"Have there been any changes in the past or is it all basically the same since empowered became a thing in the first place?"

"I think there was less stringent separation between the classes for a time after the Dark Ages, but the basic structure was already in place then."

"Are there any situations where classes mix as peers? In... church, at a wild guess? Do actors and musicians that nobles like get any kind of entrez?"

"There are separate churches and when that wouldn't be practical, separate seating areas inside churches. There are commoners like that, who are treated better than others."

"I might like to see occasions like that and get more of a read on the way it works, if that's ever convenient."

"Do you mean you'd like to meet higher status commoners? Or something else."

"I'd like to see the mixing process."

"I'm not entirely certain what you mean - do you want to see situations where nobles interact with commoners they hold in unusually high regard?"

"Where nobles interact with commoners and the interaction is not about class even to the degree of one of the parties being the other's employer."

"Oh, I misunderstood your previous question - I don't believe that typically happens, my parents being a very unusual exception."

"What did you mean about commoners who are treated better than others, then?"

"Favored musicians, or household servants, and the like, who one noble would come to the defense of, should it be necessary."

"Ah, here I was imagining nobles shouldering their way backstage to pay compliments to the operatic lead or whoever."

"I would not rule that out, I suppose. At least for male nobles, it would not be acceptable for a woman to do so."

"Ugh."

"I do not particularly mind it, compared to the other indignities of my sex."