Heyden follows in turn, hopeful that things may start picking up.
If the rumors I'd heard are true... Aris begins thinking as she follows the group into the dining hall. He doesn't like the Surtovas, Elaine said there was land for grabs, and Swordlord Koenig had the library of the Stolen Lands to the south...
"Sir," Her tone is that of one speaking to a professor with what she truly thinks is the right answer to an unasked question. "The group I see here has a solid set of skills, the best use of which would be to explore to the south of Restov. In addition, Elaine has told us about your lands there, and mentioned problems with exploring them now." She pauses, eyes bright with impending discovery. "You've dotted your "I's" and crossed your "T's", except for one. You haven't yet told your prospective expedition where it's going." She cuts off, leaving a pregnant pause for the Lord Mayor to fill with an answer.
Meanwhile, Talvien (still draped lazily over Aris's neck) sticks out his tongue at Shi again, responding to the celestial creature's display.
Shi, seeing Talvien stick it's tongue out, rotates his head until he's looking at the creature upside down, and flicks his ears in a pattern.
The group follows the Lord Mayor to a large, elaborate dining hall with a grand rosewood table covered in white silk cloth. Numerous chairs line the sides, and a high-backed chair sits at the sides. Silverware is laid out precisely and numerous maids and butlers stand, ready to help the guests to their seats.
Shi'Vatha looks at the chairs, then pulls one back and leaves it against the wall next to one of the guards. "Please be watching this for me?" He asks the guard politely, then returns to the table and stands at the empty space, looking at the silverware curiously, poking it with a single claw experimentally.
Lost in the sheer size of the event, Castor politely takes his assigned seat without a word, trusting in those more keen on high society norms to speak in the expedition's name.
Heyden takes his seat as well, taking the opportunity to a mingle a bit with those around him before things picked up.
Tristan wonders around a moment...
"So we just sit anywhere?"
He looks a bit nervous as he takes his seat as if he is doing something wrong but if not corrected he sits back and relaxes and waits on the food.
Aris raises an eyebrow at Shi's antics before looking at Tristan and nodding eagerly. "That's how it's done in Rostland; I read that in Etiquette of Northeastern Avistan. There's all sorts of protocols to the south in the River Kingdoms, though. Those lords are very interested in 'traditions', even if they're only a few decades old at most. But back to Rostland, Tristan. As long as you don't sit in the lord's chair or those of his family or advisors, any seat is open." She pauses and looks at the man. "I just borrowed the book from Swordlord Koenig for a bit of light reading a few months back. It didn't really say when the first course was supposed to be served, though..."
Arawn grimaces slightly as Heyden sits down, and catches wind of the conversation between Aris and Tristan. As casually as possible, he swoops in close to the duo and states softly, but clearly, "It is customary to wait for the host, or the highest ranking person, to sit first. Stand by a chair until the Lord Mayor sits, or indicates for everyone to sit at once."
Finishing his instructions, Arawn finds himself a seat near the group, but closer to the head of the table where the Lord Mayor's seat rests and waits patiently.
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