Kevin
Danico Felrantres
Vallen, Taemar

"*Heh*.. Fate" The alchemist mutters under his breath amidst heaving the table, followed by carefully retrieving the name placards and decorations that had fallen on the floor- nearly obsessively replacing them in the exact place they were in prior to taking a floor dive.

"Though the idea of fate escapes me, I, too, would much rather be in a library than having the judging eyes of nobility burning the hairs off the back of my neck." Danico inspects Serafina with curious eyes, though her dress tells of nobility and importance, her words struck a tone of knowledge, wisdom and experience. Of course, studying for a noble was easy in their fancy libraries, but not just anyone would go out of their way for such.

"Oh?" He responds to the woman's admittance of curiosity, making sure his shirt remains tucked into his belt. "You *Could* Say I am both of those things." His eyes follow the hand of the woman, taking note of the scars that cover her hand. Odd, for sure, he'd be likely to ask about it later as it most certainly sparked *His* Curiosity. Though asking about someone's scars- no matter how unusually arranged they may be- would likely draw the ire of the questionee. 

"I'd much rather be labelled an Alchemist- Specifically, I dabble in all aspects of alchemical research." He raises a hand to shift his mask back into place, a small cloud of smoke escapes from underneath as a couple of servers bring the bog bread to their newly-fixed table. "Ahh.. Just in time..." Danicos words were made with a sense of sarcasm at the sight of the food. *"Typical"* He thought, this is Taemar after all.
Michael
Serafina - Magistrate Wisdom to House Terresol
Castle Grunewald, Vallen 
"The idea may escape you, but I sincerely doubt the experience has." The Wisdom returned, righting chairs that had been knocked over and placing them in their proper positions. "A tingle of excitement, the inquiring mind, an intuitive push to perform an action." She paused thoughtfully. "Have you ever felt drawn to a book without reason? It may be related to your field, certainly, but it was not the topic of current study? Yet, upon reading, you made a connection you may have missed otherwise. Is such an occurance coincidence or were you guided to the information by another hand?" A smile had gradually formed as she spoke of the common occurrence in her own life. While fate was not who she would give the credit to for her discoveries, she was aware not everyone believed so strongly in the gods and their power.

Upon the arrival of the Taemarian delicacy, Serafina gracefully lowered herself into a chair, opposite of Danico, crossing her legs and leaning against the plush fabric backing as he continued to speak. '*A truly inquisitive mind.*' Serafina was familiar with the basic tenants of Alchemy thanks to her studies alongside masters Terresol House of Wisdom, but her expanded knowledge was limited given her preference for other topics. She chuckled as the smoke that had been suffocating at the edges of the mask were finally released and watched it rise. The floral incense was a welcome respite from the bog bread in front of her, which was giving off a less inspiring smell. As if the smell were not enough to put off the attendees, the sight of the gray, resilient mass on her plate served to make her stomach twist at the thought of it passing her lips. If Serafina hadn't known better she would have sworn the food was a reflection of their worship of the Old Masters who focused solely on the death, rot, slime, slugs, and death. "*May Reuben help me endure this tragedy of a feast.*" She begged silently.

"I'll admit my knowledge of the subject is limited." She took a sip of the blood wine as she collected her thoughts. "But do you have a subject that fascinates you more than another? Seeking immortal life, or perhaps you'd prefer something to cure ailment such as the Panacea?" The last item was a targeted suggestion. There was no reason to consistently burn incense or herbs inside a mask unless he was a seer or trapped in an impaired body. She had a feeling it was the latter given his lack of belief in fate. "Or, are you are like others, wishing for wealth and thus study the transmutation of metals?"
Edith
**Wilhelmina Ulster**
**Regretting her life choices in a tavern, Vallen, Taemar**

Far outside the castle in a tavern, Wilhelmina eyed the undrunk glass of alcohol before her. She had never fancied drinking, but she was seriously considering it. She had successfully pissed off the king of Taemar, gotten banished from the council before it had even begun, and cut off the Iron Plaines from trade with its largest source of food, likely damning the already inundated populace to starvation as farming was nigh impossible that far north. She had none of her belongings, save for the dirty funeral attire she had escaped castle Barrmount in. What could she do? Return to the Iron Plaines and potentially face death at the hand of Nathaniel Vivayn and his men, or return to the castle and beg to be heard, and immolate the last shreds of dignity she had left? Would the Council *Actually* Have done anything to save them from the plight of Vivayn? Likely not. As far as she knew, she had no allies in Taemar, and her allies in the Iron Plaines might have been very well dead. It was very fitting for the Councilor of Agriculture to be dirty, without allies, and disparaged. She reflected the state of the country that she had so *Gracefully* Screwed over. "I'm sorry, Ladies Barrmount." She whispered to herself. "I have failed you. I have failed the Iron Plaines, and I have failed the people" She decided to take a swig of the whiskey, and nearly coughed it up. The stuff tasted simply vile and it burned her throat on the way down, so she pushed the glass away. No getting drunk for her, it seemed.
Charles
Belladonna of Taemar
Absolute fuckery of an event even juicier than she thought, Valen

The sorceress dark eyes wandered around the room, landing on a feminine looking boy that approached her and the Lady she was accompanying. The words that came out of his mouth were spoken in such a voice that made her suspicious. 

"Oh good luck at trying to get her off that table, my good sir" She replied, with amusement in her face, as she saw him looking at her for help "May I ask your name?"
Kathleen
Valentine Godwin
Slowly loosing her ability to keep calm, Vallen

Viola, when taking Valentine's name, usually managed to stay confident and convicted. However, with a lady standing atop a table and another looking at her with a strange look (she could only assume it was amusement at her helplessness) she could feel her confidence waning.

With the dark haired girl's words and one last look up to the lady on the table, she dropped her hand and stood back a little from the table. She was sure that if the lady refused help she would either fall (and break nothing more than a nail) or be carried by someone much more able than herself so it seemed there was little danger.

She turned to the dark haired lady, face now turning as red as her hair as she gave a small bow,"Lord Valentine Godwin-or-or Professor if you're so inclined." She spoke, quickly as if afraid the other would move on before she could finish speaking. She straightened once more and held a hand out to kiss the other's,"And what may I call you, my lady?"

*Smooth, Viola, smooth*.
Sarah
Arin Cragton 
Taemar 

Arin grinned and shrugged. "It seems that everything has a larger meaning these days." He said, taking a sip of the wine that was passed around. He settled into his chair, unfazed by all of the royalty sitting around him. 

"So what is your name?" He asked, glancing over at her.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

"Tell me about it..." A sigh scaped her lips as she spoke, thinking 

Her sore muscles were not being able to relax after what she just witnessed an instant ago. She was glad for being able to finally sit on a chair, but not so much of the company around her.

"Huh? Oh, yes. I'm Anna, Lady Anna Barrmount. And you sir?"