1: I can be polite and respectful, even if I do dress like a hooker!

[Ebiris]

[15:32] <@Ebiris> The Vanderboren manor is easily found at the address given in yesterday's letter, in the Eastern section of the merchant district, the seven foot tall walls surrounding the estate making it hard to miss, far less the towering three storey house that dominates the grounds within. It seems to be built in a gothic style, of dark stone and with leering gargoyles and capering nymphs adorning the eaves of the roof above.
[15:32] <@Ebiris> Several tall and broadleafed trees are placed around the grounds on the other side of the wall, no doubt giving those within a semblance of privacy by buffering out the busy city outside. The crenellated gates of black-painted iron have been left open today, showing the path leading up to the front door with a grassy lawn on either side, the facade of the mansion rising up to greet any who seek to enter...
[15:32] <@Ebiris> OOC: Unless you plan to be fashionably late, the first meetings of destiny can occur before we get to the NPCs and quest hooks, so feel free to set yourselves up here
[15:34] * Quits: @Henrietta (~corwin@p11811112.orange.net.il) (Ping timeout)
[15:35] <@Rudy> Rudy stands in the middle of the courtyard, peering up speculatively at the impressive piece of gothic architecture. "Phew! What do you think she wants us for, Myra? Maybe you could model a few more guardians, hmm? Then you'd be good for something..." he remarks, glancing at a cloaked figure beside him, with the concealing hood up. It makes a rude noise in response, and turns away.
[15:38] <@Miranda> Miranda strolls through the courtyard, muttering to a bird on her shoulder and eyeing the...thing next to the young man suspiciously. "Huh...I hope they have some decent books in there, whoever they are. Maybe something I haven't learned yet...?"
[15:39] <@Glenn> Glenn approaches the building, focusing his eyes on a small parchment of paper on his right hand where he's drawn a basic guide map for himself. Looking up at the manor, he pushes up his glasses on his nose as he shifts his hold on his backpack, making the variety of vials he's lugging around clink together. "This looks like the place..." he mutters as he enters the courtyard and notices the others ahead of him.
[15:39] <@Glenn> "Oh, hello!" he greets cheerfully.
[15:39] * @Miranda smiles widely.
[15:40] <@Miranda> "Hi there! I'm Miranda! What brings you here?"
[15:41] <@Rudy> "Could it have been... this?" wonders Rudy, producing a familiar-looking letter. "I was surprised to be approached for work, myself, seeing as I only entered town a week or so ago. But, hoho, I made enough noises about looking for it in the market, I suppose, and persistance pays off!"
[15:43] <@Glenn> "I wasn't even looking for the work, myself, but when someone claims to be in need of my services, curiosity is enough to bring me about, if nothing else," Glenn replies. "So I take it neither of you two know what this is all about, either?"
[15:44] <@Miranda> "Hey, I got one of those too! I usually don't wind up with actual work, since I don't live in town a lot."
[15:45] <@Rudy> "Well... not exactly? But there are only so many things it could be, really. Renovation, reimagining, rebuilding... professional curiosity..." muses Rudy. "Work is work, though. Ah, really? Then she must be a well-connected lady, to hear of these things. I'm Rudy, by the way," he adds. "Rudy Giacomo. And this is Myra, my, er, confidant and pet."
[15:47] <@Glenn> "...pet?" Glenn asks, raising an eyebrow as he gives a cursory glance towards the concealed figure. He pauses a beat and shrugs.
[15:48] <@Miranda> "Is your friend...friendly?" asks Miranda, eyeing the cloaked figure.
[15:49] <@Rudy> "Well... the only person she's bitten so far is a fishmonger, who frankly had it coming."
[15:50] <@Rudy> "
[15:50] <@Miranda> "Was he rude? Fishmongers can be grabby." she says, settling back.
[15:51] <@Rudy> "It's better not to look at her for too long at once stretch, either," he adds, rubbing his head. "It can be rather, uh, unsettling. Oh, he was overcharging me because he knew I was hungry, so Myra took the difference out of his torso. She's rather, um, defensive."
[15:52] <@Miranda> "Pets can be like that. Como," she indicates the bird resting on her shoulder. "can be a bit protective of me, too."
[15:53] <@Glenn> "...I seem," Glenn notes, even though he doesn't really, not having any pets of his own, but it seems like the safe answer to say in that situation. Looking around the courtyard and not really seeing anybody else, he heads towards the door and knocks.
[15:53] <@Glenn> ooc: see*
[15:54] <@Miranda> "Just us three then? Let's see what this is all about." She follows after Glenn.
[15:54] <@Rudy> "Well, it certainly caused a bit of a hassle," replies Rudy, stepping up as well. "I'm trying to get better control over her, though. If I can train her properly, she'll be helpful in my work, too."
[15:55] <@Miranda> "Oh? What do you do?"
[15:56] <@Ebiris> A moment after Glenn's knocking, the heavy teak door is pulled open to reveal the same middle-aged dwarf woman you all met yesterday, her steel-grey hair done up in a rather severe bun and dressed in a black uniform with a white apron. "Ahh, hello!" she smiles widely on seeing who's arrived. "Mr Farrunner, Mr Giacamo, and Miss Altair... and you're not Miss Ul Copt..." she trails off and peers curiously at Myra. "She was much taller."
[15:56] <@Rudy> "I'm an engineer. I would've thought there's a lot of demand for that here, but I don't have any references, and I can't even find a guildhouse or anything of that sort... but even if I could, I doubt I could pay the fees right now," replies Rudy.
[15:57] <@Glenn> "Hello, Miss...Thistlegap, was it?" Glenn acknowledges the greeting, and attempts to greet back with a nod, as he searches his memory for the maid's name.
[15:57] <@Rudy> "Myra's with me, darl. You don't mind, I hope? She'll be very quiet, and I can't let her out of my sight at the moment," replies Rudy, with a broad smile.
[15:59] <@Miranda> "Hello again, Miss Thistlegap! Is there one of us missing?" she says, smiling in greeting.
[15:59] <@Ebiris> "Oh, you can just call me Kora, dearie," the maid smiles at Glenn, briefly distracted before she gives Rudy a nod. "Ahh, of course, how silly of me, she's your bound demon, right? Yes, I shouldn't have been surprised... well, come in, come in!" she steps back to make room, "Lady Vanderboren is taking care of something else right now but she'll be ready shortly. In the meantime I can take your coats and you can all wait in the atrium - there was one more but hopefully she'll be along in time, she did say she'd be here."
[16:01] <@Rudy> "She's not a demon. She's a pet. Oh, I know, it's a common mistake, actually, that's why I'm not looking to work for any churches- ah, thank you."
[16:04] <@Miranda> Miranda steps inside, shedding her light patchy jacket and offering it to the dwarf. "Thank you, Kora." she says with a smile.
[16:05] <@Ebiris> "Whatever patches your britches," Kora smiles pleasantly at Rudy as she usheres everyone else. The interior of the mansion is well appointed, your feet sinking into the plush carpeting, and the walls adorned with paintings and coats of arms, even a suit of ornamental full plate standing in tireless guard by the staircase leading up. You're led into a room just off the main hallway and open to it, a window to the garden allowing the setting sun to shine in pleasantly. In short order the maid takes everyone's coats who offers and bustles off, informing you that she'll be back shortly to take you to the dining room.
[16:07] <@Glenn> "Nice place," Glenn notes. "Wish I had the sort of money it takes to keep a place like this. I'd be able to afford setting up a lab then..."
[16:07] <@Rudy> "Might I ask your professions? I do want to make sense of what endeavour we are to be set on," states Rudy, taking a seat on any chair that is present.
[16:09] <@Glenn> "Ah, of course. I'm an alchemist by trade, although I've only recently started to strike out on my own," Glenn replies. "My name is Glenn Farrunner, by the way. I just realized I didn't give it earlier in the courtyard." He adds in apology.
[16:10] <@Ebiris> There are two nice padded leather chairs placed with their backs to the window, easily allowing Rudy to rest his weary feet.
[16:10] <@Miranda> "Well, I grew up a trader, though I never had a real interest in it. I'm more of a book collector, I suppose you could call it." says Miranda, choosing to stand for now and nodding at Glenn.
[16:12] <@Rudy> "Oh, really? A librarian, an alchemist, a builder, and... well, Miss Ul Copt must bring something new to our team, as well."
[16:16] <@Miranda> "Mmm...Ul Copt. Sounds rich to me." she says.
[16:17] <@Rudy> "Perhaps she's bringing our financial support?" suggests Rudy, removing his monocle and wiping it with a handkerchief.
[16:18] <@Glenn> "I suppose, although I would have imagined lady Vanderboren to be in charge of that, so it might be something else."
[16:19] <@Rudy> "These arrangements can be quite circuitous. Who knows who we could really be working for? I find that it's probably better not to enquire too closely, especially when times are lean."
[16:19] <@Miranda> "Well, whatever she is, she's late." says Miranda, just a little bit snidely.
[16:20] <@Glenn> "If she claims to be 'fashionably late', it'll certainly lead credence to your theorem regarding her purpose in this meeting."
[16:22] <@Miranda> Miranda nods, looking about the room for something to read.
[16:22] <@Rudy> "Certainly, she can't be in desperate need of funds if she feels that it is acceptable to make a delayed appearance."
[16:25] <@Miranda> Miranda's raven turns its head to stare at Glenn. "CAW!"
[16:28] * @Glenn is visibly startled by the raven's action. "...your raven is friendly too, right?" he asks, not liking how the raven seems to be focusing its beady little eyes on him.
[16:29] <@Miranda> "Como's impetuous, but yes. I see no reason for him to tear out your eyes at this particular moment." she says distractedly.
[16:31] <@Rudy> "Does he tear out eyes often?"
[16:36] <@Glenn> "Well I'm glad he doesn't feel like tearing my eyes out" Glenn mutters, feeling more uncomfortable after Miranda's statement. One of his hands hovers near one of his vials, ready to throw it at the damn bird if it even thinks of flying near his head.
[16:38] * Euphy is now known as Henrietta
[16:41] <@Ebiris> Out the window into the grounds, one can see a new figure approaching through the gate. Besides that, some activity is heard out in the hallway. Four new figures approach the atrium, with Kora bustling along behind them. The leader of the group is a tall and handsome man with tousled brown hair dressed in a polished breastplate with an oversized longsword at his belt.
[16:41] <@Ebiris> Behind him is a dark skinned and haughty looking woman wearing dark purple robes with numerous slashes through them to show off bare skin, and a tattoo of a crossed crescent on her cheek, she accompanies a shorter woman with oddly pointed ears and shockingly white hair - an elf, it would appear, wearing black leather with half a dozen sheathed daggers crossing her armour.
[16:41] <@Ebiris> Trailing the group along with Kora is another dwarf, a stout man with green and brown robes clutching a curved spear in his hands, his sour expression framed by a bushy red beard that covers half his chest.
[16:41] <@Ebiris> As a knock is heard at the door, the leader of this new group seems to to visibly size up the neophyte adventurers, while Kora rushes to open the door...
[16:41] <@Ebiris> OOC: Henrietta, this is your chance to shine!
[16:47] * @Henrietta enters through the opened door, taking off her hat as she does so. "Ah, am I late?" she asks apologetically. "I'm afraid I am new to this city, and navigating it on such a short notice was more difficult than I anticipated."
[16:49] <@Ebiris> "Oh, you're just in time, dearie, don't worry," Kora smiles and ushers Henrietta in, past the other group who just arrived and towards the group in the atrium.
[16:49] <@Ebiris> "So, you're the lot that Lavinia's getting to do the chores?" the man in the breastplate asks as he looks everyone over, his voice somewhat boisterous and overdramatic. "Well, best of luck to ya!" he grins and winks at Miranda before heading out the still open door, his three compatriots following silently behind.
[16:50] <@Rudy> "Well, I certainly don't know if I want to associate with that sort of person," mutters Rudy, frowning. "Hard times beget hard people, I suppose, so I shall have to be... hard?.."
[16:50] * @Henrietta gives the elf a curious glance as she passes by them, but doesn't dawdle.
[16:50] <@Glenn> "What was that all about?" Glenn asks once the group vanishes. "...Another group with 'uniquely suited skills' that didn't take the job being offered?"
[16:53] <@Ebiris> The elf has very pale skin and dark eyes, her appearance one of stark contrast in black and white. She gives Henrietta a subdued smile and nod but doesn't say anything as she leaves, Kora closing the door after her fellow dwarf. "Those are the Jade Ravens, a mercenary group that have worked for the Vanderboren family for some time. Lady Vanderboren has sent them to Burnriver to contact some relatives she has there, but it's not my place to say more," Kora explains for Glenn before offering a hand to Henrietta, "Want me to hang up your hat, Miss Ul Copt?"
[16:55] <@Henrietta> "Ah, that would be lovely," Henrietta responds amiably, offering her precious hat to Kora.
[16:55] <@Rudy> "Ah, the last of our merry band!"
[16:56] <@Ebiris> The hat is taken, and Kora vanishes into a cloakroom in the hallway for a moment before returning. "Now, everyone's here and Lady Vanderboren has concluded her other business, so is everyone ready to follow me into the dining room?" the dwarf maid asks pleasantly.
[16:56] <@Miranda> Miranda eyes Henrietta up and down. "Hmm, you're not what I was expecting."
[16:57] * @Henrietta looks back with a measure of surprise. "What were you expecting, if I might inquire?"
[16:58] <@Miranda> "Haughty." she says, moving to follow Kora.
[16:59] <@Henrietta> "How... kind of you to think that," Henrietta responds, only briefly stumbling over her words. This in no way prevents her from keeping a smile on her face as she follows the maid to the dining room.
[16:59] * @Glenn quietly stands and follows the maid, while keeping a cautious eye on the eyeball-stealing raven.
[17:00] <@Rudy> "Come along, Myra," remarks Rudy, standing up from the couch. "Might I ask what you do, Miss Ul Copt? We seem to be quite the unusual team. I can't really fahtom what we're being hired for..."
[17:00] <@Miranda> Miranda's raven continues to stare at Glenn. It looks hungry.
[17:02] <@Henrietta> "A little bit of magic, a little bit of this," Henrietta responds, patting the flail secured at her hip. "I dabble in several things."
[17:04] <@Ebiris> Kora leads everyone along to a small - by manorial standards - private dining room. It's quite cosy, overlooking the Eastern side of the grounds and softly lit by wall-mounted lanterns to make up for the lack of direct sunlight. The varnished mahogony table is set with soups and bowls of bread to feed five. A young woman wearing a flowing blue dress and with her long brown hair swept back and framing an elegant well-defined face stands at the head of the table, standing before a portrait of a well turned out young man with a neatly trimmed goatee wearing ruffled courtier's clothes. "Welcome to my home, I am Lavinia Vanderboren," the woman smiles nicely at everyone, her voice soft but well projected.
[17:05] <@Miranda> Miranda curtseys. "Thank you for your hospitality."
[17:06] <@Rudy> "Good evening! I'm grateful for the opportunity, m'lady, whatever it might be," remarks Rudy, with a lopsided smile.
[17:07] <@Henrietta> "Henrietta Ul Copt, at your service, Milady," Henrietta introduces herself, likewise curtseying.
[17:07] <@Ebiris> "M'lady, this is Miss Miranda Altair, and that is Mr Rudy Giacomo, and Mr Glenn Farrunner," Kora speaks up after a beat, giving Miranda a slightly disapproving look. "Oh, and that's Myra there, too... er..." she suddenly blushes, and Lavinia looks a little startled as well. "Ah, I'll go and prepare an extra place setting for your 'pet' Mr Giacomo..." with that she quickly beats a hasty retreat.
[17:08] <@Rudy> "Myra won't eat here," adds Rudy, hastily. "But a chair would probably be appropriate."
[17:08] <@Ebiris> "Right, another chair then!" Kora calls from the door before she vanishes.
[17:09] * @Glenn just waits quietly to see if lady Vanderboren will start to explain what this is all about.
[17:10] <@Rudy> "I'm sorry to bring by another unexpectedly, but I hope you'll forgive me for that, M'lady? Myra will probably be, er, indispensible for this task."
[17:12] <@Ebiris> Managing to recover her composure, Lavinia takes her seat while Kora bustles back in to place one at an unoccupied spot at the table for Myra. "Please, everyone, be seated. We can discuss things over dinner," she offers. "As you may have heard, I recently inherited my parent's estate. But along with this fine house came a fine amount of debt owed to the Council, the Harbormaster, and various Guildhalls... for all their skills in other fields, my parents sadly lacked in financial sense. In order for me to pay these taxes, I need access to the family vault under Castle Teraknian."
[17:13] * @Glenn takes a seat while listening to the explanation, not really having heard any of that before, but not saying otherwise, simply nodding as appropriate to show that he's listening.
[17:13] * @Miranda takes her seat and composes herself, listening and waiting to be served.
[17:14] <@Rudy> "Would travelling to Castle Teraknian be dangerous? I've heard this area has it's share of roadside problems..."
[17:14] * @Henrietta has heard nothing of the kind, and makes a note to look into the recent affairs of Lavinia's family if she has the chance. Considering the different name she heard and the potential for inheritance dispute, being forewarned would be a good idea.
[17:15] <@Ebiris> Lavinia takes a breath as she forges on, ignoring her own soup for the moment - seems everyone has a nice vegetable broth at their place, and the crusty rolls in the silver bowls steam nicely as if fresh from the oven. "The castle itself is on the edge of the city, and quite safe. But the problem, you see, to access that vault I need the family signet ring. My mother lost hers and commissioned a replacement, but it won't be ready for a month - too late for me. My father never wore his ring - he had a thing about men and jewellery. So he kept it hidden on his ship, The Blue Nixie."
[17:17] <@Rudy> Rudy does have his questions, but the temptation to just dive into the meal at hand is overwhelming, and he's soon far too busy to voice his opinion.
[17:18] * @Miranda quietly eats her soup, nodding for Lavinia to continue.
[17:18] * @Henrietta doesn't insult the cook by neglecting the meal prepared so carefully for them, eating at a polite pace and listening attentively until such a time when Lavinia has shared all the details of what she wishes them to do.
[17:18] * @Glenn quietly eats the meal, while continuing to listen, withholding questions for now, in case they're not answered along the way.
[17:20] <@Ebiris> "The crux of the matter is that the ship has been impounded until someone pays the dues for four months of mooring," Lavinia frowns and wraps her fingers tightly around her soup spoon. "I *did* pay the fine, to a brute named Soller Vark that was put in charge of the ship. Yet when I went to claim it, his men wouldn't let me board, claiming I hadn't paid the fines. When I spoke to Vark again, he denied all knowledge, and complaining to the Harbourmaster has been to no avail. He's a doddering old fool who trusts his men implicitly, and won't give me time of day." Her expression hardens and she leans forward a little. "Vark and his men are up to something on my ship, I know it. What I need is for someone to find out what he's up to - he's not the type to listen much to reason or soft words, so that's where I'd hope for you four to come in. If you can find out what he's doing with my ship, or better yet, recover the money I paid him, I'll pay each of you one hundred gold in return once I have access to my vault."
[17:23] <@Miranda> Miranda's eyes bug out a little at the sound of a hundred gold. She could eat well on that for a month! She regains control of herself and says "So where can we find this Vark?"
[17:23] * @Henrietta sets her spoon aside and dabs at her lips with a napkin, before asking, "Pardon me, but you do not expect us to retrieve your ring, Miss Vanderboren?"
[17:24] * @Glenn whistles softly at the amount of gold and wondering where his services come in. Perhaps to create a potion whose fumes induce sleepiness on its victims?
[17:25] <@Ebiris> "At the harbour most certainly, probably near where the Blue Nixie is moored," Lavinia tells Miranda. "As for the ring, I should have no trouble finding it once I pay the fines - with proper witnesses this time," she blushes a little here and looks away, "And regain ownership of the vessel. Of course if you find it yourself while investigating the ship and Vark's activities I'd be obliged for you to return it to me."
[17:26] <@Rudy> Rudy will be able to to buy food again, and for months on end! "How much were the fines, exactly? I suppose he probably wants to put them to use in some scheme. Never trust a docksman, I say."
[17:27] * @Miranda nods. "It'd be much nicer if we could recover the stolen funds, too."
[17:28] <@Ebiris> "One hundred platinum coins," Lavinia sighs softly. "Two hundred and fifty gold for each month. It was all the money I could scrape together, but once I have access to the vault it would be more than recouped. No doubt he's already wasted a good deal of it, but it's hard to spend that much money in dockside taverns I'm sure, so I'm positive he'll still have most of it."
[17:29] <@Rudy> "Is there a point in time when an impounded ship would be claimed by the harbour, with no further possibility of liberating it from their clutches?"
[17:31] * @Miranda goes very, very still at the thought of 100 platinum coins.
[17:33] <@Ebiris> "Fines will continue to mount as long as it's impounded, but after six months the Harbourmaster has the right to sell the ship if no efforts have been made to pay what's owed. I could surely stall that indefinitely by making token payments, but it hardly helps, and next month I'll have access to the vaults anyway to pay off the fines, but why should I pay twice?" Lavinia asks, wide eyed at the thought.
[17:33] <@Glenn> "If I may be a little bold in asking...why us? We saw earlier a team of...mercenaries, earlier, in your employ?" Glenn asks with a frown.
[17:34] <@Glenn> ooc: blah at double earlier
[17:36] <@Ebiris> "Ahh, you met Tolbin and the others?" Lavinia shows a slight smile there. "I've sent the Jade Ravens to collect some debts from relatives in Burnriver, which should ease my situation considerably. It's a dangerous journey, but they've never let my family down yet. As for you four, a friend of my father's who has an interest in professional problem solvers said he knew of a few individuals in town currently who would be good candidates for a job like this. Kora met with two others, but you four were the ones who accepted her invitation."
[17:39] <@Henrietta> It is quite admirable that her would-be employer wishes to spend so much money over the principle of the thing. "I would be honored to try and resolve this matter for you, Miss Vanderboren," she voices, needing no further incentive.
[17:40] <@Rudy> A hundred gold is a hundred gold, which Rudy calculates would take him quite some time to put together under normal circumstances. "Do pass on my regards to him, would you? This isn't quite my usual field, but I'm sure we can find a solution nonetheless!"
[17:40] <@Miranda> "Little would make me happier than to help you in this." Miranda agrees, finishing her soup.
[17:40] <@Glenn> "Well, this isn't quite the sort of problem solving I expected to be doing, but it does sound like an interesting challenge, I'll admit," Glenn notes. "And I do agree that resolving this matter would be an honor for me as well."
[17:41] <@Ebiris> "Thank you," Lavinia beams a happy smile at the foursome. "If you can resolve this issue it will go a great deal towards getting my house in order, and I'll be glad to know I can count on such people for any other tasks I might require in the future."
[17:43] <@Glenn> "How long do we have, roughly, to solve your problem, by the way, lady Vanderboren?" Glenn asks curiously.
[17:44] <@Miranda> "The sooner the better, it sounds like." mumbles Miranda.
[17:44] <@Ebiris> "Naturally the sooner the better," Lavinia finally allows herself to start on her soup, but barely has a taste before she pushes the plates away and Kora begins to clear the table, announcing that the main course will be here in a second. "As I said, I think Vark is up to no good, and I don't want my ship being used for any illicit deeds, nevermind how much more comfortable I'll feel to have access to the family vault."
[17:45] <@Rudy> "Might this brute know that the signet ring is the key to your family's fortune?" wonders Rudy.
[17:47] <@Ebiris> "I don't know..." Lavinia frowns slightly as Kora begins placing plates of sauced duck and vegetables on the table for everyone, and pouring out wineglasses. "It's not a great secret how the noble vaults are accessed, but how would he know that my father hid the ring on his ship?"
[17:48] <@Miranda> "But we can't discount the notion that he may be searching for the ring itself." says Miranda, idly feeding a tidbit of duck to her raven.
[17:49] <@Rudy> "I was just considering what might make the man do what he's done. Well, perhaps I presume too much wit of him. The greed that lead him to break trust in the first place may be all that he has..."
[17:50] <@Miranda> "Greed is a powerful thing, Rudy."
[17:50] <@Ebiris> "I hadn't considered that," Lavinia looks faintly queasy and suddenly uninterested in her meal. "That means that urgency is even more paramount. The clerks at Castle Teraknian would have to verify my identity, but the signet ring is the real key, and there's magic to fool the eye and pretend to be someone else."
[17:51] <@Rudy> "Well, I don't think so much he would know the ring is on the ship, but there is always a possibility he would stumble across it himself. Perhaps the gold could then be used to hire a mage, and... oh! This is just the worst case. I'm sure it's nothing so dramatic, but we engineers need to think like that!"
[17:52] * @Henrietta gives Rudy an incredulous look.
[17:52] <@Ebiris> Lavinia sinks somewhat in her chair, seeming increasingly distressed by Rudy's outline, her noble poise faltering to remind you that she's a vulnerable young woman suddenly thrust into a role she may not have been ready for...
[17:52] * @Miranda eyes Rudy dubiously.