<strong>"Someone in the neighborhood has probably already reported to her that we are coming,"</strong>Ingress shrugs.<strong>"It's a safe assumption that wherever you go in this city, someone's watching and taking note."</strong><br/><br/>She leads the way inside, stopping to light three sticks of incense and bow before one of the statues in the entry hall, muttering something too low for you to catch.  Passing through a low, circular doorway with two aggressive looking demon statues to either side, you emerge into a small open courtyard.  In the center is a small enclosed building.  To the left and right you see other doors, and Ingress turns to the left.  That doorway gives entry to a study--lots of bookshelves, a low desk, and a woman in dark blue robes sitting behind it, reading.  She has spectacles and two laquered chopsticks holding her hair into a bun.<br/><br/><strong>"Lady Ingress, I presume,"</strong>the woman says, her tone dry, wry, shot through with fond exasperation.<strong>"And guest?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Good afternoon, Learned One.  I cry pardon for our intrusion.  This is Rudy, recently arrived from out of town and..."</strong><br/><br/>The woman holds up a hand to interrupt her, then regards you directly, not responding to Ingress for several moments.  Her gaze is penetrating, almost coldly analytical.<br/><br/><strong>"I see.  And you are wondering what else a certain fond fool has done to this person."</strong><br/><br/>Ingress sighs, nods, turns a wry smile to you.<br/><br/><strong>"Something like that, yes."</strong><br/><br/>That gaze lingers on you again.  It definitely feels like you're being tested in some fashion!<br/><br/><strong>"The Wolf totem favors this one,"</strong>the scholar says at last.<strong>"But are you sure your girls will appreciate your taking in a stray dog like this?  Especially a feral one."</strong><br/><br/>Ingress blushes.