Interlude – Acceptable Romance

Interlude – Acceptable Romance
Interlude – Halfseekers (Pt. 9)	Chapter 10.47 S (Pt. 1)
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Interlude – Acceptable Romance is the 104th chapter of Volume 10.

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Melika and Werdin discuss the mood of the citizens of Pallass after Grimalkin's confession on television making their way to a historical museum.
Werdin leaves to discuss things with another Wall Lord leaving Melika to talk to Sharke, another [Socialite], as they make their way to the private area for those in with the High Society of Pallass.
Reconvening with her husband Melika joins in the conversation on what they should do surrounding Grimalkin's relationship with [Lady] Pryde with ideas becoming more crazy as time passes on.
Feeling that something is wrong Melika leaves to get some fresh air knowing that the incense has been laced with something, returning back she and Sharke grab their partners leaving the venue.
After arrive back at their estate Melika calls Gunpi to hear how the others are doing arranging a gathering at her place.
Gunpi dispenses that the young woman 'Lilac' she helped at the party was Rose under an illusion spell.
Gunpi shares that she heard Relz call for a runner to send a letter to Grimalkin about a 'plan of action', Melika tries to tell Werdin of what's happening but are too late.
After Grimalkin and Pryde read the letters sent to them, the Sinew Magus communicates and reaffirms to his partner his feelings for her.

After the Archmages' Battle that was shown to the world it began to uplift the spirits of the people of Izril with many considering Liscor to being the place to be with rumors of a new magical school being made, Pallass benefits from this as it's a gateway further north but an incident cause by one of their own is making the Walled City of Inventions shake. Werdin asks Melika about the mood in Pallass after Grimalkin's relationship with Pryde was revealed to everyone on air as the two enter a museum—with floors only meant for those truly 'in' with the High Society of Pallass—with her sharing that most are confused with the young more scandalized and the nobility dismayed. Meeting another noble Werdin leaves off with the man to talk about the Sinew Magus problem leaving Melika to talk Sharke, the other noble's date and a fellow [Socialite], about how things have been going for the both of them with Melika complaining about Jelaqua as they make their way to the private venue of the museum. Arriving at the eight floor of the museum the two [Socialites] meet with many of Pallass' High Society witnessing some of them consuming very illicit drugs.

The two [Socialites] enter the conservation Werdin is having with the others about Grimalkin and his relationship with a prominent [Lady] of the North and what's to be done to deal with the issue, they discuss a number of things but it all ties back to Pallass not losing someone like Grimalkin like they have with other notable figures. As more time passes on and the air gets heavier and they become less in control with Werdin finding the root cause of their issue of the relationship in being the status difference between Grimalkin and Pryde, unwilling to make Grimalkin a Wall Lord they instead decide to take the [Lady] down a peg discussing a number of ways to humiliate her.

Feeling that something is wrong Melika goes out onto a balcony to get some fresh air knowing that the incense was laced with something, Sharke comes to her pointing out that a young girl nearly collapsed with a Gnoll nearby sharing that the drugs came from the Chandrar. After helping the girl, Melika and Sharke grab their dates and leave from the party at once making the two men realize the mess that they were in, after a bit of talking they figure out it was [Senator] Ciltrel that organized the event with backing from a Wall Lady Shaullile and her Alliance of Free Thinkers.

After the two Blackwings return to their estate Melika calls on a fellow [Socialite] Gunpi to checkup on the others that were at the museum with Melika offering to host a gathering at her place, the group of [Socialites] arrive with the Garuda asking about the young woman that collapsed earlier. It's revealed that Lilac was in fact Rose under an illusion spell with Melika recognizing her from the time at that bar, Gunpi asks Melika what up with noise surrounding Grimalkin with the Garuda sharing that it was about the Magus' relationship to the [Lady] and the crazy ideas they were spouting out. Gunpi then informs them that as she was leaving she heard Relz call for a city runner to send Grimalkin a 'plan of action', Melika takes off to tell Werdin of what's happening but they were too late.

[Lady] Pryde knew the sort of reaction Grimalkin's speech on television would produce as she reads through the many letters sent her way bearing black roses. she asks Grimalkin if everything's alright as he reads the letter that was just given to him by a runner sent by 'concerned members of Pallass'. Holding himself together he shreds the letter apart making his way to Pryde only to find that she was sent the same letter as well, Pryde bluntly tells him that things would only become more difficult for them. Pulling his thoughts together and from talks he had with those he considers to have superiority over him in the realm of romance; Grimalkin communicates with Pryde that he admires and loves her regretting to knowing so few words and languages to express his feelings to her.