Welcome to Gaia! ::

At this attempt to rectify the misstep, Anna's eyes narrowed infinitesimally. She did, indeed, find the little nugget of information tossed out so casually to be most enlightening. What game was this girl playing, that she would go to such lengths to snare her brother? It was extremely suspicious and only heightened Anna's motivation to thwart the doxie.

"I have," Alexei admitted at last. In truth, he was a glad to be away from the subject as Marie was eager to have him forget it. He preferred harmony to discord in relationships and did not particularly like being on the outs with anyone, even if it were they who had erred. Since her only infraction was curiosity, he did not feel compelled to hold any grudge. "I find it is most enlightening as to the present and changing mindset of this country. Doubtless, current events have influenced the interpretations of the scholars. An essay written even a decade ago would not have reflected the suspicion or concealed fear that these hold."

Each of the twins graciously accepted the proffered beverages. Alexei was none the wiser about the subtle games being played, but Anna had not for a moment forgotten Marie's plans. It was rather amusing to watch all of her clever little ploys, but she was not clever enough to forever avoid the inevitable. She giggled at Marie's confession.

"I hardly think such measures will be a suitable defense against evil, but every culture has its superstitions and they serve their purpose." Alexei said, then shrugged. "If it makes the handmaiden feel better, then what harm?"

He considered Marie for a moment. "Why would you fear to read these essays?" he wondered. To him, the deliberate avoidance of knowledge was unfathomable. All knowledge was to be cherished, no matter how seemingly trivial the subject matter. Better to know than to wonder.

Anna was surprised that the woman would admit to anything akin to validation of the rumors to the north. Many nobles were still denying the truth of it, brushing the disappearances off as normal in so unusually harsh a winter as this one was proving to be, or even joking that the men had run off on their wives. But there was fear under all of that bluster, as Anna could attest with unique authority. Then again, the majority of those speaking of wolves were among the younger members of nobility, or those with more common sense or open minds than others.

It was no secret that Alexei was interested in Sunderland's folklore, so perhaps it was only a ploy on the woman's part, but Anna still had to wonder.

"That is a valid point," Alexei said, the compliment escaping him entirely. Due to the...unusual method of acquiring Sumerki, and her even stranger birth, he had been forced to acknowledge that the old superstitions and tales might have more merit than he had originally thought. "But not every habitual act performed by man has a real purpose. Perhaps it is as you say and some of these traditions are meaningful acts, but it is equally likely that just as many are meaningless. How can we separate what is true and what is not?" He made a vague gesture. "That is what we seek to discover."

"You should invite some of your friends colleagues to tea, Alexei," Anna suggested. "Perhaps with some of the more flexible minds and different approaches on the task, you might begin to make some valid progress."

"Yes, I believe that is a marvelous idea," he agreed.

Anna tapped her fan on her chin and tilted her head just so, considering Marie. "Of course, you must come, as well," she said. "If the topic is not too distressing for you."

"Wonderful," Anna said. "It is settled, then." Spending time with one's enemy might be unpleasant, but it was an unfortunate necessity at their level of society. Besides, it would be ever so fun to torment the trollop.

"Of course, I must think of who to invite," Alexei mused, not entirely out of the habit of speaking his thoughts aloud, despite the fact that it was generally considered somewhere between unwise and rude to compile a guest list in front of anyone other than another host unless one was doing it intentionally...usually for the purpose of insulting someone.

Amongst the scholarly acquaintances that he had made since moving to this country, he was aware that there were a limited number of mindsets concerning the topic of interest. If his gathering was to achieve any true success, then he would need more viewpoints. "Perhaps I will find some new minds at your party, Lady Marie," he said, then seemed to light upon another idea. "Anna! You must come to Lady Marie's party. I am certain you will find the topic fascinating and you can help me search for more guests."

Anna appeared taken aback. "I would not want to impose," she demurred. It was true that she had expected her brother to issue the invitation at some point, but this was not the point in the conversation at which she had expected it to occur. Still, she was not going to worry about the semantics. The deed was done.

"Nonsense! You would be most welcome, is that not so, Lady Marie?"

"You are too kind," Anna said. "I would be happy to attend." If only to keep the trollop's talons out of her brother...and perhaps some of the other oblivious young men that were doubtless going to attend.

For his part, Alexei was pleased that his sister would be getting out of the house more. Her old self seemed to be returning at last. He had been so worried about her after their parents died. She had been inconsolable and nearly catatonic, to the point that she almost never left her chambers. It had been most distressing. Yet here she was, engaging in society once more and making friends with the lovely Lady Marie. How wonderful!

"Oh, I do not believe you will need to do anything extravagant," he told her, hoping to sooth any worries she might have. "I am certain that everyone's attention will be on the manuscripts."

Far more accustomed to subtle social nuances than her brother, Anna would normally have noticed the little cue. However, something in the main room had caught her attention, however briefly, and she did not see Marie's moment of epiphany. Not that it particularly mattered one way or the other. She will take suspicion with her to the gathering regardless. A long-fingered hand smoothed the folded fan in her lap. Whatever the designs of this other female who had unsavory designs on her brother, she would be ready.

"We shall look forward to it," she said. "But if you will excuse us, I am afraid that we must be going now. It was a pleasure, Lady Marie." She nodded slightly at her enemy as she stood and readied herself to depart.

"It seems duty calls," Alexei said with an apologetic smile and a friendly half-bow. "Lady Marie."