"Well, you were rubbing my shoulder earlier but now you say there is no time, so- forget it. We can do that later. Unless you change your mind now. You know, probably best just to eat something. Food's still cooking, but I can get us something immediately." Serapis walked over to a cabinet and pulled down some bread and cheese. "You like gouda? It was shipped in from the north just a week ago, or so they told me at the market."

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"I'm fine, but I think Aurelian is right to be like that. Really. We've all got to clean the dining area up. Anyone who isn't upset about that is just faking a good mood." Arjun replied. "And he's right about the shirt. At least, I think so. I mean, I don't see the need for one indoors. I'm a dracon, you know. Just what we wear." He thought about it for a moment. "Let's just go, Nick. I think we're all on edge. The food incident is just one more thing on top of other stuff that's been going wrong here lately. Even my parents aren't making as much sense as they used to."

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Laura extended her hand in turn. "Laura, the dwarf. Pleased to meet you. So, I originally asked to come here because I wanted to talk about boys, like Jorn. He's a halfling. A very cute halfling." She sat down, cross-legged. "I like him."