La Nuit Tombe

* The investigators are within the Verdant Veil, Emmerson the dog waits outside.
* Martha whispers something to Eddie, her raven, and sends him to find any kind of clue a raven might find.
** He hops around the many shelves and hutches, then slips into the back room.
*** He returns with a purple flower in his beak.
**** It is monkshood. 
**** It is toxic
* Alec has a stack of books he’s going to purchase, including the journal they found, Veins of The Vale
** They also find a silver dagger they want to purchase.
* Cyrus approaches Lillian and asks her if she’s the one who makes the wares she sells, and she says she makes everything. 
** She more or less knows most of the other witches in the ‘community’.
** When asked about Madame Neveau she kind of scoffs and appears to have written off Cyrus (and the rest of us) as tourists looking for ‘touristy’ things.
*** Neveau is a real witch, but doesn’t hesitate to take money from parties who seek her talents for entertainment purposes
* Cyrus flashes Lillian “some ankle” in the form of his arcane tattoos on his chest, and says if Neveau isn’t a real practitioner he would know.
** She notices this and asks how we’re acquainted with Madame Beaudreaux and what brings us to New Orleans
** She is totally counter-questioning him for information. 
** He apologizes for questioning the authenticity of the charms sold to Beaudreaux, he’s just looking out for the well-being of a friend. 
*** She gets a little defensive about this.
* When asked if she feels safe in the city with these recent murders, Lillian says that if you keep your nose clean, you won’t find yourself in trouble. 
** She tries not to ruffle any feathers.
* Lillian then offers to do a reading for Cyrus. He agrees!
** She takes his hand. . . 😤
** Signe is now paying full attention to them now, and Cyrus winks at her! (😳!!)
** They disappear past the beaded curtain. 
* Signe sidles up to William, who is full on eavesdropping on their conversation.
** She lets him know Lillian was prying Cyrus for information.
** William is confident Cyrus will get some info in return.
* Alec takes this time alone to start fishing through Lillian’s business records to see if there is anything untoward, anything that points to her being involved in the witch’s side of this conflict.
** With their expert eye, but limited knowledge of the practice, Alec is unable to locate anything that would incriminate Lillian from her ledger.
*** Her business looks to be totally legitimate and on the level. 
*** There is a recurring date during the New Moon in her calendar.
**** As well as ⅓ meetings with a Margo LeFleur, all three dates predate the first murder.
*** Nothing sold here is exotic or untoward, it’s all natural ingredients. 
*** She doesn’t appear to be laundering money either, but Alec isn’t too up to date on the US tax codes.
** She may know more, but she’s actively keeping herself out of it. 
* Alec wants to search her apartment, and Martha wants to “look for a bathroom”.
* Meanwhile, Lillian prepares for a palm reading with Cyrus.
* Cyrus notices that she’s using his palm as a foci for get a deeper reading from him
** He tries to counter-read, but can’t get a beat on her.
* She begins the reading:
** His heart line is well defined, a man of deep feeling and passion
*** Loved fiercely and suffered great loss
*** A betrayal or heartbreak, carries the weight of past decisions
**** His mind ‘is a battlefield’
*** He is susceptible to the spirits (mound of Mercury) but there’s confusion
** His life line gives her pause for concern, it wavers and is thin.
*** It shows a weakening of life force
** His fate line is strong, but fragmented.
*** He had a strong path towards destiny, but lately something has caused his path to be uncertain; a disruptive change.
* She points out a grouping of lines and tells him he’s been marked by a supernatural force.
** She scrutinizes his reaction closely
** She asks him if he’s ever been at sea, or ever almost drowned as a child, and Cyrus confirms all of this.
*** He is tied to the ocean.
*** He is cursed and it is killing him. 
*** She tells him if it’s not addressed soon he won’t have to worry about his safety within the city.
* She admits she was looking to poke fun at him, but this news has sombered her.
** She gives him a grigri talisman (SPELLING) for protection.
* Cyrus admits he was looking to sus her legitimacy and that he’s impressed.
** He tells her he hopes she’s on the right side of whatever is going on in this city. 
* There is some witchy-woowoo flirting between the two of them. . . then they rejoin the group.
* Signe notes Cyrus’s demeanor: determined, set jaw. 
* Alex purchases all the books, but she won’t sell them the silver dagger, it’s part of a shrine.
* Lillian is very gracious, and genuinely wants to help Cyrus.
** He gets the feeling that her stance on neutrality isn’t that firm, her mind could be changed with the right words. 
* After we leave the Verdant Vale we discuss our next step.
** We will attempt the seance but Cyrus needs time to prepare. 
** Alec suggests that Cyrus cultivates the relationship with Lillian. 
* It’s time for dinner, Martha recommends a great local place in a refurbished train car.