Caspian Stepping into the community hall, Caspian stretches and yawns, heading over to a bench to sit himself down, giving a nod over to Felix and Sparte, greeting them with, "Hey there, how's it going?" He inquires to the two.

Calaudrin filters in around the time that this thing is supposed to start. He's looking the same as he ever does, with the longish hair and shadow of a beard on his face. There are already people gathering and he stops near the entrance to look at them. There's a distinct look of trepidation on his face before he wanders closer to the front and takes a seat at the end of the table there, facing the room. His elbows find purchase and he slips the edge of his thumb into his mouth, gnawing lightly on his nail and waiting for the proceedings to begin.

Alarie? Alaried brought her work with her and is parked at a counter, working on some red silk, fingers dipping into pouches on her belt and using tiny scissors, needle dipping into fabric and back out as she goes.

Magpie shows up with Fortunato, the man glancing around and throwing waves to all his neighbors before he points to the blue bench. "There's the others. I know Mayir brought alcohol."

Joscelin was supposed to be here earlier but- Oh look! Wow, she must have been here the whole time. Probably busy chatting up folks. Yes, that's it.

Sparte glances over to Caspian, giving them a friendly smile. "Goes alright." He gestures towards the front. "Think we're about to get started, though."

Joscelin has joined the colorful front table.

Renault, a floofy persian cat arrives, following Selene.

Felix meanders in from outside, pausing a moment to glance around. Moving to find an empty seat on the bench and sinking down - he still had the recent smell of coal and forge fire. A quick brush of rag had gotten the worst, but it was clear he was planning on returning to work once the meeting was over. A nod to Sparte and Caspian as they join the same bench. "Master Wild, Master Sparte." by way of greeting. "Not bad.. though I hear you might have another challenger soon, if you haven't already." with a sidelong glance towards Derovai.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Marian before departing.

Derovai has left the a mahogany grand piano with an ornately carved cabinet.

Derovai has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Brady arrives, looking slightly more disheveled than usual. He looks around at the tables and chooses one to sit at.

Brady has joined the green bench.

Costas has joined the green bench.

Wrecking Ball, a black stallion arrives, following Felicia.

The Community Hall has been rearranged to accommodate a large gathering. There's benches and tables and hay bales and all manner of places to rest one's rear. Up front, there's a table, with boards painted in all the colors of the rainbow. It's there, at the front table, that the Commoners' Councilors sit. Mae's been there a little while, and Joscelin and Calaudrin are just joining her. He gives them a minute to get settled, then rises up and says in a loud voice, "Hello everyone! Please take a seat! We're going to get started in just a moment!" She pauses, and gestures. "Joscelin is going to kick us off. And, uh, yes, there is food! But it's for /after/ the meeting is over!" she says.

Derovai has indeed entered, although he's lingering towards the back as he usually does, silent at first. At length, though, he moves up towards the oak counter table, perching there, offering Alarie a bright smile of recognition. As he leans forward to say something to her, though, his voice is more than a little dry.

Mayir glares at Mae balefully, taking some pre-shelled peanuts from his pocket and swallowing them. She knows why he is glaring.

Giuseppe, a kindly old man arrives, following Luca.

Deliverance, an albino falcon, Rosalie, a lady in waiting, Rascal, a hyper terrier, Luca arrive, following Reese.

Giuseppe, a kindly old man leaves, following Luca.

Deliverance, an albino falcon, Rosalie, a lady in waiting, Rascal, a hyper terrier, Luca leave, following Reese.

Cigano arrives finds a spot near the fireplace to lean and get a warm by it. He glances over the crowd with a bit of a grin as he rolls a coin between his fingers absent-mindedly watching the gathering folk.

Giuseppe, a kindly old man arrives, following Luca.

Deliverance, an albino falcon, Rosalie, a lady in waiting, Rascal, a hyper terrier, Luca arrive, following Reese.

Giuseppe, a kindly old man have been dismissed.

Wrecking Ball, a black stallion have been dismissed.

Acacia slips in from the cold and takes up a spot in the back, a little upnod and a smile offered to those she knows and a bit of a bold lookover at those she's not so familar with.

Reese arrives while adorned in lots of pink. Luca is at her side. She quickly glances over the hall, trying to get a sense for things. Reese then starts over in the direction of one of the benches.

Hana has joined the blue bench.

Costas takes a moment to scan the crowd, rubbing his hands together to restore some of the warmth stolen by the winter chill. A moment later he is slipping through the throng to take a seat.

Selene arrives amidst the rest of the milling crowds, perhaps even admiring them for their pure chaos and variety. The Radiant is dressed a little less grandly than the typical highest of high fashion, in a more sensible winter dress and furs. Without any particular aim apparent in her wanderings, she then simply picks out a seat and goes to place herself - seemingly at random. It's a big crowd, time to make some new friends?

Reese has joined the green bench.

Selene has joined the green bench.

Felicia has joined the yellow bench.

%After dismissing Gus-Gus, Luca arrives with Reese. Yes, he is awake, but he looks incredibly disinterested. Strolling, unhurried, with his thumbs hooked into the low-slung sword belt at his hips. His weapons are peacebound with respect to the gather. With a gusty sigh he drops onto the bench that Reese settles at, rolling his shoulders, and preparing to nap while sitting up.

"Actually, I'e been drunk, tackling people smaller than me, riding donkey's, blindfolded and otherwise actually enjoying myself." Alarie looks over to Derovai. "And I got the diamonds to prove it."

Luca has joined the green bench.

Hana slips in, spotting her family and moving to join them on the blue bench.

Felicia strolls in to the Community Hall with the others, in civilian clothes rather than her armor, and selects a bench at random to settle herself quietly.

Over at the blue bench Magpie is squished in with the other Grayhopes. The man pulls out a rolled joint and takes a moment to light it, then takes a long drag before passing it to Fortunato beside up. The smell of some very fine Haze fills the air around them.


Joscelin, garbed in cottons and wool and a colorful coat, stands from where she sits at the table. Her dark halo of curls bounces as she nods to her fellow councilmembers. "Thank you, Messere Estardes. Welcome to our Commoners Council meeting! We are here to hear your grievances and your concerns as citizens of the Arx, and our goal is to bring such concerns to the ear of the King himself, which I must add we did at the last Crown Council meeting held not long ago that we are also members of. I am Joscelin Arterius, I have the honor of being the Crafters Guildmaster." She laces her hands together and grins, looking to Calaudrin and Mae.

Esoka hustles into the Community Hall, in a rush. Was she almost /late/? Not acceptable. She raises an arm to wave, in as large a fashion as one can wave, to Calaudrin. Then she goes to find a seat.

"Arterius Grayhope," Aureth editorializes from his bench.

Joscelin rolls her eyes and laughs. "Yes. Joscelin Arterius-Grayhope. Thank you. Um. Cousin?"

Leta arrives wrapped in a cloak, rich green parting for a flash of color underneath as she wanders through and looks around, adjusting the voluminous hat upon her head. That done, she weaves her way past more crowded benches, tossing a nod here and a friendly smile there. Occasionally, Commoner's Council or not, she offers a somewhat deeper inclination of her head to some familiar noble face or another. Eventually, she takes a seat.

Leta has joined the yellow bench.

Mae clears her throat, then stands back up. "Thanks, Joscelin," she says, with a smile. "So, hi, everyone... My name is Mae Grayhope. I run the Murder of Crows and also serve as a Disciple of the Queen of Endings," she says. "I think the biggest matter we have to talk about today is all this talk of rallying banners and a coming battle... I think we've all heard the King's proclamation. But, before I talk about /that/... I'm going to have Calaudrin talk about the state of Arx, and more specifically, the Iron Guard. Calaudrin?" she asks, and gives a little gesture to the man, followed by a sweet smile. She sits again.

Esoka has joined the yellow bench.

"Wooo! Yeah, Mae! I love you!" Magpie calls from his bench, blowing her a kiss.

Reese checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Reese is trying to be very silent at this meeting as nobles should be, but then Magpie calls out. She bites at lower lip and tries to choke back a sound, but that doesn't seem to work out very well and a soft giggle escapes.

"Thanks." As Mae introduces him, Calaudrin taps his fingers twice against the table and then stands up. "If you haven't had the unfortunate luck of meeting me already, my name is Calaudrin Estardes and I'm a Lieutenant in the Iron Guard. I've been serving Arx for the last twenty or so years. What follows is a very brief explanation on what to expect here in Arx while the Compact is at war. Most importantly, the Iron Guard will be remaining in Arx. We are its army and there is no intention to leave. You will notice increased patrols in crucial areas inside and directly outside of the city. We will be on constant alert. There will be coordination between ourselves and the other major groups within the city to ensure the safety and well beings of the citizens here."

Acacia folds her arms across her chest and gives a little grin at Magpie as he cheers on Mae and then smiles all the more as Reese's giggle slips from her lips. Turning back, she refocuses on what Calaudrin has to say, her expression quieting.

Mae puts eyes on her husband. Big, wide eyes. Then she looks down the row at the rest of the Grayhopes, and gives a faint sigh. She murmurs something to Joscelin as Calaudrin speaks.

Magpie just throws his wife a charming, loving smile. Then he eyes wander the room and while Calaudrin is talking, the sailor waves intently at Luca, trying to quietly get his attention. He holds out the joint in offering to the prince.

Fortunato has left the blue bench.

Ugarte leaves, following Fortunato.

Also Calaudrin sits down after an awkward moment because public speaking isn't his forte. The end.

4 House Deepwood Guards arrives, following Samantha.

Bastien watches Magpie's wave and offer over to Luca, and snorts loudly. "What, he can't afford his /own/?"

The lazy Lycene has nearly shut his eyes, and his breathing evens out, regarding Magpie's wave and offer. Luca sits up with a look that's mostly cinnamon brown puppydog eyes.

Reese turns her attention to Calaudrin as he speaks, seemingly interested in the officer's words.

Samantha has joined the yellow bench.

Sparte glances to Magpie for a little bit with a thoughtful expression, then shouts out in imitation of his earlier cry. "We love you Old Ironsides!" That seems to have been aimed at Calaudrin.

Joscelin replies, perhaps a little too loudly, something about standing. She speaks to the crowd at large, shooting silencing glances at that one bench that's... well. You know. "As for supplies in the cities, there are still several warehouses untouched from preparations during the Siege, I intend to see them fully restocked and between the Guild and the Iron Guard, I have complete faith that it will be done. Lt. Estardes informs me that the Iron Guard is collecting food stuffs, as well as non-perishables to ensure we are well stocked in crucial supplies."

Calaudrin checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

"Breakfast sandwiches?" Aureth asks.

Calaudrin checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Derovai's quiet, dry, mostly one-sided conversation with Alarie continues, but he lets out something that sounds vaguely like a half-checked curse, pulling his closer hand away from her like a bee stung him. He grimaces, pulling one of his leather gloves off to press his hand to his mouth, as if to soothe a sudden injury. But he keeps listening.

Waldemai nods at that. "Steel."

Samantha slips in quietly and takes a seat, not wanting to disrupt the goings-on as she tunes her focus in on the meeting.

Calaudrin is pinching the bridge of his nose for no reason at all.

Magpie just grins and leeeeans forward so Luca can share in the joint if he should like. Then the man just bursts into snickers at Aureth's comment and claps a hand over his mouth to muffle it.

"Sausages" Alarie calls out. "In buns please"

"Not a bad place to put your sausage," Aureth says consideringly.

Sina listens to the proceeedings attentively, seated quietly at the blue bench, with the decidedly more animated nobles around her. Her pale eyes observe the Iron Guard lieutenant as he speaks, and she seems to pay very close attention to what he says, though she does occasionally pet the small kitten currently sitting in her lap. The outbursts and giggles and other things wash over her, filtered through a facade of polite decorum.

With a quiet, indolent, seemingly grateful expression for Magpie. Luca partakes, and he very mannerly offers it back to the Grayhopes.

Shard ducks inside, and takes a seat on a bench near the very back.

"Better eaten," opines Luca, much more mellow than before.

From the green bench, Brady hollers, "Save some for me, Magpie!"

Reese looks over to Bastien at his words, but she bites her lower lip and keeps from responding. She then looks to Magpie as he shares the joint with Luca. Her blue eyes are widen and her lips part open. It seems to quite a struggle for the princess to keep from speaking. She gives Luca a sharp look!

Joscelin looks incredibly amused, mouths 'Iron Sides?' to Mae around Calaudrin.

Joscelin checked composure at difficulty 7, rolling 7 higher.

Mae holds a bright smile as Calaudrin talks, then as Joscelin does. When the latter finishes, she stands up. "Sorry, Archlector Aureth, but sausage are perishable. They go bad when they get old," she says to the man. "So, that's it! Arx is safe. The Iron Guard is not leaving. If anything does come to our city we are prepared. That brings us right on to the matter of this Pirate King and his fleet. Putting it quickly and simply... The Ministry of Defense reports /three/ fleets are coming. One is aimed north, towards Redrain land. One is aimed south, towards the Lyceum - likely Setarco. One is aimed right at Darkwater Watch. At the moment, there is no firm plan to engage the enemy, though it would seem the Compact means to combine it's navies into one large fleet." Mae finishes, then looks aside at her other councilors, to see if they have anythign to add.

Aureth chortles, chokes and coughs at something Magpie whispers.

Calaudrin rubs the side of his jaw. "As the entirety of the Compact is still rallying their bannermen, I imagine it's going to take time before we hear exactly where they're all going to go. Things are in a state of flux until the various fealties can get everyone in line and settled so they can be deployed." And that's all he's got on that subject.

Joscelin laces her fingers together her lips twitching. "Please let us konw if there's anything you want us to bring up with the Crown Council, concerns and questions we can't answer here."

"Presumably we don't plan to publish the actual battleplan in advance once we know what it is, though, right?" Aureth asks, glancing up the bench towards his daughter and then smiling hopefully at Joscelin, Calaudrin and Mae. "We're not going to /tell everyone/ what the plan is in a public forum?"

Magpie is snickering, but when Joscelin asks about concerns and questions, the man wipes at his eyes and stands, "Can we ask now? I'm gonna ask now. Are the rest of us here in the Lowers going to be taken care of? The docks are targeted a *lot*. During the siege? Remember the battle down here? I do."

Derovai winces visibly at something, his bare hand moving down to his thigh now to assuage some seeming sudden pain there, still well within Alarie's reach, but he stays silent. No curse follows. His gaze is intent on the front table all the same.

Joscelin tilts her head at Magpie, trying to find him in the CLOUDS OF SMOKE and booze. "As far as I know, the Guild has volunteered to shore up the defenses of the docks and the Lowers, something I intend to see through personally."

Mae watches as her relatives politely wait to ask questions, then do so. She clears her throat. "Soooo... looks like we'll move on to questions!" Mae declares. "Archlector Aureth, I'm pretty sure that attempting to move all the navies in the Compact will be readily apparent. Right now the Minister of Defense and the Crown would rather our people be informed and offer up any additional... information, plans, whatever, that might help," Mae says, waving a hand. She looks to Magpie. "As for the state of Arx, as Joscelin says, we're well stocked and prepared. As Calaudrin said, the Iron Guard is quite prepared... and as I know everyone here knows... large than it was in the days of the Siege. And yes, I do believe we remember the siege."

Sabella, Giulio arrive, following Theron.

Calaudrin waves to Magpie where he's sitting. "Yes, Magpie. We will be taking care of the Lowers. That would be covered under the increased patrols and precautions. Some of us live in the Lowers as well." He casts a look to Aureth and his mouth pulls up a little at the corners before glancing to Mae. "No. I also doubt the three of us will be given the Compacts battle plan in its entirety. For safety reasons."

Magpie gives Joscelin a smile, seeming satisfied with that answer. "That's fantastic. I love that plan. I'd also love it if you could make sure to open up paid positions for refugees and shav to help out? You may not remember, but I'm the Deputy Minister of Refugee and Prodigal Affairs?" He looks to Mae, then, grinning. "Thank you, sweetheart. You look stunning."

Joscelin looks delighted. "That's an excellent idea, Magpie. I'll be sure to speak to you about it."

"Not enough starving Compact citizens already living here that could use the work?" Bastien remarks blandly.

Joscelin looks to Bastien. "Who's starving?" she asks with serious interest.

Shard flicks a glance toward Bastien.

Theron, Sabella and Giulio arrives. The Mazetti brothers seem to be in the middle of a conversation, spoken in hushed tones as the meeting is in progress. The Grayson Princess is on the Sword of Ostria's arm, and occasionally he flashes her a smile, along with another hushed exchange of words among the three.

Mae flashes a bright smile to Magpie. "That sounds like a wonderful task for the Deputy Minister of Refugee and Prodigal Affairs to head up!" she declares. "We'll be sure the King hears that we support your plan, and support any funding efforts that your ministry undertakes." Mae then clears her throat, to look at Bastien. "Yes, please, Bastien. Who is starving?"

Magpie beams at Joscelin when she tells him the idea is excellent, then turns a look on Bastien. "Prodigals and Refugees *are* compact citizens, and a critical part of our community. Give happiness and acceptance a chance, Bastien." He says, then drops to sit down on his bench again, leaning against Aureth.

Caspian rises up from his bench, calling out, "I have an urgent matter that needs to be brought to everyone's attention." He looks around a moment, then tells the crowd. "I am Caspian Wild. I brought this issue up to The Society of Explorers, but they couldn't help me." He frowns, "Last week I lost some socks under my bed. Under my bed is a dark and wild place that I dare not venture on my own. But because no one else would help me, I reached in an nearly lost my arm. And it is beginning to spread from out under my bed...please. I'm not sure how long I can contain this situtation on my own!"

Sabella has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Sparte gets a pelt made with rabbit fur from a canvas backpack with leather accent straps.

"Contact the Inquisition." Calaudrin says flatly to Caspian and his problem.

Theron has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Giulio has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Sparte pulls a loose pelt from his bags. Yes, a loose pelt - and tosses it at Caspian.

"I second Councilor Calaudrin's recommendation," Mae says, with a firm nod.

Brady snickers loudly at Caspian, whooping with laughter when Sparte throws a loose pelt at Caspian.

Bastien looks between Mae and Joscelin like he's sure they can't be serious. "The general underemployed populace that your single soup kitchen doesn't magically fix."

"No, no -- do. Share it. Might be fasctinating to see what happens if the secret strategies are all laid out," Luca murrs, looking around the council chamber, waiting another moment. "Eh. Or not. Hmmph." He sighs, lolling his head back against Reese's shoulder. "I might pass on that idea." Then, loooong pause, to blink at Caspian before grinning. "Oh, Flash."

Magpie calls out to Caspian, "Make sure to contact Laric Grayson specifically. He likes to handle things personally!"

Felix clears his throat as well. "I know Valery had said something to me about some of the crafters helping to support and teach some orphans. If refugees need jobs, I can't take more than two or three, but it would be a way to get some extra hands about the shop. Maybe not useful immediately, but given time they will be able hands and help to provide arms and armor in the coming days. Just a thought, if they're in need of jobs. There's no shortage of supporting roles, if they aren't looking to fight." watching the exchange with just a shake of his head at Caspian. Amused, but at least containing the laughter until Sparte throws the pelt.

"Prince Luca, if you could please contain yourself?" Mae shoots out, immediately, fixing a /look/ at the man. Then a /look/ at Reese. She stares for a long moment, then looks on to Bastien. "My soup kitchen doesn't find work for people, no. But it does keep them from starving. As for creating work, that's something we can surely bring before the crown."

The pelt strikes Caspian right in the face, and he gives an 'ooophf!' as it hits him. He laughs and sits back down, calling to Sparte, "I think you dropped this! Finders keepers!"

Waldemai nods after Felix speaks. "I've said the same myself. Many hands make light work."

Brady has left the green bench.

Reese checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Shard leans back a little on the bench, a little too far to be advisable, and crosses her arms over her chest. Her eyes narrow faintly.

"Goodman-? I'll be hosting more drives for food and things like blanket in cases of emergency. If you would like to work with me on helping out our disenfranchised citizens, I would be glad to have your assistance." That's to Bastian and he raises his voice to the room at large, "The Iron Guard also hosts ongoing employment for those who are willing to take up arms and learn." And can likely pass a background check.

Joscelin gestures to Mae and Calaudrin, looking to Caspian. "As do I." She looks to Bastien. "As I have understood it, there's no starving. Underemployed, as Mae said, we can bring to the attention of those that can help, not to mention it's in the works to call for more hands to help fortify our defenses and repair and make armor and weapons for those better suited to wield both. But as one of the larger employers of the city, the Crafters Guild with its merchants, traders and suppliers, has been no muttering of starvation from them or their families, and I assure, I would have addressed both myself."

Back at that trestle table, there's a furious look on Alarie's face. "I'll sew his fucking lips shut in a minute." LIkely not aimed at the people at the front table and likely for someone within her small grouping.

Sina offers no input, asks no questions for now. But her pale eyes are attentive beneath those dark lashes, her head turning to listen and observe this or that person speaking, while the kitten curls up to sleep in her lap. Thus far, the quite Thrax handmaiden has only spoken once, a brief murmur to Marian, and then her attention has been focused mostly on the discussions around her.

Reese cheeks heat with a rosy hue that seems to match her ribbons as she catches the look from Mae. She probably doesn't want to be blushing, but she is! Reese then murmurs softly to Luca.

Giulio glances towards Caspian, as he speaks. One hand presses against his lips, as he covers his mouth, concealing a smile for a moment. He glances towards the rest of the room, those piercing black eyes traversing from person to person with attentive dark eyes, before returning his gaze to the table.

Sparte turns his attention to Calaudrin. He seems to be expecting something from the man, giving a gesture urging him on towards something.

"And we would surely appreciate any help you could offer... to finding work for people. Thank you, Felix," Mae says, smiling once more.

Marian stands up from where she is at the bench and looks at the Council first and then Magpie, "I might make sense to leave information in the Soup Kitchen and other places where community boards to be place to contact your office to list their name and profession so an understanding of what they can do so jobs can later be found." She gives a half smile, "Just a suggestion.

After a flash of movement over at the trestle table, Derovai shoots an innocent look to the rest of the community hall. He moves to put on his gloves -- both of them, the other one having been removed at some point before -- with a satisfied little nod. His gaze hasn't faltered, though.

"The Faith's charitable efforts are, of course, ongoing," Aureth says. He smooches Magpie's head. He looks totally reputable and not at all like someone who is halfway high and part of the way through a flask of whiskey. "Pretending that there is no poverty is not a way to fix anything, but the social problems of the Compact are not going to be solved in a half an hour meeting, either."

Calaudrin looks towards Sparte as he's making faces at him. "I think that Sparte Fatchworth has an idea that he'd like to pitch the group at large. Please, go ahead."

Magpie's leaning against Aureth and sipping from a flask, but gives Marian a smile. "I like that idea." Then he just rolls his head to look Sparte's direction.

"If it's unrelated to stoats... please go ahead, Sparte!" Mae says, encouragingly.

Caspian puts a pelt made with rabbit fur in A simple leather backpack.

The antics of those around her has Samantha pressing her fingers to her mouth to suppress her smile, but the discussion of starving people and underemployment make her eyes narrow in concern.

Apparently in good spirits, Theron converses with Alarie, his brother and Sabella, though the interaction between Alarie and Derovai is commented upon with a grin before he's laughing loudly in response to Caspian's call for help. The rest of the business has him very serious, though, and watchful.

"No thank you," Bastien says dryly to Calaudrin. He looks supremely, blandly skeptical of claims of no hunger existing in the Lowers, but says nothing else.

Really. Put Sparte on the spot. Sparte squints at Calaudrin a little while before shaking his head and rising up. "Hello everyone, Sparte Fatchforth. I sent a proposal in to the council a while back for a crafter's commons. An area that isn't part of any shop, but where those who don't have shops of their own can rent a space to ply their trade or get lessons from others on how. It was my hope such a place would help those displaced people, regardless of where they come from, to still be able to make a living and further enrich our city with what they make." Sparte glances around a few moments. "Unfortunately, I think that perhaps the message I sent was with Caspian's socks. I hope the inquisition can recover it." He retakes his seat.

Mayir has left the blue bench.

Joscelin looks to the table. "I can address Messere Fatchforth."

Mae watches with that same bright smile, then a look aside to Joscelin. "I think that'd be something for the Crafter's Guild? I mean..." And then she nods. "Please."


Clearing her throat, Joscelin looks to Sparte. "That very thing has been brought up in the plans, something the Guild would fund. The complication is that as it would be a place of teaching, Guild or not it's under the sphere of education and therefore, the Scholars. Now, the tradition has been to take on apprentices, the masters of the Guild in their crafts, to teach and raise until they graduate and journeyman and so on. The other problem is timing. There's either a Siege or a war on the horizon. I've done my best to encourage all Crafters who've made their own success enough to strike out on their own to rent or purchase their own shops, providing financial aid to any that come to me with this need. So far, that endeavor has been successful, but Messere Fatchforth is right; there should be a great space with better access for those that aren't drawn into the Guild at a young age but come into it later in life."

She looks to the man in question. "It's inconvenient in that we're scattered about the city, the Guild, but we've always done our best to be accessible. A center point, perhaps even at the little used Guild Hall, would be a good place to great such a Crafter's Commons, yes? That was the original idea, and something I would love to expand on in the future." She winces, her expression rueful her gold eyes warm. "When the world isn't ending, I'm going to look into volunteers to help ferret out ideas and work on official plans with that. Would you be interested in helping me with it?"

Something happens at the back table, a slap of Alarie's palm and something hissed too hard for anyone else to hear, but the seamstress looks furious and she's gathering her things to head for the door.

Sparte gives an easy nod to Joscelin and grins at her. "Provided I don't get pushed off the ramparts between now and then, I'd be honored."

"The world is not ending!" Mae tacks on, quickly. "Just a figure of speech to refer to... to these rough-... rough times..." Mae stumbles on those last few words as she watches Alarie storm out.

Joscelin grins at Sparte. "Excellent. And-" she looks to Mae, her smile faltering as her cheeks go rosy. "Ah. Yes. The world is not ending. My apologies."

Caspian The slap causes Caspian to turn around, looking over his shoulder to Alarie as she goes storming out the door. "The world isn't ending. Maybe we're ending, or at least our freedom, if we are conquered. But hey, semantics."

Leta straightens up slightly in her seat, and after a moment's hesitation raises her voice, "There's some folk that's either starving or close it, but that's 'cause they can't work at all. There's a woman the next street down from my folks who can't even get out of the house. And her roof was leaking. I had it fixed, but if you hired some refugees to go around taking food to old folks and fixing leaky roofs, that'd be better than nothing." And then she settles down again to fiddle with her buttons.

Alarie has left the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Jessamine, the innocuous shop girl leaves, following Alarie.

Reese looks over to Alarie as she storms out, seemingly concerned. She turns her attention to Leta and the concern lingers.

"Come, sit down!" Theron calls out after Alarie following a brief, private pleading, but she leaves all the same. He leans in to talk to Sabella, apparently explaining something.

Calaudrin watches the personal drama unfolding in the back of the hall, eyebrows raised. "Any other questions?"

Luca has left the green bench.

Acacia gives a little stretch as people begin to table more concerns, her honey-brown eyes flicking to Alarie as she seems to storm out. There's a little look at the bench and then at Theron as he calls out after her and gives her head a little shake. The curvy redhead turns her gaze back to Mae and gives a little shrug.

Sina glances around toward the back as there's some commotion, and her eyes follow Alarie as she storms out of the room. She tilts her head thoughtfully, then turns her attention back 'round toward the front. The kitten in her lap stirs slightly, yawns and stretches lazily, then curls back up again and falls promptly back to sleep.

"With the hundreds of thousands of silver that has been poured into the Lowers lately, I suppose I was unaware that we had such issues, Leta. Obviously it seems to be a problem still, and I'll bring it before the Crown and the Faith, both," Mae says to the woman, with a nod.

Derovai looks as shocked as anyone else as Alarie rises to her feet, saying something briefly to her. He sidles away from the remaining trio a little, further down the counter for a second. He thinks better of it then, adding something quietly to the table before rising to head for the piano, resettling in more private quarters.

Felix likewise follows to look towards the slap - blinking a moment before he turns his attention back to the front of the room and the conversations that pertain to the meeting.

Cigano leaves the side of the fireplace, "Seems like you have everything in hand well enough for the moment. Guess we all just have to wait and see in the end, right?" He shrugs his shoulder and pulls his cloak more over himself, "Good hunting when the time comes, Captain."

Luca prowls out of the Community Hall for -- any place beyond the Assembly.

Derovai has left the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Derovai has joined the a mahogany grand piano with an ornately carved cabinet.

Felicia glances over at the sound of the slap, straightening in her seat briefly, but while her eyes track Alarie, she seems set to remain where she is, attention settling back on the head table once more without comment.

Joscelin asks, "Are there any other questions or points of concern?"

"I'm feeling good." Magpie calls out happily.

"Just still worried about the situtation under my bed, and that I will never see them socks again," Caspian calls out to Joscelin. "Other then that, I'm good."

Joscelin nods to Caspian. "The Inquisition, my friend, is your best bet."

"You're not funny," Bastien informs Caspian, like he's doing him a great service that no one has bothered to before.

"Alright, well, if anyone wants to help Capsian with his bedroom problem, please send word ot him. As for the rest, I think we can call this meeting over. Now... Let's get on to the food!" Mae says, as she rises up, and heads over to start working through trays of food. Looks like potatoes cooked every way, and some stew, and some rolls. "And Bastien's right!"

"I disagree," Caspian says to Bastien with a smirk given his way, but that smirk quickly changes to a concerned look at he looks to Felix and Sparte. "Don't even. Even thought I doubt you can hit me with it. Also, why do you keep ingot's in your pocket?"

Marian stands up as the meeting winds down, since there doesn't seem to be any questions for the Ministry of Defense represetatives. She gives a motion to Joscelin, Mae and Calaudrin as if to thank them for inviting her. Then she starts to make her exit.

Marian has left the blue bench.

Selene is seated near all the madness, and has even giggled along at some of it, though she gives a gentle 'tsking' at the potential throwing of things heavier than animal pelts. "Food sounds marvellous. I say, let's get to the party!" She would!

Felix looks up, from having passed a metal ingot over to Sparte. "For throwing at people?" innocent-ish expression, "Much more likely to cause some harm than a thrown dagger.. " but it turns into a boyish grin after saying it, as he stands up from his bench and would get ready for food as well. Fuel before getting back to work - accepting the ingot if Sparte handed it back.

"Princess Marian," Theron calls out to the woman. "Mind coming up here a moment?"

Theron adds, "Please."

Sparte returns the ingot to Felix readily, looking around at the people gathered thoughtfully. "Wonder if we can scare up some music."

Magpie is half-dozing against Aureth now, quite comfortable on the bench where he is.

Shard stands up from the bench. She spares a last glance for the rest of the room, and then turns for the exit.

Aureth is clearly trapped providing pillow services to Magpie, but doesn't appear to mind too much, since he's just ... sitting here.

Caspian "Oh, I can handle that," Caspian says back to Sparte, giving the man a grin as he moves over to the piano, giving a nod to Derovai, "Hey there, mind sliding over so I can play that?"

Marian pauses as Theron calls out to her and then makes her way over, "Is there something you need m'lord?" She manner is polite as she seeks to find out what he needs.

Caspian has left the green bench.

Caspian has joined the a mahogany grand piano with an ornately carved cabinet.

Felicia slides to her feet at last, but rather than go for the food, she elects to slip away for now.

Felicia has left the yellow bench.

Esoka rises as the meeting seems to draw to a conclusion. She sticks around to get some potatoes. A very large plate of various sorts of them.

Esoka has left the yellow bench.

"Remember that one time, that I mentioned my brother?" Theron inquires of Marian, standing up briefly to murmur a few words to her, before settling back down with a nod.

Acacia smirks slightly at something Felix says and gently pushes off the wall again. A little upnod is thrown Mae and Joscelin's way. "You couldn't pay me to do this, ladies. My caps off to you," she winks giving a glace to the rest of the motley crew. "Bright blessings to you both," she laughs softly and starts towards the door.

Felix has left the green bench.

Costas has left the green bench.

Calaudrin gets to his feet, "This was a pleasure, ladies." He tips his head to Joscelin and Mae. "A lot less lettuce throwing than I expected would happen."