Margrave Laura & Vizier Siduri
Margrave Laura was in her room, calmly reading a letter and containing her emotions as she did so. All she knew was that this would not be good optics, that was guaranteed. Sighing, the woman put the paper aside and stood up, putting on her green cape and leaving her tidily and well organized, if a bit dusty, room.
She advanced through the halls of her mansion, the marble flooring reflecting a stern look on her rather cute face, as she approached her vizier’s “office” (read: bedroom).
Knocking exactly three times, she called out.
“Siduri, are you up? We need to talk.”Siduri looked towards the door closing her journal.
“Ah, yes. Come in. Is there something you need miss?” Laura opened the door gently, stepping in and nodding to acknowledge her protegee. Her mouth twisted a bit.
“Remember last month when we were dealing with the matters of the transportation of the students meant to represent out federal unit in the Western-Imperial Matches of Prowess in Spellcasting? In particular, that you mentioned that the route we were taking to transport them to the training facility was having a lot of trouble with krakens and the sort?” though she made an effort to keep her emotions hidden, it was easy to read exactly how annoyed she was at the moment.
“So I take it they aren’t able to participate anymore. Then we’ll be in quite a predicament, as we don’t have a lot of students that could replace them.” Concern covered Siduri’s face as she tried to think of a solution.
“I could try to disguise myself as a student, although the potential scandal could be really bad, so I guess that idea is out of the window.” as the mood worsen she tried to lighten it up.
“Hey, maybe we can just invade one of our neighbours and get their students.” she said jokingly.
Raising a hand to her chin, the margrave gave actual thought about the topic after merely shaking her head at the previously proposed solution.
“Well, it is that or to try to recruit kids from Fae Creek, and at that point I’d rather try my luck at the former than the latter...” she said at first before looking at her Vizier, knowing she was being silly, making a pitiful face at that realization.
“Fae Creek huh, so we’re that desperate.” She chuckled
“I guess invasion really is the best solution, but the extra paperwork would kill me.” After thinking things over she gave a warm smile.
“Hey, even if they’re problem children, we have you to discipline them into shape. If it worked on the local troop, surely it must work on a couple of kids too.”She smiled at her ever helpful Vizier, wanting to hug her for a moment.
“Well, you have only heard about that place from me, once you fully see the situation you will understand it's like rolling a boulder up a hill.” she looked to the side for a moment.
“Yet… I think even Krakens know about that school’s reputation, and that ought to help if we need to send them somewhere as the creatures wouldn’t want to risk a nasty stomach ache.” “You think they’re that nasty, krakens don’t get stomach aches easily” She started laughing.
“They can’t be that bad that even a kraken wouldn’t come close. From what I heard the teachers would make a nastier meal.” She said as she tried going back to a serious face.
“But hey, I think I could handle them as I’m quite the problem child myself” Her face saddened for a brief moment.
“Ah!... Forget I said anything, it’s another tale for another time.” as she quickly reverted to her normal soft smile.
“Well, I know if I was a kraken I would definitely not eat any of those kids while you would be dinner for sure!” she told way too seriously at first, in the voice she used to command troops, before realizing what she said and going red all over.
“Ah I sound like an idiot already and I merely thought about Fae Creek for one minute! That is the accursed influence of that place.”She slowly regained her cool.
“But, yes, perhaps with you by my side I can finally make use of that academy, it's worth a shot, a last chance for them to show service, if you may.” “The most useful people tend to be found in weird places, perhaps when they grow up they’ll become a great asset, so it would be wise to align them to us so they won’t stray away.” She made an evil smile that would even make demons jealous and Looking quite embarrassed quickly after that.
“Oh my, that was a bit unnecessary, wasn’t it?”.
“I KNOW.” the Margrave said in an undignified childish way.
“But ANYWAY, enough of this silliness, you are right, perhaps we might find a diamond in the rough, and even if we don’t, then at least we can show up at the competition, it would be rude not to participate.”She laughed at the adorable display in front of her.
“Always the do-gooder.” She chuckled as she tried her hardest not to pinch the cheeks of the margrave .
“But that’s why I like you, leave the grey areas to me.” Siduri said as she gave a reassuring smile.
“Then let’s plan a surprise visit, can’t have the staff find out and prepare for it.”Laura smiled back at Siduri, patting her head gently.
“And I am glad to have you around too. Yes, a surprise visit sounds perfect, it will avoid us having to deal with the Headmistresses and her silly antics.”