That's concerning. He has an idea of her usual haunts, by now, and checks them, and asks around among the other maids for her.

One of the other maids reveals that Siesta's contract has been bought. She won't be working in the school anymore. She'll be working privately for a local Count named Jules de Mott.

Her what has been what. How does that... work.

The maid nervously explains that for a commoner to be gainfully employed by a noble institution such as this, they must sign a contract specifying a term of employment to which they are bound. The contracts may be exchanged between noble institutions at market value. And, the law is written so that technically noble households count as noble institutions.

"But this isn't supposed to happen!" the maid he is talking to finally blurts. "The school isn't supposed to sell off staff contracts! I don't understand why this would happen. Oh, I hope Siesta is okay..."

Well, that's certainly not not making him want to light several things on fire.

"It'll be all right, sweetheart. I'll look into it."

He's been making a point of keeping Sendings prepared, for emergencies; this certainly is one. "Siesta, sweetheart, it's Raafi, are you okay? You can think a message back to me."

?!?!?!???!?!??!??????!?!?? ?!

Raafi? I, ah, I don't think I'll be available today. Or possibly ever again. I'm terribly sorry and I wish I could've said goodbye p-

Twenty-five words is a frustrating limit and ten minutes is a frustrating length of time. Ten minutes later, though: "It has to be a short message, sweetheart. Are you okay, or should I come find you?"

You shouldn't come find me but I wish you would no don't but I don't want I'm in Count Mott's carriage and I think--

Having a limited number of spells per day is the worst.

Where's Scyelen.

Out beyond the campus wall practicing her aim again. She's getting pretty good.

Sylphid is perched on top of the wall, watching her.

"Scyelen, sweetheart. Siesta's been taken. I need to go find her."

Scyelen flinches at this sudden and unexpected information.

"Wha...? Siesta? Taken? What do you mean, taken?"

He paces, too agitated to stay in one place. "They sold her contract. They're not supposed to, she didn't agree to it. Count Mott, if you know anything about him, I don't. But she doesn't want to be there."

"Sold her...? The academy's... not supposed to do that. I think I've heard that name before too, but I'm, um, not sure? We should probably ask the headmaster? He governs the staff."

"If you think that will help, instead of - he's kind of an idiot."

"I, um, he's, um, but he's still the one who'd have to, um, authorize the transfer."

"It looks like he already has."

"Um, yes? That's what I meant. So he's obviously the person to ask about it?"

He pauses in his pacing, staring off down the road. "-all right. It won't slow us down much even if it doesn't help. You coming?"

Scyelen nods immediately and scampers to follow him.

And to the headmaster's office. Hopefully Miss Vaux will be at her desk.

Both Miss Vaux and Osmond are in his office.

Osmond is looking a bit disgruntled, while Miss Vaux seems more exasperated.

"...reputation will survive," the headmaster is saying sourly. "This isn't the first time nor do I suspect it will be oh Miss Vallière, what are you doing here?"

If looks could kill, Osmond would be in some serious trouble right about now. "We're here about Siesta."

Osmond blinks at the unexpected hostility. "Oh, yes, we were just discussing that maid's transfer of employment. It would seem she will no longer be with us. Hmph. What an impulsive and stubborn man, the Count is. He saw her in passing and immediately took a liking. I'm afraid there was no talking him out of it."

Raafi inhales sharply, glances at Miss Vaux and then at Scyelen. "Where. -where are they."