[color=aba000][b]Novitiate Khain[/b][/color]

As Ishara accepted his invitation, Sekhandur's expression did not change. His polite, reserved smile, and glinting, golden eyes didn't waver for a moment, as though he had no doubt in his mind at all that she would accept. His mask of patrician contentment said gave away little, but still said much. It spoke of his unwavering confidence in himself and his control of everything around him. How he had the whole game of life already figured out, and he was the one moving the pieces on the board.

After a moment's pause, he clasped his hands together in a pleased gesture and said, "[color=aba000]Marvelous. Let's not waste any time, shall we? I'd love to introduce you to your new Fellows.[/color]"

Sekhandur extended his arm to be taken by Ishara in a gesture of noble elegance, and set out into the banquet crowd in search of where his compatriots were sat. This was perhaps the first time that Ishara had sensed something resembling a flaw within him, as he seemed quite poor at navigating crowds; he continuously bumped into people, or paused, unsure of how to circumnavigate around a particularly large throng. The most logical conclusion was that he was accustomed to people simply moving out of his way, and their fellow sorcerers paid him no such heed. Still, after a bit of bumbling through the crowd, they arrived at a table around which a small handful of other Sorcerers sat. They too were from the year above Ishara, or seemingly even older than that, but all were still white-cloaked Novitates.

"[color=aba000]Novitiate Thumotep, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the esteemed ranks of the Kha'Sherhan.[/color]" [i]Lion's Spirit[/i], that meant, in a relatively obscure tribal dialect. If Ishara were not so diligently studious, its meaning likely would have blown past her altogether. Sekhandur put a finger on his hairless chin, its smoothness likely the result of him treating his face with beeswax, as he contemplated where to begin his introductions. "[color=aba000]Let's proceed east to west, like the sun, yes?[/color]" He gestured to the young man sat to Ishara's right, who was tall, dark skinned, and had his long black hair tied back into rows of tight braids-- all clear indications of his descent from the southern river-dwelling clans. "[color=aba000]Novitiate Ukris Barak, his mentor being Magus Omarhotec. The fisherman's son.[/color]" He said, with a wry smile as he finished.

Ukris rolled his eyes and smiled at the friendly ribbing. One of his teeth had been replaced with a copper-red prosthetic. "[color=cb6d51]My father is President of the Fellowship of Silver Sirens.[/color]" A prominent fisher's Fellowship among the port districts, if Ishara remembered correctly from some overheard dinner conversation or another. "[color=cb6d51]Welcome, Ishara.[/color]" He said, still smiling.

Moving his indicating hand left, Sekhandur pointed out, "[color=aba000]Mekhari of House Kahotep, and Djedhor of House Manat, both under Magus Khyber.[/color]" Prominent houses both, the two young Sorcerers looked rather alike to each other, as well as to Sekhandur. All well-bred young nobles of Aemeni descent, bronze-skinned, dark-haired, fair-featured, and dressed in gold and silks. Mekhari and Djedhor both nodded politely to Ishara, and Sekhandur continued on.

"[color=aba000]Last we have Novitiate Itzara Nefertari, under Magus Zarakynel.[/color]" Apparently the only young woman among the Kha'Sherhan, Itzara was petite, pretty, and shared in the features of Aemeni-born nobility that much of their Brotherhood possessed. However, unlike most Aemeni women that kept their long, black hair tied up in braids, her head was shaved completely smooth, as though she could not grow any hair at all. Sekhandur did not elaborate on her pedigree or relations, leaving her something of a mystery compared to the others.

"[color=dcd9cd]Welcome.[/color]" She said to Ishara, softly, regarding her with her gentle amber eyes.

"[color=d7be69]Hopefully it won't be much trouble telling you apart.[/color]" Mekhari joked, sipping at some wine. "[color=d7be69]Ishara, Itzara.[/color]" He said, gesturing at each of them with his cup in turn.

Sekhandur pulled out a seat for Ishara, and then seated himself. "[color=aba000]Well then, again welcome. We've all been looking forward to meeting you, and I'm sure you have questions of your own. How are you feeling? Overwhelmed yet?[/color]" He said, again turning toward her with his knowing, regal smile.

[hr]

[color=6AB1D3][b]Zahra[/b][/color]

The elder Sorcerer sat back, watching Zahra go through her excited explanations with a look of amusement. By now the other Sorcerers sat with him- a few in black cloaks, a pair in indigo, and the one sat furthest in scarlet- had noticed who he was talking to, and looked over to his conversation. Most seemed only passingly interested, but some knitted their brows in concern upon seeing the extent of Zahra's disfigurement. If the man in feathers cared at all about the girl's scars, he did not show it.

"[color=fdc68a]Yes, Radaam, I remember from the commencement.[/color]" He said, upon hearing Zahra mention her brother's name. "[color=fdc68a]Cult of the...[/color]" He trailed off, trying to remember.

"[color=8882be]Crow.[/color]" One of his table-mates offered helpfully.

"[color=fdc68a]Yes, Crow, thank you. You must be very proud of him, Zahra.[/color]" The man's smile only brightened as she went on to talk about his clothes, and he continued to indulge the young girl. "[color=fdc68a]My name is Pavo Khalophis, and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, young lady. I suppose there are still some that would consider me a Sorcerer, yes.[/color]" He made a subtle joke, likely to go over Zahra's head, but he glanced over to the Sorcerer sat next to him, who smiled knowingly, before turning his attention back to Zahra. "[color=fdc68a]I quite agree with you, I like my feathers very much as well.[/color]" He took Zahra up and set her on his knee in a fatherly gesture, as he continued on, "[color=fdc68a]Many people forget this, but Sorcerers aren't meant to only [i]learn[/i] about magic and its place in the world. They're meant to celebrate it, too. They need to share its wonder with all of the people of Photep. Every day I get to learn and share magic with Photep is a celebration for me, so I dress with the intention to celebrate. Too many Sorcerers spend too much time with dusty, old books, and get to thinking they need to look dusty to fit the part.[/color]"