[Private] Crystal Clear Pitch

Kai wasn't wrong, per se. Sir Nimbus was neither a perfect mentor nor would he be the perfect fit for what she was seeking. For that, there was potentially another in his retinue, though. Piper had been expected to take a Knighthood of her own for some time before it was realized she would not abandon Nimbus. 

"I suppose you're right. Besides, if Piper and I can come to an understanding, I might be able to gain the direction I seek under Nimbus' umbrella," she mused, "but I do wonder if that's a big if."

"Some will think I'm playing it safe by selecting him for vassalage and perhaps they're right after a fashion," she continued, "In either case, it will be worthwhile to repair the bridge, I think. Establishing goodwill within the court is just important within the court as it is without. I'll reach out. Eventually... Though I'll admit I'm beginning to think I'm on a circuit for apologies. It's been a little exhausting, even if it's been necessary."

At the question, Ivory shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

"It's my fault," she admitted with a sigh, pulling another drink as she thought back to the day, "I... don't know if I should be sharing this? He never said anything about keeping it hush hush, but... Chugunkin has a few of us that have yet to seek vassalage helping him with a construction project in Whitney. Some mundane companies are gentrifying some of the neighborhood, but there is one block that's resisting payouts to move elsewhere. Eventually, those tenants won't be able to afford the spike in housing property tax or rent, so we are trying to find a means to convince them to leave earlier, before they are financially bled by the property management companies and city hall. They're attempting to stand against city hall and the developers by staying put, but, eventually, they are going to lose. Hence, why we were tapped to find a solution."

"I had the idea of creating a community fund to help those who were being displaced find a new place to live within the city or, maybe, elsewhere in Clark County. I brought the idea to Nimbus, to see if he could help me figure out how to get the fund going with his assets, but beyond the suggestion of going to city hall to get some permits and licensing, he wasn't really sure why I came to him. He offered to donate, I reaffirmed that I was looking to see if he'd be willing to help via his network. He suggested Piper could help, Piper refused, so he suggested I work with Stheno. I declined," Ivory said, relaying the events of the night, "Then I acknowledged they were seeing the matter to be, at best, inconvenient, said I would deal with it on my own, and told them to enjoy their indulgence."

In other words? Ivory told a Knight of Spring to get bent. Politely. A hand raised to rub one of her temples as Ivory's expression shifted to embarassment. Another misstep. Another failure. Why did she keep doing things wrong?

"Went to Archie with it too," Ivory said, "Similar results. Long story short, my ideas were half-baked and, in the face of reasonable opposition, I lashed out without thinking. Nothing new there."

The last statement came off likely more acidic than the Pale Dragon intended. This wasn't the first thing Ivory had screwed up by opening her mouth without thinking. 

"I've abandoned the idea, but not the purpose," she said, her tone a little defeated, "I'll just... tap my contacts within the charities here when we're done and see if I can help with the current systems and funds already in place. Maybe then people will listen instead of showing me the door."

At the talk of letting mundane people take control of her charity there was a slight nod. It would work, even if the original intention had been to create a joint project with which to get closer to Nimbus and Piper. Still, Ivory was reluctantly beginning to understand Nimbus and Piper had no reason to take her word for it in regards to her capabilities. She had to make them see and beginning a successful charity was a good way to do it.

"Agreed," she offered as Kai spoke of the capability of making a statement, "I'll make some calls and arrange a few meetings once some of my current business concludes. Even if Sir Nimbus and his retinue do not acknowledge the apology, the success will grant me time to consider other options, if nothing else. A powerbase is a powerbase and having my own will make me an attractive ally. That and I can use the charity to branch out into other areas of interest in time."

Ivory did not need to give up on the idea of a charity. She needed to adjust her approach.

"For today though, the lemon tart in the fridge is calling my name," she joked.

"Then there is the potential there for a working relationship. If he conducts himself honestly," Ivory offered as she rose to follow the Polychromatic to the kitchen, her empty plate and half finished beverage in hand, "With his recent rise, I imagine he's keeping an eye out for prospective vassals in advance of the establishment of his fief. Taking one on as soon as he can would help further establish his capability in the eyes of the middle nobility and I doubt it's out of the realm of possibility that he'll reach out to those who capture his interest. If that's me, we'll talk. For now, I have projects to attend to and imploring to the Knights for their patronage will not help them. That can come after things are established."

Settling at the island, the Fairest would roll her glass between her fingers, the shifting ice within sounding off with a slight rustle with the motion. 

"Or until they decide I need to make a decision, whichever comes first," she said, "As you said, they won't leave me alone forever."

Eyes flicked to the fridge.

"Getting yourself a slice? Are we both indulging today?" she asked with a smirk.

To the question she shrugged.

"Nope. I was unsure the conversation would get this far, if I'm honest," Ivory admitted, "We've lived together for some time now and you never spoke on the subject. I assumed you had a reason and was unsure how you would react when I asked you directly."

Ivory was pleased Kai had sought to celebrate with a tart. It meant the Summer was willing to postpone her workout, which Ivory assumed was often a priority, given the Wizened's sculpted physique. It was nice to have a friend.

The Pale Dragon would nod as Kai spoke of her caution. "I get it. As we both know, I could stand to be a little more cautious myself," she said, "but things are getting better. Slowly chipping things away."

Settling accounts with Noir was nice, but Ivory still needed to see a Notary to see if her promise to Evelyn truly held any weight. Ideally, it would not, but things were rarely ideal and Ivory would need to find another way out of it. None of this even touched the other central issue of her dynamic with Anthony and the potential need to end her relationship with Evelyn to make amends. Still, progress had been made and Ivory was content with that.

At the compliments, Ivory smiled again.

"That means more than you know," the Pale Dragon offered. Kai had many reasons not to attach to Ivory. Ivory had lashed out at a Knight, become entangled with Oaths, and OD'd during an investigation because she was overly confident. To hear the choice to join with her in a motley was an easy one was touching.

Accepting the tart, the Fairest would begin to pluck away at her phone, her mind tingling with ideas as to what to name their motley. After a few minutes she spoke.

"How do you feel about Promissum Argenti?" she asked, the Latin somewhat exaggerated on her untrained tongue, "It means Silver Promise. Which kind of fits I guess? Silver is used in heraldry to signify peace and innocence, which seems to our goal ultimately between your work with Solomon to right wrongs and our collective work to establish legitimate lives."

Then there was doubt.

"Maybe that's a bit much, I don't know," she said, looking to Kai for suggestions, "Do you have any names rolling around in your head?"

There was a snort at the comment.

"No, and it's probably better to avoid it, lest said intellectuals attempt to use my lack of knowledge against me," Ivory said. That was the nature of politics among the Lost. A slight edge was always coveted. "I don't care what it is, I guess? I'd just prefer it to be something with meaning."

They could discuss it later. The name was less important than the structure of the pledge itself. They would need one, but first an agreement needed to be reached.

As Kai spoke her idea of the pledge, Ivory listened and nodded. Eventually, the Wizened's hand was taken and shook.

"Very reasonable," she said, agreeing to the language as Kai had presented it.

Then came a comfortable pause as Ivory turned her attention to the lemon tart, taking a generous bite followed by the same pleased groan she had done earlier. The agreement a union as a motley made the dessert all the sweeter. Kai was now more than the first friend Ivory had managed to attain since her return to the public eye of the Lost. With the pledge to become a motley, the Polychromatic was also her first, true ally. 

And that felt good.