[center][color=9e005d][h1]Widolaic von Vestra[/h1][/color][/center]
[right][indent][sub][color=#C0C2C9]Interacting with:[/color] [@Asura] [@Scribe of Thoth] [@Hero]| [color=#C0C2C9]Location:[/color] Garreg Mach Monastery - Courtyard[/sub][/indent][/right][hr]
The saying came to mind: ‘[i]Never attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance.[/i]’ In House Vestra, the rule was often inverted, as those who played the fool were likely just as much of a threat as anyone else. In her years at the estate, Viddle had grown accustomed to the depth that lurked beneath meek surfaces.

As she watched Rudolf von Bergliez smush his nose into Adelaide’s hand, shaking like a shaved dog in the winter, she saw no such depth. And much like a shaved, shaking dog, she hoped someone would come along to drape a blanket over the poor thing and bring it inside to the hearth. She would admit, much of her information on the Bergliez heir came from second and third hands; no one seemed to have very much to say about him, which was usually the case with closely guarded secrets or the unremarkable. It vexed her, for Rudolf seemed like neither, if for different and intriguing reasons.

She let his dismissal of her greeting go without pressing further. This part at the beginning, feeling out first impressions, it could be tricky, and among the last things she wanted to do was upset a future colleague. 

And speaking of…

“[color=9e005d]Ah, Johann,[/color]” she said, nodding respectfully as the young man approached them. “[color=9e005d]A true comfort indeed. And, if not a coincidence, then certainly a wonderful opportunity. Your family has much to look forward to this year.[/color]”

Viddle shot a brief, subtle glance at Adelaide, trying to gauge her reaction. Passable as his reputation was, just as with Rudolf, it was his introduction that mattered most. Adelaide likely wouldn’t mind an awful marriage if it meant achieving her vision, but Viddle had no desire to see her cousin [i]endure[/i].