[h2]The Erubescan Citadel[/h2]

Cordelia brightened as two Lords- for, oh, they were most [i]certainly[/i] lords, not many could dress in such lavish ways- strode into the room, and, immediately, she rose, dropping into a stiff sort of curtsy before the two. She had made sure to wear a skirt for the occasion, a cheerful spring green thing, which she brought up in the proper way before letting it fall and sitting back down. 

[color=#C3FDB8]“Cordelia. Cordelia Vasilisa.”[/color] The name rolled cheerfully from her tongue, despite the scandalous connotations it might have brought in some circles. [color=#C3FDB8]“It’s an honor. An honor to meet you both. Lords Santora and Durmont.”[/color] There was something else in her voice, too, besides the cheer. A sort of rushed breathiness, a sort of odd quirk to her voice that seemed to stick even in the presence of such influential figures. 

[color=#C3FDB8]“I’m one of the Alchemists working in the Citadel. One of the leading ones. Not a Knight Commander, but a leading alchemist. Working in the Citadel. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”[/color]

It was a good thing that the presentation wouldn’t be starting for a while, or else Cordelia would have been somewhat irked by the next man who burst into the meeting hall, weapons swinging, fingers working a cigarette out of his pockets and lighting it up. The smile didn’t fade from Cordelia’s lips, but she tilted her head in a way akin to that of a curious bird as she took in the obvious Ashlander, the obvious intruder. 

[color=#C3FDB8]“I was not. I didn’t invite anyone like you. Who are you? Why are you here? Inside the Citadel. Inside the Erubesco base. This is a meeting. A very important meeting.”[/color] And then the voice of SCEPTRE came online. Because Cordelia hadn’t told a lie about not knowing who the stranger was, she remained dutifully silent, trusting the AI to take care of the little problem if no one vouched for it. 

Another Alchemist filtered in, followed by two Knights- one of which made a bombastic entrance, screaming from the very tops of his lungs (something Cordelia didn’t even seem to register, her face didn’t change from that polite smile), and the other dressed in a way that would most definitely draw the eye. Of course, her face was enough to draw the eye as it was, given that it had been plastered over every advertisement for the past who-knows. She addressed the Alchemist first, bobbing her head in greeting, before her eyes drifted to Kora Norrevinter, the gold of her eyes almost seeming to glint in the lighting of the room. 

[color=#C3FDB8]“Knight Norrevinter. You’re just in time. Time for the meeting. The important meeting, discussing research funding. You’re just in time.”[/color]

Cordelia glanced towards the entrance of the meeting hall.

Her veins buzzed with anticipation.

[@VitoftheVoid][@ShwiggityShwah][@Rex][@Prosaic]