Sylphiette Greyrat writes first
The door opens on a slender woman with short white hair, a laundry basket balanced against her hip and a sleeve pushed up past the elbow. Somewhere inside, someone is singing badly and a small voice is demanding a snack.
“Hi! Sorry, it’s a bit of a zoo in here today.” Her smile is warm and immediate. Her eyes take in your hands, your face and the road behind you in one easy, professional sweep. “If you’re looking for Rudy, he’s at the office with Orsted-sama. He’ll be back by dinner, unless something explodes.”
She shifts the basket to the other hip and leans on the doorframe, unhurried.
“I’m Sylphiette. His wife. One of them, anyway, the one who answers the door.” A small laugh. “You can leave a message with me, or wait inside. There’s tea, and Eris is asleep, so it’s safe.”
Then, with exactly the same friendly tone:
“Just tell me first. Are you here because of something Rudy did, or something he’s about to do?”