[vodacce] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Giancarlo is going to his room to get dressed.

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "What time is it?"

Niccolo thinks he's with Wilson and Venzi, harrassing Rocca.

[vodacce] GM says, "It is edging on to late afternoon. And as we left off..."

[vodacce] Venzi asks, "4 or 5ish?"

Rocca exclaims, "You can't let him get me! You can't!"

[vodacce] GM says, "About then, yes."

Wilson asks, "What could he do?"

Venzi asks, "did he threaten you?"

Rocca exclaims, "Did you see him fight her last night? He'd cut me from neck to toes!"

Rocca points in Amber's direction.

Niccolo says, "Then you'd best help us stop him."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 6 10+10+2 9 1 | 38

Rocca exclaims, "Best help you stop his blade with my body, you mean!"

Wilson says, "Do you know if he's working with anyone? We shall have to protect you from them, too."

Venzi says, "or at least find him -- I don't suppose you've seen him today"

[7thsea] Wilson says (to Chiara), "Go you."

Rocca says, "All I know is he came to me and paid me good money to liberate some broadswords"

[7thsea] Niccolo asks, "We're protecting Rocca from Chiara?"

Venzi says, "ah, well then"

[Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "heh. "liberate"."

Venzi says, "so there's no reason to think you're in danger from him at all, then"

[Crows-Nest] ArrSea says, "Heh. Broad sword."

Rocca asks (of Venzi), "Have you *seen* him? Do you think me knowing nothing would stop him?"

Niccolo asks, "Knowing nothing about what?"

Rocca wails, "I told you! About the swords!"

[vodacce] Venzi says (to Niccolo), "now now, no teasing him"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "even if it's fun"

Rocca says, "As soon as I heard what had happened, I knew I was likely dead"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "He's so cute when his uvula quivers like that."

Rocca says, "and it turns out strangers are the ones digging my plot"

Wilson says, "It seems to me you're in no more trouble now than you were before you told us. But nevertheless, we will protect you."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Er. Does that mean he's the gardener?"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Or just that he was plotting, and we're digging it up?"

Giancarlo picks out a slightly classier cut of his usual black suit, this time with red accents.

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Ack!"

Rocca asks (of Wilson), "No more trouble--! Do you plan on doing nothing given what I've said?"

Niccolo asks, "When did you make this little deal, anyway?"

Wilson says (to Rocca), "*After* we deal with Danel and his plots, I hope nobody will have to fear him."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k3: 4 2 1 5 | 11

Rocca exclaims (at Wilson), "See! You are going to do something! And it will come back on me and I will be dead, dead, dead!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Unfortunately, he's probably right."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "But what can you do?"

[vodacce] GM says, "You can take pity on him."

Amber says (to Rocca), "Quit whining. You're tempting me."

[vodacce] Venzi asks, "and kill him now?"

Wilson asks, "What do you want? Do you want us to get you out of the country? What if we could arrange protection from the Contessa?"

Rocca exclaims (at Amber), "Easy for you to say! I saw how you could stand against him!"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "We *tried* to assure him we'll take care of Danel. He doesn't seem to be buying it, though."

[7thsea] Wilson exclaims, "Woo!"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 1k1: 10+9 | 19

[7thsea] Venzi says, "nice"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "right, well"

Venzi says, "well then"

Amber says (to Rocca), "Look, I fought him to a standstill last night, I can do it again. He's good, but I'm better."

Venzi says, "I'm sure nobody is likely to try anything as long as you are in a large crowd of people like this"

Venzi says, "and you have this ball to arrange"

Rocca says, "I...do."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 5 1 6 6 | 18

Venzi says, "I do appreciate your help -- I will be around later if you need anything"

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

Rocca says, "And I must be sure to eat and drink my fill now, and be in the crowd at all times."

Venzi says, "absolutely"

Amber asks (of Rocca), "By the way, I don't suppose you've seen <insert description of Chiara here>?"

Rocca looks blankly at Amber, visions of Danel and his pointy pointy sword dancing in his eyes. "I don't know anyone like that."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "YM 'I don't know anything about that.'"

[vodacce] GM says, "heh"

Amber says, "Well, all right then. I'll keep looking."

Rocca asks, "I...are you going to talk to Fortunato?"

Rocca says, "Perhaps he could help. But, no, he'd hang me from the highest tree if he found out."

Wilson says, "Maybe we could talk him down to a medium-sized one."

Niccolo says, "Or he might just throw you in the nice quiet dungeons."

Rocca says, "I am trapped between the Skillet and Katydid."

Venzi says, "I suspect he would be happy to find out who is really behind this"

[vodacce] GM says, "'The Skillet and Katydid' being a famous Vodacce tale."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I bet"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "That's a googlebash if I ever saw one."

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "The Skillet being a many-headed dragon, and the Katydid being a whirlpool?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I think it's about an ant trying to make a choice"

Amber says (to Rocca), "If you were acting under orders, there is no fault with you. Fortunato has shown suprising patience and insight, he might suprise you, too."

[vodacce] GM says, "The katydid is very annoying when you're trying to sleep. And the Skillet is a skillet."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Which one is Danel?"

[vodacce] GM says, "Big brooding type. Fought Amber last night."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Well, I know I'm the Katydid, so Danel must be the Skillet."

[vodacce] GM says, "Danel Williamson is his full name."

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "Never mind that last remark - illegal orders are still Illegal!"

Venzi says, "but if you do wish to talk to him, you had better decide quickly; I am sure he will be less pleased the longer you wait"

[vodacce] Niccolo says (to GM), "Er. As in, 'is Danel the skillet or the katydid'. But never mind."

Wilson says, "We could tell Fortunato who to suspect but not why, or who we got the information from."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "he seems more like a skillet, if you ask me"

Rocca says, "Please, *please* keep my name out of this."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "actually, this is more like the skillet and the other skillet"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee."

Wilson says (to Rocca), "I will not mention your name to him. But it might be better for you in the end if you did."

Rocca wipes his forehead with a very damp piece of silk. He looks very pasty.

Niccolo asks (of Rocca), "Do you happen to know when the anonymous seller of swords, whoever he may be, made his transaction?"

Rocca gives Niccolo a look of profound thanks. "About a week ago, as I hear it."

Wilson says (to Rocca), "You're looking kind of paisley. You should go lie down, or at least try to distract yourself with work."

Rocca exclaims, "Work! The party is in a few hours!"

Venzi says, "times a'wastin'"

Amber grins.

Rocca asks, "Can I...?"

Rocca glances at several idle servants on the other side of the room.

Rocca says, "They're hopeless without direction. And the flowers are all wrong."

Niccolo says, "One other question... I'm just curious..."

Niccolo asks, "What were you doing running around the bazaar the other day, mm?"

Rocca asks, "Yesterday?"

Niccolo nods, "Yes."

Niccolo grins, "Or, if that had happened to be... *someone unidentified*, whatever he was doing."

Rocca blots his forehead several more times. "I was afraid the seller might have noticed that I sent part of his last shipment somewhere besides the main house.

Rocca says, "Stupid of me. But my nerves were shot, what with that big knife Danel had waved about my eyes and nose before I agreed to get him his swords."

Venzi asks, "he did, did he?"

Amber asks (of Rocca), "He threatened you?"

Rocca says, "He threatened with one hand and offered gold with the other."

Venzi says, "I see he had all his bases covered"

Rocca exclaims, "Until you four came along!"

Niccolo whispers (aside, to Venzi), "Bases?"

Rocca says, "Please, please let me return to my duties"

Venzi whispers (to Niccolo) "Of operation, I mean"

Niccolo nods.

Amber says, "If he threatened you, that puts things in a somewhat different light."

Venzi says, "of course. you have been very helpful"

Rocca scurries to the other side of the hall, calling out in a very high-pitched and nervous voice, "No! No! I *told* you, no white roses!"

Venzi says, "right, well then"

Venzi says, "this just makes it all the more imperative that we find Danel and his employer"

Wilson says, "Well. I should like to talk to Ridolfo. Someone--Niccolo?--should talk to Fortunato."

Niccolo says, "It seems that finding Mr. Williamson and Sir Guy would be a priority."

Venzi asks, "have we been to their rooms yet?"

Niccolo asks (of Wilson), "Mmm. What to say, when he asks where we found this?"

Niccolo says (to Venzi), "Yes. They weren't there, when we checked earlier. They may have returned since."

Wilson shrugs. "Just tell him we promised not to say."

Amber says, "I think Fortunato should hear of this. If Rocco was threatened, his actions are a bit more justifiable."

[vodacce] GM asks, "By the way, any of you getting masks for this evening?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oh, that's right"

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Is that typical?"

Amber says, "But finding Chiara must be my first priority."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "for this ball, yes"

[vodacce] GM says, "For masked balls? Yes."

[vodacce] Amber exclaims, "ooohh, fun!"

[vodacce] Venzi tactfully avoids making a "you'll need to get some balls, too" joke

[vodacce] Chiara says, "snrr"

Venzi says, "well then"

[vodacce] Niccolo wonders if masks are something you buy at a bazaar.

[vodacce] Amber asks, "got 'em big boy, or hadn't you noticed?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "yow"

Venzi says, "and I think a certain amount of dressing will need to be performed"

[vodacce] Amber says, "oh, never mind, it sounded funnier in my head."

Niccolo asks, "What time is the ball for? Sunset?"

Wilson asks, "So anyone know where Sir Guy et al are?"

Wilson asks, "Or were, at least?"

Venzi says, "my impression is they haven't been seen in some time"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Or were we told last session? I forget."

Niccolo says (to Wilson), "Amber and I have been looking for them, to no avail."

Wilson nods.

Niccolo says, "It might be sensible to check their room again, in case they returned since the last time we were there."

Venzi says, "right"

Niccolo asks, "Should we split up?"

Venzi says, "well, someone should go talk to Fortunato"

Niccolo nods.

Venzi says, "I could do that, if you like -- he will doubtless be pleased to see me again"

Niccolo asks, "I think I was volunteered. Is anyone else with me?"

Amber says, "I'll check Sir Guy's rooms again."

Wilson says, "I'd like to see Ridolfo. I suppose I'll be safe, but wouldn't mind someone coming along."

Venzi says, "although arguably it might lend credence to the story if someone else reported it"

Wilson says, "But I won't be long."

[vodacce] GM exclaims, "Ooh, ooh, send Giancarlo to talk to Fortunato!"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Wilson laughs.

Venzi says (to Wilson), "so I will go with you, then"

Wilson says (to Venzi), "Thanks."

Amber asks, "Anyone joining me to Sir Guy's?"

Venzi says (to Amber), "well, if Wilson's errand is quick, we could see Ridolfo and then Sir Guy"

Wilson says, "Sure, that works."

[vodacce] GM says, "Also, for those of you who are more fashion-challenged, it's tradition to have masks available at the party for those without"

[vodacce] GM says, "though I make no promises regarding their tastefulness"

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "And where does one get them otherwise?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I'm sure the bazaar will oblige"

[vodacce] GM says, "If you're well-to-do, you'll have had them custom-made. Otherwise, bazaar."

Niccolo says, "I'll find the rest of you again later."

Amber says (to Venzi), "That sounds good. Then maybe to the bazaar for a mask or two."

Venzi says, "right then -- good luck"

Niccolo goes off toward the guard house.

Venzi follows Wilson to Ridolfo

Amber joins Venzi and Wilson.

[Crows-Nest] ArrSea says, "Don't buy any made by Loki."

[vodacce] Wilson asks (of Gian), "Where are you goin'?"

Wilson asks a passing servant where Ridolfo is.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I'm out-of-doors at the moment."

[vodacce] Amber says, "ellarm."

Servant asks, "Ridolfo? I'm not sure. He's been busy lately. Let me see if I can find him. Will you wait here?"

Servant trundles off.

[vodacce] GM asks, "Okay, Wilson et al to Ridolfo; Niccolo to Fortunato?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Right."

Ridolfo enters the hall and heads for you. "Is something wrong?"

Venzi looks to Wilson

Wilson says (to Ridolfo), "Two things."

Wilson says, "One, please have one of your servants keep an eye on Rocca, for his safety. He knows something dangerous, and might be a target. We promised to help keep him safe."

Ridolfo says, "Rocca? Huh."

Ridolfo says, "If you say so."

Wilson says, "Two, if anyone sees Danel or Sir Guy enter the manor, tell one of us as soon as possible. We have reason to believe one of them may be behind this all."

[vodacce] Amber says, "back"

Wilson asks, "One last question: We have heard that there is supposedly a second servant of Sir Guy around. Do you know anything about this?"

Ridolfo asks, "Reasons?"

Wilson asks, "He's... Amber, did you get the description?"

Ridolfo says, "And second servant? Sir Guy has a number of servants."

Amber says, "Blond, if I remember correctly. Average build."

Venzi says, "not much like Wilson"

Wilson says, "man-of-letters type."

Ridolfo shrugs. "Those Avalonians all look the same to me."

Amber asks, "Does anyone else remember him?"

Ridolfo says (to Wilson), "No offense."

Wilson grins. "None taken."

[vodacce] Niccolo says (to Venzi), "Yay"

[vodacce] GM says, "That would have been funny if Ridolfo had said that to, say, Venzi."

Wilson says (to Ridolfo), "We believe Danel aquired the swords used in the moat trap."

[7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 7 1 6 4 | 18

Ridolfo asks, "Danel?"

Wilson nods.

Ridolfo says, "Do you have proof? If so, Fortunato will have that man's hide."

Amber says, "Rocca said he threatened him to obtain the swords for him."

Wilson says, "But, uh, Rocca told us that on condition that we wouldn't tell anyone."

Chiara exclaims (at Amber), "There you are! When I said you could take some time away I didn't mean you could abandon me when I needed to dress!"

[vodacce] Amber asks, "D'oh! Drama die to take it back?"

[vodacce] Venzi exclaims, "!"

Venzi exclaims, "you're ok!"

Ridolfo exclaims, "*Rocca*!"

[vodacce] Amber swears a blue streak.

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "Should I not be?"

Venzi says, "er, I mean, how nice to see you again"

Amber exclaims (at Chiara), "I've been looking all over for you!"

Venzi says, "a certain amount of things have been going on in your absence"

Ridolfo asks (of Wilson), "Why shouldn't you tell everyone?"

Amber Sara smacks herself in the forehead.

Chiara says (to Amber), "how curious. I have been in the house, and most recently in that obscure hiding place, our room."

Ridolfo says (to Wilson), "I suppose Rocca wants that worthless life of his saved."

[vodacce] Amber says, "Sara smacks herself in the forehead."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "you just added more drama to the whole thing"

Amber says (to Chiara), "Everywhere you've been, I've been, just not at the same time."

Chiara looks from person to person. "I ran across Giancarlo. He mentioned that Livio..." (Her voice trails off.)

Venzi says, "yes."

Chiara asks, "Very unfortunate. Any sign of who might be responsible?"

Venzi says, "somebody with a sword -- but I'm afraid that doesn't narrow it down much"

Chiara says, "Indeed not."

Chiara looks curiously at Wilson and Ridolfo.

Ridolfo exclaims, "*What is going on with Rocca*!"

Venzi says, "he's arranging the ball, of course"

Ridolfo says (to Venzi), "and arranging swords, according to those two."

Wilson says, "Danel threatened and bribed him to sell him a bunch of swords."

Wilson says, "That was all he knew until the assassination attempt."

Chiara raises her eyebrows and looks around the open hallways significantly.

Wilson says, "Then he got frightened."

Amber says, "Rocca wouldn't be able to stand against him."

Wilson says, "But Venzi here got him to talk."

Wilson smiles in a smug, "Do I know how to pick 'em or what?" way.

Chiara adds, softly, "And now anyone around a corner or behind a door knows it too."

Ridolfo says, "merda, we might as well print flyers. Come with me"

Venzi murmurs "I *did* tell him to stay around crowds and be careful"

Venzi follows Ridolfo

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I've kind of assumed we had private conversation in private areas."

Chiara follows as well, looking faintly exasperated.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Since, like, Rocca told us stuff without whispering and stuff."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "Wilson WOULD assume that..."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Also, stuff."

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Chiara), "Nyeh."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee ehe"

Amber asks (of Ridolfo), "Where are we going?"

[vodacce] GM says, "hang on"

[vodacce] Amber hangs.

[vodacce] GM says, "Okay, off phone. Sorry."

Ridolfo drags the group into a nearby servant's closet.

Wilson says (to Chiara, quietly) "What else have we learned? There's a secret tryst-spot in the maze. And Abrielle's name keeps coming up. Oh, and a group of thugs tried to kill me.

Chiara says (to Wilson), "(equally quietly) I heard about the thugs, but not about the tryst-spot. I bet I know who uses it, though."

Wilson asks (of chiara), "Who?"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "I believe someone in this household is having an affair. I wouldn't want to say too much and endanger her..."

Amber asks (of Chiara), "And how has your afternoon gone?"

Venzi coughs

Ridolfo says, "I turn my back for a few hours and the world goes crazy and Rocca is plotting against Meander."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "(this has all been whispered behind my hand)"

Wilson says, "Oh, right, the daughter! [more quietly] Uh, yeah. Right."

Chiara stares at Wilson.

Wilson says, "A spider told me."

Venzi says (to Ridolfo), "'plotting' seems like a harsh term for it"

Chiara says (to Amber), "positively tedious. Yours was more exciting, I take it."

Chiara asks (of Wilson), "Interesting. What else did it say?"

Wilson thinks.

Amber says (to Chiara), "You could say that."

Amber says (to Ridolfo), "We've been trying to break plots."

Ridolfo exclaims, "Let's all pause for a minute and go through things IN ORDER!"

Wilson says, "'Abrielle has enemies, Carrina has Sabatino, Stefano has ambitions, Fortunato has followers, but all of them have threads.'"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "Ah."

Chiara looks thoughtful.

[vodacce] Giancarlo exclaims, "Oh!"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Four of them. One for each Sorte suite."

[Crows-Nest] ArrSea says, "And I've got you, babe."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "reasonable enough"

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "what, no arcana?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "not the suits I would expect for the people"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "The arcana is the guy without the thread."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "probably their arcana has yet to be unearthed"

[Crows-Nest] ArrSea got Sorte suited.

Venzi says, "the first thing that happened after we arrived was the execution of the vintner's guild member"

Venzi says, "followed closely by a death at the high table"

Wilson nods.

Venzi asks, "do we know if Carrina was at the high table?"

Amber says, "Which looked possibly like poison or magic."

Venzi says, "very much like it"

Wilson says, "There seems to have been someone at the party who sorte people can't see."

Venzi asks, "really?"

Wilson says, "Hey, I still have that guest list."

Wilson pulls it out.

Wilson looks for Danel and Sir Guy.

Venzi asks, "they were at Chiara's table, weren't they?"

Wilson says (to Venzi), "Yes, but Ludovica made up this list."

Amber says, "Yes, we sat with them."

Venzi asks, "where is the evidence that there was someone there sorte people couldn't see?"

Venzi says, "although it would explain a certain amount"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Ah, if only we had with us someone who could use Sorte."

Ridolfo says, "Someone people with sorte power can't see? That would be new to me."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "then she wouldn't be any help, see"

Wilson says, "Or are distracted from noticing."

Venzi shrugs

Venzi says, "anyway, to continue"

Wilson asks, "Both the Contessa and Ludovica mentioned this, no?"

Chiara says, "Yes."

Amber says, "They're rare, but it does happen."

Venzi says, "the next morning, Meander almost went for an unfortunate dive"

[vodacce] Wilson asks (of GM), "Are they on the list?"

Ridolfo asks (of Wilson), "Are you talking about those who are unbound?"

Venzi asks, "mentioned what?"

Wilson asks (of Ridolfo), "I don't know. What's that?"

Ridolfo says, "Unbound are those with no threads. They stand apart from fate."

Wilson says, "That certainly sounds like the Contessa's description."

Ridolfo says, "And the sorte can see them, they just can't see their effect on the strands of fate. Because they are outside the net, so to speak."

Chiara says (to Ridolfo), "such people, presumably, might be of any nationality"

Wilson continues to peruse the list for Danel and Sir Guy.

Venzi says, "the dive was aborted by us .. fortunately coming along"

[vodacce] GM says (to Wilson), "there's on there."

Wilson says, "Oh, drat, they're here."

Venzi asks, "the other people there were, who? Fortunato, Meander, and two guards?"

Wilson asks, "But the trap had been set up, presumably, in the night. The swords were bought by Rocca... what day? Just the previous one? And given to Danel that afternoon for gold and a clenched fist?"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "But that doesn't prove anything."

Wilson says (to Chiara), "Them being on the list? Right."

Chiara says, "I spoke to Dixon at some length, and I confess that he seemed very charming, but there is something about him I cannot name that I do not trust."

Venzi says, "I believe Rocca bought them a week or so ago"

Venzi says, "the real question is how were they set up"

Venzi says, "I find it hard to believe one man could have done it on his own"

Chiara says, "by someone with strong swimming skills-- or, wait"

Amber asks, "Could she perhaps identify those she can see in Sorte, thereby eliminating some of our suspects?"

Chiara asks, "is there a kind of magic that could give air to one man's lungs while swimming, and take it from another while standing in open air?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I've heard of a silver ring that lets you breathe underwater..."

Venzi says, "none that I know of, but of course there are always sailor's tales"

Wilson frowns.

Chiara says, "I confess I find it ought that someone drowned who should not have, and someone perhaps did not who-- but I speculate vaguely."

Ridolfo says (to Amber), "Possibly, but as I understand it is a difficult thing to do, especially indiscriminately."

Chiara says (to Amber), "it seems as though the message Wilson got does that, at least partly..."

Wilson says, "Maybe Sir Guy's mysterious assistant is simply Danel in disguise. Or, the reverse, Danel is the mysterious assistant in disguise."

Chiara asks, "Wait, what mysterious assistant?"

Venzi says, "Danel seems like a hard man to disguise"

Ridolfo asks, "Assistant?"

Venzi says, "carrying on"

Wilson says, "I think Niccolo talked to someone who was here looking for Sir Guy and his assistant, who nobody here seems to have heard of."

Wilson says, "But, right, back to the chain of events."

Wilson says, "The sword trap is vanquished, we wander the grounds. At the bazaar, we're attacked by a group of ruffians on a flimsy excuse."

Wilson says, "Fortunato hasn't gotten much out of them, as they seem willing to tell him anything, but does believe Abrielle is involved, though for good or ill he doesn't know."

Ridolfo snorts. "Abrielle is involved in nearly everything."

Chiara asks, "What is between Abrielle and Niccolo?"

Wilson blinks.

Wilson asks (of Chiara), "Why do you say that?"

Chiara asks, "It seemed that the men came for him, specifically, no? So if Abrielle sent them...?"

Ridolfo asks, "What?"

Venzi says, "hmm"

Venzi says, "it is true they did seem to focus on him"

Ridolfo says, "I mean, Niccolo has nearly as many connections as Abrielle, but I've never heard of them crossing paths."

Chiara says, "I ask because Niccolo is nearly always absent."

Chiara says, "And because he mentioned knowing things about her that the rest of us did not."

Wilson says, "Ah. Hmm."

Chiara shrugs. "Just a thought, but I am not sure whether this is the main matter or something... peripheral."

Amber says, "If he's betrayed us . . .."

Chiara says, "I would like to keep an eye on him, yes."

Chiara says, "But I would keep an eye on anyone much absent."

Venzi glances over at Chiara

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Yesss, my pretties. Suspect Niccolo, not Giancarlo."

Wilson exclaims, "How do you do that? They're absent!"

Chiara smiles at Venzi very very sweetly.

[Crows-Nest] ArrSea says (to Wilson), "Heh."

Chiara shrugs. "Never mind. To proceed...?"

Venzi asks, "that night was the exhibition?"

Ridolfo, having been lost in thought, says, "Why unbound, though? An assassin, hired because he or she would not be noticed by the strega?"

Wilson says, "A couple things before that--a couple of us saw Stefano and Carrina exit from the maze, and the rest ofyou talked to Ludoviaca, who talked about a 'blind spot'"

Venzi says, "right"

Venzi asks, "and as I recall, some of you were in the house and talked to various people -- was anything in particular mentioned?"

Wilson says, "Stefano doesn't trust Fortunato, but I suspect that's a side issue, too."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "And we all know Chiara hasn't spent any time away from the group lately."

Venzi asks, "nothing else? who did you talk to?"

Chiara asks, "I?"

Venzi says, "or anyone else in the house, yes"

Venzi says, "I was outside in the maze with Niccolo and did not go in"

Venzi says, "but I seem to recall the rest of you did"

Venzi says, "save Amber, who was of course away"

Wilson says (to Venzi), "That's all I heard. I just got lost."

Wilson says (to Venzi), "This was before Amber disappeared, I think."

Chiara says, "I do not remember anything of note, I'm afraid."

Venzi says, "hrm, you're right"

Venzi says, "anyway, to proceed"

Venzi asks, "that night was the sword-fighting exhibition?"

Amber says, "If you doubt me, I can provide an alibi."

Wilson nods.

Giancarlo has disconnected.

Venzi raises an eyebrow. "I hardly think that will be necessary."

Giancarlo has connected.

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "disconnected"

Ridolfo asks, "Are you afraid someone within your company is working against the rest of you?"

Amber says (to Venzi), "Just being cautious."

Venzi says, "so there were various duels, some personas arriving late? and of course the assassination attempt"

Wilson says, brightly, "And the arrest!"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "And then lagged. What the hell?"

Amber exclaims, "I can't help but think the incident with the chandelier was staged entirely to frame Wilson. Its so unlikey to have worked!"

Wilson says, "So, both the attempt and planting the evidence."

Chiara says (to Ridolfo), "I am not sure what to believe now."

Venzi says (to Ridolfo), "with the Contessa's word on it? surely not"

Venzi says, "right"

Venzi says, "and of course Ridolfo's unfortunate accident"

Giancarlo has disconnected.

Giancarlo has connected.

Ridolfo asks (of Venzi), "I begin to be afraid, though -- if there are people she can't see working against house Falisci, what limits what they could do?"

Venzi says (to Ridolfo), "you got off luckier than Livio did"

Wilson says, "Which could have been the work of one person--light the candle, go to leave evidence."

Chiara asks, "But, supposing that Danel arranged the swords, Sir Guy is probably involved as well, no?"

Wilson says (brightly, to Ridolfo) "Us!"

Venzi says, "most likely, but not necessarily"

Amber says, "Danel and Sir Guy seem to have a good relationship, and Danel seems quite loyal. I think Sir Guy must be involved, though I hope I am wrong."

Wilson says (to Chiara), "Wait, something you said--if there is magic that can take another man's breath as your own, that could explain both the swords and the first death at the high table."

Venzi says, "so then the arrest"

Venzi says, "that's true"

Venzi says, "heh"

Venzi asks, "who again was the man who we thought drowned?"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "yes, that's why I brought it up"

Chiara says, "but it would be a devious magic"

Chiara says, "I don't know anything that does such a thing."

Venzi says, "but then if we suppose such magic, clearly the attempts are not made against Meander"

Chiara says, "Sir Guy did mention, apropos of a motive, that he is involved in arranging wine deals with Meander, and most of the trouble seems to center on the vintner's guild."

Wilson asks (of Chiara), "So you think the swords were being set up at the same time as that guy dying?"

Venzi says (to Chiara), "that's good to know"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "An intriguing idea, but then we'd need another person involved, since Sir Guy and Danel were at the table with me at the time."

Venzi says, "as it is, it seems like a sloppy poisoner to kill the wrong man if they were aiming at Meander"

GM says, "Guys, I'm sorry. I have to go."

GM has disconnected.

Ridolfo has disconnected.

Fortunato has disconnected.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Whoops."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oops"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hope stuff is ok"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "What the...?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Ack."

[vodacce] Amber says, "hrrm. sounds like some kind of emergency."

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Venzi), "Yeah."

[vodacce] Niccolo decides to hang around, in case he comes back. Particularly with news.

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I guess the closet group can keep talking..."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I suppose..."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Sans Ridolpho."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Also... you're in a closet *again*?"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "An intriguing idea, but then we'd need another person involved, since Sir Guy and Danel were at the table with me at the time."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "er, oops"

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "And what about those of us who were in the middle of interrogating Danel's evil twin?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "keep talking ~= saying the same things again"

Wilson says (irritated) "Yes, yes, I heard you the first time."

[vodacce] Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "Ssssh, first rule of fight club is never talk about the interludes"

[vodacce] Niccolo says (to Gian), "And those of us who were on pause."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "When was the last time we saw Gian, anyway?"

Chiara says (to Wilson), "I thought you might have missed it what with Ridolfo scurrying out of the closet like that."

Wilson says, "Ah, OK."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "(Okay, I'm not really interrogatiing Danel's evil twin. I'm interrogating Abrielle's good twin.)"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Wait... so Danel and Abrielle are twins?"

[vodacce] (from Wilson) Giancarlo says, "If you know what I mean."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Last session. Chiara's the last one to see Giancarlo alive."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Chiara doesn't count, though."

Chiara says, "But if Sir Guy is arranging all this... then I still do not understand to what end. I rather had the impression that his wine deals with Meander were favorable."

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "eh?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Since, AFAIK, she hasn't been seen by anyone in the group."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "oh ah"

[vodacce] Venzi asks (of Niccolo), "eh?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Chiara's in the closet with us."

[vodacce] Venzi says (to Niccolo), "you missed the part where we met up with her, dude"

Chiara says, "And it seems as though with so much at his disposal he would rather have succeeded than failed."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "He means as far as he knows IC, I think"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "oh, ok"

[vodacce] Niccolo says (to Venzi), "Well, unless there's something going on that I don't know about, having gone to see Fortunato."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, right."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I meant, under what circumstances did Gian diverge from the main group."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Since I last remember him being at the maze fight, then can't remember where he went from there."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "He stayed around the body for Fortunato showing up..."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Aha."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Thanks."

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Then he stayed outside while the rest of us went in?"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Also, he went to see Abrielle."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "aHA"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "And Abrielle's twins."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Woohoo."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "One of whom was Carinna"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, Carinna, right."

[vodacce] Amber asks, "Y'all, I'm falling asleep earlier than usual. I'll see you guys next week, okay?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "alrighty. byebye"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "'night"

[vodacce] Amber says, "'night all."

Amber has disconnected.

Wilson asks, "So. The arrest, you guys go find Ridolfo who's been whumped, I have fascinating discussions with fellow prisoners (well, not really), you all do...anything that night?"

Chiara says, "We talked to Livio"

Giancarlo says, "heh"

Chiara says, "and he seemed severely distressed."

Chiara says, "He talked about being in danger, and someone he hoped would get him away."

Chiara says, "He wouldn't say who it was, but Niccolo said later that it had to be Abrielle."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "And it is certain his distress had nothing to do with being woken up in his bed by Giancarlo."

Wilson says, "Fortunato later told me that when he talked with Livio later, he too told him he should leave town."

Chiara asks, "He talked to Livio after that?"

Wilson says, "Which made me suspect Abrielle--he asks her again, she sees he's no use any more, she kills him."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Although that's probably be significantly less distressing than if he'd been woken up by Giancarlo in his bed."

Wilson says, "The next day, after my interrogation which I gather you all spied on."

Chiara asks, "but why? if so, how was he 'useful' to start with?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee ee"

Venzi says, "hrm"

Wilson spreads his hands. "No idea."

Venzi says, "we never did compare the handwriting on the diagram to see if he wrote it"

Venzi says, "perhaps, as a theory, someone induced him to create the diagram to frame Wilson"

Chiara asks (of Venzi), "I showed you that monograph of his -- you couldn't get a comparison?"

Chiara asks, "and, for that matter, why would there be a need to frame Wilson?"

Chiara asks, "What does this person have against Wilson in particular?"

Wilson says, "Well, one of the things Fortunato talked with him about was whether such a scheme could work. He tried it out, and said he didn't know."

Venzi says, "it looked similar to the candle diagram but I never got a chance to have them both on hand at once"

Chiara says, "I hope it will not offend you if I say that Wilson is not the most formidable enemy I could imagine."

Wilson asks, "Something I know?"

Venzi says, "well, *somebody* has something against wilson, since earlier they hired thugs to kill him"

Wilson asks, "Somehting I could work out?"

Wilson says, "I *am* from Avalon, as are our prime suspects. Maybe there's some common bit of Avalon lore that, were I to tell you what it is, would make things make sense all of a sudden."

Chiara frowns. "What do you know about Avalonian magic?"

Wilson says, "Uh, not much. I've studied more scholarly pursuits than mystical ones."

Wilson says, "Though others wouldn't know that."

Wilson says, "(necessarily)"

Chiara says, "hm"

Chiara says, "We're still far from anything resembling a motive here."

Chiara says, "Unless Sir Guy and Danel are in fact *primarily* interested in getting rid of Wilson and perhaps a few specific others."

Venzi asks, "how did they know they would be arriving here?"

Chiara asks (of Wilson), "Did anyone know you were coming?"

Venzi asks (of Wilson), "why did you decide to come here, anyway?"

Chiara says, "(And this doesn't tell us, for that matter, why the Countess continues to see Death for Meander...)"

Wilson looks uncomfortable.

Venzi says, "I refuse to believe there are particularly good spiders here"

Wilson exclaims, "Oh, but there are!"

Wilson says, "Huge ones, miniature ones, ones that give you messages..."

Wilson trails off.

Chiara now looks at Wilson with some curiosity as well.

Venzi asks, "yes, but why this party, hmm?"

Chiara asks, "Out of curiosity, how was the message delivered? Woven into a web?"

Wilson says, "This one in particular? That's the one I could get an invitation to."

Wilson says (to Chiara), "It bit me."

Chiara says, "And bit a pattern on your skin? Sounds irritating."

Wilson says, "And I heard a ringing voice in my head."

Chiara says, "Oh."

Venzi asks, "anybody's voice in particular?"

Wilson think.s

Wilson says, "No, just... loud."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "As if it was spoken in ALL CAPS."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee"

[vodacce] Chiara exclaims, "so it was... dfan!"

[vodacce] (from Niccolo) Wilson types, "whisper GM=Was it an-- oh, damn."

Wilson says, "Oh, hey--Teodor."

Wilson says, "I have reason to believe Teodor is sympathetic to scientists. Venzi and I spoke to him briefly at the bazaar."

Chiara asks, "But Mancari?"

Wilson says, "He said I probably shouldn't tell people I used to be one."

Wilson says, "Mancari seems rather opposed to them."

Venzi asks, "right, and what is Meander confessing?"

Wilson says, "I should find Teodor again and ask him if he knows of any other scientists in the area, since you'd have to be at least somewhat skilled in that area to make up that evidence that was planted in my room."

Chiara says, "hmm."

ArrSea goes home.

Chiara says, "So supposing, for the sake of simplicity, that Livio did it, and then was killed..."

Wilson mutters almost to himself, "Heck, Teodor himself probably could have written that up."

Wilson looks up Teodor on the guest list.

[vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Anyone remember that Sir Guy has a university education and might be able to write it up too?"

Wilson asks (of Chiara), "Then what?"

Chiara shakes her head. "It seems to implicate Abrielle again, perhaps... but I don't understand *why.*"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(Late, since I got disconnected, but Niccolo mentioned something on a related subject towards the end of last time)"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(If anyone happens to remember it)"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I'm not finding this."

Wilson says, "Well, anyone could have used him to make up the evidence and the plot, then killed him because of what he knew."

Venzi says, "right, or Dixon's mysterious buddy"

Wilson says, "But I suspect he would have told Fortunato more than he did, or even you all, the previous night."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Specifically 'good with numbers'."

Wilson says (to Venzi), "John! That's supposed to be his name."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "yeah"

Venzi says, "well, that should narrow it down"

Venzi asks, "didn't Niccolo say he was 'good with numbers'?"

Venzi says, "so maybe good at candle-calculations too"

Wilson says, "Right, right."

Wilson says, "Teodor may be the most likely person to actually know this mysterious man."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(More specifically even, 'sheets of calculations')"

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Eh?"

[vodacce] Niccolo says (to Niccolo), "Point at comments from last session's log."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Since I can't join in the conversation IC."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "(to Wilson, I mean)"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Ah, gotcha."

Wilson asks, "Anything else happen the morning I spent in jail?"

Venzi says, "er"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "We voted you 'Probably not guilty'."

Venzi says, "we talked to Fortunato"

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "That's where the 'get out of jail free' card came from!"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "hrrmrm"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I hope Sarge is ok"

[vodacce] Wilson asks, "Should I call?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "well, if it's-- I dunno"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "He might be too busy to take phone calls."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I hope it's not my fault."

[vodacce] Niccolo asks (of Gian), "?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "I have envisioned a range of things from a death in the family to their apartment being on fire."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "I guess if he's free enough to take phone calls he'd be free enough to log on and say hi."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "It's a Catholic thing."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "yeah, that'd be my guess."

[vodacce] Wilson says (to Chiara), "To the cat."

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Or, rather, the chinchilla."

[vodacce] Venzi says, "I was imagining more the toilet overflowing"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Would he stop to say goodbye if the apartment were on fire?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "but I guess the other stuff is equally possible"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks (of Venzi), "Wouldn't he just go idle?"

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "He wouldn't carve 'Arrrgh' into the wall, he'd just *say* it!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "I mean, that's what it means wenever *I* rack up a long idletime on the MUD..."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "Well, it'd make sense for him to log off especially if he had to call someone"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I stopped to say goodbye when I had to run because my apartment was on fire."

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "(well okay it wasn't on fire, it was a false alarm. But still.)"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "well, he has a second line or DSL or something, since he got a call before"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "which is why I am hoping that it is not that, say, Misty hurt herself and they had to summon paramedics"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "hm"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "ok, I dunno"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "It could be something academic."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "uh"

[vodacce] Wilson says, "Right--I assumed he got an Important Call from someone, maybe family."

[vodacce] Chiara asks, "'gotta go, thesis on fire'?"

[vodacce] (from Wilson) Sarge says, "I've just had an epiphany! I must write this in my thesis *right away*!"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Advisor walked around the wrong side fo the laser."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "that'll teach him not to talk so much"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hey, maybe it's something good. Maybe laser people are working in the lab tonight, and just had a breakthrough, and wanted him to be there with his mad phyzicx skillz."

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "On the other hand, maybe the would-be tutee arrived at tuting two hours late and had been sitting in his office since."

[vodacce] Chiara says, "given that idiot tutee, I would've said TOUGH TUNAFISh"

[vodacce] Niccolo says, "He might not know how to rearrange the door equation to put X = Himself on the right side."

[vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Welp, I'm for bed myself. Wavers!"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "night lps"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Did anyone send Sarge an emial, to give him our support in case it's something serious?"

[vodacce] Venzi says, "no, but that might be nice"

[vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Should I do it?"

[vodacce] Chiara says, "sure, go ahead"

[vodacce] Giancarlo says, "good idea"

ArrSea arrives, looking for booty.

Venzi says, "sargent had to leave unexpectedly -- game's probably not going to resume tonight"

ArrSea says, "Ah."

Niccolo says, "I guess I'll close the log."

Venzi says, "right"