Salut, amis. I come bearing terrible news.

[ It can’t be so terrible, given his tone. Not like a dozen people have suddenly died terrible. But he does sound somewhat contrite. ]

We are to have etiquette lessons—and dance lessons as well, while everyone is dressed up and accounted for—and I am afraid it is mandatory, because I asked the division heads if we could make it mandatory, please, and they said yes.

Mandatory does mean everyone. If you already know everything, you can come be a positive example. If you know nothing and would prefer not to learn—you will have to learn regardless. There is nothing anyone can do to stop it.

And it gets worse: we will do it on two different days, during two different weeks, to make sure anyone who has other obligations or has taken suddenly ill is nonetheless forced to participate.

The first is this Sunday, six o’clock, in the Mage Tower’s dining room. Wear what you would wear if a lord or lady invited you to dinner. Your attire will count toward your score, so if you don’t know what you would wear, find someone with an Orlesian accent before it is too late.

—I am truly sorry.

[ No he isn’t. ]