Bemused, I watched Beren go. When I turned back to the window I was surprised to find a half dozen sparrows lined up on the windowsill. Another songbird had had landed infront of them, a red streak of feathers giving it the look of a sergeant leading a troop as it whipped its tail back and forth to correct the dressing of its feathered cohort. 

"Alright, alright," I said throwing up my hands and wondering just what that strange diamond had done to me. The birds all took off in perfect formation and wheeled away into the afternoon sky, not exactly easing my concerns. Though I wouldn't have said no to some wine I wasn't particularly hungry so I stood up and headed back in the direction Beren had gone. As I reached the hallway a handful of adventurers lead by a woman exited, all but shouldering me aside. The woman didn't give me a second look, though several of her companions did look at me with frank appraisal. I wondered what business brought them to this place. Perhaps Beren would know, he certainly seemed to have the local connections here.

"Lady Emmaline Von Morganstern," a supercilious voice called from the door. I turned slightly to see an older man in elaborate servants livery that had been out of style for a decade back home. Judging by the sweat running down the fellows face, the layers of cream and scarlet wool was sweltering. He even wore a floured periwig, which must be at serious risk of insect infestation in this hellish climate. He held wax sealed paper in his hand and I surmised he was from the Enclave I had heard about earlier. Without conscious thought I ducked through the door before I could be recognized or pointed out. The likelihood was it was an invitation to some get together or another, a constant preoccupation of the nobility, particularly in such far flung outposts like this where a manufactured social scene was all that relieved the boredom. In any case, it never hurt to play a little hard to get. 

I opened the door to the bath and looked in, letting out a low whistle at the mostly submerged Beren, my eyes dancing wickedly. 

"Fancy meeting you here," I teased.