Hopes and Dreams

* The investigators return to the Refugium. Night has fallen, the lanterns are ablaze, and we all head inside.
* As we come in, the maid we spoke to previously, Elise Peterson, approaches Cyrus and thanks him for humouring her childish conversations.
	+ Signe sees she is blushing! Very smitten
	+ Cyrus is polite to her, and she scuttles off to a crevasse. . .
	+ She’s either in love, the Vaesen we’re looking for, or under a spell.
* We gather in the lounge to talk about our day.
	+ Wila is very uncomfortable sitting in a dress, Martha offers to teach the pleb the ways of Lady Etiquette
* A big topic of discussion is Cyrus’s plans for his nighttime visitor.
	+ He suggests we lock him in the room so he can’t leave
	+ Martha offers Eddy to sit outside and watch through the window.
	+ We all agree to this.
* Wila pipes up and asks how she can help/contribute
	+ She’s good at hunting, tracking, and skilled at the bow & arrow
	+ Alec lends her the Libra and suggests that she study it
	+ We also suggest she learn our habits for tracking purposes
	+ Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
	+ She’s very excited and starts reading the book right away (she will read it outloud so Martha can correct any ‘mistakes’ she makes)
* Alec summons Elise to the lounge and requests a lantern brought to them in the morning.
	+ Signe is watching Elise and notes her blush and smile at Cyrus. . .
	+ Martha and Wila talk swimming fashion
* The hour grows late and we all head to bed. . . except for Signe.
	+ She skulks around the quiet/dark manor, looking for Elise.
	+ She’s concerned the girl’s new affection towards Cyrus is brought on by witchcraft! Also, she is from the South Villages, which is an area of interest.
	+ She finds the hidden servant stairwell and makes her way into the kitchen below, looking for anything out of the ordinary
		- There are no shrunken heads or strange herbs.
	+ She finds the servants quarters and locates the room where Elise sleeps.
		- There are no strange symbols, writing on the desk.
		- It’s all very mundane. . .
		- The crush could be legit, for now.
* Meanwhile, upstairs, Cyrus wakes to feel someone watching him.
	+ There is a humanoid figure sitting in a chair in the moonlight. Looks feminine.
	+ He addresses her but she doesn’t answer.
	+ She gets up and heads towards the door, motioning for him to follow.
	+ He does.
	+ The door opens despite it being locked
* Cyrus knows this could be a bad idea for him, so he puts on his duster and boots and walks heavily to the door to make noise.
	+ He bumps his knee against the desk and wakes up. He was sleepwalking.
* Alec hears the bang and wakes up, he exits his room and bumps into Signe who “also heard it”. They both go check on Cyrus.
* He explains to them what he experienced.
	+ He thinks the culprit could be something that can get into people’s dreams to make them do things, which explains a lot about the missing men’s behaviour.
	+ Signe points out he had some kind of control because he was able to get dressed.
* The ghost figure was thin with a flowing dress, long hair, and a woman.
	+ As Cyrus tries to recall more he has more trouble.
		- He consults his ball for clues but gets nothing. Maybe it was just a dream after all?
* Alec asks for a moment of our time: they are an academic looking to study the human condition (as well as Emerson!). Alec can tell both Signe and Cyrus are suffering some ill effects; they look stressed and on edge.
	+ They take the moment to offer assistance, lend an ear, or have a cup of tea
	+ They want to share some passages from Emerson, and get to know Signe and Cyrus better.
		- Sharing is caring!
	+ They read some passages to calm our nerves. We are able to heal our conditions.
	+ Cyrus says he has some relief but also how this mission is very triggering to him, as he’s also experienced great love and loss.
		- Signe studies Cyrus closely at this comment and wonders if he’s some kind of catalyst to what’s going on? (probably not)
		- Not sure if these ghosties are a coincidence to our current mission or not! Not likely. . .
* As they part ways and head to bed, Signe pauses with Alec and tells them her theory.
	+ Alec doesn’t agree and accuses Signe of being jealous of Elise!! Gasp!
	+ Alec doesn’t see why Signe is so “obsessed” with this girl, suggesting her infatuation is a normal thing.
* The next morning, Alec is accosted by Mr. Sommerland!
	+ He wants to know the status of our investigation
	+ He received a letter from the Burroughs regarding their missing son.
	+ His reputation is on the line! If Thomas is dead this will be the end of him!
	+ He tells us to do whatever it takes to solve this case!!