<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">Again, I am really sorry i waited so long to post.  I fought a really nasty sinus infection that hit me like a ton of bricks on monday.  I'm still all gross and snotty and stuffy, but im more back to myself then I was.  Sincere apologies for making you wait.</div></div><br/>"Oh, nothing is going to stop you from going to those types of parties.  I think the trick is getting an invite though, isn't it?  While you're a desireable escort to be sure,"  She grinned and winked, "and a dead sexy bitch at that.  The fact is that social status in the mages collective is important.  So who a person invites to certain social gatherings is as important as their current ranking, what they are wearing, and what sort of work they are doing for the collective."<br/><br/>She waved a hand dismissively, "Don't confuse it with high society, it's both better and worse than that.  It's almost as if the mages look at each other like they want to be socialites and play mockery at it.  But it's not as cutthroat as the games the noble houses back in the faded lands play.  If someone's esteem rises or falls in one event, it could be ack to it's previous levels in a month or less, not a permanent besmirching.  Also, the whims of the mages are fickle, often more valuing success and magical ability be it divine or arcane, then political clout or favoritism."<br/><br/>"But it's probably why you haven't been invited to the parties by anyone, despite your skills and reputation that you've started to build as a high class escort.  The current fashion trend..."  Hailton made a face like she'd just sucked on a lemon, "...is high necked robes that sweep the floor.  A distasteful garment, and utterly impractical in the heat of this city, meaning that most gatherings are scheduled for late at night, when the city is it's coolest.   It's one of the reasons when we first met, that I had just gone to bed shortly before sunrise."<br/><br/>Hailton reached out and squeezed Ylene's buttock, "I think you'd know better than to ask about a fraternization policy.  I think half of the collective has bedded each other honestly.  It's all very torrid in an incestuous way.  I hope it's not shocking to find out that I'm no exception.  But as for the rumors that people are unhappy, I'd say that's true and there's been a few voices calling for justice.  But there's more voices who are upset over Linfei's betrayal of Magus Kristen d'Nevein, so the ones who are upset are smart enough to keep their mouths shut and only talk out of the corners of their mouth in dark corners."