Arrival and Uprisings

International Council Symposium
Diplomat’s Quarters
Hurscht, Raveen
August 12

Dearest Mabli,

I hope your classes met and exceeded your every expectation and your professors are kind and learned. I cannot wait to hear all about your first day, your classes, your professors, and your new friends. You know you needn’t be at the NUM on scholarship; Mother and Father would have gladly paid your tuition. Our family’s debt to you for all your help over the years would cover your expenses hundreds of times over. You and your damnable pride.

Sadly, Gianna’s knees are quite normal-looking. A little on the pasty side, but not knobbly in the least. Tommoso seemed quite entranced until Uncle Lorenzo whacked him in the head with his walking stick. After that, he was a bit more subtle in his ogling.

Well, we have officially arrived at the conference and are situated with the other diplomats from the Emperor’s convoy. It’s fairly sparse, but the Raveenese are terrible cheapskates. They do, however, have electric light, so I may compose this note at three in the morning without dripping wax on it like last time. Terribly sorry about that.

The conference is being held across the street from our quarters and I had a quick poke around when we arrived. There will be representatives from every country, even the currently war-torn Veranilaga. I spied a handful of Councilmembers huddled together. They were discussing the harpy uprising and resulting riots in not-so-low tones. I learned something I think you’ll find very interesting: the governing body of Raveen is supporting the harpies, which is why there are both official and unofficial (AKA: harpy) Veranilagan representatives here. Food for thought, my dear.

More updates soon, once the festivities get properly underway.

Do be careful with your skirts as to not give some dense fool the wrong idea.

By the way, did you ever get your hands on those feathers? Tommoso asked about them before we left.

All my love,
Iniga