[Suzerain of Sheol]

Somewhere along the way, it occurred to Tsae that actually finding Demmi might prove more difficult than she'd originally accounted for. All she had to go off of was questionably-accurate portrait and a description. Auburn hair, medium height, air of not even remotely deserving a violent death.

It was going to be super awkward if she got the wrong person.

You know, the mesmer was thinking as she cautiously explored the ground floor of the house, I shouldn't have even bothered with the shoes in the first place. This is far more comfortable, and if anyone asks, I'm just imitating the Queen. She's such a trendsetter. All the girls on the frontier want to be just like her, don't you know? Especially if it comes with the noble attentions of the great Captain Thackeray.

Peeking into a nearby vestibule, she saw no sign of her target, or of anyone in general, though there was a curious-looking Asuran robot that didn't seem like it fit with the decor of the house. Maybe it was one of those exotic purchases people like Caudecus could afford to drop enough gold for an Eternity on without a second thought, just to show off how disgustingly rich they were. Oh well.

She came across scatterings of guests and servants as she continued to investigate, most of whom paid her no mind, too absorbed in contrived social niceties and throwing backhanded compliments at the delegates of the other races. Still, this party had an aura of tense apprehension, like everyone was waiting for something horrible to happen. Which, granted, if all went well, something horrible would happen, but no one should know about that....

Catching a moment where the attention of the main hall waxed around what must have been a particularly outrageous joke, Tsae made her way up the nearest staircase, hoping the second floor would be less crowded. Even the minor exertion of climbing the stairs was exacerbated by the discomfort of the dress she was wearing. She'd considered trying to sneak in a change of clothes, but it just wasn't logistically feasible with the level of security here.

Reaching the landing of the second floor, Tsaerri immediately froze, crouching in the shadow of the railing for all the good it would do her as her eyes fell upon an unexpected and uncomfortable sight.

You cannot be serious. Lyssa! Why do you hate me!? What is he even doing here? Why isn't he out being heroic somewhere far away? Or raising stupid, ugly babies with his stupid, ugly girlfriend?

In any other situation, it would have just been awkward, irritating, rage-inducing even. But here, like this, she had to actually consider killing him if he was in her way. It wouldn't be hard, the idiot had his foot stuck on something devious which was demanding all his attention. She could just step up behind him and pop-pop, no more Syrgei.

But she wasn't supposed to kill anyone besides Demmi here, they'd probably take a cut out of her fee if she got sloppy. He obviously wasn't lost up here, though. Whatever was going on, her former coworker had just as little reason to be poking around as she did. Knowing him, he was probably contracting to the Seraph, which meant that their presence here wasn't just for show. Was this some kind of sting?

Whatever it was, she was taking too damned long deciding what to do about it. Someone was coming up the stairs. Time to move.

Springing lightly to her feet, Tsae darted to the corner opposite Syrgei, pressing herself against the wall as the footsteps drew closer. His surprised glance was met with an emphatic finger to her lips, pleading for silence.