Ermintrude Cachalot is tedious.

Ermintrude Cachalot tugs idly at one of the dangling tresses of your hair. Reflexively, it curls round her fingers and squeezes. Her fidgeting gives you a shiver, your enlivened hair being sensitive along its length, not just at the scalp.

"Really, Morgan..." she continues.

If you tilt your head just so and squint your eyes, Ermintrude looks a bit like Fay, plump and pale and with a generous bit up front and in back. Except Ermintrude -- who only recently you discovered was nicknamed "The Great White Whale" -- is taller, heavier, longer-faced, and a bit more shapeless than Fay. So, more like not-Fay than like Fay, you'll allow. You tilt your head the other direction. More like Fay this way.

The awkward tickling sensation of Ermintrude fingering your hair means you can't really drift off, so you end up actually paying attention.

"...this being my last year at Boarbristle," Ermintrude says. "I feel I have to make sure I pass along a few things, you know? For the record?"

"You mean, to make sure the Tutor takes note?" you say. "Or Housemistress Porcinilla, who's also the Headmistress?"

Ermintrude lets out a breath that's somewhere between a sigh and a snort. "I've tried, with Ffoulkes. Even with the Headmistress. But you'd be surprised what gets ignored here. Brushed under the rug." She leaves off playing with your hair.

You nod engagingly. Surprised? Try me, you think, but avoid saying out loud. You know a few things personally.

"Morgan, you're blushing," Ermintrude says.

You know a few things personally. Fresh snakebites on your neck. A touch of grogginess and inattention after a night as Miss Wormwood's plaything.

You clear your throat. "Yes, a lot gets brushed under the rug. Anything they can get away with ignoring, unless it's their personal hobbyhorse."

"Ha, so you do know," Ermintrude says. "I was hoping to have a few matters resolved, but well, I must think of my future. Once next term begins, well."

Ermintrude has already gone over her hopes to join the Outside Warders, which you suspect isn't a good fit for her personality. But who knows? You haven't even really settled where you're going yourself. You feel your hair coiling and uncoiling. An eccentric like you might not be welcome everywhere. As an apothecary, potions maybe? As the child of a hedge-witch family, you do have some practical skills, but, well, Boarbristle should have earned you a higher calling. Or then there's playing your connections. You wonder what you might have to do to charm Fay's family.

Ermintrude clears her throat. "My suspicion is that there's a study group in Forbidden Magic. There were some books gone missing from the Library between my second and third years. And when you were in my study group? You and Fay? Supplies vanishing."

You recall Ermintrude making a fuss about something like that last year. But Fay had said something soothing and it was back to work. It had been a rather useful study group, as you recall.

You nod. "I should be getting going," you say. "That reminds me that I do have some studying to do."

"Oh, Morgan, before you go?" Ermintrude says, her voice rising. "Headmistress said she was curious for a demonstration of your hair. Can you come tomorrow?"

You have 3 XP, +2 Ambition, +0 Bravery, +2 Cunning, +0 Diligence.

You can use your hair as if it were another pair of hands for most purposes. If it is cut short, you lose this ability and take -1 to Bravery until it grows back. You have a one-time FAVOR that you can call on by using the special power of your animated hair in an appropriate circumstance.

Your FRIENDS are Fay Applebum and Grace Winterthorn, both in House Leontes and formerly of House Minerval like yourself.

Your HANGER-ON is Ermintrude Cachalot of House Draconis.

For your next Move, choose:

• ENCOUNTER Ermintrude and Pernilla Porcinilla. Roll +AMBITION(+1) (+2 Ambition, -1 HANGER-ON). On a success, you may ASK FOR A FAVOR from the Headmistress without the -1 HANGER-ON penalty.
• Flatter Ermintrude. Roll +AMBITION(+1) to ENCOUNTER her, appealing to her sexual side; on a success, describe the scene and roll to HAVE SEX using +CUNNING(+1).
• PUT OFF YOUR HANGER-ON. Tell Ermintrude you can't make it. Roll +AMBITION(+1) (+2 Ambition, -1 HANGER-ON).
• DISCOURAGE YOUR HANGER-ON. Tell Ermintrude you just aren't interested beyond the work you've already done together. Roll +AMBITION(+1) (+2 Ambition, -1 HANGER-ON).

See The HANGER-ON for resolving PUT OFF or DISCOURAGE.