Stone's Throw

[NPCs]

Sage frowned, more concern than displeasure. "You are worthy. It does not suit to diminish your works so."

[Helene Dakesh]

"You are kind, but this one is young, has never arranged anything like this before. Surely many details are incorrect."

[NPCs]

The An-- Sage tisked softly, folding his hands across his stomach. "Mistakes, yes, areas for improvement, always. But you are diligent and resourceful, you were given ample time to prepare and have access to notable resources and talented people. There will be no need to 'excuse' your efforts, dear Seeker."

[Helene Dakesh]

"It will surely not be what you are accustomed to."

[NPCs]

"I am not accustomed to any sort of diplomatic conference," Sage countered, "because formality, propriety and decorum vary wildly across cultures." He coughed delicately. "If naught else, I am confident I will not be, yet again, engaging in a blood duel during these proceedings." A pause. "To clarify, I am referencing a duel using blood as the medium of conflict."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stares at him, eyes wild. "Did you... wish for such a thing?!"

[NPCs]

"What? No! I-- it was a learning experience, of course, but, if I may be impolite, what I learned most deeply is that I do not care for senseless violence. Well, all violence really, but I understand the need for it in certain circumstances."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a deep breath, then another. "Alright. I see.  Thank you for clarifying."

[NPCs]

"Thank you for," is that a self-amused smile?, "having questions about it instead of assuming. I would like a broad overview of the process and timeline, however, if you are able to give such at this time."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course." Helene moves to the desk, picking up a lovely carved bit of wood and handing it over. "This is the daily schedule for the next week. It's enchanted to reflect updates as they come in. In general, there's going to be a number of discussions on a number of topics, both pertaining to and distinct from the central theme of reproduction. There will also be light refreshments available between talks and a few get-to-know-you sessions scheduled in the late afternoons when people are more likely to be grumpy. You'll meet most of the mortals tomorrow morning at breakfast, and the outsiders after that at our first talk -- a meet and greet with the existing roster of Daughters."

[NPCs]

Sage swallowed, smile a little tight for just a brief moment. "Entire... roster? How, ah, how many are there of them?" Weird that he isn't aware that Raplin has twelve Daughters, if he's here...

[Helene Dakesh]

"Only a dozen. I suspect He is going to end up with seventeen, of course."

[NPCs]

Sage's eyes widened. "Ah." There's a long pause. "Twelve?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Dau, Rose, Maeve, Amandine," Helene begins, rattling off the other eight in quick succession. "I left a roster in the top left drawer of the desk. That has important biographical information as well as images so you can identify who is who."

[NPCs]

"Twelve," he repeated once more, then coughed. "Ah. Yes. Very good. Thank you. Excellent preparation." Which should be just a courtesy really, not his first briefing on persons of such import.