[center][b][h2]Lalrial, The Heartlands[/h2]
Ceveut, the 5th of Gerna 1200 AU - 05.03.1200[/b][/center]

Perhaps she shouldn't have had so much wine earlier? But it was rude to refuse and Victoria had been oh so courteous, not like the drab and boring  The crimson haired woman in the long red dress rubbed at her temples with her hands as a faint reddish light radiated from them. There were some things that even Tallurian gifts didn't work on, and the headaches were one of them. Sure she could temporarily banish them, but they just came back. Still a touch of the power would buy her enough time for the next meeting.  

A family servant, dressed in the red and white of her house, one of the small retinue she had brought when she came to the city stepped into the room. “Milady, the Cragmore representative is here to speak with you.” Marra frowned, hadn't the actual Cragmores arrived in the city earlier today? Why would the representative be coming to speak with her instead? Victoria had made time to come in person.  

“Send him in.” Marra said after a moment, and even though she knew better stretched out a slender alabaster arm to pick up one of the bottles of wine Victoria had gifted her, pouring herself another full glass. She was going to need it. Still she turned on the charm, her winning smile being firmly in place when the other representative entered the room.

"Ah, hello Lady Marra. How are you today?" James asked as he walked to the seat across from her.

"James," The response was less than warm, but also not frigid, the words of one carefully keeping a balance between the two. "I am well. What brings you to me today? I heard that Benjamin Cragmore arrived, I am surprised he did not come himself." After she finished she raised her glass, taking a long sip from it.

"Yes, well divide and conquer as they say. But I am here to speak about the election for the new Emperor or perhaps Empress position. Such as who would you guys be so inclined as to vote for?" James said as he took his seat.

"Come now James. You know I do not discuss that. It's truly dreadful how all the parties in town have just died since the Emperor passed. And all I ever hear is talk about who will succeed him." With a sigh that spoke of some degree of exasperation Marra began to rub at the sides of her head again. "It is not for me to say, I am a voice but not the one who makes the decisions."

"Agreed, but certainly our lords trust out opinions and suggestions for the next emperor. I do believe you would have much sway in the matter. So please do tell who would you suggest for emperor or empress?" James asked leaning back in the chair.

Crimson eyes locked upon the man's as Lady Marra sighed once more and raised her glass, draining what was left before finally speaking. "Perhaps the ex-emperor's favorite horse? I hear Glitterhoof is very popular." Her voice sharpened slightly at the end. Though there was something of a smile quirking up at the edges of her lips, as if she was enjoying her own wit.

James shook his head annoyance "Lady Marra if you aren't going to take this seriously then-" he clapped his hands in and a follower came in with a nice old brand of wine - "What am I to do with this, I know how much you love your drinks after all and this one was made my by brewery personnally." James smiled as the man set it down on the table "I do believe it's one of your favorites." 

For a moment Lady Marra did seem to pause, and she looked at the bottle. But then she looked back at James. "I do not know what bothers me more, that you attempt to threaten and bribe me, or that you don't know the difference between a vineyard and a brewery." Her brows quirked upwards as a short laugh escaped.

James chuckled "Or perhaps this wine has something a tad stronger added to it, as I said just for you. I am not attempting to bribe you I just merely wish to see what you stand on the issue of the election so that I may better inform my lord. Just as you would do the same for yours." he leaned back in the chair and waited.

Normally Lady Marra was known for being cheerful and pleasant, a skilled socialite if not the most skilled at diplomacy, but today it seemed she had no patience for the jumped up former salt miner with delusions of grandeur and when she replied it was not with the answer James was looking for. "Get out, and take your wine with you." And then she waved a pale hand in a clear sign of dismissal. 

James simply shrugged and stood up "How you wound me so my dear lady, but please keep the wine. It's the least I can give you for wasting your time." With that James walked away.