Aria looks over at Cocoa and rubs her forehead. "I'm sorry," she says. "She's completely unschooled and very earnest. She doesn't mean any harm by it."

Cocoa chuckles. "It's quite alright," he says. "I remember being the same way when I first arrived at the academy. Do you have another chair I could use?"

How much time with her am I allowed, in other words. 

"I'm afraid we only have the two," Aria replies. "I wasn't expecting visitors." She gestures to her own chair. "You can have my chair for the moment, milord."

Cocoa waves a hand. "Not necessary, I just wanted to drop by for a few minutes." Best not to be here if the conservative faction comes sniffing around, anyway. 

"I wanted to thank you for the education you gave me when I first arrived at the Academy," Cocoa says to Aria. "It's been many years but the lessons you taught me have stood me in good stead." He looks over at Corvina. "I must say I didn't expect you to have taken another apprentice under your wing so soon, though." 

This is all a polite fiction, of course; Aria does this with anyone competent she's able to get her grubby little hands on. But Cocoa is willing to let her play her games. If he's not mistaken, he's the first visitor Corvina has had - otherwise she would not be so shocked at his appearance. 

"How has your introduction to the academy been treating you?" he asks Corvina. "It's fortuitous that I've bumped into you like this, since I intended to speak to you about those extraordinary test scores of yours. If it pleases you, I would be interested to attend your Arcana classes in the next week and perhaps offer a little hands-on tutoring of my own. The Academy witches are good instructors, but they lack some of the raw talent that you reputedly possess."

Corvina's eyes light up - 

And then she flushes, and says, as if reciting from a book: 

"I'm afraid I must regretfully decline your offer until I have a better understanding of the Academy and the Court. I don't wish to owe favors to anyone unintentionally."

Ah, so that's how Aria's playing it. Keeping the new girl close to her chest, is that it?

"Believe me, it would be an honor to instruct someone with such high potential as you. I would not require anything in return, I swear it to you on my honor."

Obviously now she will rebuff him according to Aria's instructions, but he wants to make her consider it. Her obvious love of magic could become the thin end of a wedge that could pry her and her "mentor" apart. 

"I don't believe it's very noble of you to attempt to pressure Ms. Quill," Aria cuts in. "Surely she can take some time to consider your offer before committing one way or the other?" 

"Of course," Cocoa says. Pushing further will just make it look like he has nefarious intentions in mind. The seed has been planted - he doesn't need to say anything more. "I'll say no more of the matter." He turns back to Aria. "So, Aria - how has your life been as of late? Has the court been treating you well?"

"As well as it ever does. Times are hard for small nobility. We're politically inconvenient to both the liberals and the conservatives; the liberals because we're the ones cutbacks on noble privileges impact most, the conservatives because we're mostly ascendant merchants and artificers. It's an in-between existence, but I manage somehow." She smiles politely, not a trace of real emotion on her face.

By being a complete shark, you mean?

He doesn't say it. "I sympathize. While it's not as hard for me as a mage with inborn power, I remember what it was like to be a commoner."

"Yes," Aria says, a hint of sorrow reaching her face. "I suppose it can always be worse."

"Being a commoner's not so bad," Corvina pipes up. "There's less... rich things in it, like all the sweets and so on... But I got by just fine before I even know I was a mage." 

What an opinion! 

Cocoa schools his face smooth. "I'm glad. I would hardly wish for hardship to come to the subjects of the realm."

Aria's face goes carefully neutral. "Of course," she says. "I simply couldn't understand, as a noble-born woman."

Corvina smiles. "I'm glad I could come to court, though," she says. "It's so full of amazing opportunities. Aria has been very kind to me, and you seem to be nice as well, Cocoa. It's amazing to get to meet one of my inspirations in the flesh."

"Me, an inspiration?" Black Cocoa's lips twitch up. "Surely not." 

Well, he thinks. That's going to be useful later. Even if Corvina is clearly hopeless at politics.

He thinks he's seen enough.

He looks over at Aria. "I think, however, that it's time I was off again. Contact me whenever you wish, Aria, Corvina." He bows shallowly. "Thank you for your time."

"I'll see you out." Aria's gaze follows Cocoa's hands.

Of course she's suspicious he might cast something to listen in. Alas, lingering divinations take more setup than even he can manage without a prop.

"Enjoy your morning. I hope to see Ms. Quill in her classes soon."

The door closes solidly behind him.

Well. That went about as well as could be expected.

Time to get clear of the scene as fast as possible and hope his presence here isn't reported to the conservative faction.

Meanwhile, back in the meal hall...

Finally the marquis' son has stopped talking. 

She sits down at Ms. Baker's table with her tray of food. 

"Morning," she says cheerfully. "Ms. Baker, was it?"

Ms. Baker smiles brightly back. "Leah Brachia! What a surprise. The court's first female knight. Are you here for an interview? The public would love to know your story!"

"Actually," she says. "I was wondering if you'd seen Ms. Quill anywhere. She seems to have vanished and I'm concerned about her welfare as a commoner among nobility."