The dwarf rubs the back of her neck as her muscles begin to ache from the rising stress. "This is a family that a vampire has told us to stay away from, by the way..! Know something about what? What's so important to risk walking into a place that a few have advised us to stay away from these people?"

Shit. 

"Now what?"

Nimue's eyes flicker to meet Astrid's, then back up to the house. She glances sideways at Caio, then up at Ghoul circling overhead. "It's, uh......" she hesitates, weighing her options. Was keeping her identity to herself selfish? Perhaps she'd find help more easily if she opened up. She clears her throat. "It's family history. My family and the Morgensterns seem to have had some sort of conflict a long time ago. And I want to know what it was." 

She rushes on, "But this really isn't the place for that conversation." She looks around. "So, any ideas?"

     Family... Astrid's shoulders relax a bit but continues to eye the elf suspiciously. "I understand," she finally says with a resigned sigh, knowing well that she would do the same thing if information about her grandmother could be found within. "Please, let's be careful here."

Caio acknowledges the understanding in Astrid's eyes with a nod. All three of them are bound by mystery, all propelled towards the dangerous unknown in search of something they've lost. Nothing would stop him from chasing after his quarry, and he can only assume these two feel the same. "We're only here to inquire about some historical events. For all we know," he adds sarcastically. "the Morgensterns have nothing to do with it. We go in, have a look around, no harm no foul. Perhaps we should really just go knock on the front door. Clarissa doesn't know your face, Nimue, and I can ensure she doesn't know mine."

"Seems a good plan as any. All I want are a few answers. I have no quarrel with this Clarissa woman," She pauses, looking at the two beside her, then adds, "Yet."

     "Well, let's hope she's not here. It doesn't seem like there are too many dwarves around this city to get me mixed up between." Astrid waves a hand in front of her to let her two companions lead the way.

Caio begins to mutter a short mantra, and his already shadowy form darkens and blurs. When the darkness fades, Caio cuts a far less intimidating figure. He appears as a high elf with quite similar features to Nimue, perhaps a cousin. His attire appears simple but well made in the elven style, something that an academic might wear. Given the cue to go ahead, he steps forward and tries the gate.

The metal bars jangle and rattle, but do not open. It appears that the garden gate is locked.

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"Of course," Alaris is told with grace, "the beasts are stabled just in here." The man continues, gesturing to the row of doors that they have arrived in front of. "I'm sure you'll find them to your master's liking." 

Alaris turns and leans against one of the doors, looking in and crooning wordlessly to the resident of the horse stall.

The pale gray horse tosses its head with a snort and trots over to Alaris to sniff their hand.

Alaris smiles and rubs their hands along the sides of the horse's face. The paladin sings soft words in the tongue of the Lady, before speaking to the grey horse. "Hello, sweeting," they murmur. "Are they treating you and your friends well enough here?"

     "I don't suppose you'll take that as a sign that they're not wanting to answer any questions?" Astrid asks of Nimue, indicating the locked gate. 

The horses whinnies and brays against Alaris and slowly the sounds morph into something comprehendible. The horse considers itself comfortable. The stable is warm and dry and the steed is fed. Of course, it has never known anything else in its life.

Her breath catches in her throat as Caio transforms. It's as if one of the portraits on the walls of her home had sprung to life. She'd forgotten how much she missed the faces of her loved ones; seeing their smiles, hearing their voices. She knows it's only an illusion, but it's one she wants to live in. Astrid pulls her back to the present.

"I can't leave without trying." She looks to the sprawling mansion. "I understand if you don't want to come. But this is something I have to do."

She turns back to Caio. "They probably know we're here, I would imagine a place like this would have hefty security." Especially if they're looking to prevent another assassination. Nimue walks up to the gate to stand next to Caio. "Should we announce ourselves?"

     "Yeah, I think it's fairly certain they know we're here." She grabs her holy symbol with a hand and touches the broken pocket watch to her lips. "Hello?! Anyone home in there?!" Her voice booms through the courtyard of the noble house. 

A flurry of dark birds alight from the eaves as Astrid's voice reverberates about the garden. The echoes linger briefly, before fading away until silence reigns once more. In their wake, a single crow lands atop one of the gate posts, cawing once at the trio outside.

Nimue narrows her eyes, head tilting slightly as the crow alights on the gate. She quietly murmurs, "You think the crow wants us to do something?" 

"You should try talking to it. Might say something back."  Do you want me to look like I'm crazy? Silence follows her question. She sighs, then addresses the crow. 

"I seek an audience with the head of this house." She waits, not believing for a second that this will work.

The crow tilts its head at Nimue and caws once more, before taking to the air and disappearing into the grounds. A few seconds later the black gates slowly swing inwards with an ominous creak. Caio notices that the decorative wrought iron at their peak is shaped like a shooting star. 

     Astrid slowly shakes her head in disbelief. "Hmf... Well, that was certainly surprising... Looks like you may get to ask your questions after all." She hesitates to take a step through the gates. "Why don't you go ahead and take the lead here."

"Perhaps I will..." Nimue steps across the threshold, her feet light on the ground. The gardens are large and sweeping, well kept shrubs and flowers arranged around footpaths and fountains. She slows as they near the front door. What now? She looks back at Astrid and Caio. 

"Now I suppose we wait."