[center][img]https://imgur.com/P2MkxtN.jpg[/img][/center] [hr] As the rose-eyed girl prattled on endlessly about tea, Sekhandur had to fight to keep his eyes from rolling into the back of his head. How was it possible to blather this much about something so uninteresting? It almost beggared the imagination, but Sekhandur had known several scribes and nobles that were similarly long-winded about their own pet interested. He blamed himself for this situation, partly at least, since he encouraged the girl to carry on about the subject. Even so, it was only to be polite, and politeness had its limits. Kiara spoke up when she, unbelievably, finished speaking, reminding Sekhandur why he hadn't started beating the other girl with his staff to get her to shut up. Really, she should have thanked Kiara for sparing her from that fate. She herself began to go on about tea parties, and Sekhandur suffered a moment of sheer panic. If this carried on much longer, he doubted that he would be able to maintain his facade of interest and civility. He had to change the subject, and quickly, if he was going to maintain any sort of respectable reputation with his roommate. Sekhandur gave Kiara a half-apologetic smile, before saying, "[color=aba000]Actually, I prefer coffee to drink, usually.[/color]" Tea leaves were a luxury import in Kemet, but his people had been cultivating their own coffee shrubs for centuries. "[color=aba000]My people call it [i]ahwa[/i], and it is customary to serve to guests. Really when I think of a 'party,' well...[/color]" Sekhandur gave a small, almost embarrassed laugh, as he tried to think of how to sanitize his "party life" to maintain respectability. "[color=aba000]It is really more like a banquet. Food, wine, music, dancing...[/color]" His mind lingered on the dancers that usually entertained at noble banquets. Their costumes usually comprised of jewelry, makeup, and little else. "[color=aba000]Dancing is very important.[/color]" He emphasized, hoping desperately to shift the conversation in that direction. Luckily, he would not have to count on that chance, as a voice in his head announced that their recess had ended, and it was time to return to class. Sekhandur nodded amiably to the women he was speaking to, and turned about to head back to the lecture hall. He sighed in relief, having been saved from both his hangover and that nightmare of a conversation. He would have to thank their professor in some small way. Even if he didn't understand Sekhandur's reasoning, it still never hurt to suck up to authority slightly, especially in a new environment.