A Dangerous Meeting

Joan and Clodagh can be difficult to deal with, but they certainly work together, and their results speak for themselves. The three of you sit inside a carriage that they "acquired". Lita sat outside, driving the horses while the three of you rode in quietly, looking unusually dapper. Where they had used intimidation or seduction, you had used illusions and magic; a spell to change the appearance of your attire to reflect that of nobility. Joan was immediately well adjusted to the appearance in her slender black dress, while Clodagh was very fidgety, looking over every detail of her illusory garment.

"how do you people survive like this?" Clodagh asks "it's so confining"

"It's not real" you comment quietly "It's just a trick of the eyes. You're not wearing anything you weren't before"

"Ya, but still" She commented quickly "This is tripping me up. I don't get y'alls fashion fascination."

"We'll talk about it later" Joan helped her friend out "For this to work, you need to make it seem like this is all normal to you. If you act like you belong, people will think you do."

"You got it" Clodagh responds with a strong, solitary nod of the head, before turning to you.

"How're you doing big guy?" She patted your leg for a moment.

"I'm holding it together" you reply, staring out the window, waiting anxiously for the manner to appear. "I still don't know what I'm going to say."

"Sorry is a good start" Joan started "The easiest thing to communicate is the truth."

"That's rather rich coming from you." You respond snidely "Maybe you should practice what you preach."

"Alright" Joan replies, taking a deep, quick breath "The truth is, I'm incredibly jealous of your girlfriend."

"Really?" You ask, openly doubtful.

"Sure. You think I've had anyone willing to put their lives on the line for me like you constantly do for her?"

"No, I guess not." You admit "At least not before"

"Before?" She asks, stunned

"Well, sure. Before this whole adventure. Trevolia would stick her neck out for you, especially now with her spellbook that you helped her with. So would Clodagh, and so would I. Every one of us would do anything for each other."

"Are you saying you love me, Silve?" Joan leans against the side of the carriage as she asks the question. Her eyes and tone show a vulnerability that you've never seen in her before.

"Hey, let's not get wrapped up in that right now" Clodagh speaks up "There's some big feelings we're all feeling in this tiny space. We all make it out of here, we lay everything out on the table, okay?"

There's a dreadful silence following her advice than lingers until the carriage arrives at the estate where Trevolia resides. From the outside, everything seems peaceful.

"Lita!" you hear a guard shout "What is the meaning of this! You know Lord Diamant gave you strict orders to not leave the premises again. You know what happened last time you disobeyed!"

"And if you let me in, I won't be off the premises anymore. Lord Diamant personally sent me on a mission. A last minute invitation. One of them knows tonight's special guest, thought it would make for an even more exceptional evening."

The guards come forward, and look into the carriage. You see some rank disapproval in his face upon your return "You again!?"

"I wasn't lying" you reply smugly, leaning into your Noble heritage "I things go well when you explain to your Lord that you refused us entry."

The guard looks back at Lita, than at you again. There is some latent distrust still, but it appears self preservation kicks in "Fine. Enjoy your evening, as much as you can."

The carriage moves along, into the impressive grounds of the Diamant estate. Lita, being the dutiful servant, opens the carriage for you all and proceeds to guide you in. She is even more scared than the three of you are, evident by her constant scanning of every door and window for onlookers. She brings you through the mansion to other side, where a ball is being held outside on a large pavilion. The night remains quiet and peaceful, with decadent food available for everyone and soft music being played for anyone who chooses to dance. You do not see Trevolia immediately.

"All right, split up" You say quietly "First person to find Trevolia, get her out of here, than come find us". Lita, for her part, starts scurrying off in the other direction, hoping to avoid this completely.

"Hey, where are you going?" You ask, grabbing the sleeve of her robe

"Hiding, what do you think? I've already put too much on the line here. I can't be seen with you. He'll"

"He'll punish you either way, which is why you're leaving here with us."

"What? Why?"

"You said so yourself, nobody deserves this," You cup her chin gently in your hand "Especially someone like you."

Lita nods gently "thank you. I can cast a few spells if needed, but I still feel like I'm just going to attract all the wrong attention. What now?"