If Archie's been worried, then quite right to try to make sure Fergus is alright. We wouldn't want anything to happen to him. How long has Archie been worried?

The assistant looks at Balasar, "I don't know exactly when, but more than a tenday for sure."

Balasar nods: Do you remember any other noteworthy events that may have happened around the time Archie first became concerned?

The assistant pauses, "Well, begging your pardon but that would have been a little after we heard about what happened to your cousin."

Balasar nods thoughtfully before turning back to Fergus: Have you any idea what your next project might be once you perfect this one?

Fergus now looks distinctly uncomfortable, "Can't say I've... gotten anything else lined up yet, Master Delmirev."

Focusing all your talents on one thing at a time, eh? Good approach; good approach.

Balasar pauses thoughtfully for a moment, then glances around the room.

Any other noteworthy goings-on that we haven't already touched on?

Rufus shakes his head, "Nothing, sir. Everyone's been trying to stay busy and stay safe. Most of the serving staff have even stopped coming down to us. We send most things up through the dumbwaiter now, when it's time."

The female assistant nods, "And those that DO come down have been downright cold recently. We think everyone's afraid they'll be next."

Oh? Is there any particular reason that the staff feel threatened, or simply the mystery that surrounds the whole affair?

"Well," the assistant rolls her eyes to Fergus, "Apart from a few things, I've not noticed anything that would cause alarm, so I'd guess just the mystery of it all."

Another female assistant snorts, "That's because you're stuck down here. I'll tell you what's a good cause for alarm... The upstairs is becoming a sty. Don't know what the majordomo's thinking, but the upkeep is just abysmal compared to how it used to be."

Archibald shakes his head, "A sty?! I could EAT off the floors upstairs and it would be cleaner than my own plate."

The assistant sniffs, "Bet your plate doesn't have a tenth of the cobwebs I've seen upstairs, Archie. It got so bad that I took it on myself to tidy up some, and one of the servants was so mad that they looked fit to smack me."

Archibald snorts, "I'd smack a maid coming down here and touching the soups; you can hardly blame them for getting angry at you for trying to do their job."

"Well someone has to do it, it's not like they're doing anything about the spiders. I may work the kitchens, but that doesn't mean I deserve to get bitten by some cob with gods knows what in its fangs just because the maids get lazy."

Lisette suddenly pipes up, "Which maid should have been tending to the webs? And which room or set of rooms are we discussing?"

The assistant blinks, "Well... all of them. At least all the rooms I've seen, so all the first floor and some of the second. And the maids all should be rotating through the rooms. Helps keep things consistent if someone falls sick or leaves."

Raising a single narrow brow, the pale healer replies, "Then perhaps we need to have a talk with the majordomo - it should be his duty to follow up if the maids are not doing their jobs. One wonders why he has not done so..."

The assistant arches an eyebrow, "One certainly does. I'd be thrilled if I never have to walk face first into a web again."

Archibald guides the party out of the kitchens. When out of his companion's earshot he adds, "We've been barring Fergus's door at night and keeping watch. He's a good man, but we're not stupid. We'll let you know if he gets worse."

He looks at Lisette, "Can you help him?"

Frowning, Lisette hesitates for a long moment before replying. "I am afraid I do not know enough about his condition to answer that question. It is possible his condition is something treatable, but..." Though she trailed off, a grateful smile lights her face as she meets Archibald's eye. "I appreciate you doing what you can to help and you're willingness to update me on any changes."

Balasar nods his approval as well. You're doing the right thing, and I appreciate it. Hopefully we'll be able to get to the bottom of this soon. Please also send word if you think of anything else that may shed some light on the situation. 

To Balasar, Lisette quietly adds, "If it becomes necessary, I can always have my assistant serve as an escort for Fergus... both for his protection and that of those around him."

Balasar responds equally quietly: I hope that will not become necessary, though from what we've been told, I fear that Fergus is not the only one who might require such an escort.

As the party ascends the stairs to the Majordomo's quarters on the third floor, Wendell turns to Balasar with a curious expression, "You think more of the staff might share his obsession?"

I can't speak to his particular obsession, but from what we've been told, I fear we may find that he is not the only one suffering from recent... peculiarities.