The Ether-Knight's Lessons

10

.^^ Lord Hastings ^^

— Idun —

"That's quite enough of that..." one of the other Council members sighed, taking his (apparently random,) seat, and she snapped her mouth shut, glaring at me, and sat down.

I gazed at him, assessing him carefully. His ears were rounded, but with his perfectly white skin, hair, and eyes, I couldn't quite tell if he was a shapeshifter who really liked white, or if he was Albino, and human.

He wore black, tough-looking leather armor, under his cloak of dragon-leather, and a holster on the shoulder was clearly for a Quiver.

'I guess the 'Formal Attire' was just another power play...' I frowned, and looked at his companions, who, when they all sat down, the entire council found seats on their side of the table immediately. 'Members of... I don't think mages have Royalty, so simply upper Echelon? Interesting... perhaps people I should be nice to... or simply not rude.'

He sighed. "I am Lord Hastings, Chairman of this Council. To my left is Lady Dean, Speaker of the Council, and to my right is Lord Dunkirk, Treasurer. We make up the ruling body of this Council." He spoke normally, not too loudly, and I had to admire the ease with which he commanded the entire room's attention.

"Well met, Lord Hastings, Lady Dean, and Lord Dunkirk... as I said, my name is Lady Idunacantus Rotorstein, Heir to the Parisian Drachenjägers." I bowed my head, keeping my seat.

"Indeed. Well met. Now, Lady Russo apologizes for her outrageous behavior, of course, and will excuse herself from the proceedings, to attempt to regain control of her tongue." He cut his eyes to her, and she stood quickly, her missions stiff and deliberate.

I smiled. "That's quite alright, she hasn't offended me... and, honestly, I'm told I can be quite vexing, so it's to be expected, I think. Also, I'd like all of your input on this matter, even those who would vote against me. She should stay." I overrided him casually.

He raised a snowy eyebrow. "The Chairman retains the right to dismiss any and all members of its staff, if they are deemed currently unfit."

"Does the Council have the right to veto said ejections?" I asked, curious.

"Indeed."

"Then I'd like one, for several reasons." I nodded.

"Oh? May I hear your reasons?" He asked.

"Yes, of course. but first, Syral, take your heel off my pinky toe. I have this under control." I hissed quietly to Syral, who slowly removed the crushing foot. "Anyway, Yes. My reasons are simple, I think. I know almost nothing of your democratic process, and I'd like to see it, first of all."

"Understandable..." he nodded, smiling a little.

"Second, I feel like someone who has less control of their emotions would reveal more to me than someone such as yourself, who has an excellent control of your facial expressions and tone of voice. Third, to be honest, I'm trying to openly undermine you, because you tried to make me look like a scrub by moving the time of this meeting, and I'm trying to not let you recover your situational and conversational momentum." I answered honestly.

He blinked, and nodded. "I see. Yes, I understand your motivations and point of view. However, as I was explaining, a member of the Council may call a vote to overturn almost any decision of the Chairman."