In Vino Verissima Veritas [Night 1]

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Bet anything they're Mutelli, but I'm not seeing anything from here." He sighed. "This isn't the Harmonthep I'm used to. The whole landscape has changed."

He'll look quizzically at Emcas.

"Want to do anything else?"

[Emcas]

Emcas could not help but quirk an eyebrow

''Strange assumption. Isn't your friend, Lady Grey, attached to that House?'' his attention returned to the three guards ''Of what I am sure is that they are not ours.''

Emcas pondered the situation, his instinct was to follow and find where they were stationed

''Unless any of both you have another idea, I would try to follow them once they are out.''

[Hadrian Martikova]

"She is," he nodded, "which is more than a little disconcerting. But it's clear enough that Mutelli is more than just in fashion. They are players in this game, I'm sure of it. What their involvement is..." He trailed off looking towards the guard, "...I don't know. I've been on my backfoot since this morning. I need to start fresh, start building, start mapping. And more than anything, I clearly need better friends."

He sniffs and shifts his weight. Thinking...

[Laila Bridger]

"This game isn't being played by pawns, and that's very much what we are."

Laila was peering at the guards.

"Not sure I'd make any House guesses about those guys. Could be anything. And where they're from doesn't always mean who they're working for anyway. If they even know."

[Emcas]

''Too little is known, I agree.'' he replied to Laila's prudence, still observing the the wine bar

''But pawn work can alter the game's course''

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian was thoughtful.

"I might lose the bet, true..." He continued watching absently, "... but either way, you are both correct."

Pawns can also compromise their kings. Corner them. If we're pawns we need to move forward.

"Wanna set an ambush for them? They are clearly impersonating your security team. What's more, we know the general direction they came from. And that one is showing a disdain for Zensunni traditions that might play to our advantage."

[Emcas]

The larger man considered the ambush.

"Hmm. Impersonating personnel is no small affair. They must have a well connected sponsor and your contact here is in the thick if it."

He gave a nod

"Let's follow them and wait for an opportunity to act."

[Laila Bridger]

"Given our recent... celebrity, it'll take just one sighting to get their attention..."

Laila bit her lower lip for a moment.

"Could try to use one of us as bait."

[Emcas]

"They might be looking for you both" Emcas recognized "And without my armor I am less so"