It's been several hours since a rich-looking selona rickshaw took a nervous but determined Lady Tsuguri away. Primus has slipped below the horizon, leaving the fiery red remnants of sunset and some early stars the only natural light. Servants have been lighting stone firepots around the compound, and the Hakuu residence, while imposing, has the feeling of a homestead settling down for the night. From Lilac's vantage, she can see the plain shingled roofs of the servant's quarters, partitioned away from the rest of the compound across one of the grounds' brooks. It affords a view of the mercenary camp squatting in the courtyard, looking very out of place. Much of what activity remains is going on there, with some of the tents being struck and rolled up.

I can't believe I'm here again, Lilac thinks as she surveys the landscape before her. I should be playing my music somewhere comfortable – or uncomfortable! – not risking my life on a thief's errand. She keeps her wings mantled as she decides how she's going to get inside, using their darkness to blend her into the shadow she lurks in. Oh, well. Lady Umeko is inside, and I can't allow 'the master' to do this alone. And, what was I thinking when I agreed to this? Oh, SURE, it sounded noble and dramatic, but the reality is a heavy collar and life-or-death in a crazy man's castle.

Perched above the servant's entrance, Lilac can see there's not much going on here. The occasional servant passes by in something of a rush. The smell of cooking food comes from inside some of the buildings… simple staples of peasant life, from the scent of it: steamed grains, fish, and vegetables.

It could be home … If it wasn't so different, the woman considers, suddenly feeling the pangs of homesickness. How long have I been away? A season? Two? Ever since that day, Lilac has had gaps in her memory, and it all makes for a difficult time recalling just how many days have passed since she left her home for the traveling life of a bard. And, now I'm here, and it's almost like home. It's a funny world. Shaking her head at the twist of fate, Lilac drops off of the servants' entrance and tips her hat down, trying to match the same hurried speed of the other servants.

Nobody seems to pay Lilac much mind in the settling dusk, though she fortunately doesn't pass too close to any of the real servants. She finds herself safely in the small yard amidst the carts, boxes, and Dromodon apples. Peering between the cookhouse and stables and across the little brook separating the servants' area from the rest of the place, she can see the main courtyard in the distance where the mercenaries are moving about.

Turning her head to examine the camp, Lilac ponders heading there first. It looks like they're … She peers in the dim light, glad for her night vision, even if she isn't at all sure what to make of it. Setting up tents? Oh, they must sleep outside here. I think I saw that last time. She "hmmms," out loud, considering just how to act. I could go now. Maybe if I got some food, or a broom, or something else to look busy with there? Or, I could wait until they've settled in. But, then they'd be resting and less busy. Biting her lip, she nods as she decides. I think I'll just get it over with. She glances around, looking for an item that might make her seem to have a purpose there: a broom, food, a shovel, and so on.

There doesn't seem to be much available outside. The sound of wooden and ceramic bowls clacking comes from the cookhouse, along with voices muffled by mouthfuls of food. The servant's quarters are less noisy, with some footsteps moving about inside. The stables are quiet, smelling strongly of draft animal.

Ohhh, what do mercenaries do? Don't they have animals, or … They drink! Of course! Lilac nods. If anything will get her into mercenary good graces, it'd be liquor. But, Hakuu may now allow them to drink here, which was why they were out. Oh, bother! I'll just find a broom. The woman stalks off, heading for the stables where she hopes to find her broom.

Some penned Dromodon cluster around a trough of grain, grinding away at it with their beaks. They don't give Lilac a second glance, though a few handsome Drokars in their stalls get skittish if Lilac comes anywhere near. Fortunately, the tools and things are all off to the side… simple wooden rakes, pitchforks, and shovels, and yes a few different kinds of broom.

Bits of straw cling to Lilac's socks.

I've crossed the world, and I'm back to carrying a broom around. Lilac chuckles lightly. It is a funny world. She walks over towards the tools, giving the Drokars an odd look as they react poorly to her presence. I've really lost my touch with animals, she considers idly, before grabbing a broom.

The broom looks quite well used: the bristles tied to the dowel are rather worn on the end.

This broom and I have much in common. I will write a song about it, some day. An epic. Lilac carries the broom on out, edging around the Drokars. Once outside, she begins for the mercenary camp. Gods, I hope I don't run into those guys, again. At least they didn't … The woman shudders, unwilling to complete her thought. Well, most of them should be gone. I'll just have to keep a look out for that one Naga. Sniffing, Lilac tries to see if she can scent him out.

As she approaches the camp, the smells become very mixed up – food, fire, sweat, leather, and everything in between, including reptiles, equines, canines, rodents, humans, and more. Getting closer, it becomes a little more apparent what they're doing… oddly, rather than settling down, they seem to be breaking camp, albeit at an unhurried pace.

Lilac pauses, not having expected the mercenaries to be leaving. Has Hakuu finally decided to use them? Oh no, we might be too late! Too late for what, exactly, Lilac isn't sure – but she is sure it can't be good for anyone, including her. I hope Lady Umeko is having some success, she prays as she skirts around the camp. Now if only I can find something. Again she scents, this time trying to locate the particular odor of the man she saw the other night. He must be the mercenary captain, or whatever they call their leaders.

It's difficult to pick particular scents out, but getting further from the camp helps a little bit. It also helps that the scent's owner seems to have passed by more or less recently, the aroma of Cervani mingling with a curious additional scent… musk? Cologne?

Lilac's nose twitches, and her ears perk under her coolie hat. That sure smells like a party to me. He must be with Lady Umeko and Hakuu, so I'd better not follow him. What I caaaaan do is … Lilac sniffs a bit more, trying to locate his trail, … track him back to his tent.

The young woman follows her nose back to the camp. The trail does indeed go there, though it's hard to hang onto the closer she gets. If she keeps it in her head, it seems like Lilac can tell it goes through the camp. Even amongst the tents, it doesn't seem to lead to any of them in particular. The soldiers, for their part, mostly ignore Lilac, talking to one another as they pack up bits and pieces that seem to have been here for some time.

"Why're we leaving now? Why not at dawn?" complains a Rhian.

A Skreek wadding up a bedroll ties it off, and answers, "We'll have time to sleep on the ship. It's a long trip to Rephidim, and we're not expected to stay there long."

Maybe he lives in the castle, close to Hakuu, Lilac considers as she walks along. Every so often she pauses, eyeing this or that disturbed piece of ground in an effort to look like she's supposed to be there. Rephidim? The Sky Island? Why would they go there? Rephidim isn't what she suspected – maybe Chronotopia, or somewhere else in Nordika. What could Hakuu want in Rephidim?

The Rhian snorts, yanking a tent peg out of the ground. "Fine, fine. The pay's good, I guess. I just don't like working with those creepy guys. All this talk about finding stuff, hanging around lizard town… we should be spending more time bashing heads. You know, good honest work."

Lilac tries not to snort, knowing full well whose head got bashed last time these guys tried to pick a fight. Still, the idea that they may be looking for something intrigues the woman. But, what? It's not like I can just ask them, she considers. She kneels down and inspects a gash in the ground, frowning at it as if it were important to her. Who knew sweeping barns would come in handy?

"Plenty of time for that," says the Skreek. "We'll be busy once this gets rolling, and we're not going to have a chance to come up for breath until it's gehnoh. Hagenn says we've got a shot at something special here, but there's only one way out of the job. Enjoy the pampered life while you can." He grins, casting his glance around, and it comes to rest on Lilac. "Hey, you! You speaky Standard?"

"Busy once this gets rolling?" Lilac fears for the people in Rephidim, whoever they are. This lot seems like they'd bash their own mother for a she- Her thought is interrupted when she's addressed, and she resists the urge to look up. How would a Jadaian answer? Oh, how did that wonderful woman answer me. Lilac takes a moment, but answers, "Some Standard – not wells."

"Good enough," says the Skreek, and he beckons Lilac over, indicating the bundle he's tying. "Hold this down. Hold down. Get it? Down." He presses the bundle in the center with a callused paw, indicating where he's going to tie.

"Hold down. Get it," Lilac repeats. She shoulders her broom, then walks over and reaches to put her hand where indicated. I hope he isn't about to get grabby, she prays. She gets enough of that in the bars, and her experience with mercenaries on the boat still gives her shivers.

The Skreek looks momentarily surprised to see that small, delicate hand holding the rope down. He glances up to peer under Lilac's hat, a crooked smirk spreading across his muzzle. He begins retying the rope. "Well, the locals are dumb, but at least they don't look too bad." The Rhian, having tired of pulling up tent pegs, wanders over. "Eh?"

Lilac frowns, hearing the familiar hints of abuse to come. "No touchy. Master not like, you do job, I do mine," Lilac insists, blushing faintly. I don't have time for this.

The Rhian guffaws, and the Skreek keeps tying the rope, but tries to stray a loop across Lilac's hand. "I might not come back from my job, soft li'l thing," says the rat, still grinning. "Your master wouldn't fault me for touching a little. Still got some of the tents up."

Another of the mercenaries strolls up, a tall black-furred Lapi wearing similarly motley armor of leather pieces and chitin, a skedat shell worn over one forearm. Rather than join the Rhian's laugh, he frowns.

Okay, that's enough of this! "Have work to do," she insists with some strength. She takes her hand off of the bundle and steps back. Can any men keep their hands to themselves? "Going now."

The Skreek springs to his feet, his grin twisting into something half grin and half sneer. "I wasn't done tying that off," he says. "Do you know who we are? We-… " The Lapi interrupts, looking a bit disgruntled. "Leave her alone, Podge. Why you gotta be a bastard everyplace we go?"

Lilac blinks, looking over her shoulder at the Lapi. A defender? She stares at the Lapi, then remembers to bow her head. Could it be? After her repeated encounters with these men and their master, her opinion of them became solidly dismal. This Lapi, however, is a surprise. A welcome surprise – just when you think no one cares, someone's there.

The rodent's sneer bares more teeth, and he wags a finger at the Lapi. "The day I take orders from a greenhorn like you is the day I hang my sword up for good. I can count the months you've been with the outfit on one paw." The Lapi sighs, holding his hands up. "Look, I just don't want us to get chewed out just before we go. C'mon."

I think I've learned all I can here, I'd better go before they start a fight over me. "No fight – going now, yes? Need sweep." She points at her broom, then tries to scurry away as fast as her feet will carry her. I'll have to remember him, the Lapi seems like a nice sort. I have no idea why he's with these people.

The Rhian rubs his nose with his wrist. "He's got a point. An' it's not like she did anything to you. Be serious, we gotta get packed up." The Skreek seethes, but doesn't pursue the point or Lilac as she hurries away, leaving the men behind.

Well, I learned not to just walk in to a mercenary camp again. Let's see, Lady Umeko will also want to know they're leaving soon, the name of that one, and where they're going. Oh, and how, and that they intend violence. The human woman doesn't even try to scent for dangers, she simply tries to get back to the servants' area as quickly as possible before some other man accosts her. I have to get this seal back, too. Lady Umeko may leave soon.

Nothing gets in Lilac's way, thankfully. She finds herself back amongst the carts and squat buildings. By the sounds and smells, the housekeepers are still busily putting supper away.

Upon seeing that everything is relatively normal around Hakuu's residence, Lilac decides to pursue her main goal: returning the seal. Now to get inside. She pauses to look up, tilting her hat back as she does. I could fly in, like I did before. It's still a bit bright out, but it's probably safer than walking straight through the house. On the other hand, I'll have to drop past a lot of open windows … She looks the great structure over, looking for either a way in from the ground, or else a shady ascent path to climb in.

Any of the floors have the terraces around them that Lilac could easily reach with a wing-assisted boost. They don't look any more promising than the sun deck Lilac used last time, however, being regularly patrolled. Good timing and a little luck seem adequate to make it over the roof unseen.

Good timing and luck, that's what I need. A little voice in her head reminds Lilac just where her luck has gotten her, but she ignores it indignantly. Here goes nothing – or me. She glances left, then right, then scans the building once more, before leaping up into the air.

The timing is there. Lilac launches herself at a moment that patrols on a couple of the terraces have rounded corners or otherwise presented their backs, and her dark form flits across them. Whether luck was with her… well, nobody's raised an alarm yet. The human finds herself on the tile roof once more, looking down into the deep courtyard and series of sundecks spaced along the inner stories.

I'm on the roof again. I can't believe I came back here. I must have lost my mind. All I want to do is play for an audience and travel! Despite her internal whining, Lilac presses on. She leans forward to peer down at the sundecks, checking them for patrols before she leaps off again.

One of the lower ones is being tidied up by a Kiriga servant… it looks like a meal was taken there. He's quite intent on his work, and seems disinclined to look up at the moment.

Lilac frowns at the man. I can't wait up here forever, someone is bound to see me. Another chance … She spreads her wings, and prepares for a fast descent and a rough landing.

The vestiges of Lilac's curse serve her well, and she lands with a slight thump on the wood. There's no pause in the clink of dishes or shuffling of feet below. Nearby, the open screen shows it to be quiet again inside.

"Ow," Lilac whispers, feet sore. I can fly. I just soared over a building, and my first thought upon landing is "ow." I need to cheer up. She shakes her head, mantling her wings over her shoulders like a leather cloak and heading inside.

Everything is in place, as it was before, the collection of strange art objects and furniture littering the place, looking neither used nor dusty.

It doesn't surprise Lilac that Hakuu's home would be this way. In a way, she expected it. The Artist, whatever his faults – and there are MANY in Lilac's mind – has a sense of perfection. I suppose even weirdoes and madmen can have interesting qualities, Lilac muses to herself as she skulks towards where she remembered the desk to be. That might make for a good story or song topic!

It's down a hall, but not so far that Lilac reaches that ominous curtain and its little glass bell. A simple desk occupies a small room. It has some neat sheaves of paper, unmarked, that sit quietly by inkstones, grinder, and brush. With everything so carefully placed, the pink marble block is almost conspicuous in its absence, but there's nothing here to indicate this office has been used recently, or that the seal has been missed.

His house is so clean. I wonder if anything would dare to be out of place. Lilac reaches over and fiddles with the pouch she has the seal in, eyeing the table. If I place it where I found it, and he knows it's missing, he'll be sure to suspect something. On the other hand, if I place it on he floor, and he hasn't noticed the absence, he may be suspicious about that. Oh, bother! Shrugging, Lilac goes with the original plan: placing it on the floor of the desk. Maybe he'll think an animal snuck in here and knocked it off. She pits it on its side beneath the desk, out of direct sight.

The block of marble glints in the dim room, easy to find but not plainly obvious.

Well! That's done. I might actually be good at this. The idea Lilac may be good at breaking and entering doesn't exactly hearten her, but she decides it's at least a new skill that may come in handy. After this, I'm going to the dockside bars and playing something. I am a bard, whatever this case may be. She takes a step back, then considers where to go next.

The dimming light outside has become very faint… it's likely the Procession can be seen by now. Not that the heightened senses of the bewitched human have any difficulty with it.

Glancing around, Lilac begins moving through the house. maybe I can find something else of interest. Lady Umeko is worried – she should be! – and I need to help her. I did make that silly promise. The woman reaches up and tugs at her collar self-consciously. It seemed like such a noble gesture at the time. Now I feel like … like someone's beasthound. Her tail tucks at the very idea.

Prowling of the floor finds plenty of interest but little of use, beyond knick-knacks. Perhaps they'd be worth a fortune in the right circles, but where those would be, or whether they'd be recognized, Lilac couldn't know. As she nears one of the terraces, she can hear something outside, however. Shouts cut through the quiet of the stately compound.

Although the objects of art very well may be priceless, Lilac resists the urge to take them. I may be poor, but I am not a thief. I am a bard, this is just … for the good. The idea of becoming a thief fills the human woman with a strange sort of despair. It would mean giving up her dream, and becoming, to her eyes, a degenerate. With her form greatly altered since the day of her curse, she can't help but feel, somehow, that it would destroy her on some level. Trying not to think about that, the woman sneaks on, attempting to locate something that may indicate the Artist's workshop.

The next room over has something curious… on a canvas tarp sits a stand, with something white sitting on it. From where Lilac stands, it has a vaguely humanoid shape to it.

I hope that's not a skull – it had better not be a skull! Cautiously, Lilac edges in to the room, ears perked and nose twitching. She wants to see what the object is, but she's not about to dash in – not here.

It's too big to be a skull. It looks like a whole body form. There's a smell of dampness about it, of linen and glue-y stuff. And… Umeko?

Lilac's eye widen in sudden horror. Countless nightmares of what the object could be run through the woman's head, and she stands there, ears perked, hair on her neck on end, for a few seconds before she can calm herself. Oookay. Okay. It's not what I don't want to think it is. It's not, she blinks at her own mental rambling, trying to steady herself. Slowly, she leans closer and sniffs more. Don't be a head. Don't be a head. Don't be a head …

Closer in, the bardess can make out more details. It's not a head… it's the whole body. Umeko's face stares back at Lilac with an expression of repose. Slender arms and legs are held out and away from the body, and the tail snakes beneath the stand the construct rests on.

"Is this … a statue?" the woman whispers to herself. She tilts her head this way and that, trying to make heads or tails of it. She doesn't think she has smelled something quite like this before, at least not in this combination.

Lilac's sharp eyes pick out a detail. A seam: a crack that seems to run the length of the piece.

Carefully, Lilac reaches over and tests the object to see if touching it will leave a mark.

Tok. It feels hard. And sounds hollow.

Even more carefully, Lilac reaches over and tries to edge the two pieces apart, to see what's inside. Meanwhile she dreads actually finding out what may be inside. Her ears lay back, and her tail tucks again.

Gnidge… klok! The pieces nudge apart, and the thing becomes unbalanced, shifting off the stand and falling to the floor in two halves. A cloud of plaster powder lifts up from it, but nothing else seems to come out.

Lilac's ears shoot up, and she covers her mouth in fright as the object falls apart. It's some sort of … what is it? It reminds me of the cheese back at home, in the churn … a mold? The woman suspects that's what it is, even if she's never heard anyone making molds of people before. Looking around, she then quickly tries to right the object and put it back how it was.

It seemed to have been rather precariously balanced, and one of the stands has fallen over. While Lilac fumbles with the mold, the shouts ring out again outside, and this time they don't stop. They seem to be coming from a different side of the compound now, and gradually moving.

It's time to go. Lilac steps backwards, then shakes herself out to try and dislodge the dust from her body. Once she's satisfied with getting out as much as she can quickly, she hurries for the way she came in.

Once on her way, Lilac tries to find a window in the direction the sounds are coming from. Maybe even if she can't understand the shouts, she can at least try and figure out where they're coming from, exactly.

One of the many terraces provides a good view. The shouting sounds to be both in Imperial and in Standard. They're coming from the estate grounds below, echoing from the gardens in an unintelligible mish-mash. The camp is in chaos; half-packed things strewn about and the earthy-colored mercenaries flowing into the garden along with the brightly colored guards belonging to Hakuu. Lilac's sharp eyes catch a solitary figure ahead of them for a split second before it moves out of her field of view.

What on Sinai? Is someone else also breaking i- … investigating, too? She blinks down at the garden, eyes squinting to make out the figure before the guards – but he's gone. Is Lady Umeko trying to escape? Fear grips the woman. She wants to run before those same guards find her, too, but she has to be sure Lady Umeko is fine before she'll let herself leave. Steeling herself, she stalks after the figure along the balcony, keeping an eye out for patrolling guards. At least the guards might be distracted, now.