<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/Cx3ofPu.png)</div><strong>Who:</strong>Ixeor, Sovereign of the Realms Betwixt and Between<br/><strong>What:</strong>Clockwork? More like Borework...<br/><strong>When:</strong>Third Round<br/><strong>Where:</strong>The Manor District<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Losing the Book was of course a minor annoyance, but hardly one he can blame his creations for. If anything he blames himself; clearly he was not persuasive enough with the nobility. Or perhaps most awkward of all, none of them had it. Certainly a potential option, and one that has him spinning in circles within his lair pondering if it's worth attempting a tracking spell. No, no, best to continue focusing on his plans. It is clearly time to get more active within the political circuit. Consequently, he'd made plans for the next salon visit.<br/><br/>Even as he sends his beautiful creations out into the district to spread the joy of magic with various little enchantments, he himself settles in comfortably on a couch along with a rather fruity drink. The room is mildly stuffy, but around it are spread some of the most important nobles in the district--friends, allies, occasional rivals. They all walk in similar circles of course, having grown up together, so there's an air of civility even if one disagrees. An atmosphere he hopes to take advantage of.<br/><br/>As is his wont he's spinning threads of magic together and creating entertaining, soft, quiet fireworks and little shows of light playing across the walls. There's a lazy half smile on his lips even as his fellows drink and smoke and relax. A pair of his golems are moving about the room and offering drinks with mild illusions upon them, little fizzing things that enhance taste or pop or tickle the senses. All in effort to prove that magic's uses are legion. He knows, after all, that to secure the support of the nobles he will need to cater to them a bit. Truthfully he doesn't mind, and rather enjoys the chance to merely let go and make use of his power for little tricks.<br/><br/>At a nod to one of his oldest allies, the woman begins the gambit they'd pre-arranged. "I do adore your golems, Ixy. So much better than the clockwork I acquired from that Lakshmi woman. I swear, they're constantly breaking down!" She titters, waving a fan over her face. There's interest in the others, nobles sliding gazes between her and the golems. One of the others speaks, and Ixeor breathes a slight sigh of relief. "Aye, I had one try to deliver my tea up the stairs and it ended up falling backwards and breaking a set worth more than the clockwork itself." He's clearly appalled, and Ixeor smiles. "A shame, really, to have someone that delivers such inferior product in such a position, then." He muses. Another of his allies chimes in, smiling. "She doesn't view magic the way you do, Ixeor. Who does, really?" It's said almost condescendingly, a little patronizing, and that's intentional. Because while she comes off as teasing, those not on his side are considering it. There's a light in their eyes that has him siting back, explosions of light playing across the ceiling. "Do we know where the Lakshmi woman is from?" Another inquires, and Ixeor knows he has them.<br/><br/>It might damage the woman's reputation, perhaps even start to see her removed from the University leadership entirely. But there are others that would rise. Others focused more on pure magical expression as opposed to clockwork. "I don't have children, of course, but I do have to wonder what sort of education our future leaders are getting at the University with her in charge..." Ixeor wonders, and sees one noble purple in indignation. He hides a smile behind a teacup. This sort of coldbloodedness isn't his favored method, but needs must. Losing the Grimoire was tragic, so perhaps it is that he needs to pay more mind to the political side of things.