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You pass into the room, overtaking the two dressmakers in the process. You fully expect to see her perched primly where you left her, and find yourself fully surprised to find her absent, her refreshments cleared away. In fact, the only Soul you can see right now is the back of the doorman. Actually, as all you can see of him in his alcove by the door is his back, it is entirely possible that this is a different man. Distressingly, it seems that the misting rain has not broken. If anything it looks as if it is coming down a bit harder. Well ... you have a parasol, and more importantly, no reason to go any closer to the Inquisitor's carriage up the street - assuming it is still there. And as a white belly to your black luck, it is possible that the rain will keep people off of the streets.
"Moreover, they don't do 'frivolities' like fans. I asked. And that was their word, not mine."
There is, however, much of the front room that you cannot see from your position, as it is half-partitioned off, and obscured by displays. There are also a number of doors along the walls, two of which are wide open. It is not immediately apparent at first, but by the time that you have made your way into the middle of the room, you are certain that she is somewhere to your left, in some obscured alcove of the room. You are however, shocked when you recognize the voice that replies to her as belonging to Cassandra herself.
"Then I suppose ... well of course, as you know, we would need some time to make them."
"How much time, exactly?"
"W-well, it would depend on how long it would take to source appropriate cases."
"Yes, I understand that. And I am asking you, how long would that take?"
"A day, a fortnight. This - we don't <span class="mu-i">do</span> things like this ... "
"Mistress Cassandra. If you simply don't want this custom, say so, and I will find someone to escort me to a Dry Goods or somesuch establishment, buy the baker's dozen of fans from them and figure out the cases on my own. I just assumed that it would be easier to get them from you."
"Dame Cossutia, I - I assure you, you have it all wrong! I would never, under any circumstances turn down your custom. Truly! I just don't know how long!"
Dame? You are assuming that is a title, but you have never heard it before. Of course, the Empire stretches wide, with all sorts of different honorifics and titles - as well as legal structures - across the provinces and regions. And the Principalities draw from all over, so you really cannot be surprised that there are titles and such that are new to your ears. If you were any judge though, Cossutia is either a name from the Core or the Near-Southern provinces, so you would assume that it is a title from there. Meanwhile, the two remaining dressmakers, looking quite embarrassed by the goings on excuse themselves and hustle their way out of the room.
