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Iris Whisper
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After a moment its clear the captain isn't going to bother you two any more, so you turn back to the meal. Lisel remains leaned against you, but helps herself to some soup. You can't quite read her expression through her thick lenses, but she's not trembling or even breathing hard. It's been a long while since you ate, so you quickly eat some bites of meat. You see others around the table using utensils to cut and spear food, so you mimic them. Its not a practice you're used to, but you don't want to play into this barbarian role too much. Even if its just some game, you can't help but be offended.
Allonza unstops her vial and takes a small swig of the fluid. You can feel Lisel leaning around you to observe. A low sigh escapes the bat's lips along with a thin cloud of steam, as she corks the vial and sets it down.
"Madam, or, how should I address you?" Lisel asks. "Milady will suffice." the lady says, turning her cool gaze on the ever-curious mouse. "Ah, milady. May I ask, what should we know about the peerage here. I take it you are directly under the king." Lisel nods at Allonza "But who else is, well, important."
"Indeed, I am mainly in charge here, and am tasked with keeping the servants in line." the duchess regards Lisel with what may be the beginnings of interest. "As for the rest. A rabble, vying for the king's eye to rise above their station. Why just yesterday former-duke Amalfi and now-duke Callo had a duel and now..."
While duchess Per Costa continues on about a court drama you take the time to observe her closely. Other than the fierce light within her eyes, you wouldn't be able to tell that she is dead. If she is even really dead. Her chest rises and falls like a living breathing person's would. The veins in her thin ears don't appear dark with coagulated blood. Her gray fur is neat and even, not ragged and falling out. Even her scent carries no hint of decay, just something light and floral.
On her back though, another of those brass contraptions. You don't look too closely, lest she notice, but you can hear it occasionally chatter. If its feeding her some instruction she hides it well, her speech never falters.
Putting your attention on her face once more, you are struck by a bit of familiarity. Not that you've met many bats in your life, but you see a resemblance between her features and Sorrel's.
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