Paula nodded. "I agree. No undue risks. But, let me tell you - you will know if I need you by the look in my eyes."

"Good point. Then I will keep it simple.

"But, I should go and prepare for dinner. If you will excuse me."

Paula went to her room to bath and dress for dinner.

(Sorry - back at work full time so it's been busy) "It would be a shame to let this opportunity pass, considering what I am exposing myself to. I'm expecting to keep the Magistrate at bay - if you know what I mean - but there's no guarantees. "It would be great to keep him on our side. If ...

"Yes, it was, most indeed," Paula chimed in.

(Same with Paula. I'm with Bela but staying out of the convo until introduced)

"I agree. The Fox would be an excellent companion for me at dinner. It might keep the magistrate at bay if she joins me.

"Let's tell Hester now."

Paula waves Slade over as Sara leaves. As he comes within ear distance, Paula says, "I have an in to the Guild Hall. Magistrate Keren has invited me to dinner tonight. I figured you could shadow Sara and I and see if you can find another entrance. Failing that, at least I will get a look inside...

"Not unusual because I will be going with you. I didn't want him to try and get out of it if you had shown up tomorrow, for example, by saying he wasn't aware of the arrangement. "Now, go prepare and meet back here at 7:30. I have some things I need to talk to Bela about." Paula looke...

"I said I would have dinner with him," Paula replied with confidence. "So go prepare yourself and meet us back here at 7:30."

Paula looked at the magistrate knowingly. She smiled her own smile which seemed to say 'Welcome to my lair, said the spider to the fly.' This wasn't the first time she had been so propositioned and as long as she was young enough, it would not be the last. "I would be delighted to have dinner w...

Paula saw the look in his eyes change a bit and wondered what he was thinking. His questions took her offguard, though, so she she reasoned aloud. "I believe she does know numbers although I'm not so sure about formal education. She is quite a talented seamstress and reading and mathematics are...

Paula : "Oh," he waves his hand, "There are no fees for an apprenticeship. There are costs of course, but those would be covered by the Guild member to whom they are apprenticed." His brows draw down into a more stern expression. "The positions are very competitive, however...

"I see," Paula replied, know what Sara might be required to do to get the support of a Guild member. It might be more than she is willing to pay, especially if the Guild member was the unsavory sort. "One more question, if you would be so kind," Paula began. "What is the cos...

(Another roll, please) "How very interesting," Paula responds with genuine interest. "You must have had very influential parents to apprentice to the High Magistrate. It would seem that beginning as a child is the way to go. It would require the parents to pay the fee, is that correct...

(I do agree that it was a charm roll. Now, it is going to be persuasion so that he will tell me what I need to know.) "I'm so sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you could tell me how a person would join the Guild. You see, I have a friend of very strong faith who wanted to know. She ju...

Paula quickly gets up and rushes over to the tall, bald man and using all her charm and persuasion, she says, "Pardon me, sir. Are you a Guild member?"

Well, we won't know if you can join the Guild unless we ask. We can take you to the Guild Hall and see. Or, better yet," Paula paused and looked around for a Guild member.

Paula listened to Sara.

"Have you ever thought of becoming a Guild member? Your faith seems very strong and from what I hear, there are no restrictions on marriage or family.

"That way, Smoak can't touch you."

"All due respect, I don't know who would want to pay more for living there? We passed through the area on our way here and frankly, anyone with more money would choose a better place. "As far as the casinos go, I have no doubt they cheated you out of your money. I'm a fairly good card play...

Unlike Bela, Paula orders a large meal with an extra plate so that Sara does not feel awkward in ordering something for herself. That way, Paula could pick at small bites while Sara ate the motherlode of the meal. Two cups of tea for each of them and a small plate of cakes to finish it all off. Paul...