"That's what I meant, she was reaching for something to say."

She nods. "Gideon's been actively keeping this a secret, I think - possibly for the entire time we've been here."

"Yeah. Think her necro is in on it?"

"Don't see how she wouldn't be."

"True, but this is the part where, emboldened by the brilliant success of my previous attempt, I suggest we arrange a foursome now including Ellynhark Nonagesimus to clandestinely discover-"

"You didn't get much with psychometry that we didn't already suspect, you know."

"You always have to escalate for the sequel. First rule of stories."

"We could just ask." Though she wouldn't object to a foursome.

She points at her cav. "Save that sober and reasonable thinking for the Lyctor trials."

"Fine, fine." She holds her hands up defensively. "We can proposition them after the next library meeting."

"We ought to do the Third at some point too," Palamedes says thoughtfully. "To keep suspicion down, you know."

Snicker. "You can't think of anything else to get from them?"

"I'll come up with something. It can be a multilayered plan."

"The best kind."

Wink!

She loses the fight not to giggle. 

"Let's get to bed, if we're planning for more work like this tomorrow."

"Rest up while we can."

Angerona's going to sleep very well. 

Same. They have done a good day's work, after all.

The next day includes a lot of good work, too - there's a lot of information in the Lab Six study alone - followed by another productive library meeting (where they actually manage to nail down a schedule for returning to the labs, plus trading keys some). 

Angerona catches Ellyn and Gideon's eyes, holding back to let the Third leave first. 

"Something you need, Sixth?"

"Gideon'd said something yesterday about being interested in further meetups - ?"

"I imagine she would've, yes. Are you looking for scheduling?"

"And an interest check, if you'd like to join us."

"Ah." She looks at Gideon.