[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ycGwds6.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=009fff]Event:[/colour][/b] White Thresher [b]|[/b] [b][colour=009fff]Location:[/colour][/b] Zengali
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Ayla politely advised the messengers that they had the wrong person as she made her way to speak to the Marquis. Sometimes, they should shove the missives in her hand before she was able to advise them, and thus, did her duty to check its contents for who they were addressed to before handing them back. Even though she wasn’t able to glean all the details, she was starting to form a picture of who were people of interest.

As she approached the table where everyone was working, she was stopped by a guard before she reached the Marquis. She politely bowed her head in respect of his duty. [colour=009fff]“Our name is Ayla Arslan, we come representing Students from Thaumaturgy Academy at Ersand’Enise in providing support. We are here to make our introductions.”[/colour] She smiled warmly towards the guard, simply doing their job, and hoped encouragingly that they would allow her to approach.

The guard questions the young girl at first, this is the first time he has head of Ersand'Ernise taking part in this hunt. [color=white]"I ask that you stay here as we check if they are ready for your visit,"[/color] the guard politefully asked but it was obvious a command. One of the other guards went to the advisor closest to the Marquis and after a few moments, the advisor waved for the guard to let the woman through.

[color=white]"Thank you for your patience Lady Arslan,"[/color] the guard steps to the side and gives the full path for Ayla to walk.

Upon approaching their table, some of the advisors close to the Marquis Dume stopped their work to watch the introductions. The ones at the end of the table though had to keep writing though they showed some acknowledgment of her with a brief head nod. The advisor that gave permission raises a hand to tell her to stop at a certain distance from the Marquis and then signals her to make her introductions. She has the Marquis's full attention and he doesn't look very pleased with her presence.

Ayla moved before the Marquis and curtsied before him in the appropriate manner.  [colour=009fff]“Thank you for welcoming us during this turbulent time. Please accept our condolences for the blight affecting your people. Us students from Ersand’Enise couldn’t help but be moved to provide aid to this just cause.”[/colour] She gestured towards the port below, referencing her colleagues.  [colour=009fff]“Many of us have arrived from across the twin continents, eager to assist, and have already begun to provide their skills in your people's aid.”[/colour]

[color=9e0b0f]“Are you and the other students merely here providing aid at the port or will you take sail with us against the beast?”[/color] Dume looked at the girl up and down, questioning why a child had come to speak with him.

Ayla smiled politely at the Marquis. [colour=009fff]“We will endeavour to fully support the removal of this creature from your list of priorities,”[/colour] she said, allowing for a pause, [colour=009fff]“and assist with lessening others as well.”[/colour] She gestured towards the port. [colour=009fff]“Your home currently has many guests, and as a gracious host, you have to contend with many interests and political considerations that arrive at your doorstep. The thing about us students is that we are promising individuals, mostly from noble families across the twin continents. Some nations are aligned with the Sovereign Pact, from a Central Alliance nation like myself, or aligned with neither.”[/colour]

Her smile was sweet. [colour=009fff]“We are available to support you in dealing with this threat and further concerns you may have.”[/colour]

Dume's initial thoughts of a child quickly changed when said child had much to say of his worries [color=9e0b0f]“I am well aware of my worries Lady Arslan, child of Torragon, and am more than capable of handling them. But thank you for the offer.”[/color] His face grew stiff when speaking to her, no longer seeing her as a child just making the rounds but the same as others with an agenda.

[color=9e0b0f]"You say that you come representing the students and that you'll help in various ways. Do you speak for all the students here?”[/color] Dume asked her.

Ayla bowed her head respectfully. [colour=009fff]“We recognize your skill in handling this difficult matter and hope to learn from your example. We come as a resource, and we will seek to demonstrate our value to you in the trial ahead.”[/colour]

She listened to the question asked and smiled. [colour=009fff]“There may be others who have arrived, and we look forward to working with them. We share a common goal and an intention for there to be hope. Hope in dealing with this threat and a brighter day for your city and its courageous people.”[/colour]

He had been held up, briefly, by the guards outside, but then they had recognized their social better and ushered him through. There were many men of importance gathered, and others of little. There came flowery words from Ayla, as well, that took up quite a bit of space without meaning very much. The Perrenchman certainly nurtured no grudge against her, but it reminded him of the vipers trying to elevate themselves through their social better. His goal was plain and his time spent listening outside had given him more or less the measure of his quarry. His footsteps sounded on the marble floor. A rapier hung at his hip. He came to a stop with a smart clack of his heels.

[color=00e600]"Marquis de Zengali."[/color] The young man nodded in his host's direction, polite and businesslike, but did not bow. It was not proper for the son of a duke and [i]*prince du sang*[/i] to do so before a mere marquis. [color=00e600]"Lady Arslan."[/color] In any event, the Mezegolan did not seem much preoccupied with formalities.

[color=00e600]"I am Yvain de Berbignon, and I so happen to represent those 'others' who my lady anticipates working with."[/color] He smiled agreeably, but his bearing remained intense. [color=00e600]"We have come here, on behalf of Perrence and her allies Belzagg, Eskand, and..."[/color] He more or less smothered his grimace through his smile.. [color=00e600]"the other one, to help you slay a beast and to ensure that no others follow in its wake. We are - all of us - capable thaumaturges who come prepared for a fight. We shall not require much but your consent and any resources you may see fit to bestow upon our effort."[/color] Left unsaid was the rest: [color=00e600][i]I trust this is agreeable.[/i][/color]

The Marquis had grown tiresome of this conversation with Lady Arslan. Double speaking and now he might have Ersand'Ernise solo actors in their port. He even ends up questioning if his own son sent word to a contact in Ersand'Ernise. But none of that mattered, the Marquis decided that he would cast Ersand'Ernise outside his port.

But first was tall gentleman, Sir Yvain de Berbignon. He came with purpose and clarity unlike the Lady standing before him. The Marquis was much more attentive to Yvain. It was like a breath of fresh air that tells you that the eggs had gone rotten.

[color=9e0b0f]"Well your service will be much appreciated,"[/color] the Marquis silently gave a nod to Yvain.

[color=9e0b0f]"Your presence is permitted, of course,-"[/color] the Marquis gave a subtle glare at Ayla, [color=9e0b0f]"And as such, your group will be rewarded a case of mana shots for tomorrows hunt."[/color] The Marquis lips curled into a small smile, smiling didn't fit his face.

He turned to Ayla, [color=9e0b0f]"Lady Ayla,"[/color] his voice grew serious, [color=9e0b0f]"Anything you have to say?"[/color] he looked at her expectantly.

Ayla noted Yvain's presence as he entered the discussion and politely bowed her head in his direction. She had hoped to aspire to something better and greater in their meeting, aiming to create a united front with her fellow students from both factions and beyond. However, it became clear that such an aspect was unexpectedly threatening to the Marquis. As the adage goes, ‘better the enemy you know.’ The idea of a third party, no matter how benevolent or well-meaning, was seen as an unknown.

She sighed softly, especially as Yvain distinctly presented himself as part of the Sovereign Pact. This clearly identified her as being aligned with the Central Alliance, contrary to her intention. [colour=009fff]"We are all here to assist in this endeavour, regardless of factional lines. We represent students from Ersand’Enise, primarily from the Central Alliance nations, as our colleague next to us has stated. Your consent and any available resources or information you can offer would be greatly appreciated to allow us to operate effectively in dealing with this issue."[/colour]

The Marquis weighed his judgement. She obscured herself as a neutral when she wasn't. Whether that was a lie, delusion, or genuine hope weighed on his mind. The Marquis was unashamed taking a minute or so of time to conclude his thoughts on Lady Arslan.

[color=9e0b0f]"The Central Alliance has done much to help hasten our readiness for tomorrow, and for a group representing a talented addition to their ranks, I thank you for coming. As such, I welcome you to Zengali, Lady Arslan. My aid will share with you the details and sleeping arrangements for tonight."[/color] Marquis Dume's kind words were laced with pity for the girl. One of the aids pulled out a scroll for Ayla and escorts her out of the Marquis's home.

Once at the gate, the aid gave Ayla a fair reporting of what they know of the beast. Around 34 alds long and it has attacked much earlier this year. The ferocity of its attacks are abnormally fierce but the resistance Zengali is putting this year is even more so. As for special resources, most have already been allocated, however there might still be some by night's end. He pulled from his satchel a small tablet of bronzed metal. Intricately designed with a symbol and some mezegolan words on it, similar to belzaggic. "This should act as prove for your party that you are allowed to receive special resources if available." He does a quick bow to Ayla and returns to his post.

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