Xara seemed almost relieved at Lydia's appearance and used it as an excuse to make an escape,<strong> "Lady Verde d'Thithe, Lord Willim ir'Thithe, I'd like to introduce you to one of my bunk-mates, Lydia.  Lydia, the good lady has been waiting for you, so I thank you both, but I shall take my leave." </strong>With a slight bow that made her silver dress shimmer, Xara turned and left, her priest of Cyril close behind her.  Lady Verde bowed slightly at Lydia's courtsey.<br/><br/>She smiled and said,<strong>"You may call me Verde if we're to be using first names.  I must say, I think it was destiny that guided us to you.  My husband Willim and I were standing near your tube when you rose, and I think it was a sign!" </strong>She was nodding excitedly.  To her side her husband nodded as well, and his gaze was eyeing her up, but Lydia got the impression that it was not as cold and calculating a look as the count from earlier.  No there was some heat, some desire, in his gaze.<br/><br/>He nodded,<strong>"Yes, if you believe in such things."</strong><br/><br/>The lady Verde lightly slapped her husband on the arm,<strong>"Everyone believes in such things Willim, don't be obtuse." </strong>Then turning back to Lydia she explained,<strong> "Our wife could not attend with us, she is due to give birth to our second child in but a month's time."  </strong>Lydia nodded, the world had progressed beyond the ideal of one man and one woman as a marriage.  There were more women born then men, and so the natural evolution had affected society as well.  Some even said this was further proof of Pandora's corruption on the land, though one did not say it blithely, as it was quite offensive to those who practiced bigamy.<strong>"But only last night Elva, that's our wife of course, woke in the middle of the night from a strange dream.  She swore that the dream was prophetic, and that it meant something."</strong><br/><br/>Lord Willim nodded and took over the narrative,<strong>"She claimed that in the dream a host of angels showed her that this year one contestant would change our lives.  The angels spoke a rhyme to Elva, one she made us memorize before we came.  It went like this," </strong>he cleared his throat politely as his gaze took in Lydia,<strong>"A beautiful young lass, with hair of red touched with brown, from humble beginnings, but at home in silken gown.  Proud of mind, and with considerable skill, for family Thithe, fortunes gambled, future held, to her unbroken will."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"So, you can see why we were excited to see you when you rose from the tube!  It was like we were meant to stand in that exact spot.  Tell me dear Lydia, do you think you will be our champion this year?" </strong>She smiled sweetly and then added with a nod towards the private alcoves,<strong> "and are you willing to spend a little of your time getting to know us better if so?"</strong>