Carol
Xavier de Delekou
Private study, Provincial Delekou

Xavier took the paper and studied the design as she continued. It was a small, portable filter and there were notes referencing his own filtration design. He tiled his head to the side to read some scribbles about the nature of the compound she intended on using. 

"If you want me to design a filter to remove the poison from the water of the soldiers, I need to know its composition. The filtration requirements for contaminents differs depending on what it is. For instance, my current design does not account for minerals or salts. If you intend to use plant matter, this would work with a few adjustments." He explained, pointing to a side and explaining the coating process for maximal extraction. 

"There is one issue." Xavier continued. "If the water supply taken on the pilgrimage from different cities originates from the city water there is no reason for the filter. It would have already passed through one. Naturally, if one were to obtain water from a river during their travels, this would be useful. However, from your suggestion before, I believe you intend to poison the city water supply for those on the pilgrimage. What reason will you give, then, for carrying a filter during the journey? And why only the soldiers?"
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet 
Xavier's Private Study, Provincial Delekou

Jasmine nodded her head at his reasonable inquiries about the already-filtered city water. "That is what I meant by my husband not seeing much of a point to his men carrying the filters. Theoretically, I would implore Elroy to tell his men to get water from rivers or streams when they are available, so that a large series of small tests would be done to see how well the water is purified while conserving the city water for the others on the trip. However, they might not and may simply just drink the city water regardless. Which I don't particularly care if they do or not, it's just an excuse. And again, Elroy would probably think it unimportant, but he would order if he thought it would make me happy."

Poor, sweet Elroy. Jasmine felt guilt grip her heart for a moment as she thought about her husband. She knew he would probably agree due to how upset this whole affair had made her. If something as simple as his men carrying a portable filtration system would bring her some type of comfort, or perhaps purpose, she could not see him saying no. Even if the idea sounded frivolous and overall impractical to him.

How glad she would be when she could return to him, after this meeting. Jasmine felt she could not be home soon enough. She was so tired.

"And as for why we would only give them to the soldiers, well..." She sighed, a resigned look on her face. "There is not much of a reason to give filters to those with the plague, is there? Once they reach their destination, they and all their possessions are to be burned. It would be seen as a large waste of resources as well as a bit strange."

Jasmine looked over at the piece of paper. "The pills I have created are in a crystalline form; essentially a salt soaked in the oil of the Veyiscius plant. It will dissolve in water almost completely when added." She gave Xavier a hopeful look. "Do you believe you will be able to create the filter?"
Carol
Xavier de Delekou 
Private study, Provincial Delekou

Xavier nodded as she explained her plans and the muscles of his jaw tightened as she mentioned the people being forced on the pilgrimage wasting resources. *'They are still human.'* He thought, thinking of how he was preparing for the journey of his own people. Their sacrifice deserved to be honored and he would do that by providing them with an abundance of resources for the journey. 

"It will be difficult." He contemplated the form of the poison and how he could filter it. The charcoal filter would not be enough. Not even close - it couldn't remove anything dissolved in the water itself. "Filtering particles that dissolve is more difficult as I do not know their composition within water so I don't know what in particular I need to filter out." He spoke, thinking out loud. "Does it have a taste one could detect? I could make a few different filters and determine their successful filtration by loss of flavor." His mind was racing with ideas, but one though distracted him from the designs... A nagging reminder of his responsibility to his people and family. 

Xavier pondered silently for a few moments before looking up to meet her gaze, his expression worried. "I need to think about this. Questions will be raised with the sudden production and the timing surrounding the pilgrimage is suspicious as well. I have to put my family first." He nodded to himself as if to confirm his thoughts. "I empathize with your desire, Jasmine, but I have duties. The one to my family will always come first."
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet 
Xavier's Private Study, Provincial Delekou

Jasmine stood up, a gentle, understanding smile on her face. "I know it will, and I greatly admire you for that." The smile fell a bit as she placed the teacup on the tray that the servant had previously brought it in on, which laid on Xavier's desk. She took a deep breath in. It was finally time for her to leave and go home. She was glad.

She turned back to Xavier. "If you do decide to make the filters," She said quietly, "I do not mind vouching that you were waiting to hear my thoughts on it, or that I even encouraged you to begin rapid production to use the pilgrimage as its first testing phase." Though refined and with a gentle air, Jasmine was known to be headstrong sometimes. Her convincing Xavier into production would not surprise Elroy.

She reached over and put a hand to Xavier's shoulder. "You are a good man, Xavier. That is why I felt I could ask you for your help." A sadness fell over her as she thought of Elroy. How she wished she could be so honest with him. She stood up straighter, however, focusing on the matter at hand. "I believe that together, we could make a impact. I would not ask you if I did not think it important, but I will respect your decision, no matter what you chose.

"Here," She said, her voice now very, very quiet. She reached again into her blouse and pulled out a wooden pendant. It was moderately large in size, circular and flat. Smooth and with no visible lines. Plain and not very eye-catching, and it held no connection to Jasmine. Hence why she brought it. "You must stick a needle into this hole," She explained, pointing to a barely noticeable crevice on the side of the pendant. "Then, you must push your finger against the small circle on its side, very hard. Inside, you will find what you need to conduct your experiments, should you decide to help me. And if you chose not, well...

...
Her eyes glanced over at the fire in a knowing fashion. He could simply burn the evidence.

"I know you will make the right decision," She said gently, placing the pendant into Xavier's hand. "Please, consider all the variables. Think of how much I have planned for this, and the precautions I have taken. I know you will do what you think is right." And she did. Xavier was not a selfish man, but he was worried for his family. That was something he and Elroy shared, she supposed. A protectiveness, a loyalty to their family.

Another pang of homesickness hit her, and Jasmine realized it was time to leave. Turning back to Xavier, she gave him one last look. With her heels, they were roughly the same height. Perhaps this was the last time she would see him. If she was found out because of her actions, it was very possible.

A bittersweet smile crossed her face before she leaned over and gave him a small, soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for everything," She said, smiling at him. Even if he did not do as she asked, she was glad to have someone to talk to. Someone who had listened to her, and who understood. It made her feel less alone, if only a little.

She took a step back, arms folded, a pleasant but neutral expression returning to her face. "It is time for me to take my leave and head home. I will let Elroy know that you and your family are doing well. He will be very glad to hear it."