Looking into a mirror [LE, D1] (closed)

[Samantha Hayne]

Samantha sent a glance Marie's way as that happened. Poor girl, how many other things like this had she seen? Best not interfere right now, though. Besides, her nephew's reaction seemed quite... interesting. Likely to yield insights, yes? She followed him, eager to see what he would do.

[Mirachaya]

If Samantha was careful enough she might be able to follow into his room before he shut the door. He immediately went to the dresser, to the drawer with the missing files. He went to remove them only to find the hidden bottom empty, knife and all. He began cursing under his breath and looking around suspiciously. Heads would roll.

[Samantha Hayne]

She did indeed do precisely that; standing in the corner of the room as she watched him go for the drawer; listened as he cursed upon finding it empty. He did not seem to have noticed the x she had carved in the drawer's bottom; not that it really mattered. She considered taking out one of the photos and leaving it for him to find, but thought better of it. Instead, she continued to watch and listen; to see what he would do next.

[Mirachaya]

He stormed back towards the door, and yelled down the stairs for Simon.

Simon, the servant who had gone up and downstairs with the cheese platter, nervously babbled as he entered. "I, I, I... did the thing you asked of me sir. As you saw, it is done..."

"Not that," he replied in a hissing voice. "Have you been in here?"

"N-no, sir? Just Marguerite, as asked." Simon seemed dreadfully confused and more than a bit concerned.

"I need you to do another favor," Simon swallowed visibly as he spoke, "Marguerite is overdue for a little vacation." Simon's eyes widened with understanding, and he nodded slowly.

"As you wish, sir." Simon bowed, turned on his heel and went to leave.

[Samantha Hayne]

Her family had fallen far worse than she'd suspected; at least if those utterings meant the kind of things she though they did. What on earth had Medea done to her blood? It had claimed a life today. An innocent life, perhaps even. And she was worried it might take another before the night was done. Part of her questioned whether it should matter to her. It was not as if she were innocent herself.

But no. It mattered. It *mattered* a *great deal*.

So she chose to intervene. She wasn't sure how yet, but she followed Simon out the room and into the hallway; and then onward.

Her nephew would have to wait. She would have to have words with him at some point as well. So much had to be set right in this house.

[Mirachaya]

Simon walked downstairs, through the kitchen, and down another lower stairwell to the basement the cooks stored wine in. A maid of roughly 30 years was peeling potatoes for a later meal. She looked up curiously. "Simon? You don't come here often. Is everything alright?" Perhaps she hadn't heard the commotion upstairs. Simon frowned and rustled with something in his pocket.

"The master wanted me to talk to you." He moved towards the wine cellar. "Let us sit and have a drink."

[Samantha Hayne]

As the two of them walked toward the cellar, Samantha came up behind Simon, and whispered into his ear.

"You will let her go, Simon."

It was a simple gesture; and it might not be sufficient to get him to betray her nephew's orders. But she had other, more reliable, means of securing his cooperation in this matter, should it get to that. But who knows, perhaps he recognized her voice as belonging to her older, false self. Perhaps that would be enough to make him submit. It was what she was hoping for; but she'd be prepared if it turned out otherwise.

[Mirachaya]

Simon just picked up a bottle of wine and brought it to the table. Expertly he uncorked it and the two each took a sip of the wine.

"The master, he thinks you did something. I don't know the details, but he wants you gone. I know it is hard with your kids and no one to help you so here, the best I can do." He produced a gold ring from his pocket. "Nicked it from that old woman's room, I did. Consider it a little going away gift. Maybe it is worth a bit."

[Samantha Hayne]

She looked at the ring, to see if she could remember its significance; though truthfully, material possessions meant so little now. At least it was gratifying to know that the *thing* did not lead so charming a life as to face no setbacks whatsoever. Still, she had expected Simon to just kill the woman. Maybe poison her; but if that had been his intention he would surely not drink from the same bottle.

Still, it could just be a ruse. He might be lulling the woman into a false sense of security. So she remained ready. Ready to take his fears if he should try something; and change them. She had gotten good at that, after all.

[Mirachaya]

The ring looked vaguely familiar but as far as Samantha could remember it was just a small trinket of no particular sentimental value. They continued to drink from the same bottle, it appeared the wine was safe. The woman sobbed at the loss of her job and the hardship of raising children alone while Simon comforted her.