A letter sent to Kythaella

[Don Nadie]

A letter is left at the Banda Rossa quarters by a cheerful lad carrying way too many papers. After a bit of chatting with those presents, he leaves whistling some little tune.

Dear S/a. Kythaella,

Hello! This is Alejandro Benjazar, we haven't chanced upon each other in a long while, so I figured writing was a safer way to keep you informed. As you may perhaps know, I often make grand performances in the Verdant Stage, enacting the Thousandfold Tale. Every performance, I try to raise the stakes even higher, hoping to provide excellent entertainment and grand spectacle. The latest one, The Tale of the Two Rivals, for instance, saw the glorious debut of a frog as co-star! There was smoke! Smells! Croaking!

Well: that shall be naught! For in my next performance, the Tale of the Handsome Fool, I shall be using even more daring and grand stage magic... Which brings me to the reason I wanted to contact you! You see, I heard in the Sendings that you have forbidden people from entering the Krak while shapeshifted. I wholeheartedly agree, of course: things are not set up to accomodate beasts or minotaurs amidst the tables, and it can be bothersome for the patrons.

However, I'm going to be using some of that selfsame magic in my show. I wanted to let you know, so that the Banda Rossa don't get fidgety - or think to interrupt the show, which is something that brings terrible bad luck. Plus, I think it is good manners to respect our brothers in the Cinquefoil and keep you informed! Would you be so kind to let the Bouncers know this is ok? It should be only for about a minute, on stage, and /highly/ dramatic! I hope you don't mind that I don't give too many details, but I don't want to spoil the surprises and twists (specially if anyone other than you somehow ends up glancing at this letter!)

Needless to say, you are invited. I don't know if you've had a chance to see the Thousandfold Tale yet, but it is great.

Yours,

Alejandro Benjazar

Storyteller & Student of the Balladeers

[SeerofLight]

Alejandro,

It truly warms my heart that somebody is acting under the forethought to make sure that something is okay before they just go ahead and do it. I truly appreciate you writing me this letter. I have barred transmutation within the Krak des Roses because a number of people have shown that they are not wise enough to do so responsibly. There will be nobody doing this without the approval of the Banda Rossa.

For your show, this could be acceptable. We could have a deal. If you should grace my palm with five hundred dinar, I will ensure that the Bouncers are well aware of your permittence to shapechange for your shows. I have nothing against the act of shifting your form, but the people of the Krak des Roses get reasonably uncomfortable both having animals so close to where they are attempting to relax, and witnessing the body shapeshifting. It can be grotesque to the uninitiated.

If this is acceptable, I'm happy to let you do it. If I permit someone to start shapeshifting, I will start getting questions from everybody, including the individuals who've received a stern talking to about it. A small sum of coins should work as a fine deterrent for others. I hope this is agreeable.

-Balestriere Kythaela Reithel
Banda Rossa

[Don Nadie]

Dear S/a Kythaella,

Thanks for your swift answer! Great penwomanship!

Now, maybe I've made a mistake, because I wasn't really so much asking for permission as letting you know! The way I understand it, the Krak is the Cinquefoil, and I am part of the Cinquefoil.... So I was letting you know in advance that I wanted to do this the same way you might let your neighbour know you're having a party - so that they know they'll be a bit of noise, and so that you can invite them! I hope you don't mind me admitting this! 

Unless I'm wrong, the Krak belongs to the Cinquefoil. Matters of security are in the Banda's purview (as they should!), but matters of spectacle must rightfully belong to Balladeers. And the Verdant Stage is a Stage, after all! Now, maybe I'm totally wrong! I'll consult with a Balladeer, in case I am,  and then I'll have to find a little gift for you, or a way to earn and deserve your permission! Or another place for my tale!

Still, whatever the case, I definitely shall add a disclaimer about how this Tale includes /extreme/ scenes that /might/ be too much for some patrons, so that they can exercise discretion. Because you are of course right and I wouldn't like to make anyone uncomfortable.

Anyways, thank you for the letter again, and for the feedback!

Yours,

Alejandro Benjazar
Storyteller & Student of the Balladeers

[Don Nadie]

Another letter arrives, not too long after the last.

Dear S/a Kythaella,

So, according to my higher-ups, there's no internal rule about the Banda getting to decide if a performance is acceptable, as I suspected! Honestly, it would've been a bit dissapointing... I'm sure it may surprise you, though, as of course you'd otherwise not have interpreted my letter as permission-asking!

Anyhow, I guess the performance will go on. You're of course invited! And I'll make sure to add the disclaimer: thank you for the idea!

Yours,

Alejandro Benjazar
Storyteller & Student of the Balladeers

[SeerofLight]

[The letters are received]

[Don Nadie]

[A copy of Kythaella's letter is made, then circulated somewhere in the College of Balladeers]