<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)"><i><span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'">Ian, The Teacher</span></i></span></span>​</div><br/>Ian was surprised at her boldness. But he recovered quickly, and they spoke for a bit. Exchanging further pleasantries. They spoke of nothing serious. Testing each other, as all nobles do. After a few minutes of back and forth, Ian felt he had a good grasp of her personality. And no doubt she felt the same. He could gather that she's sly and well spoken, with a hint of teasing and sexual tension to undertone it all. As cleaver as pretty. He could admit a battle of words with her would end in his lose. So, he'll use a different tactic. Deciding to cut to the heart of his visit, Ian spoke honestly and genuinely.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"Baroness, i've a few matters to discuss with you of a more sensitive nature."</span>Ian intoned formally. On his list of duties for this visit. He needed to speak on the behalf of the goblin girl, as well as Asterrio and people in their situations. And request a few traveling wagons.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">But he'd underestimated her.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)"> "Oh? Perhaps we'd better suit in private then Count."</span>Astrea countered just as formally. But her smile and tone belied her words. A few hovering nobles snickered at her innuendo. Ian felt his cheeks prick in warmth at her jest.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"I'd never imply that. I just have a few matters of import with you." </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"You'd 'never'." </span>She left the word open ended, and Ian could see the insult in his mistake behind her pout.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)"> "That's not what i meant." </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Of course not David. We know that. And you're a very busy man. Too busy to visit without summons."</span>Ian could feel the eyes of the people around him now, watching and listening. He'd made a mistake in not visiting right away.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Come, we've arranged a ball for your arrival. You can make it up to me with a dance." </span>Ian couldn't think of a good way to turn her down, so acquiesced. The gaggle of people slowly shuffled their way further into the estate. Eventually arriving to the ballroom. As they enter the beautiful rustic ballroom floor, music began to kick up near the rear of the room. Servants flittered around, accepting suit coats and jackets from the nobility. Woman slipped from heels to dancing shoes, and intricately designed masks were handed out.<br/><br/>Ian looked down to his mask of brass and pearl. Looking to Astrea in confusion.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"I forgot you're not local, my grandmother's custom. Masks are to be worn during formal dance occasions such as these. My mother continued the tradition, and so have i."</span>With that, she set her own mask of brass onto her face. Extending her hand out to him.<br/><br/>Ian idly waved away a servant asking for his worn wheat-colored coat. He was sure if he gave to the servants, it'd be thrown away or even burned in a fire considering how worn down it was. They'd feign that they lost it, and offer him a brand new one of outstanding material. Probably silk. But he liked his coat, he traveled in it for weeks. Even if it meant going against etiquette he'd wear it to dance. Looking down at the mask again, Ian shrugged and settled it onto the bridge of his nose. Taking her hand, Ian whisked into dance.<br/><br/><div class="bbCodeSpoiler">
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</div><br/>The first song was a classic, one everyone, even the children knew well. It set the tone for a introductory tempo as well, letting everyone break in their hips and shoes. The group was well versed in dance as well, so from the outside looking in, it was a mesmerizing flow of movement. Each pair knowing the correct movement for each note and beat. Ian's coat was long and out of place in the setting, nearly scraping the ground in it's length, and blatantly inappropriate, but despite that the pair had no issues dancing with it. The sharp twists and turn of movement, making it billow out behind him. No one dared question his choice of attire. They could joke, but he did outrank them.<br/><br/>Ian and Astrea danced a song or two with few words between, enjoying the motion and atmosphere. As they descended into a slower, third song, Ian asked.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"Astrea of those matters a spoke of earlier. . ." </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"You are persistent David. I like that."</span>She grinned to break his seriousness. Ian matched it with a smile of his own.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Please, speak your heart David."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"You know of my journey here and for it's being."</span>She nodded.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"Then i'll be forward. I've a request and a demand for you.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#fac51c">My request, please provide me with a few traveling wagons and strong horses. So we can make our way south quickly. We'll barely make it in time for next semester even with them. Also. There's a goblin girl who wishes to test for the scholarship, i think you know who i'm speaking of. My demand is that she be admitted to test, without your retribution, or revenge to friends or family." </span><br/><br/>He could see surprise, concern, frustration, and acceptance flit across her visage at his words. They continued in concert for a few moments silently. Ian could see the thoughts churn behind her eyes, and remained quiet. She most likely wasn't prepared for him to be so blunt and forward here. But it seemed the only way to put her off guard.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)"> "I see. Asterrio told you a lot. He is your student. I'm afraid i can't honor either of those David." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"And why is that?"</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#20b2aa">"I would love to help you, but i don't have many good horses left, the quality of this northern waste is quite tough you see. Not fit for raising good animals. Perhaps if you could do something for me i could accommodate you and spare some."</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"And what would that be?"</span>Of course they wouldn't be for free.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Take me with you to White Castle."</span>Ian almost broke step at her ridiculous request.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)"> "Even if i wanted i can't, you know that. The King has banished your family here, i can't do-"</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"I know your father has his ear, as an Earl he can do that much." </span>Ian thought quickly of it. His father could request a pardon for the Silvid family. But was it worth it for him to request that of his father? There would be consequences.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)"> "The wagons, horses, and goblin girl."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)"> "No, just the wagons, horses, and i." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"Reconsider, i'm the only chance you have out of Ashburn. If you don't then you'll be in Ashburn here for the rest of your life."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)"> "And so will that filthy creature."</span>Ian could see the vindictive truth in her expression. She would call this bluff. He'd have to sweeten the pot.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"I-" </span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"And what of your apprentice."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"Wha- Dayyan?"</span>The change of subject had him off balance.<br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"He was to be here at my summons. Yet, only you came."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"He's no noble, Astrea. You only wanted me anyways." </span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"A commoner ignored the summons of a noble then? Even as a Baroness i have my pride here to consider. Shall we have him executed or perhaps have his entire family <i>banished for generations</i>? Or will you take responsibility for your ward."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"What do you want then? Out with it. All of it too, what are your intentions."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Elevation to the rank of count, a pardon for my family. And admission to White Castle. As well as your private tutelage."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(250, 197, 28)">"No. Even we can't do all of that." </span>Astrea pursed her lip in annoyance. Before she could refute him he counter offered,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#fac51c">"But if you allow the goblin girl to test, on top of my other request, i may be able to accommodate you." </span><br/>They stared each other down while shuffling, chests pressed in close to each other and breaths mingling.<br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"We'll talk more of this at dinner." </span><br/><br/>Ian blinked away a bead of sweat. He'd lost track of how many songs had played, their conversation so heated. But he knew at least a few had passed. Looking around he could see everyone was winded. But afraid to quit as neither himself or Astrea had stopped. Agreeing with her. Ian watched as Astrea called an end to the ball and guided everyone to the dining room. He would lose a lot in this deal. But every time he thought of backing out he saw the young woman burst into tears and flee Asterrio's home. Her dream had been snatched out from under her. Like so many others. He wasn't giving her a guaranteed spot, but to give that girl a chance at her dream at least. It would be worth it. Even if it meant Astrea sinking her claws in him, or he himself sinking into debt to his father. As they filled in. Ian took the seat to the Baroness' right. And made sure the seat to his right was unoccupied for Dayyan. Servants began filtering in with meals.<br/><br/><div class="bbCodeSpoiler">
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