Sabine and Karl exchanged a quick look and then each nodded to Rukeewei. It was all the time Ariel needed to secure the door and walk by with her interested eyes towards the kitchen.

"My, multiple courses, you spoil us, Rukeewei!" She said with a grin. "Well, while you set the table, I'll find us a drink. Do you think we should open that bloodwine blend we've been saving? This [i]is[/i] a special occasion."

Danee-Na revealed herself around the dividers with bundles of cutlery in each hand. She dutifully placed each fistful on the table with a tinny clatter before carefully moving them to accompany each vacant seat.

Aimee and Joan were already clambering up the stairs, saying something in Jel about dolls.

Before long, Sabine, Karl, Meesei, Ariel, and Danee were all seated around the table. All but Danee-Na had a vessel of fine wine, the remainder in the open bottle between them. The light from the windows was already dimming but Ariel kept the room lit with her own magic.

"So, you must tell me," Ariel began. "What have you and the others been up to these past years? Apart from...the usual business, that is. Rhazii must be frighteningly close to adulthood by now. What kind of young man is he turning out to be?"

[hr]
Gro-Tagnud's reaction was to slowly blink his eyes over to what Teroiah thought of Hal-Neesa's statements. Surprisingly, Teroiah was still and suspicious. Her jaw muscles could be barely discerned grinding her teeth, but the rest of her face was deeply cautious.

Gro-Tagnud held his head forward, eyes up at Teroiah. "Do I need to know any...context between you two here, commander?"

"There is nothing to mention," Teroiah calmly responded. Normally her disdain dripped from her voice. Now, it was absent, or at least impossible to read.

"Then I want to see what you have to share, uh..." Gro-Tagnud waved his hand in a circle for a moment. "Hal-Neesa."