Charles
Belladonna of Taemar
Grunewald Castle, Valen

They had been scarce the times she had encountered a man so nervous, and would she even dare say intimidated, by the sole presence of women. His face was so red that it could have been used as a lamp in a dark night. Would it be cruel to make him even more nervous? Last time she encountered a man like this she had him get so nervous his nose bled. 

"Professor and a Lord, how... Versatile" She said with her usual enchanting smile and charming voice, keeping eye contact as she offered him her hand with a delicate and well practiced gesture.

"My absolute pleasure. I'm Belladonna, milord, personal maid of our table-climber Lady Surany"
Kathleen
Valentine Godwin
About to faint, Vallen

Viola was not a people person, she much rather preferred the company of a book or scroll and her own thoughts, so she tried to convince herself that was why she was so flustered and not because a very intimidating woman was smiling at her. 

When she gave her name, Val pressed a kiss to the back of her hand and lingered a little more than she should have before dropping it. It was coming to her realisation that she had seldom seen a man introduce himself to a lady and she wasn't sure how she was meant to act.

"And a pleasure to meet you Belladonna. Though I find it difficult to picture you as only a maid," She told her, hands behind her back now,"Surely you seem better suited to be a Lady yourself."
Charles
Belladonna of Taemar
Grunewald Castle, Valen

"Oh dear, what a flattering man, aren't you?" She let out a soft and short chukle "You should be careful with your words, professor, someone could think that such a statement coming from a Lord could be hiding a... Maybe *Indecent* Proposition"

She ended her words with a not-so-discreet wink.

"You know milord, I haven't had the chance to hear your name before... Where do you come from?"
Kathleen
Valentine Godwin
Screaming internally, Vallen

*Oh*. **Oh**!

"Oh, nothing like that!" She said quickly and suppressed a squeak from escaping her throat. That wink could surely have killed."I didn't mean to offend your character, ma'am."

She had truly hoped no one would ask about her name. Whilst the Godwin's were not particularly well known if one was to write to her family or look up her family tree (which she hoped she wasn't interesting enough for anyone to do) they'd find no Valentine Godwin for a good few generations.

"The west of Taemar, near the coast." She replied hesitantly, rubbing her thumb over her left wrist from nerves."And you, m'lady? I'm sure I would remember your face or name if I'd ever seen you in Vallen before."
Charles
Belladonna of Taemar
Grunewald Castle, Valen

The disguised sorceress let out a soft laugh.

"Offend me? Oh no milord, quite the contrary"

She retrieved her long forgotten globet of wine from the table and took a sip, listening to the feminine man in front of her.

Funny, she knew Taemar like the palm of her hand, but she had never heard of a Lord Valentine Godwin anywhere near the west. Did he also sneak in this "*Party*"?

An overly dramatic sigh scaped her lips before she responded.

"I have been traveling my whole life, I come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time..."

*Dear Mother, Bel did you scape a novel?* She thought to herself, amused by her act.

"If you so want to remember my face I could pay you a visit"

She hid her grin by drinking a bit more of wine.

"Oh how rude of me!" She left her glass back on the table and got the nearby bottle and an empty glass "You want some wine milord?"
Kevin
Danico Felrantes
Philosophical chats are fun, Vallen

"Interesting-" He replies to her monologue about fate, taking his place at the table at his placard's designation. "Though it seems we both are people of study, I do not commit to study without the intention of forethought." The words she spoke rung inside his head- though he had never truly considered fate as anything other than a farcical wives tale designed to add meaning to the mundanity of everyday life, the way the woman laid it out in colour like that got him thinking. Though the thought of its potential never crossed his mind- not even for a second- she had a way with words that made it seem applicable.

Danico eyed off the food.. *'food'*, with a curious glare, prodding at it with a gloved finger. 'Curious' was the only word his mind could muster to describe the lump of grey sponge. Though the smell was most certainly off putting, it failed to rival the old cheese and stale bread eaten on long travel jobs. The smell of cheese sat in a bag for days on end could cause the most rank rat to turn inside out. With the pluck of ribbon holding the mask on, Danico removes the mask, blowing short and fast into the herb chambers to stifle the soft flames inside as he places the mask on the table.

The removal of the mask reveals lips dry and mildly cracked- a result of long term exposure to nearly direct smoke. On the plus side, breathing freely was never an issue. Taking the lump of so-called bread between his fingers, he raises it as a cheers to the woman across from him. "When in Taemar" He exclaims sarcastically before popping it into his mouth. The bread tasted every bit as bad as he thought it would, loosing a small chuckle at its near comically bad taste. 

Danico took a moment to clear his throat of the absolute assault he'd received to his senses before responding to the other's questions. "I merely study for the simple love of learning." He continues as his eyes circle the goblet of blood wine placed alongside the food, the temptation to try and get the taste from his mouth was strong. "What I choose to study usually comes from the chances I'm given. If you've visited the smaller villages, you'll of learned that life is fleeting, regardless of its meaning. If I die knowing that I've learned something new at every chance I get, then I'll die a happy man. It's truly that simple." 

With a long, drawn out sigh, Danico bites the proverbial arrow and takes a swig from the goblet, scrunching his face up at the taste. Sure it wasn't any better, but at least it wasn't bog bread. "But," He continues briefly, though interrupted by a second swallow to try and pass the lingering flavours, if it could be called that. "What do you do? It's my assumption from your words that you are a lady of the cloth, no?" He leans back in his chair, bringing his ankle up onto the other leg, eyes locked with Serafina in inquisical intent.
Michael
Serafina - Magistrate Wisdom to House Terresol
Castle Grunewald, Vallen 
Serafina studied the Alchemist's face over the rim of her goblet, eyes focused on the cracks in his skin - no doubt the side effect of the overwhelming dryness of herbal smoke. He likely had a salve to assist the desert so she resisted the urge to offer one herself. Perhaps she would make one regardless and offer it as a gift later. A means to visit and continue providing a new perspective and learn even more herself. 

She chuckled at his performance upon eating the bread and the excessive throat-clearing followed by a slight grimace as it journeyed to the stomach amongst plenty of blood wine. She raised her glass in response and took a small portion of the bread in front of her, popping it into her mouth and downing it with a large drink. When eating unsavoury food, Serafina had found it best to push it back far enough to escape the majority of the taste receptors and then drown it with something less pungent. While blood wine was not the best source to do so, it was better than their swamp infested water, which would not doubt enhance the grime of the bread.

"The small villages do offer a unique perspective on the meaning of life." The Wisdom agreed with a slight nod and smile. Before becoming a Magistrate she had spent a good deal of time in the outlying villages of Terresol and Ibethiel. The villages fared well, often producing large amounts of food for the inner cities. While many Wisdoms simply visited the outskirts when requested, Serafina had gone with a very different intent. For nearly a year she integrated herself into the villages, working alongside them, assisting in harvest, and showering the workers with the praises of Camira and Hema. She showed them the power of the gods by raising her own plants, praying that they would grow strong and be bountiful in their production. By the time of harvest, her crops rivalled those of the best farmer in the village. In many ways, Serafina missed that time of her life. The city, and even the House of Wisdom itself, had faux believers with professions of faith simply for monetary or power gain. The villagers had been the complete opposite. Their faith had always been strong and they offered ingenious interpretations of some Southern Pantheon theologies, including the lessons they had learned in their lives. In her opinion, the shitbloods of the outer villages were not given enough credit. But Serafina knew the praise would come. If not during their Mourning, in their following life.

Serafina's gaze returned to Danico's at his question of her profession and she smiled coyly, taking a sip of blood wine before replying. "Indeed." Pausing to collect her words, she thoughtfully formulated her response. "We are cut from the same clothe, Danico. You study the world with a physical view, an innate desire to obtain all you can from the knowledge it offers." The coy smile began to transform into one of true enjoyment, her eyes glistening with the flame of passion she felt for her work. "I study the world through lenses of the physical and spiritual. When separated, they provide a limited understanding. Combine them, and well." She paused with a soft chuckle. "You'll see things you never imagined."
Kathleen
Valentine Godwin
Grunewald Castle, Vallen

Oh the woman's laugh made her happy.

"It sounds as though you have an interesting life, Miss Belladonna." She said honestly. It was rare to find a woman (other than herself) so seemingly interested in travel and it seemed to impress the noble.

Though, blood crept up her neck at the thought of being visited by the lady who only gave her more and more reason to faint,"Oh, I'm rarely home and I don't believe the university of Azarya allows women to visit." She spoke quickly, as if to brush aside the notion. She shook her head,"Oh, no thank you. I think I've had enough to drink tonight and I'd like to keep my wits with me in case knives are thrown again."

Oh this council couldn't be over with sooner.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Highly regretting being alive, Valen.

Her stomach refused to let food in, and she didn't quite like alcohol, so there was nothing for her to do except to worry about the situation.

She couldn't get scared, not after everything she had to go through on her way to get there. The Barrmounts' future depended on her.

"Excuse me sir, I have something to do" She excused herself from the conversation with her table companion and got up.

Anna feared her legs wouldn't be able to make it to the table, but she surprisingly reached it. The looks of disgust towards here on the faces of the royalty sitting there were making the Lady want to run away and hide in a corner.

She cleared her throath and did a well practiced curtsy to king Gregor.

"Your majesty" She addressed him, her head down in respect "Please excuse my appearance, but I have had to endure a rather rough travel after fleeing my home to get help from... From you, your majesty"

Anna swallowed hard, the looks of the nearby people piercing her skin like knives.

"I am Lady Anna Barrmount, from house Barrmount in the Iron Plaines, second daughter of Yaron Barrmount. A-and I request your help"

*"I will end like that pig, won't I"* She thought to herself.