diff --git a/app/app.go b/app/app.go
index a0d6062..3f9ceb2 100644
--- a/app/app.go
+++ b/app/app.go
@@ -118,19 +118,19 @@ func (app *application) CreateTaggedPeer(name string, password string, tag strin
 	app.storage[profile.Onion] = profileStore
 
 	pc := app.storage[profile.Onion].GetProfileCopy(true)
-	peer := peer.FromProfile(pc)
-	peer.Init(app.eventBuses[profile.Onion])
+	p := peer.FromProfile(pc)
+	p.Init(app.eventBuses[profile.Onion])
 
 	blockedPeers := profile.BlockedPeers()
 	// TODO: Would be nice if ProtocolEngine did not need to explicitly be given the Private Key.
 	identity := primitives.InitializeIdentity(profile.Name, &profile.Ed25519PrivateKey, &profile.Ed25519PublicKey)
 	engine := connections.NewProtocolEngine(identity, profile.Ed25519PrivateKey, app.acn, app.eventBuses[profile.Onion], profile.GetContacts(), blockedPeers)
 
-	app.peers[profile.Onion] = peer
+	app.peers[profile.Onion] = p
 	app.engines[profile.Onion] = engine
 
 	if tag != "" {
-		peer.SetAttribute(AttributeTag, tag)
+		p.SetAttribute(AttributeTag, tag)
 	}
 
 	app.appBus.Publish(event.NewEvent(event.NewPeer, map[event.Field]string{event.Identity: profile.Onion}))
diff --git a/event/common.go b/event/common.go
index e46fe16..ee1387d 100644
--- a/event/common.go
+++ b/event/common.go
@@ -64,6 +64,18 @@ const (
 	SendMessageToPeer  = Type("SendMessageToPeer")
 	NewMessageFromPeer = Type("NewMessageFromPeer")
 
+	// RemotePeer, scope, path
+	NewGetValMessageFromPeer = Type("NewGetValMessageFromPeer")
+
+	// RemotePeer, val, exists
+	SendRetValMessageToPeer = Type("SendRetValMessageToPeer")
+
+	// RemotePeer, scope, val
+	SendGetValMessageToPeer = Type("SendGetValMessageToPeer")
+
+	// RemotePeer, scope, path, data, exists
+	NewRetValMessageFromPeer = Type("NewRetValMessageFromPeer")
+
 	// Peer acknowledges a previously sent message
 	// attributes
 	// EventID: The original event id that the peer is responding too.
@@ -218,8 +230,11 @@ const (
 
 	ConnectionState = Field("ConnectionState")
 
-	Key  = Field("Key")
-	Data = Field("Data")
+	Key    = Field("Key")
+	Data   = Field("Data")
+	Scope  = Field("Scope")
+	Path   = Field("Path")
+	Exists = Field("Exists")
 
 	Salt = Field("Salt")
 
@@ -247,4 +262,6 @@ const (
 	ContextAck    = "im.cwtch.acknowledgement"
 	ContextInvite = "im.cwtch.invite"
 	ContextRaw    = "im.cwtch.raw"
+	ContextGetVal = "im.cwtch.getVal"
+	ContextRetVal = "im.cwtch.retVal"
 )
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index e0f47c5..f2d7b0d 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 module cwtch.im/cwtch
 
 require (
-	cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.15
+	cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.17
 	git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity v1.1.1
 	git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/libricochet-go v1.0.11
 	git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/log v1.0.0
 	github.com/c-bata/go-prompt v0.2.3
 	github.com/golang/protobuf v1.3.3
+	github.com/kr/text v0.2.0 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.8 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-tty v0.0.3 // indirect
+	github.com/niemeyer/pretty v0.0.0-20200227124842-a10e7caefd8e // indirect
 	github.com/pkg/term v0.0.0-20190109203006-aa71e9d9e942 // indirect
+	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.5.1 // indirect
 	github.com/struCoder/pidusage v0.1.3
-	golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200210191831-6ca56c2f2e2b
-	golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200202094626-16171245cfb2
+	go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.4 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200320181102-891825fb96df
+	golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200320181208-1c781a10960a
+	golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200320181252-af34d8274f85 // indirect
+	gopkg.in/check.v1 v1.0.0-20200227125254-8fa46927fb4f // indirect
 )
 
 go 1.13
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index fa9104b..1a2930d 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.15 h1:XSCWOvjmNkzMT2IceFgTBXWGKtYfr3a8o+La1s10OhE=
-cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.15/go.mod h1:HzezugpEx+nZ3LdyDsl0w6n45IJYnOt8uqldkLWmaqs=
+cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.17 h1:2jVZUe1a88tMI4aJPvRTO4Id3NN3PsM62cT5lntEChk=
+cwtch.im/tapir v0.1.17/go.mod h1:HzezugpEx+nZ3LdyDsl0w6n45IJYnOt8uqldkLWmaqs=
 git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity v1.1.0 h1:9PEeKuPdoIRYeA62BUkBW2BfK4KqKEXz1fvUxZoP4xs=
 git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity v1.1.0/go.mod h1:4P8mirZZslKbo2zBrXXVjgEdqGwHo/6qoFBwFQW6d6E=
 git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity v1.1.1 h1:hKxBOmxP7Jdu3K1BJ93mRtKNiWUoP6YHt/o2snE2Z0w=
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ github.com/agl/ed25519 v0.0.0-20170116200512-5312a6153412 h1:w1UutsfOrms1J05zt7I
 github.com/agl/ed25519 v0.0.0-20170116200512-5312a6153412/go.mod h1:WPjqKcmVOxf0XSf3YxCJs6N6AOSrOx3obionmG7T0y0=
 github.com/c-bata/go-prompt v0.2.3 h1:jjCS+QhG/sULBhAaBdjb2PlMRVaKXQgn+4yzaauvs2s=
 github.com/c-bata/go-prompt v0.2.3/go.mod h1:VzqtzE2ksDBcdln8G7mk2RX9QyGjH+OVqOCSiVIqS34=
+github.com/creack/pty v1.1.9/go.mod h1:oKZEueFk5CKHvIhNR5MUki03XCEU+Q6VDXinZuGJ33E=
 github.com/cretz/bine v0.1.1-0.20200124154328-f9f678b84cca h1:Q2r7AxHdJwWfLtBZwvW621M3sPqxPc6ITv2j1FGsYpw=
 github.com/cretz/bine v0.1.1-0.20200124154328-f9f678b84cca/go.mod h1:6PF6fWAvYtwjRGkAuDEJeWNOv3a2hUouSP/yRYXmvHw=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0 h1:ZDRjVQ15GmhC3fiQ8ni8+OwkZQO4DARzQgrnXU1Liz8=
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@ github.com/kr/pretty v0.2.0/go.mod h1:ipq/a2n7PKx3OHsz4KJII5eveXtPO4qwEXGdVfWzfn
 github.com/kr/pty v1.1.1/go.mod h1:pFQYn66WHrOpPYNljwOMqo10TkYh1fy3cYio2l3bCsQ=
 github.com/kr/text v0.1.0 h1:45sCR5RtlFHMR4UwH9sdQ5TC8v0qDQCHnXt+kaKSTVE=
 github.com/kr/text v0.1.0/go.mod h1:4Jbv+DJW3UT/LiOwJeYQe1efqtUx/iVham/4vfdArNI=
+github.com/kr/text v0.2.0 h1:5Nx0Ya0ZqY2ygV366QzturHI13Jq95ApcVaJBhpS+AY=
+github.com/kr/text v0.2.0/go.mod h1:eLer722TekiGuMkidMxC/pM04lWEeraHUUmBw8l2grE=
 github.com/mattn/go-colorable v0.1.4 h1:snbPLB8fVfU9iwbbo30TPtbLRzwWu6aJS6Xh4eaaviA=
 github.com/mattn/go-colorable v0.1.4/go.mod h1:U0ppj6V5qS13XJ6of8GYAs25YV2eR4EVcfRqFIhoBtE=
 github.com/mattn/go-isatty v0.0.8 h1:HLtExJ+uU2HOZ+wI0Tt5DtUDrx8yhUqDcp7fYERX4CE=
@@ -48,6 +51,8 @@ github.com/mattn/go-tty v0.0.3 h1:5OfyWorkyO7xP52Mq7tB36ajHDG5OHrmBGIS/DtakQI=
 github.com/mattn/go-tty v0.0.3/go.mod h1:ihxohKRERHTVzN+aSVRwACLCeqIoZAWpoICkkvrWyR0=
 github.com/mimoo/StrobeGo v0.0.0-20181016162300-f8f6d4d2b643 h1:hLDRPB66XQT/8+wG9WsDpiCvZf1yKO7sz7scAjSlBa0=
 github.com/mimoo/StrobeGo v0.0.0-20181016162300-f8f6d4d2b643/go.mod h1:43+3pMjjKimDBf5Kr4ZFNGbLql1zKkbImw+fZbw3geM=
+github.com/niemeyer/pretty v0.0.0-20200227124842-a10e7caefd8e h1:fD57ERR4JtEqsWbfPhv4DMiApHyliiK5xCTNVSPiaAs=
+github.com/niemeyer/pretty v0.0.0-20200227124842-a10e7caefd8e/go.mod h1:zD1mROLANZcx1PVRCS0qkT7pwLkGfwJo4zjcN/Tysno=
 github.com/pkg/term v0.0.0-20190109203006-aa71e9d9e942 h1:A7GG7zcGjl3jqAqGPmcNjd/D9hzL95SuoOQAaFNdLU0=
 github.com/pkg/term v0.0.0-20190109203006-aa71e9d9e942/go.mod h1:eCbImbZ95eXtAUIbLAuAVnBnwf83mjf6QIVH8SHYwqQ=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0 h1:4DBwDE0NGyQoBHbLQYPwSUPoCMWR5BEzIk/f1lZbAQM=
@@ -57,19 +62,25 @@ github.com/stretchr/testify v1.3.0 h1:TivCn/peBQ7UY8ooIcPgZFpTNSz0Q2U6UrFlUfqbe0
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.3.0/go.mod h1:M5WIy9Dh21IEIfnGCwXGc5bZfKNJtfHm1UVUgZn+9EI=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.4.0 h1:2E4SXV/wtOkTonXsotYi4li6zVWxYlZuYNCXe9XRJyk=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.4.0/go.mod h1:j7eGeouHqKxXV5pUuKE4zz7dFj8WfuZ+81PSLYec5m4=
+github.com/stretchr/testify v1.5.1 h1:nOGnQDM7FYENwehXlg/kFVnos3rEvtKTjRvOWSzb6H4=
+github.com/stretchr/testify v1.5.1/go.mod h1:5W2xD1RspED5o8YsWQXVCued0rvSQ+mT+I5cxcmMvtA=
 github.com/struCoder/pidusage v0.1.3 h1:pZcSa6asBE38TJtW0Nui6GeCjLTpaT/jAnNP7dUTLSQ=
 github.com/struCoder/pidusage v0.1.3/go.mod h1:pWBlW3YuSwRl6h7R5KbvA4N8oOqe9LjaKW5CwT1SPjI=
 go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.3 h1:MUGmc65QhB3pIlaQ5bB4LwqSj6GIonVJXpZiaKNyaKk=
 go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.3/go.mod h1:IbVyRI1SCnLcuJnV2u8VeU0CEYM7e686BmAb1XKL+uU=
+go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.4 h1:hi1bXHMVrlQh6WwxAy+qZCV/SYIlqo+Ushwdpa4tAKg=
+go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.4/go.mod h1:G5EMThwa9y8QZGBClrRx5EY+Yw9kAhnjy3bSjsnlVTQ=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20190308221718-c2843e01d9a2/go.mod h1:djNgcEr1/C05ACkg1iLfiJU5Ep61QUkGW8qpdssI0+w=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200204104054-c9f3fb736b72/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200206161412-a0c6ece9d31a h1:aczoJ0HPNE92XKa7DrIzkNN6esOKO2TBwiiYoKcINhA=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200206161412-a0c6ece9d31a/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200210191831-6ca56c2f2e2b h1:at/SwedEdvIO7WPO4V9Yn1a3MqdSqAo0p6trBocu5aA=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200210191831-6ca56c2f2e2b/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200320181102-891825fb96df h1:lDWgvUvNnaTnNBc/dwOty86cFeKoKWbwy2wQj0gIxbU=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200320181102-891825fb96df/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20190404232315-eb5bcb51f2a3/go.mod h1:t9HGtf8HONx5eT2rtn7q6eTqICYqUVnKs3thJo3Qplg=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200202094626-16171245cfb2 h1:CCH4IOTTfewWjGOlSp+zGcjutRKlBEZQ6wTn8ozI/nI=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200202094626-16171245cfb2/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLLGU+0bjPO0LkuOLi4/5GtJWs/s=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200320181208-1c781a10960a h1:KaxWXSFrOaE2ptiOotI+zFdzHxBsg9MW6XfCv497IRo=
+golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200320181208-1c781a10960a/go.mod h1:z5CRVTTTmAJ677TzLLGU+0bjPO0LkuOLi4/5GtJWs/s=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20181221193216-37e7f081c4d4 h1:YUO/7uOKsKeq9UokNS62b8FYywz3ker1l1vDZRCRefw=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20181221193216-37e7f081c4d4/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20190911185100-cd5d95a43a6e/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
@@ -81,11 +92,15 @@ golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20191008105621-543471e840be/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7w
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20191120155948-bd437916bb0e/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200202164722-d101bd2416d5 h1:LfCXLvNmTYH9kEmVgqbnsWfruoXZIrh4YBgqVHtDvw0=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200202164722-d101bd2416d5/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200320181252-af34d8274f85 h1:fD99hd4ciR6T3oPhr2EkmuKe9oHixHx9Hj/hND89j3g=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200320181252-af34d8274f85/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.0/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3fqMW+pc6Ldnwhi/IjpwHt7yyuwOQ=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.0/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3fqMW+pc6Ldnwhi/IjpwHt7yyuwOQ=
 gopkg.in/check.v1 v0.0.0-20161208181325-20d25e280405/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
 gopkg.in/check.v1 v1.0.0-20190902080502-41f04d3bba15 h1:YR8cESwS4TdDjEe65xsg0ogRM/Nc3DYOhEAlW+xobZo=
 gopkg.in/check.v1 v1.0.0-20190902080502-41f04d3bba15/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
+gopkg.in/check.v1 v1.0.0-20200227125254-8fa46927fb4f h1:BLraFXnmrev5lT+xlilqcH8XK9/i0At2xKjWk4p6zsU=
+gopkg.in/check.v1 v1.0.0-20200227125254-8fa46927fb4f/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.2/go.mod h1:hI93XBmqTisBFMUTm0b8Fm+jr3Dg1NNxqwp+5A1VGuI=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.8 h1:obN1ZagJSUGI0Ek/LBmuj4SNLPfIny3KsKFopxRdj10=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v2 v2.2.8/go.mod h1:hI93XBmqTisBFMUTm0b8Fm+jr3Dg1NNxqwp+5A1VGuI=
diff --git a/model/attr/scope.go b/model/attr/scope.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bf8eb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/model/attr/scope.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package attr
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+)
+
+/*
+Scope model for peer attributes and requests
+
+A local peer "Alice" has a PublicScope that is queryable by getVal requests.
+By default, for now, other scopes are private, of which we here define SettingsScope
+
+Alice's peer structs of remote peers such as "Bob" keep the queried
+PublicScope values in the PeerScope, which can be overriden by the same named
+values stored in the LocalScope.
+
+*/
+
+// scopes for attributes
+const (
+	// on a peer, local and peer supplied data
+	LocalScope = "local"
+	PeerScope  = "peer"
+
+	// on a local profile, public data and private settings
+	PublicScope   = "public"
+	SettingsScope = "settings"
+)
+
+// Seperator for scope and the rest of path
+const Seperator = "."
+
+// GetPublicScope takes a path and attaches the pubic scope to it
+func GetPublicScope(path string) string {
+	return PublicScope + Seperator + path
+}
+
+// GetSettingsScope takes a path and attaches the settings scope to it
+func GetSettingsScope(path string) string {
+	return SettingsScope + Seperator + path
+}
+
+// GetLocalScope takes a path and attaches the local scope to it
+func GetLocalScope(path string) string {
+	return LocalScope + Seperator + path
+}
+
+// GetPeerScope takes a path and attaches the peer scope to it
+func GetPeerScope(path string) string {
+	return PeerScope + Seperator + path
+}
+
+// GetScopePath take a full path and returns the scope and the scope-less path
+func GetScopePath(fullPath string) (string, string) {
+	parts := strings.SplitN(fullPath, Seperator, 1)
+	if len(parts) != 2 {
+		return "", ""
+	}
+	return parts[0], parts[1]
+}
diff --git a/peer/cwtch_peer.go b/peer/cwtch_peer.go
index d35bd07..02b1a20 100644
--- a/peer/cwtch_peer.go
+++ b/peer/cwtch_peer.go
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@ package peer
 import (
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/event"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/model"
+	"cwtch.im/cwtch/model/attr"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/protocol/connections"
 	"encoding/base32"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/log"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -16,7 +18,8 @@ import (
 
 var autoHandleableEvents = map[event.Type]bool{event.EncryptedGroupMessage: true, event.PeerStateChange: true,
 	event.ServerStateChange: true, event.NewGroupInvite: true, event.NewMessageFromPeer: true,
-	event.PeerAcknowledgement: true, event.PeerError: true, event.SendMessageToGroupError: true}
+	event.PeerAcknowledgement: true, event.PeerError: true, event.SendMessageToGroupError: true,
+	event.NewGetValMessageFromPeer: true, event.NewRetValMessageFromPeer: true}
 
 // cwtchPeer manages incoming and outgoing connections and all processing for a Cwtch cwtchPeer
 type cwtchPeer struct {
@@ -36,6 +39,7 @@ type CwtchPeer interface {
 	PeerWithOnion(string)
 	InviteOnionToGroup(string, string) error
 	SendMessageToPeer(string, string) string
+	SendGetValToPeer(string, string, string)
 
 	TrustPeer(string) error
 	BlockPeer(string) error
@@ -103,7 +107,8 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) Init(eventBus event.Manager) {
 	go cp.eventHandler()
 
 	cp.eventBus = eventBus
-	cp.AutoHandleEvents([]event.Type{event.EncryptedGroupMessage, event.NewMessageFromPeer, event.PeerAcknowledgement, event.PeerError, event.SendMessageToGroupError})
+	cp.AutoHandleEvents([]event.Type{event.EncryptedGroupMessage, event.NewMessageFromPeer, event.PeerAcknowledgement,
+		event.PeerError, event.SendMessageToGroupError, event.NewGetValMessageFromPeer, event.NewRetValMessageFromPeer})
 }
 
 // AutoHandleEvents sets an event (if able) to be handled by this peer
@@ -333,6 +338,11 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) SendMessageToPeer(onion string, message string) string {
 	return event.EventID
 }
 
+func (cp *cwtchPeer) SendGetValToPeer(onion string, scope string, path string) {
+	event := event.NewEventList(event.SendGetValMessageToPeer, event.RemotePeer, onion, event.Scope, scope, event.Path, path)
+	cp.eventBus.Publish(event)
+}
+
 // TrustPeer sets an existing peer relationship to trusted
 func (cp *cwtchPeer) TrustPeer(peer string) error {
 	cp.mutex.Lock()
@@ -434,7 +444,10 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) SetAttribute(key string, val string) {
 func (cp *cwtchPeer) GetAttribute(key string) (string, bool) {
 	cp.mutex.Lock()
 	defer cp.mutex.Unlock()
-	return cp.Profile.GetAttribute(key)
+	if val, exists := cp.Profile.GetAttribute(key); exists {
+		return val, true
+	}
+	return "", false
 }
 
 // SetContactAttribute sets an attribute for the indicated contact and emits an event
@@ -456,7 +469,9 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) GetContactAttribute(onion string, key string) (string, bool
 	cp.mutex.Lock()
 	defer cp.mutex.Unlock()
 	if contact, ok := cp.Profile.GetContact(onion); ok {
-		return contact.GetAttribute(key)
+		if val, exists := contact.GetAttribute(key); exists {
+			return val, true
+		}
 	}
 	return "", false
 }
@@ -480,7 +495,9 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) GetGroupAttribute(gid string, key string) (string, bool) {
 	cp.mutex.Lock()
 	defer cp.mutex.Unlock()
 	if group := cp.Profile.GetGroup(gid); group != nil {
-		return group.GetAttribute(key)
+		if val, exists := group.GetAttribute(key); exists {
+			return val, true
+		}
 	}
 	return "", false
 }
@@ -530,6 +547,40 @@ func (cp *cwtchPeer) eventHandler() {
 			cp.Profile.ErrorSentMessageToPeer(ev.Data[event.RemotePeer], ev.Data[event.EventID], ev.Data[event.Error])
 			cp.mutex.Unlock()
 
+		case event.NewGetValMessageFromPeer:
+			onion := ev.Data[event.RemotePeer]
+			scope := ev.Data[event.Scope]
+			path := ev.Data[event.Path]
+
+			log.Debugf("NewGetValMessageFromPeer for %v%v from %v\n", scope, path, onion)
+
+			if scope == attr.PublicScope {
+				val, exists := cp.GetAttribute(attr.GetPublicScope(path))
+				resp := event.NewEvent(event.SendRetValMessageToPeer, map[event.Field]string{event.RemotePeer: onion, event.Exists: strconv.FormatBool(exists)})
+				resp.EventID = ev.EventID
+				if exists {
+					resp.Data[event.Data] = val
+				} else {
+					resp.Data[event.Data] = ""
+				}
+				log.Debugf("Responding with SendRetValMessageToPeer exists:%v data: %v\n", exists, val)
+
+				cp.eventBus.Publish(resp)
+			}
+
+		case event.NewRetValMessageFromPeer:
+			onion := ev.Data[event.RemotePeer]
+			scope := ev.Data[event.Scope]
+			path := ev.Data[event.Path]
+			val := ev.Data[event.Data]
+			exists, _ := strconv.ParseBool(ev.Data[event.Exists])
+			log.Debugf("NewRetValMessageFromPeer %v %v%v %v %v\n", onion, scope, path, exists, val)
+			if exists {
+				if scope == attr.PublicScope {
+					cp.SetContactAttribute(onion, attr.GetPeerScope(path), val)
+				}
+			}
+
 		/***** Non default but requestable handlable events *****/
 
 		case event.NewGroupInvite:
diff --git a/protocol/connections/engine.go b/protocol/connections/engine.go
index ec17133..a89f6a1 100644
--- a/protocol/connections/engine.go
+++ b/protocol/connections/engine.go
@@ -4,14 +4,15 @@ import (
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/event"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/protocol"
 	"cwtch.im/tapir"
-	"cwtch.im/tapir/applications"
 	"cwtch.im/tapir/networks/tor"
 	"cwtch.im/tapir/primitives"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity"
 	torProdider "git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/connectivity/tor"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/log"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ed25519"
+	"strconv"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -77,6 +78,8 @@ func NewProtocolEngine(identity primitives.Identity, privateKey ed25519.PrivateK
 	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.JoinServer, engine.queue)
 	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.SendMessageToGroup, engine.queue)
 	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.SendMessageToPeer, engine.queue)
+	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.SendGetValMessageToPeer, engine.queue)
+	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.SendRetValMessageToPeer, engine.queue)
 	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.DeleteContact, engine.queue)
 	engine.eventManager.Subscribe(event.DeleteGroup, engine.queue)
 
@@ -144,6 +147,10 @@ func (e *engine) eventHandler() {
 			if err != nil {
 				e.eventManager.Publish(event.NewEvent(event.SendMessageToPeerError, map[event.Field]string{event.RemotePeer: ev.Data[event.RemotePeer], event.EventID: ev.EventID, event.Error: "peer is offline or the connection has yet to finalize"}))
 			}
+		case event.SendGetValMessageToPeer:
+			e.sendGetValToPeer(ev.EventID, ev.Data[event.RemotePeer], ev.Data[event.Scope], ev.Data[event.Path])
+		case event.SendRetValMessageToPeer:
+			e.sendRetValToPeer(ev.EventID, ev.Data[event.RemotePeer], ev.Data[event.Data], ev.Data[event.Exists])
 		case event.UnblockPeer:
 			// We simply remove the peer from our blocklist
 			// The UI has the responsibility to reinitiate contact with the peer.
@@ -186,6 +193,7 @@ func (e *engine) createPeerTemplate() *PeerApp {
 	peerAppTemplate.OnAuth = e.ignoreOnShutdown(e.peerAuthed)
 	peerAppTemplate.OnConnecting = e.ignoreOnShutdown(e.peerConnecting)
 	peerAppTemplate.OnClose = e.ignoreOnShutdown(e.peerDisconnected)
+	peerAppTemplate.RetValHandler = e.handlePeerRetVal
 	return peerAppTemplate
 }
 
@@ -209,7 +217,6 @@ func (e *engine) Shutdown() {
 // peerWithOnion is the entry point for cwtchPeer relationships
 // needs to be run in a goroutine as will block on Open.
 func (e *engine) peerWithOnion(onion string) {
-	log.Infof("PEER WITH ONION: %v\n", onion)
 	blocked, known := e.blocked.Load(onion)
 	if known && !(blocked.(bool)) {
 		e.ignoreOnShutdown(e.peerConnecting)(onion)
@@ -220,7 +227,7 @@ func (e *engine) peerWithOnion(onion string) {
 		if connected && err != nil {
 			conn, err := e.service.GetConnection(onion)
 			if err == nil {
-				if conn.HasCapability(applications.AuthCapability) {
+				if conn.HasCapability(cwtchCapability) {
 					e.ignoreOnShutdown(e.peerAuthed)(onion)
 					return
 				}
@@ -280,7 +287,7 @@ func (e *engine) peerDisconnected(onion string) {
 
 // sendMessageToPeer sends a message to a peer under a given context
 func (e *engine) sendMessageToPeer(eventID string, onion string, context string, message []byte) error {
-	conn, err := e.service.GetConnection(onion)
+	conn, err := e.service.WaitForCapabilityOrClose(onion, cwtchCapability)
 	if err == nil {
 		peerApp, ok := (conn.App()).(*PeerApp)
 		if ok {
@@ -292,6 +299,27 @@ func (e *engine) sendMessageToPeer(eventID string, onion string, context string,
 	return err
 }
 
+func (e *engine) sendGetValToPeer(eventID, onion, scope, path string) error {
+	log.Debugf("sendGetValMessage to peer %v %v%v\n", onion, scope, path)
+	getVal := peerGetVal{Scope: scope, Path: path}
+	message, err := json.Marshal(getVal)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return e.sendMessageToPeer(eventID, onion, event.ContextGetVal, message)
+}
+
+func (e *engine) sendRetValToPeer(eventID, onion, val, existsStr string) error {
+	log.Debugf("sendRetValMessage to peer %v (%v) %v %v\n", onion, eventID, val, existsStr)
+	exists, _ := strconv.ParseBool(existsStr)
+	retVal := peerRetVal{Val: val, Exists: exists}
+	message, err := json.Marshal(retVal)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return e.sendMessageToPeer(eventID, onion, event.ContextRetVal, message)
+}
+
 func (e *engine) deleteConnection(id string) {
 	conn, err := e.service.GetConnection(id)
 	if err == nil {
@@ -328,11 +356,37 @@ func (e *engine) sendMessageToGroup(server string, ct []byte, sig []byte) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (e *engine) handlePeerMessage(hostname string, context string, message []byte) {
+func (e *engine) handlePeerMessage(hostname string, eventID string, context string, message []byte) {
 	log.Debugf("New message from peer: %v %v", hostname, context)
 	if context == event.ContextInvite {
 		e.eventManager.Publish(event.NewEvent(event.NewGroupInvite, map[event.Field]string{event.TimestampReceived: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano), event.RemotePeer: hostname, event.GroupInvite: string(message)}))
+	} else if context == event.ContextGetVal {
+		var getVal peerGetVal
+		err := json.Unmarshal(message, &getVal)
+		if err == nil {
+			ev := event.NewEventList(event.NewGetValMessageFromPeer, event.RemotePeer, hostname, event.Scope, getVal.Scope, event.Path, getVal.Path)
+			ev.EventID = eventID
+			e.eventManager.Publish(ev)
+		}
 	} else {
 		e.eventManager.Publish(event.NewEvent(event.NewMessageFromPeer, map[event.Field]string{event.TimestampReceived: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339Nano), event.RemotePeer: hostname, event.Data: string(message)}))
 	}
 }
+
+func (e *engine) handlePeerRetVal(hostname string, getValData, retValData []byte) {
+	var getVal peerGetVal
+	var retVal peerRetVal
+
+	err := json.Unmarshal(getValData, &getVal)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("Unmarshalling our own getVal request: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+	err = json.Unmarshal(retValData, &retVal)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("Unmarshalling peer response to getVal request")
+		return
+	}
+
+	e.eventManager.Publish(event.NewEventList(event.NewRetValMessageFromPeer, event.RemotePeer, hostname, event.Scope, getVal.Scope, event.Path, getVal.Path, event.Exists, strconv.FormatBool(retVal.Exists), event.Data, retVal.Val))
+}
diff --git a/protocol/connections/peerapp.go b/protocol/connections/peerapp.go
index 5a2f9e4..111fc2a 100644
--- a/protocol/connections/peerapp.go
+++ b/protocol/connections/peerapp.go
@@ -6,18 +6,24 @@ import (
 	"cwtch.im/tapir/applications"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/log"
+	"sync"
 )
 
+const cwtchCapability = tapir.Capability("cwtchCapability")
+
 // PeerApp encapsulates the behaviour of a Cwtch Peer
 type PeerApp struct {
 	applications.AuthApp
 	connection        tapir.Connection
-	MessageHandler    func(string, string, []byte)
+	MessageHandler    func(string, string, string, []byte)
+	RetValHandler     func(string, []byte, []byte)
 	IsBlocked         func(string) bool
 	OnAcknowledgement func(string, string)
 	OnAuth            func(string)
 	OnClose           func(string)
 	OnConnecting      func(string)
+
+	getValRequests sync.Map // [string]string eventID:Data
 }
 
 // PeerMessage is an encapsulation that can be used by higher level applications
@@ -27,8 +33,17 @@ type PeerMessage struct {
 	Data    []byte // The serialized data packet.
 }
 
+type peerGetVal struct {
+	Scope, Path string
+}
+
+type peerRetVal struct {
+	Val    string
+	Exists bool
+}
+
 // NewInstance should always return a new instantiation of the application.
-func (pa PeerApp) NewInstance() tapir.Application {
+func (pa *PeerApp) NewInstance() tapir.Application {
 	newApp := new(PeerApp)
 	newApp.MessageHandler = pa.MessageHandler
 	newApp.IsBlocked = pa.IsBlocked
@@ -36,18 +51,19 @@ func (pa PeerApp) NewInstance() tapir.Application {
 	newApp.OnAuth = pa.OnAuth
 	newApp.OnClose = pa.OnClose
 	newApp.OnConnecting = pa.OnConnecting
+	newApp.RetValHandler = pa.RetValHandler
 	return newApp
 }
 
 // Init is run when the connection is first started.
 func (pa *PeerApp) Init(connection tapir.Connection) {
-
 	// First run the Authentication App
 	pa.AuthApp.Init(connection)
 
 	if connection.HasCapability(applications.AuthCapability) {
 
 		pa.connection = connection
+		connection.SetCapability(cwtchCapability)
 
 		if pa.IsBlocked(connection.Hostname()) {
 			pa.connection.Close()
@@ -61,7 +77,7 @@ func (pa *PeerApp) Init(connection tapir.Connection) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (pa PeerApp) listen() {
+func (pa *PeerApp) listen() {
 	for {
 		message := pa.connection.Expect()
 		if len(message) == 0 {
@@ -72,10 +88,18 @@ func (pa PeerApp) listen() {
 		var peerMessage PeerMessage
 		err := json.Unmarshal(message, &peerMessage)
 		if err == nil {
-			if peerMessage.Context == event.ContextAck {
+			switch peerMessage.Context {
+			case event.ContextAck:
 				pa.OnAcknowledgement(pa.connection.Hostname(), peerMessage.ID)
-			} else {
-				pa.MessageHandler(pa.connection.Hostname(), peerMessage.Context, peerMessage.Data)
+			case event.ContextRetVal:
+				req, ok := pa.getValRequests.Load(peerMessage.ID)
+				if ok {
+					reqStr := []byte(req.(string))
+					pa.RetValHandler(pa.connection.Hostname(), reqStr, peerMessage.Data)
+					pa.getValRequests.Delete(peerMessage.ID)
+				}
+			default:
+				pa.MessageHandler(pa.connection.Hostname(), peerMessage.ID, peerMessage.Context, peerMessage.Data)
 
 				// Acknowledge the message
 				pa.SendMessage(PeerMessage{peerMessage.ID, event.ContextAck, []byte{}})
@@ -88,7 +112,10 @@ func (pa PeerApp) listen() {
 
 // SendMessage sends the peer a preformatted message
 // NOTE: This is a stub, we will likely want to extend this to better reflect the desired protocol
-func (pa PeerApp) SendMessage(message PeerMessage) {
+func (pa *PeerApp) SendMessage(message PeerMessage) {
+	if message.Context == event.ContextGetVal {
+		pa.getValRequests.Store(message.ID, string(message.Data))
+	}
 	serialized, _ := json.Marshal(message)
 	pa.connection.Send(serialized)
 }
diff --git a/storage/v1/profile_store.go b/storage/v1/profile_store.go
index edea80a..24b82e4 100644
--- a/storage/v1/profile_store.go
+++ b/storage/v1/profile_store.go
@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ func LoadProfileWriterStore(eventManager event.Manager, directory, password stri
 	ps := &ProfileStoreV1{fs: NewFileStore(directory, profileFilename, key), key: key, directory: directory, profile: nil, eventManager: eventManager, streamStores: map[string]StreamStore{}, writer: true}
 	copy(ps.salt[:], salt)
 
-
 	err = ps.load()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/testing/cwtch_peer_server_integration_test.go b/testing/cwtch_peer_server_integration_test.go
index 72a089e..83f3288 100644
--- a/testing/cwtch_peer_server_integration_test.go
+++ b/testing/cwtch_peer_server_integration_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/event"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/event/bridge"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/model"
+	"cwtch.im/cwtch/model/attr"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/peer"
 	"cwtch.im/cwtch/protocol/connections"
 	cwtchserver "cwtch.im/cwtch/server"
@@ -171,14 +172,17 @@ func TestCwtchPeerIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 
 	alice := utils.WaitGetPeer(app, "alice")
 	fmt.Println("Alice created:", alice.GetOnion())
+	alice.SetAttribute(attr.GetPublicScope("name"), "Alice")
 	alice.AutoHandleEvents([]event.Type{event.PeerStateChange, event.ServerStateChange, event.NewGroupInvite})
 
 	bob := utils.WaitGetPeer(app, "bob")
 	fmt.Println("Bob created:", bob.GetOnion())
+	bob.SetAttribute(attr.GetPublicScope("name"), "Bob")
 	bob.AutoHandleEvents([]event.Type{event.PeerStateChange, event.ServerStateChange, event.NewGroupInvite})
 
 	carol := utils.WaitGetPeer(appClient, "carol")
 	fmt.Println("Carol created:", carol.GetOnion())
+	carol.SetAttribute(attr.GetPublicScope("name"), "Carol")
 	carol.AutoHandleEvents([]event.Type{event.PeerStateChange, event.ServerStateChange, event.NewGroupInvite})
 
 	app.LaunchPeers()
@@ -214,6 +218,42 @@ func TestCwtchPeerIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 
 	fmt.Println("Waiting for alice and Bob to peer...")
 	waitForPeerPeerConnection(t, alice, bob)
+	bob.AddContact("alice?", alice.GetOnion(), true)
+	waitForPeerPeerConnection(t, alice, carol)
+	carol.AddContact("alice?", alice.GetOnion(), true)
+
+	fmt.Println("Alice and Bob getVal public.name...")
+
+	alice.SendGetValToPeer(bob.GetOnion(), attr.PublicScope, "name")
+	bob.SendGetValToPeer(alice.GetOnion(), attr.PublicScope, "name")
+
+	alice.SendGetValToPeer(carol.GetOnion(), attr.PublicScope, "name")
+	carol.SendGetValToPeer(alice.GetOnion(), attr.PublicScope, "name")
+
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Second)
+
+	aliceName, exists := bob.GetContactAttribute(alice.GetOnion(), attr.GetPeerScope("name"))
+	if !exists || aliceName != "Alice" {
+		t.Fatalf("alice GetKeyVal error on alice peer.name %v\n", exists)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("Bob has alice's name as '%v'\n", aliceName)
+
+	bobName, exists := alice.GetContactAttribute(bob.GetOnion(), attr.GetPeerScope("name"))
+	if !exists || bobName != "Bob" {
+		t.Fatalf("bob GetKeyVal error, alice peer.name\n")
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("Alice has bob's name as '%v'\n", bobName)
+
+	aliceName, exists = carol.GetContactAttribute(alice.GetOnion(), attr.GetPeerScope("name"))
+	if !exists || aliceName != "Alice" {
+		t.Fatalf("carol GetKeyVal error for alice peer.name %v\n", exists)
+	}
+
+	carolName, exists := alice.GetContactAttribute(carol.GetOnion(), attr.GetPeerScope("name"))
+	if !exists || carolName != "Carol" {
+		t.Fatalf("alice GetKeyVal error, carol peer.name\n")
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("Alice has carol's name as '%v'\n", carolName)
 
 	fmt.Println("Alice inviting Bob to group...")
 	err = alice.InviteOnionToGroup(bob.GetOnion(), groupID)
@@ -242,25 +282,25 @@ func TestCwtchPeerIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 
 	fmt.Println("Starting conversation in group...")
 	// Conversation
-	fmt.Println("Alice> ", aliceLines[0])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v\n", aliceName, aliceLines[0])
 	err = alice.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, aliceLines[0])
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Alice failed to send a message to the group: %v", err)
 	}
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)
 
-	fmt.Println("Bob> ", bobLines[0])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v\n", bobName, bobLines[0])
 	err = bob.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, bobLines[0])
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Bob failed to send a message to the group: %v", err)
 	}
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)
 
-	fmt.Println("Alice> ", aliceLines[1])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v\n", aliceName, aliceLines[1])
 	alice.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, aliceLines[1])
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)
 
-	fmt.Println("Bob> ", bobLines[1])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v\n", bobName, bobLines[1])
 	bob.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, bobLines[1])
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)
 
@@ -290,11 +330,11 @@ func TestCwtchPeerIntegration(t *testing.T) {
 	waitForPeerGroupConnection(t, carol, groupID)
 	numGoRotinesPostCarolConnect := runtime.NumGoroutine()
 
-	fmt.Println("Bob> ", bobLines[2])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v", bobName, bobLines[2])
 	bob.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, bobLines[2])
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)
 
-	fmt.Println("Carol> ", carolLines[0])
+	fmt.Printf("%v> %v", carolName, carolLines[0])
 	carol.SendMessageToGroup(groupID, carolLines[0])
 	time.Sleep(time.Second * 10)