[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soP-VolZi0A]Ambience[/url]
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Catarina walked down the spiral staircase behind the loose bookshelf in her study. Her footsteps reverberated off the stones and down the staircase, heralding her descent. She took her time with the stairs. Each footstep was allowed its own room, space to breathe, time for the echoes to decay. Time for her prisoner to digest them.

The stones in the stairwell were rough-cut and darkly coloured. A perfect fit for a secret chamber. The way was lit by a hand-held tallow candle, mounted on a little polished bronze dish. The wick had been soaked in oils to brighten the light it let off. Candles were cheaper and more efficient than an oil lamp, so Catarina saw no reason to not use one. In all fairness, it [i]did[/i] reek like burnt animal fat, but small sacrifices must be made.

The last step always let out the quietest echoes, somewhat anti-climatically. The room at the bottom was a secret study, with books and alchemical reagents cluttering shelves, ink-stained carpets lining the floor, and arcane tapestries lining the walls. A tall, three panel mirror features against one wall, partially obscured by purple velvet curtains. Keen eyes would spot that this mirror reflects nothing. Instead, it showed smokey white swirls which shift and change when one isn't looking at them.

A writing desk occupied the opposing wall and a lectern stared over a large, circular portion of stone flooring. The lectern had shelves built into its column, which were filled with candlesticks and bowls. 

Catarina stepped into the chamber and turned to her left.

There sat her long-time vexer. A subject of fascination and frustration, finally within her grasp. The rival, Aïtana Du'Vall, had been seated in and tied to a chair. The chair was made of a rich wood which matched the writing desk, and was well-cushioned. The ropes were thick cord, and tied well.

[color=c91414]"Are you... comfortable?"[/color] she asked in her low, slow drawl. [color=c91414]"I [i]am[/i] terribly sorry about this situation. But then again, it would have been different if you knew where that nose of yours isn't welcome."[/color]

She turns and paces around the room, tending to the candles. [color=c91414]"So. We both know I can't keep you here forever. Start talking. How - and why for that matter - did you come to be snooping through my [i]shit?[/i]"[/color] A [i]crack[/i] pierced the air as she slammed her hand against a nearby bookshelf, staring over into Aïtana's eyes, fury tearing at her eyes.