You are both so kind! I can see the lord van Zieks has cultivated quite a lovely social circle! I have to note that many of my clients of the nobility simply don't know how to carry themselves around tue common man!
[Angela cuts in;]
Maynard.
[He straightens up.]
Present company excluded of course!
[Angela adds, as Maynard seems to have been distracted having a sidebar with Gustav;]
We had a lovely trip to Bavaria back in May. I can't recommend it enough if you haven't been. Even Mycroft found something enjoyable, didn't you dear?
[Her son nods vaguely, adding;]
We almost lost Herlock.
[Angela makes a face, reminded.]
I don't know what I'll do with that boy. The number of times I've had to tell him to stay out of the woods since we got here....
[ McGillis is successful in hiding a smile at the very obvious disdain this young man seems to feel for his presumably younger brother. There is something endearing about youthful petulance, after all.
The last part of what's being said is more interesting for their purposes either way. ]
Oh, don't tell me he's been taken in by the rumors around it?
[This time Katan does raise an eyebrow, but his expression remains friendly -- sometimes it is more useful to play to social expectations than not, even if it's absolutely still odd being on this particular side of it in this particular context.]
They are only rumors, of course, but children are easily excited by these things.
I wonder what would help dispel the mystique a little.
Oh he certainly has, and he thinks he'll be the one to find proof.
[Angela laughs, fond. Gustav steps in;]
I'm afraid they're somewhat my fault. We had an incident with a wolf and didn't want to worry the townsfolk about it since it'd already been dispatched, yet word got out anyway. Lord Barton had the rumor spread so that they wouldn't go trying to hunt down the wolf themselves. The hunting party today is to convince them the threat has been dealt with.
[ A wolf, huh... Well, it looks like they've found what they need to zero in on in this bizarre world. McGillis briefly glances at Katan, before nodding his head at Gustav. ]
A wise choice. Words alone often do little to sway an anxious heart - but our merriment will put everyone in a more easy-going frame of mind.
With all my apologies to young Herlock for the lack of adventure, of course.
[Katan catches the glance, as well as the disturbance in the other groups nearby -- it seems that there's a good amount of information they can find here if they just poke and prod and talk to the right people.
Maybe this strange side trip will be worth it, in the end.]
Then you're planning on joining the hunting party yourself? It's a commendable sense of responsibility, despite the incident.
[Though, he does wonder if things will be that simple. If this is at all related to what they've been encountering, then...]
Of course, I am the host after all. Miss Angela wishes to come along as well. You two and the rest of your party are welcome to come along as well, if you wish.
[ Can they get hurt in this space? Can they die in this space? It's impossible to know. There is nothing to rely on. But after weeks of feeling powerless, after days of allowing strange forces to confine him to his room, McGillis is desperate for agency more than he is concerned about his safety. ]
We'd love to.
[ Sorry Katan, you're roped into recon now unless you protest. ]
[I think we also just roped the scholars and wives groups into this so RIP everyone else but this was also Katan's intention from the start -- there's a quick nod, no hesitation.]
It's in everyone's best interest to help keep the peace. We wouldn't be very good friends to you all if we simply sat back while you did the work.
[Friendship among noble houses, as it is in Heaven, is quite the pragmatic thing. But it does help to tie things together, and to make useful inroads.]
By your leave, then. We'll see you again at the hunt, Lord van Zieks.
[He figured it would be set up like a normal hunt, but it never hurts to double check your mysterious monster-transformation-illness-adjacent-woodly-jaunt in advance. Perhaps they'll glean more details from other parties as they acquaint themselves with the rest of the gathering.
A small bow for the Sholmes family, as well.]
And you as well, Mrs. Sholmes. [how interesting that out of the three it is the lady of the house who is coming with them] Well met, Mr. Sholmes, Mycroft.
[To be fair, Angela seems relatively full bodied, while Maynard has a wiry frame that compliments his frenetic energy. Mycroft of course looks completely indigent, This is not a young man that relishes exercise. All the Sholmes return the sentiment (or at least Mr and Mrs). Lord van Zieks finishes with;]
Thank you again for coming, I hope you enjoy yourselves.
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[Angela cuts in;]
Maynard.
[He straightens up.]
Present company excluded of course!
[Angela adds, as Maynard seems to have been distracted having a sidebar with Gustav;]
We had a lovely trip to Bavaria back in May. I can't recommend it enough if you haven't been. Even Mycroft found something enjoyable, didn't you dear?
[Her son nods vaguely, adding;]
We almost lost Herlock.
[Angela makes a face, reminded.]
I don't know what I'll do with that boy. The number of times I've had to tell him to stay out of the woods since we got here....
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The last part of what's being said is more interesting for their purposes either way. ]
Oh, don't tell me he's been taken in by the rumors around it?
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They are only rumors, of course, but children are easily excited by these things.
I wonder what would help dispel the mystique a little.
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[Angela laughs, fond. Gustav steps in;]
I'm afraid they're somewhat my fault. We had an incident with a wolf and didn't want to worry the townsfolk about it since it'd already been dispatched, yet word got out anyway. Lord Barton had the rumor spread so that they wouldn't go trying to hunt down the wolf themselves. The hunting party today is to convince them the threat has been dealt with.
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A wise choice. Words alone often do little to sway an anxious heart - but our merriment will put everyone in a more easy-going frame of mind.
With all my apologies to young Herlock for the lack of adventure, of course.
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Maybe this strange side trip will be worth it, in the end.]
Then you're planning on joining the hunting party yourself? It's a commendable sense of responsibility, despite the incident.
[Though, he does wonder if things will be that simple. If this is at all related to what they've been encountering, then...]
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Of course, I am the host after all. Miss Angela wishes to come along as well. You two and the rest of your party are welcome to come along as well, if you wish.
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We'd love to.
[ Sorry Katan, you're roped into recon now unless you protest. ]
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It's in everyone's best interest to help keep the peace. We wouldn't be very good friends to you all if we simply sat back while you did the work.
[Friendship among noble houses, as it is in Heaven, is quite the pragmatic thing. But it does help to tie things together, and to make useful inroads.]
How should we prepare?
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Oh please, enjoy yourselves for now! The horses and rifles will be prepared by the staff. We'll gather for the hunt in a few hours.
[Gustav gestures for them to please mingle and have tea.]
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[He figured it would be set up like a normal hunt, but it never hurts to double check your mysterious monster-transformation-illness-adjacent-woodly-jaunt in advance. Perhaps they'll glean more details from other parties as they acquaint themselves with the rest of the gathering.
A small bow for the Sholmes family, as well.]
And you as well, Mrs. Sholmes. [how interesting that out of the three it is the lady of the house who is coming with them] Well met, Mr. Sholmes, Mycroft.
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Thank you again for coming, I hope you enjoy yourselves.