An Evening Between Nobility

"I have heard about the moving pictures. An interesting concept, but nothing new. I imagine the fad will die down in a few years," Perry replied. "And I'm glad to hear your father is doing well. I've been looking into investing into a new factory once my business with Fairchild is complete."

"A new factory?" She hoped it was not the factory she suspected. If it was... her courtship would be unfortunately cut short by another accident.

"Yes, a factory my father was considering opening. I believe there might be more clues to be found into his death if I build it. It has already surfaced Toryc as a person of interest..." Replied Perry.

"Perhaps you should hold off on building the factory," Lavinia murmured. "I would not want something similar to happen to you."

"If I hold off too long whatever relevance the factory had might be gone," Perry replied.

"Doubtful," Lavinia answered. "I believe there are some out there who would prefer this factory not come to be. We are talking of the manufacture of pale sodium, are we not?"

"That is correct. An important substance to keep magic in check," Perry replied.

"Whatever for?" Lavinia asked, raising her eyebrows. "Doesn't it seem rather a hindrance to progress?"

"It also offers control to such abilities. Allows people to stop a magician put in jail," Perry replied.

"Are there not adequate enough supplies for that already? If you propogate the manufacture of such a product, you cripple the abilities of all investigators who might keep non-Shelby magicians in check. It is a foolish venture," Lavinia insisted.

"In either case, if I simply stop manufacturing it now, I risk losing any future relevance such a factory may have in my father's death. Not building it will have any interest in it go astray, and I will have to reply on Toryc for further clues. Quite frankly, I would prefer to avoid that outcome."

"Yet you further risk your entire family if you pursue this. Has there not already been enough death? Certainly you should pursue this, but not at this cost," Lavinia answered. "I fear you tread blindly onto treacherous ground."

"I'm afraid this is ground I can no tread on in any other fashion. There is something happening here and I can think of no other way to get information on it. I refuse to let such information go completely ignored and investigated," Perry replied.

"I did not say ignore it," Lavinia answered, "but I do not think you should proceed as you are. You are being reckless. At this rate you may end up the same way as your father, with no knowledge to show for it."

"Then do you have any other suggestions to draw attention to such a piece fo evidence without explaining my intentions to the world?" Perry asked in response.

"You should simply retrace your father's steps, not bring them to conclusion."

"His steps are difficult to trace. This factory has been operating in... secrecy," Perry replied, looking a bit sour at the last word. It was enough fo a secret he didn't even know it of it's existence until Toryc had came to him.

"Then you need only uncover those secrets."

"And the best way to uncover such secrets is to draw them in the open. See who all responds to the opening of the factory," Perry replied.

"The responses, I fear, will likely be private rather than public. You will likely not receive such answers until it is much too late."

"Or unless someone comes to me," Perry replied. He couldn't see why no one would take such a direct route in the first place. After all, it would save all parties trouble.

"Perhaps they shall ask you to see reason," Lavinia answered, meeting his gaze. "But may only speak with you if you seem amenable to reason."

Perry paused in his eating, the pieces slowly connecting in his mind. "I see. Perhaps your words have quite a bit of wisdom to them. I shall put the construction on hold until more evidence can be found," He replied, not taking his eyes off Lavinia as his mind tried to pull pieces together and get a clear picture as to what exactly she was implying.

"I shall worry less then," Lavinia answered, calmly taking a bite of her food. "Perhaps in time you will know more."

"I can only hope I find out more in time," Perry replied, finishing his own meal and politely waiting for Lavinia to finish her meal. "I can confidently say it has been an eventful week. I hope your research goes well and does not put you into danger as well."