[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wCtYMQg.png[/img] [u][h3]Homurahara Courtyard(Banquet of Kings) - Academy[/h3][/u] [@----------][/center] The tastes of the era will always change. At one time in the world, beef was a popular dish. In another time it was cheap wine flavored with herbs to make it palatable. In his time, such a feast might have consisted of things such as lamb, or beans, or most usually... Bread. They had stews, and would dip artichokes into sauces taken from all over the world. In his time and day, Persia had been the kingdom of the endless feast. A kingdom that enjoyed endless wealth. The meal presented was surely a buffet of all the world's cultures. For good reason. Kings existed in all parts of the world. Good food was not invented by the Persian empire... But one could say the best food came from Persia and that person would be right. Still, as Xerxes gazed over the spread, the music seemed to begin in earnest. He found a tree to lean against, massive hand wrapped a glass of the wine of he had taken from the procession. He stirred it about almost lazily, as he watched the others step in. The first, came in with his master. He could make a few guesses based on the kind of dress the other servant wore. Middle Eastern, what era he couldn't say for sure. Babylon? Persia? That kind of outfit was popular for many eras in those regions. So at the very least he knew a kindred king of deserts had arrived. The second, Greek. Possibly. He was making an educated guess. He had seen enough Greeks to know they would be the most popular kind of servant to be summoned. After all, they had managed to make quite a hold on much of the western world's ideals in men and literature. A saber, judging from what little he could overhear. Not bad, he would enjoy fighting such a man no doubt. Then... There was the host. Xerxes said nothing as that man made a fool of himself. Instead, taking a long sip of his wine, and counting the seconds that speech went on. At its end, he spoke. [color=f7941d]"Will somebody put a muzzle on that feral mutt?"[/color] He said, voice projecting through the courtyard. [color=f7941d]"No matter your conquests, a mongrel is a mongrel, and a king is a king. A mutt may bare its fangs, and wear a crown, but it is still born from a bitch."[/color] How disgusting. A man like that had hosted this event? Perhaps it was more the master's doing, and FAR less the servant. Perhaps this was Xerxes own fault. After all, he was born in purple. Born as the son of Darius the King, and descendant of Cyrus the Great. He was the heir of two legacies, great and proud. This man though? This demon in human flesh that so recklessly called itself greater? The man's air... Was terrifying. Indeed he may very well be a demon. Something that made men sick and run. But kings are not men. They are better. [color=f7941d]"If you wish to impress, you may do so by cutting the first leg of lamb and offering it to the God above. Then we may all properly feast. Before the food gets cold with your showboating."[/color] ________________________ [@ReallyDumb][@BB][@Crusader Lord][@Phonic][@Yankee][@Phlogistinator][@Aoko Aozaki][@Phonic] ________________________ [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SvOYJne.png[/img] [u][h3]Shinto Town - Copenhagen Base[/h3][/u] [@Parallel Hearts][/center] There was something terrifying about the way Caster seemed to know everything. It made sense though. This was the one who foresaw the fall of Troy, and no matter her shouting... None dared believe her. It may very well be a lie, considering servants were naturally inclined with certain attributes that allowed them to fight fate and destiny. But even then, she didn't want to be the one to say 'yeah right' only to end up dying in a rather lame fashion. At least servants were guaranteed to go out fighting. [color=a187be]"Oh hush, I don't blame you."[/color] Ariadne said with a smile. She took her wine, and took a long sip of it. [color=a187be]"After all, I'm the one who wanted to go get coffee today."[/color] She sighed, and decided to change the subject. Passing the blame around between the two of them wasn't going to do either any good. [color=a187be]"I was actually thinking of ways we might be able to improve our odds. Nothing... Life altering, but certainly far more valuable than simply hiding the whole war and leaping out to attack the last team standing. I'm here to punish those who set up this war, not merely host parties."[/color] Either way, she took a seat, and gazed into those two glasses. Seemed there was more than one gathering at hand. For the one at the park, she had to admit that one identified as an Oni was... Certainly rather scary. The power alone was impressive. Still, if power alone was a factor in battle, than heroes like Theseus would have been killed by the Minotaur. Though... Strength had allowed Achilles to kill Hector, so strength did have its benefits. [color=a187be]"So... Are we going to be taking bets on who wins? I know you already know who will win, but you can at the very least humor me on this."[/color]