or else, learned the wrong lessons.. the notes indicate he works through others now" Velvet says

"Of course. Well, my lesson is also learned.:

"And that being if one may inquire?" The younger sluagh asks

"Be not so gentle."

"Ah." She nods "Sir Magnus does not wish to share. The Baroness will make it so he must" A nod

"Sir Magnus is more pragmatic than August. But he might not know whom he is dealing with."

"He is Fiona, his lack of preparedness, let along being shot four times, will not deter him from rashness"

Sigh.

"Aye," At the sigh

"Even good healer Emma must sleep. When she does... he may slip away. Would you like me to watch him from the shadows? It would also serve my baron I am sure to make sure his soul son did not egress"

"Do watch him, aye. Hm."

"Gather in - while he sleeps, let us see the spider."

She nods, then says "Excellent lessons in decryption, I thank you for that. And I hope you enjoyed the tea"

"I did." She picks up the pot and whirls the dregs. A nod of satisfaction as she sets out a saucer.

The remaining tea is poured into the dish, to make an amber reflecting pool.

And the younger sluagh observes.

"Tantalus Twist-Horn, exploiter, enslaver, bitter-tongued... you cannot hide from me. Be revealed in this humble tea."

The image flickers... but it cannot deny. The satyr speaks in fluent Spanish...to mostly mortals

Men (and one or two women) in rich garments

OOC: Does Zara speak Spanish?

((let me check.))

((Nope. French. Close, but no cigar)