Chrysannia is learning! (Aydyn)

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

OOC: I am just posting this in a seperate thread because the thread we were doing this in became all crapped out and died. So here it is for your pleasure, Chrys is in red and the NPC by Aydyn is in blue.

Chrysannia sat in her library reading over a book that pertained to the history of Syl'rosya as she waited for her teacher. She was happy of course to be learning, her favorite pastime, but learning from Kalynra was not very fun. She knew of course that the old bitchy elf was one of the best political teachers she ever met, but why was she always so damn rude to her? She never did anything wrong to the old woman...well there was that one time when she was barely a girl that she played that on trick on her, but she could not still be mad about that. Then again she did have a right to be just a tad pissed at her, Chrys did cut off all her hair and shave her cat. She smiled at the thought of one of the only times she actually did childish things.

"Lady, Chrysannia!" Came the old elves scratchy voice. "And it starts." Chrysannia said aloud as she sat up straight and closed her book. The old elf came walking towards the table with a scowl on her face as her almost chunky frame waddled from side to side. She was wearing a plain white dress of linen that showed just a little to much of her old wrinkled skin. Honestly did you really still think herself pretty? This is going to be good, I can feel it. Chrys thought to herself as she saw the large book in Kalynra's hands. "Are you ready, Lady?" She said as she dropped the large book that contained the Annarian code in it on the desk. "Yes, I am ready." Chrys told the old elf as she moved her hands out of the way of the dropping book.

-----

Kalyna paced a short distance away from where Chrysannia was seated to peer into the glass of a window. She stood for a short time staring at her vague reflection, the palms of her hair patting the gray hair that was pinned a top her head. For a time she was silent, allowing Chrysannia to sit and stare at the book in front of her, if that's what her new student so desired. When she straightened away from the window, the sags of her aged body pulling at the whimsical linen dress, she glanced sideways at her student with slightly narrowed eyes. "Why politics?" she asked suddenly, her thin mouth pulling together.

She slid her hands from the high middle of her waist until they rested at the curves of her hips. She cast a quick second glance towards the window. Clearly the old woman was still enamored of herself, just as Chrysannia suspected, despite the sags and wrinkles that had shoved aside a once girlish, curvy figure. "I know you've been interested in politics ever since I can remember." The hooded stare she shot Chrysannia suggested to the younger elf that any comments about her age would not be tolerated. "Why?" Her hands lifted off her hips to slide across her chest where they rested in a cross. "Do you even know what politics is?"

-----

Chrysannia watched the old elf as she looked at herself in the window then down to the book. In that book lay what she was, it was simple she was law and politics, nothing more nothing less. Chrys was becoming impatient with the old woman and her questions, it was not Kalynra's place to question why politics this and why politics that. If Chrysannia wished she could dismiss the old elf from her house and be done with her, but that would be foolish to get rid of a brilliant mind such as hers. "Why politics? It's simple, all I am and have been taught is the workings of the Empire and that is politics." Chrys decided to placate her with an answer.

Chrys listened to her speak as she shot her the foul stare. "Like I said before, the Empire is politics and to better understand the Empire I am going to need to better understand what makes the Empire work." She returned to Kalynra with her own withered glance. She was starting to bug Chrysannia with her sidelong glances aimed at her, once more the thought of getting rid of such an insolent wretch came to mind. How could the old woman speak to her thusly? Chrysannia had let her keep residence in the keep after she took over the family while she dismissed many of the other attendants in the house. It cannot be helped I guess. I will just have to sit here and forget the looks and whatever else she deems to cast at me, for now. she thought to herself as she smiled and looked up at the lady.

-----

Kalyna's clipped frown and haughty stare provided Chrysannia with a mere suggestion of what the woman thought of the young elf's answer. Shaking her head, Kalyna stated, "You are right. But you are also wrong." She let the cryptic statement hang in the air for a moment, looking down at her pupil with a levelness that only the most brazen could meet. Maintaining that stare, she strode forward, closing the gap between herself and her pupil. She did not demean herself by leaning forward or over her student. She did not need that level of intimidation on her students. Instead she hovered beside the desk, her shoulder shifted backwards to produce a straightened back.

She looked down the length of her thick nose. "The empire is politics. Everything that happens, everything that changes, happens because of politics. But do you know why that is?" She paused briefly, as if expecting an answer, except she pushed on without receiving one. "The empire is politics because politics is the behavior of an individual reacting to any given governmental notion in this empire." Her lips twitched into a slight, mocking smile. "Do you understand?"

-----

Wrong...wrong, there is nothing wrong with being wrong every so often. One learns by making mistakes and then doing it over and making them better if possible. Chrys thought to herself as she watched her teacher come closer.

Chrys looked up at her while she hovered near her and listened intently to what she was saying. This was indeed things she needed to know more about. She was glad she had picked the old elf woman as her teacher instead of a younger more sassy one. "I understand very well, Kalynra." Chrys had called her by her first name, something that most students would not do. Oops...oh well, nothing can be done about that slip up now. she thought to herself as she smirked slightly. She caught herself before it got to big and made her face go blank.

-----

Kalynra looked satisfied that she had managed to catch her student into understanding her explanation about politics. Some students weren't even that bright. Mostly humans, really. Pitiful, pathetic things, all of whom needed to be dumped into one big bathtub and given a good, long scrub... Wandering! Kalynra straightened her lumpy figure, shaking her head as her tangent wandered towards things unsuitable for political lessons. "Now. Chrysannia." Her voice snapped out, as much of an attention grabber for her student as it was for herself. "Everyone with any interest in politics as an idea of what is right and what is wrong. I do not mean morally, although that too is tied up in that."

The old woman smirked. "And I'm sure you have views, girl." She did not reprimand the young elf about the slip in her address, although it would be addressed if it persisted. "If you didn't, you wouldn't be here." Kalynra could feel the weight of her flesh pulling down at her bones. Older than I used to be, she thought dismally and pulled out a chair near Chrysannia to sit in. She did not, however, let the girl know that she had grown a little physically tired. Clearing her throat, she continued, "Don't bother sharing. I don't want to know. Otherwise we'll be stuck arguing from now until the gods destroy the place. That's another thing you need to know. When to keep your mouth shut and when to air your opinions. That, however, I cannot teach you. Common sense is not something I can help you with."

She slid the chair up close to the desk Chrysannia had chosen and tapped her finger against the binding of the book she had brought with her. "Now. This is the Code of Law. Do you have any idea why I would bring a book of law to a class based on politics?"

-----

She must not remember that I sit as a member of the Combine, silly old lady. Chrysannia thought to herself as she listened to her teacher babble on about common sense and knowing when to speak and when not to.

Chrysannia looked down at the book then back up at her teacher. "Because law dictates what we can and cannot do in politics as well as our lives?" she asked Kalynra.

-----

Kalynra bobbed her head in agreement to her student's statement. "Correct." The word emerged clipped and to the point. She did not yet motion for the student to open the book. Instead, she picked up the volume herself, first racing the outlines of the words on the cover in a rather absent fashion, then opened it and began leafing idly through the pages.

As she looked through the book, apparently in no hurry to find what she was searching for, she addressed Chrysannia again. "What do you know of the Annarian Codes?" She quirked a thin brow and did not look at her student. She merely licked the tip of a finger and pried apart two pages and continued her grazing of the pages.

-----

Chrys watched as she flipped through the book and thought of how to answer. "The Annarian Code is the simple rules, or laws, of how we as citizens of the Empire are to live our lives by. It dictates how we are to compose ourselves in life and religion among other things." She told her teacher as she looked at the book she was holding. She was wondering why she had not yet let her even hold the book let alone read it. Of course she had studied the book and owned various copies of it, but still she wanted to be able to see and feel what she was learning.

-----

Kalynra finally seemed to have found what she was looking for as her finger slid down a page, paused, and tapped several times. She looked up at her student as she responded to her question and nodded slightly. "Correct. Very good." She set the book down on the desk between them, turned the heavy volume around, and pushed it towards the younger elf. When Chryssania looked down at the page only to discover that it had taken the older elf a good length of time to locate the Annarian Codes themselves. Kalynra really must have been getting on in age.

"I want you to memorize these. I will be back in precisely one candlemark." She gripped the armrests of her chair as she foisted herself up off the cushion. "Also, find the Primer to Allerian Politics." She gestured around her at the stacks of books. "That is a very essential book for these lessons."

-----

Of course she was correct and of course it was good. She was the Lady Syl'lithar everything she did was perfect...except for that one time and that other time. Those times do not count in how Chrys looked at herself though, she was the epitome of elven perfection and she liked it that way.

As she sat there going over in her mind about all the times she had done perfect on everything she heard Kalynra say something about getting a book and something..."Erm...uhhhh..." She was not being very perfect then, especially as she sat at the table with her mouth slightly open. "Oh yes, get the Primer and read the Code. Good thing I have had the Code memorized since I was a little girl." she said aloud to herself as she got up out of the chair and made her way to one of the huge bookcases.

"Now if I remember correctly the Primer is in case fifteen shelf seven." she was looking around the room counting the bookcases that covered the walls. There was the shelf and there was the book, way up on the seventh shelf. She was glad that she had most of the library books mapped out to where they are supposed to be or else the hunt for the Primer would take days. "Ugh, Talitha should still be in here." she grumbled to herself as she took most of her dress in one hand and slid one of the ladders in front of the right case. Up she climbed towards the book with one hand gripping the ladder rungs. "Ah, there it is." she said happily as she reached foreword and picked up the large book then tucked it under her arm for the climb down.

After taking the book off the shelf she returned back to the desk to go over the Code on last time. "It would not hurt to brush up on the Code." she commented to herself as she pulled the book closer and began to read it waiting for her teacher to return.

-----

As Kalynra had stated, she returned in precisely one candlemark. She looked a little more refreshed, no longer seeking to rest old bones in a chair as her bubbled body in its slinky garment wattled around the desk at which Chryssania sat. She came to a stop directly in front of the girl, clasped her sagging arms behind her back, and leaned forward slightly. "Close the book, I want to jog your memory," she announced abruptly and waited for her student to comply.

"Given your previous knowledge of these codes and the candlemark I gave you to review them, I hope you can recite them for me." The old woman's brows shot up in question. "Please do so. You don't have to do it word for word. I just want to know you have them memorized." She canted her cheek and stared patiently at her student.

-----

Well, I was not expecting this Chrys thought to herself as Kaly told her what she was to do next. She had studied the Code for more then a hundred years, should not be that hard. "Okay then," Chrys said and cleared her throat. "The first, Citizens of the Empire must be committed to upholding the laws as well as participating in their communities to maintain local and larger order through the pursuit of justice. The second, The subjects of the Empire must swear fealty to the Crown as well as to the institutions of law and government which it represents, obeying the directives and orders of elders and superiors without question in exchange for protection that his nation offers to it's citizens. The third, Thievery of any form in the Empire is strictly prohibited, all citizens shall respect the integrity and value of the associations as well as the possessions that each possesses. The fourth, All subject of the Empire are to speak only the truth, and shall nor purger themselves before the State.The fifth, Those of limited means, spirit or capacity, being either physical, mental or otherwise, shall be protected from those stronger than they or who prey upon the weaknesses, in the name of Justice and Righteousness. The sixth, Allerians are not to take the law into their own hands, or to dispense with Justice in their interpretation. Powers which are limited to State alone - the power to kill, incarcerate and eject through banishment - shall never be exercise by citizens without approval from the Imperial Government, or in the pursuit of Honour. The seventh, Life is inherently selfish and self-serving, for benevolent or malevolent intent, and a such, all citizen are subjects are to place forth an effort to vanquish the cruelty and evil present within us all. Those under trial must prove that they are innocent, for their guilt has already been established through nature's predestination. The eighth, All subjects and citizens shall act in honour, to do pride to family and friends, and to ameliorate through success, prosperity, benevolence and temperament the very gifts or consideration and respect inherent in life's creed." She took a deep inhale of breath after she was finished. "There, all tenants of the Annarian Code in it's entirety." Chrys told her teacher as she smiled to herself.

-----

Kalynra listened attentively as her student went through the different codes that constructed the Allerian society. Occasionally she nodded, satisfied with an answer. She did not, at any point, look displeased, but her thin lips did not stretch into a smile of amazement or sheer gladness that her student had the codes down. Her expression was drab and somewhat bored, as if she expected her student to be doing grandiose things when she was merely covering the basics.

"Good." Short, to the point; Chrysannia was not going to get much more praise than that. "I see you won't need to look at that any further," she remarked slowly, looking around the library, her eyes trapped into wandering thoughts. "Well, anyway. Politics." Her lips skipped up into a bland imitation of a smile.

"You have looked through the Primer before," Kalynra assumed evenly. "What is one thing that particularly stood out to you when you looked it over?" The older elf's brows arched simultaneously as she looked expectantly at her pupil. Kalynra liked to get a feel for what exactly her students knew before plunging into each article. It gave her a better idea as to where to start off.

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"Yes I have looked over the Primer many times, and every time it is always the same thing. The Senate is what always catches my interest." She told her teacher. "I know of course that the senate is no longer active, but it will always be a great interest to me." She explained before her teacher said something. Why would she need to know what part of the Primer interests me the most? she wondered to herself as she waited for Kalynra to speak next.

-----

Kalynra continued to sit and stare at her student, as if she had been expecting her to say more than what was offered. When nothing was forthcoming, Kalynra nodded slowly, set her hands on the desk between them and templed her fingers together. Her digits rose and fell as she eyed her pupil thoughtfully. An almost disturbing stare, as if she was assessing something in the young woman across from her. "But why?" she pressured, looking rather annoyed that she would even have to ask the question. "I need you to be precise with me, Chrysannia, if we are to get anywhere today."

She loosened her fingers, knotting them together without much firmness. The flesh of her fingers pushed oddly over her bones with the positioning. "What is it that interests you so much about the senate?" She was pushing to job her student's memory, seeing how much she retained and if she had interpreted the text correctly. Chrys seemed to be very uppity about her self-teaching, but Kalynra was here to test that, after all.

-----

Chrys could remember well the things she liked about the Senate but for the most part it was the power that the Senate held in the government. "It is simple why the Senate interests me the most. The power that the Senate as a whole had." Chrys told her teacher absently. Kaly knew full well the ambition of Chrysannia and also knew that the young elf was almost power hungry. "The political power that each Senator held within themselves while elected is also great. Mainly when one is elected into the position of Imperial Legate. They do not really answer the anybody other then the current Emperor then, I think." Chrys was having a hard time remembering what exactly constituted the powers of the Senators and the higher ranks within them. She berated herself mentally for that and hoped her teacher would be easy on her for the answer.

-----

Kalynra listened carefully to her student's dialogue, her head tilted as she absorbed the information provided by her student. She shifted in her seat a little, fighting for continued comfort for her bubbly rear. "Your memory is mostly good, Chrysannia," Kalynra complimented rather grudgingly. She did not expect otherwise, really, for she knew the girl had a familiarity with the texts that was bound to make these lessons easier on the two of them. "The senate as a whole, when they were functioning anyway, answered only to the Emperor. This is why a Lylles cannot be on the senate. They are merely allowed to regulate the senate, make sure they are doing what the law requires of them."

The old elf sat silently for a moment, collecting her thoughts. "You seem mostly interested in the Imperial Legates. Because they hold more power?" She looked more amused than anything. Yes, Chrysannia was power hungry. "They serve longer terms than the Senators, who are there for only a short nine months. Why not an interest in the Tribunes? They are there for life. Is it because they do not have the power to vote over executors? They do have the ability to become the Advocate-General. Or is the idea of championing the people unappealing?"

She looked rather interested in what Chrysannia's response might be to her queries. "I can see where the Senate Praesul might be an interesting position to hold, seeing as the Praesul is, in essence, the chairman of the senate, looking over and conducting the senate meetings. Or maybe you have an interest in the High Archons? Although, I do not see you as much of a Justicar. Maybe an Arbiter? They consult with the Lylles themselves and can even override the decisions of the senate. Maybe that appeals to you more?" She waited with a smirk to see if her ramblings had lost her student. It was as if she was really testing Chrysannia's memory. She would, of course, go into a clearer definition of each office once she was certain Chrysannia was following.

-----

Uuuuuhhhhh....what? Chrys was so lost after Kaly had finished. She wanted to say something smart and witty in reply, but nothing could come to mind. She was so totally dumbfounded. Maybe it was the time at which she was studying, it was rather late. Then again she had been known to stay up all hours of the darkening just to read and study, not like that time was helping her now. "I, cannot, seem to remember much of anything right now." She admitted to her teacher. She knew that the smirk had to get bigger. How good it must feel for the old bag to make her student feel dumb as an ass. "Perhaps you could refresh my memory a bit. Maybe then I could give you a proper answer." Chrys said.

-----

If Kalynra felt any satisfaction at her student's lapse into confusion or lack of comprehension she did not all too visibly show it. She quirked a silvered brow, folded her hands over her bulky stomach, and offered a faint trace of a smile. That smile could be interpreted as a smirk, as satisfaction, or impatience, whichever her student was more inclined to view it as. "I'll start from the top, with the basics."

She cleared her throat, pausing, recollecting the passage she was to teach her pupil. "The senate meets in what is called the Capitolium. It is made up of what are known as representatives from each city, guild, province...to make a council. That council is responsible for the distribution of funds from the imperial treasury." She looked directly at her student as if to ask "simple enough?" She continued without waiting for a response. "They also partake in the creation of the law, not the enforcement, and have a hand in resolving conflicts."

Here she paused again, primping her weedy hair and admiring herself in a reflection. She did not look as if she was awaiting a response. Rather, she expected her student to already be aware of this knowledge. If Chrysannia interrupted, the girl was given a flat stare. "City senators serve for nine months. Provincial members, or Imperial Legates, for a year. Popular Tribunes are there for life terms or until they are dismissed. The Empress Michelle set up these terms at the establishment of the council. She also dictated that a Lylles can never serve on the senate, but are responsible for ensuring that the senate follows the letter of the law. She also set down that no one can serve two terms in three-years so that power-bases are kept to a minimum. Of course, as I'm sure you are aware, that does not mean there aren't bribes or favors." She looked at Chrysannia thoughtfully.

"I hope you understand everything so far?" She did not wait for a response, but nodded and pushed on. "There are several offices within the senate: Senators, Imperial Legates, and Popular Tribunes. Senators are the only ones who can elect Executors. Executors are special officers that serve various functions. They can also be elected by the general populace. Not just the senate. Imperial Legates, however, can nullify votes for these offices--as well as votes made towards other decisions--before it is sent for imperial approval. Tribunes do not get to vote for Executor elections and cannot run for these offices either, except for that of Advocate-General."

She paused and this time looked inquisitively towards her student. "Do you follow so far?" She waited for a response and if any questions were raised, she answered them evenly and then proceeded. She did not want to waste time on this lesson.

"Executor offices consist of the Senate Praesul, which preside over all the meetings and hearings of the senate. The Praesul is, essentially, the chairman. He sets schedules and conducts the votes. He only serves for three months.

"Next, there is the Advocate-General who is elected by the Allerian people as a whole. He is the champion of the people, their defender, if you will. He serves for six months and can veto any vote, although cannot vote himself.

"Another office is the High Archons, of which there are three. They are the chief judges of the Tribunal of Justice and serve at the head of the Empire's judicial system for life. They appoint justicars in each province to preside over cases that demand High Justice. Archons cannot vote, nor can they preside over cases themselves. They are simply the administrators and dispensers of the law.

"The last office to discuss is called the Arbiter. They mediate disputes, disagreements that are within the government. They are the chief interpreters of the law and often consult with the Lylles. They, too, cannot vote, but they can override actions of the senate and can also hear appeals presented by minority voters as to examine the constitutional basis of any legislative action. They serve for nine months."

-----

Chrys nodded and committed all that her teacher said once more to memory. Sure she had read the the texts over and over, but everybody forgets things now and then. "Ahh, I remember now, thank you very much for the refresh." Chrys said with a smile. "No, no questions at all." She told her teacher wondering when the lesson was going to end. She was suddenly feeling very tired, strange for her at this time of the brightening. "Shall we move on then?"

-----

Kalynra observed her student thoughtfully, taking note of some unrest and obvious slips into what she perceived to be a distant form of exhaustion. She was rather tired herself, her bones a tad bit achy. She shifted her shoulders slightly, gritting her teeth when the aches magnified. Oh, to be old. She stared at Chrysannia with a little bit of envy. Like most youth--including Kalynra at her age--did not understand what it was to be so old.

"We'll review the Imperial Consuls and the offices of the local government before breaking for the day," Kalynra decided abruptly, having noted that her student was vague about the different offices. "Tonight you will have to review the Imperium and the Lylles in the Primer so that we don't have to spend the whole session going over everything, yes?" She eyed her student, waiting for an answer. When one was given, she nodded and proceeded.

"Imperial Consuls are appointed by the emperor--or empress. They are present in every major city as representatives of the imperial throne and have only a limited amount of power. Their terms vary from anywhere from life to very brief. The goal is, of course, to have as long a term as possible. It's a very prestigious title since their orders are considered to be the orders of the emperor. They are the emperor's eyes, their ears and are mainly advisors. They also act as the hub for all imperial operations of espionage and communications within a given city."

She sat silent for a minute or two, waiting for questions. If none were forth-coming, she proceeded. If some were, she would answer quickly. After the question answer session would end, Kalynra proceeded. "There are also many different seats within any local governments. To begin with, there is the governor, who manages the province. Their position can be revoked by the imperial senate at any time. A governor will usually subdivide management tasks to nobles throughout the province, such as feudal titles.

"Those who assist the governor are known as his cabinet. The cabinet is divided into several offices. First, the General, who leads the combined military might of the entire province. Second, there are Justicars, which we discussed earlier. Lastly, as we also discussed, there is an Imperial Legate to vote in the Senate. The governor can create other offices, as he sees fit."

Here Kalynra paused again, brief this time. She merely glanced at her student this time, expecting her to have absorbed everything. "Then the government within a given city must be considered. There is the Lord Thane, who governs the entire city. Thanes appoint Prefects to enforce the laws. Prefects handle low crimes, such as theft and fraud. Otherwise, the citizens within a city can assemble a City Council and elect a popular representative known as the Council President. The Council President represents their desires to the Thane himself. The City Council is usually comprised of guild and house members rather than the common populace and usually only concerned with their own interests." She shrugged with a slight wave of her hand as if to dismiss this last statement. "In every city there is an Aedile who is responsible for public events, housing, and works, just as there is a Commander in every city who oversees the military. Some cities have a Commodore who oversees the armada and naval affairs."

Clearing her throat and wishing she had a glass of water, Kalynra rose from her chair and smoothed out the white fabric that clung to her rather bulbous figure. "That'll do for the day. I need a break. Unless you have any questions, plan on meeting here the same time tomorrow. And remember the assignment I gave you."

-----

Chrys took all the information she had just been given by her teacher and stored it. She would not forget the knowledge this time like she had the last time. It was totally not sitting right with her how she had forgotten such easy things, how dumb can she be. By Phedos, why was she always so hard on herself?

”Wait,” she started not hearing properly. ”Did you just say assignment? I don’t remember hearing about an assignment.” She asked the old elf. She did not remember hearing the old woman saying anything about it.

-----

Kalynra arched a brow and stared blankly at her student for a moment. Had she not been listening to a word the old woman had said? She narrowed her eyes, tightened her lips, and was quiet for some time as she considered the younger elf in front of her. When her lips parted again, it looked as if she would speak instantly, but delayed the process by shaking her head, and brushing her graying, thin hair out of her face with an agitated gesture. "I guess you can't sit and pay attention for too long, hm?" she muttered after a moment.

"Well, if you had been paying attention, I asked you to review the Lylles and the Imperium for tomorrow, yes? I would recommend doing so if you would like this to move along quickly tomorrow. See you tomorrow, Chrysannia." She nodded to her student and left the building.

The next brightening, Kalynra was waiting at the same desk for Chrysannia to arrive. A rolled up piece of parchment bound with purple ribbon had been placed on the table before her.

-----

Chrys just looked after her old elf teacher as she left. "Ugh. Strong will'd she is." Chrys said to herself as she stood up from the velvet chair. "Till the morrow then dear teacher." Chrys replied to thin air as she left.

The next morning Chrys came in well rested and ready to learn. She had done the study that Kaly had given her and felt ready. "Hello Kaly. How are you this brightening?" Chrys asked as she sat before her teacher.

-----

Kalynra glanced up at her student as she approached. The look she gave her was receptive, but not overly friendly or open to small-talk. It was more pointed and suggested that Chrysannia sit down and prepare herself for an immediate jump into the lesson for the day. "Serale, Chrysannia," she greeted the younger elf, a small smile peeking across her lips. She folded her hands on the table in front of her and peered across at her student, silent for a moment, almost as if she were waiting for Chrysannia to begin the class. But soon her lips opened, closed, opened, and she began. "So did you study what I asked you to? I'd like to move away from the Primer as soon as possible. I know you have some familiarity with it so I don't want to dwell on it. I just want to make sure you have a good memory of it."

She looked carefully at Chrysannia, assessing her. Maybe the girl would make a good politician someday, who knew. "So tell me what you know of the Lylles, if you will."

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"The Lylles family is one of the most ancient houses in Alleria. They came to power when one of the family members married the emperor. Since that point they have been associated with Allerian nobility and political power." Chrys said to her teacher. She didn't really know all that much about the Lylles family. Sure they were in many books and tomes, but she usually just skipped over most of what was written on them.

OOC: So like it's Aydyns turn now I suppose etc etc.

[Aydyn Blair]

Kalynra considered her pupil's response with something of a tight-lipped frown, her eyes narrowed. "Yes, I suppose that is them in a nutshell. An important family and not all that easy to dismiss, however. Their name is a powerful one and even you can't turn your nose up at it, though I'm sure you'd like to, hm?" Those thin-lips curled ever so slightly into what could be perceived as an amused smile, though it was barely visible to the discerning eye.

"But let us move on and not dwell on the Lylles, shall we?" She regarded Chrysannia briefly, almost waiting to see if the younger elf would pose a question, but the lapse in silence did not linger long and she pushed on quickly. "I asked you also to review the Imperium. What would you be able to tell me about that?" Her stare was level, waiting.

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

OOC: omg Lauren I don't remember the Imperium from that age. The third empire is totally gone from my mind. So take it easy on me kthx? lol

It was true that the Lylles were a rather powerful family, but Chrysannia would turn her nose up even to them. The woman that was currently the head of the family was a fool and hide while pretenders sat the throne. She may have been a fellow elf, a royal elf, but Chrys thought her a weak willed fool. If Audrey cared not what became of her and her family while she skulked the wilderness then she was a fool, a fool that deserved nothing but contempt.

"You seem so sure of yourself." Was her only response, her amber eyes flashing slightly to give off the true meaning of her words. Chrys had no worry of the old crone, she was loyal even if she did not act it at times.

"What can be said of the Imperium in these times?" She started off slowly. "Then what it truly is, a wall that is crumbling. It is flawed and unable to right itself, there is so much that within the laws that contradict what the Imperium is. I do know the basics of it though, so perhaps you could explain it to me in detail?" Chrys turned the question back around. That was her view on the human empire, the world outside her forests she cared little for. The sole purpose for this lesson was to learn more to be able to use the outside world to her advantage.

[Aydyn Blair]

ooc: neither do I, so uhmm...oh well!

ic:
Kalynra opted not to respond to Chryssania's jibe that her tutor seemed so sure of herself. She was old and had gained the ordinances that had given her wisdom and experience. This girl was but a young sapling, adult though she may be, barely grown into her limbs. Kalynra was loyal, all right, but that didn't mean she didn't think her student might benefit from a few good whaps over the head.

She restrained herself, maintaining a somewhat haughty posture, her features scrunched as she frowned down at her student. Barely able to tell her much of anything. It would figure. She sighed, audibly and drawn-out, so that her student might know how tedious this was for her. "Opinions you have, knowledge..." Another noise of impatience.

"We all know that the Imperium is headed by the one who is appointed by the Gods. That they don't give council to elves is evident," she muttered at the end, but continued. "And how is it, Chryssania, that the people know who is next appointed empress...or emperor? What message do the gods give us as to who is next in line?"