Doritan slips away from the crowd and shadows the servant as he approaches the apiaries. As Eutropia's speech nears its climax, the man opens one of the structures and reaches to place the wafer among the buzzing bees.
"Hey!" Doritan calls out, "What do you think you're doing?"
He moves up, unsure of what the man is trying to do, but figuring it's unlikely to be good. He pulls a smoke pellet out of his belt, and moves up to the man, trying to block him (but not attacking yet, in case it's all just a misunderstanding).
The servant starts as Doritan calls out and steps in front of the servant. Several members of the crowd nearby murmur and shake their heads at the sudden disturbance.
The servant steps back and bows to Doritan. "I beg your forgiveness, my lord. I was only doing as instructed." He holds out the strangely-colored wafer in his hand. "One of the Taldan Phalanx guards approached me to place the wafer near the beehives, telling me the scent would keep the bees calm for the evening and prevent any incidents."
"My apologies. I'm just a bit jumpy, is all, I suppose."
Doritan motions for the servant to continue.
Satisfied she had left at least one member of the nobility pleased with her knowledge of weaponry - Elif considered it better than nothing even with the High Strategos' disinterest. Perhaps that is better. When I follow him later, he will not have noticed nor remembered me.
When the assembly moved toward the courtyard, Elif moved along, too, hoping to see what was going to happen next.
Perhaps it was being in the presence of royalty, that Elif could not take her eyes off the fashionable Princess Eutropia. She had such presence and an eloquent way of speaking. I need to have such confidence, she mused silently.
When the supporters and critics moved to surround the princess, Elif cast a keen, yet subtle eye over the people nearest the Princess, to note/identify those more eager to speak with her and perhaps catch some of the conversation.
The servant seems thoroughly unnerved by the whole incident. "Perhaps it would be best to check with my superior first. Excuse me, my lord." He quickly scurries off, taking the wafer with him.
Maya lingers by the princess for a few minutes, but all the halfling hears are excited whispers from the crowd and relatively mundane pleasantries being exchanged. She'll have to try to get closer if she wants to learn anything of import.
Elif notes numerous minor dukes and barons and marquises clustered around Princess Eutropia, but the most prominent noble present is Lady Gloriana Morilla. Leader of an international secret society known as the Sovereign Court, Lady Morilla is one of Princess Eutropia's staunchest allies, and a believer that members of Avistan's aristocracy must be held to their end of the social contract with those they rule. Getting in Lady Morilla's good graces would likely be a stepping stone in getting the attention of Eutropia herself.
Sensing that it might be in his best interests to lay low for a while, Doritan decides to slip away and lay claim to a few historical artifacts.
A discovery check allows a PC to learn either one of the skills she can use to influence the target or a weakness that grants her (and any other characters with whom she shares this information) a +4 bonus on future influence checks. The exact skill and DC required for a discovery check varies; learning an influence skill normally requires a successful Sense Motive or Knowledge (nobility) check. Learning a target's weakness requires a successful skill check that varies depending on the NPC; the GM can reveal the skills needed to recognize these weaknesses without need for a separate discovery check.
Doritan heads to the Arcade of Triumph, sidling up to the stands where the objects from Lord Vernisant's collection are on display. He waits a few minutes to find a good opening, then swipes the silk fan and secrets it within his jacket pocket. He walks away and lies low for a bit. Nobody seems to have noticed the theft.
Once Princess Eutropia's speech has concluded and the initial hullabaloo around her has concluded, Maya makes her way to the senate floor once again in search of Baron Okerra. She had managed to make somewhat of an impression on the general floor, but now she's determined to fulfill at least one of the specific missions Lady Martella gave to them.
Maya approaches the baron with the nicest smile she can manage for one in his station. Once a quiet moment presents itself, Maya says to him, "Hello good Sir Baron. I hope you're well on this Day of Exaltation. Big things are happening! I thought I would take a moment to speak to you about a mutual contact of ours. I'm speaking, of course, of Lady Martella Lotheed. She wanted me to remind you of certain... obligations... you have to her. I hope you'll keep those in mind when spreading your influence. Princess Eutropia deserves all the support she can get. I'm sure you can help ensure she gets the support. Can Lady Martella count on you?"
Baron Nicolaus Okerra is an easy man to find, standing a head taller than the rest of the crowd on the senate floor. The handsome bear of a man is starting to show his age with flecks of white in his black hair and beard, but he retains a youthful smile and gentle eyes.
"Good evening, my lady. A fine day to celebrate indeed!" he says in greetings to Maya.
"Ah, yes, of course. I haven't forgotten what Lady Lotheed has done to help the cause of my county of Meratt. I will admit to having a few shreds of...misgivings about the impact the princess's actions may have on the stability of Taldan law. But they will not impact my vote tonight. You may tell Lady Lotheed that she, and Princess Eutropia, can count on me to do my part."
Having only recently been in the Arcade of Triumphs with the High Stratgeos, Elif decided not to pursue the commander-in-chief so soon again so as to not draw his curiosity. Instead, she decided to pursue the senators to uncover their true dedication by learning their stance on primogeniture. Firstly, she targets Countess Abrielle Pace (or both senators, if they are together), lingering nearby to observe and overhear the conversation, yet not to draw suspicion - Elif was capable of appearing as though she was simply another face in the crowd.
Elif finds Countess Abrielle Pace in the gallery. Only ridiculously gauche noble clothing and fine jewelry set her apart from any other Taldan. She has short but well-kept brown hair locked back in a stylized bun. She smiles as she converses with a few fellow nobles around her, appearing to be agreeable and endearing.
Elif hides in the crowd and silently trails the countess as she moves from one group of nobles to the other. While she espoused support for Princess Eutropia with the first group, she quietly decries the princess when among the second group. It's clear that Countess Pace is willing to quickly shift her political stance depending on who she is engaged with. It's unclear where her true loyalties lie.
Doritan, after laying low for a while, returns to the artifacts and palms the dagger.
Doritan returns to the scene of his crime to perpetrate a second one. The dagger disappears into the sleeve of his jacket as he walks by, the theft once more going unnoticed.
Once he has a chance to examine the silver dagger, he realizes it is of fine craftsmanship. It's at least masterwork, and may possibly even be magically enchanted. The placard claimed that one of General Arnisant's lieutenants used it to slay the vampire Malageur during the Shining Crusade.
Elif steadily and gracefully approached Countess Abrielle Pace, a soft smile on her face. She inclined her head in due respect before speaking in pleasant voice,
"Good evening, Lady Pace. This certainly is a fine celebration. I do hope you are enjoying yourself. Princess Eutropia's speech was very inspiring, do you not think? It would do us well, I believe, to have such a female on the throne. I was moved by her passion and determination and I have high hopes that all her allies were equally moved so as to support her endeavours in earnest. It is the only reasonable way forward - of one mind, a strong heart and no reluctance. You appear to me to be a person of such grand conviction. Have I the right of it, milady? Do you resolutely stand with Princess Eutropia? We women must stand united as we face a new and exciting future."
"Yes, good evening," Countess Pace says brusquely. She adjusts her spectacles and peers at the badge on Elif's bodice, frowning slightly. "Quite bold of a mere aide to approach a countess so brazenly."
Despite her dismissive attitude, the countess listens to Elif's words. "Yes, it always pleases me when a woman can achieve a high position of power. Passion and determination are admirable traits, indeed. I am happy to call myself ally to the princess."
She and Elif speak for a few more minutes, the countess seemingly impressed by the oracle's eloquence and perspicacity. Soon, Pace glances about to make sure none are in earshot, then she lowers her voice. "You seem like a woman well-suited for a career in politics. I'm not sure which senator is hosting you tonight, but I would be pleased to make room on my staff for one of your talents. I'll offer you a bit of free advice: conviction is overrated. To survive in the senate, one must be a leaf on the wind, ready to float whichever way the wind blows. Tonight's vote may not be such a sure thing. No matter what happens, I intend to be on the winning side." She favors Elif with a predatory smile.
Maya is satisfied with her efforts on the senate floor for now. With the Baron firmly in Lady Martella's pocket, Maya decides it's time to try discrediting someone, namely someone who supports primogeniture.
The halfling wanders the building, looking for someone who fits that description.
Wandering around the senate floor, Maya happens upon an elderly senator spouting fiery rhetoric about how repealing primogeniture would spell the end of the Taldan empire once and for all! While most of the old man's arguments are illogical or patently false, a few of the guests nearby seem to be smirking slightly in agreement with his position. Most notable among them is Earl Calhadion Vernisant. The ambitious noble has recently begun pushing to become one Grand Prince Stavian's top advisers, despite a recent setback that left him significantly shamed. It is Vernisant who is displaying the pieces from the museum tonight.
The halfling believes he'd make a prime target for further discrediting.
Late, late, late, Katria thinks, even as she's ushered by Kathann past some unfortunates still waiting in line. I'm sure I'm making a horrible impression on Lady Martella, but if she's seen that treatise, I'm sure she'd understand. If only I'd had the actual source material, it might be ever so useful...
Unerringly, the young noble -- dressed in fine clothes, though far less so than many in attendance, and seemingly out of place despite them -- makes her way toward the library, a book attached to the silver chatelain at her belt.
Her eyes widen as she looks around, trying to absorb as much of her great nation's history as she possibly can as quickly as she can.
.
Completely missing Eutropia's speech, absorbed in all the history, she lingers in the archives, remembering just enough of her mission to spend some time near Duke Centimus to see what she can learn of him. Unfortunately, a title catches her eye and her concentration's split between the noble she's supposed to be paying attention to and The Porthmos Map: An Examination of How the Tarrasque Laid Waste to the Nation and Laid the Groundwork for its Future Greatness.
Your senate aide badges buzz softly, and you hear Martella's voice in your ears. "My final agent tonight has arrived. Katria Delaval. She wears the same badge as you. Please coordinate your efforts. I'll formally introduce you all later."
Katria speaks to some of the nobles in the archive, impressing them with her historical observations. As she converses, a guide leads a group of nobles over to an old blueprint of the senate building. The guide explains that the current structure was built atop the ruins of several older senate constructions. To keep the attention of the crowd, the guide goes on to describe how some levels of the old senate involved the intentional immurement of workers—a grim reward from the nobles of the time. The crowd murmurs with delight at the macabre anecdote.
Katria lingers in the archives near Duke Centimus, trying to get a good read on him, but she remains distracted by the books around her.
"You seem like a woman well-suited for a career in politics. I'm not sure which senator is hosting you tonight, but I would be pleased to make room on my staff for one of your talents. I'll offer you a bit of free advice: conviction is overrated. To survive in the senate, one must be a leaf on the wind, ready to float whichever way the wind blows. Tonight's vote may not be such a sure thing. No matter what happens, I intend to be on the winning side." She favors Elif with a predatory smile.
"That is high compliment coming from you, Countess. I thank you. And, your offer of employment is very gracious, alas my services are otherwise engaged. I do hope you enjoy the remainder of the festivities and for now, I bid you good night." She smiled warmly and then respectfully inclined her head, before turning to go in search of Duke Centimus. She had heard he was last seen in the Imperial Archives and so Elif would start there. That is when she heard Martella's voice through the pin advising them of Katria's arrival. I wonder what she looks like, she mused silently, I suppose I will keep my eyes open for the pin.
Quietly entering the library, Elif found a place not far from the Duke and lingered as discreetly as she could, looking at book titles before her as she listened keenly to discover something about the man.
Doritan, sensing that the crowd might have moved on from his blunder during the speech, returns to the archives, hoping to meet the newcomer and give her a hand.
Unfortunately, he is less than helpful.
Katria continues to linger in the library, hoping to learn more about the duke. Her brains keeps retreating to the mention of the older ruins.
Sealing in the workers? That's horrible! But imagine all the history in those old chambers. They must be thousands of years old...
But focus! The duke. Stay in the new, Katria. The 2920 earthquakes aren't what's going to shake the city's foundations tonight; it's what happens here!
Again, her mind wanders more than it should, however, retracing the ancient cataclysm that led so many to believe utter lies about Qadira and its supposed worship of the Rough Beast.
Lingering near the duke, Elif observes how he interacts with a few other nobles who seek to curry his favor. The half-elf seems to respond well to polite conversation, but he also appears to be susceptible to smooth-talking and flattery.
Elif spotted an identical pin on a woman near to her. This must be the mysterious Katria. She also saw Doritan enter the library. The oracle had recently noted the nobles attempting to curry favour with the duke and how well he responded to flattery. With a smile, she steadily made her way to Katria, discreetly gesturing for Doritan to join them. In very low voice, so as to not disturb those in the library or other conversations, she introduced herself to the other woman, "Katria? I am Elif, one of Lady Martella's aides. It is good to meet you." Then to Doritan and Katria she added, "The Duke appears to enjoy flattery and smooth-talking. My talents do not lie in posturing and deceiving others. I can attempt to aid one of you, if you'd like to start."
Katria's eyes widen for a moment as she notices not one but two other of Lady Martella's agents enter the library.
Seeing the first, a half-elf, seem to blend into the crowd in a way Katria would never be able to -- Well, that's not quite true. Mother and Father would say I blended in all too well, most of the time, because I was off in a corner being ignored with my nose in a book, but I don't think I could ever so intentionally do that! -- she sidles her way up to the second.
"Hello," she says, smiling as she gives a quick curtsy, holding out the pale pink silken skirts and setting the various implements attached to it to jingling. The large feather in the broad-brimmed hat that covers most of her elaborately coiffed brown hair bobs with the motion.
"Lovely party, isn't it?" she says, dimples showing with her smile.
She might be the very image of a young, modern Taldan noblewoman if it weren't for the slight smudge of dark ink on her left jawbone...
Doritan notices Katria as she approaches, "Indeed. You must be the latecomer? I'm Doritan, at your service" he gives a formal half-bow, "And you must be Katria. What are your particular skills in this venture?"
"Oh, yes, my apologies," Katria replies. "I didn't mean to be late, you see, but I got caught up reading this fascinating history -- The Urian Peace, to be precise -- and, well, it was about 2,500 years long, so I simply couldn't put it down and ... yes, late, as you say."
She smiles ruefully.
"Um, skills? Well, I'm quite accomplished in history, specifically of the empire, of course. Ours, not the Padishah one. I'd like to say I had a specific expertise, as the most accomplished scholars do, but well, I'm afraid I've always had trouble concentrating on just one area, so I've ended up being more of a generalist. Say the Taldan history since Absalom Reckoning. But also bits before then. It's all so fascinating, and there's so much we could learn. It's ironic, isn't it, considering how focused we are in Taldor on our history how very much of it we've forgotten?
"Oh, but right, you asked about my skills," she goes on, words spilling out seemingly without her ever taking a breath. "So, I know quite a lot about history, I think, not to brag, and of course that means also judging historical goods and appraising their value. I've also studied other planes, and religion, as of course they play a significant role in the development of our own empire (more religion than other planes, but you might be astonished to hear how important aasimar -- which of course relates to the Upper Realms -- have been to our development."
Nice of her to finally arrive, Maya thinks when she hears of Katria's arrival. Seems a bit rude of her to be so tardy.
Still, Lady Martella chose to employ this Katria for some reason, perhaps she has some useful skills. Maya decides she'll just have to keep an eye out for this Katria. Perhaps they could 'coordinate' as Lady Martella had said.
For now, Maya focuses on her immediate task: discrediting this Earl Calhadion Vernisant.
Striding up to the posse of nobles, Maya butts her head into the group and says, "Hello to you all, good Sir and Madam nobles. I feel the need to inform you of this here Earl's shortcomings and why you should reconsider associating with him. I'm sure you're all familiar with his recent shaming. But, did you know about his awkward incident only two days ago?
Maya clears her throat and smirks before continuing, "Well, let me tell you about it, in case you aren't privy to it already. You see, the Earl here thought he could get into Grand Prince Stavian's good graces by demonstrating some skill with a bow. He even managed to get the Grand Prince to come out to a nearby archery range to demonstrate his abilities. The display only lasted long enough for Vernisant to fire two arrows. One into the ground not more than two feet away from him and the other through a basket of fruit being carried by a unfortunate servant. Caused him to spill the whole basket!
"So, you see, the Earl isn't someone I would want to associate with if I were you. There are plenty of other senators and nobles with which to fraternize. Pick one of those."
Satisfied with her efforts, but uncertain of their success, she waits to see the nobles' reaction.
The nobles murmur with concern as the seeds of Maya's lies take root. They cast disparaging glances towards Earl Vernisant and spread throughout the senate, repeating the scandalous story. The halfling feels confident that she has successfully slandered the earl.
Maya cracks her knuckles in satisfaction as her lies do their work. Perhaps I've had a bit too much experience dealing with nobles, she muses.
Already on the senate floor, Maya decides to try influencing the senators once more.
"Hello ye senators of Taldor! I feel the need to remind you of the evils of primogeniture. It is the cage that keeps Taldor trapped in the past. Tonight, you hold the key to ensuring a prosperous future for our great nation. Vote to end primogeniture to unlock the cage trapping us in the past, to free us from the chains of antiquated traditions."
Maya pauses for a moment, then decides to add, "And I'll be here for a while if you have questions, folks. No need to rush up all at once."
Before he returns to his larceny spree, Doritan carefully (making sure to not be seen) motions for Katria to examine the dagger he snagged, "Do you have any skill with magic? I'm not trained in the ways of the arcane, but I get this tingling feeling while holding it, and the silver gleam is a bit brighter than the room should allow."
Once that's done, Doritan hastily, but casually, strolls by the artifacts, and snags the buckler, careful to not be seen.
"Oh, yes, well, I certainly need to be able to tell if something's magical," the young historian replies.
She concentrates for a moment on the dagger.
"Er, where did you get it, if you don't know whether it's magical or not?"
"Oh, it is enchanted," Katria exclaims as she finishes studying the dagger. "It's made so that it aims more truly and cuts more deeply. Plus, I'm sure you can see it's silvered, which makes it effective against any number of creatures that plain steel wouldn't work again..."
She startles slightly as she suddenly realizes Elif is at her side, and she completely missed what the other woman had said to her.
"Oh, um, well, I'm not very good at that either. I'm afraid my parents always -- or, at least, sometimes -- complained that I was if anything far too blunt. I try to keep my wits about me, but ... well, I get so fascinated in books and other such matters. I mean, just look around at that and that and that ..."
Again, the nobles on the senate floor applaud Maya's performance. The halfling is quickly proving herself able to hold her own in the ongoing debates, and the senators are taking notice.
Doritan returns to the arcade for a third pass on the items on display. Like a hawk, he swoops down on the buckler and swipes it without anybody noticing!
Elif approaches Duke Centimus, who eyes his fellow half-elf curiously. Too late, the oracle realizes she doesn't quite know what to say. She fades back into the crowd, leaving the duke momentarily mystified.
Katia, meanwhile, engages in scholarly debates with the other nobles in the archive. The occultist's vested interest in Taldan history catches the attention of an old librarian named Pabrus Telecoum, who offers her a dog-eared and crumbling journal donated to the library but considered unsalvageable. The text itself is a somewhat compelling tale of a young wizard's growth to womanhood and inheriting her family business in Cassomir 250 years ago. Though large portions are missing or damaged by water, tucked into the back of the book is a scroll containing animate rope, blur, flaming sphere, hypnotism, mount, and web.
Your senate aide badges buzz softly and you hear Martella Lotheed's voice in your ears. "Would you kindly join me in the gallery? I would like to check in on your progress. There will be refreshments."
When you first arrive, you find Martella grinning and clapping gently as she watches one of the jugglers, but she hurriedly composes herself and dons her air of mystery when she sees you approaching. She gestures for you to follow her to a sectioned-off meeting point on the upper walkways with chairs and a pot of fresh coffee.
"I see you all have met Katria. I've been keeping Bernal busy up here running messages for me. Have you been able to work on the tasks I assigned you? If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them."
You notice the same brass cricket from the cafe earlier adorning the railing nearby.
Katria blushes as Pabrus tries to give her the journal. She tries to protest that it's too valuable a gift for her but finally relents under his coaxing. Her fingers roam over the book, wishing to delve more into it. The spells aren't the type of magic she's very good at it, but maybe with the book's help she can figure them out.
Her musings interrupted by Martella's summons, she follows Elif toward the other room, nodding and smiling as she meets Maya and Bernal for the first time.
"The archives are fascinating, Lady Martella," she replies before ruefully admitting, "though I haven't been able to learn much about the duke. Elif has had more success with that.
"Is there anything else you'd like us to do if we manage to finish all the tasks? There's so much to explore here..."
Maya gives an elaborate bow to the nobles at their applause. With a smile and a wave, she departs. Once she's out of the senate floor, she gags and thinks, They really do care more about appearances than actual substantive change, don't they?
When Lady Martella messages her, Maya quickly makes her way to the gallery. She could use a drink after bloviating to a bunch of nobles.
Maya nods in return to Katria when she arrives. The halfling's still uncertain whether or not she should trust Katria, or any of the others, for that matter. The only one she truly trusts is Lady Martella.
To Lady Martella, Maya says, "Yes, I believe we've all been keeping quite busy. I reminded the Baron of his past debts. He seemed quite committed to our cause once I did."
Our cause? Do I really agree with it? Or is this just a job?
"What's more, I was able to spread a nasty little story about Earl Calhadion Vernisant. At the rate the story was spreading, he should be thoroughly discredited by now."
After the others speak their minds and Maya grabs a drink, she says to Lady Martella, "I do have one question, for now, at least. Why was that Kalbio fellow selected to be 'exalted?' Did he do anything special? Or was he just the fool... fortunate, the fortunate one to be chosen for the thing?"
Her cheeks awere aflame from her social clumsiness with the duke. Oh, Elif, you cannot let Lady Martella down. What now? Can you remedy this and learn what you must? Are you up to the task? The self-doubt began to creep into her mind.
Your senate aide badges buzz softly and you hear Martella Lotheed's voice in your ears. "Would you kindly join me in the gallery? I would like to check in on your progress. There will be refreshments."
Calming herself, she bid Katria to follow and made her way to the gallery.
Good evening, Lady Martella," she bid as she moved to the sectioned off meeting area. She immediately noticed on the railing was the brass cricket from their earlier meeting in the cafe. Quietly, she informed Katria, "That brass cricket, there on the railing, is a device to stop unwanted people from listening in on our conversation."
"Have you been able to work on the tasks I assigned you? If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them."
"I spoke with Countess Pace. It is not favourable news - the woman lacks commitment to Princess Eutropia's cause. She espoused to me the idea of being a leaf on the wind and being ready to float whichever way the wind blows. However, she did offer me a position on her staff, which of course, I politely declined. As to Duke Decimus, I was working on him when you called this meeting. Once we are done here, I shall return to him and renew my attention." Looking to Maya and having heard of her successes so far this night, Elif smiled and asked, "Maya, I could use your help in the Archives with the duke, if you have time after we conclude our business, here."
Doritan notices the cricket as he enters the balcony, "The ball is going excellently, my lady. They have officially lost a few priceless historical treasures, and more than a few nobles have been won to our cause." he nods at the brass bug, "That thing is yours, right?"
"Once your tasks are complete, you have free rein of the gala. Enjoy the festivities, work on your own personal goals if you'd like," Martella says in response to Katria.
"Kalbio was chosen because of his skill as a weaver. His parents scrounged copper pieces to pay for his education as a weaver's apprentice, and he showed remarkable skill. His story inspired several local nobles to begin clamoring over his tapestries, and for nearly a decade his work has decorated even the imperial palace."
Martella nods at Doritan. "Yes. That, my friend, is one of my own clockwork creations. I call it a brass chatterbox. It creates a soft buzz that makes it more difficult for people to eavesdrop on conversations around it."
The noblewoman seems pleased by your progress reports. Once you have finished reporting, Martella inclines her head. "I didn't ask you here just to look over your shoulders. There's a young woman here: Malphene Trant, the daughter of Senator Trant. She's a belligerent, narcissistic ass, and a bully as well. If she's here, it's likely to intimidate one of more of the junior senators into backing her father. If one or more of you could keep an eye on her and... quietly intercede should she try, I would be quite grateful."
Yeah, the guy associates with nobles and he still wants to be one. Like I thought, he’s an idiot, Maya thinks as Lady Martella speaks of Kalbio. At least Martella didn’t have a choice, she was born into it.
“Certainly,” Maya says to Elif when the half-elf requests her help.
Before she leaves with Elif, Maya says to everyone in the group, “I would suggest at least one of us hang around the Arcade to keep track of Trant’s daughter that Lady Martella spoke of. She sounds like a real piece of work.”
“Alright, now tell me what’s going on with this Duke Centimus? What can I do to help?”
Elif politely excused herself from the Lady Martella's side and walked out with Maya toward the Imperial Archives. In a discreet voice, she spoke close to Maya. "Duke Centimus is the Half-Elf in the elaborate wheelchair. All I have discovered thus far is that the nobles seek to curry his favour. He appears to respond favourably to polite conversation and is readily swayed by smooth-talking and flattery. I will do what I can to aid you. He watched my clumsy attempt to start an conversation with him but I turned away and he seemed confused by it. I will do what I can to remedy that now, but I will count on you to achieve our ultimate goal - to discover his commitment to Princess Eutropia's cause."
When they were ready, Elif took a deep breath, pushed down the lingering self-doubt as best as she could and approached the Duke with Maya beside her. Elif inclined her head respectfully, lifting her face and smiling shyly at the man, "Good evening, Your Grace. My name is Elif. You may have noted my poor attempt to speak with you a little earlier. I am most sincerely apologetic. I grew shy and awkward for I am only a mere aide and you are such an esteemed and grand nobleman. Yet, here I am again, hoping most eagerly to spend a little time in your company, for you have a fine voice and brilliant mind and I cannot help but be drawn to such. I have brought along a dear companion, another aide such as I, to hear you speak. Please, we would be honoured if you would grant us some of your time." Again, Elif smiled shyly, hoping to convey an innocence, modesty and awe due to his stature in the Senate.
The round-faced duke smiles at Elif. "It's no worry at all, my dear. Not everybody is blessed with social graces, but you seem to be doing a remarkable job to make up for your upbringing."
Centimus rolls his wheelchair a few paces back so he can get a better look at Maya, though he doesn't have to look down nearly as much as the other nobles when speaking to her. "I am pleased to meet you both."
Katria nods at the instructions.
"I can keep an eye on her, I guess," she says. "I wanted to look at the Arcade of Triumphs anyway. So interesting."
She moves to the area and lingers there, trying to keep an eye on Malphene Trant even as everything else in the area is so much more interesting. She can't help but murmur aloud at many of the displays, awe-filled at the sheer amount of history presented here.
The senate's curator of antiquities, a middle-aged woman named Copernia Vau, takes a shine to Katria's obvious interest in history and offers her a brief tour of the adjoining restoration room, where artifacts are cleaned and preserved. As part of the tour, she offers the occultist one bottle each of universal solvent and unguent of timelessness so she can practice the skills she describes.
Doritan, having completed his initial task, slips off to the Galley, where his fingers continue to dance, pulling off a few magic tricks for the children there.
The children laugh and cheer as Doritan entertains them. Wyssilka the Fantabulous notices his performance and comes over join him. "Not bad! How about some of these tricks?" She performs a series of minor magic tricks as well to complement his repertoire.
Maya nods to the Duke after Elif speaks, she gives a nod in Elif's direction as well. That was a good introduction.
"Hello Duke Centimus, we've both heard much about you and are very impressed with your accomplishments. We were wondering if you could take the time to give us your thoughts on primogeniture. Do you think the law is good or that it is outdated and should be repealed? Please, I would love to hear your thoughts."
In reality, Maya would very much prefer to not hear the thoughts of another noble. She's hopeful her demeanor and tone will indicate something much different than reality.