#elsewhere

For JESSICA, the Picnic is a chance to enjoy good food, and family.

And that includes Siv, who after a serenade, joins her sister "Jessica? Hey " A hug

OOC Just seeing this!

"Hey." she hugs back.

Siv takes a breath as if finding some comfort in her sister's presence, "Glad you made it. Things have been a bit cray cray as your generation used to put it"

"Thanks." dryly.

Confusion then "Oh, Got that wrong did I? " A chuckle "I'll work on it. TIS good to see you again though. " She so wants to tell her sister the BIG news, but no, Piper would kill her. "Did you hear about the census ?"

"A bit. We've been doing something similar."

"Aye? Mmm for us it's new, and from the Ducal level at least. Smacks of intrigue to me. Greater games"

A shrug. "I figure, if people -are- the greatest resource, I should know what those people can bring to the table."

"For us, the inquiry is mostly about our chimera, odd"

"Huh. Yeah, that's.... interesting."

"I'd almost swear it was ..." A thought "Busy work"

"This Lodge isn't sitting around doing nothing."

"No, it isn't. So what if someone is trying to make us not on high alert, but our normally impressive attention focused on less important matters?" Speculation to be sure, and Siv knows that but she can't help but wonder

"You said it came from the Duke of Gardens."

"Possibly even the Queen of apples but aye, it affects far as I know just the Duchy of Gardens. "

"What would distracting this barony get him?"

"THAT I don't know..." she admits "Been a bit distracted myself"

"Are you back working at the marina?"

"Part time" She considers "I need to get more hours"

Jess nods. "I admit, I work as much as I can but I have to skim a little out of the treasury to make mortal ends meet."

"Still renting that apartment?"

"Yep."

"Sensible. Helps keep Bedlam away and all" A nod "Sis, are you in need of a little extra cash?"

"No." mildly "I get by."

"Thanks though."

A nod "Okay. Not wanting charity from your little sister I understand. Sides, I wouldn't be good for much right now . Need to make more cash for... things"

"Not an issue of charity. I mean I'm ok, money-wise. I don't need much, after all, and things are cheap down there. Famously so."

"Aye... true." She nods "Good point there. And you know I've shopped there. Some of the artists there are really good I almost feel guilty they don't ask for more"

"Pretty sure most would take anything you wanted to pay over the asking price."

"No doubt" She nods then "Oh.. my did you get told about the traffickers Dagmar stopped? I forget"

She nods. "Yes, and it's that kind of thing that makes me wonder why anyone would benefit from gumming up the work the Lodge does."

"It's got me considering some conspiracy terain,that's true"

"Mmm."

"I should be spying and learning and I can't right now" she paces

"Who else could?"

"Symon's been busy. Lily is too young. Sluagh are good but pricey and those are the two I know in the area" She poneders "Baron K would already be on this, might be IN on it" She moves back and forth

Jessica lets her pace. "Why not just ask the Duke? Or rather, why doesn't mom ask?"

"Mom won't do it because she's not about to go over the Count's head"

"Then ask Count Hemlock."

"He's been rather busy and we end up dealing with hsi underlings." She says

A brow "Which makes me think there's definitely a run around here"

"Is -he- doing a chimera census too?"

"Oh yes" A nod

"Is -he- worried about a conspiracy?"

"Dont know" She admits

"Is mom?"

"Mom finds it very odd. She thinks there must be more of a reason for it, and she has show nsigns of looking in"

A shrug. "There you go then. She's aware, she's checking into it."