Dylan blushes, faintly. "Well, thank you for that. I don't know that I cut quite the figure of the dashing swordsman. But I suppose our fates are entwined, now, the sword's and mine."
Raphaela chuckles "Well you don't look like a book worm?" she offers?
Emma makes her way into the coffeehouse, her features thoughtful. Absently, she tugs gloves from each hand.
Dylan says, "Well, that's something my mother will be pleased to hear, at any rate."
Dylan smiles and sips his coffee.
Raphaela chuckles and waves at Emma "Hello."
Emma glances up from her gloves, offering Dylan and Raphalea a small smile. "Hello, Lady Raphaela, Lord Dylan."
Dylan rises, politely, and pulls out a seat. "Do join us, Lady Emma?"
Raphaela nodnods. "Please do."
"Thank you kindly," Emma says to both of them, moving to take a seat. "I hope you're both well?"
Raphaela nods "I am, thank you. And yourself?"
Dylan nods. "Quite well, thank you."
Emma sinks into a seat, smoothing her skirts as she does. "I'm quite glad to hear it," she replies to Dylan. She's distracted by the arrival of a server, from whom she orders, "Mint tea, please.""
Dylan says, "What news from your side of things, Emma? Raphaela and I have been discussing the perils of academia."
Raphaela chuckles "Indeed."
Emma shakes her head. "Remarkably little, really. Raphaela — Lady Raphaela, that is — I'd meant to tell you that I intend to speak to Duchess Feldane regarding our endeavor and a property for it." She gives Dylan a half-smile. "Perils of academia, hm?"
Raphaela chuckles "You don't have to lady me, Emma."
Emma gives a somewhat sheepish smile. "Thank you. I shall keep that in mind."
Raphaela smiles "It would be lovely, Feldane has many beautiful estates."
Emma inclines her head. "Indeed, it does. Let us see how generous my cousin, Her Grace, is willing to be." There's a wry note in her voice, but she doesn't elaborate.
Raphaela just grins "It should be interesting."
Emma's brows lift, briefly, her own smile widening toward a grin. "It shall, my lady, it shall."
Raphaela sips her coffee "Otherwise, do you think it will be possible to make such an establishment in this troubling times?"
"I think it is all the more important for these troubling times," Emma confides to Raphaela, though her tone includes Dylan in the conversation, as well. "We are all distressed. It is easy to forget that we are one people, in such circumstances. At least this way, the ladies will have a reminder that we are in this together, regardless of who we are."
Raphaela smiles and nods "You're right."
Emma adds, "I know it will seem frivolous to some. I am prepared to accept that criticism."
Raphaela says "I think it will be a lovely club."
Emma's smile is briefly radiant. "I'm terribly excited about it," she says, animated.
Raphaela chuckles "I know. I'm happy we have you."
Emma's cheeks pinken up, at that. "That's terribly kind of you," she demurs, just as her tea arrives.
Raphaela says with a sip and arched brow, clear eyes focused on Emma "You don't have to say that. I'm not terribly kind. I say what I mean."
Emma's expression turns a bit wry. "Then I shall simply say 'thank you.'" She lifts her tea, and sips.
Raphaela chuckles "Very well."
Emma takes another sip of her tea, at the table by the hearth. To Raphaela, who sits there along with Dylan, she says, "But, either way, I shall update you when I've spoken with her Grace. Is there anything else afoot, with you?"
Mozart enters below an arch, cane in one hand, but held at the neck.
Raphaela smiles "Of course! I'd be happy if you'd notice me on progress and if you need help with anything?" she says "Not much. Planning to take fencing lessons in Oisen by lady NIneve soon."
"Certainly," Emma is quick to reassure Raphaela. Her gaze lifts briefly as Mozart enters, but she returns her attention to the other woman almost immediately. "Fencing lessons, lovely. I do so enjoy it, myself."
Dylan politely excuses himself.
Raphaela waves at Mozart "Hello. Do join us?" she looks at Emma "It should be fun."
Mozart straddles a chair, setting the cane against the wall by the Hearth. "And how are you ladies this evening?"
Emma replies, simply, "Fine, thank you."
Raphaela smiles "Peachy. And yourself?"
Mozart says, "I could be far wose, I admit."
Emma glances to the fire for a moment, then back to her tablemates. "Lady Raphaela, how is your kitten doing? Milkpaw, did you call him?"
Raphaela grins "Oh he's doing great! Being all cute and fluffy and mean to my couch."
Mozart arches a brow, then snags a coffee.
Emma winces in sympathy. "Mine have been -very- naughty in the wee hours of the morning. Toe-biters, they are."
Raphaela chuckles "YOu should give one to lord Jack here, he looks like he needs kitten."
Mozart says, "I prefer labrats."
"Not one of mine," Emma is quick to protest. "I'm rather attached to both of them." She looks to Mozart with a lifted brow.
Raphaela asks "How did you name them?"
Mozart sips and looks innocent.
Emma gives Mozart a look that is, once again, flat, before looking back to Raphaela. "Fire and Smoke, I decided," she says.
Raphaela chuckles "Orange and grey cat?"
Emma bobs her head, sipping her tea before elaborating. "One is an orange tabby, and the other is grey, yes."
Raphaela smiles "Cute. So lord Jack. Do tell us what interesting things you do?"
Mozart says, "One man's interest is anotherman's prison. What do you find interesting?"
Raphaela says "ANything out of ordinary."
Emma maintains her silence, her expression amused with Raphaela's answer.
Mozart says, "Ah. In that case, traverse shadow. There very definition of out of the ordinary."
Raphaela says "YOur affection for eluding direct answers is interesting. What else?" she smiles behind her cup.
"Interesting, but not out of the ordinary," Emma notes, in an aside.
Mozart says, "There are no direct answers, only various interpretations of Truth. And the results of the shadowalking tend to be out of the ordinary, by definition. As for others…hrm. Multiple schools of Pathi, but alas, I am not permitted to go into detail."
Sol pads in on surprisingly clean bare feet and approaches the front counter to secure herself a cup of coffee.
Raphaela chuckles "I meant more along lines: do you have some interesting experiments?"
Mozart says, "Alas, I have not been in town long enough to set up shop, really."
Emma continues to sip at her tea, gaze straying to Sol as she enters. A smile is flickered at the other woman.
Raphaela looks at Sol, too and flashes a smile with a wave "Hello!"
Sol gets her coffee and turns, the motion causing long curls to sway. She smiles warmly to those who greet her, "Hello, Lady Emma, Lady Raphaela." A incline of her head and smile to Mozart, "Jack."
"Lady Sol," Emma offers in return, her smile growing sunny.
Mozart says, "It's been so long…."
Sol smiles gently to Emma, "you may call me Sol if it pleases you." She invites. She moves towards an empty table, "I trust this evening finds you all well?"
Raphaela asks "Do join us m'lady?"
Emma gestures toward their table, at the same time Raphaela invites. "Quite well, thank you. Yourself?"
Mozart says, "I am apparently failing to entertain this evening, maybe you can improve matters?"
Sol alters her course and settles at a empty seat, "Thank you." She pauses to pull long hair over her shoulder so she doesn't sit on it, and to keep it from brushing the floor once she's settled, "Today is the most placid, restful, in a fairly long time. I am very well." She looks to Mozart, "I find that difficult to believe, you're hardly dull company." She smiles warmly.
Leto pages: Trying to get my background approved. I'm digging up some aquantiances in Amber because they fear that someone just coming in cold would get frustrated quickly. I didn't argue.
Emma nods to Sol. "I am glad to hear it," she says. "Those times seem to be few and far between."
Mozart stage whispers, "Well, we all have off days."
Sol chuckles, "I imagine so." She lifts an eyebrow, "What shall I do? Dance? Sing? Juggle with fire?"
Emma holds a hand up. "Goodness, no. No fire." She grins.
There's a silent clank and pulls out her pocket watch "Ah coffee time over…I apologize for leaving such a lovely company so soon," Raphaela says.
"Good evening, Raphaela," Emma says, warmly.
Sol chuckles, "Ah, I forgot you witnessed Cyndre's idea of playfulness. Poor Erasmus lost a cloak simply trying to be a gentleman." She smiles to Raphaela, "Fair the well, Lady."
Emma asks Sol, "Did he lose it? I thought I saw him wringing it out." Amusement flickers across her features.
Sol says, "Well, perhaps not lost, as much as I understand velvet is difficult to clean. I was tempted to hotfoot Gerard but…I am reluctant to test the man's forgiving nature more than once."
Mozart says, "What did I miss?"
"Oh, dear," Emma murmurs. "You're quite right. It's nearly impossible."
Sol looks to Mozart, "Cyndre and I had a friendly dissagreement and she hit me with a couple of fireballs in the spirit of playfulness. I failed to tell my clothes that they were fireproof so my dress was badly singed in the encounter. Erasmus, being chivalrious sort, offered me his Cloak. Gerard warned him, then threw a tankard full of mead to knock the cloak from Eramus grip. Gerard's usual boisterous behaving is something I find charming, reminds me of Kitezh's own, but I did regrett that Erasmus got caught in the crossfire, as it were.
Emma's expression hints that she doesn't quite agree with something Sol has said, but she doesn't comment further.
Mozart chuckles. "He's a bit of a mead-hall sort."
Sol says, "I am glad the Thanes finally built it. It is important for the Warriors to have a place of their own. It's the next best thing to being home."
Sol glances curiously to Emma, "Did I mispeak?"
Emma shakes her head slightly to Sol. "Oh, no. Not really. I was just a bit surprised by the whole thing, that is all." Her smile is wry.
Mozart looks back and forth between the two like a ping pong ball.
Sol chuckles softly, "Well, I am pleased to have this oppertunity to speak with you. Without fire." She looks up to Mozart, "Has your day been eventful, Jack?"
Mozart says, "Restful, mostly. Yours?"
Sol smiles, "Remarkably restful. None of the Thanes have managed to get themselves slain, No one's required a blessing or mending, and for the moments, the Warriors are out of harm's rest to rest and recouperate."
Mozart intones, "The world may be at an end."
Emma gives a soft chuckle at that, but holds her tongue.
Sol chuckles, "Just when I've gotten them to take death and it's risks seriously? Bite your tongue, man."
Mozart says, "There's a line you don't hear every day."
Emma's brows draw together. Understanding dawns upon her after a moment, however, and she says, "Oh," quietly.
Sol chuckles, "No, I suppose not. I have had to be watchful on the battlefeild, a few of those who fight with Amber reacted…poorly to seeing warriors rise from the dead."
Mozart says, "What about House Feldane?"
Emma asks Mozart, mildly, "What about it?"
Sol 's eyebrows lift, silently echoing Emma's question.
Mozart says, "What is their reaction?"
Emma sips her tea, placid. "I wouldn't presume to speak for the entirety of my house," she says, simply.
Sol says, "I wouldn't know. I have not known which of the witnesses belonged to what houses, or even if there were nobles present. Why would one who belonged to Feldane react any differently to anyone else?"
Emma looks to Mozart with great interest, with Sol's question.
Mozart says, "Their house has a certain …connection with Death."
Sol says, "I suppose the reaction, or lack there of, depends on the connection with death?" She oh's! "I have spoken to Lord Errol, and he made mention of it. I recall now." She hrrrms, "I suppose it migh illicit curiousity, as it suggests the matter of life and death is very different for the Humans of Kitezh, than of those other places…but I haven't expressly asked."
Emma says, to Jack, "You are aware that you're sitting with a Feldane right across from you, aren't you?" She shrugs to Sol. "Regardless of our connection with death, I think that a reaction to a warrior rise when not expected would rather depend upon the individual."
Mozart says, "And your own reaction?"
"I've not witnessed such a thing," Emma replies, easily.
Sol smiles to Emma, "I imagine you are correct, my lady." She smiles, "And I imagine it might not surprise you."
Mozart looks to Sol. "We could find out."
Emma gives Mozart a blink. "I beg your pardon?" She casts a glance to Sol, then.
Privately, to Sol, Emma's glance is one of surprise and, no surprise, irritation with Mozart.
Sol says, "I see no reason, especially given the event usually takes place in dangerous, battle-ridden locales. I think this is one thing that might not ought to be expierenced purely for prosterity's sake."
Sol's smile never faulters, however.
Mozart shrugs and sips his drink.
"And, last I checked, I was not anyone's little experiment," Emma adds. Her expression is quite neutral, now that surprise has faded from it.
Mozart says, "Not without the reactive to add, no."
Sol wisely opts for silence and nurses her coffee.
Emma lifts a shoulder in a shrug. "I would probably scream and faint, being the weak woman I am," she says, blandly.
Mozart chuckles. "MMMmmmmm." He sips.
Emma's smile is a small, sweet thing, before she glances away to a passing server. "More tea, if you'd be so kind," she says.
Sol says, "Are you attempting to make one of us feel foolish, or is it ment to be a joke?"
Sol's curiosity seems to be genuine.
Emma's brows lift at Sol. "Not in the least, my lady," she says. "I rather thought Lord Jack was attempting to make me feel foolish."
Lucretia steps into the coffee house from outside, hands lifting to draw down the hood of her cloak. She shakes her hair out with a gay laugh, then sidesteps the doorway and puts a hand to her waist, looking around to see who's present with a glimmer of a smile still lurking.
Mozart says, "Not at all. I simply meant that since Kitezh raise from the dead, it'd be no loss to knock one off now in front of you to see what your reaction would be. He'd be alive and hale, after all."
Sol says, "Ahhh's." She looks to Mozart, "I would take anyone knocking one of mine unkindly, even if they might rise. It is not a matter to take lightly." She spies Lucretia and brightens, "Lady Lucretia, I was hoping our paths might cross."
Lucretia turns at the sound of her name and her smile widens. "Oh? Only to the good, I hope. I'll try not to be a black cat to your path; let me get some coffee ordered, though! I've just spent hours trying to clear my mind without success. The walk here through the elements did more for that than any half-dozen other attempts."
Mozart says, "The coffee here is good for clearing of the cobwebs."
Emma gives a slight shake of her head. "I cannot imagine killing someone just for the sake of seeing my reaction, regardless of whether that person will rise again. It is utterly ludicrous." She moves to rise to her feet, then, offering Lucretia a smile. "However, I shall excuse myself."
Mozart says, "Good eve, lady."
Lucretia purses her lips. "Oh, I don't know. I could imagine it," she answers Emma's remark. "But then, I've known some very wicked people. Do take care, Lady Emma. I hope that you've been well." She smiles, then glances to Mozart as she moves to intercept a server. "It is the risible broom that my mental housekeeper shall use to polish nooks and crannies of my mind."
Mozart doesn't seem remotely phazed by his suggestion being called Ludacris
Sol murmurs, "Have a pleasant evening, Lady Emma." She smiles to Mozart, somewhat apologetically, "Would you excuse me?" she rises.
Emma's expression turns a bit wry at Lucretia's words. "I've been quite well, thank you for asking. I hope you have, as well, Lady Lucretia." The wryness fades, and she inclines her head. "And you, Lady Sol." That said, she makes her way for the door.
Mozart says, "Fare well, Sol. Take care of yourself."
