Grand Ducal Evony Marquis walked into her offices followed closely by her Principal Aide, Naomi who read off her days' agenda and by her deputy, Stasio and his Principal Aide, Mica while she dropped her bags and tea on her desk and perused the work on her desk.

"Oh, and Elder Sasaki of the Clan Matsuda would like to meet with you." Naomi reported.

"Regarding?" Evony asked.

"I think it may have to do with Agent Sokolov's activities." Stasio replied. Evony rolled her eyes.

"See to that Stasio. I don't have the time or the inclination to listen to Elder whining." Evony said.

"Yes, Your Excellency." Stasio replied. Then Rosaline, Evony's other Principal Aide poked her head in through the door.

"Your Excellency?"

"Yes, Rosaline?" Evony prompted.

"A call from Her Majesty, The Queen." Rosaline replied.

"Everyone out." Evony directed. As soon as her offices cleared she quickly checked herself to make sure she was presentable and then took the call. Ari's image shimmered before her. Evony saw Ari was seated in a drawing room inside her private apartments.

"Your Majesty." Evony greeted as she bowed her head.

"Evony, we are alone. Formalities are not needed." Ari replied. Evony smiled.

"How are you? Do you have everything you need? Helen and I are concerned." Ari asked.

"I have everything I need. Thank you for Your Majesties' consideration."

"You know you can reach out to us if there's so much as a hair out of place."

"And you know I can handle it if there is."

"Helen said Fitzpatrick mentioned that after the Convocation you planned to return to the County. That you weren't planning on staying for the Installation Ceremony."

"I don't think my presence would be appropriate." Evony replied.

"You are the Grand Ducal of the 25th Delegation. It's expected."

"I'm not a fan of The Princess Royal."

"Neither you of her, but there it is."

"Besides Stasio and Dyson will be more than adequate representation at the Installation."

"Be careful with that Stasio. You can see his ambitions coming a plane away."

"No worries. He knows I'm aware of his ambitions, and I have no issue with them so long they do not undermine my position. If they do, I will simply kill him, and be done with it."

"I knew you had a handle on it. So, we can expect you to remain." This was not a question from Ari.

"Ari…"

"No excuses Evony. Besides I am sure Dr. Lewis would be happy to see you."

"She loathes me more than Her Royal Highness does."

"Nevertheless, you've been part of their lives over the past 15 years. I think they both expect you to remain for the Installation Ceremony, all feelings aside."

"I doubt it."

"I don't think they would consider it a right and proper installation unless the Human delegation were represented, and even more precisely the County. That means you."

"Well, in that case, better for me not to show up."

"Evony, quit teasing!"

"You still can tell when I'm teasing?" Evony said softly.

"Always."

"Then I will remain for the Installation Ceremony."

"So how is the Transition? Everything going well?" Ari asked.

"The Kraken wants to return to Utticus." Evony replied.

"You are joking?"

"I was just as astonished, but she requested it though Agent Essosis, and Usasas granted her request."

"Well, that is news."

"We are still awaiting a decision from the Niseag."

"The Niseag too?" Ari said surprised.

"I think it has more to do with the environmental issues on this plane. They are worsening."

"The water there alone is horrible by Presidium standards. We shall have to work on a great many things there."

"I will have some recommendations when we present our petition for inclusion before the Parliament of Fae."

"Very good. There is another matter I want to raise." Ari said.

"What's that?"

"There seems to be an issue with the work of the Agents there."

"Who is saying that?"

"Primus Levasseur informed me that Bo and Fitzpatrick visited Agent Prime de Lucia, inquiring about special mandates. I trust the Agents are acting in accordance with their mandate?" Ari asked.

"There hasn't been anything that's raised my concerns. All of their actions have been in accordance with their mandate. Dyson spoke with me about the pace of the purges and their impact on the humans not too long ago but that's about it."

"He has a concern?" Ari asked.

"I chalk his concerns up to his empathy for the humans. He has a little too much of it."

"Has Dr. Lewis made her felicitations yet?"

"She's in town?" Evony asked surprised.

"She's back on the Human plane. She's visiting Bo's mother then plans to visit the JFM to review their next round of clinical trials."

"And Kenzi is coming back too. This is all a bit convenient, don't you think? Is Kenzi's assignment here real or is it a ruse?"

"Her assignment is genuine. Scarlett had the task assigned to one of the Agents already there, but when Bo asked Kenzi be re-assigned Scarlett shifted it to her."

"Looks like the band is getting back together again. Bo isn't coming back is she?"

"No." Ari replied. Evony nodded her head.

"I trust your judgment in handling this." Ari said.

"Thank you, Ari." Evony said as she saw the Seneschal appear next to Ari who quickly sat up in response.

"I have to get going." Ari said.

"Before you do, I want to ask something." Evony replied.

"Of course."

"I understand you plan to stand watch over Regnant Einiah's tomb?"

"Yes."

"You haven't done that in quite some time."

"I know."

"May I ask why?"

"I feel…compelled…to do so."

"Is it perhaps you now have a successor?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Oh, there's one more thing. Helen would like to speak with you, she wants Sadie here for the Installation Ceremony." Ari replied.

"Really, Ari?"

"Argue it with Helen." Ari replied. Evony sighed.

"See you soon." Ari said.

"Ari?"

"Yes?"

"One more question."

"Yes?"

"Who is Kenzi's assignment?"


After Evony ended her call with Ari she called out to her staff.

"Stasio! Naomi!" The doors opened and Stasio, Naomi and Mica entered the room.

"Yes, Your Excellency?" Stasio prompted.

"Seems like the band of merry men are forming again. In addition to Kenzi showing up here Dr. Lewis is in town." Evony informed.

"My apologies, Your Excellency, I was not made aware of her return by her staff." Naomi replied.

"Apparently, Dr. Lewis intended for no one to know until she showed up on our doorstep. I just found out from The Queen herself. It appears they are here because they are concerned about the purges and the impact on the humans." Evony replied.

"Dyson!" Stasio spat out.

"That whole group is like a dog with bone. Once they latch onto something they will not give it up."

"I shall have a word with Dyson." Stasio replied.

"No. Let's see how it plays out. From what I understand while Kenzi's intent may be here to snoop about the purges, her Agency assignment may cause her to be otherwise occupied."

"Why? Who is her assignment?" Stasio asked. Evony just looked at him.