((open to Vienda's "undercurrents" crowd))

Headmistress Ophelia Servalis nodded politely as the Queen's secretary of the Treasury prattled on and on about trade negotiations, every so often glancing askance at the teachers and students at the ball, who were having a good time on the whole. Her own mask was on top of her piled hair, forgotten, and she strained herself to remain interested in the boring little man in front of her.

Her eyes strayed past him to a small group of people. They seemed separate from the rest of the crowd, almost clinging to the tallest figure in the group, a musclebound, dark-skinned figure with a bald head and a crystal monocle.

"Ah, of course," said the man (Bert Higgins, a twitchy, chinless individual), "I see you've noticed the new Mugrobi Ambassador."

She'd forgotten that Ab. Guna Po had stepped down last week, citing a bout of illness. One delicate eyebrow was lofted at the man, who despite his foreign appearance wore the most severe Anaxi fashion. He seemed bored too. When he looked up and caught her eye, there was a sudden flash of something approaching sympathy.

Waving him over, Higgins beamed and called, "Ambassador Maldega, a moment?" The man was already there, two long strides having carried him an impressive distance; his jilted fan club seemed deflated, and scattered. Ophelia couldn't help but notice how perfect his bow was.

"You may call me Thiago," he said, in a deep, creamy voice that suggested he talked as little as possible to keep it polished.

"Ophelia Servalis," she answered, bowing in return. Higgins made his exit tactfully, hurrying off to bother someone else; Thiago smiled, displaying a gold tooth. "Your name is not Mugrobi. Are you from the Muluku Islands?"

"I am," he said, "from a family of traders. I regret to admit I was offered this position entirely by accident."

"So was I," said Ophelia, instantly liking the man. They laughed. "But you seem to have impressed his Eminence. Tell me, how are you finding our University so far?"

Thiago's blue eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Madam, I attended here, not twenty years hence. I could name every stone, every pillar. It is as I remembered it; the world may be caught in a maelstrom of change, but Brunnhold remains anchored, steadfast."

It was a Mug Compliment, the sort that has layers of hidden meaning that may not be entirely complimentary. Ophelia smiled, choosing to think positively about it. "We have tradition to uphold," she said wryly, thinking of how adamantly the school had opposed all of her new measures. "Some would rather dig their claws in and hold on for dear life than be swept up by the storm."

"But you, you strike me as an adventurer."

"I've been known to set out into new waters," said Ophelia, feeling perhaps that the sailing metaphor was going too far.

"Then we shall get along very well," said Thiago, inclining his head. "The more your kingdom changes, the more my own must struggle to keep up, and I am happy to be the messenger back to the Emperor."

"Mugroba is not in any danger of falling behind, sir. Look if you would at the work done in the Sciences department at Thul'amat. The camera spectra that takes pictures of the night sky...the Quantitative dissection of the elements...our scientists are patting their brows in exhaustion." She laughed again. It had been the second laugh that evening; she felt happy that she finally had someone pleasant to talk to.

"Headmistress, how pleasing to see you," the voice rang something like false, or perhaps something too true. It was likely that the Headmistress's joy might be short-lived, as Scuro had been a precocious student but an atrocious socialite. She bowed to the headmistress and her companion, who she was pleased to see had adopted Anaxi fashion despite his apparent Mugrobi origins, "How are you enjoying your evening?

"I don't know if you remember me," she nodded her head to her sister, "This is Chiaro, and I am Scuro Viverti."

Chiaro bowd and smiled politely to the Headmistress, and- as the Headmistress may have noticed- there was a sincere apology in that smile for her sister's manner. "Good evening, Headmistress. We do apologize if we interrupted a meeting of great import." She smoothed her dress delicately, "Shall we wait until your meeting is through?" She gave her sister a meaningful glance.

Triston had been ducking and weaving through the crowds that were scattered about the hall, trying desperatly not to step on anyones toes. As the night went on, less people were bothering to wait for a servent to pass them by, and simply began to gather at the bar and food tables, leaving Triston with little to do but loiter and try to look busy.

She was contemplating going over to see if professer Moore had been lucky enough to find the lady who would be assisting the project, when she cought sight of the headmistress, conversing with a mugrobi man, and then to women, dressed in somewhat matching outfits. I wonder what they're talking about.

Curiosity peaked,and with nothing better to do, Triston did her best to get close enough to overhear withought being sighted.

Startled at the sudden appearance of the twins, the Headmistress nevertheless managed to make a seamless transition from one social setting to another, registering her surprise only in a polite smile.

"Ah yes, the Vivertis," she said warmly, though she was not over-pleased to see Scuro again, and she somehow doubted the Queen would be either. Luckily, Her Majesty was looking tired, and would probably retire to her carriages soon enough; she hadn't even had the strength to bring up the Loyalty Pledge project. "How lovely to see you both here! This is Thiago Maldega, the new Mugrobi Ambassador. Sir, these are former students of mine, both Seventen now."

Thiago bowed low, eying the twins with interest. Identical sisters were rare indeed. "Honored ladies," he greeted them. "I am certain your presence is exactly what this conversation needed."

The Headmistress privately disagreed, but then again, he was an ambassador.

Scuro gave a sharp bow, preening, "Welcome to Anaxas, sir. Quite pleased to meet you."



Her pride was difficult to keep hidden-- of course they were. "I'm pleased you think so. What, if I may be so bold, were we discussing? The ball? Current events? Politics?"

She toyed absently with her mask, the very image of a well-mannered young woman, though her eyes remained sharp and cold.

Chiaro bowed deeply, with a flourish of her hands, "Ambassador Maldega," She smiled as she rose, "It is an honour to meet an esteemed man, such as yourself."



"Oh, you flatter us, good sir, and we thank you," Chiaro grinned broadly, eyes sparkling- it did her justice. "But I'm sure we're not that special."



Chiaro faded into the background as her sister spoke, sure to listen to key points of the upcoming discussion, ready to make her sister's abrasive words sound pretty, when needed.

Ilithyia followed on the tails of Scuro and Chairo, giving them their moment with the ambassador. Everyone would know they had come to Vienda together, and were taking lodgings in the Lutgardis estate. Clock it, Illy's mother even was in residence and bragging about it! So, time to put on an act; the question was, which one?

Tossing long hair, still floating from her rousing dance with Hunter, she approached the twins with a smile. "Yes, well the Viverti's do add a certain angle to the discussion." Bowing politely, with that teasing glimmer in her eye, she introduced herself to the tall diplomat.

"I am Ilithyia Lutgardis, a fellow officer to Scuro and Chiaro. It's a pleasure." Her charm had certainly grown since school, and she was trying her best to emulate her mother's effortless grace. She was still vaguely giddy from her swirl about the floor, and she radiated a pleasant warmth in her field. The man was certainly... tall. And very handsome, in a musclebound, controlled sort of way. It was refreshing to talk to someone taller than she, and her impish grin showed it.

Turning to the headmistress with a happy grin, she had to resist the urge to embrace the woman. Seriousness eluded her, and she felt, finally, like the happy alumni the other guests were.

"And Prof-- I mean Headmistress! How wonderful to see you again!" Ilithyia, while very studious and quiet with other students, had hero-worshiped her professors. For many of them, she regretted not keeping up good contact. When Ophelia had been elevated to Headmistress, Ilithyia had consumed a special chocolate feast in her honor, rumors be damned.

Triston held her breath, perhaps in fear, or more likely in annoyance. I really hope they're finished with the pleasantries soon. The company is just right for a political discussion, so discuss already!

She almost let a sigh escape her lips as a tall women joined them, now certain that the brown nosing would never turn to a topic of her interest.

The ball was still going on around her, and she had to remind herself to keep moving with the crowd so as not to stand out. Once or twice, Triston thought someone was going to request a drink, but they always seemed to turn towards the bar instead. Fine, go drink your silly red wine. Any champagne you don't drink, I get later.

The Headmistress was about to answer Scuro about the topic of conversation when Ilithyia joined them. She smiled warmly at her former student, remembering her instantly from her striking height and demeanor. Being a down-to-earth woman herself, she identified a little better with the girl - well, she was a woman now - than with the poised and proper twins.

"Miss Lutgardis, the feeling is mutual," she greeted her, bowing rather than embracing - this was a proper setting, after all, and she didn't want to alienate the twins. "A Seventen as well! I am so proud of all of you." She smiled at the group, and Thiago chuckled.

"Indeed," he said, "you must be. What a pleasure to be surrounded with such dedicated protectors of the kingdom."

"We were just discussing Mugroba's forays into technological development," said Ophelia.

Thiago smiled wryly, glancing at her. "That did come up," he said, "but I believe the root topic was change. Social change, of the type Anaxas' new Headmistress is sure to bring about. Headmistress Servalis is too modest."

The Headmistress went a little red. So few people ever wanted to talk about change, but this Ambassador seemed a little preoccupied with it. It was common for ambassadors to take an interest in the country they liase with, but Thiago seemed particularly concerned with the political climate in their kingdom.

Scuro smiled and dipped her head proudly to the pair.



"We are always ready to serve our country, to protect it and guard it from all manner of disturbance," the comment was heartfelt, and she internally thought of the political situation. It counts, she assured herself.



"Indeed she is," Scuro agreed, "That's quite a deep topic for cocktail conversation, though I do prefer it to pleasantries. I was never truly one for small talk," she smiled like a viper to the ambassador.

"Change. It seems like that's been the topic in many circles these days. Recent change. Unwanted change. Planned change. Proposals for change. In your position, Headmistress, you have quite the opportunity for it. I'm curious, what are your plans? What changes are you planning?"

"Such a question," replied Ophelia smoothly, eyeing Scuro with curiosity.

"Miss Viverti must be a pleasure to play cards with," said Thiago with a roguish grin. "All cards on the table. No bluffs."

"National security is hardly a game," chided the Headmistress playfully. "I strive for transparency in my office. I've issued a memorandum to the Crown, as you may have heard, detailing my plans. They haven't chosen to share it with anyone, I gather."

Thiago did not move, exactly, but his eyes seemed to shift out of focus for a moment. The three Seventen officers might have recognized this trick, for use in widening peripheral vision. He was eyeing Triston without directly looking at her.

Ophelia didn't notice her, however, and continued. "Right now, intelligence suggests that most everything is quiet on the front, and although I cannot always take intelligence reports at face value -" She smiled wryly. "-I must focus on matters here first."

She eyed her three former students, sizing them up. They didn't seem like the type to care at all about passive rights, or even theoretical science for that matter; they were fighters, and she never knew how to talk to those people. She decided not to mention Professor Devlin's research.

Triston was unaware that anyone had noticed her, focused so intently on the conversation as she was. Once "change" had been mentioned, the passive almost stopped in her tracks, and might have run into someone if she hadn't been more careful. I better step back aways, so they wont get suspicious.

Her form wasn't all too hard to camouflage, but staying within earshot was becoming a challenge. Triston had to peep her head out of the sea of people on occasion, afraid of losing any bits of information that might get drowned out amongst the sounds of the ball.

Illy grinned, trying to seem less like the excited student and more the woman she was supposed to be. The twins were excellently in control, even the violently opinionated Scuro. Well, they are socialites. Nothing like mother, whose only reason for living is parties and gossip, but they're better at this. Remember, keep a cool head. She smiled at both the ambassador (who was cagier than he seemed, she was sure) and her compatriots, saving the only really meaningful glances for Ophelia.

The conversation sped down relatively dangerous territory, the word change being bantered about like it was nothing short of the answer to everything. Ilithyia wished she had brought punch, knowing it would add to nonchalance, but also sure it would make her that much more awkward. Oh well.



Haha. You should see her really try at politics, mister. She's nothing if not totally earnest. She couldn't dissemble for her life. Too much burning, self-righteous anger. Too hot to contain. Ilithyia let a small smirk grace her lips. Too many years being socially awkward had told her silence was, often, the best policy. The Viverti twins were making themselves very obvious. Well, Scuro was, anyway.

Her eyes followed Thiago's to the girl. Well... she's awfully curious, hm? She wondered what the girl would do with the information. So far, nothing had been stated that was truly controversial... but better safe than sorry. Memorizing the girl's features, she made it a particular decision to keep an eye on her.


Her eyebrow rose. Changes? In Brunnhold? Well Goddess be damned. There hadn't been too many changes in the old place in, what... hundreds of years? It was a tradition, a part of their culture. Please walk these grounds safely, ma'am. The thoughts of the dinner party rang in her ears. I won't let them depose you, no matter what I said. I won't.

"That's quite a step, Headmistress." She still couldn't call her Ophelia, though the title was said with a great deal of friendly affection. "I believe change is something to be measured, calculated, and controlled but ultimately expressed. The world is too... chaotic for things to remain unchanged and still be relevant. But I wax poetic." She ran a hand through her hair, nervousness etched into every gesture. She hated actually speaking what she felt. Ophelia did that to her somehow, though. Made her want to be the smartest pupil in class.

"The old boy's club will have their complaints," said Ophelia dismissively, sharing a small smile with the girls, who despite the relative level of equality for women in Anaxas still knew the subtle, baseless opposition that some still held against any effort spearheaded by a lady. "But Merrin knew in his heart that Brunnhold had to set the standard for Anaxas, and the winds of the world are moving in a different direction these days."

"You are speaking about the imbali," said Thiago, raising an almost invisible eyebrow.

Ophelia shot him a sharp stare that felt a bit like a stern letter being slid under a door frame.

"Partially," she said slowly. "But there are more ills that plague our society than mistreatment of passives, sir. It has long been the prerogative - nay, the duty of this institution to stave off corruption in the government and to listen to the outcries of the people. Historically, the Seventen had a similar purpose, though I understand that your presence in the capital has been regretfully reduced to a somewhat militant one, ladies."

Scuro didn't recognize the word the mug had used, but was quick to pick up that it was about scraps. She struggled not to sniff derisively.



Although she was talking about passives, she had allowed an opening, so she stopped biting her tongue (quite literally) and took the step, "Indeed. I completely agree. The Seventen have a duty to the people to protect, both from outside forces and from inner corruption. There have been times where drastic changes were necessary to prevent such corruption..." She let the comment hang as a prod. She glanced at Ilithyia and Chiaro, knowing their social graces could take the conversation in the right direction.

She was getting tired of holding the silly glass from which she couldn't bring herself to drink. She looked around for someplace to set it or some passing help. She wasn't about to go to the drink table just when things were getting good.

Triston only just managed to catch Scuro's gesture, and might have prayed then and there for another servant to show up, if such an action wouldn't have gotten so many strange looks. Sadly, that part of the hall seemed quite barren of passives other then herself. It was all for the better, though, as Triston had still not caught on that she had already been spotted, and might have lingered for a less then excusable length of time.

Fervently hoping for something to blow up as a distraction, she walked towards the stuffy group and held out her tray to accept the wasted glass in silence.

Am I supposed to say something?

"The Justice Insurrection of 1132," said Thiago, apparently quite familiar with Anaxi history. "The Seventen deposed the tyrannical King after he imposed a birth restriction on human families and refused to back down from his fool's wager." He raised an eyebrow at Triston, smiling ever so slightly.

"An adroit recollection," said Ophelia appreciatively. "A situation that is unfathomable these days, I am afraid. The people simply don't trust us anymore, and I believe it has caused the Seventen to recoil in turn, in self-defense, farther and farther from the people of this country."

Her eyes shifted slowly to the head of the room, where the Queen was greeting each guest and dignitary with a limp wrist and a moment's carefully portioned attention.

Ilithyia smiled, trying to find how to blunt her co-conspirator's words. Scuro, be glad we're not on the field because I would have pulled rank on you. It's not much... but I'm not the initiate here, am I? Her hand instinctively touched her throat where her snaps would be. Damn foolish woman, we could have ascertained more-- oh clock it. Femininely smoothing a stand of hair behind her ear, Illy extended her hands in a gracious shrug.

"Well, insomuch that we have been rather... ostracized from the place of affection the Seventen once had, we are still what we are." Her blue eyes alighted on the passive, and there was a definite analytical quality to the gaze. So, the girl wants to listen in on political games, does she? Ilithyia was far too paranoid to smile at the younger girl, but her demeanor softened. There was nothing she could do, as a passive. It wouldn't hurt and might help... in the long run.

After the cool sizing of the blonde girl, Ilithyia turned her smile to the older women and Thiago. She was her mother's daughter, after all. "Really, it is a shame that we have been so demonized of late. The Seventen weren't meant to hound or provoke such things. However, orders are orders..." She let the words hang, knowing this was perhaps the most controversial thing she would say without support from either of the twins. Time to see what lie behind her professors ideals... and see if just how interested Thiago really was in Anaxi politics.

The Headmistress and the ambassador both seemed to recognize the statement for what it was. Ophelia lofted an eyebrow.

"Yes," she said, "they are. In our political system, Thiago, it is regrettably difficult to track down the origin of such orders. My predecessor put it best - it is institutionalized obfuscation. No one is ever quite sure on whom to place blame."

"Very safe for those at the top," said Thiago, smiling as though sharing a private joke with Ophelia, one she didn't find very funny.

"As Headmistress I plan to untangle the web," she informed Ilithyia, smiling. "As much as I can. We must strive for, if not total, at least semi-transparency in our government. It simply isn't fair to the people if their leaders cannot be held accountable for...unfortunately miscalculated orders."

((UGH!! I can't believe I let this sit for so long! I'm so sorry guys! I'll try to be faster on the uptake next time...))

Scuro gave a barely perceptible sneer as the passive approached her, impure scrap. She set the glass down with a slight rattle, out of pure annoyance.



Scuro nodded at this. The indication that the superiors who gave the orders were at fault for the Seventen's problems wasn't far off base in her not-so-humble opinion.



Scuro nodded again, "The people would benefit from knowing how their government works, seeing who has caused what legislation and so forth. I think the people would be quite... surprised to see the underpinnings of our system." And by surprised she meant outraged. It was ridiculous that those who carried out their orders were blamed for the orders themselves. If they could see whose fault this mess really is, they would stage a coup...

"But with fresh minds like yourself in positions of power, who knows what may be accomplished?" Her words were loaded. She herself was pushing for the old fogeys, as it were, in office in the military and government to be replaced.

Ophelia smiled at Scuro, not because of the compliment but because of her opinions on transparency. Perhaps she had been a little harsh in her estimation of the girl; any Seventen who was willing to have the organization's activities brought into the daylight was probably an honest one.

"My plans for Vienda's growth and prosperity are, as I said, long-term," she said, "but perhaps it is a very fortunate thing that we met here tonight, my former students. I will sleep better knowing the Seventen is privileged by the membership of such thoughtful persons." She bowed to them, an almost unheard of occurrence for the Headmistress in the middle of a conversation. "I would value your correspondence on the matter of transparency. Will you be making any more trips to Brunnhold this year?"