Tasseomancy (Bianca)

[Ignotus Everto]

3rd of Winter, 514AV

Winter came this season not in wisps and shivers, but in a surge of icy gales and chattering teeth. In only a handful of days, it was clear to any who cared to see that year five hundred and fourteen would be host to one of the most bitter cold snaps in recent history. For older citizens, this was one of many, but those without many seasons behind them knew only that the winds never burned like they did now. For certain seniors, this was cause for concern. Ignotus Everto, swaddled in warmed blankets and surrounded by reports and memos to sign, finally felt the pressure of his office. There were a million possible disasters the cold could cause, all of which had to be pre-empted. Were it not for the Nuit's capacity for endless activity, he would have doubtlessly crumbled.

Justus was a boon in this regard, taking responsibility for the Denvali Quarter into his own hands, leaving Ignotus to tend solely to Zeltiva proper. While this greatly lessened the wizard's workload, it also left him without one of his closest supporters; with the stakes higher than they had ever been, Ignotus felt naked without his savvy partner. To make matter worse, the Hypnotist smelled a rat. Certain men behaving certain ways made him suspect betrayal. The last thing he needed was an attack upon him at this crucial junction.

Normally he'd send a Council Guardsman to investigate, but with nothing but a hunch, the wizard had no interest in wasting the time of any member of the elite (and miniscule) group following a potential dead end, especially one whose treachery could cause uncertainty he could not afford. No, what he needed was someone shrewd, but separate from Zeltiva's power structure. Skillful, discreet, and above all, loyal. Ignotus sat there at his desk, idly tapping his fingers on the fine wood before a spark flared in his eyes. The Nuit promptly pulled out a sheet of paper and scribbled out instructions to one of his couriers.
OOCSorry this took so long! T'is finals week, and a draft got wiped out by the capricious hand of the 'net.

[Bianca White]

Bianca White had no desire to leave her house, or even open the door. Sitting on the floor near the hearth, a quill in hand and surrounded by papers of her most recent case, she was content. Wind blew audibly outside, causing the small house to stir and settle in the most unpleasant of ways. However, when someone knocked at the door, she felt obligated to answer. No one should have to wait out in the cold because of her own laziness. As such, she tiptoed towards the door dressed in layers of clothing and opened it as little as she could. Despite her efforts, a gust of wind still managed to hit her face.

"Yes?"

A courier eyed her odd attire, handed her a small letter, and walked away. She didn't even glance at it until she was swaddled in blankets near the hearth again, though the surprise nearly took her breath away. It was an incredibly vague summons to no one other than the Lord of Council himself - a man whom Bianca knew little about. She knew about his job, but she did not know of the man himself. Yet here she was, summoned to meet him. Now.

It only took about 10 chimes for her to be out the door. The cold whipped at her face, blossoming red and trying to force her tied back hair out of its bindings. It took much longer to get to the Lord of Council's office than it would, perhaps, in the summer, though when she finally found herself inside she stood awkwardly in the room holding the Seneschal's desk. She thought about talking to the Seneschal, but resigned herself to waiting for a few chimes for the warmth to come back into her limbs.

It was only then that Bianca began to wonder what exactly the Lord of Council would want with her - she had no particular power in Zeltivan politics, and she was relatively new to the whole business in general. She was surely going to find out soon, but for now she was content to wonder.