It wasn't terribly common for Helena to receive requests, at least not requests to meet her from strangers. For the most part, her reputation was generally sufficient to stave off any unwanted attention. This time, however, it had failed, and she hadn't been able to think of any good reason not to greet the woman. So, here she was. Waiting as had been agreed. 

When, Ikisina presented herself. She would be allowed in without question. The handful of members of staff still present within the old school grounds had been made aware that they would be receiving a guest, and would direct her to Helena's study where the woman was waiting.

Helena Kane was of a generation where collars on gifted were the norm, rather than the exception. Oh yes, of course, she knew of the change in legislation. She'd been among the first to remove the collars from the gifted. Silvana had been made free, and there had been little that had made the marchioness happier than to offer her her much deserved freedom, and part with the cursed ring from her own finger. So, it didn't quite register as being all that unusual with the elder.

Ikisina would be greeted by a raised eyebrow. She knew a little of the woman, purely because of her newly acquired title. "Miss Navarro, I presume?" Assuming that she didn't deny the fact. Helena, not one to beat around the bush, or play around needlessly with others' time, would just straight to the point. "You wished to speak with me?" 

Upon entering the office of where she mat Marchioness Kane, she gave the lady a curtsy as she had a higher station then her and she gave it out of a sign of respect. She went straight to it, not beating around the bush, okay she can do this. "I wanted to come to ask about the school and the gifted community that is within the school grounds." Explaining why she is here, trying to show that she is confident in her duty.

"Each gift is different as well as each child is different. how do the school help them understand their gift?"

Helena glanced out of the window, it offered her a view over the courtyard, where once there would have been a number of students practicing, or at some points, simply playing. It was empty now. For how long it would remain so, the elder couldn't have said. Her gaze would only linger there for a moment. "Is this a personal inquiry of yours, or has the palace sent you?" It was curiosity which prompted the woman to ask the question. 

Not that it would change much. "The rational within these walls was, first and foremost, to teach restraint and self-control. Regardless of the nature of a gift, if the person in possession of it can control themselves, and their reactions, then they can control, and use their gift." 

"mostly personal. however, I thought it was best if I had a better understanding of the gifted community myself so I can do my job the best I can." Sina explained truthfully, that she has a feeling that Helena doesn't like people to lie.

Lustening to Helenatalk she started taking notes. "how do you go about teaching restraint and self-control?" She asked.

Visiting of her own accord? Well, at the very least Ikisina managed to peak Helena's curiosity more than the elder would have thought possible. Had she not been from the palace, then maybe she would have been presented with a few more questions. As it was, the woman let her be.

"The same way as we teach it to those who lack gifts. We have both here." Helena assumed that Ikisina knew that much. It was common knowledge. "We teach the importance of respect, and of our own place in the world. Far too many people, gifted and non-gifted alike, fail to understand that there is more to life than just themselves." That was the philosophical aspect at least. "Practically, we also do exercises such as meditation, and encourage healthy pastimes." Helena would cock a single eyebrow as she contemplated the other woman. "Why? Are you looking for some tips for yourself?"

Sina made sure that she got all these notes down, however when Helena asked her why she was asking she looked towards the woman. She always tried to say that she was confident in herself and her gift but over the years, she always believed that her gift couldn't help the nation of Lorendale. "I am always grateful for any tips and advice I can receive." Sina wondered if the woman in front of her thinks reading and just reading a healthy pastime.

"With having both Non-gifted and gifted children at the school, would you say that there is unity between them?" She was more trying to grasp if we can explain how children can put their differences aside then we can learn some of the techniques.

This curiosity was certainly unexpected. It was a distraction that she hadn't asked for, but she wasn't about to chase Ikisina away. With luck, the school might serve to be something of a model for other, similar establishments to be opened across the rest of the always changing nation. 

"They're children. Of course, there are issues from time to time." Helena was a pragmatist, and by no means inexperienced when it came to children. She'd raised five of her own, after all. "But I like to think no more than they would do if there were no gifts involved. That was one of the reasons why we created this school, not only as a place for those who had lost their parents, but in the hopes that if they grow up side by side, then they might grow up thinking of themselves as equals." 

Sina gave a soft smile at the notions of this school, a part of her wished that maybe when she a child she had the honour of coming to this school, maybe she would of been more in tune with her gift and learned who she was. "you mentioned meditation as a form of excersise for them, what other form of exercise do your school offer the children?" asking she want to be able to give a full report on the matter.

More questions, which Helena was happy enough to answer, even if she did wonder where all of this was going. "Well they're children, they tend to run around whatever happens. The trick is channeling that energy into something constructive." She was talking about both gifted, and non-gifted individuals of course. "We train them in combat, so that they can defend themselves. Teach them to swim - you can imagine what a challenge that can be." Oh yes, there had been a number of near misses. "If there are some who have difficulty with their temper, we having some sparring sessions, or opportunities to hit something that won't actually bleed."

Sina listens to the woman in front of her, taking in her words. When she mentioned swimming and the challenge it must of been. She was a little bit embarrassed to say that she didn't know how to swim. Sina is even though she has a position in court, she still a commoner so she doesn't know how to swim. However, she kept quiet. She made note of all the things that Helena mentioned.

"What other lessons do you offer here aside from the basic?" She asked. She was standing up straight.

Would the questions ever end? Helena sincerely hoped that all of this questioning would be useful at the end of the day, and not just a waste of time, and effort for all parties involved.

"We can tailor some classes for children with specific needs." Helena answered somewhat plainly. "We're all different, some struggle with certain aspects of day to life more than others. Many here come with troubled pasts, that is something that many need help with." The elder would cock an eyebrow as she considered the other woman. "Why? Are you looking for some pointers yourself?" There was a slightly mocking tone behind the elder's words, as she turned the tables as best as she could. 

SIna was writing all this down. making sure that she got all things covered. However when the older lady asked why she was asking and if needed pointers. She took a deep breath, a lot of people have been giving her so called 'advice' and looked at where it got her. In a collar working a job, she not qualified for, all because it is the only way she can get it off. She doesn't know what will happen once the collar is off.

"I am always open to receiving guidance, Marchioness Kane. However, I am here on professional matters as the assistant to the gifted advice. My goal is to gain a thorough understanding of the school's curriculum, faculty, extracurricular activities, and any unique opportunities it may offer. I would also love to hear if there anything that we can try and offer the school, of course I cannot promise anything,but the offer is on the table."

Helena raised an eyebrow at the other woman's reply. It seemed to her that the palace was suddenly taking an interest in them. Tybalt, her own son, now sat in one of the most powerful seats in the land. Yet they'd been left to themselves more or less since the school's creation. 

"We wouldn't be against working with the palace." Helena couldn't help but remark. "They seem to have been content enough to leave us alone. Which had suited us just fine. We've managed to keep out of the public eye after all." Helena had been pleasantly surprised that they hadn't had more trouble. Maybe it was the presence of the Kane forces, and the knowledge that the rest of their army could be found only a few days ride away. They had been enough to keep Remiel safe, or at least so they believed. 

It was an olive branch which she held out. A chance for the palace to actually make a commitment one way or another where the school stood.