((No. Lets visit the Mercere House and talk to the Redcaps present.))
Korvin thanks Hervé for his time and goes to the Mercere House to talk to the Redcaps present. He wants to see if anyone needs something or wants to order anything. He is also trying to pick up any info/gossip.
Right now, Hervé is it, unless you go over him and talk to his father... The redcaps are out and about on business. One thing about this particular situation with the Mercere House accessible only through a monastery is that they don't really care to visit all that often...
Traffic is extremely light, even through the Mercere Portal to Dragon's Rest...
If I have time before Murion's visit, Ulrich and I can make a hop to Dragons Rest to talk to the Redcaps there. Same deal as before, let them know where I am and see if they needs anything. Then a trip back to Cunfin and then home.
[OOC: You've caught the SG flat-footed... I haven't done anything with the Redcaps at Dragon's Rest.]
After Korvin leaves Hervé's office, a shaddow takes form and sits in the chair where Korvin just sat, "It would seem you have some competition. He is an obstacle to our plans, as is your foster brother. Neutralize them." Korvin gets a very uneasy sense when he leaves Hervé's office, as if something isn't right, but can't put his finger on it. Additionally, it is extremely odd that there was no negotiation, it was almost insulting. [Detail the items you purchased/acquired/ordered, please. I can do it, if you'd like.]
Korvin and Ulrich pop over to Dragon's Rest, apprise them of your new home, but no one needs anything. You do happen to run into Renauld again, and you exchange pleasantries, but nothing more. (You can conduct any business you wish with him in the All Others Bring Vis thread.)
5 nights later, Korvin and Ulrich are back at home, with Korvin giving last minute preparations for Murion's visit, and Ulrich probably acting as a gopher. Upon arrival, Korvin has a note from Apollodorus informing him that Andru will be visiting at the same time as Murion and see to guest accomodations for him. Apollodorus writes that Andru doesn't travel with an extensive retinue, unlike Murion, so Korvin only has to see to one guest suite for him.
A day later, a Redcap arrives and indicates that Insatella will also be coming, as the Redcaps have been on fire in the Rhine, Greater Alps and Normandy Tribunals, and she'd discovered that two Primi were coming to visit Mons Electi, after Korvin had taken residence. [OOC: Ordinarily the Primus of Mercere does not get involved in Magical Mercere business, they're almost run as two different Houses. There is an informal leader of the Merceres, you can create (just a sketch, not detailed) him if you'd like, or I can do it, let me know one way or another.]
Korvin will do an all hands on deck for a dinner for all of the Primi. Everyone must attend unless you are in Scotland or trapped in a Regio. I will do a quick outline of Insatella when I get a chance.
[No, not Instatella, I want an outline of the head of the of the Mercere Magi. He has no formal roll defined by the House. Insatella is a mundane Redcap, who is Primus. And did you want this narrated or interactive?]
Apollodorus is bringing a chef in from Valnastium, in advance of Andru's arrival. So long as he isn't yelled at, dinner should be simpling amazing, talked about for years to come...
Reynault can see to arranging the dining hall, unless Korvin has specific instructions.
Tria will arrive the day before and confirm arrangements are satisfactory. She is somewhat suprised to discover that two other Primuses are coming, too, but not overly suprised when she's informed of who they are.
The morning of Murion's arrival, she request Alexei and his honor guard travel with her to Autun to greet Murion. Instatella and Andru arrive in-ostentatiously a day before Murion, and keep to themselves, of course, having discussions with any House members that might wish it...
Alexei will be dressed to the nines, with Helmut carrying the standard of Mons Electi (unless someone else would rather?). The honor guard that attends him personally shall consist of:
Michelle La Rouge
Claude
Jolanda
Osster
Since a Turb uniform hasn't been decided yet, they'll use the tabbards that Alexei has for his own turb (the spear and hourglass). He also offers Muffarj to lead the escort. A larger show of force could be assembled, but might be seen as threatnening, no doubt the Primi have their own guards.
In hiding will be Brione, sniffing out foreign spells and accompanying him is Daffyd with his longbow. They are to stay out of sight and basically counter snipe. Alexei will share his plans with only the full members of the Covenant, but if they have ideas or objections, let him know.
Murion arrives at Apollodorus' pied-à-terre with three magi. Murion introduces herself only. One, who stands close to her and appears to be hyper vigilant, without trying to be is dressed in a greyish green, not quite olive colored. He has a crimson sash and it is trimmed with leopard fur. He is somewhat familiar looking, but Alexei cannot place him.
Everyone arrives at Mons Electi without problems. Murion grumbles a bit about having to walk. After freshening up for dinner, Murion, Andru, Instatella and all the magi of Mons Electi who are present gather for dinner. Apollodorus isn't present, sends his regrets, as Andru had asked a favor of him.
Someone needs to break the ice, it seems.
Before the big fête with the various primi, Fiona is going to have her Hermetic robe washed, and washed again. She is then going to cast spontaneous PeTe and PeHe to get all the dirt and the grass stains out of it. It would have to be done while she's wearing it, to get the R: Personal, with D: Momentary and T: Individual. Base PeTe seems to be 3 ("Destroy dirt"); her casting total is Pe 5 + Te 5 + Sta 3 + Aura 5 = 18 ÷ 5 = 4. Checking for botch comes up clean. Her target for PeHe to get rid of any grass stains is 4 ("Destroy an amount of dead wood"), I think. Casting total is Pe 5 + He 10 + Sta 3 + Aura 5 = 23 ÷ 5 = 5. Checking for botch is a negative.
She has Moire do her hair in something like a ponytail, and would very much like a wreath of flowers to go with it if she can find someone to do it (I don't think she has enough ReHe or MuHe to pull it off with magic).
She will make every effort to be at the dinner before our honored guests arrive, and will greet them (after the host, of course) with a polite curtsey. [color=blue]"It is a great honour to meet you all, I never dreamed that I would meet someone so prestigious, let alone three of you gathered in one humble covenant."
Korvin will greet each of them as they arrive and introduce them to the Mons Electi magi that are present ( and any guests).
The man in green is not introduced, just described as Murion's escort. The other two magi are one of each line, Bonisagi, Praefactus, and Trianomae, Helvidius. Tria isn't present at the dinner, although she's around the covenant grounds. The magus in green isn't around either.
Instead of the off-shoulder light robe he usually wears, Jormungand has donned a much heavier white hemp robe with white embroidery (you might have seen him wearing this on Beltane, although the day after it was very grass, dirt, and soot stained. This seems to be a new one). He carries himself very differently - his back is straighter, chin higher. The sleeves are still flared to suggest the imitation of wings, minimally. The only thing marring the robe is little packets of dark, long, cat hairs around the knees and legs.
He is extremely uncomfortable and very unsure of the Etiquette of dealing with one Primus much less a gathering of them, so he won't be the one breaking the ice. Really, unless someone gets on the topic of one of his favorite hobby horses (sex, Norse Pantheon, fertility, Longevity Rituals, or applejack brandy) he doesn't really do anything besides light pleasantries and sitting there like a kid in trouble.
Assuming the Lotharingarian topic comes up (which I'm sure it will), Jormungand is badly evasive and tries to take his cues from his sodales in staying silent. However, with enough wine/liquor, it's his unspoken opinion that the Tribunal is going to form/happen, and Mons Erecti... excuse me, Electi... is going to profit from the decision in resources and political power either way, so it doesn't matter if the Covenant stays or goes and he doesn't really care what decision his sodales makes.
Alexei likely introduced himself with professional sodierly courtesy when they first met, acknowledging the Primi's retinue and escort and careful not to step on their toes or wound their pride. Once at the dinner, he'll stand and tap his staff from his left hand on the ground once, bring his right hand to his chest and bow from the waist.
"I am Alexei von Kroistau ex Flambeau, member in good standing of the Milites, and Imperator of Mons Electi. It is my provilege and honor to both meet and offer all the protection I am capable of during your stay here. I shall guard the august body of the Primi as if i'twere mine own. No blow shall land without hitting myself or my guards first. Upon the honor of the Miles and the Primus Garus, I swear it." he bows again and takes his seat.
Murion yawns at Alexei.
(Did we ever figure out if Fiona invited Laetitia to this event? If so, L will be dressed down, being unobtrusive, just watching and listening.)
Im going to say no, now.
Fiona didn't find out about it until after she had returned to Mons Electi from Scotland, as near as I can tell.
There is a commotion in the hall outside the room then a young girl darts in the door and quickly scans the room. When she spots Alexei she runs over, avoiding the grasp of Claude, and tugs on his sleeve and leans in to whisper in his ear. The Mons Electi magi recognize her as Mélanie the Cursor. Claude grabs her by the shoulder to pull her out.
Fiona looks at the girl for a moment, wondering what could be so important to her that she would interrupt a meeting with the Primi of three Houses.
[color=blue]"What's wrong, Alexei?"
