Thomas
Visionary Demetri Troiarus

Southern Pantheon House of Worship


Whether the person before him was a Vision, a Wisdom, or something else, Demetri did not know.  However a quick glance to the wringing hands showed that this person was far too nervous to be the Magistrate, surely the representative of the Southern Pantheon would be dignified.


The young person squeaked out a "This way," Before heading down a side hall.  The decorations were vibrant to say the least, but the theme was repetitive, even the style reminisced the previous artist in some way.  Surely this was what the artist wished to portray, but they all lacked personality, imagination, you couldn't tell anything about the artist after quick study, but that only birthed the desire to examine them further, to find the hidden message beneath the paint.


"L-lord?  Sir...?"  Demetri didn't realize he had stopped to do such an examination until his guide's voice pierced through,  "It's just through here. Forgive me I don't know how to address you."


"However you wish, but I do prefer 'Sir.'" Demetri acknowledged the door they gestured to and nodded.


"You have my thanks."  His nod deepened into a bow before he produced a small pulsing marble from inside his sleeve, "Please, a gift for you."


The hesitation was blatantly obvious on their face.


"Hmm, no, perhaps we should wait until after My Lord is welcomed."  He smirked before lifting his cane to knock on the Magistrate's door.  After a brief moment a reply came and he entered.


"Lady Magistrate," He bowed, "How good to finally make your acquaintance."
Louis
Bastien de Lysse
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

Bastien slowed Bear to a trot as he entered the Kolgrim Estate. It was a pleasant-looking building, very neat and trim. It was hard to believe that Sir Kolgrim was murdered only a few weeks prior at this very place.

*'I suppose Father would have sent a sympathetic note,* He thought as he dismounted, *'instead of a personal condolence.'* Normally, Bastien would have done similarly. Though knights were highly valued to the de Lysse family, Bastien seemed to think that his father saw them as a higher form of servants. Bastien, having known several knights on a more personal level, felt that they were acquaintances.

However, before he had left for Sol that morning, he overheard the Keep servants gossiping about how Sir Kolgrim was murdered on his daughter's birthday via poison. Bastien was previously unaware that Kolgrim has any children.

*'Too bad.'* Bastien shook his head. Sir Kolgrim's face has manifested in his mind. *'He was a good man.'*

*'Besides,* He thought as he handed Bear's reins to a surprised-looking servant, *'I'm already in Sol for troops. I might as well say something in person and save me the time of writing his daughter a letter.'*

Bastien straightened his posture, towering to his full height as he ran a hand through his unruly white hair before knocking on the door exactly four times.
Richard
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Kolgrim estate, Sol


Calypso was sitting in front of her vanity, fixing up her dark hair in a simple yet sophisticated hairdo, for the arrival of her unannounced guest. 
Unannounced and yet she knew of his coming. Of course, she knew. Calypso knew everything, her ears always on high alert to catch the quietest whisper.

She had known of his arrival the day before when a merchant had crossed path with him and referred it to the wife, who told it to her friends, one of them being a laundress working for her.
And Calypso also knew he would have come to her that same morning when the general told him about her father's tragic end, the two of them discussing his death, and one of the servants had heard them speak. 

Rumors run fast. Faster than a well trained horse. 

The young woman stood up from her seat passing a hand on her black dress to shoot any wrinkle. It was simple, lacking almost any garment or decoration, and yet she appeared not less elegant and enchanting than a noblewoman at a ball. The last touch: the black shier veil draped over her head, falling in front of her face, making her appear almost like a ghost. Her eyes already dark by nature, appearing almost lightless behind the dark curtain.

Looking outside her window she saw her guest enter her property. "Perfectly on time." Murmured her heading for the main room. She sits down on one o the sofa with a book in her hand but she didn't plan on reading it. A minute later, one of her maids arrived to announce her of a visitor. Calypso batted her long lashes and tilted her head, acting surprised "Well let him in!" Ordained her standing up ready to finally meet the long waited unannounced guest.
Louis
Bastien de Lysse
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

The first thing Bastien noticed when he walked in was the dark figure sitting on the sofa. It took him a moment to register that it was not a ghost but a young woman. A rather pretty young woman, in fact, holding a book. The servant left them after he had stepped in the room.

"Lady Kolgrim," Bastien said with a small bow of his head. His expression was neutral but polite. "I am Lord Bastien de Lysse. I've come with my condolences for your father, Sir Kolgrim." 

His dark eyes met her through the veil, and he saw her soft eyelashes flutter.

"Er-" He blinked before looking away- "Your father was a valued knight for the de Lysse," He said, looking down at her. She seemed so small, in those dark mourning clothes. "He was a good man."
Richard
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

Calypso kept her head low till the man, who had introduced himself as Bastien De Lysse called her name. Upon raising her gaze she gave a quick flutter of her eyes, making sure they would appear sad and lost. Her mind smiled as he lost track of his thoughts for a moment. Calypso had learned many years ago that w
A quick way to get a man to like her was to look like she
Needed him, and surely a young lord that decides to visit the mourning daughter of a man he probably didn't even know must love being of help for a sad young lady. 

The young woman didn't say anything, letting him speak. Observing him, even so subtle. Lord de Lysse could not be much older than her, his stare cold but her trained eyes could notice it was just a mask that he had momentarily lost when their gaze met for the first time. The man also towered over Calypso with ease. Good, it will make her appear even frailer in his eyes. Once he was done she gifted him a small, tired kind smile " He was ..." Not really. But he didn't need to know that "Your grace, your visit is greatly appreciated," Said her with the feeble voice of someone who has been crying for a long time, keeping her eyes low in modesty, "A man of your status must be terribly busy, and yet you find the time to visit a mourning daughter that you had never met." Calypso bowed, doing an elegant curtsy. "And by doing so you honor me and my humble home." 

Moving calmly, without rushing her movements like around a nervous horse, Calypso stepped by Lord the Lysse side, her gaze fixed low as she gently wrapped her slender fingers around his arm, her touch barely pressing on the fabric of his coat, " Join me for tea, my lord, let me offer you my hospitality, as a thank you for your gesture." And lifted her eyes on him again " Please." Begged her and started pulling him gently towards the dining room.
Louis
Bastien De Lysse 
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

Bastien's eyes narrowed instinctively as he watched Lady Kolgrim's hand reach for his arm. He was use to women, especially his bolder cousins, trying to find creative ways to gets their claws over him.

*'No,'* He thought as he made himself relax. *'She's mourning and is alone. Lady Kolgrim means no harm. She just wants someone to listen to her.'*

He knew the feeling well.

She barely touched him, which he appreciated. He felt ashamed to compare her to his cousins, especially in her black mourning clothes and sad eyes. *'I'm sorry,'* He told her silently. 

Though it was rather bold of her, Bastien let himself be led into the dining room. It took him a few seconds, yet again, to process what was happening.

"I have an engagement to attend," He finally said after too long a silence. He was not used to being in such situations. He wanted to leave.

Bastien glanced down at her and felt a wave of empathy. She looked so disheartened under her veil. So sad and feminine. Though he felt uncomfortable and had pressing matters to attend to, Bastien could not bring himself to refuse.

"However," He continued with an aloof tone, "I suppose a quick cup of tea will be fine if it does not take long."
Richard
Calypso Kolgrim
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

Bastien could not know that, but Calypso was observing his reaction to every small thing she did or say, calibrating her persona so that it would fit the idea he had created in his mind of her, the lonely sad little lady in need of company. That's why when he kindly made it present of being busy Calypso made a point of letting her shoulder drop, it was a small movement, barely noticeable but she knew he would notice.
"Oh, I see... Of course." Murmured her keeping her face turned to the other side so he would no see her. 

Her voice sent a message of sadness and sorrow, but her face was blank. She waited for a second before leaving his arm and turning to look at him again with that tired smile that made her lips look so pretty, just a glance before turning her eyes down to the floor again "Your lordship, I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to keep you from your duties." She sighed, very quietly, like she was trying to keep herself composed. "Your visit had been most appreciated and I know that my-" And here Calypso interrupted herself, mouth slightly agape and eyes glossy, crying on command is not nearly as complicated as people think it is "- my father... He would have been so honored, knowing you had blessed us with a visit." Her voice shaken but not too much! Never too much, the real trick lies in the details that form the picture. 

Lady Kolgrim clapped her hands and a servant appeared from a side door, " Please lead his grace to the door." Said her keeping that faint tremor in her voice, before turning one last time towards Bastien "It has been a pleasure to meet you my lord... I only wish it had been in different circumstances." She gulped, again with subtlety "And I pray that I'll get to meet you again and have that cup of tea together." And did another curtsy before turning on her heels and walk towards the dining room alone.
She started counting.
Louis
Bastien de Lysse
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

It took exactly six seconds for Bastien to react.

"Lady Kolgrim," He called with an admittedly annoyed tone, ignoring the servant who was waiting nervously beside him. No response. She had already disappeared into the other room.

*'Why must women be so difficult?!;;'* He thought in irritation as he went into the dining room.

"Lady Kolgrim," He repeated, his tone more polite but still with a decent bit of annoyance. A headache was thinking about coming on, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "If I say I can stay for a cup of tea," He said slowly as he sat himself down across from her, "I would appreciate it if you heed what I say instead of asking me to leave."
Richard
Calypso Kolgrim 

The Kolgrim Estate, Sol

Six seconds. This was a new record. When Bastien walked through the door of the dining room she was still giving him her back, hiding her satisfied smile. But she turned around as soon as he started speaking with her, canceling her smile and putting on a mask of polite confusion.
*Mh, that was not what I was hoping for.* Tough her disappointed, her face unaltered.

She didn't lower her gaze this time as she sits down directly in front of him. " With all due respect my lord," A small kind smile appeared on her lips "I had no intention to ask you to leave, as you say, but simply to not hold you further on your duties." And clapped her hands, a maid coming out of the kitchen. " Prepare us a cup of tea, the one with mint leaves in it." And turned back to the young Lord. 
"But since his grace insists so much on the matter who am I to deny it," Commented her.

She had shifted her persona again, holding herself differently, from mourning fragile girl to mourning tired woman. His idea of her was starting to move towards an image she didn't like, of a whiny little girl. She didn't need that. Now she moved with a bit more elegance and there it was more concealing in her eyes like many adults do to shield themselves from other's pity, putting up a slightly colder front. But the kind smile was still present on her lips, softening her face, dulling out the edges. 
"So, except comforting young mourning ladies, what other businesses bring you to Sol My lord?" Asked her, a tad of sarcasm on her tongue.
Louis
Bastien de Lysse
Kolgrim Estate, Sol

*'Women.'*

This one was complicated. More than he gave her credit for. He did not expect such a tart, blunt question from Lady Kolgrim, but he shrugged it off as a slip of the tongue. It amused him slightly, the almost audacity of her tone and question, but he kept a blank face out of courtesy.

"Nothing interesting, I'm afraid. Simply business." He shrugged, somehow making the gesture elegant. "Though out of all the young mourning young ladies I have visited," He continued lightly, "You are the first to attempt to pry into my affairs so quickly, Lady Kolgrim."
Richard
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Kolgrim Estate, Sol


*And how many of them killed their father?* 

Calypso let a small, calculated chuckle escape her lips at Lord de Lysse comment. 
Maybe he wasn't so gullible as she had thought. She just wished his face showed more of him. 
She sighed "If you had known my father better, then you would find us similar in that." A veil of sadness fell on her eyes as she mentioned the man, this time partially genuine. "Dancing around matters doesn't take anywhere and makes you waste time. " Her words strong but her voice so gentle and calm.

The maid came back from the kitchen holding a tray with a tea set sitting on top. The woman placed a cup in front of each of them and then poured the tea. The faint smell of mint filling the room. Calypso sighed content, this was her favorite tea. 
The young lady lifted the veil, now letting the light from the window hitting her face and reflect into her dark eye. 
She gracefully took the cup in her hand " There has been an awful amount of movement at the fort. The general seems worried." And took a long sip. " Do you happen to know something about it, your grace?" Asked her lifting her gaze again. A challenge maybe?

At that moment Calypso actually looked at him and it felt like if it was the first time. The dark veil despite being sheer, still affected her sight, especially how she saw colors. And now what she tough was a deep bleu revealed itself as purple. Fascinating. But she decided to not comment on it.