[Private] My Venue Academia

Le Cave described itself as a 'hideaway', and Blaze appreciated the choice of venue. It was a bit on the expensive side for her, but at least everyone there will be used to quiet conversations and expectations of privacy. She takes in the restrained design as much as she can before noticing Eis waiting in the restaurant lobby. What is that thing she's wearing? Blaze doesn't know the Autumn Courtier nearly as well as she wished, but even to her the dress seemed a bit outside of the Fairest's usual style. For her part, the Torrent is dressed much more conservatively: button down shirt, gray trousers and pumps. The most inoffensive 'business casual' she could find.

"Racy."

She smiles at the Snowskin warmly, but her attempt at levity is quickly squandered by a realization that there's something much more out of place about Eis than the dress. Subtle hints of something like concern shine through, and it makes Blaze worried.

"Good to see you. Is... everything alright?"

Eis perks ever so slightly at Blaze's arrival. Now or never, isn't it? She dismisses the comment on her choice of apparel with a flick of her wrist, but conjures something adjacent to a polite smile. 

"What!? Of course!" she lies. Clearly. As if sensing how ridiculous she sounds, she adds "I've just got a lot riding on this evening. But... where are my manners? Please, come join me. I've already reserved a table."

With little hesitation, Eis leads Blaze to the table she's been seated at. Presently, there are only three glasses of water. Eis couldn't accurately assume her guests' choices. None the less, she's chosen a strategic, triangular arrangement of chairs around a smaller round table. To facilitate that sort of 'equal shares' atmosphere. And because, frankly, a booth would be an awkward exercise. 'Who sits next to whom' and all that nonsense. 

"I suppose I should advise you ahead of time," Eis begins, once they've gotten to their seats. "that this is just business. The fact that we can tolerate each other shouldn't influence anyone's decision. Nor should anything you may have heard about Archie and his... friends." She lets that it for a moment. Blaze had likely heard about Linden's passing. Possibly even the ruckus at Beltane. The Autumn can only hope the pros outweigh the cons for the Winter. And, by default, the Spring. 

Speaking of which...

"Not at all, Archie. You're practically the guest of honor." Yet another weighted comment. She hopes he'll appreciate it. The last thing she wants to do is snub her host - ironic that she's the one who invited the two of them tonight. But her mind is on the library. And a chance at brushing the dust off some Freehold History.

Her eyes flit between Archie and Blaze. Once again, her habit of not making introductions on another's behalf shines through. Others may not understand it - even possibly find it odd - but she doesn't mean enough to anyone to merit that sort of thing. No one is wrapped around her arm, after all. But after introductions have been made, she doesn't hesitate to get to the meat of things.

"As I'd mentioned before, I've considered Ms. Palmer as a potential 'plus one' for our arrangement. Since she comes from stock who value privacy," she flashes the Winter a look and a slight nod. "I thought she'd make an excellent fit. But enough out of me." She looks between the two of them, expectantly. 

Archie took the world of the Eis’ cohort with a grain of salt. The last person who had made him a mundane promise had taken every opportunity to disavow themselves from their word. So he would try to be more careful about the motive from Sofia versus the blind trust he had granted other Lost.

“I really do appreciate the sentiment, it is really just something I would like to keep on the down low. No need to raise a fuss, right?”

Wine and board hit the table as he finished speaking, a glass quickly poured for each of them.

“Rebecca has proven to be someone I can respect and as such I respect her judgement in inviting you. An endorsement means a lot when it comes from someone you can trust. So when it comes to easing ourselves into some sort of deal it goes a long way. Firstly there are really two questions I am curious about. First is what skill set do you bring to a traditional book cracking study? Second, what value do you find in history in general?”

Simple questions to start, but ones he found critical.

A forward enough answer was given and the basic answer of the cyclical nature of history so it checked out.

"Honestly, it sounds like you bring the chance to really expand this little side project with more than just curling up in our little nook and tracing through literature. I can see the appeal of getting to go on field trips. It does sound excitement that there is a chance for Rebecca to really dig into the subject matter and track down things in real time versus having to muse on her own. Any particular skills sets you think would be of value to the project?"

He sipped at the red wine as he rested his eyes on the Onyx as he asked them to expand upon their resume.

Eis takes a leisurely, backstage approach to the two making introductions and discussions. It is, after all, in her best interest for the two to make a connection. Praise from both of her companions iis enough to stroke the Fairest ego that always seems to lurk around the corner of every polite conversation. She busies herself behind a glass of wine and some thinly shaved ribbons of Iberico ham, eyes flitting between the two as they exchange. Overall? The mood is positive. Eis's hopes of Blaze being accepted seem almost assured - which she'd happily take credit for. Small victories in the form of being a good judge of character. Her initial worries over Belatane's events haven' even come up in conversation. A wonderful relief for what could have become an awkward conversaion.

Following a pause from Blaze, Eis turns to look at Archie once more. "Initial impressions?" A brow quirks in challenge. "My opinion on Sofia's merits, I'm sure, only carry so far. But based on her skillset, I believe she'd be a good fit." She spares Blaze a reassuring glance and a half-nod of approval. "Ultimately, it's your decision to make. My agreement to your terms puts this in your 'court'. As it were."