The Little Lord's Little Lie

Knock Knock

"Come in." Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, Benjamin Jowett, looks up from the papers spread across his desk as the door to his study creaks open. In walks one of the servants responsible for the home's upkeep. Although she makes a commendable attempt at maintaining her composure, there's a slight furrow in her brow and her hands are clasped so tightly that the knuckles are white.

"My lord, the Godfrey children are here to visit and have been seated in the parlor." The corner of the servant's lips twitch downwards for an almost imperceivable instance and she takes a moment to clear her throat. "However, a girl claiming to be a representative from the Clock Tower arrived alongside them. She wouldn't say anything more; she just insisted that you were expecting her and that she was here to discuss business of the utmost importance."

"A girl you say?" Jowett takes off his reading glasses and rises from his chair. He certainly had not been expecting any other visitors, and certainly not any so-called representatives.

He's soon out of the study and quickly starts to make his way through the winding halls of his abode with the servant following close behind. As he draws closer to where his guests are waiting, the sound of chatter grows clearer. The synchronized voices of the Godfreys are impossible to mistake which makes focusing on their partner all of the more trivial for his keen ears. It indeed sounds like that of a girl — an exceptionally young one at that — and it bears a note of familiarity that he can't quite place. However, the identity of his mysterious guest becomes immediately apparent upon entering the parlor. Positioned in a chair across from the Godfrey children, an older girl with hair as white as snow and strange eyes that the Vice-Chancellor would recognize anywhere sits sipping a cup of tea.

"Lord Barthomeloi, what brings you to the university?" While they were not overly familiar with each other, they had met before. The conceit behind Oxford was to make an attempt at cooperation between the Church and the Mage's Association, so the Lords of the Clock Tower were somewhat obliged to maintain good relations with their rough equivalents. As much as a Lord could be obliged to do anything, at least.*

Adelaide sets her teacup down in the saucer and focuses her attention on Jowett, her head tilted in a curious manner. "Did you not receive my correspondence?" A gloved finger is brought to her cheek in thought. It was completely unthinkable that a courier would misplace a letter that involved people of their standing, but it was also unlikely that anyone would bother intercepting a message of such relatively little importance. There was some chance that she may have managed to arrive ahead of it. It was equally possible that she never pinned the letter at all and hoped to catch the Vice-Chancellor off guard. After all, it is more difficult to refuse someone who is sitting before you after they've already come a long way. "Given my presence, I believe it should be quite obvious that I am here to visit you. I take it you mean what it is I wish to discuss? Well, I've already explained to your students, so I shall leave informing you of the situation to them."

She brings her teacup back to her lips while looking to the Godfreys expectantly. Taking their cue, the children speak up. "The Lord of the Department of Policies is concerned with the course of the Grail War. She has come to stress the importance of concealing Mystery and express her intent to keep a close watch to ensure nothing too disruptive comes to pass."

"Splendid summary. Your students are so very charming, Vice-Chancellor." Adelaide claps and signals for the idle servant girl at Jowett's side to refill her cup. When she returns her attention to the older man her jovial demeanor becomes much more severe. "As the overseer of this land, it is you who will be held responsible if actions taken during the Grail War you permitted are found to be in violation of the Mage's Association principles. I believe you know well enough that being caught in a scandal will hurt Oxford even if you manage to escape with only a light reprimanding."

"Should I take that as a threat? Or do you think me so incompetent that you felt the need to come all the way from London to lecture me within my own home?" Although he does not lose control of his temper, he fixes Adelaide with a hard stare and makes certain to express his unwillingness to be looked down upon within his territory. It was clear she wanted something. The only question was 'what.' "I assure you, Lord Barthomeloi, that I am entirely capable of dealing with whatever may come on my own. You needn't worry for me or Oxford."

Adelaide snickers and shakes her head, looking at Jowett as if hurt. "You make me out to be a vulture! Must my concern have such sinister motivations? Do you think me as lowly as a Common Magus?" Although the Godfreys say nothing, she is quick to turn to them and offer an apologetic look. "It is certainly not my opinion that any of you share their failings. I expect that you shall all distinguish yourselves."

"Your confidence in us is appreciated. With the Vice-Chancellor's guidance, we hope we can meet your expectations." If any offense was taken, they do not show it. Whether they truly enjoyed the company of their new acquaintance or simply realized there was little to be gained by going against her remained to be seen.

"Indeed, he is quite capable — this I have not once doubted. Nothing would upset me more than if the Department of Policies must intervene here in an official capacity and disrupt the University's business, but I am bound to uphold order should the worst come to pass. That, Vice-Chancellor Jowett, is why I have come to you as a friend offering her assistance. My only desire is to ensure this little experiment does not become the target of opportunists who would not love Oxford as dearly as you."

"It is not your character that I doubt, but my need of your assistance." The intensity of his gaze does not let up. While he was not overly familiar with Barthomeloi Adelaide, he knew quite well of her family and what they thought of themselves. They were at the head of the Clock Tower's Aristocratic Faction and respected only a single Magus as equal in brilliance to them. The idea that the head of a family that took such pride in their inborn superiority could align herself with him was doubtful. "The Lords do not often take such a personal interest in these matters, so what is it that has led you to believe this war requires your presence?"

"Come now, I believe that you know quite well what it is. This war is rather...peculiar." She brings the tips of her fingers together in a triangle and glances in the direction of the Godfreys with a knowing look. "There are certain unstable elements that I would see dealt with." Jowett wonders if she is clued in on who the true keeper of the Lesser Grail is and begins mentally laying out his next steps when she speaks up again. "Namely, I am concerned with the presence of those wretched bloodsuckers."

Jowett internally lets out a sigh of relief and finally allows his gaze to soften. He should have known the only thing that would draw a Barthomeloi's personal attention was a Dead Apostle daring to make themselves known, and there did seem to be signs of one wandering around Oxford. Possible one who was serving as a Master. "I see. It is more than reasonable to worry what their kind might do if allowed to claim the grail. If you desire to hunt them, then I see no reason to stop you."

"Marvelous!" Adelaide rises from her seat, grabbing an ornate cane in one hand and a teacake in the other. "I would love to stay and discuss the issue further, but I have someone else that I must meet and I presume that your students wish to get on with today's lesson."

Although curious about who else she could be meeting, Jowett keeps his questions to himself. "Right you are. See Lord Barthomeloi out." He gestures to the servant who springs into action. "Should you require anything within reason, I shall do my best to cooperate. I expect the same from you. For Oxford's sake."

"Yes, all for Oxford. Oh, I'll be sending someone to fetch you for dinner, so eat light. That goes for you children as well." Her voice trails off as she's escorted to doo and off the premises. All in all, despite the sudden visit being far from welcome, Jowett seemed to have only gained from it. He gives his attention to the Godfrey's and finally addresses them.

"We'll be cutting today's lesson short to practice your etiquette. Your table manners are adequate, but you must aim to impress our dinner host."

A subtle smile creeps onto the children's faces and their eyes seem to gleam. "Of course, Vice-Chancellor. We won't disappoint."