[center][h1][b][color=9354FF]Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix[/color][/b][/h1][color=9354FF]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=9354FF]Location:[/color] Damien Estate’s Ballroom
[color=9354FF]Interaction(s):[/color] Mr. V [@samreaper]; Lady Charlotte Vikena [@princess]; Lord Leo Smithwood [@Helo][/center]
[color=f7941d]“If possible, would you know where I could get ahold of a small pouch of gun powder?”[/color]

Ryn’s eyes widened at the request. Even a pinch of black powder could wreak havoc if mishandled. What mischief could Mr. V possibly have up his sleeve that required such a volatile substance? Before Ryn could inquire further, Lady Vikena approached. [color=B7AAE0]“Evening gentlemen. Having fun over here I hope?”[/color] The count inclined his head, a courteous bow, the antlers of his stag mask casting twisted shapes across the polished floor beneath their feet.

While Mr. V spoke, Ryn removed his spectacles and carefully swapped out the spent lens with a new one. With his enchanted eyewear back in place, Ryn scrutinized Lady Vikena’s magicae once more. Her natural hue and the unnatural presence that encased her—suffocating in its intensity—remained unchanged. For better or for worse, Ryn could not say. At the very least, [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5431725]Wayra’s reaction[/url] suggested that this was not a recent development. 

A possibility struck him, [color=9354FF][i]Miss Delilah might’ve known about this. Not just her, but also—...[/i][/color] He chewed his bottom lip, lost in contemplation. Could [i]this[/i] be connected to the Vikena family’s current plight?

Ryn shifted his attention to Lord Smithwood, who stood at a distance. His magicae remained steady. The shadows still clung along the fringes, but their grip on him seemed to have weakened as the day wore on, appearing fainter than they had that morning. 

[color=9354FF]“I see some seats over there,”[/color] the count remarked, gesturing toward an unoccupied corner of the ballroom. [color=9354FF]“Shall we?”[/color] 

As they crossed the room, Ryn asked Mr. V in a hushed tone, [color=9354FF]“Do you intend to harm anyone?”[/color] He had to at least know that before he could consider handing the man black powder. Acknowledging Mr. V’s response with a subtle nod, Ryn continued on his path.

Waving in Lord Smithwood’s direction, Ryn indicated the corner and extended a silent invitation to join them if he wished. They were a team, after all. It would be remiss of Ryn to leave him out of their discussions. 

Upon reaching the empty seats, he pulled out a chair for Lady Vikena and then another for Mr. V before realizing his misstep. Understanding the need to maintain Mr. V’s guise as a servant, he flashed an apologetic look and took the seat for himself. 

Questions swirled within Ryn’s mind, many things to discuss and fill Lady Vikena in on—about the investigation, [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5440884]the items Ryn had left for her examination[/url], [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5445683]his findings at the psychiatric institution[/url], and far more besides. However, as Mr. V astutely pointed out, Lady Vikena’s “episode” took precedence. [color=9354FF]“It’s good to see you Lady Charlotte. I was beginning to worry that I somehow missed our very first CLF Detective Agency meeting. I hadn’t realized it would be quite so... clandestine.”[/color] He smiled, but concern was there. [color=9354FF]“How are you faring?”[/color]

[hider=TL;DR]Ryn double-checked Charlotte and Leo’s magicae and confirmed that they each still have a magical energy clinging to them that is not their own. While guiding the group to a place to sit, Ryn asked Mr. V if he intended to do harm with the gunpowder. He also signaled Leo where they would be. Once seated, Ryn picked up the conversation by asking Charlotte how she was doing.
[@samreaper][@princess][@Helo][/hider]