"Lady Sabellius." The council member's eyes scanned her new pose with no trace of beguilement in them. "Would you be attempting to seduce me?" The brunette was motionless. A few still moments after, she smiled; it was good-will and confusion in one nearly comical mix. "... Wait. Sorry. Pardon. What?" Tullus' chin gave the most subtle tilt up. Condescending? Defiant? It was remarkably hard to read. He waited for the accusation to sink in, but the scorn growing in his hazel eyes did NOT wait. Despite the fact it spread like a fire, it did not warm his expression. Vita searched his face for the punchline of this joke - when it dawned on her there wasn't any coming, her smile was replaced by disbelief. "The subject's of interest to me. I was enjoying our discussion! Why would you thi-" Almost in tandem, both of them glanced down to where her fingers were playfully splayed, hiding what was once a giddy smile. She gave the most subtle clearing of her throat, lowering the hand to her lap and looking slightly embarrassed for it. "You've applied for the council numerous times now." And had been rejected multiple times now. "Let me give you some advice, Lady Sabellius." Tullus, referred to as the council's wolf, took one step forward to lower his voice. Vita blinked and tilted her chin to glance up at him, inviting his following words with a raise of her brow. "Your demeanor may have the common people wrapped around your finger - but to anyone of remote importance and influence... The Council requires the sharpest mind, to debate decisions for the future of Feldoria. Y-" "I'm sharp-minded, Counselor Tullus. You looked pleasantly surprised on my views of slave rights." And very sharp-toned. Clearly, she didn't like where this was going. "Work on your demeanor. You pose, primp and play like a flirting Linnish bar-wench. Restrain yourself. Poise yourself. Feldorians will always value an intelligent, composed woman. Vihaan's grace, even if you plan to flirt your way to the top, do so with some demure, sophisticated mystery." He stared at her face for a moment; those daggers in her eyes looked poisoned. Turning to leave, there was a sharp pause. "And perhaps try your luck with unmarried men?" "I. Wasn't. Flirting with you." Tullus bid her goodbye with nothing more than a serious nod, departing in a slow prowl down the street. Vita waited a calculated amount of time, and then gestured cattily. "I'd rather waste that energy on a man young enough NOT to be pleasantly surprised when there's a tingling sensation below the belt! How dare he! That..." Unpleasant and explicit, if elegantly worded insults were voiced in the same movement of her turning - and to her horror, who was there but a slack-jawed, grimy young peasant boy. Vita froze with the most comical forced smile; her lips turned up, but all her eyes could say was 'WHY?' After a few moments of them staring at each other, Vita got down to one knee, and gestured him closer. "Well. That was quite a thing for you to hear, wasn't it?" With obedience that was to be expected from an uncertain child, he nodded. "... Hm. Do you have a favorite gladia-" "YES!" "Oh, Gods above, you certainly do!" Vita gave a genuinely charmed laugh, and beckoned him closer for a discreet secret with a beckoning finger. "Perhaps, if no ill rumors about a certain Lady's insults end up spreading around these streets, a certain family might find themselves with some very favorable seats. Hm?" There was a stunned pause from the lad. There was only once in a life-time that a poor family could hope to be seated up close to the action; even a child knew this. His little stomach felt sick with excitement at the premise. "It would be the favorite day of my life ever," He encouraged, tone forced in how casual it was. "Yes, weddings are quite over-rated... It's a tentative deal then! Remember! This. Stays. Between. Us." She flicked his nose. And, as the boy ran off, wished she had also reiterated not to ask his father about the medical science behind one's foot and questionable orifices. Damn it.