2.5, mini-adventure: Pretty women

"Both and neither. People are more complicated than whatever hat they happen to be wearing at the moment. But that's not really an answer right? I'll just say we all have a collection of hats we wear as circumstance and company dictate and I have no problem believing those particular hats are in your closet somewhere."

"Between business partners and friends of the family, it's pretty clear who you'd normally rather be authentic around, and who you don't mind putting on a show for. I don't see much point in the latter option, though. Even if i'm not a businessman."

Sean Freeron listens closely to each of the answers, and gauges the reasoning behind them. Fedler is the last one to answer.

"It feels like a trick question, so I'm not going to say anything," she replies with a smirk.

The old man smiles back at her, then to Konrad's question, he adds, "Every few months or so. The one what will be held tomorrow is a charity one, and all profits made from selling those invitations will be invested in a local orphanage."

"Oh, that's so kind!" comments Breeze, her hands all sticky because of the melted cheese. "You're buying them toys?"

"Yes, among other things."

A hint of realization flashes across Mihai's eyes as he glances at Sean, then Zelk, then Aemilia, then to his food as he goes back to eating it.

Steve takes a big, long sip of wine, his eyes darting between Sean and Konrad. He's staying out of this one.

". . . ."

Mister Freeron's expression doesn't waver, but Zelk nevertheless answers for him.

"You've already met my father Konrad. He's the owner of the inn located between Highwind and Waterglass."

"Right!" exclaims Breeze. "That's the one where Steve told him that-"

"Yes, yes," interrupts Zelk, who glances at Aemilia with a watchful eye. "He also doesn't have any siblings."

OOC:

Recover fast, Zelk! What did we say about ix-nay on the ob-jay? "Oh. That was him? He's doing pretty well for himself, master Freeron. We stayed there a few months back, got acquainted somewhat. He's got a son of his own, did you know? Good lad. Between the two of them, someone's a good cook." Helped us out. If only I'd paid more attention to what was going on...


"Can't help but be curious though, is there any personal motivation for donating to this charity?"

Zelk lets out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief when Konrad drops the subject.

"I'm glad to hear it," replies the master of the house. Then to his question, he adds, "Personal motivation? Except the desire to help my community, no, there isn't any. Nobody wants to see kids living on the streets after all."

"This is the third ball you'll be holding for this orphanage, right?" asks Aemilia.

"The fourth actually."

The part about kids living on the streets turns Mihai's gaze to Sean for a moment, before going back to the lasagna.

"Does this money support them for the entire year then?"

"A little over a year actually."

"This includes even their education?" asks Fedler, surprised by the amount of money that must be donated to make this possible.

"Yes, and this time, the staff is planning to call in a recruiter from the Citadel to assess the innate magical talents of certain children."

"Hmm." Aemilia considers this new information for a moment. "Is becoming a mage really something a child would ask for? You do ask for their opinion before you send them to the Citadel, right?"

"Of course, and believe me, some of these children would jump at the chance of living at the Citadel."

Zelk focuses on her plate a little more than usual, while Fedler decides to take this moment to pour herself a cup of wine. Both of them give a quick glance at Breeze, and are taken aback by how much the small creature has eaten; the equivalent of two mouthfuls of lasagna.

"Oh, I think that's enough," says the blue-haired girl, now sitting on the table, her legs crossed. "I shouldn't have eaten that much for lunch."

While everyone is distracted Steve puts his hand on Zelk's forearm and gives it a little squeeze. When she looks at him he'll smile to let her know she isn't alone.

Mihai mechanically keeps to his plate.

Uptight (no), demure(no), reserved (no), retentive (no?)...reticent.
"Where they're taught the reticent way of life following the 30 Tenets of Deremonda. Sounds like a dream come true for impressionable young minds that hunger for food and knowledge," he comments, slipping in the tang of cynicism and a side glance at Aemilia.

"Food goes a long way to impress you when you're hungry." - Mihai comments offhand - "And there are worse places you can send a kid to."

From what Konrad can tell, Aemilia appears to be enjoying the conversation.

Zelk is a little surprised by Steve, but she flashes a brief smile at him before returning her attention to the discussion at hand.

"Mihai is right; the Citadel isn't all that bad. And believe me, if Stoicism really was a cornerstone of the Citadel's curriculum, Steve here wouldn't be as bad as he is."

This gets a chuckle from Aemilia who, after witnessing the latest of Steve's antics back at the beach, has now an idea of what kind of person he is.

Konrad laughs. "People in Myr would think he's doing fine. You ever been to Myr, Mr. Freeron?"

"Only for business," answers the old man. "And that was a long time ago. In retrospect, I should have explored the island while I could."

"Well I don't think it's too late to take a business vacation."

He's about to take another bite of his lasagna and stops. "I'm starting to feel a little homesick, myself. Maybe business will take me out that way again. One can hope."

"I wish I could take you with me," he says to Aemilia.

"A vacation does sound nice," she says. "But I can hardly leave my company alone. Unlike you mister Freeron; surely you can afford to take a vacation."

"I certainly could," he concedes. "But going on a trip alone doesn't appeal to me. Maybe if I was twenty years younger..."

This suggestion seems to spark an idea in Fedler's mind.

"A souvenir, uh..." she ponders.

Almost everyone is finished with their meal, which prompts Sean to ask, "Would anyone like another portion? Let me warn you however that we also have a desert coming up; chocolate cake, right Gwen?"

The butler, who's been standing near the wall for all this time, readily retorts, "Chocolate pudding, sir."

"Close enough."

"I think I'm still hungry after all," says Breeze, her mouth already drooling.