Nathaniel
**Aria Griff**
*The Thick Yeti, Grand Stead, Witherlands*

She quirked her head, confusion clearly wrote on her face. "Wait, wait, ya and ya brother were *Thrown out ta sea?*" There was a sudden chill that overtook the girl's face as the words sank in, a mixture of rage and sympathy battled in her brown eyes. After a deep inhale and exhale, Aria shook her head and the emotions died down. "Sorry, that is... Well, that certainly ain't normal." Gwynt screeched in agreement, causing his mistress to turn towards the avian. As she pat at his feathers she explained. "Ya see, where I'm from, we don't exactly do things like that. 'specially cause of some, pardon me tongue, *Bullshit fucking* Reasons like those." 

Aria sipped at her drink and then the soup again, mindful to actually swallow this time. "Me folks made sure ta accept anyone. Well, within reason, anyway." The hunter threw a grin at her companion and listened to more of his explanations. "Ah, that's why. I'm from the South Feyshore, so Southern Isles be a bit outta me reach." She shrugged and added "No, land ain't cursed. Would make a hell of a lot more sense, but it ain't. Just shitty." Chuckling, her hands folded against the table top as she leaned closer. "People are desperate creatures, Luca. When one wants power, they will do just 'bout anything, and I mean *Anything* Ta get it." Her face hardened with a grim look, almost like a faint memory was passing her mind. "Even if it caused others ta suffer, they can't stop the greed from rearin' its ugly, ugly head. So others must be put through torture ta get ta the power."
Hassan
```LADY CORNELIA BATTEN
RIVERBREAK HOLD```

"My physician seems to think he knows manners in which to keep us safe, and he's been speaking with my captain about it," Cornelia responded between sips of wine and morsels of food.

Her hazel eyes looked across the table, her beautiful face set in an expression of mild amusement at the Councillor's presence. He was a handsome fellow, she thought, as her head tipped slightly to the side, and given to frivolity. Bejeweled fish hooks? Who would ever.

"Of course. I go to be sure the Iron Plaines are aplty represented. After all, we are the backbone of the Witherlands, are we not? I'd hate for some untoward suggestion be put forward and passed without a word edgewise."

The elegant, dark-haired vixen picked up a napkin and wiped her fingers off, then dabbed at the corners of her lips to make sure the rouge hadn't smeared and still perfectly framed the lush tiers on her face. All the while, she kept notice of **Klaus** Was he besot with her beauty, or merely charmed by it? How far could Cornelia manipulate him?

"I suppose talk of marriage proposals has come to an end for now with the Barrmounts, given their recent tragedy. Have you heard of any other marriage treaties coming in to play?"
Edith
**Treasury Councilor Klaus Paberly
Riverbreak Hold**

"Well, if you do decide to for sure make the trip, thank you for your service," Klaus said, nodding and taking a drink.

"As for marriage..." He squinted his eyes and looked off to the side for a moment in thought. "I can't say I know of any from anyone notable. War Councilor Maric is a quiet and stoic man. It's hard to get a word out of him. He could die, and the worms in Araedia would have caught word of it long before we ever would. I can't imagine him falling head over heels for a girl anytime soon. If one tried to make her intentions known, he might take it as a threat. With Councilor Wilhelma, it always seems to be something about plants. I have a hard time paying attention beyond that. It's not exactly Plaines news, but there have been rumblings that Nathaniel Vivayn might be looking for an engagement. Don't quote me on that though. Seventh-hand whispers of whispers. Still, if true, I'd be amused to see which icy wench he'd sink his claws into." Klaus leaned back in his chair, starting to feel on the full side.