"Yes, Ricie's Here. What's The Nature Of Your Business?"

The man looks you up and down, all 6 feet of you, dressed in your journeyman's robes and pointed hat, with your long brown hair spilling down your back and...

Your not sure quite what to make of his expression, a mix of fear, resentment, appraisal, satisfaction, hope, and yes, gratitude, but he harrumphs briefly and in a politely-non-committal-tone says: "Yes, Ricie's here. What's the nature of your business with her?"

You change tacks slightly, sensing a trap, and address yourself to him. "Actually Mister Baudrillard, it is you I wish to speak to first, as you are her father. I wish to sound out your daughter's receptiveness to being courted to be my wife but your blessing on such a venture is a necessary first step, is it not?"

The note of appraisal in his expression dials up several levels, and he does not speak for a full minute.

"Yes, it is, but more than that her mother's approval is what you need, however you seem fit enough, I can tell even under that robe of yours that you are no weedy weakling, so that's enough to get you past my doorstep at any rate. You'll come in now, take a seat in the kitchen, and I'll fetch the missus. Get past her and you will be able to speak to Ricie, and IF she then agrees you can court her. Make no mistake though, Ada and I will be watching, and keeping a careful account, you treat Ricie proper and never make her cry or things will go the worse for you; Mark Me." Mister Baudrillard declares, and walks you into the kitchen of his crowded row-house, telling the teenage boys and girls to clear out so the adults can talk.

After some minutes Mrs. Ada Baudrillard appears, her dress immaculate and hair perfectly coiffed, though you are certain that is because she changed and did her hair while you waited.

"Hello Alexander, I trust you are well?" She begins, and you smile a touch wanly, the apparent weakness a deliberate gambit.

"As well as can be expected, given my sudden weight of responsibility and press for time that the Queen has put me under," you state.

"Ah, yes, it's been quite the talk of the town you know, your sudden elevation to the Countship of Ambuscade County: and it's attendant burden..." She says, seeming to recognize your gambit for what it is.

"I am sure, however let me get to the matter at hand. Your daughter has been accepted to the Academy of the Open Hand has she not?" you ask.

"Yes, she matriculates to the Intensive Remedial Program in the fall, thanks to you and your charity," she states, softening a bit.

"Yes lad, that was kindly done," Mister Baudrillard states, also softening, just a touch.

"Would that it HAD been entirely charitable in motive, but this was not wholly so," you start in, preparing for the main thrust of your 'sales pitch'. "I did not expect any obligation on her or your part, that was true, and my main reason was outrage that no one had re-tested her when she turned 14 or 21 as is custom, however there was and is an ulterior motive for doing what I did. Many would claim your daughter is not beautiful, but appearances are deceiving, as anyone who gained a five star grade in illusions like I did could rightly tell you, and I see in her a deeper beauty than the angles of her cheekbones or set of her eyes. I am a member of the Order of the All Seeing Eyes. Let others look at the surface of things, I see deeper, and the deeper I look the better Miss Beatrice seems," You pause for breath before forging ahead ere any counter statements or objections can be made.

"Your daughter is a woman of virtue, and so the mysteries tell us such a thing is priced above rubies. I suspect you and your husband deserve much of the credit for that, but some also must be given to your daughter, for even in the most fertile of soil a blighted seed will not sprout, and the seeds of kindness, intelligence, creativity, and honor have most assuredly sprouted in her. These and other virtues I see she has in abundance, and this compels me to the conclusion that I could chose no finer a woman for my wife than her," Once more you breathe in and continue on.

"Now of course while I will not proceed without your blessing, for that way lies suffering for all concerned; but the ultimate decision belongs to Miss Beatrice. Your blessing I desire, and would not court her without it, but should, after her studies conclude; she come seeking me without your blessing, and I then be still unmarried; well, she is a grown woman, and knows her own mind. I would rather not have things come to such a pass, but I do believe from our few encounters that she senses my interest, and from what I have seen of her she is not one to let simple obstacles stand in the way of what she most desires: only her good nature and the strength of the law kept her from seeking out one of the Black Orders when she was young, which was to all our benefits. I want what is best for myself naturally; but also what is best for you and your family, so, please; Mister Baudrillard, Mrs. Baudrillard; may I have your blessing to court your daughter?" You finish and await their answer with trepidation.