(Huge collab with [@ayzrules] . Thank you!)

[h2]R O W E N A  &  E L O D I E[/h2]
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Rowena smiled warmly at the other woman. “I am glad to hear it. And my uncle? Oh, he’s doing splendidly, my dear. Simply [i]splendid[/i].” Rowena could only imagine that Elodie and her father were not too keen on, well, the Merchant Guild-especially one led by a man such as her uncle. But alas, it would be impolite to speak of such things at such an event, and horribly improper, too.

At the concern Elodie raised on the “good company”, Rowena gave her a serene smile. “I would not worry overmuch, my dear. Captain Kingsford would not have invited these individuals if she did not have faith in them.” [i]And I would not have[/i] allowed [i]her to invite them if there was something...off. Though I must say, I do not understand why she decided on Lord Oaks. He is quite the opposite of ‘good company’.[/i]

Rowena lifted an eyebrow, slightly, at Elodie’s next question. “Well,” she began, carefully, “the garden will be rather large, I imagine. Though I do not think too many people will be needed to tend to it; having a select group of individuals should be more than adequate. As for soil quality, well, I believe we shall be encountering a rather enigmatic kind of soil.” Rowena leaned in and lowered her voice, a hint of mischief in her smile (which was not to say that she did not think this matter was of the utmost importance, no; it was merely for the sake of maintaining appearances). “Some would say that it is a soil unconducive to plant growth. Perhaps. Others may label it as...dangerous. Perhaps. But you see, Lady LaVerre, we are not interested in testing its properties, per se, but simply [i]investigating[/i] it. As others have been doing, recently.”

“Hmmm . . . I understand completely,” Elodie said. The countryside was a little behind on current events, yes, but it didn’t take a genius to deduce the plans of the ambitious Triarchy. No doubt they have eyes on the greatest prize in the continent, Hourglass City itself, and worse yet, its surrounding territories. “Let us cut short with the formalities. No doubt were anyone to be listening, they would already have figured exactly what we are talking about. We know what the problem is, what is your plan to be rid of it?”

Elodie didn’t like this, not one bit. The Triarchy is never and has never been friends with the City of Desire, as Hourglass City has come to be known, and the slightest hint of aggression on either side would spark a war that may span the entire continent. When this comes, Hourglass City will find itself, as it has always found itself, a little short on allies. For her to enter the den of beasts . . . this plan had better be good. 

Rowena could sense that Elodie was speaking of the Minefield Triarchy when she mentioned “the problem”. [i]How...inconvenient. I should hope that we do not have to deal with the Triarchy in the course of this investigation.[/i] Indeed, not only was anything to do with foreign lands a huge [i]hassle[/i], but people were always overly sensitive when it came to the matter of the Imperia-Airwrights and the Triarchy. Yes, it was true that her uncle had ties-he’d married the daughter of one of the Triarchy Barons, after all-but Rowena knew that he had no real love for the powerful Barons and Baronesses; it was simply that allying with them was, well, [i]profitable[/i]. Or it had been, in the past.

Rowena gave Elodie a mischievous look. “The [i]plan,[/i] Lady LaVerre?” She paused delicately, as if she were contemplating said plan. “Well. The only reason that you and I and everyone else in this room are here today is because the honorable Supreme Commander has, mm, how to say this? He has [i]no plan[/i].” 

She smiled sweetly. “I would not worry about it too much, though. Captain Kingsford is competent enough to formulate the basis of one, and that she has done. As for the rest, my dear…” Rowena trailed off and shrugged, nonchalantly. “We will see, when the time comes. Of course, if you have any suggestions, the good captain is [i]always[/i] willing to hear them.”

No plan!? This was hardly ideal. Elodie’s eyes shot to the captain, hoping with all her heart that she was not as nervous as she looked. The rest of the guests chatted as casual as you please, either not aware that the fate of the city rested upon them or not caring. The city was doomed, wasn’t it? No, those thoughts wouldn’t do. “Surely, something must be done about that then. Ought we speak to Captain Kingsford about this? Perhaps the other guests?” Perhaps the nervousness was contagious, for Elodie could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

Rowena patted Elodie’s hand reassuringly. “Oh, it’s not [i]no[/i] plan, per se. But the venerable Supreme Commander didn’t have a very...mm, forgive me for being forward, Lady LaVerre, but he didn’t have a very [i]good[/i] plan. Which is where we come in.” Rowena winked playfully.

She was well-aware of the fact that [i]gossiping[/i] about the Supreme Commander in this way was not very polite, especially at a ball in his home, but, well, Supreme Commander Osborne was, quite frankly, a pain in the neck. So Rowena held no qualms about doing such a thing.

She wondered, briefly, how Adrianna had gotten him to agree to this. It was well-known among select circles that Supreme Commander Phillip Osborne was not particularly found of the Polytechnique Institute, and by extension, Madame Geraldine’s. His estranged brother taught at the Institute, and he did not trust Lady Kat from finishing school (she [i]was[/i] the daughter of a Triarchy Baron, after all. And somehow related to Rowena’s aunt). That was how Rowena knew the Supreme Commander had no plan (or, at least, not a very [i]good[/i] one)-there was simply no other way he would have entrusted such a task to graduates of either academy.

Rowena smiled winsomely at Elodie. “Trust me, my dear Lady LaVerre, there is no need to worry. The honorable captain has been making the necessary arrangements and preparations in anticipation for these circumstances. Though I’m sure she will have some questions for you in the near future, but for now, try to enjoy the night, do.”

Elodie nodded, slowly. If the Lady Rowena says it to be true, then it is. People continued to mill about, always entering the library but never leaving. Too many people, too many variables. She didn’t like this. Didn’t like this being kept in the dark, or the too-attentive ears, or the copious danger. She inhaled deeply, and let the air sift through her lips. Perhaps she ought socialize, get to know her cooperators a bit. “Very well, then. Shall we?”

She was about to approach the crowd when who else chose to burst in, dragging her pile of muck along with her. “Oh, joy . . .” Elodie muttered. If the honourable captain had a plan, it was gone now, clogged in its most precious places by a monkey wrench going by the name of Bird. Simple concepts like “mannerly conduct” and “divine privilege” were concepts the wretch never seemed to internalize. “Not her, please, anybody but her . . .”

Rowena arched an eyebrow at Elodie’s surprising change of...attitude. She followed Elodie’s gaze to Mr. and Mrs. Lockheart. [i]Oh?[/i] Rowena cast a discreet glance at Lady LaVerre, gently opening her own mind a little bit. 

[i]Hmm. Not too fond of the commonborn, is she?[/i]

“Is there something amiss, Lady LaVerre?” Rowena asked, pleasantly enough. She tilted her head to the side, feigning confusion. “Pardon me for being forward, my dear, but you seem to be more distraught than usual.”

“It’s a small matter of only personal importance,” Elodie said, glaring at the couple. “You needn’t concern yourself with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .” She turned her nose up and left Rowena to her own devices. This was her matter to settle.