#odyssey

And VA bows, and slips out
Leaving the room to the three who were in it before....

Coradel looks to the others. "If there's a bit of Baron Nemauses actually imbued into his portrait, then...a willow whisper may access his memories." Her tone is quiet, distracted.

"For you, perhaps, if anyone could... it would be you or shallimar" Bachdion observes

"Yes. Oh, Shallimar would truly want to speak with him. But of course, he's not welcome here, now. Blast that woman!"

".... if.... " slowly "... if Shalimar found out about that aspect of the paintings.... and cast Willow Whisper on the Baron's painting when he -was- able to come here.... and learned some thing that threatened her....." frowning, brow wrinkled.

"Or am I over thinking it?"

"I can't imagine that Shalimar would have kept that from me, if he'd discovered it?"

"Perhaps he -tried- to tell you?"

"I think he'd have found a way. remember, as far as we know, the reAL shaillmar hasn't been here in awhile if ever"

"THeir graces are as young as the two of you" the satyr adds

"We should find out. Ask him." August suggests "But what does their Grace's age have to do with anything?"

She isn't listening closely; instead she's wearing a thoughtful look, her lips pouting just so.

"Meaning that Shalimar predates them, he's been a jester for Earth Runes since a child. "

"August, I think you might not be far off...but Shalimar would have been witness to just about anything that the Baron would have, regarding her. He wouldn't need to consult the portrait."

"I think...if we can prove to their Graces that Lady Wynda had a grudge, by having them hear it from the Baron himself (or at least his image), then they would believe she is behind the rumors that slander EarthRunes."

"Wouldn't it depend on when the painting was made?"

A blink. "Oh. That's an excellent point."

"I suppose we must find it and ask it -- though I dislike repeating the same cantrip on it later. That seems prone to mishap."

She paces briefly, then... "The investigator."

"mmm?' Bachdion asks

"If she were to hear it...if she can be trusted...then her word would be good enough for their Graces. I don't think we have the capital with them right now to drag them around their own hold on a hunch...but we might be able to spark her interest."

August considers, and nods.

"And meanwhile, Teacher-Mine, you try to coax Lady Wynda into...exposing her deceit?" A bit of a grin.

"I hope she likes older men" He says with some modesty

"I cannot imagine that she would be able to resist, Teacher-Mine," she says, offering him a light kiss. "But be wary. She is wily, and I will not have you harmed for your effort. Play the game, but do not let her win it."

He takes the light kiss, then smiles "Always looking after me"

"As I know you do for me. For both of us," she amends, including August by taking his hand. "While you keep her busy, we shall seek out Bludwen, and then the portrait."

"it is close to 'bedtime' do you wish to do this now as it grows late, or wait until morning?"

Coradel looks tempted to rush headlong...but she considers. "If now, there is less chance of something preventing us from finding what we wish, but greater chance of irritating their Graces. And we need to not irritate their Graces further. Thus...yes...we must wait until morning, I think."

"Gives me time to plan my seduction then" The satyr smiles

"Mmm..." Coradel says with a smile as she leans close against August. "Perhaps even time to rehearse what you plan?"

"Perhaps" A wink

August does not seem entirely surprised by the innuendo being lobbed about.

"Well, perhaps we could be of some assistance?" A smile, and she looks to August to see what he thinks.

He nods, gravely.

"Well, then, let me practice some lines," A smile

Coradel nuzzles August's neck, pleased, and then turns her attention to the satyr's...performance.

(Fade to seductive lines testing, and... eventually to rest)