[vodacce] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Giancarlo asks, "Where are they taking him?"

Guard says, "Ladies and gentlemen, please clear the hall and return to your rooms for the night."

[vodacce] GM says, "and we're off"

Venzi searches the crowd for Ridolfo.

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Remind me, who had the paper before the Accident, and who left with it?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "fortunato"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "well, some other guard had it before"

[vodacce] GM says, "A guard brought it to Fortunato, who left with it and Meander"

Giancarlo tries to discern what the guards are saying.

GM says, "There's no sign of him. The hall is quickly emptying."

Venzi asks (of servant), "Ridolfo! where is he?"

servant asks, "Eh?"

Venzi asks (of servant), "the contessa's man. where is he?"

servant says, "Oh! If he isn't here he's probably near the Contessa's quarters."

Niccolo asks (of Other PCs), "Do you think those notes were created specifically to frame Wilson?"

servant says, "If you'd like I can send word for him to meet you somewhere."

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Yes."

Venzi says (to servant), "please ask him to come to my quarters as soon as he can"

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "Where have they taken him?"

servant says (to Venzi), "At once, sir."

Venzi says (to servant), "my thanks"

Chiara frowns. "I don't believe Wilson is guilty of this, at least."

Venzi bows and returns to the others.

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "Of course he isn't."

Niccolo says (to Giancarlo), "Perhaps the guardhouse. Or a dungeon."

Amber says, "I think th person who did it planted their notes. Those look too detailed to be complete fakes."

Guard says (to the group), "I am sorry, but I do need you to clear the hall and return to your rooms."

Venzi says, "I went and investigated the swords out by the river before I came here -- they're --"

Venzi breaks off as the guard arrives.

Giancarlo turns on his heel and marches back towards his room.

Niccolo aims for the door.

Venzi goes out with the others.

Chiara follows the rest of the group towards the door

Amber sticks close to Chiara, pondering the notes.

Giancarlo stops before his door and moves over to Wilson's door.

Venzi steps inside, past Giancarlo, since of course it is his room

Giancarlo slips in after Venzi. Convenient, not having to pick the lock.

GM says, "The room Venzi and Wilson share -- shared -- is in shambles. Clothing lies strewn about"

Giancarlo says, "I wonder ..."

Giancarlo pops out a moment and checks his own room.

Niccolo says, "Lovely."

Venzi says, "my"

GM says, "In fact, all of your rooms show evidence of a hasty search."

Venzi says, "I think someone may have been here in my absence"

Giancarlo says, "...amateurs...."

Niccolo says, "We should all check if anything has been taken."

Giancarlo returns to Venzi's/Wilson's room.

Niccolo does so, in his own room.

[7thsea] Marvin has joined the channel.

Venzi checks his few belongings and restores them to his bag, and then makes a more thorough search.

Wilson smiles brightly.

Chiara goes and pokes her head into her room

[vodacce] Chiara says, "so brightly in fact that we can all see it"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I'm just that bright."

Amber steps into her room.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "It's why my father calls me 'sun'."

[vodacce] Giancarlo exclaims, "look! there! wilson is signalling to us!"

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "ach!"

Giancarlo asks, "So what are we going to do about Wilson?"

Amber searches her room to determine whether anything of hers has been taken.

[vodacce] GM asks, "Where is everyone right now?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "looking in my room to see if anything has been disturbed"

Venzi stacks Wilson's possessions neatly on his bed

[vodacce] jwalrus has joined the channel.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "My room."

[vodacce] Amber says, "in Chiara and my room, digging through things to see if anything extra is there, or anything of ours is taken."

Giancarlo doesn't have much of importance to lose in his room. His sekrit documents he keeps on his person.

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims (at guard), "Thanks!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Looking for what's been moved or taken, and tidying up."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(sigh)"

[vodacce] GM says, "I need perception from everyone, please."

[vodacce] Giancarlo is waiting impatiently in Venzi's room.

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 3 1 7 4 | 14

[vodacce] Amber says, "this takes much longer for Chiara's posessions than it does Ambers. ;-)"

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 9 5 7 6 | 22

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 6 8 10+7 7 | 38

[7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 9 9 | 18

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 7 4 6 7 | 20

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(just for good measure ;-)"

[7thsea] Amber rolls 3k3: 2 1 9 | 12

Chiara sniffs.

Chiara asks (of Amber), "smell anything?"

Chiara asks, "Sort of... sweaty?"

Amber asks, "Male sweaty?"

Chiara looks through her possessions with more determination

[vodacce] Niccolo exclaims, "It's Giancarlo, hiding under her bed!"

Chiara says (to Amber), "I'm not sure. It's got a kind of weird back-smell to it."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "ha ha"

Amber says, "I can't really pinpoint anything. I'll try again."

[7thsea] Amber rolls 3k3: 5 8 9 | 22

Amber sniffs about the room.

Amber asks, "No, I'm not getting anything. Can you tell where it's coming from?"

Chiara sniffs around

GM says, "The five of you begin to hear noises downstairs from your rooms."

GM says, "Sounds like voices."

Venzi says, "odd"

Chiara says (to Amber), "Not sure."

Niccolo steps out into the hallway, to listen better.

Niccolo says, "Shh."

[vodacce] GM says (to Niccolo), "perception"

Chiara pokes her head out of her room.

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 7 5 2 4 | 16

Venzi leans out.

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 6 3 1 4 | 13

[vodacce] (from Wilson) Niccolo yells, "Keep it down out there!"

Giancarlo goes to the balcony on looks down over the side.

[vodacce] Venzi sighs

wuss arrives, looking for booty.

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I see it's going to be another of those dice nights"

Niccolo motions for everyone (who can see him motioning) to remain still.

GM says, "Coming up the stairs Niccolo and Venzi hear, 'mmbl rmbl outrage frm blrm unheard of!'"

Amber says (to Chiara), "Nothing seems to be missing. Your blue silk dress is gone, but I remember you took it to the laundress."

Niccolo tip-toes toward the stairs.

[vodacce] wuss has joined the channel.

[Crows-Nest] wuss has joined the channel.

[vodacce] GM says, "None of you find anything missing, by the way."

GM asks (of Niccolo), "You going down, or just standing near the top?"

Giancarlo obviously seeks nothing through the windows downstairs, slips back indoors quietly.

Chiara (to Amber) shrugs eloquently

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Or...?"

Niccolo is standing near the top, at the moment.

Venzi takes a few steps down the stairs to hear better.

Amber notices people standing about in the hallway, and goes to join them.

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks (of GM), "Wait, can I see anything through the downstairs windows by hanging off the edge of the balcony?"

Abrielle asks, "Why was my room searched?"

Guard says, "All guest quarters were searched, m'lady."

Amber asks (of Niccolo), "(sote voce) "What is it?"

Abrielle exclaims, "But I am with di Argento!"

Niccolo puts his finger to his lips, then mouths, "Abrielle."

Guard says, "I am sure you are, and I am sure he would vouch for you. The trouble is, *everyone* has someone to vouch for them."

Abrielle says, "This is ridiculous. I will take this up with Meander himself."

Guard says, "Feel free to do that. I expect he has nothing more to think of than your comfort right now."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Because if I do actually see something, I'm staying there, hanging off the edge of the balcony and lip-reading."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "my"

[vodacce] GM says (to Giancarlo), "The voices are inside, down the stairs in that hall."

GM says, "You don't hear anything more, but some of you swear you can hear the woman's glare as she leaves."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "In which case I creep back and stand at the door to the hallway."

Amber grins at the guard's sally.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Can I tell which room she's in? (ie, which balcony is right above her room window?)"

Venzi says, "anyway, since we're all here --"

[vodacce] GM says, "Not from up here, no."

Niccolo motions for Venzi to speak more softly.

Venzi says, "(quietly) I got a look at the swords in the river; they have the mark of the ones issued to Meander's guards"

Niccolo moves back to the middle of the hallway.

Giancarlo asks, "so the treachery is coming from inside the house?"

[vodacce] Chiara laughs

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] GM says, "yay"

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "You think it might be Fortunato behind all this?"

Venzi shrugs.

Venzi says, "if so, he did a good job giving himself an alibi tonight"

Venzi says, "unless he was sure the chandelier would have broken his arm instead of his skull"

Niccolo whispers, "You'd think, if any of the guards' swords were stolen, Fortunato would have said something this morning."

[vodacce] Niccolo stage-whispers, even.

Giancarlo says, "A little twist of fate. Easily done, with the appropriate accomplice."

Chiara says, "I don't think Fortunato is disloyal, myself."

Venzi says, "I suppose"

Giancarlo says, "Perhaps it was an impostor, pretending to be purchasing on behalf of the House."

Venzi says, "on the other hand, one of the other guards might easily have moved unnoticed around the hall"

Niccolo stage-whispers, "Is it possible that someone else purchased the swords, perhaps pr-- yes, that."

Venzi says, "I suppose"

Amber says, "Guards do have the tendency to be able to move unnoticed."

Giancarlo grins. "Too true"

Venzi says, "Fortunato could tell us that, I expect. or perhaps Ridolfo, if he ever shows up"

Venzi looks around.

Amber says, "Unobtrusiveness is very handy."

[vodacce] Amber says, "And so are conceal and sincerity. ;-)"

Niccolo asks, "As an aside, were all of you able to hear that conversation down the stairs?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "did Wilson's room have a balcony?"

Giancarlo shrugs. "They were rather loud."

Amber says, "The one with Abrielle? Yes."

[vodacce] GM says, "Yes. Y'all are all on the same side of the hall, as I recall."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I *think* only two of us got a room with a window."

Giancarlo says, "Further discussion should take place in one of the rooms, then."

Niccolo nods, before continuing.

Giancarlo says, "I volunteer Wilson's."

[vodacce] GM says, "You're right. Amber and Chiara have a balcony; so do WIlson and Venzi"

Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "how kind of you."

Niccolo says, "No, one without a window. Less likely to be overheard."

Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "Think nothing of it."

Giancarlo says, "Mine, then."

Niccolo nods.

Venzi says, "if you insist"

Amber says, "He insists."

Niccolo goes into Giancarlo's room.

Venzi steps into Giancarlo's room, remaining near the door to keep an eye on the hallway

Amber heads to Gina's room.

Chiara follows along, sniffing faintly.

[vodacce] Amber says, "Gian's, rather."

Niccolo says (quietly), "Abrielle seemed *quite* distressed about the search. I have to wonder if she was hiding something."

Giancarlo marches into his room where he hastily sweeps up a twisted braid of hair from where it was carelessly left on the nightstand "how did that get there" and drops it in a pocket.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Hee"

Amber raises an eyebrow at Giancarlo.

Venzi says, "it's possible"

Venzi says, "but she could have just been upset her quarters were entered; I doubt she's used to it"

Venzi grins.

Venzi says, "at least, unexpectedly entered"

[vodacce] GM laughs.

Niccolo says, "I didn't hear her door close; she might not be in her room right now."

Giancarlo asks, "Speaking of entering ... how do you suppose the notes were left in Wilson's room, assuming the guards are innocent?"

Venzi asks, "going to complain to Meander, you think?"

Amber asks, "Magic?"

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "Or you think we should search her room?"

Niccolo says (to Venzi), "Maybe."

[vodacce] GM says, "Not really."

Niccolo says (to Gian), "Also, ... maybe."

Venzi says, "I at least was out of the room all day"

[vodacce] GM says, "Everyone is going to work very hard to show Wilson didn't do it and then all of you are going to be surprised when you find out it *was* him."

Amber says, "I think searching her room, after its already been searched, will not prove fruitful, and if we're caught, would make us look suspicious."

Giancarlo says, "I assume the servants have keys. Anyone else would have to pick the lock."

Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "I assume you locked your door."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "Wilson most of all"

Venzi shrugs.

Venzi says, "perhaps Wilson forgot"

Niccolo asks, "Did you have the key?"

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!"

Venzi says, "I have a key"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Do we have six keys or four?"

[vodacce] Venzi asks, "or any? does one lock doors in these kind of places?"

Giancarlo says, "I'm checking the lock for possible signs of lockpicking. Oh, and the balcony door, too."

Niccolo says, "I admit, I haven't been locking my door. But perhaps I should start."

[vodacce] GM says, "The doors have locks, with a turn latch thingie on the inside and a keyhole on the front."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Wits"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Wits"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Wits plus Lockpicking?"

[vodacce] GM says, "And since none of you asked for keys from Ridolfo, none of you have been able to lock your doors."

[vodacce] (from Niccolo) Giancarlo says, "Wits don't fail me now!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Aha."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "(damn auto-symbol thingies...)"

[vodacce] GM says (to Giancarlo), "So your wits tell you that none of your locks were picked."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Curses. Foiled."

[vodacce] GM says, "The balcony doors have a latch on the inside."

[vodacce] GM says, "for the two rooms w/them."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "I forget, did we know that Wilson was going to see Livio earlier?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Wait, I did."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "um, I think he'd -- ok"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Did we know he didn't find him?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "we presumably talked to him at the party"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "so he could have mentioned it then"

Venzi says, "well"

Niccolo says, "I can't shake the feeling that Meander's scientist may ahve somehow been invovled with those notes -- if they were originally to implicate him, or if perhaps someone deceived him into making their calculations, or... I don't know."

Venzi says, "it might be worthwhile to consult him tomorrow"

Giancarlo asks, "Why not now?"

Chiara asks, "Is there an innocent explanation for them?"

Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "because he is no doubt in bed"

Giancarlo says, "We may not have time tomorrow. There'll probably be another attempt in the morning."

Niccolo says, "He wasn't at the party tonight, and since Wilson said he wasn't at his workshop, he may be in danger."

[vodacce] GM says (to Venzi), "Just a note of reminder: time continues to pass, and no Ridolfo."

Venzi frowns.

Giancarlo asks (of Venzi), "In bed. What does that matter?"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Would Livio likely live in the shed, or just work there?"

Venzi says, "Ridolfo, however, I must speak to tonight, and find out what has happened to Wilson"

Venzi asks, "does anyone wish to come with me?"

Giancarlo says, "I'm spoiling for something to do. Si."

Venzi steps out into the corridor, looking for a servant.

Giancarlo says, "And then we go find Livio."

Venzi says, "we will see"

Niccolo says, "I would meet you before you seek Livio. I know where his workshop is, since I was there when Wilson asked."

Giancarlo says, "feh"

Venzi says, "reasonable enough -- we'll come back here"

Niccolo nods.

Amber asks (of Chiara), "What do you want to do?"

Niccolo says, "Meanwhile, I would like to take a walk."

Venzi heads downstairs, trying to stay out of sight of the guards, if there are no servants visible up here.

Giancarlo goes down unobtrusively a step or two behind Venzi.

Chiara says (to Amber), "I would like to see what Livio says, I think"

Amber says, "Then let us join the venture."

Niccolo sets out by means of the nearer stairs.

GM says, "There aren't any servants visible along your hall. The guard that was by the stairs a little while ago isn't around right now."

Venzi murmurs "surprisingly deserted..."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "With the Servant skill, would I be able to locate the servant stairs?"

GM says, "You do see a servant further down the hall."

[vodacce] GM says, "You could give it a try. You'd be at TN 25 since the house is so unfamiliar."

Amber says, "If there are no obvious guards, there must be hidden guards."

Giancarlo says, "...but not deserted enough."

Amber says, "Either that, or this is another setup."

Venzi says, "heh"

Venzi says (to servant), "pardon me..."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Um, which Servant knack...?"

Venzi goes up to the servant first, of course.

[vodacce] GM asks, "Are you with Venzi?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Yes...."

Servant says (to Venzi), "Oh, sir! You should not be out tonight! Fortunato is in a foul mood."

Venzi says, "my apologies for disturbing you, but this is an emergency -- I must speak to Ridolfo tonight"

Venzi asks, "can you take me to his quarters?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(woo woo)"

Servant says, "He may be waiting on the Countessa. If you would care to follow me we can look for him."

Venzi says, "my thanks"

Venzi follows the servant.

Giancarlo follows Venzi.

[vodacce] GM says, "That's why I was asking. If you're following, you won't need to find servant stairs."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "oh, okay."

[vodacce] GM says, "I need perception from the two of you."

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 3 9 8 3 | 20

[vodacce] GM says, "(or are Amber & Chiara going along?)"

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 10+3 2 7 2 | 22

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(yeah, I assumed so)"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 4 7 10+10+2 7 | 40

[7thsea] Wilson says, "[Oops, Ellric just rebooted sara's computer.]"

[7thsea] Venzi exclaims, "!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Bad baby! No XP for you."

[7thsea] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[7thsea] Wilson says, "Amber says: "I'm going with Chiara to talk to Livio.""

Amber has disconnected.

GM says (to Chiara), "As the group of you is walking along, you notice a boot sticking out from under a sideboard draped in cloth."

Chiara gestures at the others

Venzi says (to Servant), "one moment, please"

Servant asks, "SIr?"

Chiara raises one eyebrow at the boot and tries lifting the cloth

Amber has connected.

Venzi walks over to see.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "There, under the table, is a HOOK"

[vodacce] Amber says, "arr, ellarm."

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "heehee"

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "arr, pirate foot"

GM says, "Lifting the cloth reveals that the boot is attached to a leg, and the leg to the rest of Ridolfo."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "we heard"

Venzi frowns. "I had feared as much."

Giancarlo stifles a curse.

Amber says, "Damn."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Is he dead? Can we tell how?"

Venzi moves the body out from under the sideboard, gently.

Ridolfo says, "..."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Ellric? No, not at all."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I bet Wilson could :)"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "ha"

Chiara wrinkles her nose

Venzi asks (of Ridolfo), "had a pleasant evening?"

Amber cursorily examines the body for obvious cause-of-death markings, such as large bloody holes.

GM says, "He doesn't answer."

GM says (to Amber), "You find a rather large knot on the back of his head."

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "is he still among the living?"

Venzi checks for a pulse.

GM says, "There is a faint one."

Venzi says, "for the moment"

Venzi frowns.

Venzi asks (of Servant), "is there a doctor here?"

Giancarlo checks Ridolfo's livery for signs of disarray (ie, signs of having been searched)

Servant exclaims, "Oh! Yes, there is!"

Venzi says (to Servant), "go and fetch them, please"

Amber searches for blunt objects with blood on them.

Servant scurries off.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Amber), "You find a candlestick, a lead pipe, and a wrench."

[vodacce] Amber says, "There's bad cream, a loud noise, and a trowel."

[vodacce] GM exclaims, "YAY!"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Don't forget the cannon."

Amber also looks for hair, or any object that seems out of place, as if left hastily.

GM says (to Amber), "There's nothing in the hall around, though there is a bit of blood on the carpet."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "(and nothing else under the sideboard, I expect?)"

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 5 6 7 2 2 | 18

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Does Ridolfo look as though he might have been searched previously?"

Amber says (to gm), "how does it look? drops, drops in a row, a line, a smudge (as if stepped in). . ."

[vodacce] GM says, "Nothing else under the sideboard, and Ridolfo looks about as disarrayed as someone who's been knocked out and dragged under a table normally looks."

GM says (to Amber), "A thin line, leading back the way you came before it thins out and vanishes."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Oh, the *usual*."

Doctor comes down the hall. "One side, one side."

[7thsea] Doctor rolls 7k4: 3 3 5 2 5 4 5 | 19

Giancarlo says, "si"

Doctor lifts Ridolfo's head gently, then pulls one of Ridolfo's eyelids back.

Doctor asks, "He took a nasty bump on his head. Did he fall and hit the table?"

Giancarlo says, "We don't know. Probably."

Amber says, "When we came, he was like this."

Doctor tsks. "Ridolfo is forever running around. He should be more careful."

Ridolfo asks, "wha..?"

Venzi says, "yes, there have been an unusual number of .. accidents lately"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I was tempted to have Ridolfo sit straight up and say, 'Mah hair!'"

Amber says, "He is generally very busy then? I hope his employers appreciate him."

Venzi asks (of Ridolfo), "what happened?"

Giancarlo says (to Ridolfo), "and a pleasure to see you too."

Doctor says, "de Falisci? He tolerates Ridolfo. And it is hard to say whether or not the dowager Contessa appreciates anything."

Ridolfo says, "I..."

Ridolfo looks around wildly. "Venzi! You must warn Wilson!"

Chiara snorts faintly. "A bit late for that."

Ridolfo asks, "What?"

Venzi says, "he is already arrested"

wuss runs back home to wussville.

Ridolfo looks around more carefully this time. "What time is it?"

Amber says, "But we'll be sure to warn him anyway."

Venzi says, "the festival is over. a chandelier nearly fell on Meander. Wilson was arrested for it."

Giancarlo asks (of Ridolfo), "Warn him of what?"

Amber says, "It is quite late."

Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "Uh, Ridolfo was there when the chandelier fell and when Wilson was arrested, if you recall."

Ridolfo notices the doctor. His face goes neutral.

Giancarlo says, "Unless ..."

Ridolfo asks (of Doctor), "Any lasting damage?"

Amber asks (of Ridolfo), "If you're feeling better, would you care to return to your rooms?"

Doctor says, "None that I can tell."

Amber says (to Chiara), "I could escort him, to be sure he doesn't "fall" again."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "(whisper) methinks Ridolfo does not wish to say too much in the doctor's presence. now would be a good time for a case of the vapours."

Ridolfo says (to Amber), "Actually, let me come to your room for a moment. There was something I wanted to check."

Doctor shrugs. "I didn't figure I could make you rest. Go do your duties."

Amber says (to Rido), "Certainly."

Venzi says (to Doctor), "my thanks for coming so promptly"

Chiara raises her eyebrow at Giancarlo

Doctor says (to Venzi), "Of course."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "...unless he leaves first...."

Doctor says (to Ridolfo), "Come see me in the morning and let me know if you suffer any lasting effects."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "(whispered) yes, it seems unnecessary..."

Ridolfo says, "Let's go." He stands, then swoons back towards the floor.

[vodacce] Venzi asks, "*was* Ridolfo there when the chandelier fell?"

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "...one never knows whom to distrust...."

Amber says (to Chi), "But it would have been fun."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "(pointedly) indeed"

Venzi grabs Ridolfo as he falls

Chiara reaches into her reticule for smelling salts.

Venzi says, "mind that first step"

Ridolfo blinks. ..Venzi Indeed. It appears to come with blurred vision and a terrible headache.

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 10+3 1 4 6 5 | 24

Venzi helps Ridolfo walk back to Amber's room.

Giancarlo troops along

Chiara goes too

Amber is much more alert after getting a whiff of Chiara's smelling salts.

Ridolfo waits until everyone reaches the room, leaning heavily on Venzi the entire way.

Amber opens the door.

Amber has disconnected.

Amber has connected.

Wilson walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Wilson arrives, looking for booty.

[vodacce] Amber says, "grr."

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 5 4 6 10+3 | 24

Ridolfo says, "Close the door, please. Close the door."

[vodacce] Amber asks, "did we miss anything?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Not really."

Giancarlo closes the door

Giancarlo turns the latch.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Nothing between 'Amber opens the door.' and 'Amber says, "grr."'"

Ridolfo says, "I am sorry I was not prepared for what happened to Wilson."

Chiara asks (of Ridolfo), "should you have been?"

Giancarlo asks, "You said we had to warn him. Of what else?"

Ridolfo says (to Chiara), "I should know what is going on in this house. I have not done so well with that these last few days."

Ridolfo says (to Giancarlo), "In the aftermath of the blow to my head, I awoke thinking I had foreknowledge of what was about to happen."

Chiara says (to Ridolfo), "Considering how much there is to keep track of..."

Ridolfo says, "And instead it turned out to be memories."

Giancarlo says, "hmph. i see."

Chiara asks (of Ridolfo), "Did you see anything? Hear anything odd?"

Ridolfo touches the back of his head, winces.

Wilson walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Wilson arrives, looking for booty.

Amber has disconnected.

Ridolfo says, "After Wilson was taken away, I ran back to your rooms to see if I could discover anything else, then went to check other guests' rooms."

Amber has connected.

[vodacce] Amber asks, "did we miss much?"

Ridolfo says, "As I was coming out of Venzi's room, someone hit me on the back of the head."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "he's just beginning."

Ridolfo says, "At least, that is my assumption. From my perspective I stepped out, turned my head, and suddenly I was having my eyelids prised open."

Venzi says, "odd"

Venzi says, "no, wait"

Venzi asks, "when you went into my room, was it already in disarray?"

Amber asks (of Ridolfo), "Does it hurt very much? Would you like an anelgesic, or glass of something?"

Ridolfo says, "Yes. I assume the guards had already been through your rooms, presumably on Fortunato's orders."

Ridolfo says (to Amber), "If you have something, that would be nice."

Venzi frowns

Ridolfo says, "Had it been less urgent, I would have gone with the doctor for some ice."

Venzi asks, "so if the rooms had already been searched, why strike you?"

Venzi says, "I assume you had not discovered anything"

Amber pulls out a flask, and pours Ridolfo a strong shot of whiskey.

Giancarlo asks (of Ridolfo), "Was there any one of our rooms you had yet to search?"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "Ah, just the thing to clear the head."

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "I hadn't."

Ridolfo downs the whisky. "Thanks."

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "Damn. I'll bet Ridolfo was struck down by someone who thought he was Livio. Because Livio was supposed to go find Wilson, and Ridolfo was just coming out of Wilson's room."

Niccolo knocks at the door.

[Crows-Nest] Venzi asks, "livio was supposed to go find wilson?"

Venzi opens the door.

Venzi asks, "enjoy your walk?"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "Livio was given a note by Wilson."

Niccolo nods, "I did. Anyone hungry?"

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo asks, "Was that not the gist of Wilson's note, that he left at the shed?"

Niccolo holds up the bread and cheese.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "That and 'whoops, sorry about that window'"

Chiara says, "I'll have some of the cheese, if you don't mind."

Ridolfo looks at the food and turns a light shade of green.

Niccolo portions snacks to anyone interesting.

Giancarlo turns Ridolfo's head away.

Niccolo says (to Ridolfo), "You don't look so well."

[vodacce] Amber says, "amber, considering herself very interesting, takes a large hunk of bread."

Ridolfo says, "Thumps to my head don't agree with me, it seems."

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Hush. he's had a nasty bump to the head. He fell down on somebody's blackjack."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee. Interested, even."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh she's interesting, believe you me."

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "hee!"

Ridolfo says, "I wonder if someone was afraid I was headed back to talk to Sempronia"

Giancarlo says, "If so, they would have killed you."

Giancarlo says, "More likely, it was someone who was caught by surprise as you came out of the room."

Venzi says, "mm"

Niccolo asks, "What was there to tell Sempronia?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Yeah, a carp pond."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(er, channel)"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Er, I mean, 'the Contessa'."

Ridolfo says, "Nothing. But whoever hit me didn't know that."

[vodacce] Niccolo didn't realize for a moment whom he was talking about.

[vodacce] Venzi says, "heh"

[vodacce] GM says, "She probably wasn't listening in or anything."

Venzi says, "hmm"

Venzi asks, "well, so, what of Wilson now?"

Venzi asks, "do you think he is likely to be killed?"

Giancarlo asks (of Ridolfo), "Or where he is being held, at least?"

Ridolfo says, "Wilson's in Fortunato's hands, and he'll probably not be too anxious to have him killed."

Ridolfo says, "In case there's a conspiracy he'll have him questioned."

Ridolfo says, "and I may not like Fortunato, but he's good at what he does, and scrupulously fair."

Venzi says, "mm"

Ridolfo says, "Though if he's behind all of this --"

Amber asks, "Is there any chance Fortunato may be involved?"

Ridolfo says, "Ow. My head isn't up to all these twists and turns."

[vodacce] Amber stops twisting and turning.

Chiara says, "My sense is that Fortunato is honest. But that is merely a hunch."

Chiara says, "And it doesn't mean he isn't dangerou.s"

Ridolfo says, "If he's convinced Wilson's trying to kill Meander, Wilson isn't long for this world."

Venzi says, "it would be best to convince him otherwise, then"

Giancarlo says, "Then we'll have to work quickly."

Ridolfo says, "If you try to get him out, though, be prepared to run long and hard and not show your face in town until Fortunato is dead and gone, and maybe not even then."

Giancarlo says (to Ridolfo), "The usual, then."

Venzi says, "heh"

Venzi says, "I have no intention of trying to break him out of prison"

Chiara asks, "Is there any chance of... observing... their conversation unseen?"

Ridolfo says, "How do you... oh."

Ridolfo says, "I don't know. I can ask."

Ridolfo says, "Fortunato might let you talk to Wilson after questioning, if that goes well."

Niccolo says, "Asking might defeat the purpose of being unobserved."

Ridolfo says (to Niccolo), "Oh, you want to be there in person? I thought Chiara was hinting at...other possibilities."

Ridolfo says, "What's the chance Wilson will convince Fortunato? You know Wilson better than I do."

Chiara smiles enigmatically.

Chiara asks (of Ridolfo), "I don't know; does Fortunato find blank naivete convincing?"

Giancarlo . o O ( foreignors are so guileless.... )

Venzi says, "hrm"

Ridolfo says, "Not usually, since it normally hides things."

Venzi says, "I don't think the case against Wilson is particularly strong, but there may be other evidence"

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "Even without much evidence he may hold Wilson simply because he's the best Fortunato's got right now."

Amber says, "Also, he has a tendency to mentally wander, and make the most absurd, random comments."

Venzi says, "yes"

Venzi says, "but that is fine"

Venzi says, "it'll keep him out of Trouble"

Chiara says (to Venzi), "you're a remarkably casual bodyguard, I must say."

[Crows-Nest] Wilson exclaims (at Venzi), "I heard that!"

Amber says (to Venzi), "Since he's already in Trouble, it should at least keep him out of *more*."

Ridolfo says, "I don't know. He's demonstrated quite the knack for finding trouble and grabbing it with two hands."

(From Amber) Wilson No sir, I didn't do it, 'cause I was in jail at the time.

Giancarlo says, "But he has only two hands."

Niccolo asks (of Ridolfo), "Regarding a different scientist, would you know anything about why Livio was absent from this evening's festivities?"

Venzi says (to Chiara), "having failed to keep him out of trouble when he was free I cannot think it will get any harder now"

Ridolfo says, "I would suggest letting him stay in his cell until the next attempt on Meander's life, at which point Fortunato will have to let him go."

Ridolfo says, "This has severe drawbacks, though."

Chiara says, "Well, *someone* framed him"

Chiara says, "This suggests that they might be willing to wait and see him hanged"

Chiara says, "or... worse."

Amber says, "One being that it won't, and can't, disprove a conspiracy with which he may be involved."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "drowned."

Niccolo says (to Chiara), "Or may simply frame one of us, as his associates."

Chiara says (to Niccolo), "I wouldn't call myself an *associate* of his."

Chiara says, "but that is a nicety that Fortunato might not observe."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "We've all been associates since la Contessa called us to her room."

Chiara smiles coldly at Giancarlo. "I would give it a different name."

Ridolfo says, "And Sempronia's protection will only go so far, if Meander is convinced of Wilson's guilt."

Amber says (to Chiara), "He means it in the broadest possible sense, I'm sure."

Chiara says, "In any case, I would be in favor of finding out -- through whatever means are most discreet -- how Fortunato and Wilson are getting along. And then we can decide whether he requires rescuing."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I bet he does mean it in the *broad*est sense."

Ridolfo says, "My mind is empty of ideas and full of ringing. I think I will retire."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "BTW, did Ridolfo ignore my Livio question, or just miss it?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Missed it. Blame it on the blow to the head and ask again."

Niccolo asks (of Ridolfo), "Regarding a different scientist, would you know anything about why Livio was absent from this evening's festivities?"

Ridolfo asks, "He wasn't there?"

Ridolfo says, "Now that you say that, I realize he wasn't."

Niccolo says, "No, and it concerns me somewhat."

Ridolfo asks, "Did any of you talk to him today?"

Giancarlo shakes head

Niccolo says, "Wilson attempted to, but he wasn't at his workshop."

Ridolfo says, "Damn. That could be bad."

Venzi asks, "oh?"

Ridolfo says, "Livio is a walking accident looking for the worst place to happen."

Giancarlo asks, "where does he live, usually?"

Ridolfo says, "Much like Wilson, as near as I can tell."

Ridolfo says (to Giancarlo), "He has a room near here, though some nights if he is excited about his work he sleeps in his cottage."

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "He does not guard his tongue and he has a temper."

Niccolo says, "I think we should check on him."

Ridolfo says, "Whatever you do tonight, do it discreetly. The guards are on edge."

Ridolfo stands slowly. "I need rest."

Venzi says, "my thanks"

Giancarlo unlocks, opens door.

Ridolfo grimaces. "I only wish I'd seen all of this coming."

Venzi says, "if you remember anything else of value about tonight, let us know"

Niccolo asks, "Thank you. Before you go, which is his room?"

Ridolfo says, "Especially that blow to the head."

Ridolfo says (to Niccolo), "Down the close set of stairs, turn left, and it is the second door on the left after you pass the cross-wise hall."

Niccolo nods.

Ridolfo says, "Good night, and for Theus's sake be careful."

Ridolfo leaves.

Giancarlo says, "of course"

[vodacce] GM says, "Discuss amongst yourselves -- I need about a five to ten minute break."

[vodacce] Niccolo exclaims, "Hey, that sounds familiar!"

Giancarlo says, "well, let's go. I say his room first, then the cottage."

Niccolo says, "Agreed. But we should be careful of the guards."

Venzi says, "hrm"

Niccolo says, "I suggest only those of us reasonably familiar with the shadows should try to go, in case any cross our paths."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "In other words, is Gian as much of a lug as he appears?"

Giancarlo says, "We could dress the ladies as fate witches if they wish to follow."

Chiara says, "I am willing to follow"

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "I'm going."

Chiara says, "and reasonably subtle"

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "I assume you have a less attention-grabbing dress."

Amber says, "I'd like to bypass the fate-witch costume, but I would like to go."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Give me a moment."

Niccolo says, "We'll wait for you in the corridor."

Amber says (to Giancarlo), "The blue dress is still at the laundress; its due back tomorrow, I believe."

Chiara ducks into her own room to change, and emerges a moment later in a subtle grey-black, flattering in its own way but hardly eye-catching.

Niccolo steps out of the room, tugging Gian behind if necessary.

Giancarlo shrugs and follows Niccolo.

Venzi says, "heh"

Venzi steps out also.

Amber changes out of her elegant attire and into something more comfortable, and suitable for stealth-mode.

Chiara glides up behind Venzi and Niccolo, so quietly they do not immediately notice her.

Niccolo leads the way, taking care to avoid the course of the guards he saw earlier.

Giancarlo doesn't change. His habitual clothes are already suitable for stealth-mode, and if he gets caught he doesn't look like he was doing any premeditated sneaking.

Amber, as is her habit, checks to make sure her sword and belt are comfortable, her pistols are hidden, and her knife-sheaths well-oiled.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(This is the point where we pause for the GM ro recover, I think...)"

[7thsea] Amber rolls 8k4: 7 1 7 2 10+4 9 5 5 | 37

Amber sneaks up on just about everyone.

Giancarlo . o O ( Theus, this brings back memories. )

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 7 9 8 4 | 24

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 10+9 1 4 2 10+1 | 34

Giancarlo does not notice Amber sneaking up.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(That being my stealth, not perception)"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 6k3: 3 4 8 9 4 3 | 21

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 2k2: 10+10+6 4 | 30

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 5k3: 10+6 4 4 5 1 | 25

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hrm, I guess it doesn't matter that I don't know it"

Giancarlo is reasonably stealthy, though.

[vodacce] GM says, "Here I am."

[vodacce] Amber says, "We're all being sneaky."

[vodacce] GM says, "and I see you are all practially invisible now."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks (of GM), "who you talkin' to?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to GM), "no-one here but us shadows."

GM says, "The guards are all looking the other way at the right times, or not able to see in the shadows the five (!) of you fit into on your way to Livio's room."

Giancarlo brings lockpicks.

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "they're BIG shadows"

[vodacce] Niccolo likes to think we're at least a little spread out.

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "big enough that I can stand a good five feet from Giancarlo and still be in the darkness"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "You could, but why would you want to?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "I carry my own darkness."

GM says, "Livio's door is closed."

Giancarlo tries it.

GM says, "Locked."

Giancarlo takes a peek through the keyhole as he takes out his picks.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "y'know, in case there be people inside."

GM says, "Dark."

Giancarlo says, "(...watch my back....)"

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 10+8 7 2 5 | 30

Niccolo keeps a lookout.

[vodacce] Amber asks, "which does not necessarily mean there are no people. ARe there noises?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "yay lockpicking."

GM says, "You hear something go 'snick'."

[vodacce] GM says, "Inside? YOu don't hear anything."

Giancarlo carefully opens the door a crack.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "(assuming I've properly picked the lock)"

Niccolo closes his eyes, to adjust to darkness.

[vodacce] GM says, "You have."

GM says, "It's still dark."

GM says, "You hear snoring."

Chiara stifles the urge to laugh.

Giancarlo slips in and moves carefully toward the centre of the room (since that's where the clear open space in a room usually is)

[vodacce] GM says, "Stealth to avoid things."

Niccolo looks inside now, trying to see anything.

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 5k3: 4 6 7 8 9 | 24

Wilson walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Wilson arrives, looking for booty.

[vodacce] GM says, "You miss the nightstand with ease."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Arr again."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(we keep getting knocked offline)"

[vodacce] GM says, "S'okay, we're not going too much later."

[vodacce] GM says, "You can make out a bed in the dimness. There's something lumpy in it."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "(what do you guys think? I am tempted to clap my hand over his mouth and scare him ****less."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "that'd be a laugh, although I don't know what it'd accomplish"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "It'd let us wake him up without him getting to scream."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "It'd let us wake him up without him getting to scream."

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "right."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "But it would let him thrash and stuff."

[vodacce] GM says, "Plus, hey, Livio comedy showcase."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "well, right, but -- oh, well, go ahead"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Unless the GM were nice to us."

Giancarlo slithers up to the bed and checks out the lumpy shape.

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I am standing outside in the darkness and can't see anything"

GM says, "It's a lumpy Livio."

Amber has disconnected.

Amber has connected.

Giancarlo takes out a knife.

[vodacce] Amber asks, "did I miss anything this time?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Y'all are at Livio's room. He's asleep in the bed."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "we're about to wake up and interrogate livio"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "me being menacing."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Wait, I thought we just wanted him quiet, not menaced."

Giancarlo claps a hand over Livio's mouth as he presses the flat of his knife against Livio's side, hissing, "Don't move a muscle."

[vodacce] GM says, "Roll intimidation."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oh well"

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 2k2: 9 1 | 10

[vodacce] GM asks, "Also, where is everyone?"

[vodacce] Alex says (to GM), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that everyone is laughing it up on #adam-sux again."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "outside the room"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I am in the doorway keeping watch"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I am in the doorway, trying to see in."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I am watching Ven-- I mean, I'm keeping watch too."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I'm inside, getting close to Livio."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks (of GM), "Also, will I need to drama that...?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "down the hall a little bit, in a nook, keeping very stealthy advanced guard."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to GM), "(Hoping Livio's Resolve is only 2)"

[7thsea] Livio rolls 4k2: 7 6 10+3 7 | 20

[vodacce] GM says, "It is, but he has indominable will."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "or indominable stupidity, as the case may be"

[vodacce] GM says, "He *is* a scientist."

Livio lies still, then kicks up at Giancarlo.

[vodacce] GM says, "Contested strength roll if you want to keep your manly ways, Giancarlo."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "heh"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee"

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 2k2: 8 10+9 | 27

[7thsea] Livio rolls 1k1: 5 | 5

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "(damn)"

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "har"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "He *is* a scientist."

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "har more"

Niccolo steps into the room, and tries to close the door (so the struggle won't be as audible).

Venzi steps out.

[vodacce] GM says, "You can stop his kick however you feel, RP as you see fit."

Giancarlo says, "(whispering still) Tsk. Do be quiet. Settle down. We have a few ... questions."

Livio exclaims, "mmf mff mff mff mff!"

Niccolo hisses, "What are you doing?!?"

Livio exclaims (at Niccolo), "mff MFF mff mff mff mff!"

Giancarlo catches Livio's leg in the crook of the arm (the one holding the knife) and presses the knife back again at Livio's side ... holding the leg off-balance, as it were.

Livio wiggles some more, then goes limp.

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "(whispering) your life is at stake here, and not from us. If you'll be quiet and answer our questions, we might find a way out of this for you."

Niccolo says (to Livio), "I'm sorry about my... 'friend' here. We just wanted to ask you some questions."

Livio stays quiet.

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "I'm going to let go now. Remember. You scream, we all die. You too."

Giancarlo carefully lifts his hand from Livio's mouth.

Livio hisses, "Fine! I knew someone was out to kill me, I just didn't know it was you! Go ahead and slit my throat, then!"

Niccolo sighs.

Giancarlo says, "Heh. No. Not us. We're looking for this assassin."

[vodacce] (from Venzi) Livio . o O ( Is this good-cop/bad-cop or do they just not have their story straight? )

[vodacce] GM laughs.

Giancarlo says, "And since you seem to know something of him and his methods, perhaps you can fill in the details."

Livio exclaims, "First your friend tries to kill Meander, now you try to kill me!"

[vodacce] GM says, "Are the rest of you staying outside? If so, I'll need more sneaky rolls. The guards are due soon."

Giancarlo says, "Believe me, if I wanted you dead, you'd be dead by now."

[7thsea] Amber rolls 8k4: 4 4 4 8 3 10+4 9 8 | 39

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "So you know about his accusation. He didn't do it, of course. But how did you hear?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "uh-oh"

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 2k2: 2 9 | 11

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 6k3: 8 5 4 9 2 10+1 | 28

Livio says (to Niccolo), "I was on my way to the party, and then everyone was headed the other way."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Now that you don't hear struggling through the door, you're probably free to enter..."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "(I'm assuming I lose a die for being unskilled)"

[vodacce] GM says, "You do."

Giancarlo now also releases Livio's leg and sits on the bed.

Niccolo asks, "A bit late for the fun, no?"

Livio sits up warily, leaning over and lighting a lamp.

Giancarlo asks, "Why so late?"

GM says, "The footsteps of a guard are heard coming your way."

Livio says, "I was cleaning up my cottage, thanks to your dangerous friend."

Amber fades, as if by magic, into the shadows.

Venzi curses under his breath, and tries to step into the room and shut the door.

Chiara melts into a drapery.

Giancarlo asks, "What do you know of attempted murders?"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo asks, "Will we need a stain remover to get her back?"

Guard walks up, then pauses. He turns towards Livio's door.

Guard says, "Huh."

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "yeah yeah"

[vodacce] Amber says, "Chiara's had plenty of practice melting, though I doubt it often includes draperies. ;-)"

[vodacce] Chiara exclaims, "hey!"

Guard knocks on Livio's door. "Sir?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "We need a diversion outside....."

Livio opens his mouth, then pauses, looking at Giancarlo's knife.

Niccolo goes quiet, and moves into the shadows here.

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "you're up late reading."

Venzi rolls his eyes.

Livio exclaims (at Guard), "You're up late reading!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] Chiara laughs

Livio gasps. He says softly, "I'm sorry! I'm nervous!"

Giancarlo rolls his eyes.

Guard asks, "Uh, are you okay?"

Livio says (to Guard), "Yes, yes, just thinking over today's events. I'm fine, really, nothing bad happening in here."

Guard says, "Do be sure you stay in your room tonight, sir."

Guard continues on his rounds.

Giancarlo realises he's been holding his breath, and lets it out.

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, ""we're all fine here""

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "TK-421, do you copy?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "who-all is in the room now? Niccolo?"

Niccolo relaxes.

[Crows-Nest] Amber asks, "How are you?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Niccolo and Venzi."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "And Livio."

[Crows-Nest] Amber says, "Boring conversation anyway."

[vodacce] trikiw has left the channel.

Livio asks, "So you don't want to kill me?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oh yeah, Livio"

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "Don't be ridiculous."

Niccolo says, "Of course not."

Venzi says, "probably not"

[Crows-Nest] trikiw has left the channel.

Niccolo says, "Even if you are behind this, we'd just turn you in and let them kill you."

Livio asks, "'Of course not'? I wake up with someone holding their hand over my mouth and a knife to my side and of course you don't want to kill me?"

Giancarlo tosses his knife casually.

Livio says, "Usually I can tell that people don't want to kill me because they *aren't* holding weapons on me."

Livio notices Venzi. "Great, more of you."

Venzi bows slightly.

Niccolo frowns. "The last time Giancarlo took his knife out, *I* almost got killed, and I'm supposedly his friend. Don't worry about it."

Chiara slips into the room after Venzi

Livio exclaims, "*More* people!"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(pure coincidence)"

Venzi says, "now, as I recall, you were saying something about thinking people were trying to kill you."

Livio says (to Chiara), "At least you bring light into the room with you, m'lady."

Chiara says (to Livio), "spares them having to repeat the conversation for me later"

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "Besides. If we woke you suddenly, you might have cried out. We don't want that."

Amber decides to join the interogation, thinking her intimidating demeanor might help make some progress.

Livio says (to Venzi), "We men of knowledge aren't very appreciated in these lands."

Venzi says, "I'm sorry to hear that -- you seem to have found a good position here with Meander, though"

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Do you have any reason to think that you personally are in danger?"

Livio says, "Yes, but he's under increasing pressure from the church to turn me over to the inquisition."

Venzi says, "hmm"

Venzi says, "I sat next to the Bishop at dinner a few nights ago"

Livio exclaims (at Niccolo), "My experiments are known far and wide!"

Venzi says, "we was, ah, somewhat outspoken"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "er, he"

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "I sat next to the Bishop at tea / And it was just as I feared it would be / His rumblings abdominal / Were simply abominable / And everyone thought it was me."

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Whom else ahve you talked to about this?"

Giancarlo asks, "Do you think this pressure from the church might be related to the attempts on his lordship's life?"

Livio exclaims (at Niccolo), "No one!"

Livio says, "Well, almost no one."

Niccolo says, "Go on."

Livio says (to Giancarlo), "I have no idea. I don't sully myself with the dreck of politics."

Giancarlo says, "(under his breath) good for you"

Livio exclaims (at Niccolo), "I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone!"

Livio says, "Not that she helped me, of course."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Ah, the classic ifMUD playing style of parallel interrogation."

Livio asks, "Oh dear, I shouldn't've said 'she', should I?"

Niccolo says (to Livio), "It's alright. You don't need to tell us her name."

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Yes he does."

Niccolo says, "But it might be useful if you could tell us why you thought she could help."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "No he doesn't."

Livio says, "She's supposed to have these connections. I had heard she could help me leave town."

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Giancarlo says, "Does so!"

[vodacce] Giancarlo exclaims, "Does not!"

Livio says, "I wanted to set up a lab in Montaigne. I hear Montaigne is lovely."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Er, I mean ..."

Livio says, "And much less inimicable to scientists."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee."

Niccolo asks, "How do you know you can trust her?"

Livio throws his hands up in the air. "It doesn't matter! She couldn't or wouldn't help me!"

Chiara asks (of Livio), "Any idea why not?"

Livio wails (but quietly), "I don't know!"

Livio asks, "Why wouldn't someone want to help me?"

Venzi says, "you seem like such a nice guy"

Amber asks, "Maybe because she'a stubborn old bat?"

Chiara shoots an amused look at Venzi.

Livio says (to Venzi), "Exactly! And I have a number of monographs on the weathering of wood when exposed to salt air."

Livio says, "Would anyone care for one? I have copies here beside my bed..."

Venzi says (to Livio), "knowledge such as yours should not be allowed to lightly fade"

Livio glances down, to find several under Giancarlo's foot.

Chiara says (to Livio), "I'll take one."

Giancarlo says, "I would still like to know the identity of this mysterious benefactress."

Niccolo says (to Livio), "Maybe her connections are less smypathetic to your situation than you'd hoped."

Chiara holds out a hand hopefully.

Giancarlo pushes one of the papers out towards Chiara.

Chiara picks it up and glances over it thoughtfully.

Livio blushes. "I hope you find it enlightening, m'lady."

Chiara says (to Livio), "(with a warm smile) I'm sure I will."

Venzi asks (of Livio), "I know Wilson was interesting in discussing your work with you -- did you have a chance to talk to him?"

Livio says (to Venzi), "No. I returned from an afternoon shopping trip to find his note and a smashed pane of glass in my cottage."

Livio says, "By the time I'd cleaned up the mess, it was past time for the party."

Venzi says, "ah, too bad"

Venzi says, "but then we didn't see you at the party"

Livio says, "I never arrived. I was so late, just as I was arriving people were leaving telling me that an attempt had been made on Meander's life by a foreigner."

Livio says, "I asked around, and someone was able to tell me it was Wilson."

Giancarlo asks, "do you remember who?"

Livio thinks. "Not really. It was very confusing at the time."

Venzi says, "you must have been awfully late cleaning up if you didn't make it to the party until then"

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Has anyone requested any recent tasks from you? Any calculations related to candles or rope or anysuch?"

Livio says (to Venzi), "There were many little pieces."

Livio says (to Venzu), "And some of that time was to bandage my hand."

Livio lifts a hand wrapped in red-stained bandages.

Venzi says, "oh dear"

[vodacce] (from Niccolo) Livio says, "And I had to invent a broom."

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "And he had to count them all. He's either autistic, or a vampire."

[Crows-Nest] Chiara laughs

Livio says, "I have a new monograph in mind: on the sharpness of edges formed by crack propogation."

Livio says, "The initial notes for it took some time as well."

Venzi says, "ah."

Giancarlo says, "I'm sure it would be highly edifying."

Venzi says, "hrm"

[Crows-Nest] (from Niccolo) Rainpire says, "Red. I like red. Blood is red. It's red."

Venzi says, "well, it'd be a great pity if Wilson never has a chance to discuss that monograph with you"

Amber asks, "That's an awful lot of blood - did you get cut several times?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Chiara) Livio says, "I am also considering writing up a paper entitled: "On the sun and how it turns out to emit light""

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "Hee. Dustincula."

Livio says (to Amber), "The hallmark of all good science is repeatability."

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Has anyone requested any recent research from you? Any calculations related to candles or rope or anysuch?"

Amber says, "You want to reapeat being cut? I don't get it."

Livio sniffs. "It was for Knowledge."

Livio says, "And I had so many samples to work with."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee."

Amber asks, "What knowledge, specifically?"

Livio says, "Why, how sharp the edges created by cracking are, and whether that sharpness decreases as you move radially away from the initial point of impact."

Chiara asks (of Livio), "and you were able to tell, er, from the pieces on the floor where the initial point of impact was?"

Amber asks, "So what did you learn?"

Livio exclaims (at Chiara), "Exactly! You catch on very quickly for a woman!"

[vodacce] Niccolo exclaims (at Livio), "Stop ignoring my question!"

Livio says (to Amber), "To the best of my measurement ability, the sharpness is not a function of distance from the point of impact."

Amber has difficulty restraining herself from adding to his knowledge of being cut by sharp objects.

[vodacce] GM says, "He's talking about science. You'll have to be pushier."

Chiara says (to Livio), "most edifying."

Giancarlo asks, "can we get on to the matter of the attempted assassinations?"

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "What other research have you done? Have you ever done any measurements on candles?"

[vodacce] (from Chiara) GM says, "Actually, this reminds me of a #story about the laser..."

Livio asks (of Giancarlo), "But what do the assassinations have to do with crack propagation?"

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "That's what I'd like to know."

Livio asks (of Niccolo), "None so far. Why? Do you have an idea for some experiments?"

Livio says, "I am quite willing to be a co-author."

Niccolo says (to Livio), "No, but apparently someone did some calculations about them in preparation for this last assassination attempt."

[vodacce] GM says (to Amber), "#belated hee"

Livio asks, "Oh?"

Livio says, "But that would be the kind of thing that I...would be...known...for."

Livio looks around. "Surely you don't think *I* did it!"

Niccolo says, "A sheet of notes describing the time it would require a candle to burn through the rope holding a chandelier was found in Wilson's room."

Giancarlo asks, "you see now why we had to approach you thus?"

Venzi's hand strays to his sword hilt, and he taps it, gently.

Niccolo says, "I was hoping you might have some idea who'd be able to work out something complicated like that. Aside from yourself, that is."

Livio exclaims, "ButbutbutwhywouldIwanttohurtMeanderhe'stheonlythingprotectingme!"

Venzi says, "of. course. we. don't. think. you. did. it."

Venzi says, "what we think is someone was trying to frame you for it, and decided to frame Wilson at the last minute"

Venzi says, "so you see it's in your best interests to help work out who that person is"

Venzi says, "as soon as possible."

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "Correction. You think he's an unstable prop who might hand you over to the inquisition any time."

Livio exclaims (at Venzi), "Oh, thank the impersonal force of the universe which is most definitely not Theus!"

Chiara frowns dangerously at Giancarlo.

Livio says (to Venzi), "Actually, that is quite clever."

Giancarlo asks (of Livio), "Perhaps you think his hold on you is what's keeping this benefactress of yours at bay, yes?"

[vodacce] Venzi says (to Livio), "hee hee hee"

Giancarlo asks (of Livio), "Perhaps, with Meander gone, you thought your benefactress might be more willing and able to ferry you off to Montaigne?"

Venzi asks (of Livio), "so. who do you think might be able to do the calculations and write them up?"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "This guy isn't going to stand much better when the Inquisition falls and the proper church leaders are back in place, is he?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Not really, no."

Chiara treads accidentally on Giancarlo's foot.

[vodacce] Venzi says (to Chiara), "hee hee"

Livio exclaims (at Giancarlo), "But that's just silly! With him gone she'd have had no time! The church would have moved in immediately once he was gone!"

Giancarlo exclaims (at Chiara), "Ow!"

Livio says (to Venzi), "I'm not really sure."

Livio says (to Venzi), "Most of the people I know capable of such calculations and research aren't here any more. They've been hounded by the Inquisition."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Oh! I thought that was a leg of furniture or some equally blockish thing."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Terribly sorry."

[vodacce] GM laughs and laughs.

Venzi says, "reasonable enough"

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "teehee!"

Venzi asks (of Livio), "and none of the visitors, you think?"

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "You're about as sorry as the cat who got locked in the dairy, you mean."

Livio says, "I don't know. I expect people would hide any such skills as much as possible."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "No need to be pettish, I'm sure."

Livio says, "As concerned as I am for my position, it is still an enviable one."

Venzi says, "I can see"

Venzi asks, "tell me, have you talked to the bishop's assistant at all?"

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Speaking of hiding, would that friend of yours have been associated with others, less known, of your scholarly ilk?"

Livio says, "What, and wave a red flag in front of the church? Not a chance."

Venzi says, "mmhmm"

Livio says (to Niccolo), "I thought she might, but if so, she wouldn't say."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hmm, I suppose Ludo would know some math"

Giancarlo says (to Livio), "I think you'd best tell us who this benefactress of yours is."

Livio says, "I had heard she had resources, and she might not be unsympathetic to my plight."

Livio exclaims (at Giancarlo), "I cannot! If I am ever to have hope of leaving safely, I do not need more enemies on my trail!"

Niccolo elbows Giancarlo.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "And, though it's not often mentioned, the churchmen are all highly educated and, I'm sure, more than capable of calculating candles."

Niccolo asks (of Livio), "Do you have any idea of the names of any groups she may have been connected with?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "mmhmm"

Livio shrugs. "I'd only heard vague rumors."

Giancarlo . o O ( it appears to be poke-Giancarlo night. )

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Giancarlo), "You can only hope."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "You know ... I have a suspicion as to who this benefactress is."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Ahem."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Let's not *antagonize* our possible *ally*, right?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh"

Livio says, "Please, if you are done interrogating me, it has been a stressful day. I would like to gather my shattered nerves and try to sleep once more."

Giancarlo stands.

Niccolo nods.

Livio says, "It's not as if I'm going anywhere."

Livio mutters.

Venzi says, "of course not"

Amber asks (of Chiara), "Care to offer the nice man a massage, to help him relax?"

Venzi says, "you want to help Wilson, you remember"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "snork"

Niccolo asks, "If you discover anything about who may have done this, you'll let us know, yes?"

Chiara says (to Amber), "(pointedly) I am afraid I am probably too busy."

Livio says (to Venzi), "If I can do so for a fellow scientist, certainly."

Livio exclaims (at Niccolo), "Of course!"

Venzi says (to Livio), "my thanks. do sleep well."

Amber says, "Well, just thought it might be nice to compensate the poor man for being woken up at knifepoint."

Livio says, "As long as I have no more surprise nocturnal visitors, I should sleep quite well."

Chiara mutters, "There's compensation and there's compensation."

[vodacce] GM says, "She did take a monograph, after all."

Amber says (to Chiara), "Okay, I'll stop bugging you."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "So she'll be very busy reading."

Giancarlo asks (of Livio), "next time someone wakes you up that way ... you bite their hand, capite?"

Livio exclaims, "Ooh, that *is* a good idea. I'll try it!"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "There's bad cop/good cop, but there's also 'too much of a good thing'"

Amber leaves, and once outside the door, says, "Chiara, I was just kidding. I wouldn't want you to waste your talents.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Good cop, bad cop, and very very good cop."

Venzi opens the door cautiously, looks out, then steps outside.

[vodacce] GM says, "Stealth rolls."

Chiara raises an eyebrow, but does not remark on that one.

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 2k2: 1 4 | 5

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 6 6 9 3 7 | 22

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 6k3: 8 2 8 3 8 2 | 24

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oops"

[7thsea] Amber rolls 8k4: 1 5 3 2 7 6 6 9 | 28

[7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 5k3: 7 2 3 6 5 | 18

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Venzi trips over his own ear...

[vodacce] GM says (to Venzi), "Finesse roll."

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 3k3: 3 3 7 | 13

Giancarlo is probably last to step outside.

[vodacce] Niccolo is waiting to leave until most people are out of immediate sight.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Although in Amber's case, that could be before she left the room."

GM says, "Everyone makes it out safely, with no guards in sight, though Venzi is barely able to catch that vase he knocked over."

Venzi sighs and replaces the vase, quietly.

Amber silently vows to give Venzi some stealth lessons.

Niccolo waits until tehy're back in the hall near their own rooms to speak.

Giancarlo whispers into Venzi's right ear, "do be careful."

[vodacce] GM says, "Those are those lessons where you don't even know you're learning."

Giancarlo whispers into Venzi's left ear, "that vase is an antique."

Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "(quietly) it certainly took some years off *my* life"

Niccolo stage whispers (to Giancarlo, once they're back), "<Something not entirely clear but possibly rude.>"

Giancarlo shrugs contemptuously.

Chiara pages through the monograph. "Did anyone get a glimpse of that paper they said Wilson wrote?"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Are we regrouping in Giancarlo's room again?"

Giancarlo says, "I don't read."

Venzi says, "only a glimpse"

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "did the handwriting compare to this?"

Chiara holds out the monograph for Venzi's inspection.

Niccolo says, "Let us go back in here, to talk, where we're les likely to be heard."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(er, I'd assumed so, I guess)"

Venzi takes the monograph and goes into Giancarlo's room.

Niccolo ducks in.

Giancarlo shepherds everyone in and closes the door behind them.

[vodacce] Venzi asks (of GM), "any chance to compare the handwriting?"

Niccolo says (to Giancarlo), "You didn't need to keep pushing at the name of Livio's would-be 'benefactress'."

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "What, you think he'd just come out and tell us?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Wits roll, TN 20, to remember enough about Wilson's writing to compare the two."

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "I think she might be important."

Niccolo says, "No, but I also don't think he has to."

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "Oh, you've figured out her identity?"

Niccolo says, "Her name is 'Abrielle' -- you might remember her, as a courtesan sitting out our table last night, in Ludo's company."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "trying to compare the handwriting on the candle plan to this manuscript, but sure"

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 3k3: 9 9 10+9 | 37

[vodacce] Venzi says, "woo"

Chiara asks (of Niccolo), "You sure?"

Niccolo says, "Quite."

[vodacce] GM says, "I was going to say that you got so brief a glimpse of the candle plan that it'd be TN 30, but that's no problem for mister witsy man."

[vodacce] Venzi exclaims, "ha-ha!"

[vodacce] GM says, "The writing on the candle plan bore a superficial resemblance to Livio's writing only."

Chiara asks (of Niccolo), "Your evidence?"

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Well. You might have mentioned that you knew."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "I think it was clear at the very least that he didn't want it pursued."

Niccolo says (to Chiara), "I happaned to hear Livio and Abrielle talking about the matter with my own ears."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "but never mind."

Chiara says (to Niccolo), "Aha."

[vodacce] GM says, "This is the end of tonight's session, by the way, so discuss all you want."

Venzi says, "hrm -- well, I'm pretty sure the sketch they found in his room wasn't made by Wilson. it may have been by Wilson"

Venzi says, "we'll have to get another look at the sketch"

Venzi says, "er, it may have been by Livio"

Venzi yawns. "More tired than I thought."

Chiara says, "Hmm. Well, it was only a hunch -- I'm inclined to believe Livio is innocent of any wrong."

Amber says (to Venzi), "We have put in a full day, and now nearly a full night."

Chiara says, "But worth checking."

Chiara asks (of Niccolo), "Did you happen to hear anything else... useful?"

Giancarlo says, "He does seem rather easily distracted."

Venzi says, "tomorrow perhaps we can talk to Fortunato"

Venzi says, "I would be curious what he has to say about the swords"

Niccolo says (to Chiara), "Well, I can tell you that I don't trust her at all."

Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "You talk to him. He's had enough of me."

Chiara asks (of Niccolo), "Why not?"

Niccolo says, "I've no idea if she's involved in what's been happening here, but it wouldn't surprise me at all."

Chiara asks, "(a bit testily) Just because she is a courtesan?"

Niccolo says, "She's secretive. And manipulative."

Chiara says (to Niccolo), "You are hardly a man of open behavior yourself, I might observe."

[vodacce] GM says, "Which makes her completely different from everyone else in this group"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "hee"

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "*I'll* say!"

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "Hey, I object!"

Chiara says (to Niccolo), "Without offense, I am curious what you know about her; it may make a difference. As we've seen, keeping Giancarlo here in the dark has... unfortunate results."

Giancarlo smiles sardonically.

Niccolo grumbles.

Niccolo says, "Today, while I was in a corridor near the hall where the evening's party took place, I overheard Livio speaking with Abrielle."

Chiara asks, "Asking for help, as he suggests?"

Niccolo says, "They were discussing, basically, what Livio told us about -- she had connections, but said they couldn't help him."

Chiara frowns slightly.

[vodacce] GM says, "Shame there's no good way of making #interlude transcripts generally available as the need arises."

Chiara says, "That might mean any of a number of things, for a courtesan. A lover, friends, a madam..."

Chiara says, "It need not be suspicious."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "We could do the white-on-white thing now."

Niccolo says, "He was frightened. Afraid of Bishop Mancari."

Chiara nods.

Venzi asks, "but did she say who her connections were?"

Venzi says, "besides Ludo, one presumes"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I kind of like this thing where stuff gets revealed partially and at odd times"

Niccolo says, "No, drat it. I tried to find out whatever Livio knew, but *someone* kept shutting him off from that path of conversation by demanding her name."

Venzi says, "heh"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "though I'm going to love looking at the full transcript later"

Chiara says (to Niccolo), "Hmm."

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Yes. That is unfortunate. If only we knew that her name was already known."

Chiara asks, "And Bishop Mancari -- perhaps he thinks it would be to his advantage to have Meander out of his way, then?"

Venzi frowns.

Venzi says, "I don't think so"

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "no?"

Venzi says, "Mancari has been Meander's confessor for some time"

Niccolo says, "Abrielle also said... something..."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "Seems to be a rather large step, if his objective is only to get hold of Livio."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "It might be part of a larger disgust at Meander's inclinations; I do not know."

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "yes?"

Niccolo says, "To the implication that not all churchmembers may be as opposed to science as others."

Niccolo says, "But I may have been reading too much into her words."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "May not be."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "No, that was right."

Chiara asks (of Niccolo), "And... that Mancari might be one of these less-opposed persons? Or do I read too much in?"

Amber says, "I think Livio did, while someone else used him as a puppet, through mind-control or magic."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Oh, yes. Thanks."

Venzi says, "the bishop's assistant, Teodor, seems to be one of those people"

Venzi says, "and he has said, most forcefully, that the bishop is not"

Niccolo says (to Chiara), "I'm not sure. Maybe Martinez, his assistant."

[vodacce] Amber says, "'scuse me. I thnk Livio did *it*."

Chiara closes her eyes thoughtfully.

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "it?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "I was correcting myself - I had said Livio did, and left of the it."

Chiara says, "So we have Meander protecting Livio and confessing to Mancari, who objects to Livio; and then we have Teodor Martinez, who might be more favorable to Livio's objectives."

Giancarlo asks, "So should I sneak into Martinez' room and scare him?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "I can no lnoger spell."

Chiara says, "Then we have Abrielle, refusing to help Livio, but with mysterious "connections""

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Hee!"

Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "no."

Venzi says, "at least, not until we have tried a few other things"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks (of Wilson), "If I modified that transcript and put some kind of tag at the beginning and ending of the interlude that could be clarified (like '<open [interludes]> and <close [interludes]>, would it be hard to modify the script to rescan the file, including as appropriate?"

Giancarlo shrugs. He wasn't entirely serious.

Chiara's eyes pop open.

Chiara says, "I'm afraid I don't see how this all fits into the question of who wants to kill Meander, alas."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I'm not sure what you're getting at."

Giancarlo says, "Let's go over the suspects one by one, then."

Giancarlo asks, "Bishop Mancari?"

Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "I believe Wilson still retains the guest list"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, wait--the tag would say whether to reveal the interlude."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "That could probably be done."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Right."

[vodacce] Amber says, "you could link them, and put them on separate pages."

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Venzi was arguing that Mancari is Meander's confessor, and happy to see him live."

Giancarlo asks, "Teodor Martinez?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "But it might be more fun to just hear tell about them, and then read them all all at once."

Venzi shrugs.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "True."

Venzi says, "he may still have, for instance, found out something unpardonable"

Chiara asks, "Wouldn't getting rid of Meander threaten Martinez' interests, if he wants to protect... more scientific inquiries?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Otherwise we have to keep re-reading the transcripts, which will get dull ;-)"

Venzi says (to Chiara), "that is only what he claims"

Venzi says, "but I agree you are probably correct"

Giancarlo asks, "Do we have only his word that Mancari wishes to see Livio disgraced?"

Niccolo says, "It would seem more dangerous to claim to support scientific inquiry, in day, than otherwise."

Giancarlo shrugs. "Next. Sabatino Graziano?

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "this is starting to feel like wolf"

Venzi says, "well, at dinner on the first night, Mancari was certainly not favorably-disposed towards Livio"

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "Except that we're not going to lynch any one of us. Probably."

Chiara says, "I'm wondering whether anything set off Livio's immediate panic, though."

Chiara says, "Presumably he has been living here under these circumstances for some time."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "good point."

Niccolo asks (of Chiara), "The attempt on Meander's life, perhaps?"

Niccolo says, "The first one, that is."

Chiara says, "Possibly-- if he thinks that Meander is about to die, and someone more repressive arrive."

Giancarlo asks, "Has anyone spoken yet of Meander's son and heir?"

Chiara asks (of Giancarlo), "No. What do we know of him?"

Venzi asks, "which son?"

Giancarlo says, "Let me think ... Quieto is in Eisen ... Riccalbano is still somewhere about, but I haven't met him."

Chiara says (to Venzi), "the older one, presumably."

Giancarlo says, "(why is Quieto in Eisen?)"

Chiara plays with the strings of her purse.

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "perhaps because it is quieter there."

[vodacce] Amber says, "since I've now fallen asleep twice, I think I'll go do it again in bed."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heh"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "'night"

[vodacce] Niccolo waves to Amber.

[vodacce] GM says, "Bye Amber"

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "It's been fun! C-ya next week!"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "'nighty"

Amber has disconnected.

[vodacce] GM says, "We won't be going much longer."

Giancarlo says, "I must say, Meander allows a considerable amount of freedom to his daughter, at any rate."

Chiara says, "(dryly) Please tell me that does not mean you have seduced her."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "No, I've been too busy."

Niccolo says, "Hmm."

Niccolo says, "It may be helpful if one or both of you ladies could befriend Carinna."

Niccolo says, "To find out what she knows."

Chiara says, "I do not know whether she would be inclined to accept my friendship."

Chiara says, "But one could try."

Giancarlo says, "She seems to have befriended Graziano. Class distinctions must not mean much to her."

Niccolo says, "For one, I believe she may be friends with Abrielle."

[vodacce] (from GM) Niccolo says (to Chiara), "You know, give her tips on womanly stuff, things like that. You can test how sucessful you've been using Giancarlo."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh"

Chiara says, "Interesting."

Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "Of course, if you would rather I spend my time attempting to seduce her ... but I'd rather not upset her grandmother."

Venzi says, "that might be wisest"

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "I have no desire to know anything about your seductions. Do as you see fit, but try not to get the rest of us into any trouble."

Giancarlo smiles. "I think I will not be seducing any fate witches this week. It isn't healthy."

Chiara says, "Quite."

Chiara says, "Well, if there is no more useful speculation to be made here..."

Niccolo nods.

Niccolo says, "Yes, dawn will probably be here soon."

Giancarlo shrugs. "I thought we were planning a course of action for tomorrow."

Venzi says, "I intend to try and speak to Fortunato"

Venzi says, "and see if I can get another look at the paper"

Chiara says, "We should at the very least try to make sure that Wilson is not in immediate danger of being carp-ified."

Niccolo asks, "Are there any planned festivities for tomorrow, aside from the ball?"

Giancarlo says, "I shall go find him, then."

Chiara says, "And then there are various people we might speak to-- Abrielle, perhaps."

Chiara says, "Where by "we" I mean "I""

Giancarlo says, "He might have an interesting lead. If not, I shall follow be seeking out his lordship's children."

Venzi says, "reasonable enough"

Venzi says, "the only other question is whether the assassins will delay their next attempt until Wilson is freed"

Niccolo says (to Giancarlo), "Provided you take care not to pull a knife on him, you may be able to befriend Riccalbano."

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "that's an interesting point -- do you know of anyone who would see killing Wilson as a special advantage?"

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Riccalbano is assuredly Quality. He deserves no less than a sword."

Venzi says, "hrm"

Chiara rolls her eyes at this pronouncement.

Venzi says, "it depends how widely known Wilson's other activities are"

Giancarlo asks, "How about the other Avalon guests?"

Niccolo says, "Mrm."

Venzi says, "but unless these attacks have been the work of some sort of fanatic, I do not -- hmm"

Venzi says, "it would be interesting to see if they had any connection with Wilson"

Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Sir Dixon? I have no reason to think he knew Wilson before. They certainly didn't appear to be acquainted."

Giancarlo says, "I will be speaking to Wilson tomorrow. I'll know more then."

Venzi nods

Venzi asks, "until tomorrow, then?"

Giancarlo says, "si"

Venzi says, "my thanks for the use of your room"

Niccolo says, "Good evening."

Venzi steps back out into the corridor, and returns to his own room.

Giancarlo says, "think nothing of it...."

Chiara steps out into the corridor as well

Niccolo returns to his room.

Giancarlo waits for everyone to leave, then locks the door, undresses, and collapses into bed.

[vodacce] Niccolo is tempted to write a note to Fortunato just saying 'hi', in case the rooms are searched again.

Venzi glances around his room to see if it's been disturbed again, then p