While they were waiting for his father to join the table, Noah was glad to feel Elann's hand slip into his, invasive or not. Calmly, he grazed his thumb over his skin as they sat patiently. Eventually his father did come, kissing him, sitting, starting the rotation for food to be dished out, all before speaking and inquiring about Elann. Noah detached himself  from Elann in order to pass the food around and to fill his own plate with a slice of pie, bread, soup, and a few filets of fish. When Elann was done with filling her own plate he would take the dishes from her and set them back in the middle of the table for all to wish.

“Your friend never showed up, not even later?” Viktor questioned again curiously after swallowing. “Why were you sent away?” The question was asked just before another helping of pie went into his mouth.

Noah was eating quietly until the second question was asked of Elann. He slowed in his own chewing, looking to Elann warily at his side. There was a pang in his chest for her as he vividly recalled delivering the letter detailing her disownment, though that was long after she was sent away. The shift in Noah’s disposition, while not painfully obvious, was apparent enough for the man at the head of the table.

“Ah,” Viktor murmured. “You don’t have to answer that if you do not wish to, Elann.”