"We'll see when you try to sign it."

She gets out three sheets of vellum of the same length and touches them, after which they develop what may be slightly glowing purple runes at the corners. Then, she opens the jar, dips the tip of the feather into it, and starts … writing with the feather on each of the sheets. Apparently you can write with feathers, or at least she can. Her handwriting is very precise.

"You are going to sign three magically active copies of the same contract. Each of you will receive a copy to keep on file, and Lunabella will retain a copy as well, for our records." She looks to Conrad. "We cannot make more magically active copies without both you and Saffron participating, so keep good hold of the copy you have. If Saffron attempts to damage or steal your copy, that's a serious crime and you should report it to her matron or any Lunabellan government office or official, who can redirect you to the right place."

"Both of you will read over these copies before signing. You will get a portion of the notary fee back if you're willing to read aloud to the camera."

Oh! It's not new to him, exactly, though he only now realizes this. When he did the exam at Hawthorne, they also had a feather mixed in with the other pens. He thought that it was some sort of mistake, but now he understands that you can write with feathers.

"I will sign three magically active copies of the same contract. I will keep good hold of the copy I have. I will report Lady Saffron to her matron or any Lunabellan government office or official if she attempts to damage or steal my copy. I will read over these copies before signing.

I am willing to read aloud to the camera." He's actually kind of surprised they had to ask, but given previous conversations it does seem that you're not supposed to record people without them agreeing to it in Lunabella. Indeed, it seemed so even in his first interaction outside Alphazon, with Madam Einodia.

"As am I."

The notary will set up a large camera and call over a hat-wearing doll to observe.

She'll then look at Conrad again, consideringly. "Are you able to use a quill pen?"

"No, Madam. I have not used a quill pen before now. If it is possible to attach things to the quill pen, then I can wrap the pen in metal and move it with Metallurgy."

"It's possible, but I'm not sure it's sufficient. I'll get out some scrap paper and the cheap ink so you can check."

She will get out those items, a second quill, and a bit of bent wire.

Conrad is not going to use the bent wire, and instead is going to continue using the metal stored in his body to make a sleeve on the body of the quill. 

He will dip it in ink, and then move it over to the paper to write, holding the quill perfectly orthogonal to the paper. When it makes contact, a huge blob of ink spurts out of the bottom. Okay. Not good.

He will restart, tapping the bottom of the quill against the rim of the inkwell to remove excess ink, and then return. Hm. When he writes, the lines are uneven. He tries to angle the quill in the direction of travel, and then tries the opposite, but it doesn't work.

He realizes that the quill is cut at an angle to produce a point, so instead he angles it so that the flat end is facing up. It works much, much better. He produces an alphabet exemplar using the quill, in block letters.

"I am ready now."

What a fast learner! This is a great deal for her.

"Excellent."

"Both of you are to read each copy of the contract aloud while facing towards the camera, then sign on the appropriate line with your name or personal mark. If there are any inaccuracies, report them immediately. You will not have to pay a fee for repairing any mistakes I have made."

And she'll hand the first copy off to Saffron.

Who will read it aloud, sign it with the purple ink, and hand it off to Conrad.

Conrad will do the same. He signs his name as "Conrad" written in blackboard bold font.

Conrad now has a vague sense that Saffron has not violated her covenant with him.

The notary will take the contract and have them sign two more. There are no errors.

That is SO UNSETTLING but also the opposite of unsettling at the same time. Conrad is un-unsettled by the knowledge that Saffron has not violated her contract with him.

Conrad will read carefully and sign.

Now he has a vague sense that Saffron has not violated any of her three covenants with him.

The notary will hand a copy to Saffron and Conrad each, then say farewell and start putting away the camera.

Saffron will smile at Conrad and start leading him out once he's had time to put his copy away. "Welcome to the household! Let's head home."

Conrad will enclose his copy in a rectangular case of metal and put it into his hat.

"Yes, Lady Saffron," he will say, before following Saffron back into her domain.

(Saffron's also put hers in a wooden box in her hat, along with some Kisses she got back at the desk.)

The route back to Saffron's domain goes through the same hall they arrived through. The guard watches them a lot more carefully, this time. Saffron goes to the cubby she arrived with her hand inside and takes Conrad's hand. There isn't a token in the cubby yet, so she watches until there is, then grabs it.

Soon enough after that, the same sort of force as last time attempts to move Conrad.

Saffron is grabbing his hand, so he assumes it works identically to the portkey from before, or is indeed a portkey. So he will not resist.

It does seem to bring him to the same location as before, which is pretty suggestive.

And Saffron will gesture expansively. "Welcome home, Conrad. Do you want to get into the swing of things now, or shall I show you to your room and let you rest up some?"

There is the temptation to see his room and do Room Stuff now, but he isn't tired.

"The former."

"Alright, then! Glass workshop's in the basement, follow me."

He will follow. He is very excited at the prospect of working with glass!! It shows on his face.