<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/>He blew out a breath, and nodded.  Instead of arguing point for point, the lead scientist was well used to Socratic discussions.  When he wasn't speaking, he leaned forward, listening intently.  He sipped at his tea, and nibbled at the bread, only briefly distracted from his intense focus by an appreciative glance at the bread, the honeyed slice's exquisite taste taking him by surprise for a moment.  Then he returned his focus to Agatha, gaze shifting over to Onneca as she spoke, and finally settling on Elisabeth with a smile.<br/><br/>He smiled wider as Elisabeth made her faith in her friends clear, and then returned to address Agatha's final question.  “You and I – I believe we have not always seen eye to eye, and further, but I believe the things we can find ourselves agreeing on far outnumbers the things we will argue about,” he admitted.  “My chief concern right now – over pursuing some sort of revenge upon the Maze Rats – is to see that the members of the Collegium are<em>protected</em>and secure.  I have made it clear to Findley and Bilton that I will be expecting the members of the Collegium to vote with their conscience, at the election, not dictating or suggesting who they should or should not be voting for.  I personally cannot countenance a Sheriff who expects the law to be enforced when he is suitably financially encouraged to do so.”  He rubbed at his temples.  “My fear is that there will be... reprisals for my boldness, and for my refusal to tow the 'company line.'  Intimidation, and extortion, and that those most vulnerable would be those who make their living in the city and are either members of the Collegium or... friends of said members.”  He nodded towards Elisabeth.  “It is with that in mind – and even more, because I believe some fresh perspective, some fresh blood will help give us a perspective we have been lacking of late.”  His gaze slipped between Agatha and Onneca, and he leaned back in his chair.<br/><br/>“So I am eager to extend membership to you both.  Both for the arguments you can bring to bear, the new ideas, and the contributions you can make to science.  I am also – making a change to one of our policies in the past.  Previously, we've only allowed those members of the Collegium who've made significant contributions to the Collegium to actually live on the mesa – but we will be renovating a few of the rooms for our members to stay on an emergency basis.  Nothing terribly comfortable, I'm afraid, but... should you have reason to be concerned for your safety, it is our intention to provide a safe place to sleep, if nothing else.”  He cracked his knuckles, still looking uneasy and unsettled, then rubbing his hands together.<br/><br/>“And – as for the Maze Rats – I... I cannot help but think that you are right.  That perhaps at least diplomatic overtures, some kind of parley with them might stem the tide of bloodshed.  I doubt very much the Town Council would approve any such overtures, however... but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be accomplished.”  He pursed his lips and frowned.  “Ideally, we could find a third party who might be able to send some sort of message, requesting a discussion with one of the representatives.  I know very little about them, beyond that they have killed dozens of miners, all of them independent.  Perhaps there is something which drives their brutality, and we could discover the reason for so senseless a bloodshed, and put a stop to it.”<br/><br/>He frowned at the mention of Hunter.  “I like the man very much but... in the manner that I enjoy his company at tea, and I admire his respect for the law.  But... as you say, he may lack the necessary intestinal fortitude for the position.  While I like the idea of a meeting of the town's business owners … Findley is the head of the Gomorra Business Council.  I've no doubt he has intentions to call one, and soon, if nothing else to drum up support for Bilton.”