Of course as an advisor, the fae would be busy. And while they could have decided to come closer to their appointed time, Eriskyne preferred to be early. Less chance of overlap between them and their father, the better. Of course that left the older scribe but he tended to be overlooked when he wasn't actively attempting grace.
"Young lord, have you considered...marriage?" the man brought up, breaking the quiet of paging through one of the many books present within the library the Ìomharach maintained. They leaned against one of the table-like desks.
"That is a question for Lord Allanach, not myself," Eriskyne said, crossing their arms. The book laid to the side, "and do not call me that, you will confuse any passerby."
"You can be convincing when you want to be," the scribe reasoned, "and besides, you are the one that has to live with the arrangement."
"As we have witnessed with the farce of an engagement, he does not quite care as to the quality of life when it comes to those. Unfortunate for you, he likely will not settle for less than a Moireasdan at this point."
The man sighed, "He and every other gentry but he needs only one to achieve that and unlike Ruaidhri, you have your prospects open."
The mention of the other soured their expression, completely missing what they had over him, "Your aim is lofty but I doubt he would accept a common blood in the house."
"Oh no, I dare not think I could attain anything such as the Allanach family," he gave a wipe of his glasses. And Eriskyne could sense where this was going, "but the Oir--"
A book slammed against the ground at the same time as the family name would have slipped out. It and its echo drowned it out. Eriskyne warned, "Refrain from speaking so casually in regards to our friend."
Honestly, they could understand the unease their father felt about the scribe. His ability to traipse unnoticed was impressive, certainly. But it was the keeping of his mouth shut and keeping other mouths from speaking was where problems developed. And they'd be damned it was loose lips that cost them that persona.
"...that is also a matter beyond myself and again to be deferred. But, and I mean this with the utmost care, Scribe Ìomharach, but your daughter is an eccentric even by the standards of the Court. Further accentuated by her usual grace that is found wanting even for a fae. You would have better success with her adopting a new pupil and setting them up for someone in the gentry. But now I must ask, why are you so desperate to have her marry?"
"Your words are harsh...but not untrue," the scribe ceded, "but the answer should be obvious. I want for my family, my position to rise. As anyone else would be looking to do. I dare not ask for the Allanach name for that's far too greedy and far too much at once. It is how one garners a reputation. It is also how one loses their low profile. So one milestone at a time. If I was the one to establish this position, then I have Ceilidh to raise us to nobility. Who knows, maybe with a grandchild or great-grandchild there will be a thought to court the Moireasdan but that will be long after my role."
Even a fool can make a point. Playing a long con, was it? Eriskyne called it such but with the lifespan as long as a fae's, it was possible this was merely the norm. They couldn't imagine such a span. They could however imagine schemes with even their own as a pawn. Thinking aloud, voicing their own curiosity, "Does it make it easier because of her heritage?"
Eriskyne wondered that for as well as themselves. The fact they were here seemed to tell of something with their father. Was it easier to assign them to all this dirty work simply because they were not of the 'correct' blood? Was it easier to the scribe to give away his child regardless of whom that may be because of similar reasons?
"Her heritage has little to do with it. This is a good opportunity for herself too, I just wish she would see it. Ceilidh is an eccentric, it's true but that eccentricity makes her brilliant. Why even the book you were looking at were from the collections she has been restoring for centuries. She has a vision for what it means to be a scribe. Now, I can't imagine the grandiose and strange things she says but I do know it will get nowhere without the push from a commoner to a gentry. If she put aside her foolish pride, maybe that'd come sooner."
The door opened and the scribe separated to see if someone was looking for a book or if it were the last component of this meeting. He gave a last quip, "Do consider the offer though."
Eriskyne watched the man. Though their expression bordering contempt, their thoughts were contemplative. How strange...
