[center][h2]Abbi, Christina Young, and Alexander Reason[/h2] in the Minor Library[/center] [center]15th Anais, Afternoon[/center] [hr] Abbi appeared out the other end of the transport circle, disoriented. The tea cup dress was still in place which she worried about. A bit of hair floated in the air and she brushed it back in place. It would take a bit to get used to the whole sensation of instantaneous movement. The monk had brought her across with barely a word while scornfully eyeing her dress. Abbi blushed thinking that the monk was eyeing her, which made her uncomfortable. She found herself in the Minor Library. Shelves covered every centimeter of the walls. Every space not occupied by the books was instead a study table or reading station. Only a nook in the corner fitted with some comfy chairs gave pause to the cramped space of knowledge. In front of her, Abbi could see Reina Young engaged in discussion with Melodia Lapseus. The two small women were murmuring to each other quietly. It wouldn’t be a good idea to disturb them. However, Abbi could spot Alexander Reason and Christina Young just sitting and reading. When Abbi’s wits were in place with her equilibrium, she looked at the monk and nodded thanks. She realized it wasn’t her that he was displeased with, but the dress. She agreed, but she was representing Solaris, so she needed to dress the part. She made her way over to the young couple and using the customs she grew up, she bowed gently as was the custom in Young. [color=FF007F]“My Lady and my Lord, might I talk with you?”[/color] she asked trying not to have the entire conversation in a single breath. She wanted to make a good impression as she was also representing her university and advisors back in Young. She breathed in the smell of aging leather and paper and it brought her peace. Christina looked up from her book, [i]On the Basis of Language.[/i] [color=d8cfbe]“Of course! Sit down, please. Who might you be?”[/color] The shorter woman smiled and patted Reason’s hand. [color=d8cfbe]“Reason. We have a guest.”[/color] Her fiance nodded and turned in Abbi’s general direction. [color=d8cfbe]“Alexander Reason. Pleasure.”[/color] He didn’t quite meet Abbi’s eyes, instead seemingly staring off at a point somewhere over her right shoulder. Abbi smiled to them and sat down. [color=FF007F]“I am Ms. Abbi Smith and I recently graduated from the University in Young. My advisor suggested that I take the position as the Technical Advisor for House Solaris. So, I have. One of my tasks that I am assigned with is helping to find instructors to help teach at the university there and to try to help introduce new technology. I was thinking we have two things we can offer. The first is that we are centrally located so we would make a good distribution hub that does not require going over the mountains. The second is that we can use some of our entertainment and media resources to help promote your products and help increase your profits giving you resources for other projects,”[/color] she said with enthusiasm and in a single breath. Christina leaned back, surprised. [color=d8cfbe]“Okay. That was a lot. Uh, let’s go through this piece by piece. You’re from Solaris, yeah? And you’re offering advertising and distribution opportunities? What exactly does Solaris want from Young? It won’t exactly put you in the good books of the other mage houses.”[/color] [color=FF007F]“My lady, I’m one of yours from Young, working for Solaris. My parents were killed in a fire years ago. I am looking for instructors from both your lands for the university in Solaris. As you Lords and Ladies would need to finalize any arrangements, I can only propose what we might be able to do to help. I am just looking at what Solaris does well and how it might be useful to you,”[/color] she said smiling an honest smile. [color=FF007F]“As for the other houses, my Lord let me know that is above my station to worry about.”[/color] [color=d8cfbe]“She might want your new music technology,”[/color] said Reason. [color=d8cfbe]“Gave it a listen, myself. Excellent quality. Take it from a man who only has his ears now.” “Well, yes, it’s quite nice, but something like that isn’t important enough to facilitate a trade discussion, is it? And when did you get a hold of my player?” “I found in your drawer.” “My- Reason, that’s my- don’t ever look in that drawer again!”[/color] Christina blushed. [color=d8cfbe]“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t,”[/color] said Reason. [color=d8cfbe]“Bit hard to see anything there anyways.”[/color] Abbi got excited at the music player topic, [color=FF007F]“Oh, that technology would go over really well in Solaris and I bet with some of the artists using it, we could increase the demand for the players throughout the kingdom. Maybe we could even send a couple instructors to train some of your people too or maybe performers for your wedding?”[/color] [color=d8cfbe]“Oh, that would be delightful,”[/color] said Christina. [color=d8cfbe]“But.. what is Solaris looking for in return?”[/color] Abbi made a mental note to make arrangements. With any luck she might even get to be part of the delegation to the wedding. Who didn’t like a beautiful royal wedding? Abbi smiled again and said, [color=FF007F]“I think knowledge and access to new technology is what we gain.”[/color] She leaned forward a little to show her sincerity, [color=FF007F]“My Lady, I am going to guess that you are wondering if I have an ulterior motive.”[/color] she blushed because her other motive was to get into normal clothing and out of the tea cup dress. [color=FF007F]“As you can see, with my red hair and pale complexion, I can’t lie because I blush easily and I am not use to courtly politics. I find most game-playing like that to be a waste of people's time and does not help people reach their goals.”[/color] She took a gentle breath then continued, [color=FF007F]“My Lady and Lord, I am looking for solutions where all sides benefit. I need Reason’s knowledge of History so the people can learn from the past and make better choices. I need Young’s knowledge of Technology and Science so that my people can learn that not all technology needs to be feared. You can benefit from the creativity of the people of Solaris. We all need each other for economic prosperity for all of us. ”[/color] She paused for a moment then said, [color=FF007F]“I believe that Lord Drakus is not opposed to technological development, but he is worried that adopting new technologies too quickly might disturb the order of things. I think if I can help broker a beneficial deal with the northern houses, he would be more inclined to side with them at the vote.”[/color] She was going out on a limb and stretching her authority a bit. But with the help of Lady Christina Young and Lord Reason, other doors could be opened and she could improve the university from a party school to a place to be proud of. Christina looked Abbi up and down. [color=d8cfbe]“Well, you’ve certainly gotten my attention. I think Mother would be willing to recognize Solaris as a full house as well, provided the terms were good enough.”[/color] She leaned back, lost in thought. [color=d8cfbe]“I think we could definitely come to a deal. I’m willing to offer specific support in the name of House Young to Solaris. Maybe, say, several prototype music players for testing and review? We could also start meeting with some of your entertainers and discussing distribution methods. A good way to reduce the general populace’s distrust of technology would be...”[/color] Christina began to mumble incoherently to herself. [color=d8cfbe]“Don’t worry about her,”[/color] said Reason. [color=d8cfbe]“She gets like this sometimes. Don’t try to talk to her while she’s thinking, either. She gets crabby about it. Not sure if Tina can hear what’s going on, anyway. What a perfect pair! A man who cannot see and a woman who cannot listen! Whatever could go wrong?”[/color] He laughed. Abbi smiled, [color=FF007F]“Ah, but a couple that learns to work together and makes use of each partner’s strengths to build each other up can overcome almost any obstacle.”[/color] She then said pleadingly to Lord Alexander, [color=FF007F]“I really need instructors too!”[/color] This was her task. He raised his eyebrows. [color=d8cfbe]“Me? Oh, I don’t know about that. Not sure if you want a man who can’t write to teach people history. Or any other subject, for that matter. But… I’ll help you talk to the South about it, if need be.”[/color] Abbi giggled and said, [color=FF007F]“Don’t sell yourself short. I would love to hear both of your histories some time, I enjoy a good love story. As to the university instructors, it doesn’t need to be you. I am sure that house Reason has many wonderful historians that might like to teach. I would appreciate any help with the southern houses for my project.”[/color] Christina nodded. [color=d8cfbe]“I’m glad that Solaris is extending such an invitation as this one. I look forward to working with you.”[/color] It seemed like Abbi had won the duo over.