Gerald
**Tyras Vandel
City Streets of Jezera, Astoria**

Tyras tried to enjoy the show but flashed Natalia a puzzled look at her comment about mages in public. Before he could speak on it, the local anti-magic matriarch made her presence known. "Speaking of the old hag..." He muttered in annoyance. "Maybe we should leave."
Joseph
**
Natalia Vena
City Streets of Jezera, Astoria**

For someone opposed to magic, she did seem to appear as if by it every time something like this came to light. She'd heard more than her fair share of soap box speeches from the woman. Her mother used to insist on it to ground her children in reality, and not let them partake in the sin of magic. Astoria was liberal, to say the least, and while the Vena protege didn't _hate_ magic users, she certainly was uncomfortable at the idea of them having such an obvious upper hand in most situations. 

"Have you heard her speak before?" Natalia asked instead, glancing to Tyras. "She makes herself known, what does the Lord-to-be think of the woman? Surely you'll have the.." She paused, uncertain on the right word "Pleasure... Of working with her in the future."
Gerald
**Tyras Vandel
City Streets of Jezera, Astoria**

"She hasn't been around when I've presided over meetings in my father's stead, but my father has dealt with her on more than one occasion, and a kind word was never spoken of her." The crowd seemed torn between the loud-mouthed shrew and the mage who did his best to perform while ignoring her. "Why am I never allowed to enjoy anything?" He mumbled bitterly.
Joseph
**
Natalia Vena
City Streets of Jezera, Astoria**

Tyras mumbled something, and she could feel the crowd turning with the dissidence Marcia was brewing. "C'mon." She urged, reaching for Tyras' elbow carefully. "We should go, before we're put in the middle of this and asked to pick a side." She murmured, curling her fingers a bit to catch his attention in case he'd not heard her over the crowd and the performance
.