Insanity

[Brian]

"If you did take it with you," the elder Shuker says uncertainly, "then it seems to me it most likely would have been lost on the other side of the gate.  But I'm not certain.  I don't believe you had it when you returned.  At least, to the best of my knowledge the vault has been sealed since you left."  He shrugs.  "But the key may be hidden somewhere, simply forgotten.  I am uncertain."

[Rezantis]

"I probably didn't take it," Nathan says, "or at least I'll assume I didn't for the sake of simplicity, which means I probably left it somewhere.  Or with someone, actually."

[Brian]

"Well," the specter says, shaking his head.  "Speculation, there.  I can't help you, I'm afraid.  So I'll check in with the good doctor and see what information he can offer, shall I?"

[Rezantis]

"Sounds like a plan," Nathan agrees.

"I've got a quick question before you go, though.  Do you know why some people become ghosts?"

[Brian]

"Not at present, no," the elder Shuker admits.  "Though, until Molly, I didn't realize that anyone else did.  Or perhaps they can, and we simply can't see one-another."

[Rezantis]

"I can't think of anything else then - do you think we're forgetting anything?"

Nathan returns his attention to his tea.

[Brian]

The tea tastes more or less like hot water, with hints of other tastes that are as of yet poorly defined.  A handy lemon slice and bowl of sugar suggest possibilities.

"If there is, it's slipped my mind completely," the elder Shuker decides with a shake of his head.

"I take it that poking around this Dr. Hathoway's place to find anything out is a bad idea?" Molly asks thoughtfully.

"Very."

"Bollocks," she mutters.

[Rezantis]

Nathan rolls his eyes.

"I need to have a chat to Holmes today," Nathan says, "But I can't think of anything else I need to be doing as yet."

As for the tea, the obvious answer is sugar!  Why would anyone ever put lemon in tea?  Blcch!

[Brian]

Nathan's tea is shortly sweetened.  "I'll be leaving now, then," the elder Shuker says with a nod of his head.  "Take care."

Molly watches the specter fade away, then asks, "What shall we be doing today?"

[Rezantis]

"I have . . . no idea," Nathan muses, starting on the tea.

"I guess most of the town's going to be busy with the fair.  I need to speak to Holmes, but getting into the safe will have to wait for tomorrow."

[Brian]

Molly raises an eyebrow, kicking one leg out idly.

Nathan is now alone with a ghost girl who can interact with him physically.  She's a pretty good looking girl, too.  It might be a good idea to find something to keep himself busy.

[Rezantis]

". . . aaaand I guess I really should go and see the faire," Nathan continues blithely.

"What are you doing?"

[Brian]

"I guess I could spy on the rest of the staff," she says doubtfully.  "I think the gardener is being quite lazy."  Then she brightens.  "Oh, I could go to the fair with you!"

[Rezantis]

Nathan rolls his eyes good-naturedly.

"You probably should," he suggests, "haunting the mansion and the rest of the staff is the kind of thing that inspires bad ghost stories."

[Brian]

"Oh, my," she says, brightening instantly, clapping her hands together.  "That sounds lovely!"  She hops to her feet.  "When shall we go, then?"