"A pleasure to meet you, Antoine," Lucas says earnestly, offering the magus his hand. "Vocis told us we should expect to see you soon. I hope you had a pleasant journey." He gives a nod to the castle in general. "I suppose he's giving you the two shilling tour. He did the same for me just a few months ago. It's an impressive piece of architecture."
"And a pleasure meeting you, too. The covenant certainly does have some very fine buildings; nice and solid. I don't believe Vocis mentioned your quarters on the tour, though - which part do you live in?
"Oh, I don't live in Andorra," Lucas replies. "I'm a resident of the covenant's chapter house in Mallorca. It's really not that inconvenient. And the sunsets there are not to be missed. If you join the covenant you'll have to come out for a week, or just a weekend. It's not to be missed."
Oh, I see! I don't think I'd heard about the chapter house yet. That does seem to be an agreeable arrangement; I shall have to make time to come and visit. I have spent my whole time since I was taken for apprenticeship in the mountains, and while they are undeniably majestic they are much colder than my childhood home. Some Mediterranean warmth would make a nice change.
"It's really quite magnificent," Lucas says. "But I have to warn you, we're disparately located in Mallorca. Not all the journeymen are in the same place. As a result, we have no Aegis of the Hearth protecting us." He shrugs as if to say that it's a risk that must be taken. "That aside, we do our best to keep security high. I have a small contingent of guards watching over my home. And we have plenty of guest rooms. Anyone from the covenant is always welcome. My wife and I love company." He smiles and adds, "Cecilia is a Redcap stationed at the covenant, but not a member of the covenant. She's often away running her routes, but it's another several weeks before she has to head out again. I know she's been looking forward to meeting you."
Lucas gives Vocis a nod to let him know that he's perfectly willing to take over guiding Antoine. "If your conversation takes you very long, I'll bring Antoine up to the library. In addition to being quite proud of it, I think it has the best view of the surrounding countryside in the entire castle." Then he turns back to the new magus and continues his conversation. "So, Vocis tells me that you're from his old stomping grounds out east. I'd say the Mediterranean climate might be a shock to you, but here in the mountains it stays quite cool most of the time. Of course, if you elect to join us in the Mallorcan chapter house, that's another matter. There it can get quite warm. But the sea breezes help mitigate that."
"Now tell me, is there anyone special back at home? I know many magi like the solitary life. But Vocis and I have been lucky enough to find the right woman. How about you?"
Ah, you see, while I was apprenticed in Coeris and have resided there ever since, I am originally from the town of Dijon, in France. Not Mediterranean by any means, but still much more temperate than the Carpathians.
Ah, indeed? That makes three of us, then! I have been courting a young lady for a couple of years, the daughter of a guildmaster in Hungary - the most beautiful girl, such eyes! - and before I left she agreed to marry me! She will join us next season, when mundane travel becomes easier. I'm afraid she doesn't trust your portals yet. I'm sure she would be delighted to meet your wife, and Vocis's.
"Indeed," Lucas replies., switching from Latin to French. "I'm born and raised in France myself, though I'm a Burgundy man. Thankfully, though, being House Mercere, I've had the opportunity to travel. I've been as far as the Stonehenge and Rhine tribunals, and spent a year working in Harco to learn the ropes. But I never made it as far as Transylvania."
"That's wonderful. Cecilia and I will have to have you over once you're settled in ... that is, assuming you decide to stay, and are accepted, of course. But I don't expect that will be a problem. And don't worry, we have an agreement with House Mercere that allows us to use their portal system for free. Coming out to Mallorca will be no problem at all."
"So tell me," he continues, what drew you here to Andorra?"
As Lucas guides Antoine around, they encounter Vulcanus 
Okay, I'm going to have Lucas make an Int + OoH Lore test to see if he remembers hearing what flavor of Verditus Antoine is, and if he even has any idea what that means to Vulcanis.
1d10=10; potential botch
1d10=2; no botch
Result = 0 + 1 (OoH Lore) + 3 (Int) = 4
I'm betting that's not nearly good enough to know/remember about the distinctions within House Verditus and the potential problems. I'm not even sure that anyone ever mentioned to Lucas what flavor of Verditus Antoine is.
Let the wackiness ensue.
[hr][/hr]
Seeing Vulcanis, Lucas walks Antoine up to the senior magus and introduces the two magi. "Vulcanis, this is Antoine, the magus that Vocis was telling us about. He's a Verditus mage too. He's come to petition for membership. Antoine, this is Vulcanis, one of the masters of the covenant." He remains blissfully unaware of any potential tension between these two magi.
Vocis doesn't know what flavor he is, so it's unlikely anyone at the covenant does.
Vulcunus growls. "I am not a member of House Verditius, and I never have been. I am a magus of Flambeau, and i have always been. Just as was my parens and his parens before him all the waay back to the Schism War. I have nothing to do with those inept and timid double dealers. Nor do I ever care to, nor do I care who does.
Pffft!!! Plebians. You know nothing of the true glory of the House of the Illuminated.
"My apologies," Lucas says to Vulcanis. "Entirely my fault. I"m still quite new here myself, and I should do a better job of making sure I know everyone's pedigree. I am sorry if I caused any offense. It was not my intention." He bows his head as he makes the apology. "I'm sorry to have bothered you. We'll get out of your way."
[hr][/hr]
I never did know what was up with Vulcanis. Never did have any interaction with him. I really thought he was Verditus. Oops. 
He's certainly arrogant enough to be a Verduitus.
Well, that's our Vulcanus :mrgreen:
Antoine, of course, knows full well the potential tension.
Ah, actually I believe...
Antoine manages a small bow and half a sentence before Vulcanis explodes.
I am very...
Antoine curses inwardly at this first impression, but is wise enough to know when to withdraw.
It has been my honour to meet you, master Vulcanus. I hope I may do so again when you are not as busy. Good fire to your forge.
I should explain our history, perhaps, Lucas? It is long and complicated, but in brief Vulcanus's forebears split from my house, and developed a whole new way of crafting. Bad blood on both sides, and of course pride and inflated egos everywhere you look.
Is Voice free, or shall we look at the library?
"Interesting," Lucas replies. "I had no idea. That should lead to an interesting time for you here." Assuming Vulcanis doesn't vote against you joining, goes unsaid. "Such grudges can go deep and last centuries." He shakes his head. "My wife does what she can to try and smooth these sorts of things over - she's a Redcap - but there's only so much you can do in some cases."
Then, at Antoine's question about Vocis, Lucas shrugs. "I'm not entirely certain how long his conversation is likely to last. But he knows to meet us in the library. Shall we go up and see the view - both inside and out?"
An excellent suggestion.
((OOC: I'm happy to skip small-talk, and proceed to something with more import))
I see this was unstickied. I agree it was dragging - but shouldn't Antoine have to at least go through the motions of petitioning council; outlining his abilities; and declaring he's not a Diedne like everyone else?