S1: E20 "Party Favors"

"Souls are like cobbled roads which sway through endless moments of grief, wonder, pain and beauty. Walking these roads present many pitfalls, hidden secrets and wonderous adventures that take a lifetime to wade through." ~Unknown author

Cock and Bull

While I stroked a stray cat behind his ears, I observed the affable B. Mayflower (as is printed on his cards, which he handed out in abundance) use the various charms he possessed to ingratiate himself to the populace of Newhaven's social circles. The man spun words like golden threads, strangling his listeners with compliments, prodding them with a few subtle hints and then letting them go like a windup toy. A seasoned gentleman, Mayflower wanted to know the Bridgertons, his hosts. What he learned was that House Bridgerton was very private. But everyone knew everything about them.

Over the course of a day in gin houses, parlors and clubs, he learned much. House Bridgerton was not thought to be natives of Newhaven. Though nobody was sure where they called home, they were spread far and wide with ports in every major city. The coat of arms or specialized sigil could be seen stamped on crates, warehouses and factories which spanned several city blocks. It was seen flying on flags destined for foreign seas and on wagons carrying materials to construct yet another part of a city. But what Bridgerton was known most for was its ability to make war. Some accused them of being indiscriminate to who they sold munitions, fueling, instead of ending conflicts. They were also rumored to have had a hand in funding military academies that taught the art of warfare. An old and bitter philosopher once wrote that if Death reaped souls, Bridgerton manufactured the scythe. (A highly romantic and stirring sentiment, it was highly inaccurate. Death made his own scythe out of bone, a sickle and straps of leather.)

To be invited to a Bridgerton party was an honor indeed. Even to have received an invitation was like receiving a key to the city. Social, political and economic doors soon cracked open to those who were perceived to be someone of importance. Nobody understood the reasons why certain people were invited. But you could be sure Bridgerton had noticed. That meant you had better take notice as well.

After completing these preparatory steps, Mayflower returned home briefly to select a suitable outfit and visit his friend, Thomas Thompson.

A Bombshell

Father Collins had spent the wee hours of the morning doing what he loved best. After he was done with that, he traveled by coach to the Royal Library and was granted access to the old tomes and archaic books about magic. (It should be noted, in case the reader is confused, that he read books about magic, not books of magic. It's a small distinction in the minds of common minded men, but it is significant when you are suddenly sucked into parallel dimensions or find yourself accidently in the lair of a very hungry and very ticked off thing with far too many arms and eyes. One does not merely read books of magic unless you are a fool or have performed the proper rituals. Often both qualities help.) He had pored over the vellum pages and yellowed parchment, scribbling a few notes or sketching something for later. His primary research delved into the nature of the sigils inscribed on the relics which were being smuggled into the city. There were many stories of a strange man who appeared in dreams. The numerous accounts usually ended up in the records of doctors who served in mental hospitals. But even older accounts weaved together formed a picture of men and women who encountered this stranger in dreams, who touched their minds and illuminated their understanding of the world. But this usually resulted in their madness, and the accompanying sigils which began to appear on bones, stones and other ornaments. They all changed in small ways, performing feats usually secluded to the cadre of magicians and practitioners of the Aether. But usually, some poor fate befell the poor creatures who had been cursed in this manner. These sigils began to be associated with this mysterious traveler. 

Pulling himself away from this most stimulating study, Father Collins pocketed his notes and proceeded to his next appointment. Gnomes are naturally nocturnal, shying away from too much sun during the day and staying up all night. An odd habit for a priest, but Father Collins was required to keep somewhat normal hours. And he was scheduled to meet with his friend Lindion Mavienness for a cup of tea. He was received in the proper fashion and shown to the parlor by a very worn Philip. Father Collins engaged his host in common conversation as is normal among the high society. He slowly eased into the reason behind his visit, gauging her mood and responses as a man of the cloth is skilled in doing. 

Lindion Mavienness was, for her part, feeling self-conscious. Her thoughts on the subject were as tangled as bed hair and would require a good deal of straightening out. She was uncertain as to the nature of Arthur, who both seemed a cad and was willing to keep her good honor intact. Though Lindion did her duty and as a host initially, she soon found herself pulled from her thoughts to a happier place and cheered her as only a scholar and friend can. They did confer on the subject of Thomas, the interest of the Ministry in his activities, and his potential involvement in the smuggling operation and the bombing in Low Park. Lindion offered to introduce Father Collins to Thomas when he visited later. Thus settled on this course of action, something interesting happened that I think some might find of some use. Father Collins revealed one of the symbols he was tracking down to Lindion. Though she was unsure of its origin, it did prompt her to show Father Collins the strange knife she had been given by UNSEEN. Father Collins utilized a handy spell that reveals the supernatural. Visus Praeter is one of the first spells utilized by the Aluminat clergy gifted in such arts. Its cheating really. 

Bending over the blade, we both examined the sigils glowing in the air over the shimmering blade. I recognized them instantly but given how old they were, Father Collins did not know those sets of letters. He copied them down for Lindion who attempted to cast Lingua over the script. I suspect certain voices in her head had begun to distract her and the spell failed to go off as intended. But now armed with these sketches, she could begin the process of discovering the use and lore of these blades. I would love to tell you now, reader. But I think it would be intriguing to see just how far Lindion makes it.

Tentative Alliance

Though my narratives tend to run in a very linear fashion (even though I cannot exist in such a state) I must take you back to short moment that followed the interview with Thomas and Roald. After Thomas had left, a few pounds sterling richer, Lady Sara Vyse stepped from behind the curtain she was using to conceal her presence and sat down across from Roald. It had apparently slipped past the notice of Thomas that Roald is a man who is very well connected. Using Sara was perhaps a scoundrelly thing to do, but completely within character. Sara had, in fact been present from a distance the whole time, as she now related to Roald the events as they happened from her perspective. In short, she could verify Thomas' story. She even left out the same details as he had. Now, you might think less of her for it. But Lady Vyse had a long history around men with rubbish character. And so, she vouched for Thomas and left it at that. She could not tell if Roald believed her. The man had the face of a sphynx. But he gave a yellowed piece of paper to Lady Vyse, who quickly slid the old marriage certificate into her handbag. 

It was after this that we return to another fortuitous event. Mayflower arrived at the door of Thomas' rooms at the same moment Lady Vyse arrived. Thomas ushered them both in and watched as the two of them measured the length of one's nose. It was civil. But even the Bourgeois each other in a manner so as to put one in their place.

Mayflower of course wanted to discuss the party at the Bridgertons and relay all the things he had learned. If ever a man could not fathom how rumors start one had to merely listen to the grand tales Mayflower perpetrated. One person makes a passing comment about how he thinks the Bridgertons are underhanded and crooked because rich secretive people always have something to hide. The next man affirms that he knows someone who thinks the Bridgertons are nefarious villians and can tell the story of a person who was in their employ once and vanished. The next man in the chain relays his suspicions about the behavior of the Bridgertons because they bump off anyone who crosses them. And then Mayflower tells his two listeners about a man who betrayed the Bridgerton family and subsequently vanished without a trace, clearly showing Bridgertons to be ruthless and cutthroat. (The story of the vanishing man is actually quite hilarious, and I must tell it to you sometime.)

After confirming a few details and being introduced to Lady Vyse, an acquaintance he would further at the Bridgerton party later, Mayflower departed, leaving Lady Vyse and Thomas to talk quietly of some more sensitive business. Thomas and Lady Vyse conferred on the events of the previous evening, talking of the revelations of the Spring-Heeled Jacks, Jacqueline Parsons and the deal that would eventually be struck between her and Roald. They managed to clear up some of the confusion in that very chaotic night, and Lady Vyse thought that this would prove a most entertaining relationship if they remained partners. Adventure and trouble followed the young inventor and she found him a change from her dull life living with an overbearing mother-in-law. And so, the truce was struck, the dye cast, and the strange partnership of Thompson and Vyse sealed in the threads of Fate.

There are a few other details I could relay, but I think I shall save the conversation about the hunting excursion and the curious guest that was to be invited by Yuko, for a later time...