GM starts logging now anyway.

Gert says, "My plan is to follow up the wedding ring/Raoul thread, by grabbing Nicolette and following Elene. Elena? The maid rumor woman."

Cat asks, "did we have a good reason to suspect an Elena/Raoul connection?"

Cat asks, "other than 'they are both suspicious magic types so they're probably working together'?"

Gert says, "She told Agathe to go sleep by the waterfall to meet her husband, and Raoul appeared."

Gert says, "And now she is skipping town."

Cat says, "oh, yes, he was One of Those"

Cat says, "I am sort of regretting not setting myself up as waterfall-bait before she left"

GM asks, "Should we begin without Hans and hope he shows up before things really require him?"

Gert says, "Yeah, I guess so."

Gert asks, "You want to start Perry?"

GM says, "I'm logging with npc1."

Gert says, "Oh, OK, cool."

GM raises the curtain. Brassy overture!

(From GM) Agathe says, "the wedding ring's disappeared!"

Hans has connected.

[7thsea] Gert says, "Woo, timing."

Hans says, "Sorry! Here now."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "What'd I miss so far?"

[7thsea] Cat says, "the curtain"

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Hah! I knew those trumpets would wake anybody!"

[7thsea] Cat says, "and some nice trumpets"

(From GM) Agathe says, "(ahem) the wedding ring's disappeared!"

Gert asks (of Agathe), "Just now?"

Cat assumes a look of entirely fake shock.

(From GM) Agathe says, "Yes, within the last hour. I didn't notice exactly when. I looked down, and it wasn't there anymore."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Where did we end last time? Behind the workshop with Morgana?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] GM says, "In the workshop with Morgana, and Agathe coming in to say that the ring's disappeared. Also, there'd been some talk about Antoinette wanting to challenge Gert for Hans."

Cat asks (of Agathe), "Could anybody have known you had it, other than Raoul and us?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh yeah, Gert showed up right at the very very end."

(From GM) Agathe says, "Well, I wasn't keeping it a secret, if that's what you mean. Who keeps wedding rings a secret?"

Cat says, "I meant its particular significance, dear."

(From GM) Agathe says, "Oh, that. Hm. I didn't tell anyone; I didn't think there was anything to tell."

(From GM) Agathe says, "I don't know if Mlle Dupin said anything."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(What is the significance that Agathe knows?)"

[7thsea] Gert says, "That it was blooded."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(only here)"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yeah, I was thinking that we may have to reconsider Nicolette's shiny innocent status. Again."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, I forgot that she knew that."

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Cat), "Really?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I thought the reason for having Nicolette blood it is because we were expecting Raoul to do something like this."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "well, the ring's only power (that we know of) is to let Raoul find Agathe, right?"

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Cat), "True."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "why would Raoul spirit the ring away, except as a particularly harsh way to cut off all contact from Agathe?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Agathe thinks it's because Raoul thinks she's dead."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "To sell it?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Or to propose to someone else?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "We think it's because Raoul is skipping town."

[Helvetica] Cat says (to Gert), "you'd think that he would check"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, it's plausible deniability."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "If she shows up again, he can say, "I thought you were dead!""

[Helvetica] GM watches Raoul's stock dip down into "villain" status in the minds of the players.

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims (at GM), "He already stole my mother's wedding ring!"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, maybe."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "wasn't there something about Agathe being the rich one in the marriage, or did I make that up?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yes."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "And the wedding ring was the only 'old' thing Raoul had."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hmm"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(Agathe's siblings were always suspicious of Raoul)"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Agathe seems oddly non-distraught, though"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "She knew he thought she was dead, at least."

(From GM) Agathe acts distraught in an entirely textual manner.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "given that what this basically says is 'either I want to abandon you, or assume you're dead and don't care enough to check'"

Gert says (to Agathe), "Why don't you go tell your parents, dear? We'll check around--we might be able to do something."

(From GM) Agathe nods distractedly and hurries off.

Cat asks, "Shall we round up our debutante Porte mage?"

Gert says, "OK, let's go get Nicolette and see if she can be our compass."

Gert says, "You took the words right out of my mouth."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Agathe used up all of her distress on the way home."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "When we wouldn't take the mirrors away."

GM says, "Nicolette is outside with some of the other girls."

Gert heads by her room to get some cleaning alcohol and a cloth, just in case she needs to do any on-the-spot blooding cleaning-off.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Assuming they had the idea of cleaning alcohol back then."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Its rough equivalent if not."

Cat asks, "May we borrow you for a moment, dear?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Okay. Cleaning agent."

(From GM) Nicolette says, "of course. What is it?"

Cat links arms and steers Nicolette gently but firmly away before getting a response

Cat asks, "Do you remember that ring of Agathe's?"

(From GM) Nicolette says, "Yes?"

Cat says, "Well, either it has rolled down the plughole, or it has been stolen somehow."

(From GM) Nicolette says, "Oh, and you want me to try and find it, like I did with Maman's portrait that day?"

Cat says, "And I thought it would be really kind of you to try and find it for her, yes."

(From GM) Nicolette closes her eyes and thinks. And thinks. She turns vaguely eastwards, and stops. "I ... I can't feel it. I thought, for a moment there ... but no, I can't after all."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "At least eastward isn't towards Montaigne again."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "There's a distance limit, right?"

Cat asks (of Nicolette), "Is there anything I could do to make it easier?"

GM says, "Someone inside the school starts screaming."

Gert says, "If we get you closer to it, you might be able to sense it again--can we come get you... er, we'll come back later."

(From GM) Nicolette says, "I can't imagine what -- what?"

Gert runs after the screaming.

GM says, "It's up in the girls' dorms."

Gert charges inside!

Cat hurries after

GM says, "Suzanne Pervenche is the one doing the screaming. She's standing under a rafter, struggling to hold up Arielle Ste-Seraphine, who has apparently attempted to hang herself."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Who the heck is Arielle?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "she has dead parents"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Aww."

[Helvetica] GM says, "One of the waterfall-adventure girls. Her father was killed when the elder Pervenches were captured."

[Helvetica] Gert nods.

Gert runs over and lifts up Suzanne!

Cat asks (of Gert), "Knife?"

Gert exclaims, "I'd like to, for pulling a stunt like... oh, right. Yes! Left pocket!"

(From GM) Suzanne stops screaming. "Thank goodness -- oof! -- you came! I came back to get a book, and Arielle was like this!"

Cat grabs the knife, drags a chair over and hacks through the rope

GM says, "Arielle slumps down."

GM says (to Gert), "quick finesse check"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 3k3: 10+3 3 6 | 22

GM says (to Gert), "and now you're balancing two girls in your arms."

Cat overbalances and stumbles off the chair

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Is the rope cut?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Yes."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Whew."

Gert sets Suzanne down and loosens and removes the noose on Arielle.

GM says, "Arielle will probably live. She has no idea how to actually hang a person."

Cat asks, "don't they take girls to see hangings any more?"

GM says (to Cat), "Auto-executioner beheadings are all the rage now."

Gert carries Arielle to the infirmary.

GM says, "Suzanne and all other witnesses follow behind."

Cat asks (of Suzanne), "are you all right?"

(From GM) Suzanne says, "a little shocked. We told Arielle we'd take care of her ... I suppose the news about Camilla was the last straw...."

Gert asks, "Um... what news about Camilla?"

Cat says (to Gert), "the last I heard she was going off to have a marriage arranged for her"

(From GM) Suzanne says, "You haven't heard? She's agreed to marry the man her grandmother found. And it was ... er ..." Suzanne looks a little guilty.

Gert sighs. "Come on, then..."

(From GM) Suzanne says, "I, er, guess we weren't completely honest with you. We did meet another man that night, right before Prof Trujillo showed up. We all thought he was interested in Arielle, at the time."

Gert says, "Oh, Theus."

Gert asks, "What was his name?"

(From GM) Suzanne says, "Then Arielle's father was killed ... and it turned out that her inheritance was a lot smaller than anyone expected ... and now it looks like he's going to marry Camilla instead. His name was Reynard. Reynard Gruber."

Gert asks, "And perhaps more importantly, what did he look like?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Dammit. Reinhardt."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Not Reynard?"

Cat sighs. "Sounds like every boy my family's ever introduced me to."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Reinhardt, not Reynard. Wacky languange-spelling transitions."

GM says, "Suzanne tries to describe the guy. About so tall, fair, fashionable moustache."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Er, do we have a description of Raoul?"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "I forget if we do."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "But you can assume that the description could match. Though admittedly there's not much in the way of distinguishing features. No scars or anything of that sort."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Right."

Gert's eyes narrow.

Gert. o O (If he's using *my* ring to marry *another* girl, he has got another think coming.)

Cat says (to Gert), "I am inclined to shake some of these waterfall boys down about exactly what their deal was with Elena."

Gert exclaims, "Some!"

Gert asks, "You think there's more than one?"

Cat asks, "Trujillo, surely?"

Gert says (to Suzanne), "Thank you."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "What's Hans up to, in the midst of all this? Just following along?"

GM says, "Suzanne nods and goes to join the fuss over Arielle."

Gert says (to Suzanne), "Stay with her, will you? If I'm right, the man is *not* worth killing yourself over."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(timing, but anyway)"

Gert says, "On the bright side, maybe Camilla will kill him in his sleep when she turns into a vampire."

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Hee!"

Cat says (to Gert), "Elena is also well overdue for some hard questions, but I think if a fate witch doesn't want to be chased down, we're unlikely to catch her"

Gert says, "I doubt she's a fate witch."

[Helvetica] GM tosses Gert a drama die.

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Woo!"

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of GM), "Has Elena left yet?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Yes."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "I wanted to have followed her; can I track her down?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "You could ask where she went. She was seen leaving on a wagon headed west into Montaigne."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, there's only one road going that direction ;-)"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "How long ago did she leave?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Early this morning."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "And it's early PM now?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Or noonish?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Would be about, yes."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "And Camilla is east?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "yes."

Gert asks, "Well, hmm. Do we head out after Elena, or go see Camilla?"

Cat says (to Gert), "my suspicion is that Elena's likely to know more"

Cat says, "and this is probably our last chance to catch her before she disappears"

Cat says, "organising a wedding takes time; Camilla's not going anywhere"

Gert exclaims, "Whereas Camilla isn't going anywhere? Fair enough. I hadn't seen that road in a whole day, anyway!"

Gert says, "Then we can maybe grab Nicolette on the way back through town."

Gert says, "If we head out at a good clip, we might catch up to her by nightfall. Er, at the city we're uninvited at."

Cat says, "No time to waste, I suppose."

Cat says, "I suppose it was too much to hope that I might have a day or two to enjoy not being saddle-sore."

GM asks (of Cat), "hey, you came back the last time in a carriage, no?"

Gert exclaims, "Onward!"

Gert and the group head out!

Cat says, "two days of potholes and ruts are not my idea of recovery"

Gert grabs her pack that she hadn't even unpacked completely.

GM says, "Fortunately, you don't actually have to ride out quite that far."

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Yay!"

GM says, "About a mile west from the crossroads, you see ... Guy Heimlich poking about at the side of the road. He's scooping something into a glass jar."

Gert asks, "Guy? What have you got there?"

Gert looks around the area.

(From GM) Guy sneers. "Blood of the universe, don't you know."

GM says, "(There is, in fact, a rather large, round discoloured stain on the side of the road. Looks like blood.)"

(From GM) Guy says, "Thought I might have some luck with that serving girl who was leaving town. Thought my luck was *really* going to change when I saw her get off her wagon 'round about here and tell 'em to go on without her."

(From GM) Guy says, "Then soon as the wagon turned the corner and I was about to make my move, a bloody hole opens up in thin air and swallows her up whole."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Guy Heimlich? he's not on the NPC list"

Gert says, "That's pretty impressive."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "He's the obnoxious guy fighting in the bar when we got back."

(From GM) Guy says, "Shouldn't complain. Blood of the Universe, that's powerful stuff if you get it before it fades away."

Gert asks, "Powerful for what?"

(From GM) Guy shrugs. "Who knows. It's blood from the *universe*. That stuff's got to do something."

Cat says (to Gert), "(softly) But the ring was heading *eastwards*, Nicolette thought."

Gert says (to Cat), "(softly) And now Raoul's grabbed her, from his place at Camilla's."

Gert says, "Not how I thought that worked, but hey."

Gert exclaims, "True enough!"

Gert exclaims, "Good luck with that!"

Gert wheels her horse around and heads back to town.

(From GM) Guy laughs and watches you as you head back.

Cat says, "What a revolting little man."

GM asks, "You reach the crossroads again. Eastward to Eisen right away, or back to town first?"

Gert, as she rides, chats with the others. "So, here's what I think is happening. Elena and Raoul have this setup where she sets him up with a young heiress, then she dies mysteriously. Elena has something blooded, so he can fetch her, I guess. So now they're all over at Camilla's.

Gert says, "Do we bring Nicolette? I think we should--adds a bit of an advantage for our side."

[Helvetica] GM pokes Hans, who's been mysteriously silent for a long time.

Cat says, "I don't know if she needs to die mysteriously, even... wives can be controlled."

Gert says, "True enough."

Cat says, "Unless he plans to make a habit of it."

Gert asks, "And do we want one of the Schreiber siblings?"

Gert says, "If it wasn't in the original plan, he's got to be thinking it now."

Cat says, "Mmm. It would depend on how much Elena wants out of the whole sordid business."

Gert asks, "Well, anyway. Nicolette, and a Schreiber?"

Cat says, "She's from Fischler, yes? It wouldn't hurt to look for a copy of their inheritance and marriage laws..."

Gert asks, "Which 'she'?"

Cat says, "Camilla."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Which Schreiber? Agathe, Freidrich, Franziska, Werner, Brigitta, Johanna or little Martina?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Er. Erich."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Erich, I think."

[Helvetica] GM says, "(what is it with me and mixing up names today?)"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "you should really list them as Agathe (soprano), Freidrich (tenor), Franziska (alto)..."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

Gert heads out to gather up Erich, asking him to come because she has a suspicion about Raoul, and would feel better with a witness from the family along.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "it might help to keep Agathe out of the action, yeah"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Oh, definitely leave Agathe behind."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "although the thought of deploying her as a fifty-kiloton Drama Bomb has its appeal"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Although an Arielle repeat might be an equally likely drama bomb."

GM says, "Erich is quite agreeable. He's only a little worried about leaving Andre-Nicolas behind."

Gert asks (of Erich), "Well, do you think we should take him along, to keep him out of trouble?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Erich), "Or does the GM think that would be too many NPCs to keep track of?"

Cat says, "if everybody who's likely to be in trouble comes along, we'll depopulate the town"

[Helvetica] GM says, "The GM thinks people will probably forget that Andre is even there, if they brought him."

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Whereas if we leave him behind, he can generate plot hooks!"

Gert exclaims, "True enough!"

Cat says, "and the graveyard"

Gert lets the headmaster/mistress know that Erich and Nicolette are excused from class for day or two on a practicality field trip.

GM asks (of Gert), "and where do you say are they going?"

Cat asks, "'Practicality'? Is 'not getting married to a gold-digging con-man' an academic subject now?"

Cat says, "because if so, I want my honorary doctorate"

Gert says (to GM), "Fischler. (Right?)"

GM says, "right"

Cat darts off to the library to appropriate any volumes of Fischler law she can lay hands on

GM says (to Cat), "Wits+research"

[7thsea] Cat rolls 4k3: 5 7 5 9 | 21

GM says (to Cat), "okay, you find a likely-looking volume."

Cat says, "There, a little light reading for the road."

[Helvetica] GM pokes Hans again. He *does* have something he wants to do with Hans before y'all head out east.

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "We can ret-con it later, perhaps?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "I guess."

Gert exclaims (at Hans), "I can't believe that happened just as we were leaving!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "hee"

Cat says, "Ugh. If I'm going to read all of this, I'm going to need beer."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "How far away is Fischler?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "You should get to Karnstein, Camilla's place, by nightfall tomorrow."

[Helvetica] GM says, "(I think I'd listed it as further away than that, but let's go with 'dramatically appropriate distance'.)"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."

GM says, "You have one night on the road. Fortunately, there is an inn. The Baron's coach is parked in the stableyard."

Cat says, "Reeeeally now."

Cat exclaims, "Now there's a man who'll stand a lady a drink. Onward!"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Onward as in 'let's not stay here'?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Onward as in 'to the pub!'"

Gert stables the horses and heads into the common area to get a room for everyone and to see if she can see the Baron around.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I have to get all this Gothic legalese out of my brain somehow."

Cat takes up her usual boots-on-table position in the bar-room

GM says, "The Baron is sitting by the fire with his daughter, Laura. He stands up when he sees you, a little surprised to see you here."

Cat says, "Ahem. *Ho, landlord!*"

GM says, "The Baron also discreetly steps to one side so he isn't looking right up Cat's skirt when she puts her boots on the table."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

GM says, "The Landlord hustles in. "Ha?""

Cat lays hands on an oversized tankard and makes a toast to the Baron in her finest beerhall-orator style

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller accepts the toast with a stiff nod. "Is there something wrong back at the school?

Gert says, "No! Well, we hope not, because we won't be there to fix it if so."

Cat says, "Nothing out of the usual. Rampant suspicions, broken-hearted suicide attempt."

Gert says, "But we think we might be able to put things right in Fishler. Hopefully, we won't have to. But we're a bit worried."

Gert says, "Oh, right, Arielle. Poor girl."

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "The Ste-Seraphine girl? What's happened? You mentioned something about a suicide attempt."

Cat says (to Gert), "you must admit, we had got quite skilled at that lift-and-cut manouvre by the time you left"

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "(I presume that when you say 'attempt' you mean it did not succeed.)"

(From GM) Laura makes shocked noises from where she's sitting.

Gert says (to Baron), "Yes, fortunately. She was broken-hearted that her true love was marrying Camille."

Gert says, "For teen-aged values of true love, of course."

Gert says, "We've got Suzanne on cheering-up detail, so I think she'll be OK."

Cat says, "We also have the suspicion that some of the help have been abusing their position to play amateur matchmaker."

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "Really? Go on."

Cat says, "Which undermines the dignity and reputation of the establishment, and might make doting parents think twice about enrollment if it becomes general knowledge; thus, we would prefer to keep our suspicions from moving into the realms of gossip."

Cat says, "You understand, I am sure."

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "Meaning you prefer to keep this to yourself for now."

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "No doubt I will hear all about it when we get back in a few days."

Gert asks (of Cat), "Wait, did I hear correctly that you're intentionally *not* spreading gossip?"

Gert says (to Baron), "Your educational system may have something to it after all."

GM says, "Baron Schriftsteller may be perfectly willing to be patient, but Laura is all wide-eyed and 'wanna-know-it-NOW'."

Cat says (to Gert), "the trick is to make sure that some things become gossip, and others vanish into discreet obscurity"

Cat asks (of Baron), "and how have the affairs of the world treated you of late?"

Cat arranges for another drink to insinuate itself into the Baron's reach.

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "Other than the household strain with the Pervenches and the Schreibers claiming hospitality, and Galahad Locksley playing the sorry invalid with a broken leg, I can't really complain."

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "I'm away from it for a few days, at least. Countess Karnstein -- Camilla -- has requested that my daughter Laura be her maid-of-honour, and I'm taking the opportunity to step back and catch my breath."

Gert says, "Good idea."

Cat asks, "So you've just come from the Karnsteins, I take it? Does she propose to finish her education?"

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "No, we're on our way there."

GM says, "(They left early this morning. Presumably at a more leisurely pace than you.)"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hoooo boy"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "this is going to be... interesting"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Why don't we get an early start in the morning?"

Cat says, "What do you know of the groom's family? My grasp of dynastic politics never really crossed the water."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I think that would be for the best."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "What d'you want to bet that the wedding schedule gets accelerated?"

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "I only know that the groom is a wealthy businessman who made a fortune in Montaigne before the Revolution. Minor nobility, I think. I've never met him, and the Countess's grandmother isn't exactly the best person to judge this sort of think."

Gert asks, "Oh? What's she like?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(this is so Raoul)"

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "Regina Appenzeller? A good woman, from a soldiering family. Not a noble, herself, but she seems to have been able to hold her son-in-law's estate together through the young Countess's childhood."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "OK, I'm good on info from the Baron--anything more you want to ask?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "nah, I'm good"

(From GM) Baron Schriftsteller says, "Her eyesight's pretty much gone now, so I daresay she's been looking forward to handing the reins over to her granddaughter and her husband."

Cat spends the rest of the evening questioning Laura about eligible bachelors in southern Eisen

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "You have an entertaining fifteen minutes talking about nice young men, and a couple of hours talking about the sort of boys you'd warn your daughter against."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."

Gert, imagining that she'll have a long day ahead of her, heads to bed early, and gets up with the sun.

Cat says, "Mrrf fghn do stop clumping about so *loudly*, Gertie..."

GM says, "A military bugle goes off under everyone's window. Wake-up call! Just one of this fine inn's fine services."

Cat says, "Ugh. I think I may have to become an awful spinster and wear riding-clothes all the time and laugh through my nose, Gert."

Cat says, "I will only have conversations about horses and dogs with other awful women and I will shoot foxes and never think about boys at all."

Cat exclaims, "Why are you shoving me onto this horse? We haven't even had coffee yet!"

GM says, "You hear Laura shouting through her window at someone in the courtyard. 'Oh, is that your horse? He's beautiful! And such a nice pair of foxhounds you have, too! Are they good in a hunt?'"

GM says, "A woman shouts back, 'They're brilliant hunters!' and laughs through her nose."

Gert peeks around the corner to see who she's talking to.

GM says (to Gert), "a scrappy-looking woman in riding clothes."

Cat says, "I hate everybody and everyone in all of Thea, Gert. I shall sail away and become shipwrecked and wear a bone in my nose and if any awful people come to see me I will *cook* them."

Gert says (to GM), "Nobody I recognize, then."

[Helvetica] GM throws a drama die at Cat.

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "nope. Random NPC."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "NOT ANOTHER NPC AAAAAAA"

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Cat), "Quick, let's go before she gets a name."

Cat glances sidelong at Gert. "Where's my reassurance, goddamn it."

Gert says (to Cat), "There, there, dear. There's a small town with a lovely cafe just 10 miles up the road."

Gert asks (of Nicolette), "I don't suppose you can sense that ring yet, can you?"

Cat says, "I suppose if I cannot hope for non-terrible boys there is always breakfast to look forward to"

(From GM) Nicolette shakes her head, no.

Gert says, "Right! Onward, then."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Is the wedding tomorrow?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Or in a few days or something?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I'd heard nothing to that effect"

GM says, "The Eisen landscape is significantly bleaker than Montaigne ... old battlefields, mud ... quite a bit of poverty."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "but I suspect that this fellow will want to get things wrapped up quickly to avoid the kind of scrutiny we're about to apply"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I don't even know if a date has been announced yet"

[Helvetica] GM says, "You hadn't heard anything, but if the maid-of-honour is being summoned *now*, it's got to be close."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, the maid of honor is on her way."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Timing."

Cat asks (of Gert), "how are the plans for *your* day coming, anyhow?"

GM says, "Small village with the cafe. A cafe is kind of out-of-place in Eisen, but then this village seems to hold a number of Montaigne people living in a sort of 'genteel poverty'."

Gert says, "Oh, gracious. Do you know just last night I woke up with a start, remembering a cousin I hadn't invited? I had to wake up the poor innkeeper's wife to get a piece of paper to write it down, or I'd have never got back to sleep."

GM says, "Mostly the Montaigne tongues can be heard round about the newly-constructed post-office, right across from the (new) cafe."

Cat scarfs down pastries and about a gallon of coffee

GM says (to Cat), "the price of coffee goes up by a few pfennigs after you're done."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."

Cat eyes the post office. "I suppose this area is going to see a good deal more traffic until Montaigne calms down."

GM says, "A couple of the young men loitering outside the post office wink in your direction."

[Helvetica] GM says, "(Where 'your direction' somehow does not include Hans and Arvid and Erich.)"

[Helvetica] GM pokes Hans again.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Well, it's 4:00--should we break before we get to town?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Sure. Not exactly a cliffhanger-y sort of place, but then we seem to be missing some people."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh, yeah."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "sounds fine to me"

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "And there, on the hand of the guy in front of the postoffice is--Gert's ring!"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "haha. No."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Oh, come on, it'll be fun."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Well....."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee."

GM says, "Meanwhile, Erich is looking at some of the posters outside the post office."

GM says, "('Have you seen this gentleman?')"

Cat considers the loiterers, thinks better of it. After all, she's going to a wedding: there will be wider opportunities later.

GM says, "He pulls down one of them, grabs a pencil, and begins scribbling on it."

(From GM) Erich says, "I swear ... put a moustache on this fellow ... grow out the hair, powder it ... he'd look an awful lot like Raoul."

Cat says (to Erich), "I am shocked. *sips coffee* Shocked, I tell you."

GM says, "The poster says 'Gabriel Renard. Postal worker. Missing since [date]. Inquire with postmaster.'"

Gert asks, "What date? Three years ago, or a few months?"

GM says (to Gert), "About half a year."

Cat asks (of Gert), "shall we inquire within?"

GM says, "Uh. (checks notes) well, a few months."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "So, post-arrest of Agathe?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Pre-arrest."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Really! Hunh."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "But post-marriage?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "No, but not by much. Say, a week or two before the marriage."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "I thought she ran off with him a couple years ago?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Maybe they just got engaged then. Or something."

[Helvetica] GM says, "No, last year was her last year at Geneva. She married very shortly after. So I guess it's been about three months."

[Helvetica] GM says, "(sorry, been a while since I thought about this.)"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "No problem."

Gert enters with Erich and tries to find the postmaster.

GM says, "You find the postmaster easily. He's sitting behind the desk labelled"

GM says, "You find the postmaster easily. He's sitting behind the desk labelled 'Postmaster'."

Gert asks, "Hi! We might have seen this man--what can you tell me about him?"

(From GM) Postmaster says, "Gabriel? I'm not sure what you want to know. He was a master porte mage, of course -- most of us postal workers are -- and we think he might have gotten caught in one of the anti-porte uprisings in Montaigne."

(From GM) Postmaster says, "We don't make any claim to nobility, you know, but apparently these days being the bastard child or grandchild or great-grandchild of a title is enough to get your head lopped off. Especially if you're in the habit of ferrying messages across borders."

Gert asks, "Is his family anywhere around where we could talk with them?"

(From GM) Postmaster says, "I think he had a sister. Azelma. I never met her, and I don't know what became of her, but Gabriel mentioned her sometimes."

Cat is grinning like a demon

(From GM) Postmaster says, "He said she'd gotten work with the Duchess du Sices, I think, and disappeared round about the same time she and the rest of her household did."

(From GM) Postmaster says to Cat, "what?"

Cat's grin threatens to make her lower jaw fall off

Cat says, "Nothing. It's just a lovely day, that's all."

Cat says, "For a wedding, say. Or several funerals."

(From GM) Postmaster whispers to Gert, "you might want to keep your friend away from the coffee for a bit."

Gert says, "Hmm, yeah, good idea."

Gert asks, "Well, thank you! Do you mind if we keep this poster, in case we run into him again?"

(From GM) Postmaster says, "so, you think you may have caught sight of Gabriel Renard somewhere about? I'd like to know if he's alive. I've lost far too many friends and colleagues to the bloody revolutionaries as it is."

(From GM) Postmaster says, "Please, keep the poster."

Cat exclaims, "Bye now!"

(From GM) Postmaster says, "au revoir."

Cat vaults lightly onto her horse.

[Helvetica] GM says, "Okay, and now we break."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "oooh, there's going to be a gunfight in a church"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Oh? what makes you say that?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "That's what churches are made for."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "because the way I figure, in very short order there's going to be two dangerous people trying to make a getaway from a wedding"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Wait, duh, I bet Elena is a porte mage, too."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Elena is probably du Sices, by my reckoning"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "So it wasn't Raoul grabbing her, it was her leaving."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I figured she was Azelma."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(R's sister)"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "aka Gabriel."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I am not entirely sure where Azelma fits in"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "but since she's a third-hand mention from a decidedly unreliable source, I'm not going to worry too much about it"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "of course it's possible that Elena is *also* Azelma, and they've pulled off this marry-into-nobility trick before"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah, I was guessing that Raoul and Elena are brother and sister before--this would mean they are actually Gabriel and Azelma."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Alrighty! Send me the transcript?"

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Sure!"