She has broken her fast; really, she's outright dined. She's going to have to start working out more to compensate for all the weight she's been putting on. "Gavin, could you somehow squeeze an hour or two a day out for me to get some exercise? If there's a pool or a gym, that'd be great." Gillian hurriedly twists her hair back and up; it never wants to cooperate. It no more looks formal than it ever does, but it does manage to escape looking as if someone's been using an eggbeater on it, at least.
     She's dressed today in a tailored white silk blouse and summery blue jacket and skirt; a pewter scarf is knotted loosely around her neck, and the emblem on the pocket of her blazer is that of a stylized sun. Adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses on the tip of her nose, she hunts round for her notebook and pen. "Now where - oh. Here it is. Sorry." She looks nervously to the door, then to Gavin. "Is it normal to want your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend to approve of you?"

     Gavin smiles easily as he removes his own smartphone and adjusts your schedule. "I think it's only natural. Though, I will say you have little to fear in that regard. Do you prefer morning or afternoon exercise? And there is a pool, several in fact. But there is one reserved for ladies. I can reserve a lane for you there. There are studios and exercise chambers within the basilica. There is one on every other floor, actually," he mentions, as he moves items on your calendar. "I will make sure you have a map of the facilities. There are also activities such as archery and other such sport, if you would prefer that..."
     There is a soft knock upon the door. Gavin glances up, turning to head toward the door as he gives an ear to your instructions.

     "Morning," Gillian answers promptly. "I don't want to get too slack and lazy just because I'm here instead of at Oxford. I like keeping to my routine. Usually at home I swim or run in the morning, and pretty often in the afternoon, too - an hour or two after lunch. I try to get about ten to twelve hours of exercise a week as my minimum. Oh, and I guess I should work on getting back into practice for my self-defense. Who should I talk to about that?"
     There's the knock and she halfway jumps. "Oops. Hold that for later, I guess." She grimaces, patting her hair self-consciously, then puts her pen and paper down. "Come in!"

     Gavin opens the door, slipping the smartphone into his trousers' pocket. "My lady," he says quietly and professionally. "Welcome. She is just in side. Come with me."
     "Thank you," her voice is quiet and mellifluous.
     Gavin reappears, pausing some distance to his mistress. "Lady Gillian, Princess Calliope." With an arm he gestures to the rise of the scent of hyacinth and the figure that surely would be every Romantic poet's dream of a Grecian muse.
     She is porcelain skinned with pink cheeks and lips, brown eyes and deep brown hair, the tendrils of which are curled and tucked to make her hair seem quite short (it is in fact medium length). It is dotted with flowers, and hyacinths are woven among them. She is clothed in a draping gown, pink and white, and her feet are in low sandals, quite nearly bare. She bears in her arms a bouquet of irises and larkspur flowers, wound with a golden bow.
     "Lady Gillian," Calliope smiles gently, offering the flowers to her. "I thank you for accepting my invitation. I have heard so much about you..."
     Gavin steps back to give the women privacy. She waits until he is some distance off, her hands folding in front of her as the flowers are given over to you. "I wanted to meet you while I had the opportunity. After the coronation, I will be returning to Elysia..."

     "How do you do?" Gillian rises, but doesn't curtsey. She's fairly sure she's remembering her manners appropriately from what she's read and what she learned in prep school, but in this court, she's got to wing it a fair amount of the time. Her hand had begun to be offered to shake; instead, automatically it shifts to reception of the flowers. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'd hope that all you've heard is good, but I'm pretty sure a fair amount of it is indignant and outraged." She grins ruefully. "Thank you, they're lovely. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable. Would you like any tea or coffee, anything?"
     And now she has an armload of flowers. She looks around for something to do with them, then promptly heads for the milk jug left from breakfast.

     "I do very well, thank you. And I hope you do as well." Calliope smiles easily, warmly and frequently. She touches your arm with a sweet laugh. "Yesterday evening, I swear you could actually hear the wringing of hands and handkerchiefs. No," she withdraws the light touch with a smile, "... all I have heard is good. I do not listen to the rest. But that is a part of the reason I wanted to meet you for myself, and for you to meet me. Oh, tea would be lovely, thank you. If it is no trouble..."
     Gavin is there, a pitcher of water for you (from the table), and another servant rolls in a service of tea that was on standby. He does this silently and with the supreme orchestration of a well-trained and much-practiced maestro.
     She settles gracefully, enjoying a moment of sunshine. It is rare winter weather, sunny and mild. It feels more like spring. Perhaps it is due to the Sun King's heady feelings of love. "I would like to begin by saying that I am happy for you and give my full congratulations to you. Balthazar has told me how very much in love he is, how happy." She laughs. "Of course, he didn't really have to say it out loud. It is ...so very obvious. Others may mourn for a while, but eventually they will come to accept it and to honor it. But, as his former lover, I thought it best that I allay any concerns that others might raise about my feelings. They seem to forget that I am engaged."

     "Thank you, Gavin." She accepts the pitcher, arranging the flowers quickly but with an eye to preserving their longevity, then turns back to the table with a quick smile. "It was inevitable, really. Anyone Balthazar chose would be suddenly in the eye - in the sun, not to be too corny." Gillian laughs. "And since nobody here knows me... well."
     She leans forward to accept her tea once it's poured, taking it straight, sans milk or sugar. Discipline! "I appreciate it. I realize that it came as a shock, but he reassured me that he did not dishonor anyone, that he was free to make his claim for me, as it were, without discrediting any pre-existing claims. I," she pinkens slightly, "care for him a great deal. Which I know cuts no ice in some quarters, so it's the more appreciated now. Have you known him very long?"

     "Yes," she retrieves her cup of tea as well with a quiet smile. "You are quite right, on all counts. There were no claims to be made. I can assure you of that." Calliope sips at her tea with a slight pinkening in her face. "Or I would have been the one to make them," she laughs brightly.
     Sipping at her tea again, Calliope wonders, her gaze drifting upward in thought: "I have known Balthazar, let me see, how many years now...we dated for three years, from age sixteen to well... to when he left for London. I think he was nineteen? Or almost nineteen. I have known him, probably since thirteen. I remember meeting him in the conservatory. I play violin," she explains with a smile. "Cello, zither, harp. He played... and still does, I imagine, piano forte and guitar."
     She leans in with the air of dishing. "He dated Imogen from thirteen to sixteen. And he and I dated another three years. He is exceedingly faithful. It is one of his better qualities of many wonderful attributes." She pauses to add honey to her tea.
     Sitting back, she sips at her drink. "We parted on very friendly terms. And we are still friends, loyal and faithful in that friendship. That is another reason I wished to meet you face-to-face, Gillian. I know how difficult it can be to try to negotiate past relationships into a new, burgeoning one. I should like to extend my friendship to you, if you will have it. You have an ally in me."

     "He does still play." Gillian smiles and examines her tea as if to read the leaves, then looks up. "From what I gather, just about everything else has changed for him, but he still plays. I met him in London when he was playing, in fact; I showed up at a pub, intending to get in some serious studying time, and he was preparing to perform, and, well, I guess I made an impression. I wasn't trying to, particularly."
     She sips her tea after all, putting down her hand in her lap. "I'm glad there are none, and I'm glad you don't, er, mind, us, I mean. It does kind of seem like most folks do mind, and while on the one hand I do understand that to them it's all very sudden, at the same time, it seems sort of as if they ought to be used to people pairing off. Everyone older than us seems to be married, after all! So, well, I appreciate the offer of friendship." She grins. "Is it always this fraught around here?"

     Calliope smiles as she sets down the cup. "No, not always so fraught. There's always gossip, but this time it does seem a bit... ramped up. I think it's so for several reasons. One, you're a complete unknown to most people and therefore are all the more intriguing. I think the reactions are more extreme because from the outside it appears as though you've literally materialized from thin air. That will begin to dissipate, I think, as people do get to know you, know more about how you met, where you come from..."
     Her smile is warm, "Two... Balthazar is the Sun King. As such, second only from the High King, he's the next highest ranking royal. And... the Sun King exudes love and... warmth, prosperity." She doesn't say fertility and sex but it's there, unsaid but recognized. "And he's who he is, which is handsome and kind, talented, charming. Before he ascended to what and who he is now, girls didn't line up in trains or try to sneak into his rooms. He was just...Balthazar, the King's second son. But he's not second anymore," Calliope grins. "And something that golden is bound to attract extra attention. And I think most of the reactions are largely positive. Certainly, most of the interest is positive from what I'm hearing. I think the fact that he is who and what and as he is plus you being a great curiosity has combined to create a very intoxicating and invigorating gossip mill."
     Calliope lifts her cup once more. She smiles at the china rim, roses seeming to blossom from her lips. "There are, of course, some who do mind, yes. Some who believe, rightly or wrongly, that their kingdom should be rewarded, their loyalty rewarded, with a royal match. Gruffydd didn't court. He married the first girl he met, Maria. Maria's duchy is quite small. I think that ...emboldened many from common fishwives on up that they would have an opportunity for the second son. There are a few to watch out for, in particular. There is Evelyn Rhys of Ynys Witrin. Also Agnes of Summerwind and Lady Juniper of Everwood. I suspect that while Imogen has all be burned herself on the pyre of failed courtship, they have been happily roasting marshmallows at her side." Her look gets cloudy upon that point.
     But the clouds soon clear, parting for the sun of her smile. "I am glad to know that he still plays. He is talented. It clearly moves him. And is his voice not honeyed?" Calliope grins. "And I think you've made quite the impression. He told me, wrote to me, that he had met this girl at his family's pub. And that he just couldn't get her out of his mind. How extraordinary that she was going to work in a pub, or try to, in the middle of all that commotion. He said that as soon as he saw you that you were the only one he could see."

     "Well, as for where I'm from, they might not be able to quite find that out. But we'll see." Gillian's lips twitch a bit. "I guess it's just as well I met him before he - ascended, as you say. We dated before then, and, well, I really liked him. I think it'd be harder to know if you were liking him for him instead of for the Sun King-ness, if you only met him now."
     She drinks her tea slowly, in no real hurry to reach the bottom of the cup despite the astringency of it, unsweetened as it is. "Evelyn Rhys of Ynys Witrin," she repeats. "I think I saw her in passing the other day, at Drusilla's Den. Agnes of Summerwind, Lady Juniper... can you tell me anything about them, and where they're from?" She laughs, then, blushing. "I do my homework wherever I happen to be. I ignore things which aren't part of it, unless the building's actually on fire or something like that. I tend to, um, be very focused." To put it lightly. "So, I don't mean to be rude, but, er, I'm not sure how else to ask. Do you, ah, do anything?"

     "I have no intention of telling them," Calliope smiles with conspiratorial glee. "And I think that it is fortunate that you met him before too. It would be too easy to be blinded by the sun. One might miss what actually makes it special if that's all one saw." She pours another cup for herself, holding the pot toward you. Care for a refresh?
     "Agnes of Summerwind is the daughter of Rosaline and Angus, duke and duchess of Summerwind. Summerwind is a duchy, rather than kingdom, aligned with Dale and Rosewood. Its main rivals are Avalon and Silverglen. Agnes is the eldest daughter of three; she just turned seventeen. She is lovely and fairly sharp. However, her idea of hanging out in the stadium to try to capture the Sun King's eye with her ample bosom isn't the smartest of plans. One, she doesn't know Balthazar. When he loves, he loves completely faithfully and with a singleness of purpose." Calliope smiles to you. "Much like your own focus. He literally doesn't even notice that other girls exist. Two, he prefers girls of intelligence and passion and purpose. And three, ample bosoms are hard to see from the grandstands when one is racing around the stadium at seventy kilometers per hour." Her rosy lips twitch at that.
     "Lady Juniper of Everwood is the daughter of Queen Lavender and King Quince. They specialize in elemental magics, particularly that of air and earth. They are forest fairies, earth spirits and sylphs. The kingdom is allied with the High Crown; it is part of the united kingdoms, but it is one of the oldest kingdoms, a bit still...wild and somewhat brambly in its approach to politics. Lady Juniper is quite popular in court, which is less a testament to her personality and more to how she plays at the game of it. I would definitely keep her at arms length. Perhaps two arms' length."
     Setting the pot aside and adding cream and honey to her cup, Calliope smiles at your last question. "Right now, I am busily being courted by the Prince of Elysia," she smirks. "It is a job keeping up with that. I have been teaching at the conservatory of music, composing, performing. I am most curious about the court you and Balthazar will be creating. Have you and he discussed it much? You may well not have had time, I understand."

     "Dale... where have I heard that name... oh, right. Ymrys of Dale's the one who m - Arian of the Tempest beat up." Gillian tips her head back and laughs. "Oh boy. I don't want to say mean things, but ... do all the people like that pretty much stick together? And yes, I've been to the stadium. Some of the girls are ending up almost practically topless!"
     She's amused rather than scandalized. But then, she's from modern America, with its sins of glitz and excess and the Superbowl. She shakes her head again, looking amused and tolerant. "Oh well. Yes, I've pretty much been expecting them to try to smuggle men, or women, or sheep, or illegal drugs, or - I don't know, evidence marking me as a spy or a thief into my rooms. I'm surprised they haven't so far, but then, Gavin's been keeping a close eye on things, and so has Mahasti."
     She shakes her head to the refill; one's really enough, when one's avoiding sweeteners. "We've discussed it a little bit, but not in very much detail. There hasn't been much time, you realize. He wants to avoid politics as much as possible. I don't think that it's possible to avoid it too much, but I'm all for trying to promote people who are loyal and useful and eschewing those who are too blatantly only in it for their own personal self-interests. I think it's possible to be self-interested and still working for the greater good; those are the type of people I think we should be trying to attract. There's nothing wrong with ambition, as long as it's well-direction ambition."

     "People are political creatures," Calliope agrees, sipping at her own refill, both sweet and creamy. "But I think it's admirable to be idealistic, or to try to be as idealistic as possible. To dream grandly and to aim to a higher purpose. I should like to be a part of it, if I can. My prospective husband, Prince Phoenix, is the third son. It is highly unlikely that he will ascend to the throne and so we will have far more flexibility in how we apply ourselves and to what. Of course, an alliance or friendship with Elysia would be part of any arrangement."
     Calliope giggles also. "There is that saying: birds of a feather. I think it also goes for jackasses." She blushes a little, setting her cup aside. Perhaps that's enough tea. "Dale's reigning King and Queen are actually quite lovely. Very polite people who doted too much on their children's whims. Their children are, by and large, entitled, unmannerly brats. Which matches well with Evelyn's own sense of entitlement. Which, of course, extends to Balthazar. As long as your seneschals are clever and quick, you should manage to escape having anything happen to you or in your chambers. But certainly any private time that you and Balthazar might enjoy would become a commodity to capture or spy upon. The tabloids will pay for any scrap of news, real or imagined, innocent or salacious."

     "I think you'd both be welcome. And as I said before - we'll take all the friends and allies we can get." Gillian grins, settling back with a slice of apple. She laughs. "Well, you know, if someone behaves like one... As for our private time, yeah, I pretty much figured." She rolls her eyes and looks tolerant. "They've already warned me the various factions are going to try to insist I submit to a purity test - apparently Princess Maria had to as well. I suspect Balthazar won't take it well, but I'd rather submit to the test and get it over with, frankly." Apparently she has no fear of not passing.
     She nibbles at the apple, then sets it down, wiping juice off her fingers. "So which of them do you think is going to be the biggest threat, if any? Oh, and what sort of role would you and your fiance like, do you know?"

     There is the slightest wearied expression and rolling of the eyes at the notion of purity tests. "So antiquated. There are times when it is completely progressive, and other moments were cultures seem to revert to quaint repression. I don't understand it. Fortunately, Elysia doesn't care," she smiles, "...or someone shall be disappointed. Princess Maria was confirmed, yes. They tend to hold that closer to the nuptials. Part of the rituals. I do admire those who are able to save themselves for that special gift to a mate. I was not one of them," she laughs softly with pink cheeks. "Still, I do understand that it is handled well here. And..." she leans in with a warm smile, "...I am sure that Balthazar will be supportive. Though the idea of those tests rankles him. He believes in equality of the sexes. If he does not have to submit to a purity test, he would say -- I can just hear him -- then why should you? But," she exhales, "...it is what The People still expect. Perhaps our daughters won't have to deal with such things."
     "For myself," Calliope says, sitting back slightly, her elbows on the table and her delicate and long fingers interlacing, "I would like to found a music conservatory there. I have great ideas for salons, for encouraging musical exploration. I would also be thrilled and honored were I to be made court composer. That is," she smiles brightly, "...if the King doesn't beat me to it. Do you have anyone in mind for that type of role? If not, I would gladly like to offer my name, my passion and my services. Prince Phoenix is an excellent general. In fact, he will be fighting at Balthazar's side today -- he drew well. I know he would be honored to serve him and follow him. He respects Balthazar very much."
     She pauses to pour two glasses of ice water. "Evelyn is the greater threat. Though her kingdom is small, her family is very entrenched in trade guild operations. What their kingdom lacks in size, her family makes up for in influence. Juniper will foster and fester gossip. She will seek to discredit you, or have you caught in less than flattering positions. I would always suggest traveling with two friends who can vouch for your whereabouts, in case you have to have a war with the tabloids. Evelyn wants your King. At the next dance, expect her to cut in. A lot. Expect your dress to be damaged, or a heel to break, or something that delays you so that she can maximize her time with Balthazar and, so she thinks, her influence. Sadly for her, I know his heart. He will not be swayed. But she is a better player than Imogen. Imogen was caught between the Devil, her mother, and the deep blue sea. She is actually quite a dear girl. Not that bright but not completely dense. Just ... simple."

     "Well, it depends. I can see why they might in some cases, if only because that way you can be absolutely sure nobody's trying to pull a fast one with succession," Gillian says very seriously. "If someone were truly scheming enough, in the absence of such tests, they could ensure that the bride-to-be were impregnated with someone else's child, and essentially topple a dynasty - from a genetic perspective. Of course, the resulting child would still be raised in that dynasty, so it'd depend on not only the mother's willing cooperation, but also on how much she had the raising of such a child. But I can see how it could be done. I wouldn't, but ... well, my view is that I'm happy to take such a test if it'll make the political debate go over more smoothly. Not giving people grounds for complaint helps."
     She doesn't talk about her own opinions on such purity tests. To her, after all, they make a certain amount of sense on numerous levels - but she doesn't need to share her every thought. "I think that a conservatory would be a lovely idea." She smiles. "The military positions will be up to Balthazar. I can weigh in on matters of strategy and tactics if he wants my opinion, but it would be from a more or less historical perspective rather than personal experience, so - I know my limitations. I do have them and they're unfortunately very clearly marked." Gillian laughs, then accepts one of the glasses of ice water. "Evelyn should watch herself all the same. I like a challenge, I have to admit. It makes things more enjoyable for me. And, well," she grins, "I went to an all-girls' school, no boys except for specifically scheduled dances and outings with the nearest all-boys' schools. I'm not unfamiliar with the sort of cattiness girls like that try to bring to the table! Oh! I'm curious of your opinion on a few other matters, if I can pick your brain. Other people in the area, I suppose you could say - other newcomers to court. I have plans with Lady Elaine tomorrow, for example, and Arian of the Tempest joined me and Balthazar and my friend Parvati at dinner the other night."

     "I will summarize my ideas and thoughts, then," she smiles both warm and bright, "... for you and Balthazar to review. And I will let Phoenix know so he can take up his own cause. I, too, know my limitations," she grins. "And he is very honorable. Likes things handled the right way, so, I will leave that to him. And your points on succession are quite valid, yes. From that perspective I can see the point. I think pregnancy tests and paternity tests could be just as useful. I just don't think girls should be disqualified," is that what happened to her? "... because of ... youthful passion," she smiles. "Sometimes, love does get the better of us. Or lust, perhaps," she grins.
     Sipping her water, she ruminates with a keen and attentive look. "From what I've seen of you so far, I am not worried," Calliope notes. "I think you shall prevail. Just... be on the look-out. And, of course, as your ally, I will let you know of anything I hear." She sits up straight as you mention the other new arrivals to court. "From all accounts, Lady Elaine is a very charming, affable young woman. Her background is still a bit of a mystery. I've not been able to trace her arrival or her kingdom. She is a fabulous dancer, part of the Conservatory and Academy. She's something of a celebrity at this point. She's very close with Princess Sabira. Her main allies appear to be Princess Sabira and Lady Joanna. Before your arrival, there was some thought, in fact, a lot of thought and downright certainty that Lady Elaine was the frontrunner for Balthazar's affections. That appears to be," she smiles to you, "...merely rumor and innuendo. Arian of Tempest," her smile warms a notch. "A very interesting fellow. Appears soft on the outside, but is strong within -- and without. He has pummeled two lords in less than a month: Ymrys of Dale, for scorning the affections of Princess Sabira -- starting a rumor that he was now seeing Sabira; and Brian of Lees just yesterday, over Lees' sullying of the reputation of a nobleman of the kingdom of Catalonia, Adriano. Adriano is one of the ...courtiers of Crown Prince Gruffydd, one of his close confidantes. Not a lot is known of Arian either. He's rather enigmatic. He has been seen and placed in several very high level meetings, with the Future King and the Future Queen. No one is yet sure what role he is playing or soon shall play. Many are thinking he shall be the next Lord High Chancellor, a position many thought would go to Lord Fox of Silverglen, another friend and ally of the Crown Prince."

     "Lord Fox... is that Lord Stephen? I'm still trying to get people's names straight," Gillian half-apologizes, "and putting faces to them. As for Lady Elaine, I can truthfully say that she seems not at all to be pining over Balthazar. She's said she's fine with 'us', which makes me very relieved." She smiles. "I try not to poach, y'know?"
     She looks thoughtful. "You know, I just had a rather wicked idea. Do you suppose one of the princesses might be willing to accompany us? If you're free, that is, and in the mood to go pay Lady Evelyn a visit." She smiles. Sweetly.

     Calliope smiles widely. "Lord Stephen thinks he's a fox, but no, not the same. Lord Fox is from Silverglen. He serves King Eavan. Prince Stephen is of Rose, a very lovely kingdom which he is to inherit. And that is good, that there is a clean slate. It is clear where Balthazar's affections lie. I am glad she bears no ill will. I hear she's quite generous and blithe, charming and quite kind. She and Princess Sabira, Balthazar's sister, are quite close. Have you met Princess Sabira? I suspect so, but she is also enigmatic and sometimes hard to find. A wonderful dancer, though. I should think she wouldn't mind. She has no love for Evelyn that I'm aware of..."
     Sipping at the water, Calliope looks to you. "What do you have in mind?"

     "Oh, I've met her - not often, but I've met her. As for what I have in mind..." Gillian giggles, then catches herself. "Well, a social visit, really. As the potential future Queen to the Sun King, I really ought to drop in on people now and again, don't you agree?" She attempts to look innocent. "The rest, really, is up to her."

     Calliope's look is appraising, and approving. "Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense," she agrees. "Very well. Perhaps this afternoon, before the evening dinner and dance event and before the theater performances. She will not be expecting that..."
     "Now," she smiles, "...before we plan our ambush, I do have a few questions for you. Have you started planning your wedding ceremony yet? And you mentioned that you and Balthazar had started the plans for your kingdom. Have you outlined what you will champion, as Sun Queen or Queen of Summer? Are there pet projects that you already have in mind?"

     "That sounds good. It also gets me out for a bit before dinner." She doesn't say why she wants to be out before dinner. Gillian blushes a bit. "I make it a practice to minimize wedding planning until I'm actually asked to marry him, actually. We're still courting, officially. I believe Maria and Queen Zafirah are handling a lot of potential planning, which is fine. Any royal wedding which doesn't involve public nudity or live sacrifice of animals is probably going to be fine by me."
     "As to pet projects, not so much - we're still working on the basic plans for the kingdom," Gillian continues, smiling. "I've made some notes for him to look over as to on what we should base our economy, and we have agreed we want a hefty emphasis on education. But we can't focus on education to the detriment of production, so we still need to sit down and actually discuss it. There just hasn't been very much time yet, you know? We have discussed medicine a bit, though, and I do think we should make tourism a part of our economy model. I'd also like to see a sensible agronomy approach, something balanced, so we'll be going over that and figuring out what our geography can provide in terms of yield."

     "That sounds good. It also gets me out for a bit before dinner." She doesn't say why she wants to be out before dinner. Gillian blushes a bit. "I make it a practice to minimize wedding planning until I'm actually asked to marry him, actually. We're still courting, officially. I believe Maria and Queen Zafirah are handling a lot of potential planning, which is fine. Any royal wedding which doesn't involve public nudity or live sacrifice of animals is probably going to be fine by me."
     "As to pet projects, not so much - we're still working on the basic plans for the kingdom," Gillian continues, smiling. "I've made some notes for him to look over as to on what we should base our economy, and we have agreed we want a hefty emphasis on education. But we can't focus on education to the detriment of production, so we still need to sit down and actually discuss it. There just hasn't been very much time yet, you know? We have discussed medicine a bit, though, and I do think we should make tourism a part of our economy model. I'd also like to see a sensible agronomy approach, something balanced, so we'll be going over that and figuring out what our geography can provide in terms of yield."

     Calliope smiles, "Well, I think it is a matter of when, not if. If you would like," she says innocently (you know better), "... I could convey to him things you might like, for instance, in a ring... or even location for the engagement party. I am his friend. I may be the one he goes to for advice... from a woman's point of view, should he desire one that is."
     How delightful this all is. Once again, her elbows are on the table, her fingers interlaced, this time creating a perch for her chin. "I am glad you are thinking of those sorts of details. Most girls start with china patterns and window treatments for castles. Well, should you desire someone to bounce ideas off on, other than your courtier," she smiles warmly, "I should be more than happy to serve as a sounding board. I will get my ideas for the conservatory to you this week. That way you both have it. Now," she unfolds her hands, her palms resting upon the table's surface. Calliope grins, "...about this matter with Evelyn. What are you thinking there? A surprise visit to her chambers? While she is getting ready for the dance, perhaps?"

     "No, no, no, that's okay. Really." Gillian pinkens. "Really, I'm not interested in rushing it. Or in, um, putting 'layers' between us. If I want him to know something, I feel I should be able to tell him myself. Otherwise, how well does that bode for later? So he can surprise me, or he can ask me himself. But thank you."
     She looks puzzled. "China patterns? They're nice, I suppose, but ... anyway, as for Evelyn, I was thinking, yes, a surprise visit. Or," she looks up at the ceiling, "well, I suppose we could just eavesdrop on her, but really, how likely is it she'll say anything that interesting? Or we could do both. Drop in and eavesdrop."

     Calliope bows her head to your wishes, those of her future queen. She does not say As you wish or patronize you in any way. She accepts what you say and what you wish.
     "I like the idea of an ambush first. And then, once she is disconcerted, eavesdropping. Have you a method for spying? A well-placed maid, perhaps? And... with the patterns," she smiles, "... I meant only that you are actually paying attention to the details that matter, not to the frivolous window-dressing."

Posted by rowan at March 16, 2010 07:15 PM