#elsewhere

"Lord Ardhu, House Eiluned.." She reads, "Oh crap. Honey? He runs a legal firm"

"Mm. Makes sense, really."

"It gets better, his firm has a public defender program. The fix.. is in"

William rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Then we step outside his sphere. Find a lawyer who can practice in in the state but isn't from this area."

"I thought the lawyer idea was boring, but you're right. We need to arrange a new public defender for May Maude, from outside. Throw off the mechanism our Lord has set up." Eyes narrow "it will draw his attention, but that's fine. My concern is even mortal lawyers can be subject to chicanery. I know I was thinking of using it. How can we ensure our new mouthpiece's protection?"

"Mmph." he thinks about it "I'm sure there's a treasure or something that would do it but I doubt we have time to procure one." he tilts his head "Could Phlan perhaps create something, I wonder? It would require trusting him...."

"Well, if he really did just have arson on his work place without it being a set up, then he's sure as hell motivated. I just worry he's as sublte as a brick through the window" She ponders "But he fixed the RV in a snap. And the power drill looks like it could drill through an ogre skull"

"How to test and prove him, though? I could reveal more about how we left our last position; some damning piece of information slips out and we judge his reaction?"

"I like that. Make up a story, see if it leaks. What crime would you credit Abner and Cecily with?"

"Hm. You refused the noble's advances, and I protested 'the wrong way'?"

"Mmm is Cecily sexy enough for that? " She doesn't say that nixing it, considering it, "Perhaps at a costume event or something where she had to 'dress up' whether she liked it or not? A maid outfit a bit more 'festive' than practical?"

"We were punished, and then banished...." he muses, inventing "Oh, I think Cecily is just sexy enough, yes. You see, the advances were insulting on a number of levels. She should be grateful for his notice, after all."

"A bit of liquor in the noble would help in the story. Give the noble an excuse for any accusation of boorish behavior... at least in his mind" thoughtful "yes. This could work. weould explain why Cecily holds up sometimes, gets skittish"

"And a desire to stay out of the local lord's path. Fly low, as it were."

"Just a glass of wine for the noble though. Oh! Perhaps I served as a wine steward? Add a bit of guilt to my persona?"

"Sure it won't get too close to a sore point with you?"

A soft snort. "Dearest, when the elves became involved we reached that point."

A chuckle "Yes, that's true. Okay. Yes, wine steward!"

"Assoicate or Assistant." he amends.

A nod

"I think which title depends on the image you want to portray. Assistant sounds more servile, less up there... but Associate could be just as lowly but shows the lord wanted to project an image of being 'commoner ' or employee friendly even if he's not"

"Assistant, then."

"Which, at my age and kith...."

"mmm senior assistant? " A smile

"No." after thinking about it "Just assistant. At my age and kith, that's a sign of a problem."

"Ah, Abner was unambitious, a bit of a doormat who finaly snapped?"

"He makes -mistakes-."

"That works" A nod "Phlan certainly noticed that"

He turns things over in his mind. "We distract and misdirect, get a strong lawyer in to spring May Maude on bail, and spirit her away?"

OOC Player doesn't remember what May was charged with.

(Murder charge)

OOC Thanks!

"Or...." thoughtfully "... we could find, or 'find' evidence of her innocence."

"Detective work. mmm"

"The lawyer should be able to help with that."

"Yes, a good one would" A nod "And we'll arrange that"

"I'll veil and poke around while you find a lawyer."

"I may want to make a seperate persona for the hiring. " A nod "Maybe it's time to break out Victoria."

"Mmm..." a lazy smile "Have we met?" he asks of this persona.

"Please, darling... Victoria is a civil minded SOCIALITE... she lives to help the little people and then elegantly wander off into the sunset basking in her superior moral judgement. There are so many disadvantaged and they need one of... standing, to give them a brief lift up so they can return to the mire but this time on their feet"

"Oh dear, I hate her already." he says with twinkling amusement.

OOC AFK for Christmas dinnerlunch

She laughs softly at that "So do I"

OOC: Have a wonderful time!

"From your description, though, I think she might be perfect for the job at hand."

"Of course, Victoria is perfect at everything, even humility. Just ask her" A wink

"Mm." he checks the time...?