Mary nods, smiling a happy to please smile of real contentment. "I'll do my best, miss Ithi."<br/><br/>Lady Nightshade asks.  "Would you like to speak with the dead man?  That might answer many of your questions.  I do happen to have a scroll of Speak with Dead handy." She motions to a bone scroll case, embossed with necromantic runes. "I had this brought as soon as possible, but I haven't had the chance to use it yet."<br/><br/>She takes Ithi'ka's questions seriously, but pauses mid stream, sensing something ((of course her sense motive is quite high.)) needs to be addressed.  "My dear, this is bad timing.  I wanted to greet you properly the next time you arrived, and all I can do is beg a favor instead." She places a slender hand on Ithi'ka's arm, looks at her steadily.  "Consider what it takes for me to trust anyone this much.  I consider this act of yours the act of a friend... and I won't soon forget it."<br/><br/>Her answers to the questions: "Yes, all the staff lives here, on the third floor in fact."<br/><br/>"Her room?  Of course, I'll show you."<br/><br/>"Actually, I've been thinking about it.  She'd gone out that afternoon, and when she returned, she didn't speak long to anyone, just stayed in the Lobby, as if waiting for someone.  At the time I thought something might be on her mind, but I don't generally pry, unless I think it's company business."<br/><br/>She laughs, a real, deep throat chuckle. "Hawk?  Hawk is as real as he wants to be.  He speaks several languages, with or without accent, depending on his mood or the situation."<br/><br/>She frowns in thought.  "I haven't had any new staff in about 6 months.  That was June actually... she came off the streets.  I took her in as a favor to a friend.  It took her a little while to learn our ways, but she was eager to learn, once she believed we weren't lying to her.  We often have new patrons stop in.  Each has a recomendation from a regular patron, and some just come to enjoy the atmosphere, so yes, a few new people just 'watching' as it were.  I can get you a list, if you like."<br/><br/>"Robin?  Certainly.  He's actually one of our richest patrons.  Mistress Kathia's favorite 'pet'.  She's got him in the most ridiculous maid outfit this year, and I think he puts up a fuss sometimes so he'll be 'punished'."<br/><br/>"His name was Liutenant Rothe Fairchilde." (Ithi'ka has heard the name, but he works for Saithe as a paperpusher (company clerk), so they don't run in the same circle.  Nightshade does not recognize Saithe's name, but instantly recognizes the description.) "That's her!  Zombie arm woman with no manners?"<br/><br/>"What would you like to see first?  The scene of the crime, to 'question' your first witnesses, or June's room up here?"<br/><br/><br/>