[center][h3]Office of Flora Asturias, Prime Magistrate of House Duvard[/h3]
[i]Zell/Aristo Collab[/i][/center]

	Flora Asturias shuffled a stack of parchment, placing it neatly on her desk before turning back to the man on the other side of the room. The space hardly seemed like an office; rather, it was like a museum gallery. Sculptures and paintings adorned the corners of the room, which had been laid with alabaster-white stone. It was a commendably tidy space, and the effort put into keeping it that way was surely meticulous. 

	“...then our houses are in agreement on that matter,” she chimed as she organized her work. “That brings us to the next order of business… Ah, and the most important. Who will fill the vacant throne?” The house representative dropped her parchment for a moment, attention lingering on Conrad. 

	“As you are certainly aware, Jakinius Valarien is married to Anastázie Duvard, and Sophsi Valarien to Edgar Duvard. Naturally, these marriages have some leverage on the Duvard vote,” Flora said. 

	James nodded. “I am well aware of these marriages Jakinus is the eldest son. Though is he truely the best candidate? Sure marriages and name help you get far but look at myself. A landless noble from Cragmore’s land no less, yet here I am in the capital with shall we say comfortable arrangements? But if i was to ask your opinion who would you pick?” James asked as he admired the room out of the other offices he’d been to this was one of the cleanest and most organized. 
Flora let a chuckle escape her smile, easing back into the leather of her chair. “I am simply a representative of the esteemed House Duvard; what I want is irrelevant. But generally speaking, whatever serves the Duvards best will also benefit me in the long run. Why, who do the Cragmores have on their mind? It is your job, as well as mine, to relay the wishes and messages of our houses.”

	James chuckled. “Well, the Cragmores are currently speaking to Ralltene. I suppose he’d attempt to win them over. With Kenten that would have worked in an instant yet, he sent his son Ben to vote in his name and I believe he’d be insulted. As for now, it’s hard to say who’d they vote for at least as far as I know. Though I believe anyone's up for grabs. Though if you lady is married to Jakinius please, tell me is he as good as they say or is he as I would say a brute with no real rulership qualities?” James asked leaning back in the chair.

	“What a thing to say!” Flora exclaimed, her expression almost looking pained. “Jakinius is an accomplished leader of men; his mettle has been tested time and again in the North. Not all military men need be ogres. What’s more, he attained his rank by his own hand, without special favor. And Anastázie is very fond of him, I will add. They’ve been close since they were children.”

	“I didn’t mean to upset you my dear, though you could say he gained his rank due to the fact he had the training from birth even if he was in disguise. We must also remember leading the military is very different from leading the empire. Compared to his siblings he’s the least qualified to sit on the throne, yet if he does sit on it I’m sure one of his first plans would be leaving the city and heading north to finally “claim” the northern reaches simply to impress those who couldn’t do it before. I don’t think any of us would want a war nor a warmonger no matter what the marriage circumstances were. Must we forget the past and not to mention with him away us Magistrate along with the council would have far more work to do, which I’m fine with but most of our colleagues aren’t as efficient as us. Wouldn’t you agree?” James said pulling his seat closed to the desk.

	Flora shrugged, folding her hands on her lap. “You make it sound like he’s frothing at the mouth-bloodthirsty,” she pouted. “Despite his history with the North, I am sure he is no less sensible than his siblings. If you’ve never met the man, then what you describe is simply conjecture.” The representative went back to organizing her desk, eyes on her work but attention still on her guest.

	“Nevertheless, It’s easy to understand the Cragmores’ perspective; a taste of Ralltene’s coffers is an attractive prize for the destitute,” Flora jabbed.

	James let out a hardy chuckle and then continued “Perhaps, though who said I or they wanted Ralltene to become Emperor, sure he has the rich and traveled enough to get to know people but much like his brother he hasn’t truly ruled any land yet.” James said

	“One thing that Allianna has going for her,” Flora added. ”You’re not wrong; the vote has the potential to swing any number of ways. I, for one, am quite excited to see what transpires. But what about the secondary claimants? Are the royal cousins as overshadowed by the front-runners as it seems?”

	“I would believe so, even though the royal cousins could be considered better than those of the main royal line. But many are overlooked by the so called Brute, Money hands and the Daughter’s favorite. In all honesty, I prefer Allianna, she has actually ruled and I believe she would make our job easier. Wouldn’t you agree?” James asked hoping to get an honest opinion out of the lady.

	“That she has,” Flora mused, “and she is not oblivious to the inner workings of the capital. It has yet to be seen how she handles under pressure, however. Not to mention, in comparison to her brothers, there is very little to say of her - good or ill. She is an enigma.” Flora crossed her legs and took another breather from her desk. 

	“If you really want to know, I would be delighted to see Sophsi on the throne; regardless how unrealistic that may seem. She is an acute politician and I daresay can outmaneuver any of her competitors. Why, she’s a delight here in Ignis! With her connections, I’ve no doubt she’d be capable of leading Ethica.”

	“Perhaps, she is as good as you say yet still, it’d be a hard sell as she isn’t even a main contender to the throne. Though one thing I may add to Allianna, unlike her brother’s she isn’t yet married meaning any house could gain her love or at the very least it stops one house from gaining to much power because of who they married. All I’m saying it’s a thought one perhaps that you could pass onto your Lady.” 	

	“Perhaps she doesn’t intend to marry?” Flora pondered. “A refusal of ties would be an interesting strategy - one that may prove resilient to the promises and wants of other houses. In any case, I will discuss the matter further with my lord. Your input has been noted.” She gave James a curt nod of the head and made herself busy once more.

	“Nice talking to you again.” With that James got up and headed for the door. These personnel meetings with Magistrates would hopefully prove to be useful.