The Ill-Fated Fortunes of a Steampunk Madam XIV: Apparition

The sleepy little kitten on Ajax's shoulder stirred, and immediately the satyr felt himself pulling out of the subtle spell that Dame Ona was weaving. He was beginning to understand what both his auntie and Dame Ona were saying about the cards. It was not dissimilar from other brainstorming and inspirational techniques that he used in his investigations.

But as Marmalade's little head popped up, ears alert, eyes wide and ready, Ajax prepared. Instantly he let his body relax, trusting his own skills to guide his reactions to the unexpected. And so when a grizzled old crow came flying through the window, clucking and chuckling softly as it landed on the back of a nearby chair.

"Oi. Well. My auntie," Ajax said slowly, thoughtfully, "believed deeply in signs and portents. Especially involving corvids. Crows, ravens, magpies, jays...she called them all apparitions."

Dame Ona fixed him with her bold green eyes. "They are."

Ajax nodded. "Excuse me while I make a call."