Mickey
The town was abuzz, more than it had been in quite some time. The Izra estate was no different. Servants hurried two and fro, gardeners trimmed so carefully at the flowers in the courtyard, and the countess herself fidgeted before the entrance. 

The Duchess was coming, the letter proclaimed it to be only a social visit, but it was coming at possibly the worst time possible. Preparations for the wedding were underway, a tailor would be in later today with samples, and gods there was so much to do. 

Virzieth had been in the middle of discussing alters and seatings with the head butler when she received word of the Duchess's incoming arrival. By the grace of the gods she made it outside before they crossed the gates

She hadn't the time to change but as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her shirt she sorely wished she did. A simple black tunic, sleeves rolled to her elbows, and trousers were all she wore. A small smudge of dirt ran across her cheek from her morning spent helping the gardeners decide on floral arrangements. 

Regardless, Virzieth held herself proud, hands clasped before her and a gentle smile across her features as the duchess approached.
Eric
Some would say the true test of ones' character can be found upon the most sudden of challenge. A trial by fire, within the land of cold. Upon the planning of a wedding, so too came the business of a meeting. Between liege and vassal. Noble to Noble. Or perhaps for Virzieth, commoner still remained the far familiar title? 

The Matron of Syvathere set to grace Inyelion with her presence. The Duchess bearing the crest of House Argith. The flurry of a guarded escort came, armoured horsemen guiding the detailed carriage of Noble design. Through the gates and their trail through the Town before, the highlight of a Noble meet rarely ever was ignored. 

Large travelling horses halted upon their riders' command, the carriage soon easing into calm before the rush of a servant moved to the carriage door. A formality that nonetheless caught many eyes, and even more as the Lady Vierna Argith stepped on out to the view of the Izra estate. 

Unlike the Countess, ever busy in her tiresome new life, the Duchess seemed fully prepared in appearance and style. A mastery over the years, however simple a concept. Silvery locks decorated under a braided style, save for the length that rang down to her shoulders. A gown, clinging at her figure yet never seeming too excessive. The familiar image of the Duchess that she met not too long ago, upon inspections of the Military. 

A curious stare first flickered from her expression, a general inspection moving faintly across the courtyard before a smile composed her vigor. With escort of a few natural guards of her House, would she set sights on the Countess patiently awaiting her. 
.

To come upon a most busy time, Vierna seemed to note it rather quickly. The Countess in a state some may quickly gossip about, yet to Vierna she forever placed her curiousity of the shift from Commoner to Nobility. Behind that smile, a slow burning need to figure out her vassal. This meet was not just a formality, but an attempt to drive their relationship to more than simply mutters. 

And especially, this knowledge of the planning in particular. A marriage, she had heard of. An arrangement, that dare she consider had happened at her very Estate. An opener for conversation, she imagined. Soon a faint distance away from the awaiting Countess, the Duchess would offer her smile and nod. - And await the Countess' introduction as she assumed not to so rudely interupt her attempts.
Mickey
Virzieth bowed low before the duchess the butler beside her mirroring her actions. Her movements were vastly different than their first meeting, the bow of a more proper noble. Likely the result of further etiquette training. 

"Your Grace, I hope your trip was well?" The countess rose back up as she spoke waiting another breath the descend the stairs to join her. 

Upon her further approach to the other woman her haggard appear became more apparent. Though the countess wore a polite smile and a welcoming air, darkened circle framed the bottom of her blood shot eyes her face frames by stray white hair that escaped her simple pony tail.

When had she slept last? Rested even? Virzieth vaguely recalled falling asleep at her desk sometime in the night, but that couldn't have been more than a few minutes. 

Here beside the Duchess, who very well could be the most beautiful woman Virzieth had seen, she looked no better than a street urchin. Wrinkled clothes and dirtied hands. What a way to greet the woman responsible for her position.

How the hell was she ever going to look presentable enough for the queen herself?
Eric
At some distance, it was quite difficult to realise the true state of the busy Countess. Every step she took, unfolded more the not so subtle details. Tired eyes, rustled attire and the specks of dirt on her hands. A look that she truly couldn't so simply ignore. But of judgement, the Duchess would make no showcase of disapproval just yet. 

Having been approached in her final steps, the Lady Vierna would ease her own movement to a halt. A free hand extended out elegantly to her side, the puffs of her dress extended simply as her gaze awaited Virzieth with the intrigue she had deserved. The bow came quickly, far better rehearsed than that act back in Syvathere. A thought to note, nestled deep in her inquisitive mind. As of now, she would make acknowledgement with the slightest bow of her head. Then, that all too familiar smile. 

"Lady Izra. The trip was certainly something, though not nearly as comparable as your Estate. And ever so eventful.." - That silvery tongue returned, her tone showcasing no malice or deception as her eyes quietly scanned at the bustle of servants and notions of planning. With the slightest gesture her hands would then meet, stepping forward with the shift of a smile to a smirk. 

"Oh, but expected! After an announcement like that, that I've heard so much about. Gossip in the Court would say you made such a decision in my very Estate..?" - A soft murmur that showcased Vierna's amusement, the quick question fluttering quickly past as the Duchess proceeded on approach. With it, the offering of her arm. 

"Please, let's simply talk. Gift yourself a break and enjoy some company. You must have a favoured spot for a small thing like that..?"
Mickey
"Yes, there is much to do. I hope you don't mind." A thought that hadn't crossed her mind till this moment. Was it impolite for the staff to continue their preparations while the Duchess was here? Surely not? 

Virzieth only offered a polite smile in return to the Duchess's speculations. Another question came to mind. Was it impolite to propose at another's estate? It's not like it was a grand event, it was anything but. She thought to play it safe and avoid confirming such ideas. Instead, she hooked her arm with the other woman's.

"I would like that very much. There's a lovely gazebo in the courtyard that I think you'd rather enjoy your grace." Virzieth began leading her up the steps the butler opening the door for the way. As they moved in tandem her awkward gait was more apparent, though her limp had become far less visible it was still very much there. The physician had been watching her like a hawk following the news of her pitiful spar with Zaknafein, which had set her progress back more than she wanted to admit. With the visit of the tailor would also come a fitting for heels, her first pair. Those would be a whole new headache for her and the doctor. 

Stepping inside the estate, it did not seem like a place a woman like Matron Izra would live, though it was clear some improvements were being made. Some of the stale white furniture had been switched for darker more homey pieces. 

"I hope you can excuse the mess, along with preparations and repairs, I've been making the place a bit more like home." It had been a gradual process before, the focus of work being on repairs but now with the wedding soon, it became more of a priority. At the very least it allowed her to give work to the people, especially now during winter which often meant such a thing was hard to find.
Eric
"Oh, Please. Assume me no obstacle to your planning." - Quick to dismiss any such thoughts, the Duchess was clear to reminder her of her words. Busy staff were often times at their most useful, regardless. And truly, showed their character the best.

Vierna's initial lean into gossip caught a surprising reaction, it had seemed. Her question came, and no answer returned. Instead, the sly tinge of brushing past the very topic. The trade, of a clever socialite. Intentional or not, Vierna would be keen to notice. The Matron ignored, and in some way showcasing the character of one perhaps so frightened of stepping on this new path of Nobility. 

Regardless, arms wrapped, their little social meet would begin! The Duchess, in all her elegant fashion, took it with stride and accompanied each passing step for Virzieth to guide her along. Notably, however, seemed the state of injury that lingered on the currently messy Matron. An uncomfortable shift or so, Vierna quietly noticed. A politeness offered however, as she seemed to try and help adjust along the way up the stairs and into the entrance of the Noble Estate. 

"Mmh.." - The slightest of hum, Vierna tracked an observant glance about the interior renovations. The hallmark of a New Matron, yet one so ignorant to the styles and culture of High class lifestyle. In her thoughts, it had amused her to hear she remark on making it more like home. Of that, she wondered how exactly she meant.
.

"And why wouldn't you..? Thrust into this life, it must be so strange to get used to. Ooh, I forgot to mention. - I had this Wine brought from my Estate. An early gift, perhaps? Or an excuse to distract you from exerting yourself, heh." - With a brief beckon of her hand, an accompanying servant of hers presented the fancy bottle of Lazarothi wine. On closer look, perhaps Virzieth may have spied its familiar style to one she had shared with Zafnakein those many moons ago. 

"Shall we drink..? We both need it." - Vierna grinned, allowing guidance to appropriate seating.
Mickey
Virzieth did all she could to not lean too far into the adjustment offered by the Duchess, instead continuing to bear her weight on her own. She knew, of course, there was likely already a maid waiting with her cane in hand for her to call too. But she could not continue to show that weakness while Vierna was here, instead she had to showcase her improvement. 

Even in the Duchess's honey sweet voice those words felt like a jab. Another finger pointing out that Virzieth did not fit in quite enough yet. Home to her was nothing like how nobility would see it. Eyesore furniture that served little function other than showcasing ones wealth, Virzieth lost track of how many times she had to ask the staff just what this piece was for. 

"You are too kind your grace." Upon glancing at the bottle held out to her its familiar look was not lost on the Countess. It was a bottle she had used often to avoid her now fiance's gaze during their meal. If it was simply a coincidence or a slight she wasn't sure. "I think we have certain earned it. Z'ress if you could?" Virzieth turned to look over her shoulder at the butler who had stood beside her at the doors and now trailed behind them as they walked. Upon her request the man retrieved the bottle from the waiting servants hands and left into an adjoining hall to presumably open the bottle and grab glasses for the pair. 

It did not take long to pass through the entrance hall out into a center courtyard in which their intended gazebo seating waited at its center. The yard must've been the former countess's pride and was yet to be touched by Virzieth hands. Numerous bushes of colorful flowers lined the walkways, hedges still trimmed to perfection. The new Countess had not yet decided how she had wanted to change the space, she found the grand nature much but still understood the charm of it all.

.

Leading the Duchess into the waiting structure a small table, fit only for a pair, awaited them. "Shall we?" Virzieth motioned to the chair waiting for her superior to sit first.
Eric
Every detail had its story. The Duchess couldn't help but note the struggle Virzieth had put herself through. - the slightest support offered seeming dismissed for the sake of presentation. Vierna chose not to prod on the state of her leg, neither her need to prove herself. Stability often came with time, and for one so formerly common, she likely desired to prove herself worthy.

A smile exchanged at the approval of the wine, Vierna allowed some hint of innocence to remain as they walked to this supposedly perfect structure. She intended to hold her tongue until the view of the gazebo. And there, ample seating. By formality she was offered to sit first, likely a tactic learned recently. Regardless, Vierna indulged it with a nod and that signature positivity.

_"You weren't lying, Matron. This place is lovely! Perfect, for our meet."_ - Vierna offered with a hopeful gleam in her tone, spying the gazebo and its surroundings as she sat, soon cross legged as she made herself comfortable. _"And away from the noise of our dutiful lives. I find it useful, that we learn to enjoy these moments. And with this privacy, some privileges."_ Now seated, Vierna seemed particularly quick with that tongue of hers. Leading the topic with a smile, Vierna played into her diplomatic background to attempt some way of easing the horrors of Noble life. 

_"There will be no Matrons between these words. Simply words shared between Vierna and Virzieth, heh..? And of course, some Wine to keep these topics so interesting."_ - A request, offered in a friendly tone. Genuine or not, the offer was made. Vierna was an Argith, afterall. Generations of their mark in High Nobility. Twisted magic of Enchantment origin taught within their Academies as they held the title of Syvathere firmly. Could Virzieth truly trust her? The mind boggled, as Lazaroth remained a complex game.