Tehr looked at Alex, wearing his most often chosen guise, that of a somewhat effeminate but obviously male human mage.  Tehr had long ago gotten used to this guise, and knew that the true form of Alexandria d’Hesfal was actually rarely seen.  Very rarely did Alexandria drop any of her guises and show her pale skin, lank white hair, and grey pupilless eyes that showed her changeling heritage.  No, the male guise of Alex was the default, and Tehr had no problem with that.  In a sense it was strange, because Alex was a good apprentice, eager to learn, but patient at the pace that Tehr took things.  Alex would shift into a feminine form, or even ‘his’ true form at Tehr’s request, and so Tehr rarely made such demands of the noble that had come to work by his side.  But since Alex was often in male form, not ‘his’ natural female form, it made sense that ‘he’ would be in his male guise when guests arrived.  Why would Alex mention that as if it were a reason to steer clear of the gathering of women?<br/><br/>Tehr pondered it for a moment as he cast a simple cantrip of prestidigitation a few times, lifting the water out of his rain soaked clothing.  Alex and Christina had become very close in recent weeks.  Christina had found in Tehr’s apprentice a confidentant almost as good as that of the elven maid Rosalyn, but also a lover who was far more socially acceptable than the secret incestuous affair that Tehr and Christina sometimes indulged in.  Likewise Alex had been indulging in ‘his’ feminine side a little more often with Christina, going out in a female form to do things that women did, shopping and social events where a man would be out of place.  Tehr hadn’t been paying too much attention to it, but had seen Alex wearing various other guises, of either gender, lately.<br/><br/>So why would Alex have felt uncomfortable joining the three women in the dining hall?  Tehr wondered if the changeling was feeling pressure of sexual exclusivity.  Alex and Christina had slept together numerous times, and that was an open secret in the house.  Certainly Tehr approved of it.  But of Emily d’Ravos and Rosalyn d’Caelor, could that be the reason?  Alex knew that Tehr and Emily sported about sexually from time to time, and also knew that Tehr fancied Rosalyn, though nothing yet had happened between them sexually.  Was Alex possibly attracted to one of them?  Or maybe Tehr was just overthinking it.  Maybe Alex simply didn’t want to intrude on what might be ‘girl talk’ and risk harming his disguise in front of Emily.<br/><br/>Tehr smiled and thanked Alex,<strong> “An elven miss you say?” </strong>He could think of only one elven woman other than Rosalyn who would feel comfortable enough to take a bath in his home.<strong>“A warrior by the name of Tera perhaps?”</strong><br/><br/>Alex nodded and Tehr felt a smile creep across his lips.  He hadn’t seen her in a few months since she left his employ.  It was good that she felt comfortable returning as a friend, and he was eager to see what brought her back to Hewthorne Hall.  But if Angelique was keeping an eye on her, then he would let her bathe in peace.<br/><br/>Instead he went to the chamber of the dining hall and knocked on it loudly before stepping into the doorway,<strong>“Greetings m’ladies.  I do not wish to intrude, and will leave you in peace if you desire it.  But if that be the case, I beg you join me in the Living room when you are done, for I have news from the palace I wish to discuss.  But it can wait until the needs of your secretive gender are done with whatever gossip might be in the process of being spun at the moment.”</strong><br/><br/>He offered a coy smile to the room, sending Emily a wink as well.  He was very rarely serious when it came to such matters as making fun of the female gender, for everyone here knew how seriously he took them.<br/>