<hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/6f/Oswald.png)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Oswald Hardinger<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>The Collegium (Chairman)<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 3rd, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Morning<br/><strong>Location:</strong>The London Royal Apothecary<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Agatha, Elisabeth, Onneca<br/><hr/>Oswald reappeared from the bakery down the road, a fresh loaf of bread and a small tin of butter in a woven satchel under his arm.  He took a confident step back towards the assembled ladies, but slowed as he approached, remaining off the deck without any kind of express invitation.  He doffed his top hat, bowing low, a sweat-shined bald head bared by the polite gesture.<br/><br/>“Ladies,” he smiled.  “I – I hope you can forgive the intrusion.  I was hoping for a few moments of your time, and – well, I hoped not arriving empty-handed might endear me enough to be able to join you for some tea and... some candid conversation.”<br/><br/>He gave a small, tight frown.  “I fear this town is going to become less tolerant of its scientifically minded denizens.  In the past, we have endured by sticking together.  I hope you would be willing to hear me out, and … if my proposals are not to your liking, that we can part with mutual respect, at least.”<br/><br/>He scratched at his scalp, looking almost nervous before them.  Certainly, he was coming as a supplicant rather than respected town elder.  After a moment, he seemed to remember.<br/><br/>“Oh, and I have brought bread.”  He moved to offer it, blushing lightly.