The princess perches on her bed, one hand on her face as she smiles smugly at her lover-to-be.

"Darling. I know you must be wondering why I've called you here today."

This is not the first time Gloria has called her for an intimate meeting over some trivial matter, often as a simple excuse to shoo her maid out of the room through the secret door, thus leading to rather more intimate acitivities than are strictly proprietary for two noblewomen who are not strictly supposed to even be engaged. 

The Princess's whims change like the sea or the wind; Ishaza has long since learned to flow with them as best she can. 

After all, the two of them love each other very much. 

"What is it, starlight?" 

Gloria does love her pet names. 

Gloria smiles brightly, and gestures with one hand. "Why, I've fallen in love!"

Oh dear. 

The princess's wild romantic whims are so difficult to suppress the public knowledge of. Her trysts range the gamut of the court, from the highest of the high to the lowest of the low. There's no telling who she's fallen for now. 

"Who is it this time?"

"You don't need to give me that look, darling. It's a perfectly acceptable match. I met her at the academy just this morning. Corvina Quill, I believe was her name. The most beautiful little thing with silver hair and such a bright smile. Earnest, dutiful. Strong with magic. I simply must have her." 

Quill? 

That's not a last name she recognizes.

At least it's not someone from the conservative faction, but she has a sinking feeling that she knows who has that name. The prodigy who tested into the academy on raw magical merit and otherwise has nothing to her name.

Gloria has gone and "fallen for" the lowest-born woman she could possibly have had contact with, as a princess. 

Ishaza sighs. "And you want me to arrange her, is that it?"

"You know I can't go to Indigo for things like this. And my mother refuses to be seen to condone it. Please, Ishaza? I'm desperate."

Ishaza casts her mind back to the distant days of one month ago, when a kitsune noblewoman first came to Villarosa's High Academy. 

"You said that about Bitter, too, and you only had her once and then the spark was gone for you."

"That was one time! How was I supposed to know she had a penis?" 

"...Which is why, perhaps, you should take more time about your courting rather than simply hopping into bed with everything you see."

Ishaza crosses her arms. "Honestly."

"Look, if you want to refuse you can refuse. But it's dereliction of your duty as a subject of my realm and I don't appreciate it much either."

... Gloria's always impossible when she gets like this. She simply must have her shiny new toy, and if she isn't helped along she'll grab for it clumsily and then there will be a scandal, which is always good for the conservative faction. 

"Alright," Ishaza relents. "I'll do my best to help you out. But you must remember that you don't just get everything you want because you're the princess."

Gloria smiles the private little smile that she has when she's very pleased. 

"Thank you, darling. Was that so hard?"

"Should I go arrange that now, Your Highness?" Ishaza puts as much sarcasm as she can muster into the title.

Gloria tosses her hair back and leans back on the bed, her thighs parting. 

"No," she says. "Marie, leave us." She looks over at her mother's maid, standing unobtrusively to the side of the room.

"Yes, milady."

Marie vanishes through the chamber's secret door.

... She's pretty damn sure she knows what her next order will be. 

She sinks to her knees in front of Gloria, and rests her head against her thigh.

"Good girl," Gloria purrs. Her hand slips out to rest in Ishaza's hair. "Now eat me out."

It's a familiar order, but not one she dislikes.

She presses in and gets to work.

Some hours later, Ishaza convenes a clandestine meeting in the High Academy greenhouse, which is full of orchids, ferns and exotic trees from the jungles far to the south. 

At the laced metalwork table sits a certain cat-eared noble scion, known as a prodigy at magic and the inventor of many magical devices and weapons - none other than the famous Black Cocoa. 

"It's lovely to see the night sky now and then," he says, looking up through the glass dome of the conservatory. "It's been a while since we've had a late meeting like this."

By which, of course, he means what on earth are you doing, calling me out here at this hour?

Ishaza inclines her head slightly. "It's been almost a month since I last saw the stars," she says. "Don't you think their beauty deserves to be savoured?"

Beauty deserves to be savoured, huh. A month ago. 

So we're talking about the princess' whims. 

"They flicker so," Cocoa says. "Such inconstant things. But I must admit they have their beauty."

What the princess wants, the princess gets. 

"Has any constellation in particular come to your attention tonight?"

Who is it this time, in other words. 

"The morning star, Venus," she replies. "Rising in the east and setting in the west. It dances among all the other stars, but they never quite touch. Don't you think that's a kind of magic?"

It just so happens to be summer, so Venus is visible, which is a pleasant happenstance.

Surely she can't mean her. 

"A hot star and a lively one, Venus. With deep and potent uses in alchemy and astrologia. But I would think it's somewhat unseasonable to view at this time of year."

"Nonetheless, it is visible, even if it does keep me up for hours waiting for it to appear in the evening sky. I do apologize for the awkward timing." 

"Stars shine when and where they will, and the fates they cast lay upon us all. Did you know that the light of Venus can be used to etch runeglass? You wouldn't think that so little light could cause such a profound change, and yet it occurs every time with the right apparatus."

In other words, the princess' whims can't be helped; play this right and we might win someone competent for the liberal faction. 

"I did not know that! What other uses can the light of Venus be put to?"

"Many, I believe; it can be saved in a mirror-flask or bottle, then applied wherever it is most necessary. Distilled starlight can be intoxicating to use." 

Of course Cocoa would make an innuendo about alcohol in the middle of discussing serious matters.

"Surely you wouldn't imbibe it." 

"I've heard the commoners enjoy their starshine. Perhaps it's time we tried it ourselves. In a sensible, controlled and responsible manner, of course."

"Of course." She leans back in her latticework chair, feeling the muggy heat of the greenhouse against her skin. "I think I prefer tea. Would you like a cup?"

"I think I will excuse myself for now," Cocoa replies. "I simply must go try some experiments."

Ishaza smiles slightly and takes a deep breath of the hothouse air, rich with earth and heat.

"Mind you don't poison yourself."

Cocoa stands, and bows precisely. "I will be exquisitely delicate." 

Ishaza nods, and remains seated. "Enjoy," she says. "I'm going to stay here and watch the stars."

Cocoa straightens, and departs.

Ishaza looks up, up, up at the star-speckled sky. 

She can just make out Venus on the western horizon. 

She smiles slightly to herself, and snaps her fingers. "Tea," she orders.

Her attending maid bows, and leaves to prepare Ishaza's tea.

Ishaza doesn't pay any attention. She just stares through the glass into the star-speckled night.

Oh, little star. What fates do you weave for us today?

Meanwhile, amid the rose gardens of the Bramble estate...

"Indigo." Duke Maxwell Bramble's voice cracks like a whip. "There's been another transparent assignation between the princess and the pretender bride. I thought you said you had her under control."

Duke Bramble's son spreads his hands. "What can I say? The woman is insatiable. Even I have trouble keeping up with her. And politically, she's attracted to the freedoms the Liberal faction offers, no matter that they'll plunge the realm into chaos. I am doing the best I can while doing my duty to the realm and to my House."

"We have to get it through to her that responsibility is not the same as never having any fun. You've made some strides in that, I must admit."

"She enjoyed the tournament we hosted last month, so much so that she granted me another assignation. Naturally I made sure I acquitted myself well. Remind me to thank Ms. Carpenter for her acquisitions; her thoughts on the princess' tastes in arcane devices were quite useful."

"I dislike the neccessity of playing out the political battle in the princess' bedroom, but it can't be helped. If the liberals are going to play dirty, so too must we."

Maxwell leans his head on his cheek and thinks for a moment. 

"I think we need to make a show of conceding to one of the princess' demands. She's always on about respecting the common people; we should go out of our way to recognize and adopt some new blood into the family. Talent is always worthy if harnessed by those who have the right of rulership."

Indigo taps two fingers against the glass-topped garden table. "Are you considering the new talent who's just arrived at the academy - what was her name, Ms. Quill?"

"Her arcane talents are once a generation, and I have it on good authority that she's unschooled in politics. If we simply make ourselves helpful she'll fall right into our lap. She'd make a fine counterbalance to Black Cocoa."

"I think it would be unwise for me to approach her myself. After all, my attentions should be reserved for the princess." He tilts his head. "However, I know a young knight with a strong sense of chivalry who might be willing to take a talented commoner under her wing. Ms... Brachia, I believe. She voted with us at the last assembly and believes in my claim. I can work with that."

"See that you do," says Maxwell. "For the good of the realm."

He stands, and bows shallowly to his son.

Indigo stands as well, presses his hand over his heart, and bows deeply. "For House Bramble."

His father picks up the sword that leans against the side of his chair, and walks off into the estate, leaving Indigo behind.

Indigo turns and stands, looking out over the gardens. 

He snaps his fingers. "Ms. Carpenter!"

A red-haired maid appears at his side in seconds. 

"Yes, my lord?"

"Bring paper and a pen, and sealing-wax. I have a message you are to hand-deliver to Dame Leah Brachia."

She curtseys deeply. "Yes, my lord." 

Then she goes.

Some hours later, around the same time as Cocoa and Ishaza are meeting in the academy conservatory...

Dame Leah Brachia sits on her bed in her academy rooms, looking at the letter in her hands. 

Dear Dame Brachia, it reads. I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing because I have a small request that I believe to be to both our benefit. 

Despite my father's stubborn clinging to the old ways, he is beginning to see that the liberals have the Princess' ear. As a result, he is considering adopting some common or small-nobility talent into his faction. I believe this serves both our interests.

My father particularly has his eye on the recent admission to the academy, Ms. Corvina Quill. Her astonishing magical aptitude scores are a strong enough signal that he wants her on his side. 

However, I cannot approach her directly, as my father believes all my attentions should go to the princess. As such, I am forced to delegate to you. 

Please bring Corvina Quill under your wing, and strengthen our side for the conflict that will inevitably erupt in a year.

- Indigo Bramble

His seal is stamped onto the paper a few inches from his name. 

Leah looks up at the red-haired maid in her rooms, remembering a night of passion she shared with Indigo not many moons ago. 

She owes him at least this much.

"I'll do it," she says. 

Ms. Carpenter curtsies. "Milord would like to remind you to destroy his correspondence once you have finished with it. We wouldn't want the liberal faction to become aware of our plans, now, would we?

Leah smiles slightly, pries the wax seal off the paper, and consigns the rest of it to her room's fireplace, where it quickly burns away. 

"No," she says. "We wouldn't want that."

Sophia curtseys again, and lets herself out of Leah's chambers.

Much earlier that morning, on the grounds of the royal academy...

It has been such a day. 

Corvina stands apart from the rest of the students in the assembly hall, feeling for all the world like she's just stepped onto an alien planet. 

Yes, she wrote the imperial entrance exams, everyone who thinks they have even a shred of magic writes the exams. She hadn't expected to pass. 

And now people are going on about how her marks are the highest in history, she's been whisked away to the capital over the protestations of her family, and the princess gave her a certificate of admission personally and smiled at her.

The good news is, she gets to study magic! Professionally! And maybe do something really significant for the kingdom! She gets to experience the lap of luxury and learn from the very best in the realm!

Downside: She knows absolutely nobody here, she doesn't even know the order of noble titles, half the people here look at her like she's something stuck to the bottom of their shoe, and she can kiss that one girl back at home she was hoping to maybe go on a date with sometime goodbye for good. 

You win some, you lose some.

A woman with a camera comes up the side of the auditorium and smiles at Corvina. "Hey," she says. "How does it feel to be the mage with the highest score on an imperial entrance test in history? You even beat Black Cocoa!"

"I..." Corvina flushes and pulls her admissions certficate close to her body. "It still doesn't feel real, to be honest. I suppose I should be thankful for the opportunity to practice my passion, but it's all been such a whirlwind that I hardly know where to begin."

"There's a rumor that you were dating another woman back in your home town. If so, it's a great stride forwards for the cause of sexual rights in Villarosa. Are you lesbian? Bisexual?"

"I, uh, er -"

Crap, what does she even say to keep Patricia from being mobbed by the press, she never even dated the girl -

One of the nearby noblewomen cuts in. "Miss Baker! I believe the words Ms. Quill is groping for are 'My sexuality is a private matter and I prefer not to discuss it.'"

She smiles slightly and steps between the reporter and Corvina. "I assure you, I've investigated these reports that our prodigy is in love with another woman and have found them to be greatly unsubstantiated."

Corvina lets out a sigh of relief. "Yes, what she said."

The noblewoman smiles slightly. "It's unbecoming to try and catch the new admissions in political statements, wouldn't you agree? I know you are just looking for a story, but please, consider Ms. Quill's state at the moment. She has just made a long journey far from her parents and hometown and has not yet adapted to the realities of court. Give her some time and I'm sure she'll grant you an interview once she is more familiar with her situation."

"I... well... ah..." 

Ms. Baker ducks her head and rubs the back of her neck. "It's as you say, Ms. Quill is no doubt tired from her long journey." She fishes in her bag and produces an embossed business card, which she offers with both hands. "Please," she says to Corvina. "I would love an interview once you've had some time to prepare your statements more fully."

Corvina takes the card and puts it in her pocket. "I - I'll consider it." 

Ms. Baker nods. "That's all I can ask for." 

She hefts her camera and walks on, doing her best to blend into the milling crowd. 

"Well," says the noblewoman. "That was a near miss."

She offers her hand to Corvina. "I'm Aria Roscente."

Corvina takes her hand and shakes it. "Corvina Quill. Though you clearly already knew that."

"I make it my business to know a lot of things," Aria says. "It's the only way a mere countess like myself can survive in the political currents around here."

She crosses her arms. "You need a tutor."

Corvina releases Aria's hand. "And you're putting yourself forwards for the role?"

"Does it look like anyone else cares?"

Aria shrugs slightly. "I don't pretend to not be out for myself, but I am at least honest. I think helping you will help me in the long term, because you'll almost certainly acquire a title above mine as long as you play your cards right and don't do anything stupid. Mutual benefit is the name of the game, isn't that so?"

Corvina shrugs. "I guess? I don't - I've always tried to stay out of politics."

"A commendable impulse that I wish I could indulge. Unfortunately, that's just not life at the royal academy."

She offers her hand. "Friends?"

This could all be a trick, but Aria seems to be approaching her with honest intent... 

But that could be what she wants her to think...

... Fuck second-guessing. Aria didn't need to help her with the reporter, and she didn't need to extend a hand in friendship, either. 

"Friends," she says, and she takes Aria's hand. 

"Alright, then. Let's leave this place and start working on getting you up to speed. My rooms?"

"Lead the way."

The next morning...

Where the hell is Corvina? 

Leah's checked her rooms (she's not there), and she wasn't even present at her introductory classes. She didn't even turn up to dinner last night. No-one has seen her since the admissions ceremony, which would normally mean that she's gone to collapse in her rooms after the long carriage trip and all the stress of moving, but today it would seem that she's not there. It's hard enough to get people to talk to her when she's just a dame and not even landed nobility, but it seems like nobody is even keeping track of where Corvina's gone, never mind that her test scores exceed Black Cocoa's. 

Sometimes Leah doubts that Maxwell's lay supporters have anything between their ears. Then again, it's just as bad on the liberal side - all these landed nobility have not a clue in their heads when it comes to promotions by merit. Have the liberal faction snapped her up already? For all she knows Corvina's been assassinated by some idiot, this disappearance on her first day is incredibly suspicious.

She could ask Ms. Carpenter to speak to her eyes and ears among the serving staff, but gathering reports from informants without exposing them takes time she doesn't have. And it'd hurt her reputation if she was seen to have to rely on support from the wider faction.

Who would know, whose business is it to know - 

Ms. Baker. She's got the sharpest pair of eyes in the entire court, and as a commoner herself she's not going to pass over an opportunity to speak to Corvina. And Leah knows where she is, she's covering the inaugural breakfast.

She goes down to the breakfast hall.

The meal hall is filled with long benches of Imperial students, all eating together. Young men and women in crisp uniforms, the flowers of the realm.

There are cliques, of course. Committed liberals cluster around Ishaza on the north side of the hall, while the staunch conservatives gather around Indigo on the south side. Each of them has enough daily business to attend to that it's required of them that they be present in the same locations every meal, so that their many, many underlings can see the flag and feel that they are being listened to. The Princess comes and goes as she likes, at times favoring the liberal table with her presence, at other times eating at the conservative one. At times she eats privately, or takes her throne closest to the kitchen at the far west end of the hall.  

There are perhaps three competent people at each table. Leah counts herself as one.  

Ms. Baker is holding interviews at the far east end of the hall, as far from the Princess' seat as is possible to get. Her camera rests against the small of her back, tucked in close against her body; she has out a pad of paper and a pen and is taking notes rapidly in her reporter's shorthand and making small affirmative noises as a Marquis' son waxes on about tariffs on furs. 

... She can't cut in line, not when a marquis' son is speaking. She'll have to wait. 

She goes and gets herself a plate of bacon and eggs with trenchers so as not to seem to be hanging around. 

Meanwhile, at about the same time...

Corvina's missing. 

The obvious first hypothesis is the conservative faction, but Cocoa has no idea why they would be interested in a lowborn girl, even if she does have test scores in excess of his own. An assassination is unlikely - it would be an outrage to the commoners, and that invites strong backlash, and the royal academy is warded against such attempts such that it would at least be very risky. There doesn't seem to be a strong motivation for anyone to kill or kidnap Corvina, not even the conservatives. 

Even if she was seduced by the conservatives, that should mean that she would be at their table at dinner for them to show off their new acquisition - unless the older members of the faction objected? It is certainly a possibility. But there's a complexity penalty there. 

If only he had better penetration into the academy staff, he would be able to find the room that's ordered more than one meal for the night easily. But the conservatives are much stronger there, as much as you'd expect commoners to understand that supporting the liberal faction is much more in their interests. 

Who would be interested in a young commoner with extraordinary ability... 

Well.

There's one obvious culprit. 

He doesn't like it. He doesn't like it one bit. If he's right, this is going to complicate everything straight to hell. 

But she's probably with Aria. Nobody else has the audacity to make a move like this. 

He goes down to her rooms and knocks on her door.

Aria answers her door. Her expression is a mask of polite neutrality. 

"Good morning," she says to Cocoa. "What a surprise to see Black Cocoa knocking at the door of a mere countess. How may I assist you?"

Ah, Aria. Never change. 

"Can't I drop in on my old mentor from time to time?" He smiles neutrally. "May I come in?"

"I'm afraid I already have a guest." She doesn't budge. "Perhaps another time?"

Of course. Nothing comes for free with Aria.

"I would consider it a favor if you would allow me to discreetly join you and your guest for tea."

"Oh, my! Surely you are not proposing anything indiscreet." 

Ah. So even Aria can't control the academy staff. She's done better in the past. What a pity.

"Why, of course I don't mean anything untoward. The presence of your guest would preclude anything hazardous, don't you think?"

Aria's face falls from her feigned surprise.

"I believe so," she says. "You'd better come in."

She steps back from the door, and opens it a little wider.

And beyond her in the room sits Corvina Quill, at a large table overloaded with sweet desserts and a plate of breakfast food. She's sitting in an overstuffed armchair with a cushion in the small of her back and looks vaguely confused, but happy.

She looks over at Black Cocoa and hastens up from her chair to make a sloppy curtsey. "Black Cocoa!" 

She ducks her head and flushes a little, apparently overwhelmed. 

Cocoa steps inside, and lets Aria close the door behind him. He raises a small silver circle in one hand and releases it - 

Good, there are no servants in the room at the moment. His passage here will be noted, but the contents of his conversation with Aria and Corvina should be secure.

"Sit," he says mildly. "There's no need to stand on ceremony."

Corvina's gaze goes to the shards of light dissipating in his hand. "Wait, was that a divination charm? Cast off the tips of your fingers with ambient mana???" 

Her eyes light up. "You're really as good as they say you are!"

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."

"Oh, rest assured she's in no danger. I saw her yesterday morning at the assembly. Gave her my business card."

Leah leans in. "It sounds like you know where she is."

"Certainly. But that information isn't free. What do you say to that interview?"

Damn it, the trail is cold and getting colder by the minute, but this woman wants to detain her even longer. She could accept and be late, late, late, or else push and give away that she's in a hurry. 

Ms. Baker answers to none but her readers, but anyone could be listening here. Best not to give away the depth of her interest. 

"Fair enough," she says. "We can take a few minutes."

"Thank you! When did you begin training to become a knight? How did you know that you wanted to be one?"

It's not a hardball interview. Ms. Baker is playing nice. 

Eventually...

Ms. Baker smiles, jotting down her last handful of notes. "Thank you for your time. The last time I saw Ms. Quill, she was being escorted away by Countess Roscente. No doubt she is still with her."

"Countess Roscente?"

Who in Villarosa is Countess Roscente? 

"You don't know her? She's a petty noble. Merchant stock. I interview her occasionally on economic matters. Blonde hair, about five foot three."

"I can't say she rings a bell. What's your opinion of her?"

"She seems honest enough, for a noble. Never really answers my questions directly, but she keeps accepting interviews anyway. I think she just likes to hear herself talk."

Of course. Probably a minor patsy of the liberal faction.

"There are certainly plenty of those in the court. Thank you for your time, Ms. Baker."

"Likewise."

One small trip to ask a maidservant which room is Countess Roscente's later...

Leah brings her knuckles down on the door in three sharp knocks.

"Countess Roscente?"

Sure enough, a blonde-haired woman comes to answer the door.

"What is it?" she asks mildly.

"I'm looking for Ms. Quill," she says. "I'm concerned for her safety."

"Rest assured, she's safe with me." Countess Roscente smiles softly.

"She hasn't attended any of her classes, nor has she shown up to breakfast. May I see her?"

Aria shakes her head. "I'm afraid you'll have to take my word for it. She's busy with independent study at the moment."

She is a knight sworn to defend the safety of the realm's subjects, and this countess is being deliberately obstructionate... but if she forces her way in she'll likely ruin any chance of her making a good impression on Corvina. 

"I would consider it a favour to have a chance to speak to her and ascertain that she is healthy and not being kept against her will."

Countess Roscente purses her lips. "Very well, you may enter for long enough to ascertain that."

She steps back from the door.

Corvina is sitting in an overstuffed armchair with a bounty of sweets and leatherbound books in front of her, making fairylights with one hand. 

She looks over as Leah steps in, and stands hastily to curtsey. "I, um... Milady?"

Leah steps into the room and waves a hand. "It's 'dame', I'm not a lady. Leah Brachia."

She extends one hand to shake.

Corvina smiles. "Dame, huh? So you're a lady knight! How romantic." She smiles and shakes Leah's hand, her gaze flicking down along Leah's body involuntarily.

That's a look she most often gets from young men hoping to be knights like her someday. 

So Corvina likes women. She files that away for later. 

"It's a lot of work in practice," she says. "But I find it worth the effort to protect women like you. Is the countess treating you well?"

Corvina smiles. "Yes! She's been keeping me in textbooks and sweets and tutoring me in the ways of the court. She seems very well-intentioned."

Damn it, if the liberals win this one with nothing more than a platter of mass-produced chocolate she's going to scream. 

"That's good to hear, but I must caution you against following the dictates of any individual too closely. You must always keep your wits about you at court and never listen to only one source of advice. Unfortunate things happen to people who disregard such rules."

Corvina ducks her head. "Is it that obvious? Well, for now I'm still sorting myself out, so... Even though I appreciate the offer of help and advice, I must respectfully decline for now."

Leah smiles slightly. ""For now" has a tendency to become "forever" where politics is concerned. Please, don't hesitate to call on me at any hour. I could even teach you swordsmanship, if you wish. It's always best to be able to defend oneself."

Swords!!! With a hot lady!!!!

"... As I said, I must respectfully decline."

She's got her. It's not over yet.

"Very well then," Leah says. "It seems you're well enough and here by choice, so I will take my leave for now. Thank you for your time."

She nods to Countess Roscente and exits the way she came.

Aria smiles politely. "Thank you for your concern."

And she departs.

Once Leah has solidly departed...

Aria steps back into her rooms, and returns bearing a small crystalline sphere. 

She presses a button on the side of it, and a small light flashes green.

"No watchers," she reports to Corvina. "It's safe to speak."

Corvina looks up from her textbooks and runa a hand through her hair. "Do you really need to do that?"

Aria nods. "Yes, because I'm about to explain my understanding of the political situation to you, and I don't want anyone overhearing my private thoughts - the degree of what someone knows can often be incredibly important information at court."

Corvina looks at Aria seriously. "Okay, hit me."

Aria sits down across from Corvina, picks up a cupcake, and takes a bite. "I'd like to hear your understanding of the situation first, so that I can take time to correct any particular flaws in your reasoning."

"Well, it seems like you're not the only person who's interested in me. That Leah lady seemed to be very concerned about me, and she even offered me sword practice..." 

Corvina presses her chin into the knuckles of her right hand. "I don't buy that Black Cocoa just 'happened' to drop by either. It seems clear that, contrary to what you said yesterday, many people are interested in me."

Aria lets out a small sigh. "Oh, good, you're not completely hopeless."

She takes another bite of her cupcake.

"To be blunt, you're being played for by the court. Black Cocoa represents the liberal faction, so that makes Leah most likely the messenger of the conservative faction. At this early stage, both sides are playing for access to you."

Aria steeples her hands and leans forwards. "Because I was able to spirit you away from the classes and so on you'd usually be attending, the opportunity to play first is something I've been able to charge both sides for. In the long run I'm not going to be able to keep you by my side continuously, but the disruption in your schedule has shown us who is interested in you. And to be blunt, you're a prodigy and the extra day on very basic material is not really the best use of your talents. With me so far?"

Corvina taps her knuckles against her chin. "I think I understand. Both sides are dangling something I want - extra tutoring and support - and hoping I take them up on their offer."

She frowns. "I don't really appreciate being charged for like I'm a - fairground attraction - though."

"To be blunt, those favours I'm skimming off the top are what makes it worth it for me to tutor and guide you. They're paying for your education, in a sense - an education that's not bound to any one faction, that respects you as an individual able to make your own choices, and that guards you against falling for easy traps."

Aria takes the last bite of her cupcake and sets the wrapper aside. "Mentorship and support isn't the only chip in this game. Cocoa almost certainly sees that you admire him, and Leah almost certainly sees that you're attracted to her. Both sides want you to become enamoured with them, for you to give them your heart - but if you commit, the trap goes snap and then you're their patsy for life."

"... oh." 

Corvina hunches a little in her seat. 

"Isn't there such a thing as being friends at court?"

"Friends are a luxury for once you're secure in your position. Right now, you can't afford them."

"... so what should I do?"

"For now? Listen and learn and commit to nothing. We can't keep you in my rooms forever, but I can stay by your side as you politely and neutrally entertain both sides' offers."

She steeples her hands again. "For that, I'll need your cooperation, just as I've needed your cooperation on all the rest of this - but I promise to you that I'm acting in what I believe to be our mutual best interest. By showing you can play the game, you make both sides take you more seriously and value you more, and in the meantime you can scoop up the gifts that both sides offer you attempting to win your favour. Even if you ultimately commit, you're more useful to your side as someone not publicly affiliated with them."

Corvina's spine straightens. 

"Alright," she says. "I'll do my best."

About a half hour later, in Leah's room...

Dear Indigo, 

I've spoken to our mutual acquaintance. They seem attracted to me, but also appear to be under the sway of one Countess Roscente, who I presume to be of the liberal faction. I've extended an offer of tutoring as a prelude. 

Yours, 

Dame Brachia.

She seals the letter firmly with wax and her signet ring, and hands it to her personal maid, who is one of Ms. Carpenter's little birds.

"See that this makes it to Indigo securely."

"Of course, dame."

The maid curtseys, slips the letter into a holding-pouch against her body, and leaves.

Meanwhile, Cocoa pays a visit to the chambers of a certain visiting Kitsune dignitary.

He holds a box of chocolates in one hand, and a rakish smile lingers on his face.

Bitter Silvertail answers the door to her chambers. 

"Black Cocoa! What a treat. It's so good to see my sweet thing once more in the flesh." 

She smiles. "Business or pleasure?~"

"Why, pleasure, of course." Cocoa makes a low sweeping bow with several genuflections. "As is only proper for such an esteemed dignitary as yourself."

Bitter laughs. "Of course, of course. Come in." She steps back from the door, exposing her room which is draped in deep carpet and hanging silks.

Cocoa steps in and closes the door behind him. "It's lovely to see you again," he says. "Chocolates?" He proffers the box.

"Why, you shouldn't have." Bitter purrs, low in her throat, and wraps a tail around Cocoa's waist. "But that's not what you came here for, now is it?"

Cocoa leans in, and whispers softly in Bitter's ear, too low to be heard by anyone but her.

Bitter gets a sharp, wicked smile. "Oh really," she says. "Come to bed, then, my precious cat. Play with me the way you want to.~"

Bitter grins. "Gladly." 

He leans in against Bitter's side, and lets her lead him deeper into the bedroom.

Bitter looks over at the maid who has been pouring her tea. "I'd like the room, please," she says to her attendant. "We're about to be... busy."

"As you say, milady." 

The maid makes her way out of Bitter's rooms.

Bitter goes on to the bed, pulling at Cocoa's shirt and making it ride up the side of his body. She purrs low in her throat again, and leans in to kiss him.

He kisses her, embracing her closely - and in the small space against her body he makes the sign of the divination charm. 

"Mmmmm," he purrs back. "Aren't you delectable."

The divination charm comes back clear. 

He pulls back and kisses her again on the nose. "Beautiful as always."

"What can I say? I'm the best at what I do." 

Kumi slips her hand into the pocket of her robe and pulls out a small tetrahedron inscribed with a mark on each side. 

"Now," she says, "We still have to actually have sex, that was part of the deal. But I know what you're really here for."

"It's a shame we haven't figured out how to emulate the old magic," Cocoa says, taking the tetrahedron from Kumi. "But at least this pair survives."

He taps one side of the tetrahedron and it lights up with a cyan glow. There, they're paired now. 

He rocks the tetrahedron slowly back and forth three times.

Meanwhile, in the dining hall... 

Ishaza is in the middle of reassuring one of her lackeys that she loves the smallfolk and would never hurt them when she feels a soft rocking motion in the hidden pocket beneath her uniform. 

She lets her mouth go on autopilot repeating the standard platitudes while she listens to the message. 

... Contact is the first code.

Then... Complication. 

The rest of the message she can't get from the feel against her skin, it's too complex. She'll have to make an excuse to retire to her chambers and transcribe the rest of the recording there. 

She smiles, and continues to chat pleasantly.

Back in Bitter Silvertail's rooms...

Cocoa completes the message, and unpairs the tetrahedrons. He passes the priceless artifact back to Bitter. 

"Thank you," he says. "And now, I believe, it's time I sucked your cock."

Bitter laughs. "A fair price, I think." She trails a hand through Cocoa's hair and smiles. "I have to say, I appreciate our little relationship."

Cocoa slips a hand down to her crotch, and starts feeling her up through her dress. 

"It's a pleasure." He smiles widely.

Around an hour later...

Ishaza has taken her time and made her excuses, and finally retired to her own rooms on her estate. 

She takes out the priceless tetrahedron from its small pocket inside her uniform, and lays it on the desk before her. She presses one of the faces, and it lights up with a low red glow. 

The tetrahedron begins to flip, face-to-face, at a moderate pace. 

She lifts her pen, and marks the flips. The code is not elaborate, but it is personal to her, Bitter and Cocoa. Not even her parents know how to transcribe it. Just in case.

ISHAZA

CONTACT, COMPLICATION 

C UNDER SWAY ARIA

CONSERVATIVE CONTACT NOT OBSERVED

ARIA WILL PLAY NEUTRAL  

C ADMIRES COCOA 

MENTORSHIP OFFERED

OFFER UNDER CONSIDERATION

OWE ARIA FAVOUR FOR ACCESS

ARIA ALWAYS COMPLEX

BEWARE

ILY 

LIBERALS FTW

She smiles slightly to herself, taps the other side of the tetrahedron, and begins to dictate back. 

COCOA

ARIA COMPLICATION BUT BETTER THAN CONSERVATIVE

ARIA GENUINELY NEUTRAL

ARIA CARES ABOUT C

ARIA WORKABLE

MENTORSHIP OFFER GOOD

ADMIRATION GOOD

THREE ADDITIONAL FAVOURS AUTHORIZED

SPEND WISELY

PLAY SOFT

ILY 

LIBERALS FTW

Back in Bitter Silvertail's rooms...

Bitter Silvertail has Cocoa's cock in her mouth when the metaphorical phone rings. 

She sighs, pulls off gently, and produces the tetrahedron. "It's for you," she says.

Cocoa takes a heavy breath, shakes his head to clear the fog of arousal, and accepts the tetrahedron. 

"Please, go on," he says as he starts to transcribe the message in his head. 

Bitter doesn't need to be told twice.

Meanwhile, in Indigo Bramble's private rooms...

Indigo spreads out the letter he's recieved from Leah. It's... somewhat disturbing. 

Dear Indigo,

I've spoken to our mutual acquaintance. They seem attracted to me, but also appear to be under the sway of one Countess Roscente, who I presume to be of the liberal faction. I've extended an offer of tutoring as a prelude.

Yours, Dame Brachia.

So Corvina is both gay - or bi, at least - and under the sway of Countess Roscente. Who Leah does not know of and thinks is a liberal patsy. And she was supposed to be competent.

He absolutely must sort this out post-haste. 

He raises his voice. "Ms. Carpenter?"

Ms. Carpenter approaches and bows. "Yes, my lord?"

"I need to dictate an urgent reply to Dame Brachia. You are to escort it personally."

"Yes, my lord." 

Ms. Carpenter produces a lap desk for her lord within a minute. 

He sets quill to page. 

Dame Brachia

Countess Roscente is a dangerous neutral third party. She plays her own games surrounding mentorship of new admissions to the academy. I am not impressed with your performance so far. 

Your mentorship offer must have come at a price, but you neglect to have mentioned it. Be careful that you do not become burdened with debts you cannot pay.

The Conservatives back you in prying Corvina out of Aria's grip. Use the attraction well and do not hesitate to seduce; you have my blessing despite the politics of it.

Ms. Carpenter will observe you destroying this letter. 

- Indigo

He passes the letter to Ms. Carpenter. "Be sure this is destroyed after reading. The contents are politically sensitive."

"Yes, my lord." 

Ms. Carpenter curtseys, accepts the letter, and takes her leave.

About twenty minutes later...

Leah stands with her feet planted in the dust, facing down a trio of striking dummies with her longsword. She goes through her forms one after another, practicing her strikes with live steel. Each one parts the rolled mats of her target cleanly, each single strike simple, clean and efficient. 

She's wearing leathers to train, rather than her heavier full plate, but sweat clings to her beneath her doublet and her arms ache familiarly. 

This is so much simpler than politics.

Her assigned maid approaches her and curtsies.

"Excuse me, Dame, but there's a message for you at your rooms."

Already?

Indigo must have sent a priority courier. 

With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Leah sheathes her sword. "I'll go receive it immediately." 

When she steps back into the privacy of her rooms, Ms. Carpenter is waiting for her silently, message outstretched in one fist.

Shit.

She must have misstepped somehow. 

She keeps it off her face as best as she can, and accepts the letter.

Ms. Carpenter crosses her arms and stares at her as she reads it.

... So Aria is her own person. Damn it. 

She thought she was trading to the liberals, but instead she's dealing with a third party. A dangerous one, moreover. 

And she's to seduce Corvina. Well enough.

She peels off the seal and consigns the letter to her room's fireplace.

"Tell Indigo I'll take responsibility for the favor I owe. I'll make this work." 

"Noted," Ms. Carpenter says in her clipped voice. "Would you like to write a formal letter?"

Leah shakes her head. "Better to relay the news quickly. Thank you for your time, Ms. Carpenter."

She curtsies, and departs.

Now she's really in it. 

Then again, this is what you get when you fuck the leader of the conservatives.

She sits down on her bed, and rubs her forehead. She'd better come up with a strategy, and fast. 

Eventually, it's time for lunch.

Aria Roscente enters the dining hall, her face fixed in a polite, neutral mask.

And on her arm is Corvina Quill, her head on a swivel, her posture stiff and unnatural.

They are shadowed on their left by a black-haired maid with a light, easy smile.

A hush doesn't fall over the hall when they step in. This is, after all, a very ordinary thing for the court; a new commoner being introduced to its hallowed halls. 

Still, at least a half-dozen people glance over when the unlikely pair walk into the hall.

Ms. Baker is closest to the entrance and most motivated; she excuses herself from her table in mid-interview and moves to Corvina's side. 

"Ms. Quill! I haven't seen you for almost a day. Have you finally reconsidered that interview?"

Aria ducks her head and sighs. "We'll discuss that in a few days, Ms. Baker. I'm taking Ms. Quill for her introductions to the court."

Ms. Baker moves with them as they move deeper into the hall. "You're that certain, huh. Can I at least have a photo of her in her academy uniform?"

"Come to my room for our usual interview tomorrow, and we can discuss it then. I know you are so concerned about your deadlines, but you have plenty else to report on."

Ms. Baker sighs, but nods. "Alright." She takes a step away and walks back in the direction of her interviewee.

Aria nods in return, and continues, pulling Corvina on with her.

Corvina follows clinging to Aria's arm. Her chest feels tight. There's so many people here...

She feels like she's surrounded by coyotes. 

Aria stops by the edge of the liberal table, and curtseys to Ishaza. "Your Grace of Thorn, may I present Ms. Quill?" 

A purple-skinned woman with horns looks up from her conversation with an underling and inclines her head to Aria. "Her Excellency Roscente and her protégé are recognized." She interlaces her fingers on the table. "I am pleased to see Ms. Quill rejoining the student body again. No doubt she was exhausted by her long carriage trip, but the Royal Academy does not accept students that are not willing to attend with their entire heart." 

Corvina bites her tongue, and remembers to curtsey as well.

"Ms. Quill seems an adept student, if relatively unschooled, and I am happy to lend her the rest and recuperation she deserves. Indeed, I would like to speak more at length with you about her further education." 

"Of course I am happy to contribute to the enduring success of such a prodigy as Ms. Quill. After all, our very own Black Cocoa was once a commoner." She spreads her hands. "Let us convene to discuss her education in private in one hour's time." 

Aria curtseys. "Very well, Your Grace." 

"Give my regards to His Grace of Brambles."

The corner of Aria's mouth quirks up. "By your Grace's leave." 

She pulls Corvina away from the table.

Corvina is taken off guard, but goes where she is lead. 

The maid by her side follows, silent but present nonetheless.

Aria stops at the conservative table and curtseys. "Your Grace of Brambles." 

Corvina curtseys as well, more quickly this time.

Indigo looks up. "Her Excellency Roscente is recognized." He picks up his sandwich and takes a bite.

"May I present to you Ms. Corvina Quill?" 

Indigo closes his eyes for a moment. "You may."

He looks over and focuses in on Corvina. "I must say, tales of the young woman with the incredible test scores are circulating all around the academy. It is said that magic is the birthright of the nobility; then you, my dear, must be noble in spirit. Welcome to the Academy." He inclines his head slightly. "How is your schooling treating you so far?"

"Complexly, mi- Your Grace." 

"I can't imagine the Academy is natural to a common-born woman, no. Still, it is always possible to learn." He looks back at Aria. "So it is good you have found a teacher able to guide you."

"Her Grace of Thorns wishes to send her regards, and has expressed an interest in sponsoring Ms. Quill's further education."

"I see. May it do much good for Ms. Quill in the coming years." 

He waves them away. "You may go about your business." 

Aria curtseys. "Your Grace."

And she goes right back across the hall to where she and Corvina came from, not stopping for a moment.

Weren't they going to eat???

But Corvina follows nonetheless.

And their shadow trails along with them.

Once they're out of the hall... 

"What on earth was that all about?"

"Not in the hallway," Aria cuts back. "We have a little time, we'll speak in private."

"I thought we were going to have lunch???"

"I'm sorry, I should have briefed you more beforehand but time was pressing. As I said, it's about introducing you formally to the leaders of the current political factions so they can acknowledge you exist."

"Don't worry," pipes up the maid. "It's perfectly normal for newly-admitted students to take meals in their own rooms while they adjust to student life."

Aria can't keep a note of annoyance from creeping into her voice. "Thank you, Ms. Mason."

She shrugs and spreads her hands. "It's my pleasure to serve!"

Aria stops at her rooms and turns to the maid. "Ms. Mason. Please go retrieve some lunch for Corvina and I; we don't have much time before our next meeting."

"Why, certainly!" 

And off she goes back down the hallway they came from.

Aria lets herself back into her rooms, and ushers Corvina in with her.

Corvina follows, returning to her comfortable chair in the room, amid her sweets and introductory magic texts.

"Ms. Mason seems... eager."

Aria produces her divination artifact again, and checks that the room is clear. 

Then she sighs. "She's the eyes of the conservative faction on me - and by extension, you as well. They have someone assigned to practically every major player in the academy. Never, ever trust the maids. Even if you're conservative. Especially if you're conservative." 

"... Oh."

"It's just a fact of life here, I'm afraid."

She sits down across from Corvina. "So, to make a long explanation fit in the time before our shadow returns - We were checking to see to what degree each faction is willing to own ties to you. What we've seen is that the liberals are willing to be seen with you in public and the conservatives aren't. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't be conservative anyway, but it's important information about the kind of role you can expect to play in each faction. With me so far?"

"I guess that matters, yeah." 

"This, like everything at court, is fluid and changes with time and energy spent - but first impressions matter as well." 

She sits back in her chair. "Next we will be meeting with Ishaza about the favour the Liberals owe me. I intend to invest it towards your further education and ability to move safely. I want to gain you access to divination magic so you can be assured of your privacy in your own rooms. There's a lot of snarls there but we don't have time to get into them. Suffice to say I'm sponsoring your growth."

"That does sound like it could be pretty important, yeah."

There's a knock on the door. "Meal for Her Excellency and guest!", Ms. Mason calls.

"Let's return to the subject of food for now." 

Aria steps over to the door and opens it. "Thank you, Ms. Mason."

She wheels in a small trolley with soup, garlic buns, and a tea service. 

"Allow me to serve you two."

Aria gives Ms. Mason a big fake smile. "Go right ahead."

Corvina looks over at her warily. 

It's hard to believe that such a sunny-looking woman could be effectively a spy.

"Yes," she manages. "Thank you."

"So," Aria says. "You were telling me about what you've been discovering in the introductory magic textbooks..."

Well, she can take a hint at least. "Yes, I've been practicing the fairylights exercise. It's quite complex, I've never attempted so many small sparkles like that before."

"How did you practice before?"

"I got a commercial sparker from my father for my nameday three years ago. I learned to take it apart and put it back together, and gradually I figured out the basic principles involved with some assistance from fragments of books and what I could pry out of travelling mages."

"Can you produce such a light now?"

"Sure, that's easy." 

She raises one hand and a small flame appears over her palm.

Ms. Mason sets down the teapot against the table with a heavy clatter of china against china.

"I - excuse me." She takes a breath and continues pouring tea.

Aria smiles. 

"Take your time, Ms. Mason. There's still soup to be ladled. You wouldn't want to spill something."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

She takes one of the small bowls from her tray, fills it with soup, and places it before Corvina with a spoon.

"Now, Ms. Quill. Could you return to the fairylights exercise? I want to see how your control practice has done in the past day."

What is she, a pet dog that can do tricks? 

She sighs, and makes a flicker of pink fairylights. 

At least they're cheery.

"They're coming along quite well," Aria observes. "I wonder what you'll be able to do with formal instruction."

Corvina takes a spoonful of her soup and blows on it.

"We'll just have to find out, won't we?"

"Just so."

Ms. Mason finishes serving the soup and the tea.

"If you will excuse me for a moment," she says. "I have some business to attend to in the kitchen."

"Of course," Aira says. "You are dismissed."

She scurries from the room.

"Well!" Aria says once she's left. "Now we can talk in peace." She gestures to the soup. "Eat your soup, it's perfectly good."

She feels like she is really missing something there, but sure, she will eat her soup???

Around an hour later, in Indigo Bramble's rooms...

"So, Ms. Carpenter. Report."

"Yes, Your Grace." 

She pulls a small sheaf of parchment from her inside uniform pocket. 

"Starting from the oldest reports and working forwards chronologically..."

"Last evening around eleven PM, Her Grace of Thorn called an urgent meeting with Black Cocoa. We had an agent placed at the scene, but the conversation was primarily about stars and alchemical rarefactions. My agent was treated warily, and with Black Cocoa's presence, divination charms were deemed too risky. As such we do not have enough of the conversation to piece together any coded message that may have been transmitted. However, given Black Cocoa's movements of the past twenty-four hours, we can presume that the conversation somehow related to Corvina Quill - bringing her into the Liberal faction, most likely. Why this required an urgent meeting at eleven PM is still unknown, though our agents' further observations of Ms. Quill suggest that the Liberals somehow had a source of inside information about her extraordinary talents.

"The following morning, around four AM, our network noticed that Ms. Quill was out of her rooms for an extended period and took the opportunity to search her belongings. She appears to have only brought one suitcase with her from home. Her clothing appears to be of simple, commoner make, preferring comfort over any expressed style; however, in the bottom of her suitcase there was a lingerie set in a pink, flowery style. It would appear Ms. Quill has a softer side. Also in her suitcase were a pair of sentimental items - a book of fairy tales, and a commercial sparker. The book had a bookmark in it to a particular story, about a woman who has to hide from the world because her magical talents are uncontrolled. We have photographs of the relevant pages and can pass them on to Ms. Brachia should you choose to. The sparker is a very cheap model, with a small mana store in the base. However, it has been modified to absorb ambient mana to recharge, which shows Ms. Quill's evident talent at reverse-engineering artifacts, as well as a certain ability to scrounge resources. Ms. Quill also brought a small bag of toiletries and a makeup compact, though she has never yet been observed to actually wear makeup. Perhaps she has a complex about her appearance.

"Around seven AM that same day, our agent assigned to Black Cocoa observed him making two visits, one to Her Excellency Aria Roscente, presumably with Corvina Quill in attendance, and a second one to Bitter Silvertail. We have no information on what occurred within Roscente's rooms, but presumably a bargain of some form was struck, as during lunch Aria was observed to approach Her Grace of Thorns and propose meeting to discuss Ms. Quill's education. 

"The visit to Bitter Silvertail appears to be part of Black Cocoa's ongoing campaign to seduce the foreign dignitary. Our agent was ushered out of the room for them to ostensibly engage in sex; examination of the bedsheets afterwards confirms that sex did actually occur. The visit thus appears to have been routine for Black Cocoa.

"Our agent assigned to Leah Brachia observed her entering Aria Roscente's rooms as well, and having another private discussion. We have not yet received a full report from Ms. Brachia on what transpired there. I would like to ask her for her recollections when there is a spare moment."

"Returning to Aria herself - our agent assigned to her was allowed into her rooms to serve tea and soup in private after her appearance at lunch. I have just received their report, which they apparently felt was urgent enough to abandon the scene immediately. I agree with their analysis. Aria asked Ms. Quill to demonstrate the ability to emulate a sparker, to which she proceeded to produce a small flame in one hand with no apparent effort. This feat, if genuine, cannot be understated - the ability to draw enough mana from the air to produce flame at will clearly demonstrates that Ms. Quill has incredible native mana draw, or else has discovered a new technique to refine the efficiency of the conversion to heat. If it is the latter, that technique could go on to be used in weapons manufacture and might well tip the balance of power. Even if there is no new technique and Ms. Quill is simply a freak of nature, this demonstrates her incredible casting potential and shows she should not be underestimated. It is clear that Roscente is sending us a deliberate message in this regard."

"That is all I have to report for the past twenty-four hours."

Indigo rests his hands in his lap and taps one foot against the floor. 

"That late evening meeting..." He crosses his arms. "It seems reasonable to assume that some piece of information about Ms. Quill came into Ishaza's possession late in the day. Once again, we have more evidence of the liberals having some form of communications that eludes our network in the Academy. What were Ishaza's movements immediately before calling said meeting?"

"Unfortunately, she departed the Academy for about an hour between her assignation with the princess and her calling the late meeting with Cocoa, which places her beyond the reach of our network. I believe she visited her family's estate, but who she spoke to there I can only guess at."

"Have we gained any agents in the Thorn estate yet?"

"No, Your Grace. The Thorn estate's servants are largely personally loyal to the family and have not responded well to overtures."

"A pity. For now, let's return to other matters." 

Indigo folds his hands in his lap. "I am surprised that there was anything for us to find in Ms. Quill's rooms. A single suitcase should have been easy enough for her to take with her to Countess Roscente's rooms, where it would have been much more difficult for a search to reach. It's unlike Aria to make such a simple blunder as forgetting the maids have keys to the guest rooms. So I suspect the suitcase is a trap. It is much too convenient for a book of fairy tales with a bookmark on a particular page to exist in Ms. Quill's luggage. Moreover, commoners are unlikely to have access to quality lingerie, and the makeup kit is similarly questionable. I believe the commoner's clothes are genuinely Corvina's, and I suspect the lighter to be genuine as it would be difficult to forge on short notice, but the picture of a vain woman who longs for contact with others that is put forwards by this suitcase does not ring true to me. The contrasts seem too sharp. Do we really believe that a common woman with Corvina's test scores would put all her savings towards a lingerie set and makeup kit when she could be acquiring additional artifacts to modify and learn from?"

He shakes his head. "I don't believe it. I think it is an elaborate fraud set up by Aria Roscente to conceal some of Corvina's real possessions from us, likely cheap artifacts that Corvina has somehow modified to be exceptional."

"An interesting theory, Your Grace. I agree that the book-with-bookmark is too convenient. The rest is more questionable to me - the picture of Corvina I have been able to assemble from my agents is of a deeply lonely woman who wants to find real peers in her life. She's too intelligent to fit in with commoners, and, now that she has arrived here, too common to fit in with the nobility. The lingerie might express a genuine desire to be physically intimate with someone, despite its expense as a purchase. The makeup kit is more questionable, but still possible. 

"I believe, though, that construing this suitcase as a deliberate message from Aria Roscente is more likely to lead to correct action than taking it at face value." 

"In the context of being a message from Aria, the story in the book suggests that Aria believes Corvina to be a genuine threat to the political balance, with little to no understanding of her true nature. It's a warning to step carefully." 

Indigo crosses his arms over his chest. "I hate trying to read Roscente. You can never tell which level she's playing on. The suitcase could even be completely genuine, an error, and we're completely overthinking it."

"I believe that to be unlikely, Your Grace."

"I know, I simply felt I had to state the possibility." He sighs. "For now, let's not use the story in the storybook and take the rest of the contents with a large grain of salt, keeping in mind that Corvina, under Aria's instructions, may yet be concealing some important items from us."

"Shall we move on from this point, Your Grace?"

"I think it would be best for now. Let us discuss Corvina's talent at producing fire. Is it genuine?"

"My agent claims to have directly witnessed it. We have not yet ruled out the potential existence of a hidden mana source, however."

"Aria has every reason to talk up the potential of her student. For now, I don't believe it. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a single report from a situation clearly set up by Aria Roscente is not strong enough evidence for me to believe this extraordinary result. It is far more likely that this talent is being faked somehow."

"It seems somewhat unlikely that Corvina could be convinced to take part in such a deception within the two days that Aria has had access to her. She seems straightforward to a fault and politically inept."

"Nonetheless, the alternatives are that Corvina has discovered something groundbreaking completely independently, or that she has a truly astonishing mana draw. I don't believe we have enough evidence to reject the far more mundane explanation of fakery, even with Corvina's test scores to date."

Ms. Carpenter nods. "That seems wise, Your Grace. Hasty motions seem to be ill-advised in any case."

"Still... That lighter does seem to be genuine evidence of some talent at artifice. I know that Aria wants me to think that, but it is possible that it is nonetheless true."

"I believe we have gained a moderate amount of evidence in favor of Corvina's talent being genuine, Your Grace."

"Just so. For now, I do not think we need instruct Dame Brachia further, beyond requiring that report from her. It is better if she forms an independent impression so that we can compare against her later."

"Very well, Your Grace. I will send the relevant orders via Leah's assigned agent."

"The rest is obvious enough - the Liberals are courting Ms. Quill, as expected, and Black Cocoa continues to fuck anything with a pulse." He spreads his hands. "I believe that should be all. You are dismissed."

Ms. Carpenter's heels snap together. "Your Grace." She curtseys, and departs.

Around the same time, in the Duchess of Thorn's rooms...

Her Grace of Thorns sits in an extremely overstuffed armchair. In one of her hands sits a small brass sphere, with a circle on the upper surface glowing a steady green. 

Across from her sits Aria Roscente, holding her own divination artifact before her in one hand. It also glows a deep green. She's wearing a voluminous skirt that no doubt conceals many pockets.

"So," she says. "Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's talk business. It serves both our interests for Ms. Quill to become difficult for the Conservatives to hold eyes upon, and it serves Ms. Quill's peace of mind and her independence both to have a method of detecting intrusions. As such, I believe we should be capable of coming to an agreement whereby Ms. Quill is given the means to divine on a regular basis."

Corvina sits to one side in another overstuffed armchair, but her posture is tight and tense. She is in a PRIVATE MEETING with the LEADER OF THE LIBERAL FACTION and she is absolutely going to fuck it up and there is nothing she can do about it.

Ishaza's gaze drifts over to Corvina. 

It's easy enough to speak with Aria about the divination artifact, but that's really a sideshow. She hasn't met Corvina before, and it's important that she get her measure. 

Even at a glance, it's clear the girl is terrified. Aria has clearly put the fear of being used into her, but she's not confident in her skills yet and so she's jumping at shadows. 

Well. It is somewhat true that she's one of the things Corvina should be scared of. But nonetheless...

"Ms. Quill," she starts. "I am primarily concerned, at this moment, with your continuing privacy, security, and welfare. I know it is difficult to believe this, but if I had the resources to grant you a divination artifact for free, I would. It is my belief that the more you learn and the more you grow independently, the more you will ultimately come to agree with my principles and the righteousness of my cause, and so in the long run I expect that you and I will become friends. I am only afraid that you will have your independence taken from you by those who believe they know best what is right for you, or who would rather use you as a tool for their own ends." 

She interleaves her hands over her divination sphere. 

"As such. I am prepared to loan you, personally, a divination sphere from the Liberal faction's stock, on the condition that you dedicate yourself to learning to replicate its effects yourself under Black Cocoa's mentorship. When you prove capable of casting divinations yourself, we will reclaim our artifact. Her Excellency Roscente need not be a signatory to this exchange at all."

Of course Ishaza tries to make an end run around her. 

"I would advise Ms. Quill that such an indefinite arrangement may, in practice, result in her divination orb being recalled if Her Grace of Thorn should feel that she is not adequately attending to her lessons with Black Cocoa, may be dragged out by Black Cocoa not providing sufficient instruction or otherwise ducking the issue, and in any case requires that she spend many hours in the presence of an acknowledged liberal in a mentorship role, which may significantly constrain her political options."

Aria taps her fingers against the brass orb in her lap. "I have a counteroffer. I will purchase a divination orb from you using the favour that is owed me by Black Cocoa. Then, rather than having the diviner be loaned by the liberals, I will loan it to Ms. Quill for the duration of her apprenticeship beneath me, at no cost to her. And, explicitly, I will grant her the right of first refusal to purchase the diviner from me for the favour it cost me to acquire it."

Of course then this means Aria has a marker on Corvina, effectively.

"I believe your arguments regarding abrupt termination of a loan apply equally much to your own proposal here. Additionally, your offer will leave Corvina dependent on an artifact for much longer, as she will lack the mentorship necessary to develop the skill to replace it. Thus, your offer would seem to end with Corvina owing you a favour and in possession of a diviner; whereas my offer ends with Corvina in possession of divination as an innate skill, and owing nothing to anyone."

Ishaza is a worthy opponent, as ever.

"Save for the fact that she would then be strongly associated with the liberal faction."

Aria, Aria. You try so hard and yet you never quite learn, now do you. 

"I believe such an impression could be actively useful to Ms. Quill, as you yourself are surely aware. If the conservatives are playing for her, such an arrangement is likely only to encourage them to offer more; it indicates that to the liberals, Ms. Quill has real value, and so the conservatives will no doubt respond in kind." 

She shrugs. "No doubt it would complicate Ms. Quill's life, but I suspect having a simple, quiet existence is a lost cause for her at this point regardless."

Damn.

She can't reverse what she said to Corvina earlier. She's been outplayed. 

She keeps the annoyance from her face, but nods. 

"You make a valid point, Your Grace."

Ishaza refrains from smiling. It doesn't do to look smug.

"So," she says. "What do you say, Ms. Quill?"

That sure was a lot of words for something that essentially boils down to "who do you trust more to keep their word, Aria or Ishaza?"

Goddess she wishes she wasn't something to be fought over. It's exhausting. 

Both offers are about equal in strength, from where she's standing. She doesn't know Ishaza, and Aria is treating her like a trophy of some kind. 

... All things being equal, she's taking the offer that gets her tutoring from Black Cocoa. 

"I would like to accept Ishaza's offer, on one condition. I want the same escape clause Aria offered me. At any time I can choose to keep the diviner for the price of a favour."

Heh. This one learns quick. 

"Granted." 

Ishaza stands, takes two steps around the glass-topped table, and passes the orb down to Corvina. "Here," she says. "It's yours now."

Corvina takes it in both hands, and for a moment her heart soars. A diviner of her very own, one of the highest acheivements of magecraft.

... but then the sad necessity of the device comes crashing back, and the moment is ruined.

"I'd like to go back to my own rooms now," she says. "Now that I can be sure they're private."

She stands and curtseys to Aria. "Your Excellency. I need some time to think alone."

She turns and curtseys to Ishaza. "Your Grace. Thank you for your time. You can send Black Cocoa to speak to me whenever you wish."

Shit, she's losing her. She hasn't been soft enough. 

"Of course," Aria says. "Take as much time as you like. You can always call on me for mentorship whenever you want."

That gets a small smile from her.

"Thank you, Aria."

"Go," Ishaza says. "There will be time enough for more meetings later. Enjoy your first day of classes, Ms. Quill. I understand if you must take some time to rest."

She pauses. 

"And I would strongly advise you not to let that diviner out of your sight," she adds. "Things have a tendency to get cleaned up by the local maids if not closely supervised."

Of course they do. 

She's just going to leave now. 

Neither Ishaza nor Aria make a move to stop her.

They're left in the room, alone together.

"She's a willful one, isn't she?"