[i]"Cursed be they that open dead inside."
"Cursed be they that open deed inside."
Meaning? Uncertain. Grammatical nightmare.
Resent use of shorthand alongside calligraphic flourishes.
Give her a piece of my mind later.
Dye confirmed Vessenmer origin.
Sourcing: _____[/i]

Posture straight. Notebook held steady. Pen supplied with dye purchased from selfsame manufacturer. Also, held between thumb and forefinger at proper 23 degree angle. Assessment of uniform: mixed. Presentation and wrinkle levels both at acceptable standards but increasing buildup of sand residue on skirts, apron, and armor rapidly degrading to hellish levels of grit and dust. 

Mantra: maintain professionalism. Implication of disdain for local establishment height of impropriety and unacceptable risk to investigation. Three taps, pen on paper: reminder of purpose. Eyebrow arched: quizzical, maybe even cute? Smile: dignified and enigmatic, or at least obviously non-hostile. 

[i]Proprietress is possibly hostile. Defensive? Possibly concealing illegal activities. Recommend ~~~~~~~////‰‰‰‰‰‰~~~[/i]

Sand pours: too loud too loud TOO LOUD TOO LOUD!

Eclair winces, though it does not affect her posture. She dries her pen tip on her Pen Napkin, caps it, and stores it in her apron's left pocket. She blows twice on the notebook to preserve her observations and snaps it shut. Though her ears press flat against her skull and she can't force her left eye open amidst the cacophony, she clears her throat and presses on.

"I appreciate that the question is complicated, Lady Vessenmer," (oh no oh no her voice is trembling! she squeezes a gauntleted fist closed with a soothing clank) "Nevertheless I must insist. Sourcing this specific sample is my foremost priority. So. If that requires a look at your books I would ask that Milady please open them. I assure you that no name or outcome will be unsatisfactory. So long as the information is accurate."

She coughs. She curtsies to fill the awkward silence. The staff fill that gesture with another batch unload. Eclair flinches even harder this time, and the sword at her side rattles against her greaves even through the muffling effect of her skirts.