[[@Einnob Not sure if you've subscribed to the board/going to get the ping for a response so I'mma just tag you in the meantime]]
Hillshire's Valet had pestered him for days now, nagging on and on about a letter that had arrived and which dearly needed his attention. The eater rarely handled his own mail, seeing fit to delegate such duties to his house staff unless there was something which actually required his personal attention. Time was a valuable thing and a good portion of Hillshire's was saved by having someone else handle the majority of sorting through mail and responding to the most tedious letters on his behalf.
The eater finally conceded to having a look at said invitation, and arranged to have have it brought to him the following afternoon. As Hillshire leaned back and made himself comfortable on one of the plush sofas in his sun room, he unfolded the neatly creased paper and gave the short message a quick once-over. As a man who was often quick to form a first impression he had to recognize the care and effort put into the letter. It was clearly not run of the mill as far as invitations went, as evidenced by the ornate handwriting and perfumed paper; someone took great care to ensure that they presented themselves as professionally as possible.
Hillshire summoned one of his nearby servants with the crook of his finger and instructed them to bring a writing slate, a fountain pen and some stationery. When they returned the eater had his servant support the slate for him while penning a quick response.
Dear Diamond Lapillus,
My apology for the delayed response, my staff failed to adequately notify me of the importance of your dispatch upon its arrival. I am pleased to hear good word of my business travel as far as the capitol, and that there are those who have an interest in expanding communication and business between our two cities. I regretfully admit to not having much knowledge of your company as keeping tabs on anything that is up and coming in the Capitol can be difficult for one with only a few modest connections within.
It is always within my interest to expand into areas where others are hesitant to go, and there are few in Ivoryhelm would deny craftsmanship and distinctive design associated with the work of shooters. It would be my pleasure to arrange a visit to have a look at your work; and potentially set up an arrangement to carry your designs at one or more of my boutiques should things work out.
There is time in my schedule precisely two weeks from the signed date, and I shall arrange to travel by then.
Sincerest regards,
Hillshire Elain Allard
The eater finished his script with a flourish and gave the ink a few minutes to dry before primly folding the stationery and tucking it in a matching envelope. Equally as neatly he addressed and stamped it with a monogrammed wax seal before having one of his staff members cart if off for delivery. In short order he also summoned his Valet to make note in his schedule of having someone ready for his eventual departure, and to arrange a carriage a few days beforehand. It wasn’t Hillshire’s first visit to the Capitol so he knew precisely how much time travel would consume and the best time to organize a departure; the rest he would leave up to his staff.
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It wasn’t long before Hillshire found himself confined within the interior of a coach, seated opposite his rather bored looking weaver bodyguard – the both of them looking rather uninterestedly out the window at the passing scenery. Hillshire had never had a terrible interest in the countryside, or understood what others saw in it – and lacking interest in the only thing to look at during the journey made for a painfully long ride. Eventually however, the coach came to a slow stop. The coach driver opened and held the door for the two passengers inside. Levi, the weaver exited first followed by his boss. Hillshire looked around, making note of the meticulously kept grounds and gardens. It was a nicely maintained small estate, not terribly grand given some of what he’d seen other shooters own along the way but it was clearly well taken care of by someone who dearly loved the property. There was a gate that enclosed the pathway up to the house, and though it wasn’t locked neither Hillshire nor Levi made move to open it – one did not simply let themselves into another person’s property even if invited or expected. It was rude and just not done. Instead Hillshire and his weaver bodyguard waited for someone to open the large iron structure and allow them inside; it wasn’t as if they weren’t awaited after all.