"Certainly, you can go in Autumn, Winter or next Spring, feel free to use the portal at my pied-à-terre. You'll just have to return back by the Summer solstice, as that's when the Hermes Portal will expire. I'll send word to Andru, once you've confirmed your itinerary. Now, Fiona, the gardens are magnificent, indeed, I highly recommend you're there in spring to see them bloom into life. They are a bit more depressing in Winter, and Autumn, well that's nice, but I enjoy the bloom, rather than the harvest."
She will leave directly after the Fall Council meeting, and shoot for returning a couple of days before the Winter council meeting. That gives the both of them the full season to study the plants, trees, any Herbam-related stuff they may have. Ideally, I would like them both to gain full benefit from the season. But, since Fiona's Herbam is still three more than Ulrich's, I think she can still spend the season Teaching. And if she stumbles across a possible Familiar, so much the better. (never played a character with a Familiar before, looking forward to it)
Alexei sends an invitation via Helmut Siggismund, a young man dressed as a page in the livery often seen with Alexei and some of the Grogs (a variant on a lantern mounted on a pole, where the lantern is an hourglass and the pole is a spear, embroidered in gold colored thread). He's rather handsome and has likely been seen by the Quasitor around the covenant, often speaking with some of the young women, wooing them in several languages. At the sight of Laetitia he coughs nervously and makes sure his tunic is straight and and runs a hand through his hair nervously.
"Master Laetitia?" he asks with a bit of a crack in his voice. He begins speaking in Latin, his diction is excellent, but he still has a bit of a German accent, and perhaps could use a more expansive vocabulary. "My master Alexei Von Kroitsau ex Flambeau has sent me to escort you to the dining room. He said that you shall particularly enjoy the dinner tonight as he quite imposed on the chef to do an excellent job. If M'lady is ready I shall take you there, if not I shall attend and wait or send word to Alexei." His speech sounds only somewhat rehearsed. While charming, he does lack some ettitquette, it seems he's trying to copy some manners that he's seen.
Laetitia opens the door while dressed in a very short shift and a half-laced bodice, revealing lots of leg and a generous view of pale bosom. "You'll have to inform your master I will be at least half an hour. My maid is at Confluensis, and I am unaccustomed to dressing myself."
She promptly shuts the door, though she asks Glaukopis to follow the page to eavesdrop on the conversation, discreetly. 
Helmut's jaw drops at the sight, he's too struck to even say anything before the door closes. He stands there a moment more before swallowing hard and returning, his head in the clouds and not noticing anyone following. He heads to the parlour that is adjacent to the dining room, Alexei is seated, studying some recently drawn maps. Newly adorning the walls are some banners and patens, perhaps won from a succesful military career. The maps look to be of the surrounding lands of the covenant. He stands up at his entrance and then frowns when he sees he's alone. He's dressed in the fine outfit of a succesful officer or perhaps mercenary captain. His tabbard is well embroidered with his symbol while spear tips dangle from his belt along with pouches and his staff rests on the chair's back.
"Well?" he asks in German, which seems to be his native tongue. He walks to a table with a wine caraffe and helps himself.
"M'lady Laetitia...informed me that she will not be ready for at least another half of an hour Master." Alexei looks at him in annoyance and quaffs the wine and sets the cup down. "She...was not quite dressed, her valet was not present apparently." adds Helmut nervously. Alexei raises an eyebrow at that and then smiles slightly, stroking his beard.
"Well if the lady requires more time, then she requires more time. Tell Jean-Claude the chef that he must delay dinner a bit."
Helmut scowls this time and looks about to say something, perhaps beg to have someone else do it, but Alexei waves him off toward the dining room. Helmut heaves a sigh and walks into the other room and politely and quietly addresses someone in French. A crash of broken crockery can be heard.
"Mais non! Idiot!" and a string of other curses in French echo out of the room before Helmut returns.
"Jean Claude wishes me to inform Master Alexei that delaying the dinner will be difficult..."
"Tell that fat French oaf he'll do as he's told or find himself hanging in the larder and we'll see if he cures up nicely for some fine German sausages! The Quaesitor is having dinner with me!" he sits down to continue examining the map. Helmut sighs and walks back in again. There's more mumbled cursing but less crashing of dishes.
Because the chef walks out.
Do
Not
Insult
The
Chef
Precisely one hour after Helmut's summons, Laetitia finds her way to the dining hall (thanks to Glaukopis' most excellent direction).
She is dressed in a curve-hugging wrap of diaphanous purple silk. Completely strange, nothing like the style of the times whatsoever, but alluring regardless, as it shows off every curve. Her hair is artfully piled atop her head, with only a few strands loose to frame her face, and is adorned with tiny crystals that sparkle in the light when she moves; her feet are surprisingly bare.
"Apologies for my tardiness. I had to go home to change," she murmurs. She'll wait for Alexei to pick his jaw up off the floor before stepping up to her tiptoes to offer him a kiss on each cheek, in the Italian custom.
With Helmut's informing him that the chef had left, Alexei's first inclination was to do exactly what he'd threatened in jest...but that would not allow his meal to be served. Right away he steps into the dining room and has Helmut start cleaning the mess while he addresses the dinner that was prepared. After examining it for a few moments he tries casting a spontaneous spell:
'Maintain the Chef's Design'
Re An (He, Aq, Ig)
Basically it keeps already prepared food fresh, warm and tasty, preventing it from going cold or losing the proper consistency. It does nothing to improve the taste, but will keep it at ideal serving conditions until the spell wears off.
Base 2(?) R: Touch D: Sun T: Circle (the table)
He has an hour, so he'll take additional time and use Ceremonial casting, drawing symbols around the table, grand gestures and a booming voice and try to cast the spell, I'm not sure of the final level and can't make a roll while at work (casting total should be 30 all told, but I don't have my book with me), Regardless of the result (if you to want to roll, go ahead, I'll handle the consequences) Alexei will meet with Laetitia, possibly covered in food due to a magical mishap. I'll save his reaction to her appearance for after the results of the spell. Could be interesting 
And Finesse. The ease factor for this, for the chef to create a romantic dinner would be 9. For a Finesse roll that would make it 12.
((Is the meal already made? My intention is just to keep it fresh and appetizing. Or is it ruined or incomplete? I'll make the rolls as planned to save time, spell casting and Finesse))
Spell Casting roll (+27), spending a Fatigue:
1d10+27 → [6,27] = (33) 33/2 16 spell level
invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3318540/
Int+Finesse +6 (Finess specialty is crafting things with magic)
1d10+6 → [9,6] = (15) 15 KAPOW!
invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3318547/
Alexei was finishing arranging the candles and wine as Laetitia walked in. Unlike Helmut, he retains his composure, while still showing his appreciation for her obviously stunning appearance. He similarly kisses either cheek and reaches down to take her hand plant a kiss there as well.
"Ah, you look ravishing. I wish I had Apollodorus's talent for art, you could grace a thousand paintings and still leave the eye wanting more. Please, some wine?" he asks as he offers a cup and gestures to the caraffe.
((Communication + Charm (specialty Maidens) +4))
1d10+4 → [6,4] = (10) 10 (Dont' make me roll any more! This streak can't last!)
invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3318552/
You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Well...if it doesn't apply, that's OK.
The Welsh woman grins wickedly. "Who needs a brush or paint? Your tongue is artful enough." She's not very convincing about playing off the innocent "what? I didn't mean it to be suggestive," sort of way. Unless that's a stress die, in which case, yes, she's incredibly convincing.
She flirts throughout the meal (5+9=14) just enough to be endearing and charming, but not so much as to be seen as easy or overly suggestive. She makes small talk about the Tribunal and different people in the area. She mentions that she's from Guernicus' own bloodline, but totally fails at trying to subtly slip into conversation that she's been trying to bear a Gifted child so her lineage can continue, before she takes a longevity ritual in less than a year. (She didn't want it to be a nasty surprise if Alexei pursues her and she ends up pregnant when he knows he hasn't tapped that.) D'aww 
She asks him politely about his magical interests, ambitions, etc.
((It was a stress I'm assuming, but either way his total was 10, he didn't roll a 10))
Alexei is certainly not immune to her charms and catches on to Laetitia's none too subtle hints easily. He sighs ruefully as he takes another drink. "Alas m'lady, if only we had met some years ago, afore I had taken my own longevity ritual."
"I follow the School of Ramius, perhaps you've heard of it? Rather than fire and destruction, we focus on the martial skills, using the Gift to subtly enhance those. Many of the so called combative magi are often woefully ill equipped with sword and shield and find their spells useless against an enemy with formidable magic resistance. It's other advantages are often appreciated by the Quaesitors. Subtlety. My Gift is gentle, and my master taught me, painfully, how to cast spells with silence and subtlety. I can bless Grogs or even soldiers without them ever knowing they have a spell cast upon them, making them better warriors." it's obvious Alexei has a favorite topic of discussion.
"The Norman Tribunal is ideal for me, I have plans here. I shall make my mark at the next tourney, and this Covenant is already making its way as a formidable force. Garus the Primus receives my support, and when it is time for new leadership, I shall have a well established reputation to make my case." Judging by his plans...he has goals and aspirations, but not a lot of forethought or subtlety perhaps. He certainly seems confident though.
She listens intently. "I saw your performance at the Tournament, and you are indeed a skilled warrior. But in battle, one does not shout out, "I am going to feint towards your face and then slash at your belly!" you simply do what gives you the greatest chance of winning. Politics is much the same. If only you didn't feel it was morally wrong to conceal your intentions, or least not to broadcast them-- you would be singularly the most fearsome magus in the Tribunal."
Alexei's smile seems painted on his face. He sighs as he picks up a piece of bread. "I hear that often. That I require subtlety, that I too easily let my opposition know my plans." his smile fades as he drops the bread and leans forward.
"But how much more impressive is the victory attained not by treachery, eh?" he stands and picks up his staff as he paces at the end of the table. "Think of this. What of the gamesman that tells his opponent over the chessboard; 'This bishop shall take your queen.' and then does just that several moves later. Or shouts to the besieged in a castle 'This gate shall fall!' and later takes the strongest gate of the fortress. I have my subtleties my dear. Those that think I do not shall be the most surprised when they realize this."
"But it is bold words followed by bolder actions that men follow. The schemer and conniver may get results, but who loves such a man? Men will follow a leader to the gates of Hell, who is honest, forthright, and bold. House Flambeau follows such a man, House Flambeau was created by such a man. I am...such a man." he say with finality before walking over to Laetitia's chair and offers his hand.
Laetitia nods. "I rarely tell my true intentions, for few would believe it. I allow people to believe as they will, and what is believed of me is far less noble than the truth. Yet I am well-loved in Rome and Rhine alike, with the exception of my own House."
She accepts his hand and rises. "It is getting late. I should get back to Blackthorn and return my mother's dress before she becomes angry." She'll stand on her tiptoes and let her lips just barely brush against Alexei's, before Leaping off.
Alexei catcthes just a whiff of her breath and scent before she's gone and sighs with a pleased smile on his face. From the adjoining room Helmut pokes his head around the corner.
"How did things go?" he asks tentatively.
Alexei shrugs his shoulders and quaffs the last of the wine. "You could say it was a decent opening gambit."
He looks down at the table and smudges the coal drawings he had made around it with a napkin. "Have the servants clean this up, we're through here. Bring those maps back to my Sanctum if you please."
Helmut nods and stands aside as Alexei exits.
Shortly after Tribunal, Laetitia invites Aristarchus to dine with her at Magvillus.
She butters up the cook (8+2Charm+3Com+3VB=16) to convince him to prepare a delicious Italian meal for her handsome French guest.
When he arrives, Laetitia is dressed in an elaborate maroon brocade gown with tiny crystals studded into the elaborate golden thread embroidery. The dress hugs her curves just enough that her womanly figure is appealing, but not overtly so; Aristarchus seems the sort of man who appreciates the promise of what he hasn't yet discovered.
When he arrives at Laetitia's antechamber, there is a bowl of fresh salted olives, a loaf of warm, crusty bread, and a roasted head of garlic set in the middle of the table; two candelabra provide "mood lighting."
The petite Welsh woman rises to greet her guest, clasps his hands warmly, and kisses him lightly on both cheeks, in the Italian custom. "Aristarchus. I am so glad you are here." She nods to her maid, who excuses herself to notify the Chef. "Please, have a seat."
"My dear Laetitia, your invitation could not be denied. I bring some wine, a bottle of a white wine, and one of ruby red." Aristarchus says