private ☏ to christos

[socialgraces]

[ ♬ a fine evening for a rogue - lydia. backdated to thursday, november 21st, the day before the trial begins.

although francesca tries to tell herself it's not strange she hasn't heard from christos in almost five months, her rational mind always loses to the uncertainty of her heart, and it's that which leads her to take the initiative to call him. as he answers, however, her anxiety surrounding the situation intensifies (will save 14) and she seems a little more unsure than a few moments prior. ]

Christos, hi.

Comments

[everyredcent]

It didn't take us much time at all, actually. Standard sort of blackmail situation. Shuts people down very quickly.

[socialgraces]

Well, I'm glad you were successful, then. Of course, I expected no less. [ she's smirking, and the distinct clink of ice cubes against glass can be heard over the line as she pauses to take a sip and consider how best to spit out what she actually wants to say ] It's just... nice to hear a familiar voice. Your voice, in particular.

[everyredcent]

Oh? [ another pause ] I thought you hadn't been entirely without familiar voices around.

[socialgraces]

Not entirely. [ but she's not sure if he's referring to finnick or val'drin and she's not ready to delve into that yet... or ever ] It's not the same, though. It's difficult to be away [ although she doesn't specify if she means from him or the castle ] for so long.

[everyredcent]

I trust you've been keeping busy, at least.

[socialgraces]

Trying to. I've been looking into the drow houses as much as I can without raising too much suspicion. There isn't really anything out of the ordinary there, but that doesn't mean they're any less involved.

[everyredcent]

What about this... Teken'Duis fellow?

[socialgraces]

His House is 5th ranked in the city, although I've yet to uncover what his interest in Rafael Giovanni's case may be. He's been acting as his lawyer, and I've seen little else from him so far.

It's most confusing because Val'drin's confirmed that hourglass is a direct link to the Nightmare Lord, not the Spider Queen. And what's more suspicious is that no one has come looking for it.

[everyredcent]

It seems like such a powerful artifact would be easy to trace. Have you found ways of keeping it concealed?

[socialgraces]

No, I... wouldn't even know how to go about doing that. Val'drin didn't mention anything about that. [ which does seem like quite the oversight now on their part ]

[everyredcent]

They might be waiting for you to get sloppy. Perhaps they've already pinpointed where it is.

[socialgraces]

[ "waiting for", huh ] It hasn't been here long. Val'drin had taken it with him to further analyze and only recently returned with it. We-- I believe it should be destroyed, and he has been quite obliging with his assistance, especially toward that endeavor.

[everyredcent]

Yes, I imagine he was only too glad to help you, in any way he could.

[socialgraces]

[ her conflicting loyalties in this moment feel as if they'll tear her insides in two, and it's a good thing he can't see her face because she definitely has that look of you have no idea. ] Thank you, for requesting he come. I hate to think what could have happened should we have discovered the hourglass's true nature unintentionally.

[everyredcent]

I was more concerned for your situation regarding who might come seeking it. Knowing what it is at least helps combat the danger.

[socialgraces]

[ she smiles a bit at that, even if it seems an unusual response, and her tone is warmer as she continues. ] Then thank you for that, as well. I'll just be happy if we can get rid of it all together.

[everyredcent]

No luck at all in learning how to destroy it?

[socialgraces]

Oh, no, Val'drin uncovered how to perform the ritual, it's just a matter of locating all the... components. Unless, of course, you happen to know where we could find a nightmare, in order to boil the heart. [ can't hurt to ask, right? ]

[everyredcent]

That's all you require?

[socialgraces]

I suppose if it were easy it would take all the fun out of it... or something like that. [ 'fun' is clearly the very last word she would use to describe all this, except it does give her an excuse to spend more time with val'drin ] But apparently there may be other ways to destroy it, so he's going to look into those as well, and I'll help where I can.

[everyredcent]

What about the rest of your mission?

[socialgraces]

[ if she's being honest, the whole hourglass ordeal has mostly been a distraction for her, to keep her mind off the rest of the mission, because dear god, where to even start ] The trial starts tomorrow. [ she sounds somber, and even less hopeful than when speaking of destroying a major artifact ] I'm not sure what to expect. I've never been part of such an elaborate legal affair before.

I did, however, manage to free Finnick from his legal obligations.

[everyredcent]

That was their entire purpose in bringing you along, wasn't it? Or at least, the most pressing matter for you.

[socialgraces]

Yes, but Wynn also suggested I assist with preparation for the trial, which is why I'm still here. [ and just in case that was some kind of veiled 'good job' or something, she adds on: ] It was quite a relief to accomplish that, and help a friend, no matter how ready I am now to... move on to something new.

[everyredcent]

Unfortunate then, that you're bound up in a trial only beginning. Gods know those affairs usually drag out for months.