[vodacce] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Amber says, "Sorry about the lateness. Apologies, all."

Giancarlo says, "I accept-a your apologies. But my boss, I dunno."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Hey, I can add to that suspect list in terms of information. Ludovica was told that I was the scientific type."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "And there were servants in the room, too."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Ooh, was she?"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "the woman is looking more and more suspicious."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Of course, I also have 10 points of rep. from that, so that's not a huge deal."

Amber has disconnected.

Amber has connected.

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I guess it was just too much for her."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(her computer froze)"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh. It IS a rather cramped closet...."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Are we all still in that closet right now?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I'm not ;-)"

[vodacce] GM says, "Okay, time to fire up the cast & crew."

npc1 has connected.

npc2 has connected.

[vodacce] GM says, "When we last saw #vodacce, Wilson was imprisoned, and the rest of you were talking to Ridolfo"

[vodacce] GM asks, "Is there any bidness which must be taken care of before we begin?"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "What time of day was it, again?"

[vodacce] GM says, "It is nearly noon."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol watches again.

Giancarlo says, "hm."

Giancarlo says, "Perhaps it is time we came out of this closet."

Niccolo, being closest to the door, opens it.

Ridolfo says, "I do have things I must be, er, doing."

Ghogg materializes.

Giancarlo says, "Si..."

Venzi says, "right"

Venzi says, "I wish to investigate the cottage window as soon as possible"

Ridolfo asks, "Is there anything else you need from me right now?"

Venzi asks (of Giancarlo), "did you plan on trying to investigate the will?"

Giancarlo asks, "Presumably there will be another attempt at the ball tonight. What can you tell us about the ball?"

Venzi says (to Ridolfo), "if you could try and find out the name of the guard who escorted Wilson to his cell, I would appreciate it"

Niccolo says (to Ridolfo), "I'm curious about this bowl of yours, but I see you haven't the time."

[vodacce] Gobbi exclaims, "Go? But he just got here!"

[vodacce] Alex says (to Gobbi), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Go is like chess, only Japanese and cooler."

Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "perhaps."

Ridolfo says (to Giancarlo), "It will be a masked ball, with much dancing and witty banter by my betters."

Giancarlo says, "In other words, anyone might be there and we wouldn't know. Right."

Ridolfo says, "There is that problem."

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "I will do what I can."

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "and will send word if I cannot come in person."

Venzi says, "thank you"

Venzi says, "um, and do be careful -- I'm sure you'd hate to get another knock"

Ridolfo rubs his head. "I'll be more careful this time."

Giancarlo asks, "Oh, I don't suppose you could spare one of those badges marking you as the Contessa's servant?"

Ridolfo asks, "What did you have in mind?"

Niccolo asks, "Will the servants at the ball be masked as well?"

Giancarlo says, "It occurred to me that certain people might be more forthcoming to an agent of the House than to a stranger."

Ridolfo says (to Niccolo), "No, we won't."

Ridolfo says (to Giancarlo), "I dunno. I could get in a lot of trouble if I was caught giving those badges out."

Ridolfo says, "But I'll see if I can come up with something."

Giancarlo says (to Ridolfo), "I could rob you of one at knifepoint if you want."

Ridolfo says, "Yes, that is just what I want."

Chiara conceals a snicker.

Ridolfo says, "But duty first. I'm going to see what I can find out about that guard."

Ridolfo says, "And do try not to get in too much trouble," on his way out.

Giancarlo says, "Us? Never."

Amber says, "Trouble? Us? Never."

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Timing!"

Niccolo snorts.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "hee"

Niccolo says, "This whole mess is trouble enough, if you ask me."

Venzi says, "right"

Venzi asks, "what are you others doing?"

Chiara says, "I thought I might take a stroll and see if I could find Sir Dixon. Perhaps he knows something that could help his countryman."

Giancarlo says, "Well ... I'm still wondering what could possibly block the Contessa's sorte. I wondered if the Bishop might know anything."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "Yay"

Amber says, "And Danel might be with him."

Amber grins.

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Hey, since I'm from Avalon, would I know aobut the Thomas knack?"

Chiara says (to Amber), "It is a pleasure to see you so dutiful."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "The Thomas Knack was on tv last night."

[vodacce] GM exclaims, "Sir *Guy*!"

Ghogg disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[vodacce] GM says, "Dixon's his last name."

Amber says, "Or I could find some personal business to attend to, I'm sure."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Oh! I thought it was the other way around."

Amber says, "With Danel, of course."

Chiara says (to Amber), "that might be wise"

[vodacce] GM says (to WIlson), "Possibly, though you've been much more interested in science than in the magical arts."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "feh, these Avalonian titles"

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "And what about you? Where have you been?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Man, you'd think none of you have read Pride and Predjudice."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] GM says, "Or the even more famous Pride and Prejudice."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(seriously, I've been getting mixed up about which of his names comes first)"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I wasn't sure if he's the younger son of a duke or if he's a titled knight in his own right"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heeheehee"

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Listen if people call him mylord or your excellency"

Chiara says (to Amber), "shall we? I do not think additional chaperones will do us much good."

Niccolo says (to Gian), "I believe I've found where they're keeping Wilson."

[vodacce] GM says, "Heh. Also, sons of dukes are Lord."

Amber says (to Chiara), "The sooner the better."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "whoops, good point"

Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "Oh, have you? Do you know how to get inside?"

Amber says (to Chiara), "Though I suggest you redo your lipstick first. Giancarlo smeared it."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Whoops. Don't mind me, just a kibbutzer here."

[vodacce] (from Chiara) GM pulls out pocket copy of Debrett's

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

Chiara grimaces

Niccolo says (to Gian), "Yes, but I'd rather not speak of it openly in the corridors."

Chiara says, "We'll visit Sir Guy by way of stopping at our room, then."

[Crows-Nest] Niccolo says, "That's the channel for it, alright."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Yay."

Giancarlo . o O ( Bishop first or the prisons first? such a dilemma.... )

[Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "if he's a kibbutzer, I think #israel's more appropriate"

Venzi says, "alright then"

Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "alright. Show me."

Venzi heads for Livio's cottage.

Niccolo leads Giancarlo out of the building.

Giancarlo shadows Nico.

[vodacce] GM says, "So Chiara + Amber to Sir Guy, Venzi to the cottage, Niccolo and Giancarlo to outside"

[vodacce] GM asks, "?"

Chiara drops by her room and amends her makeup.

[vodacce] Chiara says, "yes"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "si"

[vodacce] Amber says, "oui."

Wilson exclaims (at Chiara), "Hey there!"

Chiara blinks

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

Niccolo waits until they're someplace where he can see if there's anyone around before starting to talk again.

Chiara looks around

Amber exclaims (at Wilson), "Well, then! Fancy meeting you here!"

Amber asks (of Wilson), "Fortunato found you convincing, I take it?"

Wilson says, "I had a *very* interesting interview with Fortunado. I expect you'll want to hear all about it."

GM says (to Niccolo), "Not many people out and about at the back of the house...skulking about."

Chiara . o O ( IS THERE NEVER ANY PRIVACY??? )

Chiara says (to Wilson), "oh, yes, ALL about it."

Niccolo says (to Gian), "I've heard Jago of Linzia keeps a sparrow in a cage, as a pet."

Amber says (to Chiara), "I'll catch Wilson up on what we've been doing and meet up with you later, if you like."

Chiara says (to Amber), "That would be an excellent idea."

Wilson asks (of Chiara), "You don't want to hear about the interview?"

Amber takes Wilson aside. "Wait 'till you hear about this . . .

Chiara says (to Wilson), "Attend to Amber."

Chiara turns away quickly and with an air of relief.

Giancarlo says (to Nico), "Really? What an odd bird."

Amber says (to Wilson), "Let's go outside, and I'll tell you all about it."

Wilson says, "Uh, OK."

Niccolo says, "Indeed. Several other birds, as well -- he has a whole room set aside, just for the cages."

Chiara vanishes into the hallways.

Giancarlo . o O ( what the...? )

Wilson, who had just changed and was exiting his room again, goes with Amber outside.

Wilson asks (of Amber), "So what's up?"

Giancarlo says (to Nico), "Indeed. It must be an interesting sight."

Niccolo says, "I'm told he finds they're more likely to stay calm when they're in the darkness, so he had a special room built, deep *underneath his office*."

Giancarlo says (to Nico), "Ah, but surely light might get in when he opens the door. Unless there's something more one should know about the entrance."

Amber & Wilson stroll about aimlessly.

Giancarlo asks (of Nico), "Tell me ... do any of these birds get agitated enough to fly the coop?"

Niccolo says, "Well, I am told the stairs are very narrow, and very steep. They go down quite a ways; someone who wanted to listen to the birds could take a nasty fall if they weren't careful."

Amber says (to Wilson), "Ridolfo used a magic bowl to eavesdrop on your and Fortunato's conversation, so we heard the whole thing."

Niccolo says (to Gian), "A good question, but one I don't have the answer to."

Giancarlo . o O ( Renzino's not getting away alive, is he? )

Wilson (disappointed) "Oh."

Wilson (excited) "Oh!"

Wilson exclaims, "Wow!"

Amber says, "It was quite a fascinating affect. It was almost like we were there, except we couldn't see you."

Wilson exclaims, "Neat!"

Wilson says (to Amber), "So where are you off to now? I'd like to go see Livio."

Amber says, "I have no plans at the moment, though I need to meet up with Chiara later. She apparently feels safe enough here to leave me behind for the moment. I'm not sure I agree with her, though."

Giancarlo says (to Nico), "Well ... come to think of it, I should perhaps do some bird-watching ... perhaps a fledgling cardinal...."

Niccolo asks, "Oh, yes?"

Giancarlo says, "a bishop, if you will."

Wilson says, "Well, feel free to catch up with her, or you can go with me to Livio's place."

Niccolo draws his finger to his lips as they pass this point, and moves closer to the window.

Amber says, "Hmmm. I was rather hoping to run into Danel . . ."

Giancarlo asks, "or, alternatively ... hm...?"

Wilson asks, "That nice man you were fencing with the other night?"

Giancarlo examines window

Amber says, "Indeed. And he was quite good, too. I had a hard time beating him."

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 7 7 4 5 | 19

Wilson grins.

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 2 6 10+9 1 | 28

Wilson exclaims, "Well, I'll see you before the ball, then. Good luck!"

Amber says, "But sure, I'll go with you to see Livio, since your bodyguard has absented himself, if you wish."

Niccolo continues walking. "I'm sorry, I thought I might hear a chickadee, but apparently not. You were saying?"

Giancarlo says, "There was a, uh, turtle-dove that I noticed earlier. Male, I think."

Wilson exclaims, "Great!"

[7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 10+5 1 2 7 | 24

Giancarlo says, "Winging on in the direction of the vintner's guild. And I was wondering what business it had there."

Wilson heads to Livio's lab.

Niccolo asks, "Excellent question. Did you pursue your quarrey?"

Giancarlo says, "It was too fleet for me, though I suppose it might be there still if one hurried."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 5k4: 7 7 2 2 5 | 21

[7thsea] Dixon rolls 4k4: 4 2 7 10+6 | 29

Giancarlo says, "For me, I think I will investigate my fledgling cardinal."

Niccolo nods. "Mmm. Let me know what you find -- I'd like to return to that chickadee's nest. If it's on the wing, I may check for eggs."

Giancarlo says, "Until later, then."

Niccolo touches his brow.

Giancarlo . o O ( this double-talk is for the birds. )

Giancarlo nods, turns and strides back towards the front house.

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Uh, is there a chapel on the grounds I might check into?"

[vodacce] GM says, "But of course. I'll take care of you and Niccolo in a moment."

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 5 9 5 8 | 22

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 5k4: 10+2 6 1 8 5 | 31

[7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 3 2 10+3 | 16

[7thsea] Wilson rolls 4k3: 4 9 9 6 | 24

[vodacce] Amber says, "interlude"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I bet."

[vodacce] Amber says, "Sorry. ilac."

Giancarlo makes a beeline for the chapel.

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 6 9 8 10+5 | 38

[7thsea] Dixon rolls 4k4: 1 4 1 2 | 8

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 7 6 1 9 | 23

[7thsea] Dixon rolls 4k4: 7 1 7 7 | 22

[vodacce] GM says, "Giancarlo, Niccolo, get ready. You're about to be on deck."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "ar"

[vodacce] Giancarlo (worries that he's somehow not on an appropriate channel...)

[vodacce] GM says, "No, things are taking longer than I expected. :)"

[vodacce] GM says, "Actually, if you want, you can go on to the chapel. I'll pick up with Niccolo next."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Wasn't he going there already?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Yes. I'm starting up that thread."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Oh, I see."

[vodacce] GM says, "Not that he's paying attention."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Is he on the appropriate channel? ;)"

[vodacce] GM says, "I was going to have him not be on channel."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Oh, I thought you were dealing with Niccolo"

[vodacce] GM says, "Sorry, no. You."

[vodacce] GM says, "Niccolo is next up."

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "who's on first?"

[vodacce] Alex says (to Chiara), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that on first is 'Who'. On second's 'What', and on third's 'I don't know'. Furthermore, who is on first."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "right"

Giancarlo makes a beeline for the chapel

[vodacce] Niccolo waits in line for an interlude.

GM says, "The chapel is next door to the house, down the street."

Giancarlo looks in to see if the Bishop Is In.

Giancarlo . o O ( or, at any rate, his aide. )

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Amber), "I have a suspicion about the hedge maze. Livio was the son of the gardner who built it--there may be a connection."

Teodor asks (of Giancarlo), "May I help you, my son?"

Giancarlo says, "Si, signor. I was, ah, somewhat concerned about the events of the past two days...."

Amber asks (of Wilson), "Why don't we check it out?"

Teodor says (to Giancarlo), "Come inside, please."

Giancarlo steps inside.

Wilson says (to Amber), "Just my thought."

Giancarlo looks around the chapel, then at Teodor.

Teodor asks, "I admit that the recent events have disturbed me. But was there something particular you wanted to ask me about?"

Giancarlo asks, "Are we private?"

Teodor asks, "We are, though if you need the services of the confessional...?"

Giancarlo shrugs.

Giancarlo says, "It would do, si."

Teodor leads Giancarlo to an empty confessional.

Giancarlo crosses, kneels.

Giancarlo asks, "Signor ... loyalty is a virtue, yes?"

Teodor exclaims, "Of course!"

Teodor says, "Though, like any virtue, it can be turned to vice."

Giancarlo asks, "And if one owed loyalty to someone, one should do what one can for him, yes?"

Giancarlo nods.

Teodor says, "Certainly, as long as you stay within the bounds of the church's teachings."

Giancarlo asks, "Signor, if a friend has been accused of something, and the world thought he were guilty, yet you had no proof otherwise ... what would be the advisable course of action?"

Teodor says, "Ah."

Teodor says, "If one did not have reason to believe he was guilty, then yes, I would seek to prove his innocence."

Giancarlo keeps his eyes on Teodor throughout the interview....

Giancarlo says, "One has, of course, the option of consulting the strega...."

Teodor says, "I am wary of magics, personally."

Giancarlo asks, "But sorte is so far-reaching ... what could stop it? How could it fail to show me whom to look for?"

Teodor says, "Understand, I do not speak from a position of great knowledge"

Teodor says, "but there is much interpretation even in magic"

Giancarlo asks, "All I know of magic is what I have been told about the strega. Are there others?"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 4 6 3 7 | 20

[7thsea] Dixon rolls 4k4: 6 1 9 8 | 24

Teodor says, "There are."

Giancarlo looks doubtful.

Teodor says, "The magics vary widely by country. But those with power over others, like the strega, seem bound up in interpretation and guesswork, and the power can lash those who use it."

Teodor says, "If you must, deal with the strega. But do not look to them for absolute answers."

Giancarlo says, "(doubtfully) I don't quite understand. If they see something ..."

Teodor says, "Imagine that you are allowed to look through a window smeared with soot."

Teodor says, "You can make out shapes and colors, and have an idea of what you are seeing."

Giancarlo . o O ( like a garden shed window.... )

Teodor says, "But it is possible that what you think you are seeing is not what you are seeing at all."

Teodor says, "That, as I understand it, is the problem with magics."

Giancarlo says, "I heard a strega describe something of the sort once. She seemed frustrated, that this was not what she usually saw. She thought something might be blocking her vision."

[vodacce] (from Wilson) Teodor says, "Well, that and the fact that they are Tools of Legion.

Teodor shrugs.

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

Giancarlo says, "Well ... other than that, one supposes one should pray for one's host."

Giancarlo asks, "You're not from around here, are you?"

Teodor says, "My accent gives me away, I take it."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "(heh)"

Giancarlo says, "I thought I saw you last night. Or the night before. And I wondered."

Giancarlo says, "After all, the heart of the church currently appears to be in your homeland."

Teodor says, "True, but I found I was called to come to Vodacce."

Giancarlo asks, "Why?"

Teodor says, "The Church is fragmenting. I wanted to see if I could help bring the factions together."

Teodor shrugs. "Too much pride, perhaps."

Giancarlo says, "Well, Bishop Mancari must be some help. And then, the patronage of his lordship."

Teodor says, "Mancari is a very fervent man, and I hope has helped Meander in these difficult times."

Giancarlo tries to formulate questions in a subtle, non-interrogatory way. Wish he had his brass knuckles on him....

Giancarlo asks, "You agree completely with them, then?"

Teodor says, "Completely? No. I know of no one who agrees totally with another"

Teodor says, "But he is wise, and I have learned much while being his assistant."

Giancarlo . o O ( diplomatic, huh? )

Giancarlo says, "I suppose if I wanted to clear my friend of the charges against him, the Bishop might know who else might have motive for this...."

Giancarlo says, "Unless you do? It would be helpful."

Giancarlo says, "....as well as saving me a visit to a witch...."

Teodor says, "Bishop Mancari might know, but he is not fond of scientists. I imagine he's convinced of Wilson's guilt merely for that."

Teodor says, "And I am wary of talking overmuch -- I hear many things in the confessional which I may not divulge."

Giancarlo says, "I was under the impression that most people imagined Wilson to be an art collector."

Giancarlo asks, "Where did you hear he was a scientist?"

Teodor says, "It became common knowledge after last night. Ludovica herself had apparently heard he was a scientist."

Giancarlo says, "I ... see."

Giancarlo says, "I wonder if anyone else had heard."

Teodor says, "In this town? By now everyone has."

Giancarlo looks up. (presumably this chapel has candles?)

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hmm, I think I mentioned that martinez had known he was a scientist beforehand"

Giancarlo says, "Before last night, I mean."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "but I don't know if Giancarlo would have picked that up"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I missed that."

[vodacce] Dando says, "And certainly Martinez wouldn't volunteer that information without knowing if Giancarlo would report him to the bishop."

GM says (to Giancarlo), "It does have candles."

Teodor asks, "Before last night? You suspect someone of framing him based on that information?"

[vodacce] Wilson . o O ( Dando? )

Giancarlo asks, "Who else would plant science-based evidence on a man unless he knew that man to be a scientist?"

[vodacce] Dando says, "I used to sing for the Lemonheads."

Teodor says, "True."

Giancarlo says, "And something else ... this person must have much experience with candles, and the time they take to burn."

Giancarlo asks, "(mock-playfully) I suppose you can vouch for you sacristan?"

Teodor exclaims, "Theu, yes!"

[vodacce] GM says, "So what have the three of you (Venzi &c.) going to do next."

Giancarlo says, "Thank you signor. You have been of much help."

Giancarlo . o O ( Theus forgive me for lying to a priest. )

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hmm"

Teodor asks, "Anything to confess before you go?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "there's one lead down"

[vodacce] Venzi asks, "what's left?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Amber and I were going to check on the hedge maze."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "There's also the matter of the Contessa being wrong in 'the past' that might be interesting to follow up on."

[vodacce] GM asks, "You leaving poor Venzi to his own devices?"

Giancarlo says, "Yes. In the time since my last confession, I have told untruths and deceived people."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "possibly I will check out the market again"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "We already did, unless he met us again."

[Crows-Nest] Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "THERE'S A BIG SURPRISE"

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Chiara . o O ( and he acts all sad when we seem not to trust him )

[vodacce] GM says, "I didn't know if you were going to meet up with Venzi again, or if he was going to go do Venzi things on his own."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "That's up to Venzi ;-)"

Teodor asks, "Have your untruths hurt others?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "right, I'm going to the market"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "check back on that weaponseller guy, for one"

Giancarlo thinks. "Not that I know of."

[vodacce] GM says (to Giancarlo), "Pretend Teodor has given you penance appropriate for the crime, since I don't know what penance the church of 7th Sea goes in for."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "okay"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(going three days without cheeses)"

[vodacce] Wilson laughs.

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "hee!"

Giancarlo nods, crosses, pays his respects, lights a candle on his way out, and moves on.

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(brief afk)"

Giancarlo . o O ( well, that was helpful. Not. I wonder if Venzi is still at the laboratory. )

Giancarlo turns his footsteps towards Livio's lab.

[vodacce] (from Wilson) Giancarlo asks (to guards) "Hey, is Venzi still here?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

Giancarlo looks around for Venzi.

GM says, "There are a bunch of guards around Livio's place."

[vodacce] Amber says, "if guard 2 is around, amber waves."

Giancarlo . o O ( ? )

Giancarlo asks (of guard), "excuse me, did you happen to see <describes Venzi> come this way?"

Guard_1 says, "No, haven't seen anyone like that. Just that fellow Fortunato had locked up."

Guard_1 says, "And some short woman with chopped-off hair."

Giancarlo asks, "Had? You mean he's not locked up anymore?"

Guard_1 says, "Fortunato let him go."

Guard_1 shrugs. "Don't ask me why."

Giancarlo asks, "Well, where did they go, then?"

Guard_1 shrugs again. "Dunno."

Giancarlo asks, "Oh, and why are you all standing around this garden shed?"

Guard_1 says, "Someone killed Livio."

Giancarlo . o O ( ! )

Guard_1 squints at Giancarlo. "Come to think of it, why are *you* standing around the shed?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heeheehee"

[vodacce] Niccolo laughs.

Giancarlo says, "I'm standing around the shed because I'm talking to you and that's where you are."

Guard_1 says, "Oh."

Guard_1 says, "Well, that works out well."

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "Fortunato really does hire the best and brightest, doesn't he?"

Giancarlo asks, "Might I ask ... how and why was Livio killed, and by who?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "you know those guard types. too many muscles between the ears."

[vodacce] Amber says, "except guard_2, of course."

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Danel cries!

Guard_1 says, "You may."

Giancarlo asks, "Alright. How and why was Livio killed, and by who?"

[vodacce] Amber asks, "heehee! I can look, can't I?"

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Guard_1 says, "That's *BY WHOM*, dammit."

Guard_1 says, "By a sword, and we don't know who did it."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "We won't mention what Amber's and Venzi's essential roles are, right?"

Guard_1 eyes Giancarlo's sword.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "sorry. For some odd reason I thought it was in the nominative."

[vodacce] Chiara is too busy scoping out... er, certain parties... to answer Amber.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Guard_2 also has muscles between the ears, but they're nicely toned."

[vodacce] Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Livio's nominative because it's a passive construction"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "But he's dead, so that makes it dative."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "you mean 'dated'."

Giancarlo looks innocent as usual.

[vodacce] Chiara says, "wait, in all this joking around I failed to actually grasp the "livio is dead" part"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "poor bastard"

Guard_1 says, "I think you should move along."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Good, 'cause you're not supposed to know yet anyway."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "well yeah"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I know that"

Giancarlo says, "Well, thank you very much. Good day."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "You *don't* know that, you mean."

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "don't know what?"

Giancarlo goes back to the house. Trotting quickly once he's out of sight of the guards.

[vodacce] GM laughs.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "That Livio is dead. Oops! I told you again."

[vodacce] GM asks, "So Amber & Wilson are headed for the maze?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Ayup."

[vodacce] Amber says, "Yes. To admire the pretty scenery."

[vodacce] Amber says, "And look for clues."

[vodacce] Chiara says (to Wilson), "I am seeing a Hercule Poirot episode guest starring Britney Spears"

[vodacce] Wilson laughs.

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "If I'm so sneaky, how come most of my activities happen in the main room?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "hey, ok, wait. If Amber's guarding Wilson, then that means Venzi should oughta hafta guard me"

[vodacce] Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "they don't; you're just cleverer about keeping your interludes sekrit"

[vodacce] GM asks, "Giancarlo, are you going to happen to catch up to them or go off in other directions?"

[vodacce] Amber says, "You didn't want guarding for your assignation of Sir Guy."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Assassination! Oh, wait."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Oh, I can do that? I do that, then."

[vodacce] Chiara says (to Amber), "no, that would've been distinctly in the way"

[vodacce] Amber says, "Remember all that privacy you wanted? So there. :-b::"

[vodacce] Chiara laughs

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I am just trying to have my cake and eat it too"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "and also have it be a cheesecake"

[vodacce] Amber asks, "Oh, you're eating *cake* are you?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Danel was there -- Amber and he could have been sent off together."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "That Venzi is quite the cheesecake."

[vodacce] Chiara stops chewing guiltily and looks from side to side.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "*There's* timing for you."

Giancarlo notices movement off to the direction of the hedge maze.

[vodacce] Chiara clears her throat

Giancarlo says, "aha"

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, ";laughs and laughs!"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I'm, uh, going to go do some nice knitting now"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Amber says, "Danel's quite a cheesecake himself."

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Amber says, "A very muscular, adept, sword-wielding cheesecake"

[vodacce] GM says, "If Amber and Wilson are done making Chiara blush, they can be in the hedge maze with Giancarlo."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "'Cheesecake' must be the Vodacce equivalent of 'stud muffin'."

[vodacce] Amber is about to laugh herself off her chair.

[vodacce] Chiara asks (of GM), "Doing WHAT exactly???"

[vodacce] GM says, "Look, I'm running some eight interludes. I don't have time to keep up with these little pastry interludes of yours, too."

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "You don't want to know. Or, rather, you do, but you don't. I mean, say, did you hear Livio's dead? Oops!"

Giancarlo hustles over to the hedge maze.

[vodacce] Amber says, "Nothing! We're doing absolutely nothing. Really."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "'pastry break' == 'idle time'."

[vodacce] GM says, "yie"

Wilson exclaims (at Gian), "Hey there!"

[vodacce] Amber asks, "Yeah, but I haven't laughed like that in a long time. See these tears?"

Amber heads over to examine some maze.

Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "I see you're out and not so much the worse for wear."

Wilson asks, "Yup! Nothing to worry about. I think Fortunato's on the level. Say, did you know Livio's dead?"

Giancarlo says, "I just found out."

Amber says, "Stabbed to death. Poor man. Horrible way to go."

Giancarlo says, "hmph"

Wilson says, "He died pretty much right after I got out of prison. Fortunato went to talk to him."

Amber says, "Looks like he didn't put up much of a fight, either."

Wilson asks (of Amber), "Stabbed to death is horrible? How many people have you stabbed in your carreer?"

Amber says, "Quite a few. That's how I know."

Giancarlo says, "Well, I've just been speaking with Padre Teodor."

Giancarlo says, "And gotten nowhere."

Giancarlo asks, "What about you?"

Wilson says, "I was *going* to talk to Livio."

Wilson says, "I'm not sure what the motivation was to kill him."

[vodacce] GM says, "There would have been a fun conversation. Wilson: Have you seen these spiders I found? Livio: ....."

Wilson says, "He had just talked to Fortunato and had convinced him to set me free. So, it could be spite for whoever set me up. But not much use, in the end."

Amber says, "Maybe he convinced Fortunato to let you go because he knew who was actually guilty."

Giancarlo asks (of Wilson), "Oh, Livio spoke to Fortunato?"

Wilson says, "But another possibility is that he knew something. Since his dad was the creator of this maze, I thought it might be that he knew something about the maze that someone didn't want known."

Wilson says (to Gian), "Yes--apparantly just before he died."

Giancarlo says, "hm."

Giancarlo looks over to the maze.

Giancarlo says, "Well, it's a maze. I don't really know what it could be hiding."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "HA HA HA"

Amber asks, "Is anyone good at maps?"

Giancarlo shakes his head.

Giancarlo looks up to see if any windows overlook the maze from high up.

Wilson says, "Well, I'm good at drawing, at least--I have an eye for detail."

Wilson says (to Gian), "Oh, good idea."

GM says, "The maze is set a ways from the house."

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Gian&Amber), "Of course, since we're not on an #interlude channel, this is probably a wild goose chase."

Wilson says (to Gian), "Here, let me stand on your shoulders."

Giancarlo looks up to see if there's *anything* up high from which the maze may be examined.

Giancarlo says, "Eh? Sure...."

[vodacce] Amber asks, "How tall are the shrubs?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Shrubs are at eye height for you."

Giancarlo says, "remember, you owe me."

Amber asks, "How about getting a ladder?"

Giancarlo says, "Or there's that."

Wilson says, "Well, I'd volunteer to have you stand on my shoulders, but I doubt I'd last very long. I'm more agile than strong."

Wilson says, "Eh, we're here."

Wilson scrambles up Gian's back.

Giancarlo steadies himself on some nearby convenient object.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(like Amber)"

Amber becomes a nearby convenient object.

[vodacce] (from GM) Giancarlo . o O ( too bad it wasn't Chiara )

[vodacce] Chiara says, "RRR"

Wilson stands carefully, surveys the maze.

GM says, "There are a few people wandering the maze that you can see. Some couples."

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Anyone I recognize?"

[vodacce] GM says, "No."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Any closed-off parts of the maze?"

Wilson surveys the maze looking for blocked-off sections.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(timing!)"

[vodacce] GM says, "Now that you mention it...there is one area that seems inaccessible and self-contained."

Wilson says, "Hey, that's interesting..."

Wilson maps out mentally how to get there.

[vodacce] Chiara says, "CURIOSER AND CURIOSER"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Wilson, mentally mapping?"

[vodacce] Chiara laughs

[vodacce] Wilson says, "This is Research, man."

Amber asks (of Wilson), "See anything interesting?"

Giancarlo asks (of Wilson), "And might I recommend a different shoemaker?"

Niccolo waves, "Hey there."

Giancarlo . o O ( don't wave don't wave don't wave )

Wilson says (quietly) "There's a self-contained section of the maze. Let's see, two lefts, a right, a left, straight on to the end, then through.

Wilson exclaims, "Niccolo!"

Wilson waves cheerily.

Giancarlo tries to compensate for Wilson's waving, wavers.

Amber moves to brace Giancarlo better.

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Is Wilson still atop Giancarlo?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Yup."

Wilson says, "Oops! Sorry."

Niccolo looks up. "Looking for something?"

Wilson hops off.

Giancarlo brushes off shoulders.

Giancarlo says (to Nico), "I dunno. Ask the scientist."

Wilson says, "There's a self-contained area of the maze. Let's go check it out--but careful, there's others wandering around."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 2 4 1 9 | 16

Niccolo says, "Oh? Hmm. Wonder how we missed that before..."

Wilson says, "Well, no path leads to it."

Giancarlo shrugs. "Why should they care? Come on. You lead the way.

Wilson strides in to the maze.

Amber troops off after Wilson.

Niccolo follows.

Giancarlo troops off after

Wilson says, "OK, it should be through this hedge."

Wilson searches around for a good way through.

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Everyone but Chiara and Venzi are here, right?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Perception:"

[vodacce] GM says, "Yes."

[7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 8 2 | 14

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 5k4: 9 9 5 6 5 | 29

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Chiara), "Hey, there you go."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "And whatever Chiara's doing, she's doing it well."

Wilson seems to be having problems finding an easy way through the hedge.

Giancarlo says, "Here, let me."

Giancarlo draws his sword.

[7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 8 1 2 3 9 | 20

Wilson exclaims, "Ack!"

Giancarlo says (to Amber), "Lend me a hand here."

Wilson says, "No, wait, stop."

Giancarlo asks, "why?"

Niccolo says, "You might try it from the other side..."

Amber says (to Giancarlo), "I hate to destroy the bushes. I'm sure we can find a way through, it may just take a bit longer."

Niccolo goes around a different corner, beckoning.

Giancarlo shrugs. "Sure. We could always toss someone over the other side.

Wilson shrugs, follows.

Giancarlo follows Nico, puzzled.

Wilson asks (of Niccolo), "You've been in here already?"

Amber asks (of Niccolo), "You've been here before?"

Giancarlo . o O ( Echoing each other ... they could be husband and wife. )

Niccolo asks (of Wilson), "Yes -- you remember, when you followed Carinna into the house, the other day? And Venzi and I went into the maze?"

Wilson says, "Yes."

Niccolo takes a path that leads them away from where they're aiming at first, but then doubles back to approach it from the other side.

Wilson says, "But you didn't say you found a secret area."

Niccolo says, "Oh, well, no. But once you mentioned it, it was just a matter of figuring out which bit of the maze we *didn't* see before."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 5k4: 5 2 10+2 3 7 | 27

Wilson says, "Ah, OK."

Niccolo leads up to a 'dead end' which, hopefully, will provide access.

GM says, "You can push your way through the bushes if you want."

Niccolo says (to Wilson), "You did the hard part, of course, in finding out about the missing area."

Niccolo pushes the bushes aside.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Sure, *now* he tells us."

Giancarlo says, "huh"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Perhaps he means that *here* the bushes are thin enough to push through."

[vodacce] GM says, "Yes."

[vodacce] Amber says, "Awe, no merciless slaughter of shrubbery."

Giancarlo pushes in

Wilson follows.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Awww."

Niccolo holds the bush aside for Amber.

Wilson looks around excitedly.

Amber says (to Niccolo), "Thank you."

Amber pushes through the small hole.

Niccolo nods and follows.

GM says, "Inside is an opening roughly fifteen feet by thirty."

Giancarlo looks around.

[vodacce] Amber claps excitedly.

Amber examines the opening.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(was that it, or is there more to the description?)"

[vodacce] (from Niccolo) GM says, "Inside are about eight of Fortunato's guards. They look like they've been waiting for someone."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "doh"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Heh."

GM says, "There is a small bench, and the grass around it is well-trampled."

Niccolo says, "We're not the only ones who know about this place."

Amber looks to see if there are holes in the shrubbery from others shoving their way through, or perhaps a trap door in the ground somewhere.

Niccolo looks at and around the bench.

Wilson examines the grass to see if there are footprints, and if he can tell vaguely how many people have been here before.

Giancarlo looks under the bench.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(examiner)"

[7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 9 6 | 15

GM says, "There are lots of footprints, some old, some new. One of the shrubs to the north is a slightly wrong color."

Giancarlo says, "Hm. Looks like a convenient spot for a pair of secret lovers."

Giancarlo strides over to the discoloured shrub and pushes at it.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "(not the one we came through, I take it.)"

GM says, "It wobbles."

Giancarlo pulls at it. harder.

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Does it go wibble-wibble-wobble or wobble-wobble-wibble?"

Niccolo asks (of Gian), "What's that?"

GM says, "It comes away in your hands."

Amber says, "Well, they'd still have to be fairly quiet, whomever they were. You may not be able to see this place, but someone wandering around outside could hear them."

Niccolo looks at what Gian's doing.

Giancarlo says, "Well, looks as though I got to slaughter a bush today after all."

Giancarlo sets the bush aside and looks at the spot where it was.

GM says, "The bottom of the bush is a stand."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Is there a space behind it, or just more bushes?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Behind where it stands is a passageway in the maze."

Wilson thinks.

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "One we've seen before, or more of the blocked off part?"

[vodacce] GM says, "You're pretty sure you've seen the passage before."

Niccolo says, "I'm surprised we didn't notice anything odd about the bush from the other side."

Wilson says, "No, I think I first came at this area from there."

Wilson points at a thick part of the hedge.

GM says (to Niccolo), "It blends well when you're just walking past walls of shrubbery."

Amber says, "We weren't looking for anything odd, then. The color is very similar."

Giancarlo examines the stand.

Wilson searches the stand.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "We must be married."

Niccolo says, "Mmm. I guess it would blend in better when your just walking past walls of shrubbery."

GM says, "The stand is merely four pieces of wood forming an X."

Wilson says, "Hmm."

Giancarlo searches around to see if the bush might have been hiding something.

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Used to be attached to the bush, so it can be moved around, sort of thing?"

Amber asks, "I wonder what this was used for. Privacy? And for what purpose?"

Wilson examines the bench again, then looks for trap doors.

[vodacce] GM says, "Think of a cheap Christmas tree stand. There's a slight depression in the ground that it fits into."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, ">look in depression"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "it's for smoochies, d00ds"

[vodacce] (from Chiara) Venzi says, "I should know.

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] (from Niccolo) You see a bottomless pit of despair. A prozac sails past your from above, but it's quickly lost in the darkness and gloom below.

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Gian), "Depression is caused by a variety of forces, often involving stress of some sort."

[vodacce] GM says, "The pit is empty now that you've removed the shrub stand."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "And I take it nothing unusual about the bench or the ground, either."

[vodacce] Niccolo leaves Gian to the depression, and instead joins Wilson by the bench. Looking for traces of the people who've come here.

Amber asks, "You think Livio and that woman he mentioned may have come here for private assignations?"

[vodacce] GM says (to Wilson), "No."

Niccolo leaves Gian to the depression, and instead joins Wilson by the bench. Looking for traces of the people who've come here.

Wilson asks, "Woman?"

Niccolo says (to Amber), "Probably not... I didn't get the impression he knew her especially well."

Giancarlo blinks.

Amber says, "He mentioned a woman had or was going to help him leave the country, but she was stalling."

Giancarlo says, "she's probably in danger now."

Wilson says, "Or she's the killer."

Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "That puts her very much in danger."

Wilson says, "Fortunato said he told Livio to take a vacation."

Wilson says, "So he may have arranged to see this woman immediately."

Wilson says, "And, seeing as he was no more use to him, she killed him."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(Was that a night Amber had to sleep early?)"

Wilson says, "One theory, any way."

Giancarlo asks, "Were you there when Fortunato spoke to him?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(No, I guess not, never mind)"

Wilson says, "No, this was the conversation that led him to release me."

Wilson says, "But he told us that bit."

Niccolo says (to Wilson), "That seems frighteningly feasible."

Niccolo says, "Particularly if she thought he might become trouble for her."

Giancarlo says, "Perhaps we should speak to her."

Giancarlo says, "Or ... hmmm...."

Wilson asks (of Gian), "You know who she is?"

Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "Niccolo apparently knows."

Wilson looks at Niccolo questioningly.

Niccolo says, "Yes. The chickadee was in her nest earlier, I believe. She may still be."

Giancarlo rolls his eyes

Niccolo says, "Er, I mean, she's probably in her room preparing for the ball."

Wilson says, "The chickadee isn't native to this area of the country, though."

Niccolo raises an eyebrow.

Wilson says, "Oh, you mean a person."

Wilson asks, "But who?"

Amber asks, "Who is the chickadee?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

Niccolo mutters, "Does everyone here have a memory like a sieve..."

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Whoza little chickadee? Who? Who?"

Giancarlo steps into the area vacated by the bush.

Amber exclaims, "Yes, and if you don't spill, I'm going to hit you over the head so you'll be like the rest of us!"

Wilson says (to Niccolo), "I've been in jail. I'm certain you didn't mention it to me."

Nicc