Robert stood in the corner, leaned nonchalantly against the wall with a stony, dour expression.

[color=f9ad81]"I have a few questions of a different nature."[/color] he stated flatly.

[color=f9ad81]"If we are leaving tomorrow, the matters of supplies, and passes need to be discussed.  If we are going to be investigating the area thoroughly, this may be a lengthly event.  If possible, we should request that His majesty, the Duke, should provide us with suitable passes for forage and hunting, at the very least. Being stopped by one of the royal foresters for poaching without permits will be quite unpleasant, and would derail our efforts there considerably."[/color]

He heaved a somewhat weary breath, those seemingly dull and empty brown eyes of his never once seeming to acknowledge the room he was in even existed, while he went over invisible pages in an expense ledger that did not exist anywhere but behind his own imagination.

[color=f9ad81]"Then there's the issue of what material supplies will be provided, or will not be provided. If we are departing in the morning, that means we must appropriate suitable provisions tonight before the shops close for the night, and that means we need to know what we should or should not be bringing.  What material assistance is being provided for this excursion, is there an expense budget, and if so, what is this budget-- and are there any [i]preferences[/i] the ducal seat would desire to be maintained?"[/color]

His face made a very dour, and somewhat sour frown behind his mustache and beard.

[color=f9ad81]"It is important to consider whether our expenses will exceed our payment, before accepting a job."[/color]

His eyes narrowed a moment; a mere flicker, before returning to dull, expressionless emptiness.

[color=f9ad81]"It would also be good to know what the official investigation of the area turned up, where, and for what was searched, what evidence we should assign to the leavings of the previous investigation, vs things of actual interest, and if any more specific details about the previously mentioned 'personal effect' might be shed. People dont normally take things with them without reasons; what was the item the young lady dropped -or discarded-, what is the significance of this item to the lady-- such details may seem trivial matters..."[/color]

The frown returned, but as always, the eyes said nothing.

[color=f9ad81]".. Or might even [i]be considered indiscreet[/i]... but may provide some useful insight into the nature of her disappearance, or the nature of her .. [i]errand[/i]... out in a dangerous, abandoned ruin, in a dangerous wood, rumored to be home to dangerous entities..."[/color]

A wry smirk came on his face for a mere fraction of a second, before being replaced with the frown once again.

[color=f9ad81]"--And, as concerns these supposedly present entities, what information can the ducal seat provide about the nature of said beings?  Answers to these inquiries may well prove quite insightful concerning the purchases I may soon undertake. The history and significance of the ruin itself, may also provide answers, or insights, into the nature of both the errand, and her disappearance.[/color]"