It's a golden afternoon -- before sunset, and there's a quietness to the small, central grove of trees that paths cut through -- leading toward the other Shrines of the Lost Triad. Among the trees, spread out on the grass, is a rug that looks unlikely, but it serves as a blanket. Cushions. A simple affair for these plain air office hours. A picnic hamper, an assortment of easily handled foods for those feelings so inclined -- a couple of bottles, sealed, of hard and soft cider. The Legate Vayne himself is settled, sitting tailor-fashion in the grass on the edge of the carpet, looking composed, in serene study of his surroundings.

2 Armed Confessors, Gia the peregrine falcon, 3 Rubino and Zaffria guards, Rary the Lycene beauty arrive, following Grazia.

Aconite arrives with Alejandro tailing her, as always, the Whisper takes her time winding through the trees before arriving at the Legate's picnic setup. Aco's smile widens as she scans over the comfortable looking cushions and makes her way over to one, folding carefully into a seat on one of them. Alejandro doesn't stray far but stays back from where the meeting-proper is being held. The dour middle-aged Torean lighting his pipe and leaning against one of the trees.

"There was no aim, no, not for this -- merely a conversation, or, nothing at all but idle observations. We are allowed to simply be. Answer or pose your own questions." After that, a proper greeting: "Good day, Celebrated Whisper Aconite, how are you feeling today?" Politely, and he offers a respectful bow of his head toward the Whisper, offering a smile. "What do you think -- what do you prefer -- order and organization, or the opposite of it? Do you do best when you know the outcome? Or -- when you can adapt?"

Aco's smile is quieter than usual. Her actions as slow and deliberate with exact poise but somehow they seem restrained. "Legate Vayne, thank you for asking. My days are largely unchanged, charmed, and surrounded in color. How about you?"

The question pulls the Whisper's expression distant for a moment, thoughtful. "No one can truly estimate an outcome for there are always outside forces. One can be organized and plan and even have a good idea of what outcomes -should- be but I do not believe anyone should ever be 'certain' of how their plans will pan out. Which is as it should be, a little bit of chaos keeps the world from growing complacent."

1 Knight of the Temple, 1 Templar Knight guards, Luzio, the burly Mirrormask, a tall and silent woman with only one hand arrive, following Giada.

It's a golden afternoon -- before sunset, and there's a quietness to the small, central grove of trees that paths cut through -- leading toward the other Shrines of the Lost Triad. Among the trees, spread out on the grass, is a rug that looks unlikely, but it serves as a blanket. Cushions. A simple affair for these plain air office hours. A picnic hamper, an assortment of easily handled foods for those feelings so inclined -- a couple of bottles, sealed, of hard and soft cider.

Vayne listens to Aconite, sincerely interested in her answers. "Mm. What do you think complacency does to us -- or, you, as an individual?"

Strolling in from the direction of the Sanctum of Reflection is Giada, the Thirteenth's Archlector. Without fanfare, without a word, she settles a little bit away from Aconite and Vayne, maybe to give them fewer distractions. She's listening attentively but not participating yet.

Apparently curious about what the Legate might have to say, Grazia makes her way into the lovely sanctum. She is a woman with poise, with impeccable posture, with a regal air to her, with resting bitch face. But though she does not appear particularly friendly, there is a sharpness in her whiskey hued eyes that suggests that she is listening attentively.

With a self-assured, tranquil expression smile that reaches his dark eyes, Vayne offers the Archlector acknowledgement -- nodding once, then, the same respect is offered to the Duchess Rubino, "Good day, my lady. What thoughts do you have in regard to complacency? -- And what it does to us, mm?"

Aconite's head tilts towards Giada, the Whisper greeting the Archlector with a smile. But the lions share of her attention resides with the topic at hand. She thinks again, mulling over her response before finally speaking. "How it affects others I can opine on but I don't really know for sure. For myself? I was complacent for a long time and it was like a self imposed prison in which I spent a great deal of time looking out at the world as if through a window. It was a narrow view and allowed me to be distant enough to concern myself with every little thing that went on. It also allowed me to try to house the lives I saw before me as if it were mine and therefore judge it. Sometimes I did so rather harshly and that allowed me to ignore everything that was happening around me." Dark eyes turn to Grazia and the Whisper smiles curiously on the tale of the Legate' words

"And yet, in complacency we find repose." Giada speaks up. "Who doesn't wish for routine in the middle of chaos? We must acknowledge when it is time to rest."

"It's interesting -- what can be a comfort to one, can be confining for another. A prison. Or freedom. All a state of mind," Vayne remarks, glancing from Aconite to Giada, then back, toward Grazia. Quietly, as he moves to open a bottle of soft cider. Offering the refreshment in a way that does not interrupt the flow of the conversations. "Next question -- how do we continue to broaden our minds, if we are seeking to break free from the bindings of complacency? Books, social learning, conversations, experiences --" he murmurs "-- we should seek out new ways to reframe our thinking -- make mistakes. With it, make discoveries."

Aconitenods, "If one's path allows it." She agrees with Giada. "Some don't. I am happy where I am and comfortable but still quite restless. Smarter people might know when to rest upon a good thing but I cannot quite seem to settle." Aco's smile sharpens for a moment in acceptance of her flaws. "All of those but mistakes tend to be the most lasting and impressive of experiences for me."

Giada chuckles softly and looks at Vayne for a second. "I daresay that Father Vayne could attest to my own stubborn refusal to rest, Whisper Aconite, having had to put up with it for years. All the same, to disengage even for five minutes is a skill learned. Babies don't know how to step back from a situation, but are aware only of how they feel. There is no language, no concept beyond personal existence." She shrugs.

"Maybe they're flaws, but I suspect it's not quite so cut and dried as that. Weaknesses are strengths in the right situation, and the gods have blessed stranger things than those." She doesn't answer Vayne's question. Maybe she's just here to be a contrarian Mirrormask?

"I am inclined to think that mistakes can be opportunities for self-reflection -- " with a mild twitch of his lips, Vayne murmurs. "I appreciate the difference of opinions, as always, because they show the delightful complexities of the mind. Perhaps they are flaws. Perhaps they are hidden strengths. We do not know, not truly, until we are tested."

"Reframing our thinking means that we must analyze our thinking in the first place so that we know how it is presently being framed," Grazia points out mildly as she watches the priests interact with the Whisper.

"That's correct -- " the Legate agrees with the Duchess Grazia's mildly voiced point. He offers the noble a smile, bowing his head, "Do you, my lady? Do you think before you act?"

"Sometimes," Grazia replies in her low and somewhat monotone manner. "And sometimes I am quick witted and sharp. But generally I do not regret my words. Generally, I find that if I am moved to anger, it is because I have something to be angry about."

The Whisper smiles the Duchess' way. Black eyes considering Grazia while Vayne poses his question. The quiet Whisper's attention flits between the two as she picks up one of the ciders and pours herself a drink. "I think anger as an emotion holds a different meaning for most as well.

Giada tilts her head towards Grazia in amused agreement.

"Mm. That seems reasonable, and that is a truth as simple as stone, Celebrated Whisper. Anger is another, Duchess." He sips from his cup, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. Then, Vayne asks, "Curious, in what situation -- is anger just?" The question posed to the others, before he lulls into a thoughtful pause. Prepared to listen.

On this question the Whisper stays silent. Instead loking to Giada and Grazia.

"Predictably, blasphemy is a quick way to end up on my shit list." Giada may be an Archlector, but she's never quite abandoned the casual nature of her Lenosian street rat roots. As if her accent would let her. "That and gross stupidity."

"I do not feel that emotions are moral. They are emotions. It is not unjust to feel a particular way. Anger should not need justification, but one's reactions to anger do. Anger does not make us act a certain way, Legate. We do. We are all responsible for ourselves," Grazia replies with a little shake of her head, thoughtful and serious. "Sometimes we owe people an apology for the way in which we have acted while we were emotional, but sometimes our emotions are justified."

Giada says, "Have you considered becoming a Mirrormask, Duchess?"

"Agree, that we are alone responsible for ourselves -- our reactions." Legate Vayne mutters, gesturing with fingers, and he seems apt to comment. But the stray (gross stupidity) words call his attention, and he ducks his head, smiling. "This has been an enlightening discussion. I suppose, next time, I may attempt to organize for more -- but, I think I like an organic conversation far more."

Aconite smiles quietly at the Archlectors question of Grazia. She nod to Vayne, "It's certainly a comfortable enviroment which can set people at ease." She nods her head to Vayne, "Thank you for your time, Legate."

"You're very welcome, Celebrated Whisper Aconite -- it's ultimately what I wished to do, allowing for those to freely express." Vayne murmurs, "I think that I will tidy up the rest, and enjoy the sun's setting."