Zamanda waits to see if the rest of her group have questions. She is somewhat worried about the archbanker mentioning a grant from the crown. She doesn't really want the queen involved, given the shady things that she has done lately, but doesn't want to express her anti-queen bias in front of this man either.
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Pel asks Tuttle, "If I may, who is it that you know that specializes in such things? Perhaps we could lend a hand. As something of a student myself, I'd like to know about other academics in the area."
While Pel's interest is genuine, he also very much prefers to know who they're working with to find a cure. The possible grant from the crown is worrisome enough. The fewer details they can leave vague the better.
Tuttle shakes his head, a firm but polite gesture as he explains, "Aside from the fact that would have the risk of you going directly to the source and cutting us out of our fee before the papers are signed, if this 'Blood Veil' situation becomes as dire as you say, I've a feeling you'll be plenty busy as it is. Leave it to the alchemists to play with their beakers and vials."
Zamanda nods and smiles at the offer for escorting Ishani, figuring that she could object later if the papers offered them a poor deal.
Bashiel found himself too distracted by the opulence of the temple in contrast with the masses outside to finish formulating his argument. Mercifully, both Ishani and his allies had stepped up to fill in any lapse on his part. As a result, he was left to his thoughts as the others pleaded the case.
'This man, the Archbanker, is like a mirror to this whole gilded complex. Calm and callous in the face of suffering, cool like the metals cladding the walls. Concerned almost entirely with the coinage that flows one way or another... Now that I've seen this, I could almost imagine the Abadarans funding the Urgathoan researchers themselves if they thought it would be profitable.'
He schools his facial expression, which had been slowly turning to disgust. Though he totally fails to hide his surprise when he realizes that not only was Zamanda asking for the Abadaran's help, but she was asking for their money as well. His mouth falls open for a solid ten seconds of confusion before he looks to his allies and realizes that no one else seems stunned.
'Did she enchant the priest while I wasn't watching? The fellow is opening the purse strings for us solely to escort Ishani to the Citadel?'
Once Bashiel recovers, he offers his own question "Uh sir. I've heard that the records kept by the Church of Abadar are very good. Have your priests recorded any patterns among the clergy that have gotten sick so far? Any places, people or events they may have gotten close to? We will need to arm ourselves-" His hand guesture indicates that ourselves includes the Abadaran Church as well "-with all the knowledge we can, before this plague truly takes over."
The Archbanker shakes his head. "No, we haven't seen a pattern yet. Some of those who took ill haven't had anything to do with healing petitioners and had little contact with those who did. Hopefully I'll know more after speaking with the Gravewarden and the High Priest and we can compare records then."
"Not a good sign." Bashiel shakes his head at the lack of leads. "I hope Ishani will be kept up to date so that the Guard can focus its much more meager resources where they will be most effective." He glances again at the opulent surroundings.
"If you'll excuse us, we'll take him to the Field Marshal immediately." With his allies seemingly holding no other questions, Bashiel leads the way back out.
Pel nods goodbye to the Archbanker before following Bashiel and the others out. The arcanist is more than happy to be out of Tuttle's presence.
Once out of earshot, Pel says, "I suppose if we're going to do this properly, we should have Ishani in the middle and the rest of us can flank him while we travel."
Pel says to Ishani, "I have to ask, do you agree with Tuttle's ethic? I mean, he agreed to help us, but do you agree with his logic behind it? Or are your reasons for working with us more altruistic?"
Zamanda follows, her bow out and ready, focused on earning her 200 gold, and keeping Ishani safe of course, which she would do anyway because she liked him, but the 200 gold was also nice.
When Pel asks him of the Archbanker's ethics, Ishani starts to blurt out an answer, "I..." then cuts himself off just as quickly.
He flushes slightly, takes a moment to consider the question, then says, "The Archbanker represents the Bank of Abadar and understands His faith in a way that, well, that I do not. I think he tries to do good, as he understands it. But, I sometimes wonder if I..." His voice trails off into something unspoken.
He sighs. "Thank you for the escort. I have to hope things are not so bad in the city, but I'm grateful for your company nonetheless. I wonder if, perhaps, Tuttle's hiring you has less to do with my protection than with trying to make an impression on the Field Marshall."
What kind of impression is he trying to make on the Field Marshall?
Not knowing what the man is thinking, Pel decides to speculate. "You sometimes wonder if you disagree with his understanding? There's nothing wrong with that if you do, Ishani. Abadar's teachings aren't for everyone. You seem to be a capable healer. There are other churches in Korvosa that could use your abilities. If you ever want to talk about the Drunken Hero, I'd be happy to do so."
Bashiel gives Pellius a sidelong glance. While he doesn't say it out loud, he thinks towards him "Recruiting Pel? Really? If you steal the fellow away we will lose our contact and spokesman among the Abadarans."
Out loud he says "Regardless of your superiors' pursuit of profits, the church of Abadar does have a steady and reliable interest in keeping the order. That much is for the good." He nods to Ishani. "As for the city, I wouldn't be too sure that it's safe. Not all that long ago there were a number of Otyughs that burst through the pavement and started attacking citizens. Your master's offer may have been for other reasons, but remaining together for safety is a good idea regardless."
Kalem wasn’t really paying attention to what the others were saying. Instead, he was thinking about how much he wished that he had paid more attention when learning how to swim.
Ishani smiles politely at Pel's suggestion and responds diplomatically, "Cayden is a remarkable God and does great good for many, though I'm not sure my personality would be suitable to His faith. I'm a bit too, uh, reserved."
To Zamanda and Bashiel, "The Archbanker likes to remind people of the status the Bank has within the city, but I also wonder if this is just meant to make the Field Marshall more receptive to my words. If she trusts you, perhaps she will look upon what I have to say more favorably." He shrugs, "Or perhaps not."
During the rest of your trip, you find Ishani is quite friendly and personable but declines to discuss his faith further, instead turning discussion back to you, your group's accomplishments, and the state of Korvosa and your shared worry over its citizens. The trip to the citadel poses little problem at all, although whispers and quiet conversations in alcoves and niches replace the usually raucous chatter of a normal business day.
When you arrive at the citadel, the guards on duty greet you warmly, recognizing you readily, and allow you enter with Ishani. The watch sergeant adds in passing, "If you want to meet the Queen's Physicians, you'll need to hurry. They're in the courtyard now."
Before you have an opportunity to ask for more information, a patrol jostles through the gatehouse and you're nudged into the citadel's courtyard yourselves.
The echoes of forcefully spoken but unintelligible words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, muttering in hushed, somber tones. Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guards at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group. These newcomers wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a middle-aged gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short, dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy looking doctor’s case. The second figure is an imposing one indeed—one of the queen’s new Gray Maidens, clad in her resplendent plate armor and crimson plume.
The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers as she addresses her gathered guards. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his physicians in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s Gray Maidens to be as binding as those of any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard. You are the Korvosan Guard. You will not balk. These are dire times, and your city needs these healers. Your city needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”
As the assembly ends, the guards begin to break up into groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their orders.
Zamanda's first thought is MASKED doctors? From the queen? Perhaps the same ones that helped her kill her husband. This is creepy. Thinking of the supposed assassination also reminds her ... I really need to talk to my father.
Zamanda stands and lets the queen's physicians leave, waiting until they are well away before approaching Cressida, hoping that she will listen to their plan even though the queen already apparently has one as well.
”This is good. See? The queen is sending doctors. I bet those masks are to ensure they don’t catch the plague. And she is giving them guards as well, which must mean that they are going to the poorer quarters where that would be needed. We are lucky to have her taking such swift action.”
Zamanda listens to Kalem and starts to laugh. She disagrees with him, of course, but it isn't that she is laughing at. It is the thought that popped into her head of bringing him to dinner with her father. What a riot that would be.
”What’s so funny? If I’m wrong then please tell me how.”
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I was just thinking about how much my father would like you, Kalem. That's all.
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”Really? Let’s have dinner some time then. I’d love to meet him.”
Zamanda smiles and says Sounds good.
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Bashiel is similarly somewhat suspicious of these physicians and their leader. Perhaps it was what one of the others had said earlier, or his own unease, but he didn't quite trust these newcomers sent by the queen.
He positions himself near the exit and quietly examines each as they pass.
Bashiel gets a few polite 'hellos' and 'g'day sirs' as he moves through the guards but is able to make it to a good vantage from which he can surveil the physicians. He does not detect the presence of evil about them.
Ishani has watched the scene play out mostly in pensive silence. To those still near enough to hear, he says aloud yet to no one in particular, "Plague doctors. That's a good sign, surely. Though, how did they arrive so quickly? It's barely started."
As you consider next steps, the field marshall, her veteran attendants and the three doctors begin to head back into the citadel's central keep. Kroft catches a glimpse of Bashiel and her lips twitch in the slightest of smiles. She pauses, says something to the unmasked doctor with a hand on his shoulder before gesture to one of her lieutenants, and the group files into the citadel while Kroft looks back at Bashiel, "Eland! If the rest of your colleagues are here, why don't you bring yourselves up to my office. I should have you meet Doctor Davaulus."
Zamanda rolls her eyes (when everyone has turned away, not obviously), and follows, hoping they can salvage the deal and that Cressida hasn't lost her senses.
Bashiel returns greetings to each of the guardsmen, exchanging well wishes with a few he knows a little better. When his spiritual senses don't detect any evil from the physicians, he rolls his shoulders, subconsciously trying to release the sense of discomfort about the whole situation.
'Am I jumping at shadows here? I am, aren't I.'
He approaches Cressida and raises a hand in greeting. He calls out "'Evening Cressida, we were just here to talk to you. I'll gather the rest and bring them up." He finds the rest of the group and waves them over to go up to talk with Cressida.
Pitching his voice low he mentions to them "I'm not sure how these plague doctors just happened to be ready for this so quickly. To me it suggests something strange going on. But until we know anything for sure, I'd like to keep an eye on them. Let's see what their leader has to offer."
Once he has everyone on board he'll head up to Cressida's office.
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Ilsa shudders momentarily at the sight of the masked physicians. Something about them made her spine tingle. She had shared some of her dreams with her friends--the dark something from a nightmare that was just behind her and trying to make Ilsa just like it. But there had also been some recent additions to her dreams: vultures skirting around the periphery, waiting to pick on the dead.
These physicians reminded her of them, if only for a moment.
This does not bode well...
Bashiel's sage words rouse her from her silence.
"This...does seem strange they are already prepared," she agrees. "Maybe Cressida has something to say."
After exchanging greetings and the invitation with Bashiel, Kroft has already gone back into the Citadel to attend to her guests. You are able to make the ascent to her office in relative privacy and discuss anything you wish.
Once you arrive, you are promptly shown into the field marshal's office and the door is closed behind you. "Ah, here they are, doctor," says Kroft as you enter. She raises an open hand to gesture towards you, then towards the unmasked doctor. "These are the heroes recognized by the Queen herself and, ladies and gentlemen, this is Doctor Davaulus and his colleagues who specialize in matters of plague and disease."
Davaulus smiles warmly and turns towards all of you from where he is standing, his colleagues standing near the wall in their unsettling and avian-like masks. "Ah, yes, the Queen has spoken highly of you." He shakes your hands if allowed. "But please, call me Reiner. 'Doctor Davaulus' is quite formal and we are among friends and peers. I only use my title in court and when an imprimatur of authority is helpful."
As he speaks, Kroft returns to the chair behind her desk and sits, steepling her hands before her as she watches and listens.
Reiner continues, "Anyway, as you might have heard the field marshal explain in the courtyard, we have been retained by the Queen to provide assistance with some sort of disease and I hear you may know quite a bit about it. Is there anything you can tell me that might help?"
Not really being able to tell what this doctor person is up to, Zamanda acts really involved and bright to see how he will react, but she lies and leaves some things out on purpose:
Sure. I am really glad someone is planning on doing something about this! We found a whole bunch of bodies down in some crypts and the Urgathoans had been experimenting on them! It was horrific! The guy we killed at the end told us that it was too late; that the disease was already done and they were going to spread it.
We're pretty sure that the disease started spreading from the ship that was recently sunk. Not sure how it is spread yet. If it is in the water, that's the scariest thought, but it could be that some people came in contact with bodies from the ship or some other agent of infection. That should definitely be investigated.
Zamanda explains the early symptoms of the disease, and mentions that it was based on Vorel's phage.
Hopefully knowing what it was based on will help you a lot. I think the main takeaway here is that the plague was engineered and is being spread *deliberately.* We need a cure, and we need to find out who the Urgathoans were working with. The first is your job, and the second is ours.
Reiner listens intently, nodding on the significant points. To the extent Zamanda leaves anything out, he doesn't seem to notice. "Hmm, yes, I heard something of this ship. Quite mysterious and all that, but why do you think it has anything to do with this outbreak?"
He also asks, looking at Cressida, "Have your men investigated this yet, field marshal?" The tone is respectful but direct.
Kroft shakes her head, "No, doctor. Please don't take this the wrong way, but even if I had the manpower, that isn't our charge. Our duty was to sink it, and we did. My men aren't equipped for underwater exploration." Her tone is matter-of-fact, but perhaps somewhat guarded.
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Ilsa listens to the others discuss the matter and raises an eyebrow as Zamanda stretches the truth.
Another thing that had been troubling her leads to her asking a question.
"One thing I can't quite understand...the ship didn't go down in the city's drinking supply, did it? If it did, it seems like it would be best to get it out...immediately."
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The ship had a yellow lantern up, which means it was a plague ship.
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Pel finds himself agreeing with Bashiel's concerns about the plague doctors. Their arrival could be fortuitous or it could just as easily be ominous.
Once everyone is in the Field Marshall's office, and after at least a couple others have spoken, Pel says to Reiner, "Have you received samples from the Field Marshall? And have you had a chance to look into the plague yet, or are you just getting started? Also, where can we find you if we need to contact you later?"
Reiner arches a brow in surprise at Zamanda's declaration of the ship's nature. "A yellow lantern," he repeats almost breathlessly. The two doctors behind him shift slightly and turn their masks towards Reiner and Zamanda. "Ominous indeed. Yet no bodies have washed ashore, is that right, field marshal?"
Kroft nods, "Correct, doctor. While there have been rumors to the contrary, the spotters who manned the catapult crews have keen eyes and reported seeing no one aboard. At least, no one moving."
When Pel mentions the topic of samples, Reiner looks positively shocked. "Samples!? Field marshal, I had no idea. We could certainly use those. One of my assistants can collect them. Just let me know where they are."
The field marshal locks her gaze on Reiner and is strangely silent for a moment while she considers her response. Before it becomes too awkward, she says, "Yes, I did have some samples. I'm afraid I already entrusted them to a magistrix skilled in alchemy. You'll have to forgive me, this was before I knew the Queen had retained someone of your caliber. I can try to have them collected, but I'm afraid they're no longer in Korvosa and it may take some time."
The doctor looks crestfallen at this news. "I... I don't know what to say, field marshal. This is very disappointing news. Samples of the contagion could prove invaluable. I'm sure your contact is fine, but really... a dabbler in alchemy is no doctor of medicine, however skilled the former may be." He pinches his nose then shakes his head before sighing.
"Well, it's done. In the meantime," he looks back to you, "I think you should investigate this plague ship. That it would go down in the middle of the river and without any bodies washing ashore, well, it seems unlikely to be the vector for this plague, but it's too odd a coincidence to pass up. And, perhaps, we can learn something of who is behind this if you can find some records or evidence aboard the vessel."
Pel frowns as he notices Cressida's expression. How was he supposed to know these weren't the people she'd given the samples to? Perhaps he should have just let the others do the talking...
The arcanist does his best to say 'I'm sorry' with his expression back to Cressida.
He decides against saying anything further, figuring he's probably done enough damage already.
Bashiel shakes hands with the doctor, offering "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Davaulus" when asked to use the fellow's first name. He pauses and watches Davaulus as Zamanda explains the state of things, nodding along with all the key points.
Once the doctor responds, he follows up with "From what we've seen and heard so far, it seems awfully unlikely that the disease is being spread by a single source. Cases are cropping up across the city, without any kind of pattern that the Church of Abadar has been able to discern." He nudges Ishani lightly with his elbow, trying to prompt him to corroborate the statement.
"As for samples, there are already diseased individuals across the city. Despite the late hour of you starting your work, I think you won't be lacking for people to both heal and examine." Bashiel lets slip just a little of the frustration that had built earlier in the day with both the callousness of the Pharasmites and the Abadaran 'bankers'.
"We will certainly examine the ship as best as we are able. What are you and your fellow doctors going to tackle first, Mr. Davaulus? Do you have any experience with magical plagues? With this being a concoction of the Urgathoans, it's possibly blessed by their foul goddess." He watches for any signs of evasiveness or ambiguity in the man's response.
Zamanda is not happy that Pel mentioned the samples, but nods when Bashiel says that it should be easy to get samples now. She definitely wasn't handing over more of the original plague samples to the Queen's personal doctor.
Reiner either doesn't notice the subtle insults from Bashiel or chooses to ignore them. "Indeed, plagues mundane and magical, in Ustalav and Cheliax. You're right, of course, we'll be able to draw samples from the afflicted, but it's better to have untainted or source material when possible." He shrugs slightly, not in indifference but in acceptance. "Still, if it weren't a challenge, anyone could do it, and we must do all we can for the people of this city. As to what we will do..."
He looks at Ishani and smiles, "I see you've a member of the Abadaran faith in your company. A pleasure, master banker. We will surely need the assistance of the gods in the days to come. I should like to compare notes with you and make sure we're coordinated in our efforts with minimal overlap and duplication. I can then get my assistants going through the street, identifying likely vectors and centers of contagion, places where the outbreak is worse, and identify and address any condition that may make things worse. With the assistance of the Guard and the Grey Maidens, I expect we'll have little trouble. From there, we can develop a plan to contain and treat the plague.
"In the meantime," he turns to Kroft, "I'd like you to have the guard secure the bridges to Old Korvosa and across the Jeggare. Anyone who is diseased must be quarantined."
Kroft observes the doctor with a neutral expression before she says, "That may deny the diseased access to healing, doctor. Are you..."
He cuts her off with a wave of the hand and a disarming smile, "Only delay, not deny. My assistants will be following up with tonics and other alchemical once we identify the nature of the disease. Besides, the faithful will soon be overwhelmed if they are not already, isn't that right?" He directs the last to Ishani, who nods after a moment's hesitation. "Good, that's settled. Secure the bridges, commander."
Kroft nods in acquiescence, "The Guard is commanded by the Queen to assist you, and we shall, doctor."
"Good! Master Banker, please see me in my office downstairs when you're done here with the marshal. Then, if there's nothing else, we have work to do." Provided there are no other questions, he departs with his two assistants and leaves you alone with Kroft and Ishani.
In the wake of the doctor's departure, the field marshal stares at the door with a fixed jaw until an aide closes it from the other side. Finally, she sighs, muttering to herself, "That could have gone worse. I'm not sure how, but surely it could have."
After the doctor is well and truly gone, Zamanda speaks.
So, we have a plan to get our own cure. Ishani is here as a representative of his order and I'm giving them samples and they've agreed to commit resources to helping. I noticed that you had to agree to secure the bridges. Is there any way for us to get a pass so that we can cross over if necessary?
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Ilsa nods at Zamanda's suggestion. "We may need to get past the bridge in our investigation," she agrees.
"Another thing we should consider...if the disease is spread from the water supply, maybe we could find some untainted wells so people stop drinking it. At least, if the boat went down in the river and that's how it's spreading..." she says, not entirely sure that's a factor.
"If this works out, the queen is certainly going to be sitting pretty. She gathers all power to herself, and then wins the good will of the people by stopping the plague? She's smart. But this talk of quarantine? Is there any way that we can get an official pass to get through? While I certainly like the idea of stopping the plague from spreading, we will need the ability to move freely if we are going to be of help."
Cressida nods readily at the request for a pass, needing no convincing. "Of course, absolutely." She takes out some parchment, quill and ink, wax, candle and seal, and begins writing a pass for you in her own hand.
As she does so, "I don't necessarily disagree with the concept of a quarantine, but if people feel trapped, things may get worse. It's not that his idea is wrong, it's just..." Her voice trails off, then she continues, "I don't know what you'll find on that boat, if anything, but at the moment I don't have any better ideas, either. Even if it's a..." Instead of trailing off, this time her words come to an abrupt halt as does her hand with the quill. She takes a moment, sighs, then resumes writing and speaking.
"More samples? I don't know whether to be cross that you didn't tell me, or relieved. I think I'll go with relieved." She finishes writing the pass and applies the wax seal to it. As it dries, she looks up at the lot of you and Ishani. "It's a good idea. I wish I could say I trusted them to the doctor, and if you were one of my guards, I'd probably have to order you to do so, but... I think giving them to the priests is a good idea. Davaulus can get his samples from the afflicted; the priests and my contact, from you."
Zamanda nods, grateful that Cressida hasn't lost her mind, and is still being cautious, even though she is obviously constrained by her orders.
Thank you.
She would have liked to question her further and thank her for more than just the pass, but Kalem's naive attitude towards the queen probably precluded honesty here, even if there was no political impediment.
Bashiel's ancestors buzz with indignation and suspicion at the doctors words. Their arguments run over and through each other, but through that chaos, Bashiel manages to extract a common thread. He voices their concerns.
"Doctor. While I don't have your considerable experience, isn't there a flaw in your plan? The cases of the disease have sprung up across the city. Quarantining the passages across the Jegarre and into Old Korvosa will do nothing at all to stop its spread. In fact, they can only hurt. Slowing responses to individuals and communities afflicted while limiting access." His brow brow furrows, face stern.
Flashes of images pass through his mind. Fragments of memories of past plagues, events his ancestors lived through. Cities with designated dying grounds. Communities being burned to the ground in hopes of stopping the spread. Ritual slaughter to appease deities. Chaos, all of it.
"If those who are diseased must be quarantined, what good is it to block bridges? Quarantine individuals instead. Offer them aid from the crown to make sure all experiencing symptoms step forward, then keep them isolated while trying to cure them."
Kroft gives a wan smile and a nod to Zamanda, "Of course," she waves it away as the least she can do.
Ishani takes that moment to speak up, coughing slightly, "Field Marshal Kroft, I apologize for interrupting, but my name is Ishani Dhatri, the Archbanker sent me as his representative. As your, uh, factors here have said, they have managed to secure the Bank of Abadar's assistance in stopping the plague. The details are not yet finalized, but the Archbanker has asked me to coordinate the Bank's efforts with those of the Guard and, it sounds like, Dr. Devaulus as well." The last sounds to end on the note of a question. He continues, "I have pledged to heal a child tomorrow of this phage, and then grant these good people the ability to breathe underwater as the explore the wreckage of the ship, but otherwise I will be at your disposal."
Cressida looks at the banker in a new light. "Well... they emerge from their vaults and send one of their nicest. I have to say, Dhatri, it's truly nice to finally see the priests out and about. Alright. I'll have a couple of runners assigned to you. It's probably best that we keep you here instead of running back and forth from the Grand Bank. I'll have you assigned quarters and an office, too."