Tehr nodded,<strong>"What was beneath the coverings is no secret, and it was covered for your sake.  I do not mind sharing with you what it is, but did not want you exposed to it without fore warning.  Certainly you recall the particular and somewhat unique bent my magic takes." </strong>He paused letting them recall the time he'd cast his spell of arousal on the both of them as they sat at the chess board,<strong>"Well what lies beneath that covering is a statue, one imbued with the magic that I weave.  It was... hmmm...."</strong>He paused and tried to think of how best to say it.<strong>"I don't want to say that it was a failed experiment in magical item creation, for it works well at what it does.  But maybe a magical trinket that has less value or use then I would have hoped?  Yes, let us go with that.  Keeping the object covered suppresses the magic for it only affects people who can view it at a relatively close distance.  It's quite harmless, but I would not want you to be put under it's magical effects without knowledge of what it did.  For as much as I am looking forwards to knowing the both of you intimately, I wish also that any physical exploration of each other would be done with your fore knowledge and with your consent.  Not simply because you pulled a cloth away from a magical statue."</strong><br/><br/>He shrugged his shoulders and smiled,<strong>"I hope all of that makes sense, and would say that if you do wish to experience the effects or see the item in question, you are very welcome to do so.  Now that you know what it is, it is your choice and I would feel no guilt over showing it to you, perhaps with the caveat that we close the door first, for your own modesty." </strong>His grin widened and he waggled his eyebrows in a rakish and hopefully charming way.<br/><br/><strong>"I'm glad you enjoyed my workshop, and yes, for a wizard like myself and my apprentice Alex, it's an intensely personal space.  More so then any other room in the house.  It again shows your intelligence and wisdom to recognize that.  The servants do not enter there, save Angelique who is one of my oldest and most trusted friends, not just a servant.  Other than she and my sister, I think the lady Rosalyn has seen it twice, but no one else in my home has.  Not only is it very private and personal, but also it can be quite dangerous for those not familiar with the arcane arts.  Even a simple touch could ruin hard to obtain spell components for example, or a simple jostle on a table could spill ink that would cost me as much as a jeweled ring to replace.  As such I hope you understand the faith and trust I put in both of you to show you that area, it is a deeply private and personal area. "</strong><br/><br/><strong>"In regards to the Solarium, it is a comforting place to rest or take a meal, though I am sure you have one like it at the Saari compound.  It is amusing to me what people find most interesting.  The lady Rosalyn for example loves the gardens but also the conservatory, the plant life growing carefully, nurtured indoors and behind glass.  My sister loves this game room and the outdoor gardens, for the outdoor space reminds her of our home.  My apprentice Alex seems to be happy anywhere that my sister is of course, but also enjoys this game room.  The lady Emily d'Ravos feels very comfortable in the lounge when she visits for tea.  Rosalyn's father, the Duke Caleor enjoyed the wide open spaces and marble flooring of the grand hall beleive it or not, and I think it was that he enjoyed the central feeling of the space, as if surrounded by everything else, and enjoying the open air two floor access to the upper floor above."</strong>Tehr shrugged,<strong>"I suppose I'd have a hard time picking a favorite spot, for I have spent a fair amount of coin and much of my own effort in planning the reclaiming this home from the overgrown shambles it was when the queen gifted it to me.  Though you bring up an excellent point Marie.  There is a feeling of freedom and secrets about Hewthorne Hall, and I hope that is a good thing.  Each member of my home, be they noble or servant, has their own life, their own experiences.  I respect that, and I respect everyone who calls this their home.  What desires and dreams may be carried in their hearts should have the potential to flourish, so long as they do not harm the others in this place.  I feel very protective of those who live here, and I am a lucky man that the queen herself recognizes that desire, and has posted royal guards to supplement my own small guards that live in the bunkhouse.  For I think that while Londinium is a safer place then it was a few months ago, we must remember that there will always be those ready to do harm to us for ill gain."</strong><br/><br/>He sighed and shook his head,<strong>"I pray that the dark days of recent are past us and we are moving to a brighter future.  The trading company will expand the sights of Brittania to the horizon I think.  Likewise the extending of an open hand in friendship to those who have wronged us like members of the church of the one god, as well as old friends forgotten in recent years like the elves, dwarves, and halflings, these things will strengthen our nation.  But I fear that I am preaching now, and most likely boring such women as yourselves with my own dreams and desires.  So instead let me ask you this?  After seeing my home, after having made an agreement with your matrons, knowing that we have a few months to get to know each other, in our heads and hearts as well as in the bed-sheets.  What can I do to bring comfort and gladness to the both, or to either of you, in this moment?  For as my guests it is my deepest desire to see you both well satisfied in any and all respects."</strong>