Play@YSDC

"It shouldn't be," said Bianca. "I doubt its current owner put contact poison on it or anything, and the object itself should not pose a danger. That is not what killed your predecessor in any event. If you think it wise to be careful, you can always wear gloves."

”Very well, Mademoisolle, we have a rapprochement,” said Gui. ”Leave it with me and I will be in touch.”

"Excellent," said Bianca. "Au revoir." With that, she moved off down the hall.

Gui watched Bianca leave, wondering what he was getting himself into. Stealing for himself was one thing but when others wanted something stolen to order, it always made him twitchy. Perhaps he needed to find out a bit more about this crystal before he made a move, not least because his card was marked and he’d be the first person to be suspected if it went astray.

He wondered who might be best to approach. Da Vinci himself was out of the question but he may have servants who cleaned his rooms. He may need to practice his seduction technique in order to gain some information…

It didn't take long for Gui to spot a female servant as he walked the halls, a pretty blonde about twenty years old. "Do you need anything, Monsieur?" she asked.

”Indeed, Mademoiselle,” replied Gui, with his most charming smile. ”I was just talking to one of the Duc’s fellow guests. I think she said her name was Bianca? Do you happen to know which is her room? I promised to call upon her later and forgot to ask in which room she was staying.” He shrugged apologetically.

"This way, Monsieur," said the maid, leading Gui down the hall. "She is beautiful, is she not?"

”I guess so,” said Gui with a playful smile. ”But she isn’t the most attractive woman I’ve seen today…”

"You've seen a more beautiful lady than she?" asked the maid, genuinely curious. "Who is she, Monsieur?"

Gui laughed. ”Why you, mon ange,” he said, stepping back to admire her. ”Your fair complexion, your beautiful, golden hair! You would give any of these painted ladies a run for their money!” He took her her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it gently, all the while looking deep into her eyes…

"Me?" she said, her eyes wide with surprise. "But...I am a mere serving maid..."

Gui, please roll Fast Talk.

(55%)1d100

Merde!

”A mere serving girl today, but tomorrow? Who knows?!” smarmed Gui. ”Perhaps, if we were to spend some time together I could show you something of the world, broaden your horizons…”

"So that's your game," she said, the truth finally dawning on her. "Perhaps you will have better luck with your Italian lady. I bid you good day, Monsieur." With that, she walked off down the hall after gesturing at one of the doors.

A basic 10% chance to succeed… …

1d100

Gui turned around, hopelessly lost. He was pretty sure at this point, he couldn’t find his cul with two hands and a map…

Looking around casually to make sure he wasn’t be observed, Gui approached the door, placed his ear against it and listened carefully…

Let’s see if he can hear better than he can navigate… (35%)

1d100

All Gui could hear on the other side of the door was silence.

Wow, the dice must hate you!

Yeah, two failures on the bounce - not good

Gui stepped back from the door, looking around once more. He contemplated trying the door but thought it would just complicate matters if Bianca was in her room. Fishing a coin from his pocket, he pushed it firmly into the door frame - not enough to break the surface of the timber, but enough to leave a mark that he could feel so he knew he could find the door again.

Nonchalantly, he stepped away from the door and strolled away in the direction of the main hall*. He would come back to his new employment shortly but first he wanted to find out a bit more about Mademoiselle Bianca and what she was doing here.

*Or it could be in the direction of the kitchens, or even the privy. Frankly, Gui hasn’t the first clue where he’s going…