bloodreign | [Et Cetera]

Those marked with the seal of the xiphium are said to be Asch's closest contacts and advisers. The emblem resembles a gladiolus flower (or "sword lily" as Asch calls it) and represents the individual's trustworthiness and upstanding character.

Luke fon Fabre - signet ring
Rose - lapel pin
Ginji - lapel pin

Unfortunately, getting messages around without the wrong people intercepting or overhearing them is not so easy when you're surrounded by nobles and servants alike. That means, barring the fonic connection, all other routes are pretty insecure. But not impossible to work around.

Asch tends to employ the help of the Dark Wings to look into foreign matters and deliver messages to the now-scattered party members. For them, he tends to use a light-flash code at night to send information to their network in shorthand. (Think: morse code.) A quickly flashing light means there's trouble on the road, slow flashing requests a meeting, a light on means all is well, and a light out means Asch is either busy, asleep, or not present.

Anything addressed to Jade or Emperor Peony is generally written in a numerical code because he knows Jade can crack it.

With Natalia, Asch sometimes sends messages under an alias. These aren't coded per se, but tend to be written vaguely, alluding to stories she would have read as a child. (Example: "The Star of Ispania climbed a tower so she could see far and wide" would means something like stay on guard and be careful.) When meeting her in person, they have a code based around that tried, true, and overused chivalrous gesture of hand-kissing. When and whether Asch makes eye contact with her and depending upon how he holds her hand have different meanings and would not be especially noticeable to any onlookers.

Eye contact - All is well. (Normal.)
No eye contact - Something isn't right; investigating.
Holds hand longer than necessary - Meet me later.
Holds hand with both hands - There's something urgent.
Keeps one hand behind back - (Normal.)
Slight bow -
Kisses the air above her hand -
" " wrist -
" " back of hand - (Normal.)
" " knuckles -
" " fingertips -