A small mongrel in a neatly pressed dress sits on the edge of the sofa, carefully packing boots and shoes into a large trunk. She glances over her shoulder at a noise from the suite's bedroom, then resumes her task with ears perked to catch any comments from her mistress.

As morning fades into day and shadows are less to be seen, Elise Antoine de Bellefeuille stirs from her slumber. A yawn heralds her arrival in the waking world and she reaches to sit herself up. "Cosette? I trust that is you?" she calls out to the noise in the main room.

The Gallah comes to her feet smoothly and takes several quiet steps to stand beside the closed bedroom door. "Yes, Lady Ambassador," she answers, raising her voice just enough to be heard easily through the door.

"Mm. Good. We must prepare for the party today," notes Elise as she adjusts herself to sit on the edge of the bed and shakes off the grogginess that comes with sleeping so late. Aware Cosette is already preparing from the noise, she instructs her in it again for appearances. "Do remember to bring my hunting clothes, yes? I do hope you have prepared yourself as well?"

"Yes, my lady," the mongrel answers obediently. She waits by the door for a few minutes in case de Bellefeuille has any other requests for her.

After removing herself fully from the bed, the poodle noble walks towards her wardrobe and pauses in front of it to consider what she'll wear today. "Has anything occurred that I should be notified of? And what is the state of my breakfast?"

"Your breakfast will be here in … ," she glances out the window, "approximately three minutes, my lady. Also, Lord Ambassador do Nell has made some inquiries to determine if any of Baron Lesmysteaux's other guests might be interested in accompanying you to le Maison de Lesmysteaux, in case you did not wish to travel alone. Three parties have expressed a willingness for you to join their group: Baron de Thaeux, Chevalier de Amoureaux, and Baron de Ayde."

After a moment, she adds, "These personages are all married and will be traveling with their wives and entourages, of course."

"Have my breakfast prepared on a table outside after we are done speaking. I wish to enjoy the Gallisian air this morning," mentions Elise as she continues to study her wardrobe. After some thought, she decides on a simple yet elegant dress and hooded cloak. She begins setting these out as she inquires into those who wish to accompany her. "Tell me of these three men, Cosette. I wish to know more of those who seek to accompany me."

At knock at the door, the secretary pads out of the sitting room and to the foyer to answer it, where she has a brief and quiet conversation with the servant outside, then closes it again. "Yes, my lady," she says, upon returning to the sitting room. She pauses, gathering her thoughts. "Baron de Thaeux is of the German Shepherd breed; he's in his late forties and is Lesmysteaux's brother-in-law. He will be bringing his wife and two of their grown children – his daughter, Guien, and son Montrero."

"Has he any accomplishments I should be aware of? Perhaps a position beyond simply being a baron?" asks Elise as she finishes setting out her clothing and begins to change. "And might he be of a occupied Sylvanian barony, or closer to Gallis?"

"Baron de Thaeux is not … an accomplished man, my lady, apart from holding his barony together. His barony borders Sylvania, but the nearest Sylvanian land on his side is largely swampy and I do not believe he has yet deemed it worth the hazard of cap – reclaiming, my lady." Cosette pauses a moment, considering other details. "I understand that he may be interested in Lesmysteaux's success as a blueprint for his own potential campaigns, however."

Having been an officer, the poodle noble has learned the art of dressing quickly. It's something that has stuck with her, even now. She is currently at the point of donning her cloak and lifts this up to inspect it. "Not terribly interesting. I would suppose a ride with him might be full of 'someday' talk. No, no. Terribly dull that. Describe the next man."

Cosette nods quietly. "Chevalier de Amoureaux is middle-aged, but bringing only his wife on this trip – none of their children. They are poodles, and she is the elder sister of the Vicomte de Cinique, so they are wealthier than his title might suggest. I believe Baron de Lesmysteaux invited her in the hopes of luring her brother to come, as well. I do not know if they are close or not, but for whatever reason the Vicomte will also be joining the hunting party, though he will not be leaving from Fleaufille."

"Certainly more to this one than the last. What of the their accomplishments, and notables? And do describe the Vicomte as well; he sounds to be of some interest if he is using another to lure him out," asks Elise. She ties the strings upon her hooded cloak in a bow and glances to the mirror. She nods in approval and turns more fully to the reflective surface before reaching for a comb.

"I'm not familiar with any special accomplishments of the Chevalier, although his lands are quite prosperous, and I am told his people reasonably well-treated. The Vicomte de Cinique is one of the Marquis de Fleaufille's assistants, and I suspect he will be the most important of those attending. The Baron de Lesmysteaux would wish him to come for the prestige of attracting a Vicomte alone, but de Cinique also holds strategic importance – if he likes what he sees, he may be able to provide an ear to Marquis and future assistance from the capitol to the … reclaimed Sylvanian lands." Cosette resumes her packing, while she speaks, working slowly to ensure that her full attention remains on answering the Lady Ambassador's queries.

"Ah," says Elise as she combs her long curly hair out in front of the mirror. "Fascinating, certainly. Of the two, I would choose the Chevalier simply because of his relations to the much more interesting Vicomte." The brush is put down and a ribbon is picked up. Elise pushes her hair back and begins tying the ribbon so as to put her hair in a ponytail. "But anyway, do move on to the last man."

"The Baron de Ayde, a German Shepherd, concerns himself primarily with politics and has been acclaimed by some for his passionate agitation for improving the lot of the people." Cosette pauses, wrapping tissue around an elegant silk beaded slipper. "I am told he's an able speaker. Had he a message more amiable to the Marquis' own ambition, he would be very influential at court, I should think. As it is, he's still a man to be reckoned with. He and the Marquis agree on the campaign to … civilize Sylvania. In all likelihood, he is there to evaluate Baron de Lesmysteaux's efforts with the people and the lands."

Once the ribbon is in place, Elise studies her reflection. Not quite satisfied, she reaches up and pulls a few strands stray so they hang around her face just so. She smiles at this and turns from the mirror to walk for the door. "Now, then, Baron de Ayde sounds a man to some influence. And thus, I am quite certain he can hold a conversation that will not bore me into sleep. Is there anything else I should know about him?" she asks as she walks.

"Or should not, but would like to hear anyway?" adds Elise.

A rare smile appears on the corner of Cosette's mouth, but she soon sobers her expression appropriately. "He is newly married to a young lady, after a long bachelorhood," she says, thoughtfully. "He founded an organization – Surete de les Boulevardes – dedicated to ending the practice of holding 'Miles Mortant' races, so if the Lady Ambassador is a fan of those events, it would not be a recommended topic of conversation with him."

"I find them horribly barbaric," notes Elise as the room to her bedroom opens and she steps out. "So, I do not see that to be a problem. What of his wife?"

The secretary adjusts the positions of the wrapped slippers in the trunk, and then closes the lid with precise motions, latching it. "I'm afraid I know very little of his wife, save that she's quite attractive and of excellent bloodlines." She frowns momentarily, searching her memory. "I believe she was Lady Cynthia Kiena de Camerede' before her marriage. I do not think she has close ties to the Thaeux or Lesmysteaux lines, although naturally she will be a distant relation of theirs."

After a moment, her ears pinken and she adds, "Oh, Baroness de Ayde is quite young, in her late teens, I believe."

The Lady Ambassador makes her way fully into the room and folds her hands neatly behind herself. "Well then, I believe I have made my choice. Make arrangements for the Baron de Ayde to accompany me to this outing." She turns to regard the door. "I will be outside awaiting my breakfast and reviewing what matters I must attend to. That is all."

A series of two silver-gilt dark gray carriages and two wagons, all pulled by matching n'gyah in silver-trimmed harnesses, await before the Rephidim Embassy. Servants busy themselves piling three more trunks, including two upright "wardrobe"-style models, onto the already heavily-laden wagons, while a tall, handsome German Shepherd watches with a slight glower crinkling his face. As a white poodle emerges from the front door, however, he clears his expression, smiling and waving to her. A peacock and a canid wearing a large hat with an obscuring veil accompany the Lady Ambassador.

Dressed in a more intricate version of her outfit from yesterday, complete with her hair tied back with a ribbon, the Lady Ambassador makes her way for the carriages. She smiles and nods politely towards the man who waves at her. "Come along Cosette, Justeau, we must not keep the Baron waiting," she tells those with her.

Monsieur Justeau approaches the German Shepherd with a deferential air, and bows to him reverently. "Greetings. Lady Ambassador, please allow me to present Baron Mikael Francis de Ayde. Baron de Ayde, this is the Lady Ambassador Elise Antoine de Bellefeuille, of Rephidim, and the most recent diplomat to be added to our Embassy." With a brief gesture to Cosette, he adds, "This is her secretary." Cosette makes a deep curtsey, and carefully starts backing over to the second carriage, still facing the nobles in the event that they need her, but moving along in case they don't wish to be bothered dismissing her.

Baron Mikael offers another smile to the poodle, reaching his hand out for hers. "A pleasure to meet you, my lady. It is kind of you to grace my house by joining us on the ride north."

After her introduction Elise makes her own curtsey, although hers is not nearly so deep as her secretary's. She smiles more genuinely now and offers the baron her hand. "I am honored to make your acquaintance, m'lord, and to share in your fine company this eve."

Accepting her hand, de Ayde bows, lowering his black-and-tan muzzle to drop a kiss against her knuckles. After straightening, he stands aside to allow a liveried footman to open the carriage door. He assists Elise in entering the covered coach. A well-dressed, young female shepherd, bundled up against the far side, watches the poodle enter with sparkling blue eyes.

Upon entering the carriage, Elise smiles again, this time to the wife of the Baron de Ayde. A moment's hesitation is given so as to allow the poodle to both check the interior and decide where to sit. She opts to place herself directly across from where the de Ayde will place himself shortly.

Moments later, the older Gallee seats himself precisely where Elise anticipated, and raps on the roof of the carriage to start it rolling. "Allow me to present my wife, the Baroness Cynthia Kiena de Ayde, Lady de Bellefeuille. My dear, this is the Lady Ambassador do Nell mentioned to us."

Cynthia smiles politely and extends her hand across to Elise. "A pleasure, I'm sure."

"Yes, a pleasure," greets Elise as she reaches over and shakes the hand gently, and without using her full hand. She then turns her head to regard the Baron de Ayde and leans back into her seat to get comfortable. "My secretary tells me you are quite accomplished, and I have heard the reclaiming of Gallis goes quite smoothly. Have you had part in this?"

Baroness de Ayde offers the same limp-wristed shake before retiring once more to her corner. She watches the countryside roll past with glassy eyes, while her husband shakes his head in answer to Elise. "Only in the most indirect of ways, my lady. I support the efforts of my fellow barons to reclaim the northern reaches, but my own lands are in the south, too far away for me to do more than send funds and the occasional conscripts we are able to spare."

"I see. Well, it does certainly seem Gallis has made progress. So many years and now so much forward motion. As an ambassador, I do try to keep up on the news of the countries in which I serve. Also, as you may or not know, I was once a soldier. So you will forgive my interest in the expansion. I am interested in learning what I can for it, since it seems such a noteworthy topic of both historical and military value," says Elise. She reaches up to pull the hood back.

A slight titter emerges from the Baroness. She tilts her head to look at her husband and Elise, and says softly, "Mikael does all sort of politicking and agitating in Fleaufille to promote the efforts made by the northern barons and marquises. It's all terribly important … and dreadfully dull." She adds this last in a conspiratorial whisper to Elise, leaning forward with a little smile.

The Lady Ambassador cannot help but smile as well. "Oh, I am certain it is. But alas, I simply must keep with the times. Dread the thought I miss something of importance," she tells the Baroness.

With a self-conscious smile at Cynthia's comment, the Baron waves his hand in dismissal at Elise's apology. "Not at all – I myself have a great interest in the progress of the campaign. Baron de Lesmysteaux has done a fine job in the last few years of securing territory on behalf of Gallis. He has paid for arms and men himself, and worked closely with other barons and two of the northern marquis to combine their forces and focus on smaller sections of Sylvania. By using a large force to eradicate the resisting bandit-kings in a given area, he has then been able to turn the same force, largely unharmed, to wipe out the next bandit-king.

"I understand that the whole plan largely hinges on the poor coordination and squabbling among the bandits infesting the Sylvanian territories." He chuckles. "Of course, what else would one expect of robber lordlings?"

"A most enlightened strategy, that. Might I inquire as to what section of Sylvania is focused on currently, and for the near future? I plan to have my secretary mark these so as to save me some time in rewriting our regional map yet again." Elise chuckles softly and lifts her hand to gesture out the window. "Before long, Sylvania may well be a name thrown to history I imagine. However, I do imagine that your strategy may meet with resistance. What of Feli Kurai, and the 'Czar'? Of Countess Ophelia of Northern Shore, as well as others that are somewhat better off than these bandit kings?"

The de Ayde carriage, well-sprung, goes smoothly over the road even after it turns to dirt, with only the occasional jarring thump over a rut or bump. The Baron shakes his head in amusement at Elise's questioning. "'Countess,' indeed. There's no heritage or breeding in any of these people – they're just robber-lords trying to pass themselves off as something better. I was most relieved when Rephidim recognized the fiction in that, and refused to honor their absurd titles." He smiles warmly. "As for the next target – there's some considerable debate about that. I understand that one general is already considering relieving 'Countess' Ophelia of her trumped-up title and her lands."

He sighs, eyes looking into the distance for a moment. "Part of the difficulty is that so much of the northern territory is inhospitable swampland or thick forest. It's difficult to work men up over the possibility of claiming land with so little intrinsic value. Yet it would be a boon to us – and to most of the poor souls that live in these benighted lands – if we could rid them of these violent infestations of extortionist bandits. As long as these gangs of ruffians are allowed free roam – even in a swamp – they pose a continual threat to us."

Elise shifts her hands to lift them so that she might breathe air across them to warm herself. "Is that so? Quite interesting. Yes, I have not heard much of the 'Countess' other than that she exists. I refer to her as the 'Countess' simply because 'Ophelia' seems too personal." She breathes into her hands and then rubs them together. "It all seems very dangerous out that way. I have only visited once, and although I did not notice anything stranger than Feli Kurai himself, I would not inclined to live there." She smirks faintly and glances out the window, watching the land roll by.

The man nods in understanding and appreciation at de Bellefeuille's comments. Cynthia, sensing a lull, chimes in curiously, "You must be terribly brave to have served in the armed forces for your country, Lady de Bellefeuille. Might I ask what your tour of duty was like?"

Elise pauses from her hand rubbing to look up, ears perked slightly. "Oh? You wish to hear of my tour of duty? Well, I suppose I can say something of it," she answers before sitting up and placing her hands back in her lap. "I was assigned to the airship Tribulation, to head the Guard upon it. We repelled corsairs and other such rogues while guarding supplies brought to and from the region of Saskanar. Saskanar, as you may know, has broken off from Babel and is thus a target for Babelite dregs."

The Lady Baroness's eyes widen as the poodle relays her simple story. "My! How absolutely thrilling. You repelled corsairs, you say? Sounds frightfully dangerous. Were you very scared?"

"Yes I was, at times. But I find strength in my duty, knowing that I accomplish something for my country," answers Elise with a little smile and pinkened ears. "I would not however say it was thrilling. Typically it was very dull, with moments that could be described as worrisome. We were not often attacked, as we tried to avoid conflict. However, we were boarded a few times – one time being of particular note, since our ship was crippled."

While the ambassador speaks of the Tribulation, de Ayde watches her with his head slightly tilted to one side, appraisingly. A tall man, he holds himself with the same erect bearing seated as standing, and wears a uniform-like suit of dark gray with silver piping and trim – elaborate enough garb, although quite simple by Gallisian standards, featuring only some lighter gray lace about the wrists and from the cravat. "Crippled?" he queries, inviting her to continue. His wife leans forward as well, listening.

The poodle woman nods. "Yes, crippled." She holds her hands out to make a vague outline of an airship with them. "We were attacked by Babelite corsairs, and were unable to evade. Our ship was boarded by a superior number of attackers, Eeee, wielding those strange weapons of theirs. I personally led the counterattack, and though we routed them, our ship was damaged and many crew members lost their lives."

The baroness clasps her hands to her muzzle to muffle a gasp. "My!" She glances over to her husband. "I can't imagine that I could ever be so brave when faced with an armed opponent. I dare say I would faint quite uselessly."

Mikael chuckles indulgently, patting her arm. "Fortunately, we need not all be warriors. I must commend your courage, Lady de Bellefeuille. It cannot have been easy for you to rally your troops against poor odds," the Baron comments to the poodle soberly.

"The de Bellefueille line is one of leaders of men. We have long served Rephidim in a military capacity," notes Elise proudly. She offers a comforting smile to the Baroness and reaches over to pat her hand. "As your husband says, we need not all be warriors, and you should be quite pleased you are not." She leans back and turns towards the husband now. "Well, some of our Guard had been restless, but others were not terribly eager. I simply reminded them who we are, and that failure was not an option. I doubt they were enamored by the mention of the long walk to anywhere safe were we brought down … or of the even less pleasant subject of Babelite hospitality to their enemies."

A sympathetic nod from the Baron comprises his response. "I would like to think that I could be equally strong if the situation demands it, but I have been fortunate enough never to have endured such."

The Lady Ambassador nods along with the Baron. "I would think a man of your obvious strength would be quite capable in such a situation. You seem to carry yourself with an air of fortitude," mentions Elise. She clasps her hands together and again rests them on her lap. "I was perhaps unfortunate enough to have seen combat long before service."

The Baroness perks again, letting her hands slip from her muzzle. "How so?" she asks, almost by reflex.

"I would be forced to cut down two Kavis who assaulted my mentor, they being part of some heretic religion that calls for the killing of Nagai simply because they are Nagai." Elise sighs softly and shakes her had a little. "I was put in the infirmary for the wounds I took in that battle, but most importantly, my instructor lived."

A horrified look crosses the Baroness's face. "You risked your life … for a … Naga?" she gasps in astonishment.

De Ayde himself looks surprised, and he reaches over to pat his wife's arm again before commenting, "I am impressed again by your cosmopolitan views, Lady Ambassador. We of Gallis must seem dreadfully provincial to your eyes."

"Ah, but were I to view you as such, I would in turn need view my ancestors in quite the same way. My ancestors do hail from Gallis, I will have you know, and it simply does not do to speak ill of those before you." The Lady Ambassador smiles more now and glances out the window. "Certainly you cannot think yourselves provincial with the great accomplishments in the arts that Gallis both produces and imports, not to mention showcases?"

The male shepherd smiles at the compliment, and shakes his head, offering a list of the wonders of Rephidim for comparison to Gallis' own simple marvels. The three nobles exchange pleasantries and ideas of various sorts for the remainder of the journey to the Lesmysteaux lands.