The unicorn follows the wolf away from the bulk of the crowd.

Esther sighs with relief. "Good, we're away from that," she says. "I thought I'd be stuck listening to 'Archaeology Review' all night."

"Ah," says the unicorn, nodding. "You did catch me quite by surprise. I had more expected that the young Cadet de Bellefeuille might ask me to dance, after being rebuffed by Lancer Eclipse."

Esther smirks. "I have seen so many like her – freshly-scrubbed cadets bursting with martial enthusiasm." Her tone turns grim. "Then they go off to make Daddy's dreams come true, and come home in a bag. The lucky ones won't be recommended for service."

The unicorn nods. "Her father was a war hero. He died in the Battle of the Plaguebringers. Her mother as well. So far as I know, she has no living relatives, save for her sister." He nods off in the direction of another poodle that is almost a mirror image of Elise, though in a less conservative dress.

"She distinguished herself in the conflict that arose at the College Esoterica, by protecting some mages that were being attacked by a golem … but she also has several marks for being overly emotional at inappropriate times," the unicorn adds, some of his words sounding recited.

Esther looks back at the young poodle. "Is that right? Hmm. Perhaps there is something to that one, at least." She turns back. "But let us not waste precious time. I am so glad you have returned and resumed your old post."

The unicorn nods. "My career has been marked by almost as many demotions as promotions, and many more 'reassignments'."

"I compliment you on your own advancement," the unicorn adds. "It is good to see that your accomplishments and skills are being properly recognized."

Esther smiles. "You don't know how relieved I feel to hear you say that. When I was working for Moffat… " – at the word she bares a fang – "… he had me at odds with you. He led me to fear you. Well, for the wrong reasons, anyway."

"I would be dishonest to even pretend to be displeased at Moffat's departure," the unicorn says. "But my opinions of him do not extend to those who performed their duties under him."

Across the room, near the snack table, a foppish fox collides with a blind fennec.

Esther looks visibly pleased. "Since then, I have made a point of undoing the damage he did. Where he divided, I hope to unify. Where he used people, I serve them. And part of that reparation is that I ask your forgiveness for my past indiscretions toward you."

The unicorn raises an eyebrow. "If I could think of any such indiscretions that required forgiveness, I assure you, I would grant it. I have no grudges against you, Arch-Inquisitrix, and I salute you for your effort to unify the Temple. You will have quite a challenge ahead of you."

Esther looks momentarily conflicted, then regains her composure. "Ahem, yes."

Esther says, "Our friendship with the Technopriesthood, for example, is bearing wonderful fruit for the war effort. I have been given leave to organize a joint team known as the 'Steel Wheel.'"

The unicorn nods, though his expression doesn't suggest that this is a topic he already knows about.

Across the room, a sleek lady Eeee enters, bowing her head at a few of the guests, though several of them just give her forced and polite smiles, then turn to murmuring behind her back as the lady Eeee passes. Her garb is black and ultra-conservative, with a high neckline, and she wears a black veil over her face.

"The Techs have developed a sort of mechanical counting device," the Arch-Inquisitrix continues. She lowers her voice a bit. "It is apparently capable of doing calculations far more quickly than a flesh-and-blood scientist, and they believe it can be used to break codes. It is the first such effort of its kind anywhere."

The foppish fox, meanwhile, appears to have evaded a couple of Lancers, only to bumble into Envoy the Exile.

The Aeonian nods, then glances in the direction of the Eeee. "Ah. I see that Countess Draco has been invited to the party. Though, of course, the official stance is that Rephidim no longer recognizes titles of Sylvania. I am surprised that she made the journey, in light of that." He then turns back to Esther. "My pardon for the tangential comment."

"Oh!" Esther says. "That's quite all right. I don't mean to blather on about work."

Esther notes some peculiar singing from the other side of the room. "I didn't expect Lord de Orthieriel to hire any clowns for a party like this."

The unicorn's ears twitch at the discordant sounds of the fox's playing clashing with the violin quartet's number. "I sincerely doubt it."

Esther turns her attention back to Melchizedek. "But that leads me to ask you about something I have noticed that disturbs me. I believe someone is trying to start a religious feud in the Temple."

The fox's singing suddenly stops.

The unicorn nods. "There has been a movement among the youth – strongest with the cadets at the Officers' Academy – to encourage the Temple to be more distinct in its theology. The argument has been raised that we have a Temple, yet are unclear just what religion it worships."

Esther says, "It is not only cadets, unfortunately. As you may know, I have taken Moffat's place as liaison to the Knights Templar. Some of the things I see and hear are troublesome."

Esther continues. "To elaborate: I deliver them their orders, their missions. Those orders are become more dangerous every day, as though someone wants their numbers reduced. What's notable about that is that the Knights are the most visible worshippers of the Star that exist in the Temple."

The unicorn nods. "This has not escaped my notice."

"Whereas there are these elements, as yet unrevealed, pushing for a religion based solely on the First Ones," the Jupani concludes.

The unicorn adds, "And there are a few of the Technopriesthood that have been unexpectedly reassigned to field duty."

Esther says, "It can't merely be a grassroots movement. Someone is organizing a redefinition of Temple doctrine by force."

The unicorn nods. "That is a theory that I can find no argument to counter."

Esther looks the Aeonian in the face. "Melchizedek, I must ask a personal question. Everyone knows that you have lived long, perhaps longer than the Temple as we know it today. Do you know anything about the First Ones that would lead you to believe anything more than I have discovered by scientific inquiry – that they are simply an ancient people, nothing more?"

Esther says, "You see, I must be sure before I act. Conscience and honor demand it."

The unicorn says, "Even strong proponents of the veneration of the First Ones would say as much, and not consider it the least bit controversial as an admission. The people on the streets may see the First Ones as yet another set of gods – and there are even those in the priesthood who preach as though that were so. However, those who are most 'conservative' in the faith of the First Ones hold that they were indeed mortals who walked this world and lived and breathed – and died, just as we shall – but that they somehow transcended the normal cycle of mortal life, and attained a greater state of being."

"Veneration of the First Ones," suggests the unicorn, "is in many ways like the ancestor worship of the people of Jadai – even though Nagai Imperial belief holds that the soul is annihilated upon death. Even without a belief in the afterlife, some justify the veneration of the First Ones as … to put it crudely … 'role models'. But the more religious believe that while most of the First Ones went on to a 'greater plane of existence', that the rest have remained behind to guide us – to guide the dead through the Procession to the next life, and to guide the living through this one."

Esther sets her lips. "And what do you say? Not what you believe – what you know."

"As you might know, I was not born of this world. I, an Inquisitor, am in fact an Exile, as ironic as that might seem to some," the unicorn says. "I am not inclined to believe in any deity or exalted being who has jurisdiction only over a single world. I am not a particularly religious man … even though I serve the Temple. But the Star is far closer to that which I believe in."

Esther puts her hands on her hips. "Then it would be unconscionable to allow such an effort to go unchecked. There has always been a spectrum, if you will, of belief among us." Her eyes wander the room for a moment, then back. "Some worship the divine Star exclusively. Some find the veneration of the First Ones more comforting, as ridiculous as I believe that is. And most are in between. But my point is that we are all one in the Temple. This… this artificial division is nothing but dangerous to us all."

The unicorn nods. "But, then, what does the Temple stand for? Is it truly a temple, or merely a governmental body – the members of which happen to follow several different faiths, but wear trappings as if they were one? I do not suggest that I approve of this movement. I do not look forward to controversies. But I only mean to point out that in order to head off this movement, it will have to be countered by something else. To respond to this message, another message must be presented."

"Hmm. You have a good point," Esther admits. "But you know I am no theologian; I barely know more than a Temple Scout. What I do believe is that this 'message' is being presented disingenuously. For some, there may be a legitimate religious motivation, but at its core this is about political power." She sighs. "What I am working for is a united, strong Rephidim – different people united in one nation. A united, broad-based faith has always served us well before."

The unicorn nods. "I and many others would not argue with that suggestion. Through what means would you recommend spreading this message? Those in favor of the 'veneration of the First Ones' have made use of the cadets to give the impression of a grass-roots movement, as you say."

Esther thinks for a long moment, looking downcast. "I honestly don't know. I do not have the sort of bully pulpit that the Priesthood has. The Inquisition is feared, not loved."

The unicorn says, "If the Temple Scouts were wholly under the authority of the Inquisition, and if I were so heartless as to use children as pawns, they would seem the most obvious counter."

Esther says, "That is a perilous road to tread, ethically speaking. Oh! What about the Squires?"

The unicorn nods. "There would be considerable hope in them … except that there already seems to be a movement to brand anyone tied with the Knights Templars as 'extremists' and 'mavericks'."

Esther says, "There is always the Guard. They respect me, and a wide variety of belief exists among them. I think they would understand my point of view better than anyone. After all, they must all work together despite their differences."

The unicorn nods, and then looks away, as there is a commotion in the main room. The Marquis has some blood spattered on his face … and a bat in black stands there with an empty glass. The Champion of Roses converges on the scene, though it looks like Envoy the Exile is already there.

"Uh-oh," breathes Esther. "That doesn't look too good."

The unicorn nods. "I concur. Shall we return to the festivities, lest we have a Gallisian noble attempting to pass judgement within Rephidim jurisdiction?"

Esther says, "I think we can exert a diplomatic presence, yes. We'll talk more later… but for now, let's go!"