[Indent][b][u]15th day of Anais[/u][/b]
[indent][color=orange][i]1 day before the talks[/i][/color]
Location: Reason - Harrows Tower[/indent][/indent][color=Darkgray](outline:[/color]  [color=goldenrod]Drakus,[/color]  [color=f9ad81]Rendyl[/color]  [color=Darkgray]& [/color][color=#6c6666] Abbi [/color] [color=Darkgray]meet[/color] [color=d8cfbe]Eric[/color]

[color=goldenrod]“How has your swordplay been?”[/color] Drakus asked with a daring smile. [color=goldenrod]“You appear to still have all your fingers and eyes, you must be practicing with servants, if practicing at all.”[/color] He taunted and teased the older man in good jest. 

[color=goldenrod]“I still await for you to honour my people and take on a real challenge in my grand arena. Think of all the people that will see you then. The ladies of Solaris just love a good swordshow.”[/color] 
Drakus bated the man's ego, deliberately and obviously layering his final words with innuendo. He turned to the three women surrounding him and looked to them for final confirmation.

Rendyl had been keeping a posture that lent itself to her slim frame, her feathery limbs tucked firmly into their grooves. She looked up demurely and nodded [color=f9ad81]"Yes, Master. A good sword fight between two skilled opponents is a marvel."[/color]

Eric smiled amicably, not seeming to catch on immediately. Then, his expression turned to a pensive frown before he burst out laughing. [color=d8cfbe]”Oh, Lord Solaris! Why, you sly devil, you."[/color] His hoard of servants had paused, but he gestured for them to continue inside without him. Even though he was in the presence of so many powerful people, Eric seemed very much at ease. [color=d8cfbe]
“I’ve been doing my best to stay- well, sharp. Indeed, I have had many opponents from all over Croania, though you’ll you'll find that it is my superior swordsmanship that leaves me in one piece. As for your arena? I may just have to take you up on that.”[/color]

Eric patted the sword at his waist. The guards had given up on confiscating weapons almost instantly. Dealing with lords was quite the hassle. [color=d8cfbe]“So, how about you? You’ve had quite a hectic time as of late. Not to mention…”[/color] Eric trailed off, eventually continuing in a hushed voice. [color=d8cfbe]“[i]They’re[/i] here as well, are they not?”[/color]

Drakus’s frustrated sigh and knitted brows was answer enough. “[color=goldenrod]Sadly it’s true, the duties required to forge and defend a new house do not afford me much time for the endeavour of such a noble art.[/color]” he instead replied with what Rendyl knew to be a lie. Despite the heavy burden of his contested Lordship Drakus always made time to practice his sword play, but should he duel Eric again any  time soon, he’d rather him think his form was lacking.

He twisted his neck, and shrugged his shoulders, trying to relieve the tension thoughts of [i]them[/i] brought to him. [color=goldenrod]“Thank you for the information.”[/color] He said softly on a side note. [color=goldenrod]“I know it did not come from your hand directly,”[/color] he began but then let the rest trail off unsaid. Drakus’s homework of the talks had come from Eric’s people, at a fair cost of course. [color=goldenrod]“This will be a momentous event for house Solaris.”[/color] Drakus added to no one in particular, musing on his own thoughts and concerns, despite his best acting, he did not share in Eric’s nonchalant ease towards the upcoming events. Rendyl slowly maneuvered herself to Drakus's right side and one step behind, listening intently and looking attentively at her Lord.

[color=goldenrod]“Miss smith, please tell Lord Eric of our self playing music box. Eric, we will have to send you one.”[/color] He said, changing tone as the long steps came to an eventual end.

Rose gave a bowing curtsy that she had been practicing with Rendyl, whom had been helping her perfect for most of the trip. She had been doing her best to be seen as a decoration as her maid had informed her that Lord Drakus preferred in these types of situations. [color=#6c6666] “My Lord,”[/color] she said blushing from being around nobles. She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out a book. She flipped open to a page with her design notes and drawings to show him. [color=#6c6666]“As you can see there is a mechanical drive that is propelled by a spring that has a catch when the latch is closed. This moves the gearing that drives the cylinder that has pins that deflect the tines on the comb that sound the notes. When I am able to access to some better metal and milling equipment. I will be able to produce a much higher quality music box.”[/color] She paused, [color=#6c6666]“I think you will like the portable pipe organ we brought as a gift,”[/color] she said not sure if that was to be a secret or not.  

Fearing Abby’s excitement and detailed information was beyond Eric’s interest, Drakus gave Rendyl a slight subtle sidewards look that she would instantly understand. The Avian slave nodded slightly back and stepped forward, reaching up and gently resting a hand on Abbi's bicep. She leaned close and whispered [color=f9ad81]"A lady must be precise and never babble."[/color]

The words would echo back to parts of her lessons Rendyl had been teaching to Abbi, as they were similar to her own rules of conduct. With the bit of advice given, she stepped back into her place at her Lord's shoulder.

Eliona, exceptional in the games of nobles, hid the exchange by drawing Eric’s attention to herself. Being mostly blind led to its own array of accepted social norms. With the stairs having ended she placed a hand around the Granis heirs forearm as she moved close for support and spoke gently. 
[color=gray]“I hear there is a nice amphitheater here, will you be visiting, I have never see… visited it before” she corrected.[/color]

[color=d8cfbe]“Self playing? Why, how wonderfully Northern,”[/color] Eric beamed. He didn’t seem to be saying it like it was a bad thing. [color=d8cfbe]“You know, our Quan back home would adore one of those. He’s always been rather into music, but it is such an inconvenience to get decent musicians to come over. I keep telling father we should sponsor some, but they- oh, never mind.”[/color] He cut himself off mid-way through his rambling. [color=d8cfbe]“As for the amphitheatre? I’ve been before, it’s quite wonderful. The benefits of your house being right next to here, I suppose. While you’re here, you really should go down to see it. A beautiful place, it is.”[/color]

Abbi’s smile shined the the sun and her cheeks glowed like rose buds in the morning dew, as she bowed again. That was the problem of being a pale skinned redhead, she wore her emotions on her skin. She was pleased enough that she didn’t even think about how much entertainment she was providing with this dress. She was also grateful that Eliona, helped her save face and she thought that Eliona might be a good ally and tutor on the art of the court.

She also felt a little awkward and annoyed. Lord Drakus had asked her to explain about the music box and she had kept it simple. She could have gone into detail about the gearing ratios and how she dealt with the power lost in the drive mechanism. It gave Abbi the feeling that this was going to be a very painful learning process.  

Abbi was also delighted she had her first opening at upgrading the university, Lord Drakus had said the northern provinces, but she understood what he said as he wanted the best university. Atleast, that was what she was telling herself. Abbi would work to make arrangements for sending a music box for Quan, with a few different cylinders. It might be a way to get a couple people sent to teach at and students for the University and maybe something for her the lab space. If she could work it out, send some entertainers out on tour as a goodwill gesture. But that part was up to Lord Drakus to decide.    

Eric continued speaking. [color=d8cfbe]“Introduce me to these lovely ladies, will you? Such a… colourful entourage, I’d have to assume there’s more to them than eye candy - that isn’t to say they aren’t beautiful, of course! Why, that dress is simply bewitching.”[/color] He smiled at Abbi, though he gave her and Rendyl an odd look too. [color=d8cfbe]“Quite the combination, especially knowing your brother’s… opinions of some kinds of people.”[/color]

[color=goldenrod][b]“I am not my family.”[/b][/color] Drakus sharply reminded all. He knew there would be those who attacked him for his company, and even though Eric was not one of them, the notion still set him on guard. The great lengths he had been through to change the people's opinion of Rendyl meant very little here.
[color=goldenrod]“I would not have a lessor guard or inferior item for the sake of old frivolities and out of date customs.”[/color] He announced. The condescension and disdain towards his families ways evident in his voice. 
[color=goldenrod]“It is in both the Antecedent and the Contemporary, written by the mage Queen herself, we all have a part and a place. There is no reason this wouldn’t include the akeshan or technologists.”[/color] He argued, his voice filled with the same vigor and conviction of an argument that had been had a hundred times before. 
Still through it all he managed to maintain a smile as he studied Eric’s reaction. 

[color=goldenrod]“I truly hope you don’t share my brothers views.”[/color] Lightening the mood back up he daringly added [color=goldenrod]“From your reputation I can’t imagine you wield a discriminating sword.”[/color] He chuckled in jest patting the man on the back playfully, leaving it all unclear as to if he was being at all serious or not. Eric blinked, but he didn’t say anything. 

Moving on, he turned to his companions one at a time as he introduced them. Rolling down the hierarchy.
[color=goldenrod]“This is Lady Elonia, one of the greatest songbirds in all Croania.”[/color] She curtsied on time and with more prim and proper grace than most others of the court ever could muster. Every move elegant and smooth, despite her dresses restrictive nature. Even though part of her face was permanently scarred and her eyes of a milky hue, the blind bard held her head up high and proud. Owning her obvious flaws in such a way it leant to her overall appearance and who she was, reflecting them in a much more softer and accepting way.
[color=goldenrod]“She manages many of Sols affairs and is head of the bards college.[/color] 

[color=goldenrod]“And this beautiful creature is Miss Abbi Rose Smith. Hailing from Young I’m still inclined to believe she may have even more brains than she does endless beauty, so you can understand why I had to appoint her as my technological advisor. She now oversees much of my bookkeeping and production. She has brought great improvements and efficiencies to my city.”[/color]

Abbi bowed like an engineer, happy that the dress stayed up, her shoe stayed on, and she did not fall over. Her bag swung around her though shifting her balance. Nerves can do that to a girl.

[color=goldenrod]“Lastly the winged one is Rendyl, captain of my personal guard. She has proved her loyalty and worth more than enough times. There are songs sung of her achievements in the arena. No magi could ever be as suited to her tasks as she.”[/color] Drakus made an odd hand gesture, a small seemingly meaningless flourish that at first none would understand.

Rendyl did however, and she obeyed dutifully. She bowed at the waist low, fluffing her wings a bit to make them noticeable, then raised with her fist pressed against the center of her chest. On the back of her hand was a brand in the shape of the Solaris emblem.

Eric quirked a brow. To brand your own servants… even though she was a beastman, it wasn’t something he had the highest respect for. [color=d8cfbe]“A capable group, I’m sure. House Granis doesn’t have anything of the sort, though that may have to change.” He frowned, an unusual expression for him. “It all rests on these talks, doesn’t it? We just have to hope the results are favourable.”[/color]

He checked behind him.[color=d8cfbe] “Ah, I’d better catch up with the rest of my servants. A pleasure meeting you, as well as your ladies.”[/color] Eric gave them all a short wave. [color=d8cfbe]“Thank you for your time. Oh, and,”[/color] he looked Drakus in the eye. [color=d8cfbe]“Let’s all work hard to maintain order in Croania, shall we? Infighting does naught but hinder, as my father would say. I’ll be off, then.”[/color] He twirled on his heel, walking proudly into the tower. His cape fluttered in his artificial breeze. Eric looked like a bit of a fool, but he really didn’t seem to care. Soon, he vanished into the doorway.

[color=goldenrod]”Peace comes at a price.”[/color] Drakus mumbled to himself under his breath as he and lord Eric went their separate ways. It was a lesson all Immolis heirs knew. 
Then, giving Abbi and the servants orderly commands he sent them on their way leaving just Rendyl to follow him as he took a casual stroll around the tower, to acquaint himself with their new temporary residence.