Ridahne nodded, navigating the palace with instinctive ease. She even knew which corners to take wide to avoid bumping into serving staff or other eija bustling down halls. It felt so strange to be back in this place that felt somewhat like home, and yet like a lion's den. She was both native and outsider and she wasn't yet sure how to feel about that. Ridahne resolved, though, that she'd just act like this place was as much her home as Atakhara. In a lot of ways, it was.

Both Ridahne and Ajoran, in response to Darin's inquiry about the best place to come unraveled in private, simultaneously answered, "The roof." By their quick answer, it seemed obvious that this was a well-known fact among those who lived or worked in the palace, and that both of them had once utilized the remote perch for such a purpose. Both of them said it with something of a smile, though. It was not a miserable spot laden with the tears of many. It was a peaceful spot to get away from everything.
"Couriers can take your letters home," Ridahne assured. "They have a network of outposts and hawks like our dear Taja that carry letters quickly." Ridahne smirked. "Let me know if you want to use my house seal. I can just imagine your friends back home looking at that and being quite baffled, and maybe a little jealous." She laughed, though she suspected Darin would either want to make her own mark on the seal or leave it plain, knowing her. But the elf wanted to offer anyway, as it was Darin's right to use it as a now official member of house Torzinei. 

"We'll get something to eat, and then I'll find you a portrait artist. They'll be with the tattooers, and are often the same people half the time. Come, you should experience the dining hall at evening meal..." Ridahne chuckled. "It's much more lively than breakfast." 

They went into the large hall set with a long, low table and bench seats. Food was always set out in plenty along this table, and those who sat at it simply plucked what they wanted off of large ceramic platters. Unlike breakfast, which was relatively simple, the evening meal was set with a large variety, as well as several types of beverages and desserts. Ridahne pointed out the different pitchers of liquid and told her which ones had no alcohol, which ones had small amounts, and which ones just to only have a tasting sip of. There was curry on the table of course, but also smoked meats, bright fruits, and flatbreads. There were a few pastries filled with sweet almond paste, and some forms of dried and spiced coconut chips. As they took their seats, the general commotion quieted a bit--not entirely, but the noise notably softened as more and more people noticed them. Ridahne felt like they didn't know which of them to stare at. 

Ja'heil found them though, and eagerly got up and moved to sit across from them. He smiled. "Hello, Astra-Sol, Torzinei, Taja-Teleisun." 
"That's Taja-Torzinei now, Hama-Saraai. If I remember correctly, you're called Ja'heil?"
The apprentice's eyes widened. "[I]Taja-[/I]Torzinei....I....y-yes, that's my name. You look...well, you look better than the last time I saw you. I doubted you were going to make it, Taja-Torzinei."
"You and me both. Ridahne will do, though, Ja'heil. Did your master permit you to leave your seat?" The smirk on her face suggested she was teasing him, as eija often teased apprentices that were not their own. It was a rite of passage they'd all been through, after all. 
"Ridahne, right." He nodded and turned to Darin. "So you saw the city today? And I hear you caused quite a stir with the sea...was it you who held up the rain in that town?"