The pickpocket, clearly not expecting to become a mark in turn, took only a casual glance around at the surroundings while pushing through the crowd less than gracefully, leaving a wake not unlike a ship's wake moving through the sea. It made it easy for Shay to follow, her movements going with the flow in contrast, leaving no evidence that she had passed through. She retrieved her coin purse and more without having to resort to such crudities as bumping into her mark, who continued on unaware of the lighter load.<br/><br/>Besides the coin purse, the "more" was an envelope containing two pieces of paper. One was a scrap upon which was scribbled in heavy handwriting:<br/><br/><em>"Dear Stranger, if you are reading this, it is for you. Meet me upon the roof of the Astronomer's Tower at midnight on Midsummer's Evening. I have a proposal for you that will bring you great wealth."</em><br/><br/>The other was an official-looking invitation card:<br/><br/><em>~~~<br/>Their Graces, the Duke Cornelius and the Duchess Angeline of Seahurst, Lord of the Seven Seas and Watcher of the Waves, do hereby cordially invite <span class="bbc_u">Miss Titania</span> to the Masked Midsummer Ball, to be hosted at the Ducal Estates on the Evening of Midsummer's Day.<br/><br/>This invitation to be presented for entry upon the Evening of the Ball.<br/><br/>Dress code: formal masquerade.<br/>Gift code: rose.<br/>~~~</em><br/><br/>Midsummer's day - that was only a week away, for Shay to prepare.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Pickpocket's Perception: 7 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=58314)