The Witch's smile faded somewhat, almost performatively so. "Hmm. Laura, you said." She tilted her head. "Truthfully, I find it concerning that your friend would speak of this place and make no mention of its nature. I hear that, and think that perhaps you've been lied to somehow. And so allow me to preempt that question."
She dipped her head in a second introduction. "This is one of the Rose Clubs of the Guild of the Red Claw. We are an organization of wanderers and mercenaries, who contract our services to any with the coin sufficient to negotiate one." She lifted her head back up, eyes resting on the book for just a moment. "I would mention there is plenty of room outside of mercenary work, but first, I would like to ask more about this friend of yours. Who is she to you? I am genuinely curious."
Her tone of voice was cordial and sincere all throughout. Not once did her mask slip, nor was there any indication of a mask at all. But looking into the Mismagius' eyes, it felt as if Laura were being seen straight through.
"If it's something personal, then worry not about twitching ears. No one can hear us down here."
...Was that supposed to be reassuring?
She dipped her head in a second introduction. "This is one of the Rose Clubs of the Guild of the Red Claw. We are an organization of wanderers and mercenaries, who contract our services to any with the coin sufficient to negotiate one." She lifted her head back up, eyes resting on the book for just a moment. "I would mention there is plenty of room outside of mercenary work, but first, I would like to ask more about this friend of yours. Who is she to you? I am genuinely curious."
Her tone of voice was cordial and sincere all throughout. Not once did her mask slip, nor was there any indication of a mask at all. But looking into the Mismagius' eyes, it felt as if Laura were being seen straight through.
"If it's something personal, then worry not about twitching ears. No one can hear us down here."
...Was that supposed to be reassuring?