<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/05/Graham_Ellery_1.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Graham Ellery</strong></span></div></div><div class="floatleft">(http://)</div>Meg would not be familiar with this particular meeting room. Unlike the one they had shared information in earlier that day, this was a much smaller room. Most likely intended for more informal meetings, or simply fairly comfortable discourse, it had a relaxed atmosphere about it. It could very easily double for a living room if not for the large table, desk and a closet with glass pane doors that housed all manner of parchment, books and writing supplied. Warm colors permeated the room, especially after a servant had gotten a fire going in the fireplace. It immediately formed the centerpiece of the room, drawing all eyes to it and the large painting that hung above it. It depicted what could only be the last generation of the Ellery family. None of the face but a very young Graham's would appear familiar to Meg; which implied some rather depressing, albeit relatable things. Surrounding the fireplace were a number of regular chairs and armchairs, as well as a coffee table carved with rather lovely, floral patterns. It wasn't quite up to the standards of the kind of professional carpenter or artist someone of noble standing could afford, but the one who made it did know what they had been doing. Keepsake of a related hobbyist maybe?<br/><br/>Whatever the case, Graham entered the room, closing the door behind him once Asher had joined them. He felt like dismissing the man outside, but Meg would understand the need to keep somewhat hushed tones, and the sitting area was far enough from the heavy door to dim their carried voices. Before he could even utter a single word, though, the woman had already turned to face both men with renewed resolve in her eyes. She had been lacking that shine in her hues outside, but it reminded him of what he had seen in them during earlier meetings. She had enormous force of character whenever she wished to exhibit it. Not everyone would tackle this sensitive issue so headfirst and refreshingly honest. As Asher chimed in, the young lord walked over to one of the windows, beside which was a table with glasses and various alcoholic beverages laid out across its surface. He began to pour all three of them something to drink, whether the others were thirsty or not. It gave him an excuse to remain somewhat silence as he pondered how to handle this situation without having to rely on taking her at her word completely. He wanted to help her, and so far he believed she was innocent, but that did not mean he trusted her.<br/><br/><strong>"As Asher stated. Judging by your behavior, you must know that these kinds of... relationships, are frowned upon, especially in our circles. We could probably have gotten away with not advertising it for the whole world to see - making it a public secret - if not for the fragility of this House. This would be yet another stain our rivals could use to drive the last nail in our coffin in terms of influence. We would be social pariahs,"</strong> it was evident from Graham's tone of voice - grim, strained and stern - that he did not like to speak of his passionate romance like it was something poisonous. But, in their case, it really could spell the end, so they would play along. He lifted two of the glasses he had filled and walked over to Meg and Asher in turn, handing them the containers, before returning to the window to fetch his own. He remained there, staring out the glass barriers to admire what little land he had left as it was pelted by moonlight.<br/><br/><strong>"Your discretion is paramount. If you want our help, you need to keep this to yourself, or it would destroy any hope of us convincing anyone of your innocence,"</strong> after some careful consideration, he had decided to come at it from an angle that tended to help persuade just about anyone. He assumed she cared primarily for her own goals, like so many others. Perhaps not actively, but at least subconsciously. That angle was a very simple one: hammer home that it couldn't possibly be in their best interest to use what they know as a bargaining chip. In her case, ratting them out would amount to hacking her own leg off.<br/>The stern lord raised his glass to his lips and took a sip, before finally turning to face those in the room. He leaned to the side, onto his arm on the windowsill as the conversation moved on.<br/><br/><strong>"If you have any judgement to levy towards the two of us, leave it at the door,"</strong> in all honesty, he had no idea how she felt, personally, about something like this. Did she condemn it? Approve of it? Not care one way or another? It made him nervous. She was now entrusted with their greatest secret and they had only known her for a very short amount of time. Who knew what she might do with this? He did not want to threaten her to silence her; he could not. It was not how he was raised and not how his Uncle taught him to use the powers his station offered. Besides, it had been his own fault for now closing those blasted curtains when he'd first noticed they were open. Asher had a way of being... distracting.</div>