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The Citadel? I'm sure the guards can point you to my room.

[ And she'll be waiting, as a good friend will do. Friend. ]

[And so it is to Hermione's office in the Citadel that Faolan heads, pausing at the door to be announced. (As "The Marshall's Dog", Faolan narrows his eyes at the guard for that one, but says nothing. For now.)]

[ Hermione frowns, her nose wrinkling, but she gets up to greet Faolan all the same, her smile softening when she sees him. ]

Hi, Faolan. Come on in and help yourself to a drink.

[Faolan casts one remaining glance in the guards direction before being ushered inside. He takes the drink offered him, although it's as much a prop to keep his hands preoccupied as anything else. He glances towards her warily, then back towards the door. The window. Everywhere there might be ears listening in.]

Is this office secure? [Its fairly clear, given his shiftiness, that he does not simply mean against threats, but for secrets as well.]

[ Hermione pauses, careful, before she reaches up her sleeve and draws out her wand. Flicking it, the doors and windows all lock, bolts snapping into place, and she turns her eyes to the door, giving it another wave before her wand is put back in it's place. ]

It's secure, I promise.

[Faolan nods slightly, watching the bolts and shutters snapping into place. She's a witch, after all, if she doesn't know how to secure a room from eavesdroppers than he doubts anyone truly can.

He fidgets with the drink in his hands for a moment. Realizing he is going about this friendship thing all the wrong way. It's why he's never been very good at it. And why he's never had that many friends.]

I have a request for you. In relation to the compass you made for me a while back...

[ Hermione's magic is a quick and easy cheat and she knows it; the doors are locked tight, safe and protected, and she steps forward to nod her head, offering no more than a smile.

She knows that Faolan is uncomfortable with being close to someone, with the idea of being her friend, so she won't push. Instead, she crosses her arms and waits. ]

Yes? Did you need another?

[Faolan shakes his head slightly.]

I had rather a different question in mind.

[He purses his lips for a moment as he tries to figure out how to continue before:] Is it possible for you to make other networks? Separate from the compasses? That is to say, if I were to commission you to make me a network of my own, could you do that?

[He will explain why. Eventually. Only because he knows that he has to.]

[ She blinks, pauses, before her smile widens and she nods. ]

I can do that, of course. It might take a little bit of time, but I'm sure it's possible for me to do it.

[ She leans back to consider it, thoughtful. ]

How many would you need?

[Faolan had not been certain it was even possible, let alone that she would accept it so readily, so he's momentarily thrown for a loop, though he hides it as best he can, thinking fast for how many he should request.]

One for myself and at least... Five others. With the option of more than that, as time goes on.

[He realizes that this is an odd request and he's honestly surprised she has not asked him for further details as to why just yet. Perhaps that's coming.]

[ Hermione brightens, nodding her head. ]

I can do that. It can be just like the compasses - whenever you need a new one I can add to the network and just attach the new mirror to the rest of them. It shouldn't be too hard.

[ She does pause, though. ]

Should I know what this is for?

[Faolan considers the question, before determining that as a matter of fact, she might as well know, being a Marchioness of the citadel.]

I have acquired a new position in the court. On top of my other duties. [he is quick to amend.]

I need. A secure way to speak to. Agents, in the field. Without the risk of interception or listeners-in. [He does not say spies. Nor does he refer to himself as Spymaster. But those are the words that one might use, in other contexts.]

Oh!

[ She... Thinks she understands, and she nods her head. She has her own friends that she keeps in contact with and she can empathise with wanting to have a private place for that in the future. ]

Well, that's fine. I can set that up for you as soon as you'd like, Faolan.

[Faolan nods to her.] As soon as you can, I would be more grateful than I could say.

The only thing that I would request is -- and I do not know if such a thing is possible, but. Should a mirror fall into the wrong hands...

I'll do them as fast as I can.

[ She pauses, considering. ]

I could try inscribing them with runes so that only the person that owns them can use them? If that doesn't work then I always keep an eye on my networks and I can shut them down if I need to.

[Faolan nods, although he hones in on the second option.]

I think it would be best for your own safety as well as theirs if you did not pay too much attention to what was being said or done with these mirrors, Hermione. I trust that the runes will do their part, and if I hear of them being misused in any sort of a way, I will let you know so that you can do exactly that.

[Sound fair? It's probably the best that he can offer. What if he hears about the planning for her own destruction across one of the mirrors, after all? He would not want her to worry about such a thing without just cause to do so. Let him handle the spying. It's what he's good at, after all.]

I trust you to let me know, then. The magic is mine, so I'm the one that has to shut them down if something goes wrong.

[ It's strange, curious magic, but it goes hand in hand with being the person that made the devices in the first place. She looks over at Faolan and softens ever so slightly. ]

They'll be done soon. I promise.

[Faolan nods slightly. He does not miss that look on her face, though he does not quite know what to do about it.]

Thank you. I will see that you are paid for your services, Hermione. I understand there is work required, I would not ask it of you freely.

You - you don't have to, Faolan. We're friends and we work together - I know that.

[ She smiles softly. ]

I'll get them delivered.

[Faolan is still a little uncomfortable with the idea of friends -- what is expected from one, as a friend? Will he meet the standards? Is he meeting them now, with her? Will he let her down? But he nods slightly, not wanting to argue with her.]

Your kindness will not go unrewarded.

[ She almost shakes her head - trust him to miss the point entirely - but she softens, letting her hand run over his arm. ]

I've no doubt about that at all.

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