Banquet Hall

[Warlord]

The banquet hall contains a large table around which sit seven comfortable chairs. When someone sits in one of the chairs, a set of clean utensils and plates is created magically, along with a scented candle and bouquet of fresh flowers. These objects are only partially real, and they vanish (along with any food residue left on them) if taken from the room. All told, the Drow rarely eat here, often preferring to eat outdoors. While one door enters the room from the circular hallway, another exits into the kitchen.

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

Kal'esril passes through the entry area into a hallway that circles to the right around the building before pressing in a hidden panel on the outside wall and sliding it open. Through that doorway he enters the Banquet Room. He immediately walks around the massive table and seats himself at one end. The table is covered in luxurious settings of platters and pots filled with a variety of foods of all manners. There are even dishes containing animals and vegetables and fruits one would not expect to find this far from their native areas.

Kal'esril suddenly smiles brightly. "Please, sit. Refresh yourselves. We have water, wine, some Dwarven Ale imported from the Gold Dwarves in the south, and a shockingly wide variety of fruit juices. I'm particular to chilled cherry juice myself, nothing like it in the realms below." He promptly pulls a decanter from a bowl of ice and pours himself a tall glass (yes, actual glass is present) of the same. "I thought we might use this quiet before the political storm to get to know each other a bit. To learn our roles a bit, since I have the inside line on the matter. All for the best yes?"

He picks up his plate and begins collecting bits of food, mostly fruits at the moment, onto it. He then sits back and looks at the lot of them with a good natured expression. It was almost like a completely different person than the hard eyed warrior who had stood outside with them a few moments ago. He even looks perfectly comfortable sitting in his armor.

[Lysan Cloud]

Following the women into the room, Lysan looks around. He is feeling a bit closed in. He has explored caves before, but not for long, or very deep, as they make him uncomfortable. Thinking there is not a lot of room in here, he chooses a seat that lets him see not only his host, but both entrances to the room, as well.

"Interesting place, this. Does the food prepare itself, as well?", he asks Kal'esril.

He begins to load his plate with a variety of fruits, nuts, and light meats (mostly smaller game) and some eggs, if available. He then pours himself a glass of light, fruit-wine.

Looking each person in the eye, he introduces himself formally.

"I am Lysan Hav'a'riel, Captain of the Patronus Guard of the Avariel people. It is a great pleasure to meet each of you, and I look forward to further chances to get to know each other better."

He then raises his glass to the others and says, "To Peace and Cooperation between nations kept apart for ages and brought together again."

Lysan settles back in his chair, taking care to settle his wings carefully.

[Auroa]

Auroa looks around the elegant room taking a moment since they are off duty to examine the room Marveling at the decoration and architecture of the room. Then Auroa happily floats around putting a lil bit from each dish on the plate and then pouring some lime juice sparkling water and blackberry juice in a glass Auroa sits so that each other elf is equal distance. Auroa raises the glass and says "To Peace"
Blushing a bit "As the others heard i am Auroa Duskshine i am the chief mediator in the village this palace is beautiful and i can not wait to get to know you all better." With that Auroa touches the heart pendant and picks at the food relishing the flavors within.

[Ilyrana Sevayni]

Ilyrana climbed the last few steps a bit slower than before. Nikxor was not large, but the psuedodragon was an added weight. Once inside the banquet hall she surveyed everything quietly. The sudden smile flashed at them and break of mood by the drow was at once unsettling and refreshing. It made the wild elf pause mid step and stare just a moment.

Slowly she moved, taking note of where the doors were too, she ended up sitting close to opposite Lysan, just to keep them in view. As she sat down and the items appeared she blinked, and looked for a moment impressed, close to smiling at the magic. Letting Nikxor stay on her shoulder until he decided otherwise, she poured herself a glass of the blackberry juice once Auroa was done with her mixing. Before touching any food, she raised the glass to join the toast. "Agreed. Peace and.......cooperation."

Onto her plate went a careful assortment of a few fruits, squash, nuts, and a game fowl. A second plate, perhaps used for salad she took and filled it with more fruit and meats. She did have someone with her who she knew would not share a plate well.

Once that was done, she listened as the others shared their names and such, and waited her turn with a bit of discomfort. This was far more elegant than anything back home. She had to accept the fact that home was a long way off and she'd not be seeing it again for some time. So, a captain of the guard, and a mediator, and the drow who seemed as expected militia, soldier of rank. Ilyrana looked up quietly and offered a faint smile, attempting to enjoy the small talk, or at least look like she was.
"My name is Ilyrana Sevayni, advisor to our cheiftan. Pleased to meet all of you....and....thank you for this hospitality, sir." Towards the end she hesitated a bit. Not because she wasn't grateful. She fell silent a moment only to feel hot breath against her face to see someone wasn't happy he'd been forgotten. She raised a morsel of the fowl to him and made something closer to an embarassed smile when she spoke next. "This is Nikxor."

Once he'd taken it, she took some of her own food and glanced about the room. It was beautiful, Auroa was right in that, but not in a way Ily was used to. She found herself somewhat intrigued by the designs, but tried to focus on the other elves before her. She did want to know them, if they were to work together.

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

The Drow warrior sits casually, watching them arrange themselves quietly. He takes a sip of his juice before responding to the winged one's question. "Not in its entirety, no. There are containers in the back that produce the material components, but a trio of over-enthusiastic Moon Elves actually produce the completed dishes." Kal nods at Lysan's introduction.

Then his attention moves over to Auroa. He watches her as she goes about collecting her meal. His face maintains the openly friendly expression but it doesn't reflect in his eyes. Of course, at this point, there is no evidence that his eyes are even capable of reflecting his thoughts. "This isn't a palace really. It's merely a tower, and not even a particularly large one compared to those we have explored and reclaimed in Myth Drannor. My own is several stories and twice as many rooms."

He turns his focus to Ilyrana. In fact, he catches her staring at him. It does nothing to change the expression on his face or the lack of such in his eyes. It's not until she looks surprised and then pleased that he reacts much at all, his smile broadening slightly. "It's something built into the place, we aren't sure if its an enchantment on the room or a localized effect of the mythal. The wizards all but campaign to get sent to study it." And so it comes that everybody toasts.... well, everybody but Kal'esril who looks on blankly.

It wasn't that he looked uninterested in the sentiments being expressed. Not at all. He appeared to not understand what they were getting at with proclamations of intent out of context and raised glasses. After a few moments he merely nods consent. It was all he could think to do without knowing the custom they seemed to be indulging in. "Not a sir... we don't even use the term among my people, it's too loose. In the grand scheme things, and outside of my house, I am a Talon Leader. But, if it's just the same to you all, I would vastly prefer to be called Kal'esril or Kal if you wish to shorten it or are in a hurry. It's intriguing to meet you all, I've never encountered any of your respective kinds..." He suddenly focuses on the pseudodragon perched on Ilyrana's shoulder and speaks again, but this time in a different language. (Draconic for those who know it) "Except you my prestigious guest, I have met another of your kind once before. Sadly, she has since passed from this life. It is still a pleasure to meet you however, Nikxor."

When Kal speaks again he has returned to his native tongue, a sharp dialect of Elven. "For good or ill we will get to know each other well. We are to serve together, the four of us."

[Lysan Cloud]

Lysan acknowledges the ladies' response to his toast, with a sip of his wine and raises a mental eyebrow to himself at the pseudo-dragon. He could see the use of such a pet, but wasn't sure if he would want the added responsibility himself.

Lysan looks a bit startled at Kal's comment about serving together. Enough so that he looks less uncomfortable in these confines.

"Serving together? Truly? We are not merely diplomatic seconds and flunkies to sit here and discuss our elders behind their backs? That, at least shows some promise of excitement. And, perhaps, a bit more of the outdoors." He looks wistfully at the doorway they entered by.

Looking back to the Drow, he asks, "And in what capacity would we be serving together, pray tell?"

He takes another bite of the food before him, marveling a bit at the excellent flavors and textures.

[Auroa]

Auroa moans lightly while eating as ecstasy fills the silver elf. Then realizing that was out loud blushes and touches the heart pendent adorning the lavender neck. Auroa mentally chides for partaking the Lady's training while in front of strangers and prays silently for restraint. Auroa then says "What do you mean by serving? I was lead to think that I was here to aid Diplomat Delithil. Also to observe and learn so i could one day follow in his foot steps." As Auroa awaits answer it seems that now an impassive veil covers the elf's face as Auroa eats mechanically elegant.

[Ilyrana Sevayni]

The wild elf nods at Kal'esril, her eyes widening slightly at the fact that even they weren't certain of what caused the magic. She herself would have campaigned for such an opportunity, so she could see why others would. She says nothing though, and soon returns to her usual state of wary politeness. Until he addressed her again, then switches languages suddenly to one she recognized but did not understand. Nikxor seemed thouroughly impressed for the moment, and pleased, responding in his native language. "Prestigious, how nice to be recognized and appreciated. You speak my tongue nearly perfectly for one so young. Those who pass are cherished, not forgotten, as I'm sure she was. A pleasure to be met and meet you." As soon as he finished speaking, Ilyrana reached out to him with her mind again.
What was that all about then?
If you cannot understand, then it is not your business. He impresses me though.
You promised to teach me, when there was time, not my fault there has not been.
Nikxor refused to answer her and she arched a brow as she fed him again, but did not press further. Instead she spoke to address the drow directly.
"Apologies, Kal'esril, not sir then." Her own lilting accent drops on his name, as it was a foreign one to her, so she attempted to utter it just as he had. Most names were, she seldom had to use them where she was from.

When he mentioned the word serve, she did look up at him curiously, but the winged one had already voiced the question, so there was little need. Her eyes too, went to the door, catching sight of the trees beyond with a pang of longing, quickly dismissed as she looked at her plate again.

Then, came the moan from the other female. Ilyrana was not so young that she didn't understand a sound of ecstasy when she heard it. Her eyes shot a shocked look towards Auroa, but the girl seemed to realize her mistake and moved on. Ilyrana fed herself a date and acted as if nothing had occured. Nikxor looked over too, and snorted, but thankfully he was too busy enjoying the food to comment. Better to ignore that sort of mistake than aggravate it.
Again, the thoughts voiced echoed her own, so she found herself happily not in need to speak at the moment. She took a sip of her blackberry juice and eyed Kal'esril over the rim of the cup, waiting to hear his explanation of this change in their expected job position.

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

Kal flickers a smile at Lysan's sudden enthusiasm, it caused the elf to give away his interests but more importantly it meant he wouldn't be trouble when it came time to march. "Mere flunkies we most certainly are, but destined to sit here and discuss our superiors we are not. It isn't a good policy to do that within a day's walk of them in my society anyway." He looks toward the doorway, noticing the magical window (since this room is too deep in the building for any of its walls, or the walls of the hallway, to hold a physical external window) laying there and distracting the winged warrior. "If the forest holds interest for you I'm sure we can negotiate a trade of knowledge, you and I. I am a Shadowthorn Ranger, and thus trained in the ways of the natural world. I'm sure you know a few things I would take in return, and we'd both be the better for the exchange."

Unaware that Ilyrana was mentally addressing the creature he continues speaking to it. (Draconic) "My uncle, a House Wizard among other things, insisted I learn the language during my brief magical studies. Your fellow liked to spend her time around or in the Academy Arcana's main tower, and was kind enough to help me with my pronunciation so long as I brought her her own serving from evening meal." Kal'esril turns his attention to Ilyrana when she speaks to him. "No need to apologize, the learning process merely begins." His smile is forgiving and magnanimous.

The Drow takes another long pull from his drinking glass, wetting his throat with the juice before continuing. He opens his mouth to answer Lysan's next question but is interrupted by the sound that Auroa makes. The look that he gives her is a predator's, like a wolf hearing a deer cry out in pain. It passes quickly and Kal'esril goes on as if the interruption had never happened. "Your master is a politician, will it surprise you if he has misled you?" He turns his attention back to Lysan. "We will go forth as a sort of.... good will mission. In a world dominated by... in a world so dark their will no doubt be much we can accomplish on behalf of others in the hopes that they will look on our individual nations and alliance positively. Thus, when approached later by our superiors they will be far more likely to lend their ears to negotiations on political, social, and trade matters. We will shape the opinions of the outside world regarding what our peoples do in this place."

[Lysan Cloud]

Lysan answers Kal's comment, "An exchange of knowledge is always looked upon with favor! I most definitely look forward to it, thankyou."

He pretends to not understand the interchange between the Drow and the pseudo-dragon, preferring to keep his knowledge of the Draconic language to himself, for the moment, merely enjoying a bit more of the food set before them.

At the sound from Auroa, his eyes flicker briefly in her direction, wondering what could possibly cause that reaction in a public place, but lets the faux-pas pass.

"So we are to be some sort of Goodwill Envoy, then? Is that the plan? Hopefully there will be more involved than dusty pleasantries and painted-on smiles? I agree there is a time and place for these things and peace is a great goal. But, by the time all the pleasantries and greetings and introductions are through, there is little time left for the actual work, and thus, much prefer a more active and concrete role for myself."

[Auroa]

Auroa simply turns to Kal impassively "No for he has not lied to me. I was assigned to accompany him by the elders of the village. When I asked some of them later what my duties were they had no clear idea but figured I was being groomed to be a diplomat for my people."

Auroa goes back to finishing the meal when the idea of a "Goodwill Envoy" causes a little bit of a smile to tug the silver lips. "Oh my... What a great idea though this does seem sudden. Hopefully this will aid us in bringing peace to the elven lands at the very least. Also I look forward to the opportunity to see and experience the myriad splendor of other people and their cultures."

[Ilyrana Sevayni]

A Goodwill envoy..... Ilyrana had to admit the idea of not sitting around behind Amalie and nodding half interested over what was being said was appealing to her. At least as much as it seemed to interest Lysan. When the drow spoke of the forest she arched a brow. He spoke as if he was the best suited to teach about the forest. Time would tell if they knew the same things or not, she suppossed.

Nikxor finished the bit he was working on and addressed Kal'esril. (Draconic) "Your uncle was wise. This is not an easy language, as it is older than nearly all races that walk, swim, or fly. I have to set about teaching this one."

With that, since it seemed they were all about to discuss dipolmacy and things that did not interest him much, he returned to his food, accepting another large bite of meat from Ilyrana.
Food was much less boring.

When Auroa brings up the fact a politician had not led her astray, the wild elf's lip twitched on one side. She considered herself naiive in matters of politics, but found it hard to believe that one would not bend the truth to bend others to their way of thinking. At least she seemed enthusiastic about the whole endeavor, so the wild elf offered a nod to her words. Ilyrana was much more interested herself now, and leaned forwards a bit, taking more of her blackberry juice. "So, what is the mission or destination, or are they unknown as yet?"

Ilyrana hoped it was someplace she had only heard about before. Since no one had asked, she raised the question. Best to know where they were heading and what they would be doing to set this 'shining example of unity'.

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

"No problem Lysan, I look forward to it as well." And he did, he wanted to know what he could about his allies against the day they wouldn't be allies anymore. Knowledge was power after all. "Yes, that's a good enough description of our endeavors but not how you're thinking. While the point is the political repercussions of our actions, our actions will not themselves be political in nature. If this was strictly a political endeavor they wouldn't be sending a Shadowthorn Ranger or a Captain of the Guard would they?" He gestures toward himself and Lysan in order. "I know nothing of your duties, but my training has nothing to do with social endeavors."

Kal looks to Auroa. "Don't worry, he will before too much longer. It is the nature of politicians, to say what they need to say regardless of its insincerity. It's all they can do to make themselves seem valuable enough to prevent the more dangerous types from doing away with them altogether. And in the way of anyone who sets an example, you will be a diplomat for your people. For good or ill."

(Draconic) "My uncles is intelligent, not so certain I would extend the moniker of wise to him...." He examines the creatures perch, Ilyrana, for a long moment before closing out his Draconic conversation with a wry, "Good luck."

He smiles as the Wild Elf hits upon the question of the day. "We are going to Melvaunt, a human city in the Moonsea region North of here. It is on the northern coast between the cities of Phlan and Thentia, along the southern border of the old Orc kingdom of Thar. We will travel by a captured ship provided by our distant allies, the Sea Elves, from the city of Hillsfar just north of my forest. I prefer overland routes myself, but unfortunately the most direct line of travel in that manner would force us to pass through Zhentarim territory. Cormanthor and Zhentil Keep are currently at war. Even traveling by ship doesn't guarantee we can bypass their attentions, but its a far better chance than trying to walk me through its heart." He smiles, as if all that should be far from a problem with anyone else. "Questions so far?"

[Lysan Cloud]

"Well... considering my post at home, it really is more political than one would think from the title. However, you are correct. My training is much more military and esoteric than political. I have always believed in saying what you mean, straight out, rather than 'flying around the thunder' and trying to get someone to believe you said something when you really didn't. Or something like that. Simply put, say what you mean and be done with it, I say. "

Lysan takes another sip of wine, "So, Kal, you have said -where- we are going, and have given us a general description of the ultimate purpose of our travel, but why, in specific are we traveling to a human city, and why this one in particular? And one more thought... Our species haven't seen each other in millenia, what makes anyone think we will be well received in a human town singly, much less all together? I would think our little group here would create quite a stir!" He chuckles quietly to himself for a moment, having visualized the looks on the humans' faces as their group entered the town...