Aria produces her divination artifact again, and checks that the room is clear. 

Then she sighs. "She's the eyes of the conservative faction on me - and by extension, you as well. They have someone assigned to practically every major player in the academy. Never, ever trust the maids. Even if you're conservative. Especially if you're conservative." 

"... Oh."

"It's just a fact of life here, I'm afraid."

She sits down across from Corvina. "So, to make a long explanation fit in the time before our shadow returns - We were checking to see to what degree each faction is willing to own ties to you. What we've seen is that the liberals are willing to be seen with you in public and the conservatives aren't. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't be conservative anyway, but it's important information about the kind of role you can expect to play in each faction. With me so far?"

"I guess that matters, yeah." 

"This, like everything at court, is fluid and changes with time and energy spent - but first impressions matter as well." 

She sits back in her chair. "Next we will be meeting with Ishaza about the favour the Liberals owe me. I intend to invest it towards your further education and ability to move safely. I want to gain you access to divination magic so you can be assured of your privacy in your own rooms. There's a lot of snarls there but we don't have time to get into them. Suffice to say I'm sponsoring your growth."

"That does sound like it could be pretty important, yeah."

There's a knock on the door. "Meal for Her Excellency and guest!", Ms. Mason calls.

"Let's return to the subject of food for now." 

Aria steps over to the door and opens it. "Thank you, Ms. Mason."

She wheels in a small trolley with soup, garlic buns, and a tea service. 

"Allow me to serve you two."

Aria gives Ms. Mason a big fake smile. "Go right ahead."

Corvina looks over at her warily. 

It's hard to believe that such a sunny-looking woman could be effectively a spy.

"Yes," she manages. "Thank you."

"So," Aria says. "You were telling me about what you've been discovering in the introductory magic textbooks..."

Well, she can take a hint at least. "Yes, I've been practicing the fairylights exercise. It's quite complex, I've never attempted so many small sparkles like that before."

"How did you practice before?"

"I got a commercial sparker from my father for my nameday three years ago. I learned to take it apart and put it back together, and gradually I figured out the basic principles involved with some assistance from fragments of books and what I could pry out of travelling mages."

"Can you produce such a light now?"

"Sure, that's easy." 

She raises one hand and a small flame appears over her palm.

Ms. Mason sets down the teapot against the table with a heavy clatter of china against china.

"I - excuse me." She takes a breath and continues pouring tea.

Aria smiles. 

"Take your time, Ms. Mason. There's still soup to be ladled. You wouldn't want to spill something."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

She takes one of the small bowls from her tray, fills it with soup, and places it before Corvina with a spoon.

"Now, Ms. Quill. Could you return to the fairylights exercise? I want to see how your control practice has done in the past day."

What is she, a pet dog that can do tricks? 

She sighs, and makes a flicker of pink fairylights. 

At least they're cheery.

"They're coming along quite well," Aria observes. "I wonder what you'll be able to do with formal instruction."

Corvina takes a spoonful of her soup and blows on it.

"We'll just have to find out, won't we?"

"Just so."