Maidcraft

[01:13]	<NomDeMaitre>	The year is 19XX!
[01:18]	<NomDeMaitre>	The place is a Eastern European nation where everyone conveniently speaks English!
[01:25]	<NomDeMaitre>	At any rate, let's get down to business
[01:32]	<NomDeNarrateur>	The villa of Minister Rojmanovic is a a scenic little spot next to a glassy lake that is fed by the local river, the pride of the country-folk who run their farms on the plains about kilometres from the villa, which also happens to be around how far the nearest town is. It is the idyllic getaway, perfect for getting away from the public life and the intrigues of politics to enjoy the country...
[01:32]	<NomDeNarrateur>	...air and forget about the troubles of society. It is little wonder, then, that the Minister has chosen this particular getaway to celebrate the birthday of his famously doted wife.
[01:36]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Having dabbled in business before he became a politician, the minister has the luxury of a modest fortune. The party is a grandiose affair, with every wing of the mansion packed with either the guests of the minister, or the staff who must wait of them. Every one of these guests could have considered a VIP; indeed, if something dreadful happened at this gathering entire government of the...
[01:36]	<NomDeNarrateur>	...region would be crippled for a month. The catering is tight, and the security moreso.
[01:41]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Our story unfolds just as the guests are being ushered through the main gate, their parties checked and double checked against guest lists and run past rigid men in suits. This is a curiously important event. And who knows what sorts might sneak in for the sake of curiosity...
[01:49]	* [nfty]Vespa	finally gets free of the insane security checks in order to deliver her Fizzy Fruit Seltzers to the mansion grounds. What a pain, especially with all these people teasing her about her... condition!
[01:51]	* [nfty]Vespa	pops open a bottle in mild disgust and starts drinking as she proceeds to her delivery point and takes a swig.
[01:52]	* [Crix]Ashra	Is already in the Villa kitchen, stacking ham and pineapples on a plate to be sent out to the dining room
[01:52]	* NgMui	is the security. She takes a mental picture of the person with the... condition and continues to guard the gate assiduously.
[01:52]	* [Zem]Abigail	has passed through security as well, and is basically thrown into the fray of dozens of chefs trying to make their best food they can upon pain of probably being fired and never working in any place better than a sleazy inn again.
[01:52]	* [Atai]Milly	smiles graciously to another dignitary as 'she' pours them another chardonnay. This is probably his third, by now. Probably going to need to cut him off in a little while...
[01:52]	<[nfty]Vespa>	. o (Ahh, always good to have a drink... well, I better find out where this 'You' person is supposed to be...)
[01:53]	* [nfty]Vespa	pushes her cart to the side entrance, where no doubt more security checks will need to be gone through...
[01:54]	* [Rut]Laure	begins her rounds, slipping between party guests with a tray of hors d'oeuvres in the main room.
[01:55]	<NomDeNarrateur>	NgMui: Security duty is actually pretty droll. The guests are pretty all the same; overdressed, airheaded upper-crust sorts, too busy gossiping to really pay attention to you or your procedures. In fact, they hardly notice you; you might as well be a curiously shaped doorknob, and it would make no difference to them
[01:57]	* NgMui	, in that case, guards less assiduously, but still keeps herself sharp through sheer contempt of the pampered shitstains that pass before her.
[01:57]	* [Zem]Abigail	then jumps in, working on creating a Baked Alaska in between the guy making eclairs and the guy mixing wine coolers, as those are the least likely to impart bad flavors from their proximity.
[01:58]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Vespa: You get your...drinks into the mansion without much fuss. This is, of course, a relative term. You had to wrangle at least two guards who thought you looked suspicious (and really, you do) and at least 3 others tried to confiscate your wares on the grounds of hazardous materials. Nothing came out of it. The place to go now would probably be the kitchen, through on servant's passages,...
[01:58]	<NomDeNarrateur>	...marked conveniently on a map you were given in order to make the deliveries
[01:59]	* [Crix]Ashra	frowns in dismay as a pile of plates are dumped unceremoniously infront of her to fill up again "Is it time for Dessert yet!?" she asks no one in particular
[01:59]	* [Atai]Milly	creates one of those wineglass-pyramid things where you pour the wine in the top, and keep pouring, and it flows out evenly into each glass below. It's kind fo neat to watch, and even more fun to pull off.
[02:00]	<[nfty]Vespa>	Hmm, this is where... yes, I believe it is!
[02:00]	* [Rut]Laure	gradually works her way out towards the gate, where the guard stands her vigil.
[02:01]	* [nfty]Vespa	mumbles to herself as she quickly moves to where she is supposed to deliver her goods, and... meet up with her collegues, she presumes.
[02:01]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ashra: operations by the kitchen are overseen by the head chef, a loud, boisterous man with disproportionately large limbs who spends most of his time glaring, shouting, or shouting while glaring. This routine contributes to more than half the noise in the kitchen. You don't answer directly to him, however; one of his apprentices is in charge of aethetics. In contrast, he's a wispy sort,...
[02:01]	<NomDeNarrateur>	...prone to nodding and smiling a lot. Considering his master, it' easy to imagine why.
[02:03]	* [Rut]Laure	approaches NgMui. She smiles, her tone jovial.
[02:03]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Milly: Many of the guests appreciate your displays. Even more appreciate your fine drinks. The party has hardly gotten started though, and you know that in 10 minutes or so the place will be swamped. No sign of the Minister or his wife yet; he may be at the gate, greeting the particularly important, or perhaps still in his room preparing an address.
[02:03]	<[Rut]Laure>	Pardon me. You seem rather tense. Is there any problem?
[02:04]	* NgMui	, arms crossed, peers down on Laure. She blinks for a second and resumes her bored-and-probably-mildly-ticked-security-person stare.
[02:04]	<NgMui>	None.
[02:04]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Laure: as you are
[02:07]	* [Zem]Abigail	continues cooking, trying not to stand out as she sets the ice cream and pastry confection merribly ablaze.
[02:08]	<NgMui>	Wait... You're not looking for anybody, are you?
[02:08]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Abigail: you are also work in the kitchen, and have the misfortune of answering directly to the head chef. His demands for perfection will likely get harder to please as the day gets longer. This is, however, the busiest part of the day; in a while you should expect new assignments from the chef
[02:09]	* [nfty]Vespa	strolls into the kitchen. "Delivery! Cases of flavored drinks here"
[02:10]	* [Crix]Ashra	is competely oblivious to any burning smells in the kitchen, too busy stacking improbably large amounts of rice and greenbeans into a large serving bowl
[02:10]	* [Rut]Laure	tilts her head slightly at the guard. She steals a glance at the crowd briefly before again smiling and continuing the chatter undeterred.
[02:10]	* [Zem]Abigail	puts out the flaming dessert by covering it, passes it to a waiter, and works on the next task, her grace under fire keeping her from looking as frenzied as everyone else.
[02:11]	<[Rut]Laure>	... They're quite the difficult bunch, aren't they? And with the security measures... Excuse me for saying this, but I don't envy you, ma'am.
[02:12]	* [Rut]Laure	shrugs and contemplates her tray.
[02:12]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Vespa, Abigal, Ashra: You can feel the air starting to coalesce, centred around the head chef...
[02:14]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Monsieur L'Flore: "YOU'RE LATE!"
[02:14]	* [Crix]Ashra	looks up in utter confusion and glances towards the head chef
[02:14]	<[Rut]Laure>	It must be hard on you-- Hm, almost out of food. Hey, I'm going to return to the kitchen shortly. Can I get you a cocktail? Non-alcoholic, of course. I'm sure no one would mind.
[02:14]	* [Zem]Abigail	ignores the fury and frenzy, and starts folding some crepes.
[02:15]	* [nfty]Vespa	recoils backwards noticably before recovering her composure.
[02:15]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"tHEY WERE DUE 7 MINUTES AGO! YOU IMBECILE! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT SUCH DELAY CAN DO TO MY ART?!"
[02:16]	<NgMui>	...No thanks.
[02:17]	<[nfty]Vespa>	I -- well, blame those people harrasing everyone at the entrances! I was well on my way of being on time before I ran into those ... those numbskulls!
[02:18]	* [Crix]Ashra	shuffles past the head chef and grabs a crate of seltzer to start putting in pitches, as Ashra leaves she shoots a glance of pity towards Vespa
[02:19]	<[Rut]Laure>	Of course, ma'am. Oh, but I must get back to serving the guests. You're certain there's nothing I can get you?
[02:19]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Silence! Your gibbering only distracts my concentration. My art needs the utmost quiet focus!"
[02:19]	<NomDeNarrateur>	It is surprising how men like the head chef have no sense of irony whatsoever
[02:20]	* [Atai]Millie	can faintly hear the head chef losing his shit. She is very, very happy to be working the bar.
[02:21]	* [Atai]Millie	flashes another smile to some bureaucrat and his wife as she pours them both a glass of merlot
[02:21]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Make yourself useful! It will not make up for your disgusting tardiness, but your presence is besmirching my oxygen."
[02:22]	<NgMui>	Certain.
[02:22]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Vespa: the head chef points to some empty glasses and unused trays, then returns to the important business of looking displeased at everything around him
[02:22]	* [Zem]Abigail	winces in sympathy for another chef as the head chef's bellowing drops his souffle.
[02:23]	* [nfty]Vespa	pauses, then picks up the tray and another bottle of her seltzer and walks off with a huff.
[02:23]	* [Rut]Laure	nods, staying chipper.
[02:24]	<[Rut]Laure>	Well, it was a pleasure speaking to you, miss...?
[02:25]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Abigal, Vespa, Ashra: Monsieur L'Flore seems only capable of communicating in bestial roars now. His unfortunate target wither much like his ruined dessert
[02:26]	<[nfty]Vespa>	. o ( I kind of wish I was set up to deal with a lout like him... oh well. Hmm, maybe later I'll fix something, but... right now I need to find this 'you' person.)
[02:27]	<[Crix]Ashra>	If this chef really wants to show off he should practice throwing kitchen knives...
[02:27]	* [Crix]Ashra	rolls her eyes and sits on a nearby stool taking a break while the overseer is busy
[02:28]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ng Mui: As you were chatting (or at least exercising your monosyllables), the line of guests have dried up considerably. In fact, you can almost see the end by now
[02:29]	<[Zem]Abigail>	. o O ( I need to get out of here and find my contact. ) She looks over and sees eclair person next to her has been replaced by a chef chopping up bread.
[02:30]	<NgMui>	Hmm. Actually...
[02:30]	<NomDeNarrateur>	As the tail approaches, so does one guest much less generic than the sheep who have been filing past. She is undeniably ethnically Asian, dressed in her native garb, and she an entourage of her own.
[02:31]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Or rather, she lacks an entourage of her ow
[02:31]	<NomDeNarrateur>	n
[02:31]	<NgMui>	...Hold up a second.
[02:31]	<[Rut]Laure>	~?
[02:34]	* NgMui	parts with Laure to greet the ethnically Asian guest, who will henceforth be referred to as Shi Xue. If Shi Xue's undeniable ethnicity is also undeniably Chinese, she greets her in a traditional ethical and undeniable manner.
[02:36]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ng Mui: Alias Shi Xue catches you approaching her, and gives you a smile before immediately hiding it behind her fan, in that pretentiously elegant sort of way
[02:38]	* NgMui	resists grinding her teeth
[02:39]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Does the day find you well, sister?" she says in greeting, with only a hint of a Chinese accent.
[02:41]	<NgMui>	Yes, though I believe the last sunbird has long since departed. Is there anything I can help you with?
[02:42]	* [Atai]Millie	also wonders where the hell her contact is, but assumes that, like everyone else so far, they will swing by the drinks table sooner or later. But if not, that's fine, too. There are other ways.
[02:44]	<NomDeNarrateur>	The Chineses guest aka Shi Xue chuckles. "I am here for the party, and perhaps am a guest. There are many things you can help me with."
[02:44]	* [Rut]Laure	is standing roughly behind the guard. For a brief instant, her smile flickers.
[02:47]	<NgMui>	I see. What can I do for you?
[02:48]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"For now, only entry. I am on your list, am I not? Registered as Yoo Ni?"
[02:49]	* NgMui	nods, and checks a a clipboard thingie.
[02:49]	<NomDeNarrateur>	[The artist formerly known as Shi Xue attempts to peer over at the guest list ]
[02:50]	* NgMui	quickly snaps it out of view and answers.
[02:51]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Dear, am I not there? Perhaps they misspelt it. You know how they are with our tongue. Perhaps under 'U'?"
[02:52]	<NgMui>	Yes, Yoo Ni, right here.
[02:52]	* [Crix]Ashra	pushes out a cart filled with all sorts of various appetizers such as cheeses, dips, crackers into the lounge
[02:53]	<NgMui>	I have some questions for you before I let you in, though...
[02:53]	* NgMui	turns around to Laure and asks,
[02:53]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Very well. I am aware of such procedures, and have nothing to hide from you."
[02:54]	<NgMui>	Could you get our guest something? This should be quick.
[02:55]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Vespa, Abigail, Ahsra: The party is approaching peak capacity. Everyone is needed on the floor.
[02:56]	* [nfty]Vespa	is hurrying with her cart, with plenty of glasses and bottles of cool seltzer to pour...
[02:57]	* [Zem]Abigail	finishes her crepes and carries them out of the kitchen herself. . o O ( Good chance for me to mingle... )
[02:58]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Millie: One particular gentleman, approaches the bar. It's hard to tell if he's looking for a drink, as he seems to be absentmindedly looking around for...something. His course is clear though; straight towards the bar, which is where he stops.
[02:59]	* [Atai]Millie	smiles at him.
[02:59]	<[Atai]Millie>	Good evening, sir.
[02:59]	<[Atai]Millie>	May I help you with something?
[03:00]	* [Crix]Ashra	makes sure all there are plenty of forks, knives, spoons and napkins are set up on the food tables in the main party rooms
[03:01]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "You certainly may. But it's a busy night, no? I doubt you have much time to indulge me"
[03:02]	<[Rut]Laure>	Hm? Oh, certainly. Excuse me.
[03:06]	* [Rut]Laure	spins on her heels and heads for the bar. Once safely turned away from the guard, her cheerful demeanor swiftly melts.
[03:06]	<[Atai]Millie>	Aha, try me, sir. We aim to please.
[03:06]	<[Atai]Millie>	If I can't, I can at least show you to someone who can.
[03:06]	* [nfty]Vespa	rolls around the floor by the bar, unable to help herself from sampling some of her wares again. "Ahh, this is great! Who wants a glass?"
[03:06]	<[Atai]Millie>	What is it you need? A special cocktail? Something mixed just right?
[03:07]	* NgMui	nods, and brings Yoo to an empty guard station.
[03:08]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Just company. As you can see, I lack a partner on this fine night. A tragedy."
[03:09]	<NgMui>	So, how can I help you, miss Yoo Ni?
[03:10]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo (aka Shu Xie aka artist formerly known as Shu Xue): "My my, your security is very tight indeed."
[03:10]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo Ni admires the guardhouse, but takes care not to touch anything
[03:11]	* [Atai]Millie	gets a little worried about this guy. Is he drunk? He doesn't sound like it, though.
[03:11]	<NomDeNarrateur>	She doesn't seem to have heard the question, or is perhaps ignoring you
[03:12]	<[Atai]Millie>	Mm... it is indeed, sir. I know how it can be.
[03:13]	* [Atai]Millie	goes for a slightly sympathetic, slightly non-commital response.
[03:13]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "And what's up with this party? Isn't it horribly odd?"
[03:14]	* [Rut]Laure	approaches the bar, interrupting the conversation.
[03:14]	* NgMui	wonders if maybe she has the wrong person.
[03:14]	<[Rut]Laure>	Excuse me. I need two cocktails. One non-alcoholic.
[03:15]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo (etc etc): "With security so tight, it must be hard getting anything done. Do you have such troubles?"
[03:15]	<[Crix]Ashra>	With the food all out I guess I can maybe enjoy myself for the rest of the party..
[03:17]	<[Atai]Millie>	...Odd how, sir?
[03:17]	* [Atai]Millie	wasn't expecting that, but drunkenness still isn't ruled out.
[03:17]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ashra, Vespa, Abigail (who is not here): you notice that the atmosphere is a bit off for a party. The gossip is heavy, hushed, and every eye seems to be on everyone else's.
[03:17]	* [Atai]Millie	mixes up Laure's cocktails as she speaks to the man, and hands them over with a smile.
[03:18]	<NgMui>	I suppose so. However, something can be done about that...
[03:18]	<[Atai]Millie>	There you go, miss.
[03:18]	<[Crix]Ashra>	This is terrible, where is the band!
[03:18]	* NgMui	is growing impatient with this overly vague conversation.
[03:18]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Just odd! It's supposed to be, what, a birthday party, right? Why are all these fellows here?"
[03:19]	* [Rut]Laure	just nods and leaves without a word. Which way did those two go...
[03:19]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Look, him! Him over there! That's Ukraine minister of finance! And that's the health minister! Rojmanovic sure gets around a lot, Or perhaps his wife does."
[03:21]	* [Atai]Millie	looks around, and nods slightly. She'd been told about the possible true purpose of the 'birthday,' but if other people are noticing it, then they must not be caring about appearances, much. That, or ...hmm.
[03:21]	* [Crix]Ashra	overhears the idle talk and goes to sort things out "Listen, you're a GUEST here, so try not to just go blabbering about like you're at the local gossip corner"
[03:22]	<[Atai]Millie>	It does seem a little strange, I suppose. It could just be that his wife has lots of friends?
[03:22]	* [Atai]Millie	shrugs.
[03:22]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo: "I imagine something can. It's difficult though. Especially if you're just a security guard. I can imagine the kind of help you'll need."
[03:23]	<[Atai]Millie>	I'm just a bartender, sir.
[03:23]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Eh? That's boring. Don't you have a mind for intrigue at all?"
[03:23]	* NgMui	sighs.
[03:23]	* [nfty]Vespa	wonders why so few people want to try her new drink flavors. Is there just nobody thirsty at all...?
[03:24]	* [Atai]Millie	gives him a small smile.
[03:25]	<NgMui>	What kind of help would I need...?
[03:25]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Vespa: Everyone seems distracted, actually. They're waiting. For something. You can't tell what, but the atmosphere is most pregnant.
[03:25]	<[Atai]Millie>	Not on what they're paying me, sir.
[03:26]	<[Atai]Millie>	I'd be careful of what you say.
[03:27]	* [nfty]Vespa	shrugs and sips some more of her drink.
[03:27]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo: "Oh, I wouldn't know. It's your job, after all. I'm just being friendly. Maybe helpful. As you are too, I'm sure. I'll definitely look for you first if help is needed."
[03:28]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo smiles again...and is that a wink?
[03:29]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Laure: You find the guardhouse without much trouble. You had to go through a number of checks there before being allowed in, after all
[03:29]	* NgMui	...slowly starts to nod. This is irritating.
[03:30]	* [Rut]Laure	arrives at the guardhouse. She knocks once, quickly, then barges in without giving time to answer.
[03:30]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Still wish to know, you know? Definitely very interesting, for all sorts of reasons."
[03:30]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ng Mui: Intruder alert!
[03:30]	<NgMui>	Right... -!?
[03:31]	<[Rut]Laure>	Ah, there you are! I had almost lost you two. I have your drinks~
[03:33]	* [Atai]Millie	thinks that this guy is maybe just a bit persistent. He isn't asking her out, making an ass of himself, or making a scene.
[03:33]	<[Atai]Millie>	...Oh?
[03:34]	* [Atai]Millie	sounds uninterestedly interested.
[03:34]	* [Crix]Ashra	pulls herself up to the bar and sits as the party guests seem to be ignoring it for the most part
[03:35]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Call it a professional hobby. Such things are common in the world of politics."
[03:35]	* NgMui	seizes Laure's neck, her arm darting back to her like a viper and squeezes over her windpipe. She holds her for a moment, realizes who she is, and drops her to the ground.
[03:36]	<[Atai]Millie>	...Ah.
[03:36]	* [Rut]Laure	falls to her knees, gasping for breath, yet somehow keeping the drinks balanced on her tray.
[03:36]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo hasn't moved at all, and is seemingly unphased. "Ah, thank you for the drinks. You are very helpful as well."
[03:36]	* [Rut]Laure	coughs.
[03:36]	<[Atai]Millie>	I've found noticing things comes sort of natural. Never seemed like much of a hobby.
[03:36]	* [Atai]Millie	pauses, reflecting.
[03:36]	* [nfty]Vespa	sighs and takes a seat at the bar. "This sucks..."
[03:36]	<NomDeNarrateur>	She takes one from the tray, ignoring the spluttering Laure, and proceeds into the villa
[03:37]	<NgMui>	...Oops. I cry your pardon. You surprised me.
[03:37]	<[Rut]Laure>	F-forgive me if I've... *choke* interrupted anything.
[03:37]	<[Atai]Millie>	I once went to a town in France where they juggled baby geese as a hobby.
[03:37]	<[Rut]Laure>	L-let me just... get my bearings...
[03:37]	<[Atai]Millie>	...They were rather strange.
[03:37]	* [Rut]Laure	sets the tray down for a moment.
[03:37]	<[Atai]Millie>	Just a moment, if you will.
[03:37]	* [Atai]Millie	goes over to the newcomer.
[03:38]	<[Atai]Millie>	Can I get you something?
[03:38]	<[Crix]Ashra>	No, I'm working here...
[03:39]	<[Atai]Millie>	Oh. All right, then.
[03:39]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo: "You two can play alone? Another time, then."
[03:39]	* [Atai]Millie	smiles and moves back over to the man.
[03:40]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: "Baby gesse. You must have been around."
[03:40]	<[Crix]Ashra>	Or at least that is something I would normally be doing, but this is the worst party since they invited the Tanar'ri over to play pool with the Bhateul
[03:41]	<[Crix]Ashra>	ah, but I'm just Reminiscing
[03:42]	<NomDeNarrateur>	The man peers curiously at Ashra "...And the staff. I don't think I've seem them around before."
[03:43]	* [Crix]Ashra	turns to look at the man "Well you always need extra help during a party"
[03:43]	<[Atai]Millie>	I was visiting some relatives in the area, and stopped there on the way.
[03:43]	<[Atai]Millie>	And she pretty much has it right.
[03:43]	<[Atai]Millie>	You yourself said this was an unusually large party.
[03:43]	<NomDeNarrateur>	[Laure attempts to spike the drinks, but can't find a good opportunity to do so without Ng Mui noticing. Nothing much comes out of it.]
[03:43]	<[Atai]Millie>	an unusually large number of staff is needed.
[03:44]	<NgMui>	...Hmph. Another time.
[03:45]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Man: : "You are the boring sort. That's perfect."
[03:46]	* [Atai]Millie	blinks.
[03:46]	<[Atai]Millie>	Her or me?
[03:46]	<[Crix]Ashra>	You won't get far in life with complements like that
[03:47]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"I meant no offence, of course."
[03:48]	<[Crix]Ashra>	You need something more majestic like "Your Normalcy is stunning, I could live day after day doing the same things with you"
[03:49]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Ha ha, I'll keep that in mind. I'm sure what you actually do is very interesting though."
[03:49]	<NomDeNarrateur>	The man stands up, and makes to leave, but not before handing Millie his card
[03:50]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"The name's Lee. Miles Lee. if you get sick of bartending, look me up."
[03:50]	* [Atai]Millie	takes the card, and looks at it.
[03:51]	* [Atai]Millie	flashes him a grin, and pockets it.
[03:51]	<[Crix]Ashra>	hey don't leave me out of the loop here
[03:51]	<[Atai]Millie>	I'll be sure to do that, sir.
[03:52]	<[Rut]Laure>	Uh... I'll just *cough* leave these here. Enjoy...
[03:52]	* [Rut]Laure	exits.
[03:52]	<NomDeNarrateur>	The man gives Ashra a gesture of apology
[03:52]	<NomDeNarrateur>	"Your path lies elsewhere, I'm sure. Good night to you too."
[03:53]	<NomDeNarrateur>	And...off he goes
[03:53]	* [Crix]Ashra	pouts and turns back to the bar
[03:53]	* NgMui	sets the tray aside.
[03:53]	<NgMui>	Is that all, then?
[03:54]	* [Rut]Laure	, once safely out of sight, noiselessly takes cover around the corner of the guardhouse.
[03:56]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Ng Mui: You don't get any time alone, A man you recognise as the chief of security for this event barges in, looking for his staff
[03:56]	* [Crix]Ashra	takes a paper napkin and folds it into a small triangle then attempts to flick it at Millie
[03:57]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Security Chief: "What are you still doing in? We need to inside. Over coverage is horrible."
[04:01]	<NgMui>	Yes, of course.
[04:02]	* NgMui	glances back at Yoo.
[04:03]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Yoo, in amidst your chaos, has slipped away
[04:03]	<NgMui>	?
[04:03]	<NgMui>	...
[04:05]	* NgMui	sighs, closes up the shack, and heads out to the manor proper. This business is one heck of a headache...
[04:07]	* [Rut]Laure	peeks inside, seeing no indication of the Oriental woman. She adjusts her glasses and follows the guard, staying to the shadows.
[04:09]	<NomDeNarrateur>	Everyone: inside the villa, the chatter is dying down in sporadic patches. It seems that the wait it almost over. Whatever it was about...
[04:10]	<[Crix]Ashra>	Oh boy, maybe the cake is coming!
[04:12]	* [nfty]Vespa	looks up after almost nodding off. Something going on...?
[04:13]	<NomDeNarrateur>	[What is going on? Who are these strange people who can speak in technicolour? How old exactly is the Minister's wife? Stay tuned for the next session.]