IC-Ep 1-The Rats in the Walls(Story/Elizabeth/Brook/Gui)

[jp1885]

[41] = 41
Spot hidden 60 d%: [ 41 ] = 41

While the Spaniard gives his life-story, Brook casually steps to one side, angling herself to get a better look at his room through the door.

[SunlessNick]

"I travel a great deal," Story says, "but I most recently lived in London."

Story presumes the shawl and the Hebrew chanting mean that Diego is a Jew, but probably won't want attention drawn to the fact, so she won't mention anything of it.

[Mr. Handy]

"Ah, I've never been to London," said Diego, "but I have heard tales. What is it like there?"

That's a good presumption.

Brook noticed what looked like a fringed shawl left haphazardly across the back of a chair.

[jp1885]

Seeing nothing that screams ‘occult magister’, Brook relaxes.

“I’m from London too. It’s a very crowded, very busy place,” she says, assuming that the city is a major metropolis, even in Renaissance times.

[aine]

Can Gui and Elizabeth hear the conversation?

Elizabeth spends the time looking for any latches or spy holes into the room.

Spot hidden 55 roll:11

[SunlessNick]

Rolled 52 vs History 55.

"It has not yet been greatly touched by the Renaissance," Story adds, "though I have some hopes that will change in the years to come. I am sorry to have disturbed you."

[Mr. Handy]

Elizabeth could easily see the hidden catch that would open the secret door. She also found a knothole in the wood through which she was able to peek into the room and see Diego from behind at the door to his chamber.

"Do not worry, you have not disturbed me," said Diego. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

Yes, Elizabeth and Gui can overhear the conversation.

Story was aware that in 1492, Spain had ordered all Jews in the country to either convert or leave the country. Some had only pretended to convert and practiced their religion in secret, often continuing to raise their children as Jews. Given Diego's age, he was probably very young when this had happened. The secrecy was paramount, as if the Inquisition got wind of their true faith, they risked death or worse. Even in another country, Diego was still apparently exercising caution for fear that word would spread by only practicing his faith when he thought nobody could see or hear.

Elizabeth noticed what looked like a fringed shawl left haphazardly across the back of a chair.

[SunlessNick]

"And you, Don Diego," Story says. She bids him good day and takes her leave, though slowly enough for Brook to interrupt if she wants to say anything else herself. Once they're back in their room, she'll fill Brook in on what she gleaned.

[Philulhu]

”Let us return to your room, Mademoiselle,” Gui whispered to Elizabeth. ”We shall see if your friends have learned anything of interest.”

[jp1885]

Brook also steps away to take her leave, turning to Story when the coast is clear.

“Seemed legit to me, I think. Did you notice anything unusual?”

[SunlessNick]

"I saw a prayer shawl. He's Jewish, which means he was most likely driven out of Spain."

[jp1885]

“Oh, okay. I guess he was praying then? Let’s get back to the passageway; I don’t want to leave Elizabeth alone with that guy for too long.”

[Mr. Handy]

Elizabeth and Gui returned to the ladies' guest suite at about the same time as Story and Brook. allowing them all to confer.

[Philulhu]

”Did you see anything of note?” asked Gui. ”We could hear what was being said, but nothing seemed amiss.”

[jp1885]

Unsure whether Jews are treated as badly in Renaissance France as they obviously are in Spain, Brook hedges her answer.

“No, nothing out of the ordinary; some Spanish geezer: another guest of the Duc.”

[Philulhu]

”Geezer?” replied Gui with a puzzled look on his face. ”What is a ‘Geezer’?” He hadn’t heard the term before.

[jp1885]

“A bloke, um, a guy,” Brook replies, amused. “London slang for a man.”

[SunlessNick]

"We saw no sign of anything sinister," Story adds.

[Philulhu]

Gui shrugged. These unusual women, with their clothes and their strange turn of phrase.

”Perhaps we should explore the other way?” he asked, with what he hoped was a winning smile. ”Perhaps the poor fellow from last night knew about these passages and we might find out how he found his way to Monsieur da Vinci’s room?”

He wasn’t sure what that would tell them. Gui was just hoping that he might have something that might distract from the matter of his own midnight excursion should he have to explain himself to the Duc…

[jp1885]

“Wouldn’t hurt to explore a little further,” concurs Brook.