#earthrunes

She ponders "Mayhaps I can startle her enough to shake her into hope?"

"I couldn't say. Perhaps." August allows "Much depends on the mortal, and her dreams."

"I best learn her dreams quickly then" She nods "Thank you, my liege"

"If I may, it might be best to seek her out now, and ensure she gives herself the time and grace to dream further than today. If she has spoken of hurting herself, time is of the essence."

"I'll go now then" She rises "It is as you say, and a spider may watch her, but she might not be able to stop her"

"Baron, permission to call you if I need to?"

"I am willing to escort you, if you will allow it."

"I would, but are you not needed here?"

"I have a duty to help mortals." he reminds her.

"Of course" She rallies a smile at that, a toothless one , and then waits for him to follow her

And he does, messenger bag on his shoulder.

The two head towards his squire's car... "I assume you'll want to sit in the passenger side, but there is more room in the back if you want to lay down"

"Ah. No, the passenger side will do. Unless you would prefer that I drive."

"Quite all right, Baron" She says "Since I am guaranteed another spin on the wheel if I should die in horrific automotive tragedy, I don't stress too much over driving" She asserts with confidence

He offers a gentle smile. "Not all of us are so fortunate."

And opens the doors for them both of them and slides into the driver seat, "Oh yes, I shall be more careful with you as my passenger. Miss Zara and the Baroness WOULD be terribly cross otherwise"

He pinks, just a little, and gets in. And buckles.

She crosses her own seatbelt on, and begins to drive. There's music she puts on but he can barely make it out. Ah, the sound track from Phantom of the Opera

August is content to sit quietly for the ride, although he does note to himself where they go.

They're heading towards , well, not the poorer areas, but a humble one, where rent is ... not cheap, but cheaper than many options while remaining above the slum level

cinder block shaped buildings poor samples even for those who LIKE Brutalism

"Unfortunately plenty of places to jump from" The squire worries

"Then let's find her first." gently.

A parking spot is found, and she nods "Yes. This way according to our spider contact and my prior experience"

"Lead the way."

She does, gliding into a building with ease, and walking up steps.

(Perception plus Alertness)

/roll 5

August notes that one fellow in the entry hall gives them hateful distrustful looks. He's a son of adam, not enchanted, but clearly is watching them as they move by

August -does- look professional and white. But he comports himself mildly, following Velvet.

Velvet seems to ignore him, moving along and going up towards the third floor by foot.

Well, August certainly doesn't levitate up there. He follows.

Not with THAT attitude he doesn't!

And they come to room 303 , she turns and whispers "She is in there"

"Breathing? Alive?" it's more that he mouths the words, with the barest breath behind them.

"Yes, alive or else..." A spider crawls out , one of zara's, and quickly taps a report 'Or she would have told me" Velvet nods

'taking comfort in drugs... dazed. Disoriented... but not in immediate danger' the spider informs them by her morse code taps they've all learned

"That's an unfortunate choice for her, but it might help us."

"It might allow us to enchant her without endangering the right of ignorance" The squire considers

August nods. "The question is, for us, is such action necessary?"

She ponders "I do not know. Would it inspire hope to her that even dreams want her to persist and continue?"

"That seems, to me, very direct. If she is considering self-harm, a more delicate touch might be better, I do not know. I have not met her. You have. My concern now is that she is well, if not sober. Do you think she would open the door to you?"

"I am not sure she'll hear me in this state, if I knocked possibly, if I whispered? No." She eyes the door clearly pondering squirming in to unlock it

"Try knocking." August suggests "If needed, perhaps introduce me as your, ah, your tutor?"

"Yes, you're old enough for that" nod "Even by mortal standards" She raps on the door

There's a groan... and a voice "Who's there? " Slurred

Velvet whispers "It's me..your friend"

"Who's there?" Another groan, the mortal clearly not hearing the whisper in her drugged state