Thomas has always made a point of being early to places: people appreciate an eager attendee, and it gives him some quality time to plan ahead. This rule applies doubly when dealing with the titled: rarely does a Lord accept anything less than punctuality, and Thomas only assumes that this is a trait shared by his Emperor.

The gates were open when Thomas approached the fortress: he must not have been as early as he had hoped. He is dressed sensibly - a worn -in pair of boots, comfortable, unassuming clothes, and borrowed suit of chain for safety, worn under his light semi-formal shirt. Unable to afford a horse, and not in the best shape of his life, Thomas is sweating and slightly out of breath as he approaches the gates. He catches his breath, dropping his pack on the ground. Thomas silently bemoans the necessity of bringing such a weight, but science is too important to be stopped by his laziness. Hopefully he'll be given a horse. Hopefully.

With his breath having been caught, he picks his pack back up and proceeds through the gate after presenting his credentials. Thomas is suitably impressed by the gardens - he always means to go visit the Academy greenhouses, but always manages to get distracted before going. Oblivious to the Emperor and Empress, he finds a place to sit and produces a small book, courtesy of the Academy printers, and begins to read absentmindedly.