"Glued to the inside of the vase," he sighs.

"Apparently."

"Pour some kind of solvent into the vase, let it sit, have someone with gloves on dump it out?"

"I haven't asked how they're getting it out, that might be it, I just got a note about them finding it. I'll give them that advice, though. It's clever."

"Well, it's unlikely to harm the artifacts - they're sure the thimble's not in the same place, making this a prank more than a theft?"

"I can go ask," he offers.

"I'd like to know, if you find out - but it seems a bit much to hope for."

"You'll be the first person I tell. Maybe we'll get lucky and find out it hasn't left the building at all."

"It'd still mean there was probably an unethical mindreader wandering around, but not likely a gang of them..."

"Yeah. That'd be - something, at least."

"Yeah. I'll - keep staying home, I guess. Best of luck."

"Thanks. I'll keep looking for it. Vai's helping, and I think there are some other trackers that want to touch the necklace so they can sneak up on any mindreaders."

"I - wish I had a better answer to give you," he sighs.

"Me too. Well - it's what it is."

"It is. Let me know if there's anything I can do? For you, specifically, I mean."

"If I think of anything I'll tell you."

"Thanks." Pause. "I love you," he adds, because for some reason it seems the appropriate thing to say.

"I know. Thanks."

"Mhm. I'll go see about retrieving the necklace and hunting down whoever has the thimble."

Aldaras calls the administration of the college. He's going to ask them, very nicely, how they're planning to get his necklace out of the vase. He'll pitch Annie's solvent idea, if they don't have something better.

They say they'll try it. They call back after; his necklace has been extracted and he can retrieve it at his leisure if he wants it right now.