The Archscholar's receiving room has been decorated with a variety of summer flowers, and the windows are thrown open to allow a breeze to pass through, stirring the curtains that frame them. The fireplace is lit, but only to keep the kettle of water hot for the serving of tea. A variety of chairs have been arranged around the room, allowing places for visitors to sit and converse, while waiting to speak with the Archscholar.

A table has been placed along one wall, decorated with bright summer flowers; velvety red roses, vibrant orange lilies, delicate pink carnations, royal purple iris, and yellow sunflowers. The table is spread with a cloth of golden silk, and displays a multitude of refreshments and snacks. Platters with colorful fresh fruits are displayed near the back on raised wooden stands, while lower stands offer an array of finger sandwitches, crackers spread with cream cheese and crab meat, an array of deviled eggs, succulent steamed shrimp with butter and herbs, lobster bites, little bite-sized meat pies, and other delicacies. Still other platters offer a variety of pastries, brownies, pie slices, cake slices, and candies, all beautifully ornamented. Chocolate truffles and candied figs and honeycomb abound. A variety of drinks are available as well, from teas to wine, to brandy. Three Templars can be seen throughout the chambers, two at the outer doors, and one near the door to the Archscholar's private study.

The Archscholar is seated at her desk in her study, the doors open, which allows for people to meet privately with her if needed, while others can wait and converse among themselves in the receiving room.

Sina has joined the a white oak desk with blue felt and gold adornments.

Aendal, a jumpy and introverted bookworm have been dismissed.

The slender figure of the Corvini count makes his way into the Archscholar's chambers, his eyes scanning the room. Currently, he is dressed in a rather severe style, black linen cassock. His long black hair has been oiled and drawn back from his eyes, accenting a greying widow's peak. "Blessed Sina," he says, politely, inclining his head. His smile is pleasant and his expression mirrors it, the warm mask of a professional courtier. "I pray the day finds you well." Bhandn and Katarina receive nods.

Swiftly the red fox, 1 Greenmarch Guard arrive, following Neve.

Sir Bhandn came alone, which is to say without his youthful shadow isn't with him today for this particular excursion. Aendal is off reading somewhere in the city at this point in time. The knight is also a bit dressed down for the occasion, which is to say he's not in armor. It's summer, after all. Bhandn will arrive with Vigil's peacebond fully intact, having tied up the fine steel blade just before entering the academy. He'll give a quiet, courtesy bow to the Archscholar, but words don't leave his lips just yet. Whatever his business, he doesn't seem to feel it urgent enough to try and jostle for being the first to receive the Archscholar's attention. He can wait.

Neve isn't particularly dressed up, but probably about as much as Neve ever does. A silk decorated green summer dress. Though she does wear boots. That's dressing up for her. Walking in she looks about, there's some people, one of them is probably the archscholar, whatever that is. Probably a fancy smart person. She then spies the target of her search - the snacks. Moving over towards them she rubs her hands together "Oh boy, snacks!" she whispers to herself.

As Giulio arrives, Sina glances up from her writing, and sets her quill aside before she rises from her desk to step around to greet him. "Count Corvini," she says in pleasant greeting, with a dip of her head. "A pleasure to see you again. It has been too long. Please, help yourself to the refreshments if you like. If you need to speak with me about anything, we can retreat to my study. Otherwise, this is just a social occasion, if anyone wants to gather and talk about, well, anything of interest concerning current events, or personal scholarly curiosities. I hope you've been well?" she inquires. Seeing Bhandn, she offers him a warm smile, and a dip of her head. "Sir Bhandn," she greets. Her eyes drift toward Neve as she goes straight for the snacks. "Welcome! I am Archscholar Sina. Please, do help yourself to the snacks, and if you need me for anything, please let my assistant Jacinthe know, and she will take your name down." The tawny-haired Lycene scholar who is Sina's assistant inclines her head, pen and parchment at the ready.

Juba'al'samara, a Suj'abbati royal guardsman have been dismissed.

A dutiful Valardin aide have been dismissed.

2 Valardin Knights have been dismissed.

"Indeed," Giulio replies, offering a bow of his head to the younger woman, his smile quirking in amused agreement. "It is rare that I stir from my library and study of late, save those demands of form. As you say it has been too long." Glancing about, he nods in agreement. "As well as can be expected in these trying times." The smile grows a little more sardonic. "It would be good to hear of current events. I fear my considerations of late have been in a more... historical context. With some small exceptions."

He pauses for a moment, before adding, "And, it is possible that I might be able to add some small insights should background information be... required."

The knight will help himself to Sina's tea cart. He can't resist. The Archscholar may find that by the time Sir Bhandn is done, she'll quickly be running out of honey. He has a veritable sweet tooth for tea. He'll stand by the tea things absently stirring in that considerable dollop of honey while directing his grey eyes towards Giulio, face expressionless for the nonce. Still Bhandn holds his tongue, figuratively speaking, not wanting to interject while another is speaking.

Neve hands go upward as she's taken by surprise and releases a short "Yaaak!" when she's called out to. Pausing she looks over to the unfamiliar woman. "Oh, you have really pretty eyes, the lashes are so full!" She takes a few of the snacks and pops them onto a plate, then a few more..just one or two more, then walks towards the woman whom addressed her. "I'm Lady Neve Greenmarch. From the Greenwood Forest. So what is an Archscholar? Is that a fancy way of saying that your appointed to a position because you've proven to be a capable and intelligent smart, witty person?"

The foresty woman looks to the assistant "Oh, we tell her the things? Okay. I've heard there are different places that are warded against the prying eyes and ears of those truly dark things that go bump in the night, that cloak in shadow, and are always watching, always listening. Things that do evil things like listen in on conversations, make fart sounds around you then blame it on you, and generally want to do bad things. Do you know where those safe places are?"


Katarina has been here, quietly, unobtrusively. The cozy seating by the stone fireplace has lured the Eurusi-born Valardin Princess, and her role in Sina's court-holding appears to be that of moral support. The veiled young woman sits in a mildly insouciant way -- leaned onto one hip, one arm rested on an armrest to prop her head up, shoes doffed and knees bent to pull bare (but clean) feet up onto the seat of the chair. She has a book in her lap, and she pages through idly, splitting her attention between reading one of Sina's no doubt priceless tomes and following the conversation as it branches.

There's a distinct pause in Bhandn's fiddling with the tea at Neve's assorted queries, particularly the last one. He freezes, mouthing a word silently to himself before having it play host to tea. "Write me down for after them," Bhandn's deep voice says to Jacinthe, an attempt at making his voice be mild, the first thing he's said so far. His grey eyes are all on Neve now, studying the Greenmarch lady as he sips at his very honeyed tea.

It's unclear if Cadern heard there was an open forum or there was just a sense of information being shared that drew Cadern. He looks around and blinks, "Huh no Mirk and Delilah. Now that's a surprise. Now I get to make up all kinds of things that were shared." He says happily to himself as he pauses to get some tea and look around for a seat. He has easy smiles for all of those present as he looks curiously to see what's being brought up first. Cadern inspects each corner next and then looks at a nearby chair. He looks at one of the templars and gives a big wide-eyed look between the chair and the corner and the Templar. After several moments of impassive gaze Cadern drops himself into the seat with a huff.

As Giulio speaks of being hidden away in a library, Sina nods in understanding. She seems comfortable enough with Katarina's presence as moral support, focusing for the moment on those who came to speak with her. "It can be easy to lose oneself in study. I am glad to see you here." She nods thoughtfully as he speaks of wanting to know more about current events. "Yes, matters of current events sounds like a good subject for discussion." She turns toward the refreshment table, and helps herself to her own tea, eyeing Bhandn's use of the honey with a slight hint of surprise. She glances to Jacinthe, who nods and runs off to fetch more honey. Sina looks back to Giulio then and adds, "I am certain your insights would be most welcome, my lord."

She turns to Neve then, and smiles at the compliment on her eyes. "Ahh, welcome Lady Neve. Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet another Greenmarch." Her eyebrows then creep up slowly higher and higher as Neve assails her with the barrage of questions about warded things. Fart sounds? She seems to shake of a moment of perplexity.

"The Archscholar is the Archlector of Vellichor," she explains patiently. "I am in charge of keeping the Great Archive safe, and tending to the Scholars of Vellichor, and generally try to make myself available to answer questions of a scholarly nature. As for safe places, well, there are safe places and there are safe places. I suppose it depends on who you ask, and what or who you are trying to keep safe," she says, very vaguely, choosing her words with care. As Cadern arrives, Sina glances toward him and smiles. "Lord Cadern... it's been some time. Welcome." She turns back to Neve. "If you wish, I can have Jacinthe write your name down for a more in-depth discussion on that topic at a later time?"

Cadern admits, "I know Lilah was considering hosting some events for knowledge sharing. It's always a touchy subject though." He opines to the group, "Specifcally around Saffron Island and the... let's call it fall out of the War of Stolen Names." He looks to Neve as Sina indicates her a Greenmarch and he surveys as he shifts andd squirms getting comfortable in his seat. He smiles warmly at Sina, "It's always a pleasure Archscholar, you always have the most delightful tea, I worry someday we're going to find out that we've replaced some of the unused stack rooms with tea leaves some for flavor and some to give any snackers indigestion." He then shifts gears to opine on the latest topic, "The idea that we have the strength to protect anything we might wish to protect seems at times exceedingly laughable to our enemies, often times for us it's a question of who you're willing to deal with to help you against who you don't want to. Most of the time we're just a street rat trying to stay a jump ahead of the law man, and that's no joke."

Neve nods softly "I would like that. I have questions about your scholars, but that's probably best for later when we talk about the other thing. Okay, next person!" She 'steps out of the way' seeming to think this is a line-based thing, moving over towards Katarina to wave. She leans over to whisper "I was totally wrong about you, you are definately ready for danger..you practically /are/ in danger like every second. Sorry, I misjudged." She peers over at Bhandn, whispering again to Katarina "Also..does that guy have any idea how sweet that tea is going to be? That's going to be really sweet." She looks rather confused, giving Katarina one more whisper "Do you know what the war of stolen names are? I wonder who stole them..that seems like kind of what jerk thing to do..to steal someone's name. I like my name. I like yours too, it's a good one."

Only a slight look of apology is given to Sina by Sir Bhandn; he's not sorry for helping himself to the honey when there's plenty to be had, after all. He didn't use it all, either, just put in probably one more spoonful than even a glutton would consider sufficient. There's a grunt for what Cadern has to say, a soft one that emits from his throat in response to the man's point about what we have the strength to protect. The knight doesn't join the discussion, though, but he does raise his cup to Neve as she peers at him, saying nothing to the Greenmarch yet either.

"All I came for was to ask about languages," he states to the Archscholar, Bhandn's grey eyes going to Sina. "If I had known the topics would be this daring, I would have picked another one to bring to you." Completely mild, his deep voice.

1 Culler Boatswain, 2 Culler Midshipman arrive, following Samira.


Katarina gently closes the book that she's plucked from one of Sina's shelves. It seems the conversation has grabbed her enough to put reading aside for now. The young Princess, with her curly sable ringlets and the blue and white veil that masks the bottom half of her face, speaks up in a light, airy voice that has never lost its Dune Kingdoms accent. "I have done my best to put forth as much information as I can throughout the Oathlands, regarding the ongoing matters in the Dune Kingdoms. It is perhaps a calculated risk, but also my hope that the more people know the truth -- or what we /know/ of the truth -- they will understand that my fellow sons and daughters of Eurus are not some... bunch of mongrels, mindlessly roving, or some such thing."

Katarina bounces her eyebrows once. "On topics more, ah, volatile, those must be handled more discreetly, yes." She turns toward Neve, and golden eyes scan over the Greenmarch. "Most people are wrong about me," she trills. "I don't take it personally~. And I recommend that if that topic interests you, Lady Neve... perhaps you might look into what is known of the Sylv'alfar." Katarina's eyes then turn to Bhandn, and she laughs gently. "Which language~?"

2 Redreef Wardens arrives, following Griffin.

Cadern's comment receives a very faint smile from Giulio and the smallest of amused brow lofts. "Learned folk indeed," he remarks, amusedly. A nod is given to Mihail who moves to pull a bottle of brandy from his satchel, drawing out a hammered tin tankard and pouring a bit into it, followed by a small bottle of some citrus scented liquid. "Thank you," he says, offering his man a smile as well and taking a small sip of it. At Sina's address, he offers a concurring nod. "History does have it's limitations as we consider paths forward.

He takes a sip of the beverage, his head tilting in Bhandn's direction. "Which languages, sir knight? I have some small understanding of one or three."

Neve shoulders slump and she sighs. "The 'alfar. Those guys. Yeah..I've got some pillowfort reading to do. It's all very confusing, like with the book of the..I mean, the wet book. I just wish everyone could use the same names. It gets very confusing." She pouts, grupily flopping into a seat near Katarina, shoving a snack into her mouth and chewing with her mouth closed.

Nodding to Cadern, Sina takes a seat out in the receiving room for now, perching on the armrest of a chair. She is wearing her black scholar's robes today, her hair done up in an elegant updo, pinned in place with hairpins, to keep the mass off her neck in the summer heat. "Yes, the Saffron Chain and what is going on there is certainly an interesting subject for discussion. I admit, that is an area that I have little information about. You are correct, that Duchess Delilah is in the process of organizing some discussion on that subject. It would be interesting, I think, to have someone 'in the know' come to the Academy to provide insights."

As Neve indicates she is willing to speak on those things later, along with questions about the scholars, Sina gives her a nod. Jacinthe returns with an extra pot of honey, setting it on the refreshment table. "Jacinthe, please pencil Lady Neve Greenmarch in for a more in-depth discussion." The assistant nods, writing the name down, and Sina turns to Bhandn next. She smiles and nods to him. "What languages are you interested in? If it is learning a language you are interested in, I may be able to find a Scholar to help you with that specific language. For my part, I am mostly familiar with the Eurusi language, and Marin'alfar. For other languages, we might need to find someone who specializes in the particular language you are curious about." She gives a soft laugh at his comment about the daring subject matter. "It is inevitable, I think, that daring subjects may come up. There is a reason I don't do these sessions very often." Her eyes sparkle with amusement. "But I do like to use these events to find out what information people need, so that it can be discussed later if necessary."

Her attention turns to Cadern then, and her lips curve in an amused smile at his analogy. "Yes, when it comes to matters of a more esoteric nature... we are like a ship without a rudder. Much knowledge has been lost, and we try to piece it together as we can. Often it is others who have that kind of information."

Glancing back to Neve, Sina nods. "Names are extremely important, more than you might know. Names have power, and it is important that they not be lost. They define us, and make us who we are. The War of Stolen Names would probably require several lengthy lectures to explain the entirety of it. As for who stole them, well... we call him the Metallic Traitor, though he has other names. To use those other names, however, may give him greater power, so we stick with the one that is the least powerful to him. Names define the dream. Another subject which probably would require a more in-depth discussion in itself. I am planning a lecture in the near future on the power of names," she nods, as an aside.

At Neve's queries, Giulio nods. A glance is paid towards Sina. "If you wish, Archscholar, I can prepare a brief on whatever topics you feel are appropriate. I have some minor ability with organizing information in a useful form. "Given a bit of time, I could even write something outside of my usual ciphered tongue of grand high academic." His tone is wry, the self-mocking humor easily offered. He leans against one of the walls, taking a sip from his tankard.

Cadern considers Neve for a time before offering with a smile, "You could almost certainly talk to your family about some of it. Greenwood from which House Greenmarch has a long and storied history intertwined with such things. Plus it's a grand story, heroic titans, grand betrayals, love, family, despair, strength from unsuspected sources, truths undeniable in the face of bitterness, and in the end sacrifice. Always sacrifice, the only constant in the Dreamers stories. Just don't try to do it all at once." Caderntrails off at the point as Sina offers some more constructive feedback.

Cadern then takes a long sip and he shrugs at Bhandns look before he perks up at the topic of languages he looks intrigued as well as Katarina and Sina queries Bhandn on the topic. He does consider Katarina and offer, "I find that often the truth is very important and interesting to a small number of people. But an interesting story spreads much further, wider and convincingly. We've welcome quite a few of the Eurusi in the north, so far it seems to be going alright but such things tend to seem fine, until they aren't..." He knocks on the wooden chair even as he says it apparently superstitiously.

When immersed in her world of art, Samira tends to lose all track of time and thus she arrives rather late to the event. She lingers near the entryway, her attention roaming first not to the people gathered, but to the colorful flowers brightening the table. Second to snag her focus is the table laden with food, her stomach growling as if on cue.

"I'm late." It seems to be announced in lieu of a proper greeting. As she states the obvious, the diminutive Lowers resident drags her gaze away from the spread to study the faces of those gathered. She offers a small smile to Sina as the arscholar speaks, then follows that with a respectful nod to Katarina. "Wet book?" she asks of Neve, her expression quizzical.


Katarina furrows her brows gently. "'The 'alfar?' I would not use that abbreviation, Lady Neve. To those who might not know of what you speak -- that abbreviation could mean one of several /very/ different things~. Because as the Archscholar says -- names are important~."

Glancing to Giulio as he offers his assistance in helping to organize information, Sina gives him a warm smile. "That would be most appreciated, Count Corvini. In particular, I think it is important to understand what is happening in the Saffron Chain, and with the Skal'dajan forces who seek to assail us," she adds, with a glance to Katarina in acknowledgement of her comment about her Eurusi knowledge. "The more information we can gather, the more informed we are, the better prepared the Compact will be to face what is coming."

"My primary concern was in finding someone who knows many." It's a comment that Bhandn gives while absently stirring his tea, directing his eyes between Cadern, Sina and Katarina. "Personally I would like to study an additional one, but I've no time for it at this juncture; one's research is taking precedence over one's desires. My interest in languages has to do with hearing something once but not understanding what I heard. I don't have any way of identifying the language when it's something spoken, after all, so I can hardly say /which/ it was."

*knock knock*

Peeking around the half open door, is Griffin. "Hello? Oh, am I interrupting?"

As Bhandn speaks wanting to learn more languages in general, or find someone who knows many, a brief shadow crosses the Archscholar's face. "I knew of someone who could have helped you... but I have not heard from her in some time. There are so many different languages, from the languages, some of which were lost, and we are rediscovering. Others are forbidden to know, while others do not have a written form at all. If it was spoken, and not written, there may not even be any written form of the language you heard, Sir Bhandn," she muses thoughtfully. "If you wish, I can ask around among the Scholars to see if we have any linguists who could assist you."


Katarina looks over at Sina, and though her mouth is covered, the way her cheeks move from issuing a wide smile is enough to disrupt the fabric of her veil a bit. Then, to the topic of languages, she sighs softly. "Ah, but I only speak Eurusi and Arvani. Perhaps I should learn another. Or two~." Her golden eyes cast over at the sound of Griffin's entrance.

Sina looks to Griffin as he arrives, and offers him a warm smile. "Not at all. Please, do come in. I'm Archscholar Sina. This is Princess Katarina Valardin," she says, gesturing to Katarina, "Lady Neve Greenmarch, Sir Bhandn Yvar, Lord Cadern Ravenseye, Count Giulio Corvini and Samira Culler," she says, offering Samira a warm smile to indicate she hadn't missed the artist's arrival. "Welcome," she says, to both Samira and Griffin. "Please help yourself to the refreshments, and make yourselves comfortable. "We are just having a casual discussion, but if anyone needs to speak with me more privately about anything, we can retreat to my study."

Neve blinks "Metal? Who's this metal guy? I haven't heard of him. Guh. Everytime you think that you've learned the worst thing, something even worsier comes along and is even scarier."

Neve looks to Cadern "Oh, there's a lot of history, well before the thousand years before my ancestors were disgusted by the lack of leadership within the Grayson's line's king and the compact's impotantcy of the time and left the compact for the Greenwood forest against orders to honor oaths that were made, and summarily ignored long long ago. I'm kind of the history of the forest. Kind of. The trees there can be quite chatty after all. And they don't mind being tickled. Trees aren't ticklish you see, but I am. I don't like to be tickled, it makes me giggle."

She slumps a bit as the 'alfar isn't appropriate. People hand you notes, but they don't give you what to call people. I know there's the nox'alfar, I think those are the moon elves..I think there's at least two or three other ones?"

Neve looks to Samira "Wet Book..um, nevermind. It's not important."

Giving a nod towards Neve, Giulio says, "Once there was only the alfar. A schism happened, where they became the rex'alfar, the nox'alfar, the sylv'alfar and, I believe the marin'alfar. Though, I fear my understanding of the Marin'alfar is entirely academic. Given, well," a glance is shot to Sina, "A lack of a written history. I am largely an archivist by training and talent." One shoulder rises in a shrug and he glances towards Sina.

"I've heard Lady Zoey has knowledge of several languages. I'm not sure if she'll know about the one you're seeking, but maybe she could point you in the right directions?" Samira remarks to Bhandn, an attempt at being helpful. She glances to each person in turn, assigning names to faces when introductions are supplied. When Sina offers a warm welcome and an invitation to the food, she flashes a grin, murmurs her thanks, and heads straight toward the table of refreshments. She plucks a pastry off its tray with one hand and takes a bite while reaching her free hand toward another selection. That hand withdraws, empty of food, when she seems to realize that she ought to be using her good manners rather than her Lowers manners (or lack thereof). She turns, gesturing widely to Neve as she speaks of learning worse and scarier things. "That's the absolute truth," she agrees, speaking around a mouthful of pastry.

A twitch at the corner of Sir Bhandn's lips shows he came up short on this particular catch for fishing. He'll nod to Sina's words, offering a small sigh through his nostrils before going at his tea with gusto. "It's not urgent," he says to the Archscholar between drinks, "simply because I have doubts of being able to recreate the circumstances by which your experts would be able to hear what was said. I'd rather not waste further time on it when uncertainty is involved."

Cadern admits, "Well I speak five or 6 but I know a few others who are better." He admits and he glances to Sina, "There were a number of linguistic experts who helped us piece together Uannan just because we could. I can send over that list?" He then glances to Bhandn, "Well if you have context or remember the word just start saying it to people and claiming it's in a language and let people tell you that you're wrong, that's what I do. It's very effective, and particularly effective at upsetting Mirk...and occasionally Laric." He pauses and then leans forward admitting conspiratorily to Bhandn, "The archscholar and Lilah are a little more difficult to get an eyeroll from." He admits almsot sulkily before as Sina introduces him he gives a faint grin, "Marquis Cadern Blackwood. I got married, but it must not be in the books." He says in a teasing tone before glancing to Neve, "Why don't you come by the Blackwood Estates sometime, and we can speak more? My particular interest tend to be before human history so I always find things involving human lineages and bloodlines to be a bit..." He waves a hand in a wish-washy gesture. Giulio gets a nod at the listing off of the alfar and he grins but then he looks to Bhandn, "Waste of time? Raise it up it's almost impossible to gauge what's a waste of time these days. And certitude in what is or is not important is almost always daring the Dreamer to prove you wrong."

Cadern also totally nods his head in agreement as Zoey's name comes up as an option.

"So I've heard about Lady Zoey." Griffin was reminded he wanted to speak to her, although Cadern seems quite confident in his knowledge.

Sina nodding to Giulio as he speaks about the schism among the 'alfar, Sina is thoughtful. "Some people call them 'elves', if that helps, Lady Neve," she tells the other woman. "There are the Sylv'alfar, who are the elves of the wood. The Nox'alfar, who are of the Twilight Court. The Rex'alfar, who were said to be of the House of the Sun, or House Aetheris, and then there are the Marin'alfar, who are of the sea. But the Sylv'alfar are the ones most immediately involved in the War of Stolen Names, which was mentioned earlier. Which is why it was suggested that they may be a good topic of research for you, if it interests you," she says. She gives Neve a sympathetic look then. "Sometimes, digging up knowledge can unearth truths that are difficult to deal with. But it can also prove to be our armor and our weapon, in the right circumstance." She listens to Neve's description of Greenmarch's history with the Compact, and clears her throat a little. "I know a little of the history of House Greenmarch." She looks to Giulio again, before turning her gaze to Samira. "Yes, Lady Zoey does have quite a bit of knowledge of different languages. Perhaps Marquessa Mia Riven as well." She looks to Bhandn to see if that helps, before turnng her attention to Cadern. She gives a little grin toward him, before turning to Bhandn with a nod. "I wish that I could be of more help to you," she says, somewhat apologetically.

Sina looks to Griffin then as he speaks up, and smiles. "Lady Zoey is a wonderful person to speak with, about a variety of subjects. I am glad to have her among the Scholars. Is there something you came to speak about in particular? I don't believe I caught your name."

Giulio has joined the line.

Griffin has joined the line.

Giulio has joined the a white oak desk with blue felt and gold adornments.

A few silent nods are what come from the Knight of Solace in attendance, who doesn't immediately respond. He's got tea in his hands that needs attention too, after all. "Lady Zoey, Marquessa Riven," he repeats, echoing the names that have been given to him. "I'll consider what you've said strongly; you have my thanks for the suggestions." And then he's going quiet once again, bringing tea up to his lips as the conversation continues. He has a little interest for what Sina has to say about the elves, a brief knitting of his brows, but no further comments come from the knight on the current topics at hand, at this moment in time.

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

Cadern has joined the cozy seating by a stone fireplace.

Sina as conversation continues to swirl, Sina rises from her perch on the armrest of the chair, and taking her tea with her, retreats to her desk to speak first with Giulio a bit more privately. She speaks with him quietly, her attention becoming focused on him for a time, while Jacinthe continues to write down names of anyone wanting to speak with her. The tea is also kept available, the tawny-haired assistant making the occasional trip to the fireplace to fetch the kettle, and steeping more tea bags. There is enough food here to feed quite a few people.

Griffin smiles a little bit. "You know, normally I'm sitting in the corner trying to smile while everyone else is talking battles. This is.. different. Though I'm still sitting in the corner, for different reasons! Griffin. Lord Grifin Redreef. My apologies."


Katarina remains curled up in her comfy chair near the fireplace. She watches the conversation, eyes tracking from person to person as words are volleyed. There's something rather unsubtly feline about it all. "To those who do not know me, I am Princess Katarina Valardin~," says the diminutive, veil-wearing Eurusi woman.

Neve finishes her snacks, looking about - she's not sure what to do with the plate so she tries to hand it off to Katarina "Here, Princess..have a plate. Your too skinny and need to eat." Standing she hmmns. "Well..the forest remembers. Even if people forget. I forget sometimes. Like when I'm supposed to get up but I don't. But I don't forget duty. And those whom have given it." Glancing to Cadern "Well..maybe, Lady Teela Blackram had been very good to me in moments where I had shaking moments on if humanity was worth saving. In the fight - they do horrible things to one another for promises made, they rend and murder and kill one another, like at the battle of Setarco where little reason was given..not reason ever enough for the kind of carnage wreaked, carnage wrought. Men and women went in whole, and left far less so. I felt that pain, that suffering - against an enemy whom craved opportunity, they craved to exploit weakness. Weakness during the Gyre they did not find, but the aftermath of pain and suffering was great. My faith was shaken at that time, seeing unexplainable wounds from behind the frontline. She was kindness to me - and so to repay her kindness to me I will meet and discuss what you want, but not at the estate. And you will need to provide snacks. And cider, not liquor."

Neve thinks a moment "I don't know the protocol for a archlector person, but better curtsy to be safe. Monique will have my ear if I'm wrong." She curtsies to the woman, and really the room in general. "I'm going to take my fox out, you all have a pleasant talk now."

Pastry quickly demolished, Samira's next selection appears to be a plate of lobster bites which she eats with relish while moving to claim a seat. She inclines to head to Griffin, narrowing her eyes in faint recognition. "The poet, yeah? I'm Samira Culler." Dark eyes flit toward Katarina, a brief smile offered. "I've been meaning to send you a message to ask if we could meet, whenever you're free."

Glimpsing Neve's curtsey from her study, Sina gives her a smile, and a nod. "I hope we'll be able to speak soon, Lady Neve! I have your name down for a future discussion." She gives a little wave, and a nod to Griffin's introduction as well, before quietly turning back to Giulio.


Katarina's eyes light up when Samira mentions a possible meeting. "If my schedule appears full, Messere Samira, then I will force there to be room in it~." The Princess's tone is friendly but coy. "If it is a pressing issue, perhaps the Archscholar will forgive us if we move off to speak discreetly--?"

Swiftly the red fox, 1 Greenmarch Guard leave, following Neve.

"The one, the only, and washed up I'm afraid." Griffin makes a face, as he answers Samira.

Cadern gives a little wink to Sina but seems content to become more quiet though he does pause to point out, "The Nox'Alfar were just as involved with the Sylv'alfar in the War. Without them we wouldn't have survived the inital onslaught." He smiles at Bhandn, "I'm sure Zoey will jump at it but if you don't get far there feel free to send word. There are many people that jump at the prospect of a new language. It almost always reveals things about our past that we don't understand. You could also check with Lou, she picked up a new language at Brightshore that we hadn't heard before." He admits, "The only thing consistent about humans is our ability to betray each other and grasp for powers we don't understand. But we also have great capacity for self-sacrifice and love that most immortal creatures cannot understand. Skald's gift is a boon and a curse, but it is what makes us who we are. I know just the place, I'll send word and I I look forward to speaking to you." He says to Neve warmly. Samira and Katarina get a curious and intrigued look he considers Samira for a time and then he chuckles at Griffin's response.

Sina glances to Katarina then as she seeks to take Samira off for a more private discussion, through the doors to her study. "I do not mind at all, your Highness. It was lovely to see you both," she adds, with a glance to Samira to include her.

Katarina's namegiving from a few moments ago earned her a wordless bow from the Knight of Solace, wordless only in that he had to juggle some tea at the same time. Given that Bhandn has had his major inquiry about languages answered, all that's left is to enjoy the tea. So he does so, finishing off the first cup in relatively quick order, but his attention goes to Cadern as the man speaks to him about both Zoey and then Lou, the knight nodding to show he is following along. "Something for me to keep in mind," Bhandn finally says, downing the rest of his tea in one go and managing to not be bothered by the heat of it. "My thanks for the information, my lord," he continues, with a bow to Cadern. "If you will all excuse me, I must go back to my duties."

Giulio has left the a white oak desk with blue felt and gold adornments.

After a few moments of whispered conversation, Giulio steps away from the desk, allowing another to step forward. As before, he settles against one wall, taking a sip from his cassock. Dark eyes survey the room once more.

Sina gives an inclination of the head to Giulio as he speaks a few final words and departs, and then she calls to Jacinthe. "Send in Lord Griffin Redreef." She absently arranges papers on her desk, trying to look busy and unruffled by whatever words passed between herself and Giulio.

Griffin pardons himself.

Griffin has joined the a white oak desk with blue felt and gold adornments.

Cadern inclines his head to Bhandn, "Best of luck on your search. Don't discount it's importance, knowledge is rarely wasted and often we don't understand the significant of things we uncover." He then perks up with interest to see what Griffin might ask. Giulio does get a curious look but Cadern seems content to lounge, drink Sina's tea and provide peanut gallery.

"Don't count yourself out just yet, Lord Griffin," Samira answers to the poet with a sympathetic look. "Inspiration comes and goes." Perhaps sensing eyes upon her, she turns to devote a moment of scrutiny to Cadern, curiosity and caution mixing. She says nothing though, Katarina's response stealing her focus. "I'd like that." When Sina offers her gracious response, the artist offers an earnest smile and rises to her feet. "It was good to see you as well, Archscholar Sina," she answers, the words genuine rather than simple courtesy. She stuffs the last of the lobster in her mouth and discards the plate as she moves to follow Katarina.

Turn in line: Giulio

Turn in line: Griffin


Katarina stands up, and lifts the book that she was holding as though to show Sina that she's not walking away with whatever valuable text the book is. Katarina sets the book down delicately where she was sitting, and then waggles her fingers in a goodbye toward Sina -- and gives a deep nod to the rest of the room. "Until we next meet," she trills, and then holds out her arm, expecting Samira to loop elbows with her like a proper escort.

Sina lifts a hand to wave to Katarina and Samira, and glances around through the doors to the study to see who else is still present. But she focuses back on Griffin then, and her conversation with him.

1 Culler Boatswain, 2 Culler Midshipman leave, following Samira.

Juba'al'samara, a Suj'abbati royal guardsman, A dutiful Valardin aide, 2 Valardin Knights, Samira leave, following Katarina.

Cadern seems to exchange a look with Samira after her look and he looks entirely amused and delighted at the response. His eyes twinkling with mischief as he waves to Katarina and Samira. Cadern in general it seems to be in a good mood and enjoying himself. He looks to Griffin and Sina but as their conversation stays quiet he looks to Giulio, "So do you have a particular are of interest. Sorry for your loss by the way, I imagine you have many people looking into the recent death and the Lyceum tends to want to keep their own secrets but if there's any help that would be appropriate... I wasn't really clear who was leading the efforts."

"Everything," Giulio replies urbanely to Cadern. "Everything." At the mention, he offers a shrug and an outwards flit of a hand, he says, "As to the death of the Malespero Marquis? I am afraid I never met the man. I am aware of the death, but, beyond that I am uninvolved." A small shrug follows as he takes a sip from his tankard, his free hand opening outwards.

Cadern grins, "Everything? that must be difficult. Most things are so banal." Cadern seems perfectly content to chatter on and have a conversation with Giulio's shorter answers, "It's a troublesome things how publicized deaths become and how investigations are handled. Everyone blames the inquisition but their interest tend to be focused. No one really should want the interest of the investigation of such things. But the Iron Guard themselves rarely ahve the remit to look into a particular murder. And we have so very many amateur sleuths in the city it can muddle things quite a bit. I've had more than one investigation dry up because someone decided to ask around and sent the conspirators to ground before things could come up. It's part of why I tend to focus my investigations on historical events and mysteries. They tend to change less. They still tend to change, but less."

"Mm," Giulio replies, with the smallest uptick of a smile for Cadern. "I understand well the complexity," he murmurs, his voice rather amused. At the mention of banal, he offers an outward tilt of his hand, as if conceding the point. "Indeed. Everything is, perhaps, a vast generalization. Still, one oft has to sift through sand to find gold. Perhaps banality is the dross one must burn away to find understanding." A small shrug is offered at that, his free hand tilting outwards.

"Still, I do tend to find history to be less... mm, of a trial to observe. There is a difficulty though, in that one must keep multiple possible realities in place, until understanding collapses the possible into the real. And even then, one still must maintain that understanding." A small chuckle follows as he takes another sip from his tankard.

Sir Floppington the Soulful Hound, a grey mare with black points, a grey mare with black points arrive, following Rowenova.

Although late, a certain scout and a certain hound finally arrive.

Cadern perks up as he gets a longer response out of Guilio, "Well it's also a matter of subjective as opposed to objective value isn't it. If you are looking for all information then you have to measure things objectively. There are many things that have objectively little value, but subjectively might have great value if your interest is in a specific place. Every tale has a place even if it's just about the teller. Like Archscholar Py, when you come across his readings he's just a fascinating character and it makes you want to learn all you an about him, which is a tease in and of itself."

Cadern pauses here then at Giulio's discussion of reality, "That assumes that reality is a single state. Don't we have ample proof that it's not a single state and malleable to desires. It seems like reality is less of a state and more of a shared hallucination or dream?" Cadern is seated tucked off to the side engaging Giulio in some kind of theoretical discussion and clearly enjoying himself while Sina and Griffin have a queiter conversation.

Nova pipes up. "Some people's faces are malleable to punches, you know, but then there is the 'shared hallucination' of the potential of the dungeon, so more people get to keep their face straight than I might like. Good to see you both, though. That commentary was not meant for your faces. I like them how they are, you know." Meanwhile, Sir Floppington wags up to Cadern whilst the scout gives Giulio the once over. "How you doing?"

There's an outward tilt of Giulio's hand at Cadern's comment. "In such a sense, it's likely the banal would be less so, no?" A faint uptick of a smile is given. "After all, there is no truly objective value to knowledge." One shoulder rises in a shrug, before it falls. A pause follows at his comment about reality and he raises an eyebrow, his smile amused.

"Perhaps. But a sword through the chest does still change your interactions with it," he replies, blandly. "But, reality is mutable. The nature of its permutations is not necessarily concrete. The sun may not rise tomorrow. But, I will operate as if it will and have no reason to believe it will not." Glancing to Rowenova, he inclines his head. "Without peer. Without peer." His lips quirk in amusement.

Then, glancing to Cadern, Giulio adds, "And, please spare me the hypothetical about the sword through the chest affecting others differently. Contrarianism for the sake of it simply diminishes the perceived value of one's opinion. Leave such for legal niceties." Again, his tone is wry, but, it does not sound aggrieved.

Then, Mihail is tugging at Giulio's shoulder and he tilts his head to listen to the voiced word. "Mm," he remarks, with a nod. Glancing to those assembled. "Forgive me, but, I've a matter I must attend to. Until later," he remarks, before stepping off.

Vladimir, 1 House Corvini Guard, Mihail leave, following Giulio.

Cadern nods vehemently as if Rowenova has made his point, "Exactly the truth of a confession is often directly impacted by the pain applied. It's relatively easy to lead someone by questions to the truth you want. And in the end that has closed more cases than something as trite as what actually happened." He says and he reaches down quieting finally for something that is to lower in his seat and ruffle Floppington giving him scritches, and rubs and playing wih his face and more or less fussing for a solid minute on the hound and continuing to pet so long as he remains in reach. "But isn't that where it gets interesting, like if the story is about someone being stabbed, there are instances in history of people where they say their story is so strong that the dream would turn a blade away, or blades with stories so strong that they could turn the tide of a battle or war. What's more valuable, the object or the story, are they in fact the same thing. If I tell you a story about a blade cutting you is it the same as you being cut by a blade, I would argue that if you believe it... there's no real difference." He waves at Giulio, "Until next time."

Into those ruffles and scritches, Sir Floppington leans his long-eared noggin whilst gazing up with fond/soulful eyes as he gently wags his long tail. Meanwhile, Nova grunts softly. "I say this a lot, for various concepts, but both -- the item and the story -- are important."

Griffin says, "Perhaps another day. I must be going."

As Griffin and Sina finish their discussion, Sina rises from her chair, and walks him out. "Welcome to the Scholars, Lord Griffin. I look forward to speaking with you again. Be safe and well," she says warmly, before turning to glance at the others. "I'm afraid that is all I have time for today. Please, stay and enjoy the snacks if you like. Thank you all for coming."

Griffin has left the a white oak desk with blue felt and gold adornments.

2 Redreef Wardens leaves, following Griffin.