Alva
*She did not seem uncomfortable, at least - he was grateful for that fact. A little stiff in the beginning, when he had placed the chair across from his desk, but she softened up quickly as he opened his mouth to speak with her. Perhaps he had not spoken the most formally to her, and that was what had finally bridged the small gap between them. In any case, it was done with now, and he could only proceed with what he had seen.

Openness was a strong word. Several secrets yet lurked within him, not the least of which flowed through his soul like an undercurrent that threatened to drag him out into a sea of blood and fire. At Sorevelle, when the drow queen had discovered this secret, he had stated that he would reveal the secret to his allies one at a time, making sure that they knew what was to be done and what he knew, in a calm setting. This was hardly the time, though - there were matters of state to attend to - but after those had ended, he could gauge whether Princess Irezora was one to keep a secret.*

"That fool boy." *He let out a long breath that hissed through his teeth like water thrown upon a fire as he settled more comfortably in his seat.* "There are many insults I can tolerate, but unfortunately for my political career thus far, it is remarkably thin when it comes to making light of my care for my men. To say I consider them *Expendable*..." *Fury roiled beneath the surface at the word. He knew well what sacrifices they had made, and would be called upon to make in the future.*

"I suppose that too I must learn to ignore or smooth over. As my advisors tell me, politics is the art of communication, most often used to smooth disagreements over in service of a goal." *His inhale through the nose was heavy and long as he brought his armored gauntlet to the bridge of his nose and grasped it hard, as if a headache plagued him. Many did, but this particular headache was worse than most, and entirely unrelated to physical symptoms.*

_ _
"I believe some thanks is still necessary. I wish to show gratitude. What I would have said would have doubtless provoked a fight - and it was all too timely for her to intervene." *Princess Irezora's words made a modicum of sense about a way of thanking her, but what to send if not a gift? A letter? To meet with her personally would be better - but a letter might serve two purposes. First, to thank her, and second, to set up a meeting and get the measure of Temperance's sister. It was high time everyone were brought up to speed, and her father was too sick now to do much of anything while she served as de facto regent.*

"I shall write her a letter. We should meet, as you say - I have been lax in speaking with her properly." *He sighed, considering the prospect of speaking with yet another woman devoted more to the scholarly arts than to the whims of the court. It was much more agreeable, in his mind - at least he might be able to talk with the two princesses on a purely practical basis. Implication and innuendo went over his head or under his nose far too often for his liking.* "Perhaps we may be able to speak on that scholarly basis after the formal introductions are made." *His mind seemed to wander for a moment.* "I wonder, though it is unlikely, if she has read any of my publications."

"...I must ask," *His brow furrowed as he studied her carefully, more curious than anything.* "What exactly have you said here that could cause offense? My... Practice of politics is rusty, of course, but I believe you have by implication neither called me unintelligent nor unsuited for command...?"
Virginia
Though her comment on the Prince had been more of a joke, the King's reaction revealed once more that anger he had only nearly suppressed earlier that day. Surely she had found great offense at the boy's words, but it stood to reason how a King or heir might find even more fault with the words chosen. No, the Princess did not think the King saw his people as expendable, just as she was sure the rulers of Findara did not either. 

How he would learn to better ignore and smooth things over, that was yet to be determined. It seemed that thus far his advisors had offered fairly sound advice in that realm, seeing as he mentioned them specifically as a group with influence on his outlook and decisions. This did lead her to wonder who these people were and why it was she sitting across from him at this moment and not them. Perhaps he had already spoken with everyone of any importance who he trusted to help with decisions. Now it was time for some experimentation. That was well enough, she did love a good experiment. 

The frustration evident from his body language was evident. In the end he had shown a great deal of restraint, she was sure, in not giving the Prince a piece of his mind right then and there even after intervention. Tension creasing the edges of his weary face could most likely be blamed, and if she did not believe he might take offense to such a suggestion she might have asked if he wished to continue their conversation the next day. Men could be touchy when it came to matters of capability and pride, this she knew. It would not do to give the King reason to doubt her confidence in him. 

"I believe that would be more appropriate, a meeting to discuss other matters with no specific mention of that specific event. Now if she were to bring the subject up that could be another matter entirely, but I'd say that unless she does there is no need for you to make an explicit effort to show appreciation. Such an act could come across as an attempt to ensure tha

T you owe her no debts for the interaction even though I am sure that is not your intention in issuing such a gesture." For a moment she paused, having registered his brief aside about his works. Though she had read quite a few in theory, whether she truly understood their content was another matter entirely. Often her creations might benefit from some deeper understanding of alchemical properties or the way metals can be manipulated while maintaining magical properties, but the subject area simply seemed too vast for her to fully grasp. Such an innate relationship with the substances, she reasoned, must do much for one's understanding.

Perhaps they might discuss further possibilities for collaboration on a later date, at a later time. Perhaps if the world had not been on the brink of war or worse their meetings might have a much lighter tone. Perhaps they would not have met at all. 

The question of what it was she had done... Well... That was more complicated. If he had not seen the potential sligh then his intentions were maybe even more transparent than she had first thought and he was not being humble in the subpar self-rating of communicative aptitude. Providing an answer was simplified by the latter fact though. Last night he had taught her the basics of metallurgic properties, now it was her turn. 

"My previous outright dismissal of your idea to send a gift might have been seen as aloof and my further instruction on the potential mindset of a woman I know very little than you do could have been perceived as condescending. Addressing someone clearly in a greater position by proposing a direct course of action could have been taken as presumptuous, even though my opinion had been asked for." She paused for a moment, eyes surveying the lines of his face for any change. "Not all men mean what they say, Your Majesty. Even fewer listen even when they have asked."

She allowed a moment of silence. Perhaps he might think of the Prince they had both already mentioned, or the Bear King with whom he found some level of disagreement almost immediately. Either way the point was clear. "There is also the matter of trust. Knowing that my words were not meant to bite, cut, or insult means trusting that my intentions here are good and my offer of aid genuine. Trust is not given easily or freely so as a habit I operate on the assumption that its existence is tenuous at best unless I know otherwise." His words the previous night had indicated that at least some level of trust had been built. Afterall, despite all that separated them their goals were nearly one in the same. 

"But a meeting," She said, leanin

G backwards slightly. "A meeting would be good. What then?"
Alva
*There were certain things, he thought, that still mystified him in the day-to-day dealings of a king. A meeting was the usual, that he could understand - but to thank her before she brought the subject up was unnecessary? His brow remained deeply creased in a mixture of exhaustion and confusion as he mulled it over. Not to show explicit appreciation? Were they not allied? Whatever else she was, the woman would surely like to know her efforts had neither gone unseen nor ungratefully taken. 

After a fashion, though, it was understandable from an outside perspective - but even then he was left wondering whether that made sense in the first place. Would an attempt to owe her no debts be the worst act he could possibly commit? It seemed the greater offense to him to not be thanked for such an integral piece of help than to be thanked when none was necessary.*

"...I shall endeavor to stick with the meeting." *He said after a long moment, letting his breath out in a sigh. It was as if he was immersing himself in the waves waist-deep, walking towards the ocean. There was really no telling how deep the pit of politics could go.* "Though I must admit some confusion as to why that would be seen as an attempt not to owe her anything - friends are not debtors, and we give them thanks still when they assist us."

*What he heard next in fact reversed the direction his eyebrows had been steadily heading - from confusion to a look of mild concern. Outright dismissal of an idea to send a gift - he hadn't even noticed that. Instruction on the mindset of a woman she did not know. He had begun to pick up on the most direct cues, but he was forcibly reminded of just how much he did not know every time he set foot in a room with an experienced courtier or two hanging about in the corners and looking to pounce.*

_ _
 "...Your Highness," *He asked, shaking his head slightly.* "Why would anyone ask for an opinion they have no intention of listening to?" *There were more points she had brought up, he reminded himself, and he had to ask about them too, lest his curiosity go unsatisfied.* "Those who do not listen when they ask for counsel shall be deaf to the right advice, when it hits their ears. Those who do not plainly keep their word will soon find it is worth nothing. An open ear and a strong word are both necessary qualities in a ruler, are they not?" 

*His father had spoken at length about the importance of honoring agreements kept in this fashion - a promise from a throne was the same whether it was to the lowest of men or the highest of kings. But perhaps... There was another meaning to that. His eyes flickered in recognition the moment after the words had left his mouth, and he realized their meaning.*

"Ah. Both are qualities necessary in a *Good* Ruler." *He rectified his earlier mistake a little sheepishly.* "There is no accounting for company who does not believe that is a goal to aspire to - and no accounting for present company, who is a little *Too* Apt to mean what he says." *He rubbed his forehead briefly with the palm of his hand, trying to allay the beginnings of a pulsing headache that lurked just behind the temples. Under the golden crow.*

"In that respect, the matter of trust, as you say, may be the most important of all. A good friend will keep a man honest, but if he can no longer trust his friends..." *He shrugged. Precious few friends were here in Varilon, he thought - precious few for a man whose whole kingdom was sworn to the throne he now sat.* "I thought it a reasonable enough proposition to discuss a meeting we had both been present for with you. I would not likely receive honest advice if I do not offer honest opinions."