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hythlodaeus is there that day because his supervisor has finally seen fit to allow him to represent the bureau of the architect at the convocation's seasonal open comment session. hythlodaeus is authorized to be there, but is also a demonic rule-breaking little fright who had decided hades was 'moping' about the loss of his most recent apprenticeship and needed 'airing out'. As if hades were a rug.

He wasn't moping, and he doesn't encourage hythlodaeus' antics as a matter of routine. He highly doubts, however, that hythlodaeus will declaim the presentation he has been given in the carefully arranged way it had been intended. hythlodaeus is a fullsome supporter of what he calls the emotional connection fostered by spontaneity.

Thus and only thusly, he had permitted hythlodaeus to distract the secretaries so hades could gain entry. That is why hades is there that day. He is there to see elidibus, in simple white, rise to call the meeting to order. He is there to hear the whisper of motion run through the fields of dark hoods and matte robes. He is there to turn, and see with shock a figure in the back of the crowd wearing an entirely jet black mask.

The chamber is silent. Attention is divided between elidibus and the figure. No. That is not wholely true. Azem has tilted her head, a matter of a ha'degree or so. Her aether sharpens finely, almost imperceptably.

"Ah," she says, her voice loud in the quiet. "That would be my apprentice."

Breath stops. The room goes somehow even stiller.

elidibus visibly masters his posture. convocation members are not anointed. they don't come as a surprise. they do NOT come without warning. the world holds yet its breath.

"Of course," says elidibus. He extends a welcoming palm out to the figure, from whom the crowd has somehow withdrawn. "Please, join your master."

It is the last moment of the old world, and the first moment of the new.

The figure frowns. He opens his mouth, and his words are fierce and spiteful.

"Excuse you," he tells the adjucator of the will of the convocation, "but I have no master. And I am fine right here."

He sits directly on the ground then, and stares, and stares.