There's a knock at the door.

...Blegh.

Lilou snaps some armor - and weapons - on a bit haphazardly. "Stay back while I get that," she says to Bérengère. 

"Yes'm."

And: door?

At the door-

there is a woman with an entire fox's head. Her fur is ashy gray, with a splash of snowy white on the underside of her muzzle.

Huh.

She leans against the doorframe. "Your networks are quick, Fox."

"It pays to be informed. A good evening to you, Ms. Travere. Might I come in?"

She steps back. "Sure."

"Thank you." She flows inside, long cloak rustling along the floor. Her clothes are- probably enchanted, somehow? If only because it's difficult to discern what they actually are or even what dynamic they present, even when one is looking straight at them.

Kinky. Probably actually just practical with the whole secret identity thing. But, seriously, all Lilou can see is the fox head - no skin - so that's like, double kinky.

"What do I owe this visit to?"

"The present crisis, of course. I enjoy the playground as it stands, and I support your efforts to save it."

"You're one of the reasonable ones, then."

She chitters a laugh. "Planning a good heist requires a certain clear-thinking quality."

"As does foiling one."

"And in the service of doing so now, you seek the Mythic Dawn. And you have asked my thieves to hunt the Amulet of Kings. Truthfully, it was this that caught my attention. That gem has never been taken before, and under other circumstances, I would not condone this contract."

"It belongs with the throne," she confirms. Then, somewhere between wryly and humorlessly: "Normally attempting to steal it would be like stealing the ground out from under us."

"But now... We need to steal it back."

"Indeed we do. The word has been spread among my people, have no fear on that front."

"I knew Renardine would be good for that."

"She is most helpful," the Gray Fox agrees. "But being who she is, and who the other thieves in the city are, there are certain doors that are barred for them."

...Hum.

"Go on."

"As I'm sure you can guess, there are those among the Elder Council who are angling for the throne themselves while it appears unoccupied. It is my strong suspicion that at least one of those is a member of the Mythic Dawn. Whether her loyalty to the cult is as great as her ambition, I cannot say, but an investigation would certainly be worth your while."

"I'll need a way to get close to her."

She produces an envelope and offers it to Lilou.

"She's hosting a party tomorrow night. Here is your invitation."

"Fancy dress?"

"Of course."